text:
|51 posts found
Apprentice Member
Joined: 8/01/13
"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation."
Originally posted by Theocritus
Sadly you may be right. A few months for me and then nada.
Random Forum Poster: I want an MMO that is different, original and fun.
Me: So you want something like EQN
Them: Nah dude, I want a Holy Trinity, Tab Target combat, Instanced Raiding, and Rigid classes.
Me: Double Facepalm.
Login or Register to never see this panel
Originally posted by Kuanshu
Another person stating the exact opposite of pretty much what the entire gaming industry is saying.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but consoles are in trouble after this generation. For all you so called people who know what your talking about, you really don't read much and keep up with the industry news do you?
The best hope for consoles is to become living room PCs.
Also, you act like this is the first time MMOs have been on consoles, you must be very forgetful.
So much for you knowing what you are talking about. Seems to me like you know almost nothing. Unless you want to make some corrections there.
Edit: I find it very offensive when people state they know what they are taking about, and then follow by stating false information.
Originally posted by Brabbit1987
Its a good thing you live in your reality as much as I live in mine...
Also if you are so easily offended, then you must be used to it by now :)
If you honestly believe the best we can hope for is living room PCs then you severely lack imagination and foresight
Glad your self righteous and indignant attitude isn't too pretentious...or is it
What is true or false is surely not determined by you or who you take it upon yourself to speak for
Proof is in the pudding as they say and there are alot more factors here involved then you would care to consider
If your still offended then my post was moderately successful
This is why we game :)
Originally posted by Kuanshu
Difference is, I have proof. The cost for hardware is going down for computers. Eventually that price will be at the same point of the cost of a console for the same performance. This has been an on going discussion in the game industry. If you don't beleive me, ask Valve, even they are looking to move PCs to the living room.
If you want I can start linking 100s of articles on what I am basing this on, and shoot down all your claims. Then what would you say then?
I work in the game industry, and I am fairly up to date with what is going on. Can you say the same?
Ahh there it is...it hits close to home
Change is the only constant...get used to it or you got a long road to hoe
I would gather I have witnessed and observed more in my time
If you know anything about computers then you should know that all the technology it is based on, utilizes the same principles and yet you are much like alot of so called tech savvy opinionated types who believe all this is going somewhere and they need to stay on the cutting edge or they are not going to be a part of the latest and greatest
Ive observed technology and honestly I am not even remotely amused or even impressed, I am more like oh so thats why it is the way it is....rather then oh ya I am so intelligent, experienced, and progressively minded....I prefer to look at the big picture and not take myself so freakin seriously
Look around you....you call all these inventions genius? You believe that we should be thankful we live in a technologically advanced era?
If it doesn't come full circle you for one are going to wish otherwise, or are you one of those types on the freight train to oblivion?
Corporatism is more like a religion
Originally posted by Kuanshu
Really lost you here. No idea what your talking about.
I simply go by what is currently occurring in the world and industry. It isn't about being impressed, it's about science and technology. It's about the consumers. The gaming industry in the last generation has seen major changes. With the mobile market growing, and more casual players, to steam growing and becoming the lead in PC sales. Consoles are simply becoming less and less relevant. Consoles are going to have to do something new, and different to be able to remain relevant to gaming.
Consoles where created because they are a cheaper way to play games. Instead of spending $2000 on a computer, you can spend $300 - 400 on a console. This benefit soon will no longer exist. There will no longer be any purpose.
It's just common sense. Would you buy a computer or a console if it performed exactly the same and costed exactly the same? Chances are you would buy the computer because not only can it do EVERYTHING a console can, it can do a whole lot more. It's a lot less limited and a more open platform.
Having a single platform will also be a very large benefit for developers. No more of the porting, and no more of the exclusives.
If anything PCs are more of a thing of the past...you just haven't got the memo yet
Consoles were not created as a cheaper means of gaming...lol that is just silly
Try a more accessible way of gaming for all involved and you may be on to something
We are all part of this huge test market in more ways then most care to imagine
I for one am biding my time until the cat is let out of the bag so to speak...shant be long now
Advanced Member
Joined: 7/03/04
I liked MMOs better when gamers didn't play them, and just geeks did.
Your "Everquest Next", My "OMG Again?"
Played: AA, AC1, AC2, Aion, AO, AoC, CO, CoX, DAoC, DCUO, DN, EVE, EQ1, EQ2,
Originally posted by Kuanshu
Well, think I am done talking to you. Don't think I will get anywhere with someone like you. Be like talking to one of those hippy conspiracy theorists. -.- Doesn't matter how much proof I show.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 1/28/10
I cannot fiddle but I can make a great state of a small city.
I'm not sure if the irony is intended or not, but i don't think you'll find something less similar to ES or EQ than ESO.
Originally posted by Brabbit1987
No, no they won't. At least not anytime soon.
I am sorry, but you clearly know nothing about the tech industry.
