text:
December 28, 2007
Adobe ate me baby!!
Ding ding ding! We have a winner.
Every year around this time, the online community latches onto some story (CS3 icons last year; "Microsoft to buy Macromedia" before that; etc.) and goes nuts with speculation. The specualtion is all the more thrilling given that the affected companies are only lightly staffed right now, making it hard to provide a meaningful response.
This year it's "Lies, Lies, and Adobe Spies"–a story noting that some Adobe apps contact a Web address associated with Web analytics company Omniture. The story is getting echoed & amplified on Valleywag ("You're not the only one watching what you do in Adobe Creative Suite 3… Adobe is watching you, too"), CenterNetworks ("I am not suggesting that Adobe is doing anything wrong…" but then "Shame on Adobe, shame"), Daring Fireball ("Assuming this is true, it's a disgrace, whatever the actual reason for the connections" [emphasis added]), and I'm sure elsewhere.
Whoa, Nellie.
As I say, now is the perfect time for people to throw around whatever wild assertions they'd like, given that so many people are out of the office and can't respond. Even so, I've been able to find out a few things. According to Doug Miller from the Adobe.com team, "Omniture is Adobe's web analytic vendor for Adobe.com. There are only 3 places we track things via Omniture anywhere in or around our products.":
- The welcome screens (these things) in some Adobe apps include a Flash SWF file that loads current news, special offers, etc. These requests hit Adobe.com servers and are logged, like regular browser-based traffic, by Omniture.
- Adobe Bridge embeds both the Opera browser and the Flash Player, both of which can be used to load Adobe-hosted content. These requests are also logged.
- Adobe apps can call various online resources (online help, user forums, etc.), and those requests are logged. [Update: To clarify, those contacts are made only if the user requests them–e.g. by choosing Help->Adobe Exchange.]
This, as far as I've been able to discover, is the extent of the nefarious "spying." If I learn anything else when more people get back on email, I'll update this post.
Now, let's get down to brass tacks:
- There are plenty of reasons, from phishing to Facebook to the NSA, to be concerned about & to debate security & privacy. But when people cry wolf, making no apparent effort to find out the truth (yeah, let's assume it's a disgrace–and please don't ask anyone at Adobe), they actually make it harder to pay attention to the significant issues at hand.
- I'm a huge advocate of improving the desktop experience through online connectivity. There are lots of details to get right here as we work to find the right balance between privacy & connectedness. Let's absolutely have those conversations–but let's not drown them out with a bunch of shrill, irresponsible FUD. (That would be a disgrace.)
- Adobe could and should do a better job taking security concerns into account. Including Apple's Bonjour technology in CS3 apps was meant to make it easier for users to connect to their servers, but the company's (unintentional) lack of communication caused people to suspect the worst (over the holiday break, naturally). It's because we know what these technologies are doing that we may not remember to see them as others might, and to explain what's going on (and what's not). As I say, as the line further blurs between the desktop & online experiences, Adobe & all companies will need to do a better job communicating & giving users choices.
And so, at last, I'm pleading for a little common sense, and for people to give Adobe the benefit of the doubt–or at least to check the facts before screaming "Your Privacy Is An Illusion!"
[Update: Please see this update as well.]
PS–Tracking user habits can be a good thing that benefits customers by helping software creators notice trends & improve their tools. When Adobe has pursued this kind of thing, it's always been on a strictly opt-in basis.
PPS–I'm just miffed that if people are going to besmirch a whole company, they don't also bother to extend the common courtesy of a crude Photoshop job. ;-)
I think Adobe could have done better than to not try to disguise the network address as "192.168.112.207.net." That alone makes it look like you're trying to "hide" the activity.
I also think people are perfectly justified in reacting strongly, and that it's pretty silly of you to criticize them simply by saying "you should be worrying about the many things that are actually bad." Condescending…
I didn't like Bonjour because Adobe added it to my Startup without telling me and giving me the option to say no. I didn't like LR adding apdproxy as well. Suddenly I've got an additional process running on my PC and I don't know anything about it. That's bad form. Anytime something is added to my Startup the software should tell me what it is. Why it's important and then allow me to say no.
[That's a fair point. –J.]
What is ugly about this action is the actual hostname that Omniture is using. The hostname is trying to be deceive users into thinking it is connecting to a local server rather than a remote one. Using 192.168.112.2o7.net is a pretty sleazy move. I dont have an issue with Adobe or others using Omniture, but it would be better if a more honest URL was used, if I may suggest, abode.omnture.com or analytics.omniture.com or even tracker.omnuture.com.
The problem isn't the connection itself, it's a poorly chosen domain name. That domain name looks exactly like something a piece of malware or an attacker would use to make a connection blend in and go unnoticed.
Presumably, that was it's purpose here, so it's not quite obvious that the connection is to a data collection vendor. Granted, that was apparently the vendor's choice of domain name, not yours. If the hostname were "analytics.omniture.com", you'd have much less of a problem I suspect.
Finally, if it's actually just being requested in the course of webpage loading and they just happen to be your vendor, that's not quite as bad; more like an accident than something someone did on purpose.
Still, put pressure on that vendor to fix the domain name; it's misleading, and that's a problem.
That all makes good sense. So why use a domain name that is disguised as a local network IP address?
I saw this story this morning, and didn't worry too much about it since I doubt Adobe's really worried about what I'm doing, and I'm not using CS3 yet anyway.
That being said, as you point out, the online community tends to freak when this sort of news comes out, so alerting users when this sort of "tracking" is being used and what for, would tend to cut off the wild speculation in advance.
You've missed the point, John. By using the address they have, they're blatantly trying to trick people into thinking it is a local address. THAT'S the issue, first and foremost. You should amend your post to address that–for some reason your posting here makes no mention of the actual issue people are up in arms about.
None of the three uses that you gave for Omniture tracking have any value for me. Then again, they're not meant to – they're meant to have value for Adobe.
When you add that to the fact that Omniture (and by extension, its clients, Adobe and Apple) obfuscates its outgoing traffic by making it look like LAN traffic, you get someone who is pissed off. It's not the end of the world, but it's a piss off.
The usual explanations of "we're just trying to be more efficient in targeting you" don't make me feel any better especially when they only come after their tactics have been exposed.
I simply expect better from Apple and Adobe, companies whose products I use and love on a daily basis.
John: one of the main points that Gruber was addressing on daringfireball, and to which you have not responded, is why the target host has such a stupid/sleazy name: 192.168.112.2o7.net. It certainly seems that this hostname was designed to mislead your users. Smells like bad faith. Why?
Well John, if you could tell me why the server is named "192.168.112.2O7.net", I'd be grateful.
If you don't know, would you be willing to take a wild guess?
The issue is not that the app is calling back. Everyone has known that Adobe apps call back since the mid-90s. The issue is that Adobe is having its app call back in a deliberately misleading fashion. By picking an address deliberately crafted to masquerade as a reserved address that it only used for private networks, Adobe has stepped into the black-hat arena. The issue is the deception.
Fair enough, we can put down our pitchforks and torches then. But what is with 192.168.112.2o7.net? The most charitable answer I can come up with is it's a "harmless in-joke" being played on us, your customers (who won't know any better). Ha. ha.
While I understand that it's true that things of this nature can get sensationalized, you still miss a point that John Gruber brings up. It is one thing for an application to "phone home" or collect various data, and the issues there can be debated. However, to do so by masquerading those connections as local connections, with the 2o7.net domain is something completely separate, and in my opinion dubious at best. And one has to ask himself "why did Adobe try to fool me?"
John, What's disgraceful is not so much the outside connections themselves, but the fact that the destination server is named "192.168.112.2O7.net" in an obvious ploy to defeat local firewalls that are (mis)configured to allow free-flow of supposedly local "192.168.*" traffic. Essentially, these connections are designed in such a way that they attempt to surreptitiously circumvent the security policies that a user has attempted to put in place.
So why is it using a web address like 192.168.112.2O7.net? which clearly masquerades as a local area networks ip address? That's teh suck we think is lame. Happy New Year, I look forward to next years same story and your explanation.
The use of a server named "192.168.112.2O7.net" is the problem. I would expect this from a bad windows shareware app – not Adobe. Why not use something like allyourclicksarebelongtous.adobe.com.
If there is nothing to hide here why give the appearance of deception by refering to a site that looks like a private IP address i.e. 192.168.112.207.net (which looks like an address from RFC1918) instead of something.omniture.com or something.adobe.com? If there is nothing to hide here why give the appearance of trying to hide your tracks?
"Adobe apps can call various online resources (online help, user forums, etc.), and those requests are logged." Heavens, how could anyone equate that with "covertly phoning home"?
[I don't know, because it's not covert. The app only connects to those things if you ask it to do so, by selecting the appropriate menu item. There's nothing covert about it. –J.]
Ludicrous. And making the connection (192.168.112.207.net) look like a local domain — that was just Adobe's little IQ test to make sure we're paying attention. It was simply harmless fun! How could anyone with COMMON SENSE think otherwise? And anyway, remember, it's all for our own good.
Thanks very much for the insight.
However, you neglected to address the main criticism – why is the Omniture server named "192.168.112.2O7.net"? This is clearly designed to look like a LAN IP. This is why people are assuming that Adobe has some malicious intent – if the connections are completely benign, why is it necessary to "disguise" the server in this way?
Hey John,
Thanks for the post, just three questions:
Why not make this a proper opt-in system with a preference check box?
[This is a good question. I should have noted that there actually is an opt *out* mechanism: you can switch off the welcome screens (via the Don't Show Again checkbox), in which case they'll no longer appear (or load the SWF that makes the network call). That's different than an opt-in mechanism, though.
I don't know quite what the right approach is. We want to provide a seamless experience, not one interrupted by lots of worrisome alert dialogs. The importance of getting the experience right will grow as the apps offer more Web-hosted content. –J.]
Why use an address that is designed to look so much like a local address (192.168.112.2o7.net)?
[This I don't know. Please see my follow-up post. –J.]
