text:
Peer review
Peer review is the evaluation of work by one or more people of similar competence to the producers of the work (peers). It constitutes a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession within the relevant field. Peer review methods are employed to maintain standards of quality, improve performance, and provide credibility. In academia peer review is often used to determine an academic paper's suitability for publication.
Peer review can be categorized by the type of activity and by the field or profession in which the activity occurs. For example, medical peer review can refer to clinical peer review, or the peer evaluation of clinical teaching skills for both physicians and nurses,[1][2] or scientific peer review of journal articles, or to a secondary round of peer review for the clinical value of articles concurrently published in medical journals.[3] Moreover, "medical peer review" has been used by the American Medical Association to refer not only to the process of improving quality and safety in health care organizations, but also to the process of rating clinical behavior or compliance with professional society membership standards.[4][5] Thus, the terminology has poor standardization and specificity, particularly as a database search term.
The first recorded editorial prepublication peer-review process was at The Royal Society in 1665 by the founding editor of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, Henry Oldenburg.[6][7][8] In the 20th century, peer review became common for science funding allocations. This process appears to have developed independently from that of editorial peer review.[9]
The first peer-reviewed publication may have been the Medical Essays and Observations published by the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1731. The present-day peer-review system evolved from this 18th-century process.[10]
A prototype professional peer-review process is recommended in the Ethics of the Physician written by Ishaq bin Ali al-Rahwi (854–931). His work states that a visiting physician must make duplicate notes of a patient's condition on every visit. When the patient was cured or had died, the notes of the physician were examined by a local medical council of other physicians, who would decide whether the treatment had met the required standards of medical care.[11]
It is only since the middle of the 20th century that formal peer review has been a touchstone of scientific method. In earlier periods, editors of scientific journals often made publication decisions without seeking outside input. For example, Albert Einstein's revolutionary "Annus Mirabilis" papers in the 1905 issue of Annalen der Physik were peer-reviewed by the journal's editor-in-chief, Max Planck, and its co-editor, Wilhelm Wien, both future Nobel prize winners, and together experts on the topics of these papers. A formal panel of reviewers was not sought, as is done for many scientific journals today. Established authors and editors were given more latitude in their journalistic discretion. An editorial in Nature published in 2003 stated that "in journals in those days, the burden of proof was generally on the opponents rather than the proponents of new ideas."[12]
The first Peer Review congress met in 1989. Over time, the fraction of papers devoted to peer review has steadily declined, suggesting that as a field of study, it has been replaced by more systematic studies of bias and errors.[13]
Professional peer review[edit]
Professional peer review focuses on the performance of professionals, with a view to improving quality, upholding standards, or providing certification. Professional peer review activity is widespread in the field of health care, where it is best termed Clinical peer review.[14] Further, since peer review activity is commonly segmented by clinical discipline, there is also physician peer review, nursing peer review, dentistry peer review,[15] etc. Many other professional fields have some level of peer review process: accounting,[16] law,[17][18] engineering (e.g., software peer review, technical peer review), aviation, and even forest fire management.[19] In academia, peer review is common in decisions related to faculty advancement and tenure. Peer review is used in education to achieve certain learning objectives, particularly as a tool to reach higher order processes in the affective and cognitive domains as defined by Bloom's Taxonomy. This may take a variety of forms, including closely mimicking the scholarly peer review processes used in science and medicine.[20][21]
Scholarly peer review[edit]
Scholarly peer review (also known as refereeing) is the process of subjecting an author's scholarly work, research, or ideas to the scrutiny of others who are experts in the same field, before a paper describing this work is published in a journal. Peer review in its current form is relatively recent; the journal Nature instituted formal peer review only in 1967.[22] The work may be accepted, considered acceptable with revisions, or rejected. Peer review requires a community of experts in a given (and often narrowly defined) field, who are qualified and able to perform reasonably impartial review. Impartial review, especially of work in less narrowly defined or inter-disciplinary fields, may be difficult to accomplish; and the significance (good or bad) of an idea may never be widely appreciated among its contemporaries. Although generally considered essential to academic quality, and used in most important scientific publications, peer review has been criticized as ineffective, slow, and is often misunderstood (also see anonymous peer review and open peer review). Other critiques of the current peer review process from concerned scholars has stemmed from recent controversial studies published by the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics and NASA.[23] These two published articles are now case studies of peer review failure. There have also recently been experiments with wiki-style, signed, peer reviews, for example in an issue of the Shakespeare Quarterly.[24]
Pragmatically, peer review refers to the work done during the screening of submitted manuscripts and funding applications. This process encourages authors to meet the accepted standards of their discipline and reduces the dissemination of irrelevant findings, unwarranted claims, unacceptable interpretations, and personal views. Publications that have not undergone peer review are likely to be regarded with suspicion by scholars and professionals.
It is difficult for authors and researchers, whether individually or in a team, to spot every mistake or flaw in a complicated piece of work. This is not necessarily a reflection on those concerned, but because with a new and perhaps eclectic subject, an opportunity for improvement may be more obvious to someone with special expertise or who simply looks at it with a fresh eye. Therefore, showing work to others increases the probability that weaknesses will be identified and improved. For both grant-funding and publication in a scholarly journal, it is also normally a requirement that the subject is both novel and substantial.[19][20]
Furthermore, the decision whether or not to publish a scholarly article, or what should be modified before publication, lies with the editor of the journal to which the manuscript has been submitted. Similarly, the decision whether or not to fund a proposed project rests with an official of the funding agency. These individuals usually refer to the opinion of one or more reviewers in making their decision. This is primarily for three reasons:
- Workload. A small group of editors/assessors cannot devote sufficient time to each of the many articles submitted to many journals.
- Diversity of opinion. Were the editor/assessor to judge all submitted material themselves, approved material would solely reflect their opinion.
- Limited expertise. An editor/assessor cannot be expected to be sufficiently expert in all areas covered by a single journal or funding agency to adequately judge all submitted material.
Thus it is normal for manuscripts and grant proposals to be sent to one or more external reviewers for comment.
Reviewers are typically anonymous and independent, to help foster unvarnished criticism, and to discourage cronyism in funding and publication decisions. However, US government guidelines governing peer review for federal regulatory agencies require that reviewer's identity be disclosed under some circumstances. Anonymity may be unilateral or reciprocal (single- or double-blinded reviewing).
Since reviewers are normally selected from experts in the fields discussed in the article, the process of peer review is considered critical to establishing a reliable body of research and knowledge. Scholars reading the published articles can only be expert in a limited area; they rely, to some degree, on the peer-review process to provide reliable and credible research that they can build upon for subsequent or related research. As a result, significant scandal ensues when an author is found to have falsified the research included in an article, as many other scholars, and the field of study itself, may have relied upon the original research.
In the case of proposed publications, an editor sends advance copies of an author's work or ideas to researchers or scholars who are experts in the field (known as "referees" or "reviewers"), nowadays normally by e-mail or through a web-based manuscript processing system. Usually, there are two or three referees for a given article.
These referees each return an evaluation of the work to the editor, noting weaknesses or problems along with suggestions for improvement. Typically, most of the referees' comments are eventually seen by the author; scientific journals observe this convention universally. The editor, usually familiar with the field of the manuscript (although typically not in as much depth as the referees, who are specialists), then evaluates the referees' comments, her or his own opinion of the manuscript, and the context of the scope of the journal or level of the book and readership, before passing a decision back to the author(s), usually with the referees' comments.
Referees' evaluations usually include an explicit recommendation of what to do with the manuscript or proposal, often chosen from options provided by the journal or funding agency. Most recommendations are along the lines of the following:
- to unconditionally accept the manuscript or proposal,
- to accept it in the event that its authors improve it in certain ways,
- to reject it, but encourage revision and invite resubmission,
- to reject it outright.
During this process, the role of the referees is advisory. The editor is typically under no obligation to accept the opinions of the referees, so she will most often do. Furthermore, in scientific publication, the referees do not act as a group, do not communicate with each other, and typically are not aware of each other's identities or evaluations. Proponents argue that if the reviewers of a paper are unknown to each other, the editor responsible for the paper can more easily verify the objectivity of the reviews. There is usually no requirement that the referees achieve consensus, with the decision instead often made by the editor based on her best judgement of the arguments. The group dynamics are thus substantially different from that of a jury.