Originally posted by jesusjuice69
Really? Tell that to the schools that gave me my degrees and certifications rofl. Also, you sentences contradict themselves, you just said no they won't and then said at least not anytime soon. It can't be both, it either will or will not happen. You disagreed and then agreed.
Yet I am the one that knows nothing?
Also, it WILL happen. Unless you want to explain to me, why you think it will not?
Also try and provide a better answer then a childish naaa aaa response. Show proof of your claims. I already clearly stated that by having a CPU and Graphics on board using the same chip increases the speed at which communications happen between the 2. Also, would be nice if you explained to me why you think you know more then AMD, since they agree with me.
Originally posted by Brabbit1987
A degree in what? Let me guess, A+ certification? Yes, you know nothing.
You are right they do slightly contradict. It is a close call between never, and stupidly unlikely. I am not so arrogant as to think I can predict the future, unlike someone else.
Childish responses? I am the ones posting sources! The best APU tech available right now, which is specialized and took millions to develop, is less than 1/3 the power of current day top of the line cards. AND ITS NOT EVEN ON THE MARKET YET! The next gen graphics cards will be out at the same time, and it will likely be 1/4.
Besides, the burden of proof is on you sir. You are the one saying something contradictory to what is happening within the Higher end graphic market place right now. The APU has a huge chasm to clear before it becomes even close to matching current day top of the line cards. They can't even be upgraded, which makes them far less popular in the PC gaming industry. There are also huge differences in size! Size matters when it comes to computing power!
Finally, and most importantly, we are getting close to the atomic scale with our architecture. There isn't much room left for significant improvements, unless something revolutionary happens.
And even if we pretend something does happen, like layering chips, then the same applies to standalone graphics cards. Then we are back to the previous point of size matters. Ohh and layering would only delay the end of Moore's Law!
Originally posted by jesusjuice69
Telecommunications trade degree, Fiber Optic Tech Certifications, Cisco Certifications, Bachelors of Computer Science, and I also have a lot of training in video games when I went to The Art Institute, though I do not have a degree for that.
As for your sources, where are they? I don't see any sources, I just see all talk and no proof.
As for my proof? This discussion started to do with Tablets. Technology loves to go mobile. You should know that. Tell me how they are going to do that, with a discrete bulky graphics card? Do you think Computers will always remain the same size? Sure we can also suggest the discrete graphics card will get smaller, however, why bother when you can use integrated graphics which have been on the rise. It's much cheaper as well since it is fewer components.
Alright, so I will admit, you are right, integrated graphics will actually never surpass discrete graphics performance wise. But how about cost/performance? It will most certainly surpass discrete cards with in this area. I consider that surpassing discrete cards, because eventually there will be no need for them. More power doesn't mean anything if you have nothing to use that power with. Why bother using a discrete solution if you can achieve the same with a cheaper integrated solution? Wonder if this is the reason why the new consoles are using Integrated graphics .. hmmm makes you think.
Don't forget, you are the one who stated integrated graphics has limitations. You are the one who is mistaken about this tech. I own an AMD A8 Llano APU. While it most certainly isn't something to brag about. It most certainly does do it's job. It plays most games perfectly fine. This A8 is old though. It no where near the performance of current APU.
You also said you can't upgrade an APU, which is a flat out lie. You most certainly can, it's the same as upgrading your CPU. It's why I can switch out my A8, for an A6 and it still works.
However, all these have limitations of course, and the same goes with discrete cards as well. A new socket for the APU will come out and you will no longer be able to upgrade. As for a graphics card, the same happens to an extent. You can upgrade the card, but if it bottle necks the CPU, the upgrade was pretty much worthless. You can only upgrade till you hit that limit.
The benefit about upgrading a APU, is it cost less, and it's technically upgrading 2 components, CPU and GPU at the same time.
If they keep improving as they do, to think integrated graphics will remain in the back seat would be stupid. As for limitations, where are they? They may not be as powerful, but cost/performance, as well as size, does not scream limited to me. Those are very huge benefits.
Also, the communication between the CPU and GPU is much better with integrated solutions, though I already mentioned that 1000 times.
All I was saying was they wouldn't surpass standalone graphic cards in power.
As far as the future of mobile devices, then yes APU is king.
For those of you looking to purchase one of the upcoming x86-based Windows 8 tablets such as the Microsoft Surface Pro or the Samsung ATIV Smart PC Pro, we can confirm that Guild Wars 2 will be playable on those devices.
They are basically mini-laptops.
Originally posted by jesusjuice69
Well, guess that ends the debate. Wasn't expecting you to agree for some reason. Maybe I am to used to trolls everywhere XD.
Elite Member
Joined: 5/14/07
I believe in life before death... So dont forget to enjoy it while you still can.
Originally posted by jesusjuice69
Our machine with the Intel HD Graphics integrated GPU averaged frame rates in the mid-20′s on low settings at 1280×720
I would not call that playable, i was referring to mobile graphics cards at very low power, but not at integrated graphics. 20 fps at 1280 gives not even 10 fps at a full HD tablet which will be the standard.