Can I install something on your machine that contacts my machine with some harmless bits of information?
[It all depends on what it is, what it's doing, and what's in it for me–which is kind of the whole point here: those are the kind of details we need to be making clear. The obscure address sure isn't helping. –J.]
Yeah, this whole "corporate blogging" thing isn't working out so well, is it? Every time you post such apologia under your name, it just diminishes your reputation, and doesn't help the company. It sounds too much like you are toeing the company line, rather than being honest and forthright.
[Well, I am endeavoring to be honest and forthright, and generally I get a lot of positive feedback about the blog.
The thing is, I didn't come to Adobe to be anybody's mouthpiece or anybody's doormat. I think it was completely irresponsible for a bunch of news outlets to jump on this story and state that Adobe is shamefully spying on users. The easy corporate shill path would be just to let that go, or to ignore the whole thing. (After all, the product for which I'm responsible–Photoshop–doesn't even display the behavior in question.) I have a problem with scare tactics & mob behavior, though, and I'm going to say so. –J.]
Aside from the obvious issue of "why should splash screens be tracked in the first place?" Perhaps you could answer me this:
Why is the address that Omniture uses disguised to look like it's a local network address? Why not use something like "adobetracker.omniture.net" instead? Why use this crazy "192.168.112.2o7.net"?
[That I don't know. Per all the comments here (to which I haven't had a chance to respond individually), it seems like a dumb move. It's certainly enough to raise concerns, and I'd like to know more about why it was made. With so many people on vacation at the moment, it may take a little time to find out more. As I said in the entry, I'll post more info as I get it. –J.]
I absolutely agree with Gruber: using a server named "192.168.112.2O7.net" puts you in the same category as phishers and spammers. Having an app phone home is fine but tell me, and don't try to sneak it by me by hiding behind a router-ish URL.
Since trackbacks don't appear to be working; http://www.mentallyretired.com/2007/12/29/dear-john-nack-how-dare-you/
I found myself in agreement with the explaination, however:
Adobe's history of working with the Secret Service to intentionally handicap their software with "anti-counterfeiting features" leaves me skeptical of their credibility.
I don't think any software should assume it's OK to use MY broadband connection to phone home without asking first if it can. That they chose such a "Tricky" address makes me think they knew they should ask, and chose not to.
I sense a lot of emotion in your post. What are you really hiding, Jack?
[Umm… I give up; what?
Here's a little background on the emotion. For the last, oh, 360 days I've been fielding inquiries about Adobe's use of Apple's Bonjour technology. You can read the post & the comments if you'd like more detail on it. The comments usually go like this:
Commenter 1: Adobe/Bonjour are destroying my Internet connection and/or stealing my information!
Me: That sounds pretty serious, and we need to be sure that's *not* happening. Please provide some evidence/background so that we can investigate.
Commenter 1: [silence]
Commenter 2: Adobe/Bonjour are stealing my bandwidth and destroying my life.
Me: Again, can you provide some evidence to back up these alarming claims?
Commenter 2: [silence]
Commenter 3: [repeat] … (and so on)
The pattern, in other words, is to make a bunch of scary assertions, then disappear when someone takes those claims seriously and tries to act on them. And this goes on and on, month after month. People keep questioning my integrity & that of my colleagues, yet they run away whey I ask for facts.
It's one thing when some anonymous person does this & disappears. It's another when a commercial publication makes totally alarming statements like "Adobe is watching you," without making any apparent attempts to find out what's really going on or why. That sucks. It's irresponsible, and it does a disservice to readers. And I do consider it be be a form of crying wolf: if people fly off the handle without learning what's happening, they create so much noise that it's harder to tell what's serious and what isn't.
So yeah, this kind of thing makes me angry. I expect better from journalists, and I'd like to ask for more from readers. *By all means,* let's take privacy & security seriously (I know I do), and let's hold everyone's feet to the fire–Adobe's obviously included. But let's *not* indulge in so much cynicism that we assume the worst, without asking good questions & trying to work with the people involved. –J.]
The use of a fake IP address as a domain name is well below the level of a legitimate professional company like Adobe. It qualifies as clearly unethical, borderline criminal (not legally, but morally), and very similar to the tactics used by Phishers and virus-spreading trojans.
We own three CS2 licenses and have been loyal Photoshoppers since 2.5. I hope you'll take the complaints about this nefarious behavior seriously. Whoever thought this one up should be fired because it makes Adobe look like black-masked burglars.
I know this will likely be censored, but this is just another example of Adobe's egregiously overreaching then pretending to back off when called in it by the community. Remember Dmitry Sklyarov, anyone?
I agree with just about everyone here… using an address "192.168.112.2O7.net" is a red flag. No one with good intentions does this.
I don't mind if any given piece of software has a routine to phone home for updates, stats, and even some limited usage stats. But it better be up front, and honest, about what it's doing.
What I do with MY computer is generally MY business and if I choose to help development by providing info, I will- but at MY discretion.
This is just reinforcing the public's distrust in closed-source software. I for one, will keep Paint.Net around until the bad taste in my mouth goes away.
Disclaimer: I've been a happy Omniture customer for several years and they're providing good tools and services.
Amazing that almost everybody misses the right responsible third party: Omniture. Adobe is using Omniture SiteCatalyst to gather some simple web analytics, which, as explained in this post, are not always reduced to web pages visited with a web browser. Adobe has ZERO choice about which tracking server they have to use, all they can do is use Omniture's code exactly as provided to them. They cannot change it without losing support and, in fine, reliability in the stats. If you dig a bit deeper, you will find that 192.168.112.2o7.net does not resolve to a single IP but a set of dynamic IPs depending where you are, so Adobe has really NO choice about that (such as replacing this name with a numeric IP).
This said, the only criticable thing here is the "hack" used by Omniture in naming one of their tracking servers using what looks like a non-routable local IP. That question (and furor, hysteria, whatever) should be directed at Omniture, not Adobe.
This said, since all they gather boils down to simple web metrics akin to page views, errors, time to load, etc. (aggregate numbers they use to track patterns and issues with their apps, exactly as anyone serious would do with a web site), and since the Omniture trick would not fool many F*cking Stupid Firewalls™(*) out there, I for one would argue that 1) this is definitely much ado about nothing, 2) the rest will just be an exercise in crisis communication (which, unfairly, will be more painful for Adobe than for Omniture, thanks to clueless bloggers and journalists :p).
(*) I wonder how many of those who are up in arms about the 192.168.* trick bypassing (really stupid) firewalls, are also complaining that their company F*cking Stupid Firewall™ also prevents them to surf freely on the interwebs :p.
I really don't mind if software developers want to know about my computing or browsing habits and I will gladly let them collect that information-If they ask me in advance!
[Be that as it may, I feel compelled to note (again) that the behavior in question isn't tracking your computing or browsing habits beyond noting that an app was launched at a specific IP address. –J.]
If you care about our security and privacy, put up or SHUT UP! Release the source code of these programs and make them all open source. I don't trust anything a person says, I trust THEIR ACTIONS. Go ahead, keep this comment from being seen or just make a stupid comment after publishing it to make you feel better. Closed source is a joke.
Software that contacts the Internet without the user's explicit knowledge is out of line. It is never in the user's interest, it is in the vendor's interest. Ergo every Adobe app needs an explicit consent preference and an overt indication that it is going to the Net. Photoshop is not among them.
Adobe lost me when it informed the KGB^H^H^HFBI about Elcomsoft's Dmitry Sklyarov visit to Amerika and had him put in jail! That is evil, Adobe has done evil, and I neither buy nor recommend products from evil korporations.
Now I understand that Adobe requires "aktivation" for products already purchased? No, I don't think so, you greedy leaches. I'm going with low cost or open source tools like GIMP, Pixel, and Pixelmator.
For a long time Adobe has shown a very fundamental lack of respect its customers.
Like Microsoft, Adobe does what it wants and uses monopoly power to shove it down the throats of their customers. Yes, Adobe does have monopoly power in content creation.
So today, we have the revelation that Adobe is data harvesting without informed consent. In the broad sense, spying. Though term "data piracy" may be more appropriate.
While this revelation is another betrayal of the customer, it does not come as a surprise that Adobe has riddled their applications with spyware.
And so Adobe continues to build the case that their own destruction *is* "a just cause" for others to take up.
Sadly, this is a waste of all the good things that the people of Adobe do to build useful, sometimes even enjoyable, products.
Let us only hope that the new year brings new resolve in the people of Adobe to better themselves, to do more good in the world, to fix the things they have done wrong and to do right by the people they have done wrong by in the past.
John, Could you suggest how to obtain a complete listing of all internet access behaviours embeded into each Adobe product?
[Frank: I don't know how I'd go about doing that, but let me think about it. There's the obvious fact that the company makes quite a few products that are all built and managed by different groups. Beyond that, it's hard to guarantee that someone hasn't forgotten to list something (not intentionally, but because the inquiry hasn't reached all the right people). Anyway, it's a good question/request in terms of restoring customers' trust, so I'll see what we can do. –J.]
The thing is, I didn't come to Adobe to be anybody's mouthpiece or anybody's doormat.
Well, now that you are, how do you like cashing the checks?
[I guess that's in the eye of the beholder. My take is that I'm trying to engage in a meaningful discussion of important issues, sharing what info I have & looking for more. If people want to be cool about that, great; if they want to be smug & hostile, there's not much I can do about it. Either way, I don't roll over. If I go silent in responding to some of these posts, it's just because the number has become overwhelming, and I've decided to spend part of my remaining holiday break getting out of the house! –J.]
I think John Nack is dishing out a bunch of garbage. Adobe knows exactly what they are doing and it is for their benefit only. They want total control of their software on your system.
As an example, look at Adobe Reader 8. Notice beginning with version 8 they removed the option to disable automatic update. Wonder why. Now when your software is communicating with Adobe servers, you really have no idea what is being communicated and no way to disable it.