In situations where multiple referees disagree substantially about the quality of a work, there are a number of strategies for reaching a decision. When an editor receives very positive and very negative reviews for the same manuscript, the editor often will solicit one or more additional reviews as a tie-breaker. As another strategy in the case of ties, editors may invite authors to reply to a referee's criticisms and permit a compelling rebuttal to break the tie. If an editor does not feel confident to weigh the persuasiveness of a rebuttal, the editor may solicit a response from the referee who made the original criticism. An editor may convey communications back and forth between authors and a referee, in effect allowing them to debate a point. Even in these cases, however, editors do not allow multiple referees to confer with each other, though each reviewer may often see earlier comments submitted by other reviewers. The goal of the process is explicitly not to reach consensus or to persuade anyone to change their opinions, but instead to provide material for an informed editorial decision. Some medical journals, usually following the open access model, have begun posting on the Internet the pre-publication history of each individual article, from the original submission to reviewers' reports, authors' comments, and revised manuscripts.
Traditionally, reviewers would often remain anonymous to the authors, but this standard varies both with time and with academic field. In some academic fields, most journals offer the reviewer the option of remaining anonymous or not, or a referee may opt to sign a review, thereby relinquishing anonymity. Published papers sometimes contain, in the acknowledgments section, thanks to anonymous or named referees who helped improve the paper.
Most university presses undertake peer review of books. After positive review by two or three independent referees, a university press sends the manuscript to the press's editorial board, a committee of faculty members, for final approval.[25] Such a review process is a requirement for full membership of the Association of American University Presses.[26]
In some disciplines there exist refereed venues (such as conferences and workshops). To be admitted to speak, scholars and scientists must submit papers (generally short, often 15 pages or less) in advance. These papers are reviewed by a "program committee" (the equivalent of an editorial board), which generally requests inputs from referees. The hard deadlines set by the conferences tend to limit the options to either accepting or rejecting the paper.
Recruiting referees[edit]
At a journal or book publisher, the task of picking reviewers typically falls to an editor.[27] When a manuscript arrives, an editor solicits reviews from scholars or other experts who may or may not have already expressed a willingness to referee for that journal or book division. Granting agencies typically recruit a panel or committee of reviewers in advance of the arrival of applications.[28]
Typically referees are not selected from among the authors' close colleagues, students, or friends.[citation needed] Referees are supposed to inform the editor of any conflict of interests that might arise. Journals or individual editors often invite a manuscript's authors to name people whom they consider qualified to referee their work. Indeed, for a number of journals this is a requirement of submission. Authors are sometimes also invited to name natural candidates who should be disqualified, in which case they may be asked to provide justification (typically expressed in terms of conflict of interest). In some disciplines, scholars listed in an "acknowledgments" section are not allowed to serve as referees (hence the occasional practice of using this section to disqualify potentially negative reviewers).[citation needed]
Editors solicit author input in selecting referees because academic writing typically is very specialized. Editors often oversee many specialties, and can not be experts in all of them. But after an editor selects referees from the pool of candidates, the editor typically is obliged not to disclose the referees' identities to the authors, and in scientific journals, to each other (see Anonymous peer review). Policies on such matters differ among academic disciplines.
Recruiting referees is a political art, because referees, and often editors, are usually not paid, and reviewing takes time away from the referee's main activities, such as his or her own research. To the would-be recruiter's advantage, most potential referees are authors themselves, or at least readers, who know that the publication system requires that experts donate their time. Referees also have the opportunity to prevent work that does not meet the standards of the field from being published, which is a position of some responsibility. Editors are at a special advantage in recruiting a scholar when they have overseen the publication of his or her work, or if the scholar is one who hopes to submit manuscripts to that editor's publication in the future. Granting agencies, similarly, tend to seek referees among their present or former grantees. Serving as a referee can even be a condition of a grant, or professional association membership.
Another difficulty that peer review organizers face is that, with respect to some manuscripts or proposals, there may be few scholars who truly qualify as experts. Such a circumstance often frustrates the goals of reviewer anonymity and the avoidance of conflicts of interest. It also increases the chances that an organizer will not be able to recruit true experts – people who have themselves done work similar to that under review, and who can read between the lines. Low-prestige or local journals and granting agencies that award little money are especially handicapped with regard to recruiting experts.
Finally, anonymity adds to the difficulty in finding reviewers in another way. In scientific circles, credentials and reputation are important, and while being a referee for a prestigious journal is considered an honor, the anonymity restrictions make it impossible to publicly state that one was a referee for a particular article. However, credentials and reputation are principally established by publications, not by refereeing; and in some fields refereeing may not be anonymous.
Different styles of review[edit]
In "double-blind" review, which is more common in the humanities than in the hard sciences, the identity of the authors is concealed from the reviewers, and vice versa, lest the knowledge of authorship or concern about disapprobation from the author bias their review. Critics of the double-blind process point out that, despite any editorial effort to ensure anonymity, the process often fails to do so, since certain approaches, methods, writing styles, notations, etc., point to a certain group of people in a research stream, and even to a particular person.[29][30]In many fields of big science, the publicly available operation schedules of major equipments, such as telescopes or synchrotrons, would make the authors' names obvious to anyone who would care to look them up. Proponents of double-blind review argue that it performs no worse than single-blind, and that it generates a perception of fairness and equality in academic funding and publishing.[31] Single-blind review is strongly dependent upon the goodwill of the participants, but no more so than double-blind review with easily identified authors..
A conflict of interest arises when a reviewer and author have a disproportionate amount of respect or disrespect for each other. As an alternative to single-blind and double-blind review, authors and reviewers are encouraged to declare their conflicts of interest when the names of authors and sometimes reviewers are known to the other. When conflicts are reported, the conflicting reviewer can be prohibited from reviewing and discussing the manuscript, or her review can instead be interpreted with the reported conflict in mind; the latter option is more often adopted when the conflict of interest is mild, such as an ancient professional connection or a distant family relation. The incentive for reviewers to declare their conflicts of interest is a matter of professional ethics and individual integrity. While their reviews are not public, these reviews are a matter of record and the reviewer's credibility depends upon how they represent themselves among their peers. Some software engineering journals, such as the IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, use non-blind reviews with reporting to editors of conflicts of interest by both authors and reviewers.
A more rigorous standard of accountability is known as an audit. Because reviewers are not paid, they cannot be expected to put as much time and effort into a review as an audit requires. Therefore, academic journals such as Science, organizations such as the or the American Geophysical Union, and agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation maintain and archive scientific data and methods in the event another researcher wishes to replicate or audit the research after publication.[32][33][34]
Prepublication reviews[edit]
Anonymous peer review[edit]
Anonymous peer review, also called blind review, is a system of prepublication peer review of scientific articles or papers for journals or academic conferences by reviewers who are known to the journal editor or conference organizer but whose names are not given to the article's author. In some cases, the reviewers do not know the author's identity, as any identifying information is stripped from the document before review. The system is intended to reduce or eliminate bias, although this has been challenged – for example Eugene Koonin, a senior investigator at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, asserts that the system has "well-known ills"[35] and advocates "open peer review". Others support blind reviewing because no research has suggested that the methodology may be harmful and the cost of facilitating such reviews is minimal.[36] Some experts proposed blind review procedures for reviewing controversial research topics.[37]
Open peer review[edit]
Open peer review describes a scientific literature concept and process, central to which is the various transparency and disclosure of the identities of those reviewing scientific publications. The concept thus represents a departure from, and an alternative to, the incumbent anonymous peer review process, in which non-disclosure of these identities toward the public – and toward the authors of the work under review – is default practice. The open peer review concept appears to constitute a response to modern criticisms of the incumbent system; therefore, its emergence may be partially attributed to these phenomena.
Postpublication reviews[edit]
The process of peer review does not end after a paper completes the peer review process. After being put to press, and after 'the ink is dry', the process of peer review continues as publications are read. Readers will often send letters to the editor of a journal, or correspond with the editor via an on-line journal club. In this way, all 'peers' may offer review and critique of published literature. A variation on this theme is open peer commentary; journals using this process solicit and publish non-anonymous commentaries on the "target paper" together with the paper, and with original authors' reply as a matter of course. The introduction of the "epub ahead of print" practice in many journals has made possible the simultaneous publication of unsolicited letters to the editor together with the original paper in the print issue.