No, Next year we will see tablets with much much more GPU power and even better scaled CPU power management, to push the Windows 8 tablets to where they belong. Kings of the home gaming domain.
Best MMO experiences : EQ(PvE), DAoC(PvP), WoW(total package) LOTRO (worldfeel) GW2 (Artstyle and animations and worlddesign) SWTOR (Story immersion) TSW (story) ESO (character advancement)
Originally posted by Lord.Bachus
Umm just so you know, Intel integrated HD Graphics is nothing compared to AMDs APU. Though that may change with Intel's upcoming version which apparently is 3x better then their last according to them.
But ya, don't use your intel HD graphics machine as some type of standard for integrated graphics. If you thought intel's integrated graphics where top of line, you would be thinking wrong. AMD has had them beat by a long shot for a while now.
As for mobile graphics cards, do they even have anything that will fit in a tablet? Could had sworn all tablets had an integrated solution. Though I could be wrong about that. ... Or am I misunderstanding you?
Elite Member
Joined: 5/14/07
I believe in life before death... So dont forget to enjoy it while you still can.
Originally posted by Brabbit1987
They hope to have something in performance comparable to an 7970M in mobile tablet format early next year
Best MMO experiences : EQ(PvE), DAoC(PvP), WoW(total package) LOTRO (worldfeel) GW2 (Artstyle and animations and worlddesign) SWTOR (Story immersion) TSW (story) ESO (character advancement)
Joined: 7/26/03
related to forthcoming tablet graphic cards


text:
Google has a new specialized search engine for searching Google Profiles. It has a better interface than the regular Google Profiles search feature, it's integrated with Google Search and it shows additional links from people's profiles.
This feature is not yet enabled in the interface, but you can search Google Profiles by adding &tbs=prfl:1 to a Google Search URL. Here's an example.
Google could use the data from user profiles to provide advanced search features like restricting profiles to people who lived in Chicago, attended Long Island University and are interested in sports.
{ spotted by François Beaufort }
Workin' In A Cocktail Bar
4 hours ago

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Attend free workshops. Take your skills to the next level with One to One. Or take your kids to free youth programs like Apple Camp.Learn about workshops and training
For hardware repairs, you can make a Genius Bar reservation. For software or services, get help even faster by phone or chat.Learn about the Genius Bar
Whether you own a business or just use Apple products at work, the Business Team at your favourite Apple Store can work with you to help you find the right solutions.Learn more


text:
- Home
- News
- Sports
- Obituaries
- Place Classified Ad
- Special Sections
- Community Links
- Games
Evelyn B. Dunn was born January 25, 1931 in Hugo to Thelma and Margaret (Morris) Bookout. She passed from this life on Sunday, March 25, 2012 in Sherman, TX, at the age of 81. Evelyn married Mitchell Dunn on April 17, 1949 in Paris, TX. She was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church in Antlers. She loved quilting, sewing and cooking. She was preceded in death by her father; her husband: Mitchell Dunn in 2001; grandsons: Daniel Wright, Cassen Robbins; granddaughters: Heaven Lynn, McKinley Robbins. Evelyn is survived by her mother: Margaret Bookout; five daughters: Dianne Dunn of Ft. Worth, TX, grandchildren, Charissa, Sarah, Kelly, Cassie and great-grandchildren, David, Tasia, Kirstie, Brayton, Raymond, Maddox, Star-Linda; Pamela Floyd and husband, Wes of AZ; grandchildren, Tracey and Amy, and great-grandchildren, Emmanual, Gabriel, Jordon, Logan, Jacob and Peyton; Paula Dunn of Sherman, TX; grandchildren, Mark and Brian, great-grandchildren, Andrew, Leyla; Cynthia Mitchell of Antlers; grandchildren, Shawn, Amanda and Brittany, great-grandchildren, Tara, Bailey, Michael, Dalton, Casidy, Payton; Toni Dunn and husband, Teddy Dyer of Sherman,TX; grandchildren Christopher, Brandon, Dustin and Emily great-grandchildren, Kiersten, Dylan, Jeremy, Phillip, Jacob, Kendra, and Shyan; one son, Michael Dunn and wife, Lisa of Antlers; grandchildren, Michael Ray, Tandy, Doug, Chelsea and Taylor, great-grandchildren, Zander and Zane. The family will receive friends Thursday, March 29, 2012, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home in Hugo. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 30, 2012, at the Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home Chapel in Hugo with Brent Franks officiating. Interment will follow at the Ft. Towson Cemetery in Ft. Towson. Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book or send private condolences to the family at www.praterlampton.com.
Funeral services conducted by Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home of Hugo.


text:
Recent Ringling News:
Supply List:
- Your photos
- Board to work on
- Newspaper or some paper to use as padding
- Charcoal, 1 to 2 pieces
- NU Pastel (hard pastels) box - any size - NOTE: NO OIL PASTELS
- Soft pastels - a selection of your choice - NOTE: NO OIL PASTELS
- Grumbacher, Rembrandt, Unison, Sennilier, etc.