I personally removed all Adobe software from my systems for that reason alone and found excellent alternatives.
Ironically enough, a few days ago my boss and I were talking about this exact thing. During a phone conversation with one of our software sales reps where we were inquiring about "network licenses", he told us that the CS3 applications do, indeed, "phone home".
So would you care to explain why the packets going back to omniture contain the serial number of the Adobe product?
Sounds like you've been caught out red-handed, to me.
GET /b/ss/mxcentral/1/F.3-fb/[sn-here]?[AQB]&purl=mm&pccr=true&c2=dw&c3=9.0&c4=win&c5=en&c6=full&c7=&c8=&c9=dw_9.0_win_en_full__[AQE] HTTP/1.1
Referer: http://www.adobe.com/startpage/dw_content/dw_90_full_default.swf?prod=dw&ver=9.0&plat=win&lang=en&stat=full&tday=&spfx=&productName=dreamweaver [adobe.com]
x-flash-version: 9,0,45,0
User-Agent: Shockwave Flash
Host: 192.168.112.2O7.net
which returns a 2×2 pixel blank GIF.
I've included J's response to Checkmate to ask a question.
[Be that as it may, I feel compelled to note (again) that the behavior in question isn't tracking your computing or browsing habits beyond noting that an app was launched at a specific IP address. –J.]
Doesn't the call home include the serial number of app, thus tracking the individual user? Statistics are being gathered at a very low level.
[As I've said, I'm working to gather more info about exactly what's going on. Everything I've stated so far reflects what I've been able to learn up until now. To your point, though, I'll refrain from making statements about what is or isn't going on until I have some more authoritative answers. –J.]
I will volunteer what we do to help keep companies like Adobe and Microsoft in check.
All internet access goes through a proxy. There is no way to get out of the LAN without going through a proxy (short of hacking the firewall/proxy server). Adobe update cannot connect. Microsoft Office data-upload cannot connect. Microsoft update/upload cannot connect, etc.
All access to get out of the LAN is via a username and password that is unique for each application. This way when any application uses the proxy, it is easy to see in the proxy logs.
The proxy also makes it easy to see what companies are illegally trying to hack their way out of the LAN onto the internet.
Note that if any company's software attempts to hack out of the LAN, it is a federal crime, i.e. circumventing the protection of my company's copyrighted intellectual property.
Additionally, as Adobe has put data gathering into their software and the use of this data gathering software is not permitted through any legal contract, Adobe can be held liable for any data security breach on my network due to contributory negligence, willful infringement of federal data protection laws, willful disregard of the DMCA, Net Act, etc.
Overall, it is not in Adobe's best interest to put any sort of spyware on its customers systems. There should be some separate software that can be downloaded via an opt-in program that is covered by a detailed *written* contract. Anything less and Adobe is holding a legal gun to their own head.
My guess is that Adobe will have to be sued big time before the company decides to change their policies.
So tightly controlled internet access will be a good investment.
Lastly, I would like to say "good job on the blog, John." I understand that you have to stick to the party line or you will lose your job. In the future, I hope things change so that the people of Adobe can do right by the customer and not have to fear for their jobs.
If all this is a misunderstanding, then what's with the funny IP address?
Perhaps you could choose your outsourcing more carefully?
And maybe you should also give many of the more sane reactions the benefit of the doubt, too. Because Adobe, like many large companies, doesn't have a good record when it comes to questionable practices regarding intellectual law and fair use, and that makes people a lot more suspicious — with good reason, perhaps.
The conclusion:
John writes a blog post which seems to explain himself or account for his actions. Now here's the key, he has not responded to comments. This is typical amongst those that use the "web 2.0" to disquise their true motives, profit.
[Are you kidding me?? Have you read *any* of what's on this page? Crazy… –J.]
192.168.112.207.net, really? That's just low. Also uncool is how you twice mentioned that this story broke in december because that's when the Adobe offices are almost empty. Whatever, Adobe tried to hide this and got what it deserved. If you try to trick the people, then you should just have a damage control PR person 365 days in the office to deal with this. Otherwise, too bad for Adobe. Don't forget we paid Adobe $1000 for the bloated CS 3 including this crap.
CS 3 is NOT the best software. There is so much crap in it that has nothing to do with the tasks I use CS 3 for that it is becoming very annoying. This thing is a very good example of that. Please consider making CS 4 about performance and ease of use, not about features. Thanks!
I'm a huge advocate of improving the desktop experience through online connectivity.
How 'bout if I, who buy your products don't want my desktop experience "improved through [your idea of] online connectivity?"
[That's perfectly fine. As I've said repeatedly on this page, we need to strike the right balance between connectedness & privacy. I've frequently reminded people who want to shove everything online that, guess what, not everyone wants to be connected. The trick, I think, is to make the benefits of connectivity present in a way that's not invasive & also not annoying ("May I kiss you now? May I touch your shoulder now?…"). –J.]
How 'bout improving the user experience through programs that work right? For just one example, have you tried the Outline Stroke command in Illustrator CS3 lately, Mr. Nack?
[No. I trust you've mentioned it to people who work on that product. –J.]
did alberto gonzales write this uninformative rubbish? obviously you arent connected on the software side. you sound like a crap producer that doesnt know the product he works on and spends his time at work minnowing upstream, roman style, and blogging about pr shit about a company whos inner workings you are clueless about.
[Don't forget to thank your mom for the continued use of her basement. –J.]
Regardless of what the motive or intentions are the user of your customers methods and habits are their business unless they wish to share and participate and many do as is evident by the Adobe User to User Forum and public betas.
It might not be in the end a big deal but if it where a choice to opt in there may be a way to make it worth while for a user to opt in.
Say at the end of each cycle through a random drawing of all the users, regardless of how often they launch an Adobe Application, two were selected to receive free software one a Creative Suite of their choice and the second one a Master Collection.
I think it is probably a healthy thing to ask the users to assist in improving the product through participation rather than to just opt everyone in.
The welcome screen has some good potential as a tool it will die if everyone turns it off. And under the circumstances it will probably be turned off by any serious user and for good.
The obvious question to me is, if you want a pretty splash screen for an app why not include it in the app?
Seems like the only reason to grab it from the net is to track your users.
Frank MacGill wrote, a ways above:
"John, Could you suggest how to obtain a complete listing of all internet access behaviours embeded into each Adobe product?"
Like John Nack, I don't know of any immediate resource, but I agree that such ahead-of-time transparency is the best defense against internet memestorms like this.
(For what it's worth, uneasysilence.com has finally approved my early reply there, which was sent three days ago, before this story hit Techmeme. It's a step…. ;-)
[…the behavior in question isn't tracking your computing or browsing habits beyond noting that an app was launched at a specific IP address. –J.]
When I open an app on my computer and what IP address I am using is none of Adobes business. None. Excuse me Adobe… can you hear me? NONE. That means you are spying on your customers. And why are you spying on your customers? You say it if for the customers benefit (interesting concept… I pay you to spy on me for my own benefit…).
With this spyware built-in you would think your CS3 was pirated. With a nice trojan as an added bonus!
@padawan: That's the most sensible thing I've read here. I don't understand why it would be Adobe's problem that users/vendors lack a sufficient grasp of domain name standards to configure a proper firewall or to analyse logs correctly.
@Lee Moku: What is your phone number to which Adobe and others who have to support Adobe products should direct technical support calls about your scheme? Alternately, which third-party corporate entity do you trust to develop, distribute and support such a proxy? In either case, how much more would you request that the 99% of customers who don't care about this issue pay for their Adobe products to develop and provide the type of infrastructure you describe?
@192.168.112.207.net is teh evilz!!11! copy and paste kiddies: Why are you so comfortable spewing alarmist media trivia (the criticism here does not quite amount to the sophistication required for groupthink)? Even if you are entirely right about this issue, what solutions have you proposed to resolve this? Lee Moku at least rises to the level of having thought about the issue critically to provide a technically valid, but potentially expensive solution; what about everyone else?
Every step you've done in the two message on issue are wrong.
John, why not create an halo of desire around the issue? Why not put shiny clothes the discussed feature; drape it accordingly.
Par example, the user tracking can be put as a additional channel to get in touch with creative people (those who are use Adobe products). Use invites to some service; maybe, give discounts on future products.
Well, if your intention to send this a half-of-kilobyte of some private data SO strong, why not pay back to the user some way or another for having him expose something about his behavior (time, location, habits can be intersected between 2o7 partners and put into an user mosaic that can be broken some day by an teenage hacker)?
Your so patronish tone distract already cracked image of Adobe and not welcome to 'genuine and informative talks'.
Also, you may leave reply to the comments right after the comment, with quote exact words you discuss.
Aside from the tacky behavior and contemptuous thought behind the 'local' IP address issue, the *other* and very serious issue is this: Adobe thinks it has the right to know when I've opened an app. It does not. It's my app, it's my 'puter, and it's my dime. And, for Adobe apps, it's a damned big dime. If Adobe wants to know when, how often, and where I use an app, it can send me a survey card. I'll answer as and when I choose.
And, John, the 'preview' function for comments on this blog *really* needs work. Send me an email, I'll tell you what needs fixing.
"it's always been on a strictly opt-in basis."
i dont recall seeing this option during installation. or is this one of those illusions you mentioned?
[I was referring to programs for the tracking of user activity (logging the menu items you choose, how you use apps together, etc.). Those programs can be valuable for software developers as they reveal usage patterns, and many people are happy to participate. They've always been conducted on an opt-in basis.
Note that those efforts have nothing to do with the behavior discussed in this thread. –J.]
It think it was stupid enough not to explain the situation right away.
First off they tried to hide/disguise the communication from the application.
Second, the first time they were asked, they said "oh thats just the automatic update feature" = LIE and they stuck with it.
3rd then they came clean and told everyone = CAUGHT IN A LIE
[Who said anything about an automatic update feature? Such a feature exists, but it's separate from the apps & behavior being discussed here. –J.]