Criticism of peer review[edit]
Drummond Rennie, deputy editor of Journal of the American Medical Association is an organizer of the International Congress on Peer Review and Biomedical Publication, which has been held every four years since 1986. He remarked:
There seems to be no study too fragmented, no hypothesis too trivial, no literature too biased or too egotistical, no design too warped, no methodology too bungled, no presentation of results too inaccurate, too obscure, and too contradictory, no analysis too self-serving, no argument too circular, no conclusions too trifling or too unjustified, and no grammar and syntax too offensive for a paper to end up in print.[38]
Richard Horton, editor of the British medical journal The Lancet, said:
The mistake, of course, is to have thought that peer review was any more than a crude means of discovering the acceptability—not the validity—of a new finding. Editors and scientists alike insist on the pivotal importance of peer review. We portray peer review to the public as a quasi-sacred process that helps to make science our most objective truth teller. But we know that the system of peer review is biased, unjust, unaccountable, incomplete, easily fixed, often insulting, usually ignorant, occasionally foolish, and frequently wrong.[39]
Allegations of bias and suppression[edit]
The interposition of editors and reviewers between authors and readers may enable the intermediators to act as gatekeepers.[40] Some sociologists of science argue that peer review makes the ability to publish susceptible to control by elites and to personal jealousy.[41][42] The peer review process may suppress dissent against "mainstream" theories.[43][44][45] Reviewers tend to be especially critical of conclusions that contradict their own views,[46] [47] and lenient towards those that match them. At the same time, established scientists are more likely than others to be sought out as referees, particularly by high-prestige journals/publishers. As a result, ideas that harmonize with the established experts' are more likely to see print and to appear in premier journals than are iconoclastic or revolutionary ones. This accords with Thomas Kuhn's well-known observations regarding scientific revolutions.[48] A thereotical model has been established whose simulations imply that peer review and over-competitive research funding foster monopoly.[49] Armstrong argued that invited papers are more valuable because papers that undergo the conventional system of peer review may not necessarily feature findings that are actually important.[50]
Peer review failures[edit]
Peer review failures occur when a peer-reviewed article contains fundamental errors that undermine at least one of its main conclusions. Many journals have no procedure to deal with peer review failures beyond publishing letters to the editor.[51]
Peer review in scientific journals assumes that the article reviewed has been honestly prepared and the process is not designed to detect fraud.[52]
An experiment on peer review with a fictitious manuscript found that peer reviewers fail to detect some manuscript errors and the majority of reviewers may not notice that the conclusions of the paper are unsupported by its results.[53]
When peer review fails and a paper is published with fraudulent or otherwise irreproducible data, the paper may be retracted.
Criticisms of traditional anonymous peer review allege that it lacks accountability, can lead to abuse by reviewers, and may be biased and inconsistent.[54][55][56]
Improvement efforts[edit]
Efforts to make fundamental improvements have ebbed and flowed since the late '70s when Rennie first systematicall reviewed articles in thirty medical journals. According to Ana Marušić, "Nothing much has changed in 25 years". Mentorship has not been shown to have a positive effect. Worse, little evidence indicates that peer review as presently performed, improves the quality of published papers.[13]
Open review[edit]
In response to these criticisms, other systems of peer review with various degrees of "openness" have been suggested.
Starting in the 1990s, several scientific journals (including the high impact journal Nature in 2006) started experiments with hybrid peer review processes, often allowing open peer reviews in parallel to the traditional model. The initial evidence of the effect of open peer review upon the quality of reviews, the tone and the time spent on reviewing was mixed, although under open peer review, more of those who are invited to review decline to do so.[57][58]
Throughout the 2000s academic journals based solely on the concept of open peer review were launched, such as Philica. An extension of peer review beyond the date of publication is open peer commentary, whereby expert commentaries are solicited on published articles and the authors are encouraged to respond.
Peer review of government policy[edit]
The technique of peer review is also used to improve government policy. In particular, the European Union uses it as a tool in the 'Open Method of Co-ordination' of policies in the fields of employment and social inclusion.
A program of peer reviews in active labour market policy[59] started in 1999, and was followed in 2004 by one in social inclusion.[60] Each program sponsors about eight peer review meetings in each year, in which a 'host country' lays a given policy or initiative open to examination by half a dozen other countries and relevant European-level NGOs. These usually meet over two days and include visits to local sites where the policy can be seen in operation. The meeting is preceded by the compilation of an expert report on which participating 'peer countries' submit comments. The results are published on the web.
See also[edit]
- Academic authorship
- Academic conference
- Academic journal
- Abstract management
- Adversarial review
- Coercive citation
- Interdisciplinary peer review
- Journal club
- JournalReview.org
- Objectivity (philosophy)
- Open peer commentary
- Physician peer review
- Publication bias
- Reporting bias
- Scholarly method
- Sham peer review
- Software peer review
- Sokal affair
- Sternberg peer review controversy
- Technical peer review
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- ^ Afifi, M. "Reviewing the "Letter-to-editor" section in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 2000–2004". Bulletin of the World Health Organization.
- ^ "Peer review is not currently designed to detect deception, nor does it guarantee the validity of research findings." Lee, K. (2006). "Increasing accountability". Nature. doi:10.1038/nature05007.
- ^ W. G. Baxt, J. F. Waeckerle, J. A. Berlin & M. L. Callaham (September 1998). "Who reviews the reviewers? Feasibility of using a fictitious manuscript to evaluate peer reviewer performance". Annals of Emergency Medicine 32 (3 Pt 1): 310–317. doi:10.1016/S0196-0644(98)70006-X. PMID 9737492.
- ^ Rothwell, P. M.; Martyn, CN (2000). "Reproducibility of peer review in clinical neuroscience: Is agreement between reviewers any greater than would be expected by chance alone?". Brain 123 (9): 1964–9. doi:10.1093/brain/123.9.1964. PMID 10960059.
- ^ The Peer Review Process
- ^ Alison McCook (February 2006). "Is Peer Review Broken?". The Scientist.
- ^ Van Rooyen, S; Godlee, F; Evans, S; Black, N; Smith, R (1999). "Effect of open peer review on quality of reviews and on reviewers' recommendations: a randomised trial". BMJ 318 (7175): 23–7. doi:10.1136/bmj.318.7175.23. PMC 27670. PMID 9872878.
- ^ Elizabeth Walsh, Maeve Rooney, Louis Appleby, Greg Wilkinson (2000). "Open peer review: a randomised controlled trial". The British Journal of Psychiatry 176 (1): 47–51. doi:10.1192/bjp.176.1.47. PMID 10789326.
- ^ Mutual Learning Programme – Peer Reviews
- ^ Peer Review and Assessment in Social Inclusion—Evaluations par les pairs
General references and further reading[edit]
- Bradley, James V. (1981). "Pernicious Publication Practices". Bulletin of the Psychonomic Society 18: 31–34.
- Shatz, David, ed. (2004). Peer Review: A Critical Inquiry. Rowland & Littlefield.
- de Vries, Jaap (2001). "Peer Review: The Holy Cow of Science". In E.H. Frederiksson. A Century of Science Publishing. IOS Press. ISBN 1-58603-148-1.
- Weller, Ann C. (2001). Editorial Peer Review: its Strengths and Weaknesses. Medford, New Jersey: American Society for Information Science and Technology. ISBN 1-57387-100-1. (extensive bibliography).
- "I don't know what to believe… – Making Sense of Science Stories". Sense About Science. October 31, 2005.
External links[edit]
- "Peer review debate". Nature. June 2006.
- "Peer-to-Peer blog". Nature. April 2012.
- Maggie Koerth-Baker (April 22, 2012). "Meet Science: What is "peer review"?". BoingBoing.
- "Fifth International Congress on Peer Review and Biomedical Publication". American Medical Association.
- Walter Noll (2009) The Future of Scientific Publication
- Hans Ulrik Riisgård. "Peer review system". Marine Ecology Progress Series. Inter-research Science Center.
- Eugene Garfield. "A Difficult Balance: Editorial Peer Review in Medicine". University of Pennsylvania. (Bibliography)
- (January 23, 2012) Online Social Network Seeks to Overhaul Peer Review in Scientific Publishing


text:
It was 1994, and I was testing cars on the radio and for magazines back in Houston when our delivery service brought a vehicle to the station that was about to set the truck world on fire. The Dodge Ram that arrived that day drew more stares on the street than anything I had driven up to then, including a Ferrari, a Hummer, and various Mustangs, Corvettes and Mercedes Benzes.
I loved it, and it took a bit of time to love its successor. But, the new Ram was a better truck in every aspect…better interior, better engine, etc. But the formal grill that set the Ram apart and made Ford and GM scramble back to the drawing board to try to compete, was been enlarged to big-mouth bass proportions.
When I first saw it, I thought they'd frankly gone too far. It looks like the product of an illicit affair between a Dakota and a Kenworth. But driving it was like night and day compared to the old one.
Now comes the Outdoorsman package, which I first saw at the 2010 State Fair of Texas.
It's geared toward those who enjoy the outdoor life, and glory be, our truck came as a standard cab. Oh, there's enough storage behind the seats for a couple of guns or an anorexic super model. The Outdoorsman package is available on the 1500, 2500 and 3500 heavy duty models. Our 2500 was about mid-range, but nicely equipped.
Start with the engine. The new 5.7 liter Hemi V8 cranks out 383 horsepower, and has been with us since dinosaurs ruled the earth.