- Paper - Tinted Medium to Dark color (gray, brown, green etc) with tooth.
- There are many suitable for example: Canson Mi-Tientes, Colourfix, Wallis, Ersta - your choice
- Masking tape and/or clamps
- Any workable fixative small can of Krylon Workable Fixatif, Blair, etc.


text:
If the registration link does not take you directly to the program, please retry the link in Internet Explorer.
Ever wondered how Goodwill takes your donations and turns them into merchandise for purchase? Where do all of your donations go? How are they processed? Join us for the opportunity to learn how your donations can truly change a life! Plus - Girls will compete to put together affordable winter styles during the First-ever Design on a Dime Fashion Show!
Level(s): Cadettes, Seniors, Ambassadors
Dates: Saturdays, November 3, 17 and December 1, 8, 15
Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Location: Goodwill Industries of Arkansas - Little Rock, AR
West Little Rock Location
109 Markham Park Drive
Little Rock, AR 72211
Event Type: Series
Fee: $3.00 per girl
Registration Deadline: Friday, November 2, 2012
Min/Max: 10/30
Service Project: Girls will bring clothing and/or electronics to donate to Goodwill
Special Notes: 1) This is a leadership series.
2) Girls must attend at least 3 program sessions.
3) Meetings will be held at various Goodwill stores in Central Arkansas.


text:
Sacrifice from the Heart
Read Matthew 12:1–13. What was the major concern of the Pharisees? What was Jesus' concern? What does Jesus mean by "I desire mercy and not sacrifice" (see Hosea 6:6)? Examine your life and your practice of worship (corporate and private) ...Read More
Death Comes to All
Read 1 Timothy 6:17–19. What does Paul say is great gain? What does he say about people who want to get rich? Does this mean being rich is wrong? What does Paul say we should pursue? In what ways do ...Read More
Obedience Not Sacrifice
Read again the final two verses of Psalm 40. Do you seek the Lord with gladness? Are you compelled to declare before men "The Lord be glorified"? Whether poor or rich, remember today that He who thinks of you is ...Read More
What About Hypocrites?
Does today's lesson strike close to home? Are there things you advise other Christians to do that you yourself don't do? Beyond this mild hypocrisy, is there some awful sin in your life that you are covering up with a ...Read More
Transformation into Glory
Each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit—that is, each aspect of you as you are transformed—is nurtured through personal relationships. Because Christian character does not develop in a void, take the initiative to become involved regularly in a small ...Read More
Meekness and Self-Control
Today's lesson puts the fruit of the Spirit into a chain of growth and development. Read the last paragraph again, and then close the book and see if you can rehearse the logic of Galatians 5:22–23. In light of the ...Read More
Patience and Kindness
Consider today's lesson as a test. As you review it, evaluate yourself in terms of patience and kindness. Are you patient with those who are inferior to you, like your children? Are you as kind and sensitive to other people ...Read More
Love Versus Death
When someone hurts or offends us, our reaction is usually to assume the worst possible motive in that person. But one application of the law of love is that we should give others the benefit of the doubt. How have ...Read More
Deadly Poison
On Pentecost, God gave His own tongues of fire to set the world aflame as a holy sacrifice to Him. When James criticizes our tongues as evil fires, he implies that we have made ourselves gods. Take a careful look ...Read More
The Benefits of Trials
Have you ever been through a time of suffering that left you a milder, more sober, more "centered" person than before? What "bad" aspects of your life were refined and what good aspects of your life were strengthened? As hard ...Read More
DevotionalsDaily readings to encourage your heart and mind in the pursuit of God and his glory.
- All
- Angels and Demons
- Atonement
- Basic Reformed Theology
- Irresistible Grace
- Limited Atonement
- Perseverance of the Saints
- Total Depravity
- Unconditional Election
- The Church
- Church Discipline
- Church Leadership
- Creeds and Confessions
- God
- Holiness
- Sovereignty
- Heaven and Hell
- Heresies
- The Holy Spirit
- Jesus Christ
- Cross
- Incarnation
- Resurrection
- Justification
- Last Things
- Man and Sin
- Sacraments
- Salvation
- Faith
- Regeneration
- Scripture
- Systematic Theology
- Theological Views
- Roman Catholicism
- Music
- Apologetics
- False Teaching
- Atheism
- Christianity and Culture
- Creation
- Ethics
- Philosophy
- Science
- Bible Figures
- Bible Interpretation
- Bibles
- Books of the Bible
- Gospels
- Covenants
- General Reference Works
- Introduction to the Bible
- Jesus' Ministry
- Life of Jesus
- New Testament
- Old Testament
- Parables
- Prophecy
- Sermon on the Mount
- Ten Commandments
- The Lord's Prayer
- Controversies in the Church
- Arts
- Bible Translation
- Covenant Theology
- Creationism
- Inclusivism
- Law and Gospel
- Lordship Salvation
- Politics
- Sabbath
- Spiritual Gifts
- Stewardship of Creation
- Theonomy
- Women in Ministry
- Marriage and Family
- Divorce
- Parenting
- Practical Theology
- Discipleship
- Evangelism and Missions
- Grief and Death
- Pastoral Ministry
- Preaching
- Worship
- Spiritual Growth
- Anxiety and Worry
- Apostasy
- Assurance
- Conscience
- Depression
- Doubt
- Fellowship
- Godliness
- Guilt
- Humility
- Joy
- Knowing God's Will
- Legalism
- Love
- Money and Stewardship
- Oaths and Vows
- Prayer
- Pride
- Repentance and Forgiveness
- Sanctification and Growth
- Service
- Spiritual Fruit
- Suffering
- Thankfulness
- Vocation
- Ancient Church
- Biography
- Enlightenment and Modernism
- Historical Theology
- Reformation
- Twentieth Century


text:
Coming up in the next {{countdown}} {{countdownlbl}}
Coming up next:
Skip to this video now
Now Playing:
Related Videos
Now Playing: {{itm.title}}
Play Video
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
Health Alert for Every Airport in America
Two confirmed cases of deadly MERS virus now in America.