Thats all suspicious behavior, of course people are mad! They trusted a company that abused their trust. The could have at least added feature that would have asked whether or not you wanted this data transmitted, then it would have all been OK. Then it wouldn't seem like they were trying to be sneaky when our backs are turned.
If people hadn't raised a fuss about this, I doubt that interested people would be hearing from the product manager. It's kind of a shame, though, that the response comes with such a dismissive tone.
[Please look at what I wrote. I'm not dismissing legitimate concerns. I do, however, take exception to irresponsible, inaccurate fearmongering. There's a huge difference, and both have been on display in this situation. –J.]
Any URL that uses such a deceptive construction is suspect, and Adobe could have done better to pay respect to that concern rather than the open disdain. I wouldn't want to be called in to respond to this over the holidays, but then I also wouldn't partner with companies that use deceptive tactics to mask their network activity.
" Magic5ball — 03:10 PM on December 30, 2007
@Lee Moku: What is your phone number to which Adobe and others who have to support Adobe products should direct technical support calls about your scheme? Alternately, which third-party corporate entity do you trust to develop, distribute and support such a proxy? In either case, how much more would you request that the 99% of customers who don't care about this issue pay for their Adobe products to develop and provide the type of infrastructure you describe?"
It is my belief that each company/individual should make an informed decision on what level of data theft risk they are willing to accept.
In the case of "low risk" then you run a LAN that has no connection to the internet.
In the case of what I will call "medium risk", you use an open source proxy such as Squid that is used by many people and has been reviewed by many eyes. When configuring this proxy, you will use an authentication mechanism that is secure and gives a unique username and password to each application.
Squid is what we use. On a dedicated box that also runs Snort for intrusion protection, a firewall, a virus scanner, etc. These are all elements of risk management.
In the case of "high risk", you can run what is essentially an open connection to the internet. This sort of "high risk" environment is what enables Microsoft, Adobe, eBay/Skype, BitTorrent Corp. and many others to harvest your data. Any software with "automatic update" is a legitimate data theft threat.
Needless to say, I would not consider any closed source security system to be anything other than "high risk".
Certainly there will be some people that listen and pay attention to the sort of data harvesting issue we are talking about here and put in place appropriate risk management.
Others will shine it off and decide that they will simply let their chips ride and hope for good luck.
In the bigger picture, I hope everyone understands the fact that we have John's blog and Adobe involvement is itself a very positive thing. Adobe has had nothing like this in the past. I know firsthand that there are a lot of good people at Adobe who want to do right by the customer. But there are some old mindsets that are difficult to change. John's blog helps Adobe gain understanding and is a good step towards being able to change, even if the change itself takes time.
And let us not forget that we are looking at a brand new year. Hopefully we will see Adobe build on blogs like John's and start to make their software and their relationship with the customer friendlier. I know this would make a difference for a lot of people, both inside and outside Adobe.
Cheers! :-)
I agree with the basic point (the IP address) that is upsetting many people, including myself.
However, I am appalled with the personal attacks on John Nack. What -for example – is the point of this diatribe…
> Every time you post such apologia
> under your name, it just diminishes
> your reputation, and doesn't help
> the company.
What a load of nonsense. In this case, the alternative would be that no one engages us at all.
While I have my own issues with Adobe, I've always been grateful for the fact that John Nack has been willing to engage us. Quite often he has put himself on the front line where others haven't dared, and (as in this case), he has been the only point of contact. How on earth does that diminish his reputation?
His product isn't affected and like it or not, it actually is the Christmas break and workplaces actually really do tend to be empty. If he doesn't come back with the promised info after Christmas, then get mad or whatever, or get mad at the product managers from the affected products who were nowhere to be seen while John Nack held the fort alone.
Please. Those of you slinging insults and abuse are demeaning the rest of us out.
re: Adobe has no choice in how this technology works, people should complain to Omniture, not Adobe.
Complete nonsense. Buying CS3 doesn't make me a customer of Omniture. I pay them nothing. They owe me nothing. I may not like what they do, but I have no agreement with them, explicit or otherwise.
I *do*, however, have an explicit agreement with Adobe – an agreement involving paying them quite a bit of money. With that money comes complete responsibility on their part for *their* product. If they are not happy with the way Omniture does business with *Adobe's* customers, they can insist that Omniture change its ways. If they don't, Adobe can go elsewhere.
If you find a dead roach in your McDonald's hamburger, would you accept the explanation, oh, we buy our chopped meat from X Meat supply – head office in Brazil; call them, don't bother us?
And who are we supposed to ask at Adobe in order to avoid looking like idiots in your infallible eyes?
[Well, not jumping down my throat with a bunch of hostility is always a good place to start. –J.]
Is there a special phone number we can call every time we notice one of your applications doing something retarded? Lord knows we get so many useful responses from reporting bugs on your existing support forums, and you've given us so many reasons to trust everything Adobe says and does without question.
[No one asked anyone not to question. What I requested was the benefit of the doubt. I also asked that online outlets wanting to retain some credibility do a little homework before stupidly repeating things like "Adobe is watching you." But "If it bleeds, it leads," and given that people make their livings from driving up their Web stats, this trend is likely to continue. –J.]
Yup, Adobe's moral compass is always pointed in the right direction. Where'd that FedEx button go again? I forgot.
[So, you're citing the company's decision to change a product in response to & accordance with customer feedback as an example of evil? That's certainly a novel approach. –J.]
Wow, what a complex issue.
First of all, John, kudos for posting the details of what's going on in an effort to clear up the confusion. I know it feels like it is a thankless task, but rest assured your efforts are appreciated.
That being said, after reading your post as well as all of the comments, I find myself in agreement with the 'obfustication scares me' camp. I second Mark Alexander's Dec. 28th post.
I'm happy to hear nothing nefarious is going on, but it would be nice if the whole process was transparent.
Happy new year, and best wishes,
Human beings are just Chimps with a thumb. If Adobe doesn't take that into account when creating their apps, then they get the paranoid " Chimp " reaction.
Monkeys are always worried about their territory. Try to get that into your head Adobe.
…Chimps with a thumb?
And with intelligence, free-will, a conscience, emotion, creativity, passion, understanding, wisdom. Not all of which are exclusive to humanns, but the proportion and depth and breadth of these is incomparably huge in comparison with chimps! No, they're humans! That's what's more difficult to accept, Mr Prince!
this thing makes me stop from further using adobe products and products using macrovision protection in our company.
[The issue in question here has nothing to do with Macrovision and/or product activation. –J.]
Ever heard about ULEAD software? The only right nobody can take away from us, as customers, is … making different choiches.
"Uneasy Silence reports that Adobe CS3 apps are phone home periodically with connections to "192.168.112.2o7.net" — a web server whose name is clearly designed to look like a local area network IP address (particularly when the "o" is capitalized in "2o7.net").
This is a disgrace, whatever the actual reason for the connections."
That's the _whole_ blog entry of Gruber on daringfireball. Citing just the last line is misleading…
[I linked back to the article for those who wanted to read the whole thing, and I didn't appreciate the quick-to-slam tone of it. –J.]
I have noticed some really strange "features" by using Adobe applications during the last months. This is the reason why I am working most of the time "offline" by "pulling the plug". This way, I am able to work more creatively, efficiently and productively.
[Um, could you elaborate on that? What behavior are you seeing, exactly? –J.]
graphically & sincerely,
" Software & Madness "
Marc Klein
So please, give me a reasonable explanation why I needed to register my CS2 apps again when I returned to France after my trip to Germany?
[I'm not sure whether what you're referring to below as "registration" is actually "activation"–a different process. Registration is a voluntary process that involves you sharing your personal info; activation is a mandatory, anonymous process that authorizes use of software on your machine. –J.]
I took my PowerBook with me for the holiday in order to finish some work. After my holiday, I wanted to start working again on my Apple G5 computer.
I arrive back in France, I switch on my G5 workstation, started Photoshop and blubbb, I needed to go through the entire registration process once again. I had to do the registration process twice which is strange enough.
Step 1. I did the software registration over the internet. Adobe said, thank you for registration.
You are now allowed to work with your purchased software from Adobe and are able to continue doing your homework.
[It's not necessary to register in order to use the software. It *is* necessary to activate it, which is what makes me think you're talking about the latter. –J.]
Wow, thank you Adobe.
Step 2. I closed the Adobe app after registering. I launched the Adobe app once again and I see the Adobe registration process popping up once again!
[Could it be that you were first prompted to activate (which doesn't involve filling in your name, address, etc.), and that later you were prompted to register (which does involve that info)? I can see where this could be confusing. –J.]
Step 3. I registered my Adobe CS2 suite AGAIN. And this time Adobe was so "intelligent" to remember my registration process.
Conclusion. It is NOT Adobe's business to know WHEN, I am working on my machine, IF I am working on my machine, IF I am working on my PowerBook or my G5 workstation and for sure it is NOT Adobe's business to know from WHERE I am actually doing my job.
[None of what you've described leads me to think that Adobe is tracking whether you're working on your machine, or where you're doing it. Activation *is* required, but it should be a one-shot deal. (If it isn't, it's likely that some other process on your system has changed the machine configuration, causing re-activation to be necessary.) –J.]
The other question would be.
Why DO I have to register your software over the internet anyway if I have purchased the software through your online store by downloading the files from ADOBE's website and getting the serial number directly from Adobe?
[I don't know. Maybe the systems just aren't tied together. Maybe there's a good reason that they should be kept separate. Maybe the person who buys the software is not necessarily the one who uses it. I do know that it's incredibly annoying when I call a company, punch in some long string of digits (credit card number, etc.), and then get introduced to a person who asks for exactly that same info. –J.]
I make a comparison. I am selling design templates on my website. I am the company selling these products.
However, is it MY business to know WHEN, IF and HOW my customers are editing my design templates?
Answer: NO
It is definitely NOT my business to spy on MY customers. Why should I?
So why should Adobe?