Unlike it's competition from GM and Ford, the three-quarter ton Ram looks like it's lighter brethren but with a heavier, hydro-formed frame to handle the kind of work you buy one of these behemoths for. The HD's come in both regular and crew-cabs, the former of which describes our test truck, and in 4X4 form like this one, the climb up is high enough to require a Sherpa guide.
The interior, always the most accommodating and handy of the big 3, is even better. Adjustable pedals mean my 5 ft. wife can easily fit in the big Ram (if only she could climb in), and the dash, huge fold-down armrest/console and seats have all be redesigned with nicer materials and a better layout. Only two bed lengths are available for simplicity's sake, we had the 8-foot one with a nice liner and lots of tie-downs.
Base price is just over $34,000, but with a killer four-wheel-drive system and a few doo-dads our test truck came to around $41-K. Take my advice and read all the fine print. A little will power with the options list can whittle that down.
And frankly, it works. Room with a good ride, excellent build quality a nice engine and more comfortable interior, the Ram Outdoorsman has improved enough to be considered a true equal of Ford and Chevrolet in all aspects, not just style. I've gotten used to the grill, because behind that swollen nose is one great truck.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
An estimated $900 billion of direct infrastructure investment will be required by electric utilities over the next 15 years, and $750 million already is in place. Nukes, renewables, low-carbon...
News Digest
State PUCs
Electric Standard Offers. Connecticut OK'd a regulated standard offer distribution rate of 10.84 cents per kilowatt-hour for United Illuminating Co. The rate included subcomponent rates:
Gen. Shopping Credit 4.52 cents
T&D Regulated Service 3.89 cents
Systems Benefit Charge 0.17 cents
Compet. Transition Charge 1.91 cents
Conservation Funding 0.3 cents
Renewable Energy Funding 0.05 cents
The T&D charge was calculated without backing out unbundled retail transmission subject to FERC jurisdiction. Docket No. 99-03-35, Oct. 1, 1999 (Conn.D.P.U.C.).
Retail Electric Restructuring. The Ohio PUC staff proposed rules to govern electric utility transition plans to be filed early next year under the state's restructuring legislation signed July 6. Among other ideas, the staff proposed a punitive royalty, payable to a special education fund, if a utility marketing affiliate wins too high a market share in the service territory of its parent utility.
The staff proposal also would call on utilities to provide suggestions on how to modify the structure of the Midwest ISO and the proposed Alliance transco, to meet requirements of the new Ohio law, and how their plans to participate in an RTE (regional transmission entity) would help save Ohio consumers from having to pay multiple access charges for transmission.
The staff proposal would design shopping credits to assure that at least 20 percent of customers in each class - residential, industrial, commercial - will switch to a competitive supplier. Case No. 99-1141-EL-ORD, Sept. 30, 1999 (Ohio P.U.C.).
Electric Standard Offers. Citing problems with shopping credits and the retail standard offer for default electric service, the Massachusetts commission rejected a schedule of standard offer prices for the period 1999-2005, submitted by Western Massachusetts Electric Co. Instead, where WMECO's retail price had fallen below its actual wholesale cost of power, the commission told the utility to boost its standard offer price to reflect the higher wholesale power cost.
It also rejected proposals by its staff to ban utility affiliates from bidding in the competitive solicitation to procure capacity for standard offer service or to open up the main bidding tranche for base load to increments as low as 1 MW.
Regulators acknowledged that bidders would require access to relatively large amounts of generation in order to bid under the main tranche, but suggested that small bidders could participate in other rounds reserved for partial load or miscellaneous services. D.T.E. 97-120, Sept. 17, 1999 (Mass.D.T.E.).
Power Quality. Comments were due Oct. 13 in a new rulemaking docket opened by Washington state regulators to examine electric system reliability, including service interruptions and power quality. Docket No. UE-991168, Sept. 24, 1999 (Wash.U.T.C.).
Billing Disputes. The Maine PUC opened a rulemaking docket on rules governing interactions between competitive energy suppliers and transmission and distribution utilities. Among other things, it proposed that partial payments under a single-billing format should be applied first to satisfy obligations owed to the T&D utility. Docket No. 99-659, Sept. 28, 1999 (Maine P.U.C.).
Restructuring Settlements. On Sept. 23, Arizona regulators OK'd a settlement involving Arizona Public Service and a broad-based coalition of customers and industry associations that continues a trend of annual


text:
We stayed here last week as part of a tour. Our room was comfortable and our bathroom was fine - no problems with shower curtains (no one had one!) although water did get around a bit. The staff were very good, and the food on some nights was good, but on others, really not good. Breakfast was basic but there... More
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- The hotel offers a private parking area, a garage and 56 rooms, all of them with air conditioned and TV, some of them with antique furniture. The complex, inaugurated in 1996, provides its guests with quality services, such as rooms specifically designed for disabled, a restaurant, a meeting centre, and a sports center with fitness rooms, weight training, wellness and beauty center. ... more less
- Reservation Options:
- TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Booking.com, Expedia, Priceline, Travelocity, Hotels.com and Tingo so you can book your Hotel Tortorina reservations with confidence. We help millions of travellers each month to find the perfect hotel for both holiday and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.


text:
China on a Shoestring: Hong Kong to Beijing (ACRC)
Soak in the vibrant pulse of Hong Kong, float down the Yangtze on a Chinese-style riverboat and walk the Great Wall with other others that share your appetite for adventure. Enjoy eighteen days packed with China's major sights and out-of-the way gems with the freedom to choose those that interest you. Cycle along Xian's ancient city walls and through the stunning rice fields and limestone karsts of Yangzhou. Explore gorgeous scenery straight out of a painting or just relax and take it all in.
Highlights: Exploring Shanghai and Hong Kong's bustling streets and Yangshuo's karst scenery, cruising the Three Gorges of the Yangtse River, discovering history in Xi'an and Beijing, walking along the Great Wall of China.
Indochina Discovery (ATID)
Discover the heart and soul of Indochina on this tour of four very diverse countries. Encounter history, both ancient and modern, and witness the unbelievable splendour of Angkor Wat. Our CEOs will ensure your accommodation and transportation are covered—so you can choose the activities that interest you. Experience Halong Bay by boat and cycle around Vang Vieng. Push through hectic city lanes and tap into the pulsing nightlife. And with other travellers your own age, you can be sure to get down with adventurers that'll keep up.
Highlights: Revel in the majesty of Angkor Wat, enjoy a delicious local Khmer meal in a small village, chill out on golden beaches, float down the mighty Mekong River, snorkel beautiful reefs, shop in quaint Hoi An, cruise magical Halong Bay, explore the streets of serene Luang Prabang.
Moroccan Desert Adventure (DCMD)
Marrakech—whisper it and instantly your mind goes to a place of seduction and spices. Experience it for yourself. This intense 1-week journey reveals the secrets of Morocco and is crammed with all the activities and energy you crave. In the company of other young travellers, dance beside a campfire in the Sahara, go rock climbing in Todra and hang with the hippies in Essaouira. Explore the kasbahs, coast and desert and lose the herd on a trip you'll never forget.
Highlights: Get lost in ancient medinas, dodge snake charmers, ride a camel to a desert camp, bargain in exotic souks, hang with the hippies of Essaouira, experience this land of mystery for yourself.
In Search Of Iguassu - Buenos Aires to Rio (JBR)
Get your South American rush with other young travellers not afraid to embrace the new. You'll kick off the adventure in sophisticated Buenos Aires before getting back to nature on day hikes at a working Uruguayan ranch. Marvel at Iguassu Falls, then hop a flight to São Paulo on your way to the Brazilian coast—no gruelling bus ride means more time on the beach. We'll wrap up in the party in Rio, where you're free to embrace the carnival atmosphere from our centrally located Copacabana hotel.
Highlights: Sample the cuisine and culture of Buenos Aires, discover Uruguay's rural beauty at a working ranch, marvel at Iguassu Falls, skip the bus and gain time (and comfort!) with a flight to São Paulo, sip caipirinhas on the beach, revel in the energy of Rio de Janiero.
Uncover India—Delhi to Goa (AHUH)
For travellers on a budget who are after an experience full of the very best India has to offer, this tour showcases man-made wonders and natural marvels without missing its most famous cities and sights. From the shining marble of the Taj Mahal and the sparkling shores of Goa to Rajasthan's colourful forts and temples, connect with the culture and spirit of this incredible land. Our expert CEOs will take the hassle out of planning but leave you free to choose sites that really shine—so you can encounter India.
Highlights: Enjoy a fast-paced adventure, experience the Taj Mahal at sunrise, uncover bustling cities, capture colourful Rajasthan in the viewfinder, relax on quiet beaches in Goa.