Deadly MERS Virus Appears in US
The government has identified the second case of the virus in 10 days.
Now Playing: Health Alert for Every Airport in America
Now Playing: Deadly MERS Virus Appears in US
Now Playing: Second Case of Deadly Virus Mers on US Soil
Now Playing: Miracle Baby Finally Goes Home After a Year in the Hospital
Now Playing: FDA Warns That Commonly Used Medical Device Can Be Hacked
Now Playing: Bionic Eye Restores Woman's Vision
Now Playing: Stephanie Epstein Speaks Out After Tree Crashes on Top of Her
Now Playing: ABC's Jonathan Karl Questions White House Press Secretary Over Planned Parenthood Videos
Now Playing: Promising News on Experimental Ebola Vaccine
Now Playing: How Parents Can Protect Kids From Ticks
Now Playing: Legionnaires' Disease Outbreak Reported in NYC
Now Playing: How Pet Therapy Emotionally, Physically Benefits Nursing Home Residents
Now Playing: Leah Still's Cancer Still in Remission
Now Playing: Two Boys Severely Sunburned at Daycare Outing
Now Playing: Historic Dual Hand Transplant Gives Boy Second Chance at Life
Now Playing: Kidspace Museum Visitors Injured After Tree Collapses
Now Playing: Inspiring 8-Year-Old Starts Non-Profit to Help Sick Kids
Now Playing: Orangutan 'Kisses' Pregnant Woman's Belly at Zoo
Now Playing: The Truth About Fertility: How Much Is a Human Egg Worth?
Now Playing: NY Woman Survives After Tree Smashes Through Home
Now Playing: 911 Operator During Emergency Call: 'Not Going to Deal With This'
Now Playing: How to Survive a Lightning Strike


text:
God blesses those who seek Him. He will grant wisdom to those who ask. read more
Page 74 of 99
Leave and Cleave, But Stay in Touch
Getting married and having your own family is a rite of passage in life. But that doesn't mean you can't continue to have a great relationship with your parents. read more
Don't Allow Touch Deprivation to Creep Into Your Marriage
Psychologists generally agree that as humans, we need—not just want—physical touch. read more
10 Life Lessons From Coach John Wooden
The legendary John Wooden was more than simply a basketball coach. He was also a teacher of how to be successful in life. read more
Getting Your Kids to Talk to You Takes Tact
Communicating with your children isn't always easy, but family ministry expert Jonathan Cliff says creating an "atmosphere of words" in your home can be very rewarding. read more
Intentional Dads Can Feel Awkward Too
You may not understand your children or be the dad that you hope to be sometimes, but you can continue to strive to be the kind of dad they need. read more
Man in the Mirror Sets 2013 Agenda
With strong leadership on board, the international men's ministry is set to attack the devil like never before. read more
Dad, Would You Rather Have Joy or Cash?
Find out how you can juggle a career and fatherhood without having to sacrifice the most important thing—your children. read more
5 Reasons Why Hard Work Trumps Divorce
Marriage is hard sometimes, but it is a lifelong covenant with both your spouse and God. read more
Can You Claim Daniel Status in Today's Culture?
Great stories come from great obedience to God and great faith and courage, not about those who played it safe. read more


text:
UVA Virtual Lab
The Blue Brain Project
The Lausanne, Switzerland-based Blue Brain Project has been building a virtual brain in a supercomputer for over a decade. And while the task seems almost...
Brought to the world by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group and the MIT Media Lab, Scratch allows children to program their own interactive stories, games, and...
With 29 zoology-related activities, comics, quizzes, games, book lists, and other sundry tidbits, the Zoology section of the American Museum of Natural...
The Huntington, which is located in San Marino, California, is unusual among cultural institutions for its scope. Including a library, an assortment of art...
This resource contains a whitepaper by both CAR and KPMG discussing the results of interviews with more than 25 thought leaders, automotive and high-tech...
AMSER is a portal of educational resources and services built specifically for use by those in Community and Technical Colleges but free for anyone to use.