[It doesn't. –J.]
graphically & sincerely,
Marc Klein
After installing Photoshop CS3 I noticed the connection… So Adobe connects in the background with a deceiving IP address, doesn't give me a choice to opt out and I should be happy because it "improves the desktop experience through online connectivity"?
[As mentioned, it does give you the choice to opt out: simply turn off the welcome screen. As for the URL in question, it'll be fixed. –J.]
If they want feedback they should ask first. Nicely. Online connectivity improving what? Who said I agree? Such behaviour is familiar. Is the reason why we hate some companies out there. Microsoft anyone?
Its getting very very close to the point where i am going to NOT have any internet access on all of our machines, just one which is not connected to the network or anything else.
Adobe's cred just took a nose dive.
And I'm not the only one thinking this, that its time to look for alternatives.
What happened to Paint Shop Pro??
Is this what you want serious users to do adobe, look for alternatives, because you behavior is doing just that.
Interesting, you following what people do with out their permission, and you not saying that you do this.
There is another similar methodology,
Thats where someone follows me, without my permission, in a stealthy way, to find out things about me.
Its called STALKING.
And that Adobe is a federal crime.
plz send me serial number of abode photoshop cs 2 i dnt have it ……..
[You've gotta be kidding me. –J.]
I found myself in agreement with the explaination, however:
Adobe's history of working with the Secret Service to intentionally handicap their software with "anti-counterfeiting features" leaves me skeptical of their credibility.
I think that
Wholesale jerseys are the greatest winter boots out there. They are warm, they mold to your foot for the perfect fit/comfort, and I would say they are pretty stylish. Now,
Is this what you want serious users to do adobe, look for alternatives, because you behavior is doing just that.
Is this what you want serious users to do adobe, look for alternatives, because you behavior is doing just that.
My concern is not what Adobe does once installed but rather the garbage you try & bundle into your installs.
I want Reader, well I dont really but need it, and you try & install Chrome
I need Flash, you try & install McAfee AV scanner (when I already have AV)
I need shockware, you try & install Norton AV scanner (when I already have AV).
I know it can be unticked but its bloody annoying. If I want the other stuff I'll get it from them


text:
Cutter Bench / 745 eur
Designed by Niels Hvass
The Cutter bench was originally designed for an exhibition called Walk the Plank. Here, inspired by the German Bauhaus movement, the idea of a slatted seat on a coherent frame came into life. The minimalist design is effortless in its expression and does well in most settings, inside as well as outside.
- Details
- Teak
WxDxH: 121x40x43,5 cm / Seat H: 43,5 cm
Item no. S1920400
- Packaging
- WxDxH: 128x42x47 cm
Weight: 15,2 kg
- Material and care
Proper usage and maintenance
Proper usage and maintenance is vital for getting the most out of the valuable resources we have. Our designs are made to last for generations, but just like everything else, they need a little care to get there.
Teak is commonly found in Southeast Asia, Central and South America. Our FSC-certified Teak comes from Central America, Brazil and Indonesia, while our non-certified Teak comes from plantations in Southeast Asia and Trinidad; managed to sustain a renewable and reliable supply of wood.
Teak is a heavy, hard and sturdy type of wood. The high content of natural oils makes it highly resistant and it is therefore a good choice for household articles and furniture.
For regular cleaning use a suitable cleaning agent for wood.
As the wood is untreated the surface will change colour over time and eventually turn into a beautiful silvery grey. To maintain untreated wood, it is a good idea to use sandpaper (grit 120-150) once or twice a year.
From the same series
About the designer / Niels Hvass
He creates clear, precise expressions that place the user centre stage. His designs are based on a deep-felt wish that one must be entranced and fall in love. Niels Hvass is an idealist with sincerity as a key value. He was born in Nykøbing Mors, Denmark, in 1958 and qualified as a furniture designer from the Danish School of Design in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1987. Together with Christina Strand, he has run the design studio Strand + Hvass since 1991. But his impressive career also includes teaching at the Danish School of Design, membership of the grants committee and board of the Danish Arts Foundation, exhibitions at the Cabinetmakers' Autumn Exhibition, etc.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Expression and function of the non-coding WISP1 transcript (lncWISP1) in fibrosis
Patrick studies medicine at the Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg. As a MD student he explores the expression and function of the non-coding WISP1 transcript (lncWISP1) in fibrosis.
Wnt1-inducible signaling pathway protein 1 (WISP1) is involved in organ development but also in fibrogenic and cancerous tissue alterations. Recent data showed that an alternative WISP1 transcript is upregulated by different cell stressors in renal cells leading to the increased formation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components such as collagens. In subsequent studies it turned out that this transcript very likely does not code for a protein, hence it is a representative of the new class of long noncoding RNAs which was named lncWISP1 (long noncoding WISP1). We are characterizing the functional interactions of lncWisp, the cellular consequences of lncWISP1 expression, the occurrence of lncWISP1 in healthy and diseased tissues, as well as the half-life of lncWISP1.
Supervisor: Prof. Michael Gekle
E-mail: rickiazinovic(at)googlemail.com


text:
Friday, 28 February 2014 03:01 PM
Diners at a Florida restaurant chain are being asked to pay a health insurance surcharge on their meal tabs to cover the cost for business owners of the Obama administration's new healthcare program.
Customers at eight Gator's Dockside restaurants dotted around central and north Florida are finding a 1 percent surcharge on their bills listed as "ACA," the letters standing for the Affordable Care Act, popularly known as Obamacare.
Lengthy signs on the front door and a plastic-coated letter delivered to tables with the menu warn diners of the fee. "The costs associated with ACA compliance could ultimately close our doors," the letter reads under the company letterhead.
A $14.56 lunch tab for Asian salad and iced tea ordered by a reporter at a Dockside restaurant in the town of Clermont, a short drive west of Orlando, included a 13-cent ACA surcharge.
Dockside said it wants to continue to offer full-time employment so its employees don't have to work multiple jobs to make a living.
"Therefore, instead of raising prices on our products to generate the additional revenue needed to cover the cost of ACA compliance, Gator's Dockside has implemented a 1 percent surcharge on all food and beverage purchases only," the notice adds.
"People gotta do what they gotta do to obey the law," said local business owner Sean Gumbert, 40, a lunchtime customer at Gator's Dockside in Clermont who opposes Obamacare.
But other diners, including several who didn't like Obamacare, were less sympathetic to the restaurant's dilemma, saying insurance was just another cost of doing business, similar to other business taxes, and had no place on a meal tab.
"It's a game. If you want to play the game, customers can play the game too. Instead of 20 percent tip, he (the waiter) gets 18 percent," said Joe Lee, a retired federal worker.
"We didn't do this for any, any, any, any, any political reasons," said a company official who answered the phone at the company's Orlando headquarters, but asked not to be named.
"It was done in all the greatest intentions. It was done to give everybody full healthcare without knocking their hours down and not charging ridiculous amounts of money to do it," he said.
The Affordable Care Act requires all businesses with more than 50 full-time employees to provide health insurance for their staff, or to make a shared payment on their federal tax return. Originally due to go into effect in January, the requirement has been postponed until the end of the year.
A dozen other independently owned restaurants in the Gator's Dockside franchise are not imposing the surcharge.
"It's clearly political," said Hank Fishkind, an Orlando-based economic consultant, noting that the company could have increased its meal prices to cover the extra healthcare cost without advertising it.
"If they want to display their politics in this way, that's their right. Some customers, depending on their politics, might like it. Others will not," he said.
Fishkind said he was unaware of any other company making a similar move, though some Florida hospitality firms have complained about the requirement under Obamacare to provide health insurance for part-time labor.
"It is a real issue, particularly in a state like Florida, because we have a concentration of restaurants and lodging companies," he said.
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text:
Terrible to hear the developing news; hope all of you and yours are safe.
Terrible to hear the developing news; hope all of you and yours are safe.
Cavaliers: Tansy : Mindy Connie Roxy Neasa Gus
In memory: My beautiful Jaspar Lucy Leo Lily Libby
Yes...hope all of you are safe. This certainly brings back memories of another devastating time. Thoughts are with each of you in this moment of sad news.
Mary-owned by Maya, Scout, Jazz and Sassy
Annie at the bridge 3/13
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we're here we should dance......
Thinking of those who have been affected by the latest Terrorist attacks - those who are suffering and their families. Sending healing, comforting thoughts.
Also of our wonderful emergency services, who are just superb in these circumstances. Sending them positive thoughts and the strength to carry on.
There are some horrific images on the TV as we speak, of those injured and also just the devestation the explosions have caused.
I, like most people I guess, was just elated yesterday by the news of the Olympic Bid win {London is to host the 2012 Olympics} - BUT now I'm worried - I know Athens passed without incident, but it must be major concern.
My BIL works in Canary Wharf in London - he arrives early for work, so I guess he is ok, but have not been able to contact my sister yet to confirm.
Hope everyone else's friends and family are safe - my sister lost a close friend in the 9/11 incident {leaving a wife and 3 children under 5 :cry: }, so we are too aware of how easily it can happen.
Nicki and Kayla (Shih Tzu )
Supporting www.rupertsfund.com and www.cavaliermatters.org
Sure hope he is OK Nicki. It is awful watching this on TV/listening on radio. And I was really happy for London's win on the Olympics. I think the world has just changed -- probably one location is not at more risk than another -- let's hope more can be done to break apart these terrorist rings by 2012 too...
Cavaliers: Tansy : Mindy Connie Roxy Neasa Gus
In memory: My beautiful Jaspar Lucy Leo Lily Libby
Sending wishes to anyone involved in this,
I've just had word from my family in london, they are all safe.
They live about 10 miles away from the bombings so we've been very worried about them.
icon_flowers Terrorism and deception are weapons not of the strong but of the weak. icon_flowers
How anyone can derive joy from these mindless acts of terrorism is beyond me.
My heart goes out to those and the families of the injured or killed today. Also to our brave Fire/Police and Ambulance Service workers for acting so quickly and getting the situation under control.