- Travel Style:
- Yolo
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Basic
- Physical Grading:
- 2
Cambodia & Vietnam on a Shoestring (ATCV)
Begin in Bangkok—a city that never sleeps—and end by braving Hanoi's bustling streets. Plug in to Cambodia and Vietnam on this electric journey with breaks to bliss out on white-sand beaches. Get a history lesson exploring Angkor Wat or walking Ho Chi Minh City's streets. With your accommodation and transport arranged by our expert CEOs, this adventure offers a great combination of must-see highlights and free time to explore on your own.
Highlights: Explore the bustling streets of Bangkok, revel in the majesty of Angkor Wat, enjoy a delicious local Khmer meal in a small village, discover colonial Phnom Penh, relax on golden beaches, shop Hoi An's quaint streets, float through Halong Bay, walk the intriguing streets of Hanoi.
Northern Hilltribes & Villages (ATHV)
From the luxury of Bangkok's malls and gleaming highrises, head north to Thailand's hills. Eating and sleeping with the hilltribes will bring you face to face with these colourful cultures. We'll leave plenty of time for fun in historic Chiang Mai with its night market and delicious cuisine. Our CEOs will help you get off the beaten path—but you'll stay flexible by being able to choose the activities you really want.
Highlights: Experience the bustle of Bangkok, explore the vibrancy of Chiang Mai, trek through northern hilltribes and meet the locals, ride on the back of an elephant and float on a bamboo raft.
Thailand on a Shoestring (ATRT)
Perfect for those looking to experience northern Thailand's cultural treasures and the natural beauty of its southern islands. This 16-day trip will help you get off the beaten path with a trek to the region's hilltribes but remains flexible enough to suit all tastes. From the lush hills of the north, stitched through with the diverse colours of its hilltribes, to the soft sands of the south and the glorious chaos of Bangkok, Thailand will leave you captivated.
Highlights: Experience the bustling streets of Bangkok, explore colourful Chiang Mai, trek on foot and by elephant through the jungle, overnight in remote hilltribe villages, float down a river on a bamboo raft, enjoy the island beaches of Koh Samui and Koh Tao.
Mayan Sun—Southbound (CMCA)
Find your paradise somewhere between the blazing Yucatán sun and the cool Guatemalan highlands on this 16-day odyssey. Wander Antigua's cobblestone streets and its local markets before experiencing the diverse beauty of Lake Atitlán and its indigenous villages. Geared to the adventurer wanting to capture some of Central America's finest highlights, this trip will ensure that you really pack some punch into those postcards home.
Highlights: Relax on white-sand beaches, bask in Caye Caulker sunsets and reggae music, experience a local homestay, explore gorgeous colonial Antigua and its colourful markets.
Volcano Trail (JGS)
From the crystal-blue ocean teeming with marine life to tropical rainforests alive with jungle melodies, take the road less travelled on this trip through Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica with other travellers your own age. This is one of our most exciting trips, filled with breath-taking scenery and a chance to experience local culture with a 2-night homestay on the island of Ometepe. Enjoy a blend of public and private transportation, which not only keeps costs down but also gives you a chance to really meet the locals.
Highlights: Connect with the hosts of a homestay experience in Ometepe, relax seaside in the Bay Islands, laugh with the locals during a chicken bus journey, skip the bus and gain time (and comfort!) with a flight between Roatán and Tegucigalpa
Beijing to Shanghai Adventure (ACBI)
China can be intimidating, what with its Great Wall, Forbidden City and army of Terracotta Warriors. This 8-day trip will wipe away any worries—you'll have an expert CEO leading the way and you'll hit the highlights in the company of other young travellers. Get a mix of modern and historic with plenty of time to enjoy the nightlife. Best of all, you're in control—see the sights you like and skip the ones you don't—so it's an adventure you'll never forget.
Highlights: Trek along the Great Wall, take in ancient and modern China, stroll the historic canals of Suzhou, enjoy a night out at karaoke in modern Shanghai.
China on a Shoestring—Beijing to Hong Kong (ACRG)
For ambitious travellers on a tight budget who are after an experience full of the very best this country has to offer, this tour showcases the scenic wonders without missing its most famous cities and sites. Walk back in time along the Great Wall then see the future in Shanghai. Our CEOs will help you dig deeper into the very best of China. Offering a great deal of flexibility, our optional activities allow you to go beyond the highlights.
Highlights: Explore cosmopolitan cities, uncover ancient capitals and charming rural villages, cruise the Yangtze River, marvel at the Terracotta Warriors, stand in awe on the Great Wall.
Yolo Java to Bali (AEKS)
Home to 136 million people, the Indonesian island of Java is the most densely populated region on Earth. But while the teeming rivers of humanity that flow through Jakarta's streets at rush hour can feel overpowering, there's still a surprising amount of room to stretch out and explore. Travelling with other young travellers eager to experience this unique place, you'll make your way from big cities to the calming beaches of Bali, soaking up culture and excitement along the way. And as your expert CEOs will be only too happy to show you, there's plenty more to taste here than just stellar coffee.
Highlights: Discover Javanese culture, explore thriving cities, trek in the shadow of Mt Bromo, snap photos of beautiful rice terraces, sip coffee at plantations, relax on sandy beaches.
Beaches & Backwaters (AHBB)
Watch the sunset through the fishing nets of Kochi, stretch out on white-sand beaches, drift through the tranquil backwaters and rise at dawn to see the sunrise. This 7-day tour offers a quick introduction to the diversity of South India. Inhale the exotic perfume of cardamom as you stroll through spice gardens and unwind with some yoga in your free time. Meet the locals and spend the night with a local family on a tour that's all about authentic cultural experience.
Highlights: Relax in the calm backwaters, experience a local homestay, chill out on quiet beaches, sample South Indian cuisine.
- Travel Style:
- Yolo
- Trip Type:
- Small Group
- Service Level:
- Basic
- Physical Grading:
- 2
Discover India—Delhi to Kochi (AHDC)
From the hectic pace of northern Delhi to the beaches of Goa and the fishing nets of relaxed Kochi, this epic journey packages the subcontinent's highlights into three well-paced weeks. Watch the sunrise at Savitri temple in Pushkar and explore the canals of Alleppey on your way to a homestay with a local family. With your hotel and transport arranged by our CEOs, you can concentrate on choosing your own adventure. Pack your trip with everything you want—and nothing you don't. What are you waiting for? Lush hills, bustling cities and mouth-watering curries await!
Highlights: Experience the Taj Mahal at sunrise, capture colourful Rajasthan in your viewfinder, relax on quiet beaches in Goa, connect with the locals in a homestay, sample delicious Indian cuisine.
Delhi to Kathmandu Yolo Adventure (AHDU)
India is less a place to see than a place to do and this fast-paced 15-day tour ensures you live every moment to the fullest. With other youthful travellers, you'll sail the Ganges, have the opportunity to take a jeep safari in Chitwan National Park and breathe deeply in the Himalayas of Nepal. It's a mix of classics like the Taj Majal, and backpacker faves like Pushkar wrapped up in a riot of colour. And we do the planning but leave the choice of excursions up to you. Don't explore South Asia—live it.
Highlights: Explore the vibrant streets of urban India, sail down the Ganges, get a glimpse of a traditional life in tiny villages, experience a jeep safari in Chitwan National Park, marvel at Nepal's mountain views.
India on a Shoestring (AHRH)
From the monuments of Delhi to the colourful cities of Rajasthan, experience three weeks of northern India's best. Marvel at Jaisalmer's mud fortress and Bikaner's unique temple before journeying into the desert for an overnight camel safari. Follow in the footsteps of pilgrims and make your way to the Ganges River at Varanasi. Your expert CEO will take care of the hassles so you're free to see the sights or just soak up the vibe—India is home to great food, fascinating culture, alluring sights and friendly and inviting people. Discover the charms and mystery that make up this incredible country.
Highlights: Drink in a kaleidoscope of colour and culture, experience spiritual Varanasi along the Ganges, marvel at the Taj in Agra, wander vibrant cities, revel in the colourful villages of Rajasthan.
Bangkok to Bali on a Shoestring (ATBS)
Slurp down rice noodles under the streetlights of Bangkok and wander the paddies and temples of Java—this epic adventure covers the best of Southeast Asia. Party in chaotic Bangkok, bliss out on stunning beaches and gaze out across the 'sea of sand' from Mt Bromo's summit at sunrise. While this tour includes a knowledgeable CEO, accommodation and a variety of local transport, it also leaves plenty of free time for you to do what you want.