AMSER is funded by the National Science Foundation as part of the National Science Digital Library, and is being created by a team of project partners led by Internet Scout.
There are nearly 50,000,000,000 galaxies in the cosmos. Each galaxy contains between 100,000,000,000 and 1,000,000,000,000 stars.
Manage your resources
Save, organize, and share resources that you find.
Subscribe to bulletins
Automatically be notified about new resources that match your interests.
It's easy, fast, and FREE!
for the


text:
At Hotwire, you can find 4-star hotels in Orlando, FL at 2-star prices. We work with the best hotels to offer you great rooms at ridiculously low, discount rates.
If the deals above look interesting, you might also enjoy these destinations.
More ways to travel for less.
Shop the rates on this page to find the best of our best Orlando, FL deals. The deals to the left are updated each hour, so check back often to find a great place to stay at a price you can afford.


text:
Now that the holidays are behind us and we're staring down a long cold road, I thought I'd begin making some suggestions for reading on long wintry nights.
Initial installment: some books dealing with the existence of Evil in the world.
I, Lucifer: Exploring the Archetype and Origins of the Devil
by Corvis Nocturnum (pen name for paranormal researcher, Eric R. Vernor);
Nov 28, 2011—133.42 N759I 2011
An extremely well researched and illustrated volume that explores the Satanic persona from its beginnings in ancient myth and pagan religion to its incorporation in the Judeo-Christian-Islamic traditions; reviews the appearance of this character (real or symbolic) in the art and literature of societies around the world during the centuries leading up to the present, and finally, to its presence in the media and society today; and seems to ask the question:
Is this a real being or the personification of an idea?
Lords of the Left-hand Path: Forbidden Practices and Spiritual Heresies
by Steven E. Flowers, Ph.D (Germanic Languages and Medieval studies)
June 27, 2012—133.409 F644L 2012
This work draws on a wide range of resources to explore and celebrate what the author calls "the principle of isolate intelligence", a mental framework or philosophy which he says makes its appearance in many world cultures: ancient Indian Tantric philosophy, Gnostic Christianity, Gurdieff's Fourth Way, Neoplatonism, the Hell-Fire Club and the Bolsheviks are just some examples he provides.
He also contends this self-willing is at the core of Satanism and Black Magic.
So this book asks a slightly different question: not simply is Satan or Lucifer, or the devil—however you may want to call him—the personification of an idea, but, if so, what idea does he personify?
According to this author, Lucifer is not an evil fellow, but one of many "heroes" who rebel against a tyrannical religious philosophy that dictates that obedience to a greater will and more than that—submergence in a greater ego—is the right way.
He, and others like him, are looking for freedom and self-empowerment; they want to survive as individuals for eternity—something that mainstream religion—and much of main stream secular philosophy, for that matter—doesn't allow.
An interesting idea.
The Nature of Good and Evil: Understanding the Many Acts of Moral and Immoral Behavior
by Samuel Oliner (professor of Sociology and director of the Altruistic Personality and Prosocial Behavior Institute at Humboldt State University.)
September 15, 2011—170 O46N 2011
Right off the bat—The illustration on the cover of this book grabs me.
I think the word, evil, is thrown around a little too easily these days—a lot of people, sadly, apply it to anyone who disagrees with them.
This author, however, is concerned with explaining those acts that anyone would consider evil—genocide and other acts of cruelty on a massive scale. He explores the psychology of the perpetrators and finds the roots of evil in the human psyche and the social forces that help to mould it.
Satan: an autobiography as told to Yehuda Berg
by Yehuda Berg (prominent authority on Kabbalah)
March 1, 2009—296.316 B493S 2009
This book has rave reviews on Amazon. The author, Yehuda Berg, places all the evil in the world on the back of self-doubt, insecurity, and an over inflated or over reactive ego. So, it seems to say something completely different than what Steven Flowers says in Lords of the Left-hand Path, where big egos are associated with heroes who have the courage to buck forces acting to bring them in line with some kind of universal will.
Again, an interesting idea.
All in all, sounds like an exploration worth undertaking . All items are in our collection; ask at a public service desk for help finding what you're looking for.
I'll be back ASAP with more suggested reading and news about upcoming programs. Until then, remember to


text:
|95 posts found
Advanced Member
Joined: 11/08/08
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.
I don't mind a good story in my mmo. Heck eq2 has a lot of quest that tell small stories. Like in sundered frontier there is a story called can't has cheeseburger where you deliver a cheeseburger to the npc, and another one where you do a dirty job for kik roe, lol. Then there is a crafting quest a gnome-land hq where you help Jammie and adam both gnome npc but dressed up like the mythbusters and your doing a craft quest and testing things out for them. But they were small, short and to the point.
SWTOR took story to the breaking point, that is all their was. Yes legacy was created to make you level up another alt to 50. After 5 level 50's it gold old quick, and that is all there really was sorry for each class, the side quests were not fun but yet they had long stories put into them. Example the one guy tells the story of 3 sith brothers for like 8 space bars on a daily repeatable.