To those who commit such atrocities, may you all rot in hell
Belle, Magic and I are sending prayers across the big pond to all of you in the UK, your families, your friends and your countrymen. When will it ever stop?
Isabella was very uncomfortable today....almost kind of nervous. The bombings upset me visibly and I think it bugged her.
Family and friends are all safe and well, thank goodness.
Lorin, our Cavaliers are just so perceptive, they really know when we're anxious or feeling down. Hope that both you and Isabella are feeling better today.
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by these incidents, it's just so horrific, and with the emergency services, who must be so traumatised by what they have had to deal with.
Nicki and Kayla (Shih Tzu )
Supporting www.rupertsfund.com and www.cavaliermatters.org


text:
I've been trying to listen to and think about the transgendered voice recently. This blog post about Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls has helped.
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The Butch's Throat16 May
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Ultrafast fiber lasers
Our research activities on ultrafast laser sources, fiber optics and nonlinear dynamics.
Our latest research on ultrafast lasers
UBRIS2 aims at developing innovative ways towards the realization of high-power ultrafast laser systems at the exotic wavelength of 2 µm. The project gathers researchers and engineers from XLIM, CORIA, PHLAM/IRCICA and LPN with proven expertise in design and fabrication of rare-earth-doped and dispersion-tailored optical fibers (XLIM and PHLAM/IRCICA), semi-conductor saturable absorber mirrors (SESAMs at LPN) and femtosecond oscillators and amplifiers (CORIA, XLIM). Furthermore, the company NOVAE is in charge of the development of two products based on the project's findings.
|Labex PICOLIBS
The PICOLIBS project (Labex EMC3 - Energy Materials & Clean Combustion Center) aims at demonstrating the advantage of using picosecond light pulses in LIBS (Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy) experiments in order to characterize energy materials.
|ANR Jeune Chercheur RIFT
The RIFT project aims at developing a DFT-based (Dispersive Fourier Transform) ultrafast all-optical imaging system dedicated to high-speed liquid jets and sprays. It will be the first time to the best of our knowledge that such an ultrafast imaging system with MHz frame rates would be used in the field of combustion and sprays. DFT-based measurement would then allow to monitor previously inaccessible physical parameters involved in fuel atomization, which is the key factor for efficient combustion.
|Labex FAST-MIR
This project focuses on the development of innovative mid-infrared ultrafast lasers, knowing the strong potential of this wavelength range. FAST-MIR (High performance Thulium and Holmium doped crystals for mid-IR ultrafast lasers) gathers researchers and engineers from two laboratory in Normandy, CORIA and CIMAP, which respectively specialize in laser sources development and laser materials fabrication.
|CPER : Région Haute-Normandie
Bio-Engine project
In the frame of the Bio-Engine CPER global project, our aim is to develop ultrafast diagnostic systems dedicated to high-speed liquid jets monitoring, along with the RIFT project.
iMUST project
This project is led in collaboration with the GPM laboratory and aims at extending the spectral range of ultrafast lasers towards the IR in order to develop an ultrafast spectroscopy setup based on low-energy photons (from IR to THz). This setup will be used to study nanomaterials and components for ultrafast electronics.
Researchers : Dr. Ammar Hideur, Dr. Thomas Godin
Post-doctoral fellows : Dr. Adil Haboucha, Dr. Aleksey Tyazhev
PhD students : Hongjie Wang, Mincheng Tang, Pierre-Henry Hanzard, Rezki Becheker
In the lab !
Photos of various experiments in the lab.
2 µm fs fiber laser :
Homemade picosecond laser used in the GPM laboratory :
Femtosecond laser for imaging :
Custom ps fiber laser used to characterize diesel injection :


text:
|Jepson Flora Project: Jepson Interchange
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©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
Annual to shrubs, generally glandular, some green root-parasites
Stem generally round
Leaves generally alternate, simple, generally ± entire; stipules generally 0
Inflorescence: spike to panicle, generally bracted, or flowers 12 in axils
Flower bisexual; calyx lobes generally 5; corolla generally strongly bilateral, generally 2-lipped (upper lip generally 2-lobed, lower lip generally 3-lobed); stamens generally 4 in 2 pairs, generally included, a 5th (generally uppermost) sometimes present as a staminode; pistil 1, ovary superior, chambers generally 2, placentas axile, style 1, stigma lobes generally 2
Fruit: capsule, generally ± ovoid, loculicidal or septicidal
Seed: coat sculpture often characteristic
Genera in family: ± 200 genera, 3000 species: ± worldwide; some cultivated as ornamental (e.g., Antirrhinum, Mimulus, Penstemon ) or medicinal (Digitalis )
Recent taxonomic note: Recently treated to include only Buddleja, Scrophularia, and Verbascum in CA; other genera moved to Orobanchaceae (Castilleja, Cordylanthus, Orthocarpus, Pedicularis, Triphysaria), Phrymaceae (Mimulus), and Plantaginaceae (= Veronicaceae sensu Olmstead et al.)
Key to genera by Elizabeth Chase Neese & Margriet Wetherwax.
Annual to subshrub, green root-parasites
Leaves sessile, entire to dissected
Inflorescence spike-like; bracts becoming shorter, wider, more lobed than leaves, tips generally colored
Flower: calyx generally unequally 4-lobed, generally colored like bract tips; corolla upper lip beak-like, tip open, lower lip generally reduced, 3-toothed to -pouched; stamens 4; anther sacs 2, unequal; stigma entire to 2-lobed, generally exserted
Fruit loculicidal, ± ovoid, ± asymmetric
Seed generally ± brown, attached at base; coat netted, net-like walls sometimes aligned ladder-like
Species in genus: ± 200 species: especially w North America
Etymology: (Domingo Castillejo, Spanish botanist)
Reference: [Chuang & Heckard 1991 Syst Bot 16:644666]
Highly variable within and between populations.
Hybridization and polyploidy common;polyploid forms may have separate ranges or be ± identifiable within populations by minor characters. Biologically consistent taxa very difficult to define
Horticultural information: TRY with host; usually DFCLT.
Perennial 1560 cm, few-branched with short axillary shoots, (yellow-)green becoming purplish, ± glabrous to bristly, generally nonglandular
Leaf 3080 mm, linear to narrowly oblong; lobes 05, tips obtuse or rounded
Inflorescence 530 cm; bracts 1725 mm, lobes 05, bright red to yellow (generally lighter upward)
Flower: calyx 1535 mm, divided ± 1/31/2 in back and front, ± 1/41/3 on sides, long-nonglandular- and short-glandular-hairy, lobes acute to rounded; corolla 1840 mm, beak ± 11.5 X tube, back generally shaggy-hairy, margins reddish or yellowish, lower lip 23 mm, green to dark violet; stigma slightly notched
Fruit 1015 mm
Seed 1.52 mm; coat deeply netted, tight-fitting, most walls ladder-like
Ecology: Sea bluffs, dry places in chaparral
Elevation: < 1200 m.
Bioregional distribution: n&c North Coast, n&s Outer North Coast Ranges, s Inner North Coast Ranges, n Cascade Range Foothills, Sierra Nevada Foothills, Central Western California, Southwestern California
Distribution outside California: Oregon, Baja California
Many forms, some geog isolated; hybridizes with other species


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Bala Cynwyd is a historic suburb of Philadelphia, which prides itself in its Welsh history while still embracing the future. This charming community is the perfect place for those who want a home in a friendly suburb close to the big city.
There are different neighborhoods in this quaint town that make it easy to find conveniently located Bala Cynwyd apartments for rent.
Bala Cynwyd was first settled in 1682 by Welsh colonists. The name is derived from the towns Bala and Cynwyd in northern Wales, a region many of the original settlers came from. When these colonists came to the area, they brought with them their strong work ethic, desire for an involved community and Quaker religion. These factors would influence and shape the community they built.
The town remained virtually unchanged by the 1880s. The community still lacked many modern amenities and was considered rural, despite its close proximity to Philadelphia. The community learned to rely on itself for the things it needed, especially since residents were cut off from the city each winter by the snow.
When the Pennsylvania Railroad finally built stations connecting Bala Cynwyd to the surrounding communities, the town began to move into the future. It has progressed to become a desirable community in Lower Merion Township, and as of the 2010 census, it was home to 9,360 residents.
Students looking to further their education near Bala Cynwyd will have plenty of options for college. Just a short commute from Bala Cynwyd is Bryn Mawr College, a university that serves undergraduate women and graduate students of both sexes. The small college strives to provide students with a quality education and an exceptional academic environment. Nearby Philadelphia is home to the University of Pennsylvania, which traces its history in higher education back to 1740. This historic institution has a tradition of academic excellence and groundbreaking research. Temple University is also located in Philadelphia, and its vast range of degree programs and unique traditions make it a top choice for many pupils.
Even though some residents commute to Philadelphia for work, many find employment within Lower Merion Township. Large employers in the area include Main Line Health System, Lower Merion School District, Bryn Mawr College, Susquehanna International Group and Maguire Insurance Agency.
Bala Cynwyd is located in Montgomery County, an area that has a wide range of rental properties. Residents in the county can expect to pay between $800 and $2,000 per month for a rental property. The median gross rent in the area is $1,057.
Those looking for apartments in Bala Cynwyd will find that even though the rent may be higher than anticipated, the location cannot be beat. Commuters will find that they can enjoy the community's quiet suburban charms, while commuting to Philadelphia in just a few minutes on the train.
Bala Cynwyd hosts a farmers market during the warmer months of the year, so residents can have the opportunity to buy local goods, interact with neighbors and feel good about supporting Bala Cynwyd's economy. Attendees can enjoy freshly baked goods, locally grown produce, honey, jams and much more at this weekly event.
There is something for everyone to do at the Cynwyd Heritage Trail, a 350-acre park that community members can enjoy. Even those who have never hiked can appreciate the local nature and beauty of the trail. Those who wish to get involved with the trail can participate in trail workdays, during which residents assist with the maintenance and beautification of the park.