Highlights: Explore bustling cities, take in the beautiful scenery, watch the sunrise from Mt Bromo, hike through rice terraces, sample java from its namesake island, chill out on stunning beaches, discover the cultural side of Indonesia
Southeast Asia on a Shoestring (ATRA)
Feast on a Nyonya delicacy in Melaka or delicious street food in Singapore as you hit the highlights of Southeast Asia. With other travellers your own age, you'll enjoy this adventure's pace, exploring the hilltribes of Northern Thailand or mellowing out on the white-sand beaches of the exotic south—it's your choice. With your accommodation and transport arranged by our expert CEO, you'll enjoy the freedom of roaming where you want to and choosing your activities—cross into Malaysia to experience mouthwatering laksa while shopping in KL's night market or take high tea at Raffles in Singapore.
Highlights: Explore some of Asia's largest cities, trek on foot and on the back of an elephant, visit remote hilltribe villages, go bamboo rafting, enjoy island life in Koh Samui, visit tea stations of the Cameron Highlands.
Cambodia on a Shoestring (ATRC)
Marvel at the incredible Khmer ruins of Angkor Wat and the clear turquoise waters at Sihanoukville. This journey packages Cambodia's treasures into 10 well-paced days. Brave Ho Chi Minh City's jam-packed streets with other travellers your own age—you can be sure they'll keep pace with you—or check out the more laid back waterways of Vietnam's Mekong Delta. With your accommodation, transportation and general trip logistics arranged, you can concentrate on choosing the activities that interest you most.
Highlights: Explore bustling Bangkok, catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat, enjoy a delicious local Khmer meal in a small village, walk the bustling streets of Phnom Penh, chill out on golden beaches, connect with the locals on an overnight homestay, cruise the Mekong Delta, discover intriguing Ho Chi Minh City.
Trip | Length | Style | Service Level | Starting Price |
China on a Shoestring: Hong Kong to Beijing (ACRC) | 18 days | Yolo | Basic |
Indochina Discovery (ATID) | 30 days | Yolo | Basic |
Moroccan Desert Adventure (DCMD) | 8 days | Yolo | Basic |
In Search Of Iguassu - Buenos Aires to Rio (JBR) | 17 days | Yolo | Basic |
Uncover India—Delhi to Goa (AHUH) | 15 days | Yolo | Basic |
Cambodia & Vietnam on a Shoestring (ATCV) | 20 days | Yolo | Basic |
Northern Hilltribes & Villages (ATHV) | 8 days | Yolo | Basic |
Thailand on a Shoestring (ATRT) | 16 days | Yolo | Basic |
Mayan Sun—Southbound (CMCA) | 16 days | Yolo | Basic |
Volcano Trail (JGS) | 17 days | Yolo | Basic |
Beijing to Shanghai Adventure (ACBI) | 8 days | Yolo | Basic |
China on a Shoestring—Beijing to Hong Kong (ACRG) | 18 days | Yolo | Basic |
Yolo Java to Bali (AEKS) | 15 days | Yolo | Basic |
Beaches & Backwaters (AHBB) | 7 days | Yolo | Basic |
Discover India—Delhi to Kochi (AHDC) | 21 days | Yolo | Basic |
Delhi to Kathmandu Yolo Adventure (AHDU) | 15 days | Yolo | Basic |
India on a Shoestring (AHRH) | 20 days | Yolo | Basic |
Bangkok to Bali on a Shoestring (ATBS) | 28 days | Yolo | Basic |
Southeast Asia on a Shoestring (ATRA) | 21 days | Yolo | Basic |
Cambodia on a Shoestring (ATRC) | 10 days | Yolo | Basic |


text:
American mercenary plans to join Syrian rebels
Man previously fought alongside Libyans
UPDATED 11:18 AM EDT Aug 18, 2012After fighting with Libyan rebels last year, young graduate of Georgetown University is raising money to go to the front lines in Syria and spend time with the opposition.
Video TranscriptScript / info to follow.
The views expressed are not those of this site, this station or its affiliated companies. By posting your comments you agree to accept our terms of use.blog comments powered by Disqus


text:
What's new in Internet Explorer 9: faster, better, more competent
The new design: snazzy!
Of course, the first thing you'll notice when starting up Internet Explorer 9 for the first time is that it looks… different. Just different. Gone are the lots of toolbars and too many buttons to count. In fact, Internet Explorer 9 is the one with the least browser chrome of the big three:
The way Internet Explorer manages to do this while maintaining large buttons is to put all the tools on one line:
(If you don't like the small amount of space for the URL bar, you can simply drag the right side to make it bigger.)
Pinned Sites: integrate webapps with Windows
If you use Windows 7, you've surely come across jump lists. These are the little boxes that pop up when you right click on a task bar item. Microsoft has decided to take it one step further and not only allow you to pin sites as webapps, but to actually allow them to create items on their jump lists:
These lists can allow for quick task jumping and make it easier to access things you want.
The all-new Download Manager: minimal and useful
If you've been using Internet Explorer for all these years, another thing you've had to put up with the lack of a download manager. Luckily for you, Internet Explorer 9 comes with a download manager that actively informs you about the percentage done, the status, and the size of each download:
One unique feature of this new download manager is Microsoft's SmartScreen technology which uses a URL blacklist to determine how safe a download is, and to show an appropriate warning. It also performs some basic scanning, like Firefox and Chrome.
Web standards support: code for one, publish for all
One of the most amazing parts about Internet Explorer 9 is that it's actually fairly close to being compatible with most current web standards. It still lacks things like form types and user interaction events, but Internet Explorer 9 is a leap towards actually working well with the rest of the world.
It's fast(er).
Internet Explorer 9 has tried to resolve another major problem with Internet Explorer: it's slow. While Microsoft's test sites are heavily biased, they're still a good example of how much its javascript performance has improved. Here's my average computer rendering a thousand fish in a virtual fish tank:
It's more secure.
Internet Explorer has often borne the title of least secure browser due to its many security flaws and large numbers of exploits. However, Microsoft has tried to get it better this time, and has introduced many new security features. There is, for instance, the scanning now used when downloading files. There are also several more technical aspects in Internet Explorer 9 that allow for less hacking and better security, including several techniques involving memory randomization.
Internet Explorer 9 is a huge step forward. From improving the interface to making it Not Suck™, Microsoft has shown some competency while producing Internet Explorer. What are you waiting for? Update the world's best Firefox downloader today!
Supported OS: Windows Vista/7Version reviewed: v9.0.8112.16421
Internet Explorer Download Page
Windows Vista: 32-bit download | 64-bit download
Windows 7: 32-bit download | 64-bit download
61 Comments »
Earlier I asked about toolbars in IE9. I found them but they come in the most gawd awful locations and waste a lot of real estate. Can the TABS bar be move to the bottom row of toolbars? Why cant the command bar share the same line as the menu bar? Why is the favorites bar limited to the tabs bar or its own bar?
52I agree, can't the TABS bar be relocated at the BOTTOM of the Tools bar ???
55You know two things i like about this new browser is that it support plugins and it also gives me what i want without beating about the bush, compared to the new firefox 4.0 browser which is a plain crazy slow.
56That is BS I have been using Mozilla for years and never had an issue until I was forced to use IE specifically IE9 which is a wast od space and a major POS shoftware. I cannot believe anyone would want this.
57ie9 is rubbish its slower then anyting i have used takesages to connect
waste of time58Google chrome used to be my fav until someone told me it contained viruses and the next time i scanned my pc, the anti-virus removed it……so for me….Firefox is the best, its fast, easy to use and i prefer the interface…..IE8 was better than IE9……don't see how its faster than IE8, just different clothes oon the same person
59@Dan: Wut? There aren't any viruses in Google Chrome, at least not the official Google version.
You can get the official, lightweight, fast, free, Google version here:
https://www.google.com/chrome60I updated to IE 9 and couldn't stand it!! The toolbar was so different and missing buttons I normally use, like the REFRESH button! I couldn't find it anywhere! So I restored my computer. Now it gives me error messgages saying I'm missing drivers and some other files are no longer working. It is forcing me to reinstall IE 9. Any suggestions from anyone??? HELP!!!


text:
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
Publication Date: 2004
Your Satisfaction is Guaranteed:
Popularly known as Blade Runner, because of its incarnation as a movie, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep is Dick's most famous title. Stalking androids in 21st century megalopolis, Deckard begins to question just who is human and what human is.
BookHints: Book Lovers Recommend...
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Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said
Dick, Philip K.
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text: Hey, I kind of like this new forum. So anyway, I was looking at some videos at G4 about BioShock and a lot of must of have seen this at E3 (on the TV) but when I saw the video about the water for a few seconds I couldn't really see the difference in my mind between real water and the water in BioShock and I just wanted to know if you guys felt the same way that I felt (which was amazed)!!!