Yes bioware blew it, and some of the other games are as well.
I will stick with eq2 for now as there is nothing out there remotely interesting.
Login or Register to never see this panel
Apprentice Member
Joined: 6/11/08
I think with my heart and move with my head.-Kongos
Oh, that's all. Just write a "good MMO". I had no idea it was that simple. Wait. That's sarcasm. It's not that simple.
There's no chance that they would have written a group based game. The odds of any theme park written now being anything other than a solo experience with optional grouping is zero.
They waffled between the story driven character story and quest hub progression in their solo game, doing neither very well. They should have committed to the character story, and instead of quest hubs in the world, given the character story lines some branches. Hell, just put all the leveling content in the character story lines even if they were totally linear. It would have been much better than adding in traditional quest hubs.
** edit **
At the very least, let me zip through all the side quests quickly.
I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.
Novice Member
Joined: 7/07/07
I think some of your argument has merit.
Scripted Storylines shouldn't be so encompassing that it overshadows the story you are writing for yourself by playing. If anything this is where BW got it wrong with SWTOR as compared to some of their console titles.
SWTOR was too scripted ( and I am a fan of story first) which made everyone's individual story the same es everyone else's. I am more a fan of lore being made available in the world or the website as a primer for related dungeons and quests.
Vanilla WoW gave you the whole story on how the world came to be the way it was at the time if you were willing to play each race and read the lore. the lore was of relevance in every dungeon and each dungeon offered lore about itself. WoW:BC and WotLK took advantage of that fact and made a great and a poor expansion but didn't build on the concept of lore.
Lore is optional, whereas the story setups offered by WotLK (and Cata!) and SWTOR aren't.
Lore creates the option for adventuring and exploration where personal story merely sends you there and drops you off.
i think that your article highlights a failing in this current generation of gamers.
They don't read...
Or, rather, they'd prefer not to.
Elite Member
Joined: 3/30/10
I don't Forum PVP. If you feel I've attacked you, it was probably by accident.
Single Player RPG distribution and monetization = Box sales by brick and mortar retailers, publisher receives wholesale price per unit. Few if any additional revenue streams (hint books, etc). Prone to software piracy.
Online Single Player RPG distribution and monetization = Box sales by brick and mortar retailers plus direct to consumer sales. Publisher receives wholesale (physical box) or retail minus delivery and credit card processing (direct). Multiple layers of additional revenue streams (subscriptions, cash shop, etc). Completely immune to software piracy because the client is useless without account access to an official server.
Sure, there may be some regard for customer satisfaction. However, to me it looks like they're cranking out new "SP-MMO hybrids" as a way to increase revenue.
I give up.
Advanced Member
Joined: 5/28/06
story was desperately needed in MMO's. They were shallow and boring before, you didn't feel any direct connection in the world or your character and now you do..I don't miss the days when there wasn't a storyline to follow and decisions to make for my own personal interest and level of immersion into the game. I really think it needs to continue to be a componant to an mmoRPG, otherwise as I said before they will feel stagnant and shallow.
The option to skip through most of it is there for those who have no interest in it, you can space bar, or hit skip and continue with playing the game as an objective based game.
Novice Member
Joined: 10/05/03
Gaming should be about fun, not gender equality.
Why does stories have to be a single, or limited multiplayer, experience? Why can't they involve the world we inhabit and have whoever wants and are able to, to be involved in it?
Obviously it would be hard to design such quests but it can be done as shown in the attempts WAR did with Public Quests and what followed in Rift and GW 2. But still, most MMOs seem to focus on single player quests which has no bearing on the world.
It is about time these devs start thinking outside of their (single player box) and realise that their context is a massively multiplayer one and design the game accordingly.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 6/06/12
We live in a fantasy world, a world of illusion. The great task in life is to find reality.
I am not a Pure Sandbox fan but I do like alot of sandbox elements and one of the best elements of sandbox is there is no hero, you are just a regular guy trying to make it in a dangerous world and your story is what you make of it.
Storyline are nothing but forced linearity and I feel linearity is the death of MMO's.
Advanced Member
Joined: 3/01/07
Originally posted by DarthRaiden
Single player (solo) contents are parts of almost every MMO right now, and there are reasons for that. Saying that SP has nothing to do with MMO is both narrowminded and wrong.
The term "MMO" doesn't necessarily mean you have to group with others everytime you wanna do something. It's like in the real world, sometimes you wanna hang out with your friends, and sometimes you wanna be alone. We don't "feel stupid" because we don't see a contradiction, we are actually smart enough to understand that games can mix both terms, and luckily the devs agree with us.
If that is "disgusting" to you, then maybe you've outgrown MMOs, and need to move one. MMOs evolves, but you seems to have been left behind.
Novice Member
Joined: 9/04/09
I mostly agree with the OP but regards to SP MMO claim i have to say i did a lot more grouping and socializing in 2 weeks of SW:ToR (tnx to heroics and such) than i did in 2.5 months of GW2 (just an example). And i saw tons more RP'ers in both SW:ToR and WoW than any other game in recent memory.