To find a Bala Cynwyd apartment or rental, check out our apartment listings. Rent.com® is happy to help you find your next home.


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Cheese and mushroom casserole with chicken
This casserole is simple and delicious, and makes a perfect snack during a picnic (bento anyone?)—you should use it as a basic idea for a casserole, since the pasta sauce is the stable and the most important piece of the meal. It's also a very tweak-able recipe! :-)
Simple chicken teriyaki bento
This recipe is very easy and fast to cook, because it requires ready-made teriyaki sauce. Still, it's a really tasty alternative to sausages and pork, and chicken made in teriyaki style is juicy, tender and full of aroma! It also takes just few minutes, because the meat is first fried quickly, and then glazed with sauce. Fast food like a boss ;-)
Teriyaki salmon bento
I think life is too short to keep the frozen salmon in the fridge! :-) So I made a teriyaki salmon bento, which was so fast to cook, that I had too much idle time in the morning... Just be careful not to overcook the teriyaki sauce, because it may have a burnt taste. Also, optional lotus root slices will keep the fish tender and juicy for the time when you can finally devour every last bit of it ;-)
Teriyaki pork strips with shallots bento
This simple recipe requires only 3 ingredients: sliced pork loin (already mentioned minute steaks or easy steaks), shallots and teriyaki sauce. It's also one of the lazy recipes — part of it you can prepare evening before, and finish it quickly before serving or packing your bento box. Plus, marinating for a long time allows increased flavors to transfer easily across the meat!
Marinated beef and pasta bento
Bento is not only rice, but also other ingredients, like... pasta. This recipe came to life when I had some uncooked beef left-overs and just wondered what to do with them. Cooking them as a part of bento was a great idea!


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You can't swing a critic around Times Square without hitting some kid who's featured, if not starring, in a Broadway show.
This fact was abundantly clear in the opening number of June's Tony Awards show when young cast members of "Annie," "Matilda," "The Lion King," "A Christmas Story" — and slightly older ones from "Newsies" and the recently closed "Billy Elliot" filled the Radio City Music Hall stage.
As Neil Patrick Harris sang in Tom Kitt-Linn Manuel Miranda's brilliant opening number: "They barely come up to your knees/But God, they're singing like MVPs/And they're the reason this whole season/seems to look like Chuck E. Cheese."
Having recently interviewed Eli Baker and his family from their Glastonbury home about the 11-year-old being cast in a leading role in the new NBC series "Growing Up Fisher" got me to thinking about kids and theater.
With a bumper crop of roles available on the professional stage, what's a young person — and a parent — to do if the child is interested in performing?
I would direct them to a new book out in paperback: "How to Act Like a Kid: Backstage Secrets of a Young Performer" by Henry Hodges and Margaret Engel (Disney Editions).
If Henry's name is familiar to some, it's because the young talented actor performed on Hartford Stage in 2009's "To Kill a Mockingbird" where he played Jem opposite Matthew Modine. That fall at the theater he was in Horton Foote's epic, "The Orphans' Home Cycle," where he played young Horace Robedaux, learning about life in a prison plantation in the "Convicts" section of Part 1 of the cycle. The show later moved to off-Broadway's Signature Theatre.
The book is a must-read for any young performer — and parent — thinking about the profession. First it's written in Henry's own voice as he recounts his first-hand experiences on stage and off. He speaks about working in print advertising and commercials as well as touring and performing in regional theater. He also writes vividly about what it's like to be a kid working on Broadway with credits that include "Mary Poppins," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Beauty and the Beast," "13" and "Macbeth" with Patrick Stewart.
Henry — now 20 — offers a realistic, personal perspective but he also presents advice from a wide variety of experts on the subject of young performers: among them, a vocal coach, talent agent, casting agent, producer, director, dance teacher, child wrangler, backstage teacher — and his mother, Jane Hodges.
It is also a touching personal story of his dedicated family and how the arts — theater, music and dance in particular — helped him overcome physical and academic handicaps such as dyslexia. "It's fair to say that becoming a performer has saved my life," Henry writes.
With Hartford Stage and other theaters large and small offering more and more theater and acting classes and workshops for youngsters, such a guide is immensely helpful, especially on this kid-to-kid level,
And while the motivating factor for signing up for such classes might be that faraway star — on the dressing room door — a more sensible approach would be to appreciate the benefits of social and learning skills that such activities develop.
With a kazillion sports-related activities being offered — and heavily subsidized — in schools and elsewhere, let's not forget the importance of the arts in developing a child in substantial ways that could actually help them in life: building their confidence, involving them with problem- solving, making them think in creative ways, giving them a powerful and positive work ethic. These are skill-sets that business leaders continually say are necessary for success.
Your children might not be dancing alongside Neil Patrick Harris any time soon, but adding the toe shoes, script or trumpet to their extra-curricular activities just might give them a leg up on a bigger stage: Life.
Read my blog on theater, the arts and entertainment at http://www.courant.com/curtain. "Friend" me on Facebook. And be the first to know by following me on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/ShowRiz.


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This is not an offer for credit and should be used for estimation purposes only based on the information you provided. You should not base your decision on this estimate alone. Title, registration, tax and other fees, and personal circumstances such as employment status and personal credit history, were not considered in the calculations.
2017 Arctic Cat M 8000 MOUNTAIN CAT (153)
NOTE: Currently set up with belt-drive for Western/ high elev. riding
(parts were saved to convert it back to stock)
Drive - TEAM Rapid Response
Driven - TEAM Rapid Reaction BOSS
Drive System - Arctic Drive System™ (ADS)
ProClimb™ - 7 in. (17.8 cm)
Runner - Single with carbide
Ski - FOX® 3 EVOL™
Front Track - FOX FLOAT® 3 EVOL™
Rear Track - FOX FLOAT® 3 EVOL™ R
*Price, if shown, is Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) and does not include government fees, taxes, dealer vehicle freight/preparation, dealer document preparation charges or any finance charges (if applicable). MSRP and/or final actual sales price will vary depending on options or accessories selected.


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All NYAA Coaches will be required to attend a MANDATORY Concussion In-service before they are allowed to coach as well as take the online CDC Concussion course and provide the program with a Certificate of Completion.
The following policy and procedure will be used to manage the player with a suspected concussion:
A concussion is a brain injury. Concussions are caused by a bump or blow to the head.
Recognizing a possible concussion:
To recognize a concussion, you should watch for the following two (2) things among your athletes:
Symptoms Observed by the Coach or Parent:
Symptoms Reported by Athlete:
Protocol (Action Plan)
When an athlete has been removed from play because of a suspected concussion, the athlete will NOT be allowed to return to play until they have been evaluated by a health care professional with experience in evaluating for concussion AND a letter or note of clearance to return to play has been delivered to the Football Director or Football Coordinator.
CDC Heads Up Concussion Online Training Course. Complete the training course to print out the certificate.
NYAA recommended concussion center: OAA Orthopaedic Specialists | http://www.oaaortho.com | 610.973.6200
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Croatia visa for Rwandan passport holders
Apply for visa
Croatia visa 🇭🇷
Last updated: December 5, 2020
Rwanda citizens need visa for travelling to Croatia as tourist. COVID travel advice is country is Major for travel. The stay is usually short with a period of 90 days and visa expires in 90 days. Applicant is required to be present when applying for visa and a total of 9 documents are required. You can also find visa exemptions and useful tips from fellow travellers.
Visa requirements
Croatia Visa requirements for Rwanda
Visa Required
Visa required
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COVID-19 travel advice
Croatia is Major for travel. You are required to have some quaranine. Find travel restrictions, quarantine and entry requirements to visit Croatia.
Get visa for Croatia from Rwanda
Visa application shall be submitted prior to the entry into Croatia, at the competent Embassy/Consulate.
If there is no Croatian Embassy/Consulate in the applicant's country, the application may be submitted at the nearest Croatian Embassy/Consulate.
Visa application shall be submitted in person. Exceptionally and in justified cases, a visa applicant does not need to file the application personally, but he/she shall present himself/herself when called upon by the Embassy/Consulate.
Visa applications for minors or persons deprived of their business capacity shall be submitted by their legal representative.
Visa application shall be submitted no sooner than three months prior to the date of the intended trip.
Applicant required
Max Stay: 90 days
Visa Expires: 90 days
short Stay
Documents required for Croatia tourist visa : 9
Visa Application Form: Complete application form for Croatia
Passport Photo: Photo must be no older than 6 months
Passport: Original Passport or Travel document with at least 6 months remaining validity on the date of travel and have at least 2 visa pages clear of any markings.
Previous Passport: Provide a previous passport if any.
Flight Bookings: Flight reservations(s) for the country of your visit and return ticket
Flight Itinerary An Onward Ticket is a flight reservation made by a real travel agency that can be helpful for visa applications or if you want to enter a country without purchasing a return flight. Get verifiable one way, round trip, and multi-city flight bookings for visa purposes.
Travel Insurance: Proof of travel insurance with the Certificate of Insurance and the table of benefits. You can also provide a letter from the bank confirming that you have an insurance with them along with a copy of credit card and the table of benefits.
A minimum cover of EUR 30,000 . The travel insurance must cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency must be issued by an insurance company operating in Australia or within the EU. You can also provide a letter from the bank confirming that you have an insurance with them along with a copy of credit card and the table of benefits.
Travel Insurance Travel medical insurance for everyone from all over the world with Coronavirus (COVID-19) coverage. Get coverage for travel delay, lost checked luggage, emergency response & natural disasters, personal liability. Get ready for for unexpected medical problems and accidents.
Bank Statement: Applicant's most recent monthly bank statement. The statement must clearly show the applicant's name as the account holder, the balances of the accounts, and the date of the statement. If statements are printed online then it has to be Authenticated (stamped) by the bank officials.
Original bank statements for the last 3 months showing sufficient funds to cover stay in the Schengen Area.
Hotel Bookings: Hotel reservation(s) for the duration of your visit.