text:
1977 Chevrolet C10, Fiberglass body with removable hardtop. 4 bolt main 8 cyl engine (possible corvette motor) 4 speed Hurst manual trans. Edelbrock headers,... More
1967 Chevrolet C10 Pickup/Stake bed, very nice diamond bed with excellent wood stake bed rails. Lifelong Arkansas rust free survivour! Fresh 350/4bl, 103k miles,... More
CONTACT JEFF WITH ANY QUESTIONS (404) 550-3797...1967 Chevrolet C10 Stepside..2013 Resto-Furb...350 Chevy V8 power 300hp. 3speed manual. Hurst Floor Shift...Wood Bed with new hardware.Custom... More
1963 Chevy C10 Pickup. Believed to be 23,000 original miles. Was owned by a Church in Joliet IL and stored indoors. Inline 6... More
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It's no secret that Chevrolet builds some of the best trucks on the planet. From the Advance Design series to the GMT900s every generation... More
This 1969 Chevrolet C-10 Classic Truck features a 350 V-8 4 Barrel Carb cyl Gasoline engine. It is equipped with a 3 Speed Manual... More
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text:
Alexander Skarsgard
The Admins would like to thank Ricardo DeAratanha and the L.A. Times for the interview and the wonderful pictures of Alex.
Ricardo DeAratanha/L.A. Times
This entry was posted on Friday, July 1st, 2011 at 12:24 AM and is filed under Eric Northman, News, Photos, True Blood and tagged with L.A. Times. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
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text:
he is. you should try talking to him on IRC. connect via mibbit.com to the network called synirc and he will be there under "earthworm|AFK" quite often. hope this helps ^_^
TBH trapping did not matter too much in your battle vs Haunter, since he really had nothing to switch in on Gengar's Shadow Balls or Focus Blasts. I believe that Gengar is unhealthy atm, but the battle isn't the best example of its negative effect IMHO > :0
maybe i'm wrong, cuz scizor does appreciate lando-t and heatran gone also dat goodra smacked haunter good :X
coulda been playin me in slam finals but u had to capitalize my name to drain my pouwer,,,, very coward of u man @_@
all mi fault @_@,,,I changed it back out of respect after seeing the loss :( I'll bloose semis again for my dirty tactics, but you're still the true winner/MVP of this year's slam imo make sure the REAL stone cold steve austin joins SPL btw or else I'll q_q
o_k smoGGon just deleted my fucking message 4 times in a row so ill keep this 1 short so it doesnt break the 420 char limit. imagine ur stereotypical basement dwelling nerd complete with LN like pizza-facery while being both rly quiet and awkward as fuck. ill spare you details until tmrw but O MY LORD get me out of here basedgod Bloo
oh yeah imagine him on this seminar for obvious reasons. just following everyone around. fuck this character limit piece of shit regulation.


text:
I'd taped the last episode of Desperate Housewives on Sky+ the other day and I'd forgot about it until tonight. When I put it on though, here is what I noticed…these day's, 90% of the storyline is utter pish.
Here is what happened when I put it on,
The voiceover at the start comes on, the bit that tells you what the moral of tonights story will be in that really patronisng sounding voice.
I watch about 3 scenes worth relating to the Scavo family because I like the character of Lynette.
A scene starts with Susan (Terri Hatcher) and her new boyfriend in a restaurant. I fast forward. This is about 4 scenes worth of stuff, a good 4 minutes of completely useless storyline that I could not give a fuck about because I stopped liking her character about 2 seasons ago.
Ad break. Another 3 mintues down the drain.
More Scavo family scenes which I watch. Literally about 2 minutes worth.
Carlos and Gabby in some womans big house (because he is suddenly a masseur now). Fast forward. 4 minutes down the drain.
Brie at her kitchen. Fast forward.
Ad break. Fast forward.
So it continued like this for the rest of the 48 minutes or whatever it is that Sky+ had recorded for me. I must have watched about 10 minutes all in of the whole programme.
I like the new D.H concept. The +5 years concept was brilliant. But here is my question, how is Desperate Housewives still managing to be shite right now? I tell you why, because they are still putting a stupid amount of script time into Teri Hatcher's character Susan Meyer. Her character is about as interesting and forward moving as bacteria growing on a prostitutes shite in a bush in the East End of Glasgow, and she is about as fun to watch as well.
If it doesn'y pick up I'm throwing in the towel. I've given years over to this programme. Lost got deleted fae my tape list about a year ago when I realised even the writers had no fucken clue what they were doing with it. D. H could end up the same.


text:
Whilst at St Pauls he revived the Victorian tradition of singing the orchestral masses of Haydn, Mozart and Schubert during the month of July and helped to raise the profile of the Festival of the Sons of the Clergy an annual service held in May for which many distinguished composers, including Sir Edward Elgar, had formerly been invited to contribute new works. Dearnley was committed to commissioning new music, and in the cathedrals music lists he included anthems and services by Britten, Bush, Naylor, Tippett and his former teacher Edmund Rubbra. In 1987 he was awarded a Lambeth degree by the Archbishop of Canterbury in recognition of his services to church music and appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.
The Jubilate Deo recorded here was written as a companion piece to the Yoruba Te Deum and was composed on Australia Day in Kiata in 1993 for Dr Evan Burge and the Chapel Choir of Trinity College.
from notes by William McVicker © 2005


text: How much do we like this amazing ski area? Well we were there at Xmas for our 11th stay. It just never fails to deliver variety, exciting areas to explore, an ever-improving lift system - not forgetting the fantastic link to Les Arcs via the Vanoise Express. We have stayed in Belle Plagne (good for ski-in ski-out, limited other activities... More


text:
You're watching...
Tea Party candidate heading to US Senate runoff in Texas
Ted Cruz on how he can change Washington
Jun 3, 2012
Ted Cruz
You're watching...
Ted Cruz on how he can change Washington
Jun 3, 2012
Ted Cruz
Also in this playlist...
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Auto-advanceThis transcript is automatically generated
Short time ago we talked to Texas lieutenant governor David Dewhurst one of the two GOP primary candidates fighting to make it to the general election for the US senate seat now held by senator Kay Bailey Hutchison.
The other contender is Tea Party backs Ted Cruz -- says that Texas and Washington need -- shake -- he joins us now live from.
And as Chris thanks for your time today.
Shannon thank you Bradley.
-- -- he had a chance to hear what your opponent had to say but certainly your clear with what lieutenant -- had to say about you running.
The fact that he is a true conservative that he's been able to show it in practice in leadership in the state.
I -- get a chance to respond to what he said about -- he said you are slick Harvard lawyer who has been a staffer.
And never had to carry out the policies like he -- Well you know the lieutenant governor has run an incredibly nasty and and false campaign he's put over ten million dollars of his own money into running false negative attack ads all aimed at me.
And there's a reason Shannon all over the country people are fed up with the same tired establishment incumbents it's been career politicians in both parties.
That have gotten -- to sixteen trillion dollar national debt.
And voters are looking for new leadership who are strong conservatives.
And fighters the lieutenant -- is a perfectly nice man there's been an establishment politician elected office for fifteen years he's increased taxes he's increased spending.
And his.
Has been Carrick tries repeatedly.
By compromising with Democrats to grow government that's the problem in Washington and it's why.
We've seen just about every conservative in Texas unite behind our campaign because in the senate we need strong conservatives and we need fighters.
Are you mentioned compromise with Democrats here in Washington as -- know should you be elected on Darius a lot of gridlock on Capitol Hill.
And some say that it's because there are far right candidates in the Republican Party being elected who come to Washington who won't compromise on anything.
Is there a way to hold on to your principles and also be able to get something done.
I don't agree with I think there is a clear choice in this race that if someone if you want -- senator who will compromise with the Democrats.
Then David Dewhurst -- your ideal choice I think we need to draw a line in the -- and we are going broke.
And the problem is every time Republicans say let's compromise with the Democrats.
Federal gotten -- spending grows taxes grow and our debt has gotten to sixteen trillion dollars.
We -- headed to the same place Greece and Italy are but the biggest difference is there are nations that can bail out Greece -- nobody big enough to bail us.
And what we need in Washington.
Is not more career politicians looking to cut a deal and keep growing the federal government we need strong conservatives who will stop the spending.
Eliminate the debt and get back to the constitution.
That's the choices for.
Well we've got.
Photo -- -- a number of endorsements you have Sarah Palin Rick Santorum senator -- many other conservatives.
And and several other conservatives have gone for your opponent lieutenant governor why do you think they're such split.
Well there's not really much of a split -- got virtually every major conservative in the state of Texas is with us on the grass -- we've got over 200 Republican women leader.
We've got just about every Tea Party leader in the state.
You look at donors we have 22000.
-- compared to 2500 for him.
The divide is simple.
Every lobbyist in Texas in just about every lobbyist in Washington is with the lieutenant governor.
Because he's the establishment he represents business as usual and everyone makes a livelihood.
From the government that earns their living keeping the Washington gravy train going.
They're all with him.
All of the grassroots conservatives all of the national conservatives whether Sarah Palin -- Rick Santorum or James Dobson or Sean Hannity.
Have unified behind our campaign.
Our nation is in crisis and we need strong concern -- -- -- is got to leave it I think he's there.
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SOURCE Chef Adrianne Calvo
Dark Dining Eyes Wide Shut Masquerade Ball deemed a sure hit amongst foodies
MIAMI, Sept. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Chef Adrianne Calvo, the innovative Miami-based culinary goddess, who has created a stunning reputation on the South Florida restaurant scene and has made her name synonymous with excellence, gave hungry and adventurous diners a night they will likely never forget at the historic Coral Gables Country Club with her legendary Dark Dining.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130924/PH85366 )
On September 20th 2013, Calvo took over the Gables establishment for a larger-than-life dining in the dark, called Eyes Wide Shut Masquerade Ball where guests were invited to dress up to the nines and bring their sultriest mask for an evening of sensually stimulating entertainment including a burlesque poker demonstration, contortionists, fire throwers, chandelier models, live champagne tables -- sexy mermaids in the country club's pool were a 'must see' for everyone. Calvo hosted two Dark Dining seatings where tables were glammed up with rose petals and candles, all to bare the chef's five course tasting menu, as guest divulged them blindfolded. Calvo, as confident and charismatic a performer as she is a great chef, cleverly described each dish after guests did their very best to speculate what they were chewing on.
Party goers also enjoyed a few of the chef's signature dishes such as osso bucco and sweet corn tamalito. Calvo, known for her bold and fearless moves in the business, has also built a philanthropic name for herself through her foundation, Make it Count, which benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A portion of all the proceeds of Dark Dining Eyes Wide Shut Masquerade Ball went to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Media contact:
Paul Gregorio
Read more news from Chef Adrianne Calvo
©2012 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.


text:
on 24-04-2010 08:34 AM
great clan with great people. we have alot of fun. we don't start matches talking crap.no music durnig game play no voice changes also. all different ages from 12 on up to 50.started it in mw1.and carry it over we are joined with the VILL clan also. we are brothers in arms. men and women both young and old .FNG to skilled players.so look us up. love to have clan matches.i' am the leader with chad1590 as V.P .have web page also
on 24-04-2010 12:25 PM
on 24-04-2010 12:29 PM
on 24-04-2010 01:48 PM
on 24-04-2010 03:25 PM
on 25-04-2010 09:55 AM
on 26-04-2010 08:25 PM
on 26-04-2010 09:42 PM
Could we all please stop h8ing on the ih8u clan.
on 26-04-2010 11:05 PM
on 30-01-2012 06:03 AM
we are still rocking. now with the elite rolling. web www.ih8u.biz
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How much life insurance do you need? Enter your current assets, expense and income. You can also adjust the inflation rate and your expected rate of return to see how these variables can impact your insurance needs. Press the "View Report" button to see a year by year breakdown of your family's future income and expenses.
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*Both the future expenses and future income totals are expressed as the amount of cash required today, invested at your expected rate of return, to equal the total future cash flow. For example, if you are expecting to receive $1,000 in exactly one year, that $1,000 has the same value as $909 today invested at 10%. Our totals show these current amounts to calculate the life insurance you require today to cover your future expenses after your future income is taken into account.
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text:
Canton Park Commission is asking City Council to place a three-year, four-mill property tax levy on the May ballot.
A proposed city park levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $10 a month.
The price of a pizza, said Andy Black, president of the Canton Board of Park Commissioners.
The pizza comparison wasn't meant to trivialize the dollars earned by hard-working Canton residents, he said.
But he pledged that the levy revenue would be appropriately spent, and residents would benefit with improvements in local park and recreational offerings.
"Pennies will not go to waste," Black said at a press conference Monday afternoon detailing the levy plans.
Ultimately, Black said, the community would benefit from a merger of the Canton Park System and the Canton Joint Recreation District, but that is phase three of the plan and a few years away.
The Canton Park Commission is asking council to place a three-year, four-mill levy on the May ballot. The legislation will be submitted by the city administration and has been introduced on the council meeting agenda.
The levy would generate both operating and capital improvement funding — for repairs and projects — for the city park system and the J. Babe Stearn Community Center and the Edward L. "Peel" Coleman Community Center, also known as the Southeast Community Center.
The park system would initiate a full evaluation and needs assessment of each park and community center to determine how the funds are allocated, Black said. Additionally, the park commission would work with City Council, neighborhood associations and residents to prioritize how the capital dollars are spent, Black said during his presentation.
"I think it's a bold step for Canton to go forward with (the levy and overall plan)," he said. "And hopefully the citizens of Canton will agree with that."
The levy would generate about $3 million annually, including $1.2 million to $1.3 million to operate city parks; about $800,000 to $1 million to operate the Stearn and Coleman community centers; and the remaining levy funds would be spent on capital improvements, Mayor William J. Healy II explained following the press conference.
The plan is designed to improve the collaboration and efficiency among recreational providers in the city. Other goals include improving recreational programming and access for residents; providing new activities for youth, adults and families; and increased safety in parks and at recreational facilities.
The three-phase plan was hatched by the Canton Recreational Services Coalition, which started meeting about two years ago, but the discussions intensified in late summer after Healy introduced controversial legislation that would have eliminated the Canton Board of Park Commissioners and put the park system under the authority of the division of public works and the service director.
Voters established the park commission about 90 years ago.
The coalition includes representatives of City Council, Canton City Schools, the Canton Joint Recreation District, the park commission and the Stearn and Coleman community centers.
Page 2 of 2 - LEVY DETAILS
Black said the levy would free up about $1.2 million annually (the park budget) for the city's general fund, which supports the police and fire departments and other city services.
Healy facilitated the coalition meetings, Black said, praising his "leadership" in bringing the various interests together. "I was trying to bring everyone together ... and make sure all ideas and opinions were part of the process," Healy said after the press conference.
"The concepts and collaborative plan were really the input of everyone (on the coalition)," Healy said.
The levy is the first step, Black said. In the second phase, the Canton Park System would "facilitate partnership agreements between all participating recreational entities," according to the "Canton Park Levy Synopsis" distributed at the press conference.
The park system "will also work to strengthen their relationship with the Canton Joint Recreation District with the purpose of creating an all inclusive, one-stop shop for all park and recreation needs," the synopsis said.
The third phase would be to explore a combined park and recreation levy in 2016, "which would bring all park and recreation funding in the city under one organization." The recreation district's existing one-mill levy expires in 2016.
More research must be done on the overall plans to address legal questions and other issues, including the structure of a combined park and recreation system and who would have oversight, Black said.
Donald Peterson, a member of the Canton Joint Recreation District, said the district's board is fully behind the levy and the long-term plan of a combined park and recreation system.
He said it's important to seek public input on the plans and recreational needs.
"I think everyone looks at this as a win for the community," Peterson said following the press conference.
The plans would be "transformative" for Canton, he said, and improve the quality life and boost property values.


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text:
Apple's A7 may really strut its stuff on iPad gaming
Apple's new 64-bit A7 chip will debut on the iPhone 5S, but it may find its best gaming platform on upcoming iPads.
The A7 is the world's first 64-bit chip for smartphones. What that means for consumers is better performance on data-intensive apps like games because, among other things, it means the chip can address more memory more effectively than a 32-bit processor.
First introduced to supercomputers in the 1970s, 64-bit computing landed at Apple in the Power Mac G5 in 2003 via the first 64-bit PowerPC G5 processor.
Fast forward to 2013. It seems increasingly likely that … Read more


text:
I stayed here for a week during my last trip to Bangkok and find it easy to access with BTS and MRT station within 2- 3 minutes walk. The rooms are reasonably clean and decent pricing. If you plan to stay at this hotel- make arrangement for early check in if you plan to arrive before 13:00 hrs local time... More
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text:
(30 تعليقات من النزلاء)
(متوسط المناطق المحيطة
تصنيف نزلاء Hotels.com
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تصنيف المسافرين على موقع TripAdvisor
Holly took over The Blushing Oyster this season and is doing an excellent job. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and felt suitably spoilt. The hotel is an... easy drive to some wonderful beaches and is the perfect spot from which to explore Cape Cod. Breakfast was delicious each day of our stay and our bedroom was spotless and homely. Holly provided lots of little extras and was happy to answer questions and offer advice. Would definitely recommend this B and B. بواسطة Vicki من UK بتاريخ 2013/10/09