Hotel Itinerary Embassy recommends not to purchase tickets until visa is approved. Don't risk your money, time and effort by buying actual tickets. Get hotel bookings for any city in the world within minutes for visa purposes.
Current Details: Employed: • A letter from your employer on company letterhead, with contact details, stating that a leave of absence has been granted, purpose and duration of the trip, and that you will be returning to your current job. • Current bank statement of the latest 6 months • Income Tax Return (ITR) • Original pay slips Self Employed: • Include a copy of your business license • Company bank statement of the latest 6 months • Income Tax Return (ITR) Student: • Submit an official letter from your school indicating that you are in good standing and that you are registered for the upcoming semester. • No Object certificate from School or University. Retired: • Submit proof of your retirement fund. Yes.
Visa Exemption for Croatia tourist visa
Schengen Visa:
Croatia Visa exemption
Visa Free
30 days
Max Stay
Applicable Countries: All Countries
Exemption available for
Schengen Visa:
Short-term C-Type Schengen visa
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Travel information of Croatia
Croatia is part of Europe with main city at Zagreb. Its Developed country with a population of 4M. The main currency is Kuna. The languages spoken are Croatian.
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Purrell Pets Rock 11" by 14" Art Print
The attention to details has to be seen to be believed in Pets Rock Designs which makes this piece a must-have work of art. Printed on 11x14" (28x36cm), Semi-Matte 280gsm Gallery Grade Paper.
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Vision enables you to glimpse into the future, to sense its hope and power, because you yourself are the means for that future's creation.
- Sara Paddison
Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. And don't pray when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines.
- Satchel Paige
When we come into this life, we don't really own anything. And we own nothing when we leave. It is only a lease we have during our lifetime - and it is up to us to make the most of it.
- Jerold Panas
The more you do, the more you are.
- Angie Papadakis
The guy who takes a chance, who walks the line between the known and the unknown, who is unafraid of failure, will succeed.
- Gordon Parks
The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity.
- Ellen Parr
I was the first woman to burn my bra - it took the fire department four days to put it out.
- Dolly Parton
Do you wish people to think well of you? Don't speak well of yourself.
- Blaise Pascal
If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them.
- Phil Pastoret
Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.
- General George Patton
Friday, June 29, 2012
quotes for today
Posted by Fireman John at 9:46 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
weekly celeb update
latest news of celebrity antics from About.com/Alcoholism
Nick Stahl Checks Out of Rehab
Less than a month after checking into rehab, actor Nick Stahl has checked himself out of treatment and has disappeared again, according to friends and family members. The "Terminator" star hasn't been seen since June 14, according to his estranged wife, Rose.
Brien Taylor Remains in Custody
Brien Taylor, former New York Yankees pitching prospect, has been transferred into federal custody to face drug charges. Taylor is accused of selling large quantities of cocaine and crack to an undercover agent.
Former Redskin Rickie Harris Convicted of DWI
Former Washington Redskin Rickie Harris has been convicted at trial of felony drunk driving. Harris, 69, was sentenced to six months in prison because it was his third driving while intoxicated offense in the past five years in Virginia.
Arizona Cardinals' Haggans Reports to Jail
Clark Haggans, former Pittsburgh Steelers and now Arizona Cardinals linebacker, has reported to jail to serve his sentence for driving under the influence. The 35-year-old will serve two days in jail and then seven days of work release.
Parents Planted Drugs on School Volunteer
A California elementary school parent volunteer apparently angered the wrong parents. Police have arrested Kent and Jill Easter, both of whom are attorneys, for planting prescription pain killers, marijuana and a marijuana pipe in the car of the woman and then calling 9-1-1.
Police Arrest House-Sitter for Meth Lab
As house sitters go, he was their worse nightmare. An Ohio couple returned home from a vacation to find methamphetamine-making chemicals in their home. Police arrested John Joseph Piscitelli IV, 24, for illegal manufacture of drugs.
Posted by Fireman John at 2:23 PM 0 comments
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Monday quotes
With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.
- Keshavan Nair
To some extent, conformity is insanity.
- John Nash
Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will.
- Jawaharial Nehru
What's going on in the inside shows on the outside.
- Earl Nightingale
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.
- Anais Nin
We should set goals within the limits of our resources while working to the limits of our powers.
- Richard M. Nixon
You must have long range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short range failures.
- Charles C. Noble
How you spend your time is more important than how you spend your money. Money mistakes can be corrected, but time is gone forever.
- David Norris
I always try to turn my personal struggles into something helpful for others.
- Henri Nouwen
Where I was born and how I have lived is unimportant. It is what I have done with where I have been that should be of interest.
- Georgia O'Keefe
A label is easy to stick on, but difficult to remove.
- Old Proverb
To be loved, be lovable.
- Ovid
Posted by Fireman John at 9:32 AM 0 comments
Saturday, June 9, 2012
celebrity update
the weekly news of celebrity substance
abuse from About.com/Alcoholism;
Amber Portwood's 5-Year Prison Term Reinstated
Reality television star Amber Portwood has apparently decided that prison is easier than successfully completing rehab. The 22-year-old "Teen Mom" star decided to quit her court-ordered treatment program for possession of prescription drugs and opted to serve her five-year prison sentence.
Matthew Fox Will Face No Jail for DUI
Star of the popular television series "Lost," Matthew Fox will not serve any jail time for his second drunk driving charge. But as part of the plea deal he will lose driving privileges for a year, not drink alcohol for a year and complete a drug and alcohol treatment program.
Brooke Mueller Back in Rehab
Charlie Sheen's ex-wife, Brooke Mueller, is reportedly back in rehab again for her crack cocaine addiction. Her representative said Mueller is seeking recovery "as part of her ongoing treatment and as planned. She voluntarily checked herself into a rehab facility several weeks ago."
Amanda Bynes Wants DUI Officer Fired
Amanda Bynes still insists that she does not drink and was not under the influence when she was arrested April 6 after a 3 a.m. brush with a police cruiser. In a Tweet, she even appealed to the White House for help, asking President Barack Obama to, "Please fire the cop who arrested me."
Scout Willis Rejects DUI Plea Deal
Scout Willis, 20-year-old daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, has refused a plea deal that would leave her with a criminal record. She was arrested in New York's Union Square for underage drinking and using a fake I.D., two misdemeanor charges.
Justin Blackmon's Blood Alcohol Three Times Limit
Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Justin Blackmon could be facing felony drunk driving charges after agreeing to a breathalyzer when he was stopped by Stillwater police. Blackmon's blood-alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.24, three times the legal limit. In Oklahoma, anything over 0.15 is aggravated DUI.
Vikings FB Jerome Felton Arrested for DWI
Minnesota Vikings fullback Jerome Felton has been arrested on drunken driving charges and failure to submit to a chemical test after he was arrested by Eden Prairie police just before midnight. Police didn't have trouble pulling Felton over, he was in the drive-through lane at a McDonald's.
Posted by Fireman John at 9:07 PM 0 comments


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Turning Point
Are necktie manufacturers the buggy whip makers of the new century? I ask this because of the decline of cravat-wearing people of all strata in business.
Of course, the tie is not done, but it certainly seems to be seen in far fewer places and situations. There is still a demand for buggy whips, but it is significantly less than it once was.
For much of my career, wearing a tie was a given. It wasn't always that way, but over time, it became a part of me. Happily for me and millions of others, that time has passed.
Way back when I first entered the workforce, doing time and methods studies in a machine tool foundry, my level of work put me squarely in the ranks of blue collar. In our shop foremen, supervisors and managers wore ties and the rest of us did not.
Perhaps it was a way of distinguishing us from them. Don't get me wrong, most of these people earned their ties by hard work and leading. I remember thinking that someday, if I did well, I, too, could qualify to join the ranks of white collar worker and don the tie of office.
Eventually, I did make it to a tie wearing level in the shop. It was a proud day for me as I knotted up my full Windsor for the first time and strode into to work. Yes, I had help tying it that day and for quite a while, it was hung as was on a hook.
It was interesting, though, that the guys (there were no ladies in the shop) seemed to approach me differently. It was almost as though my new neckwear had become a barrier to the conviviality we enjoyed together only the day before. Happily, over time, we got used to the change and settled back into our respective jobs.
After a few years, an opening in the company's communication department prompted me to interview for the job. I got it and stepped up to the next level of business attire, a suit to go with my tie. In my mind, I had arrived. From jeans, a T-shirt and steel toed boots to a suit and tie. I was living large.
Well, that was then. Today, as I write this column, I seem to have come full circle. I'm at my desk, clad in a polo shirt, golf shorts and sandals. This is my daily attire unless we have guests, which is when I step it up to khakis, a nice shirt and shoes—usually sans socks—I won't cave in completely.
Business casual and casual in general now rule our commercial world, and in my opinion it is a change for the best. For me, my dress code shift occurred more than a decade ago. I still remember the circumstances.
I was visiting a shop for a story in the magazine, and as was my custom at the time, I wore a jacket and tie for the interview. The shop owner greeted me in the lobby, and we went into the conference room.
He, too, was dressed in a tie and jacket and being a working boss, seemed uncomfortable in the outfit. I asked, "Did you wear that for me?" He replied, "Yes." I said, "I wore this for you." We chuckled, took off our ties and had a delightful visit. Since then, it is a rare day when I cinch up a tie.
I give some of the credit for this shift in attitude to the geeks (I mean that in the kindest way) who have created, developed and marketed the communication revolution our interconnected work now depends on. Think about the more relaxed environment that Silicon Valley has passed on to the country. Geeks don't dress up, but they have changed the world.
Even in our machine shops, the results of this work are changing how we make things and who we hire to make them. In my travels, I see a range of people in shops with tats, piercings and Harley regalia. While such a look is not one I choose, these people can do the job well.
It is that appreciation of performance over appearance that has taken me a while to accept, but I do and for good reason. We are finally discovering that it's what you know that counts, rather than what you wear. Think about that for your next hire and lose the tie.