So when you look at it that way, it is a bonus that those games have a cool storyline too y'know, in addition to classic mmo features. And i really like the dialogues on ToR. I look forward to every conversation opportunity because i get to see my character act and i just like the choices :/
It's a lot more fun than running aorund like headless chicken watinig for the next "dynamic" thing to do or just collecting 10 chicken poo for the local farmer :S
Elite Member
Joined: 5/24/10
Originally posted by Coldren
They had that with EQ1 as well.
I've been complaining about this for ages. I honestly believe its a reflection on modern society. Current generations have a overbearing sense of entitlement, they have either been taught or somehow come to the conclusion that they just deserve things just because they exist, and that they dont/shouldnt have to work for anything.
In EQ1 you started out as nothing and made something of yourself. You had to prove yourself to in game NPC's and in game NPC factions before they would give you the better or cooler stuff/quests/whatever.
That all changed with WOW. With WOW it was "you're the //HERO//" and we have to constantly remind you how freaking AWESOME and HEROIC you are. I remember my first quest as a human was to save a church from an entire horde of goblins. And i was rewarded with a magical sword literally less than 5 minutes from entering the game.
I remember in EQ you couldnt hit certain monsters without a sword that was just labelled magical. So even if you had a Steel Rapier, if you tried to kill a ghost you couldnt hit it. Now, you could find magical swords, but that was the only difference. You didnt generally even start seeing actual stats on weapons, much less magical weapons WITH stats, until early teens and eartly twenties for magical with stats. Even then the item might be 3str and 5hp.
Anyways, sadly its not going to change. Not while that large of a portion of the MMO playerbase is of the "gimmiedat" mindset
"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently."
- Friedrich Nietzsche
Novice Member
Joined: 8/08/09
Not Safe For Woona (NSFW)
But lets face it, some people like to go to a party, and just be around people without actually interacting with them.
Elite Member
Joined: 5/24/10
Originally posted by birdycephon
Thats fine. The difference is they aren't impeding the people who DO like to interact with other people.
The problem is all MMO's are being made to cater to the "be around without socializing" people.
Its like if you had a club, and instead of having things that groups of people can do, like tables for them to drink at, in groups, and billiards tables for several people to play billiards, or ping pong tables, whatever, that the club had a bunch of isolated booths where everyone showed up to the club, but all you did at the club was drink by yourself in your isolated booth while you surfed the web on your laptop and didnt actually talk to anybody else in the club, or do any kind of group activity.
The problem then arises if you want to go somewhere to drink socially and play some billiards with your buddies, you can't go to that club. Now, in normal life, you just go to a regular club. Problem is in the MMO industry the antisocial single player MMO types are the majority of the pie. SO the people who control the money who pay the people to make the games force them to make games that cater to that demographic, leaving actual MULTIPLAYER lovers, out in the woods.
"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently."
- Friedrich Nietzsche
Advanced Member
Joined: 3/01/07
Originally posted by Hrimnir
You seem to be assuming that there are only two kinds of people/players. The truth is that a lot (most?) of us, likes to have the opportunity to be both, and to be able to "switch" any time we like. And I admit, I'm less social when soloing, I guess most of us are. If that's problematic for you, then it's... well, your problem.
Novice Member
Joined: 6/13/06
I don't mind the Solo aspect of leveling...But the whole Story deal, especially to the extent that SWTOR went is just too much...My favorite MMO was SWG, and there was little story...But tons of opportunity to make your own story...Your own City, your own Ship, etc...Games should do more of that and WAY less hand-holding-story-telling...
Novice Member
Joined: 3/27/06
I don't understand why TOR's story is being referred to here as 'the singleplayer experience'. That may have been traditionally true, but TOR was a move to change that. It showed that it could be a multiplayer experience, and that's what it is.
If people didn't play through it with their friends, that's their loss, I guess.
Elite Member
Joined: 8/13/09
"It is double pleasure to deceive the deceiver". - Niccolo Machiavelli
i think if MMORPGs were to be focused on single player story, then why not remove the mmo feature from it. Make them full single players with DLC instead of subscriptions like any console RPG. You can talk to your friends through the mic on a pc, maybe with skype or mumble while each one playing their single player experience (i do that all the time and it works)
IF the "mmorpg" is going to be single player based, then why should the player pay for the online servers? i say let it be full single player OR make an mmorpg with story where said story directly involves at least people on your group as a co-op choice, and everyone around are somewhat affected by the general story. Dont focus the story on a single person. Its called MMORPG for a reason. At least GW2 tried to make the personal story like a separate campaign that you dont have to touch if you dont want to. But still, if theres a story, let everyone be affected by it.
My opinion
Apprentice Member
Joined: 8/02/08
I am not a hater, I call it like I see it.
I have been shouting this at the top of my lungs for years! An MMO that focuses on story is not a true MMORPG. I also take it a step further an MMO that focuses on combat is not a going to turn out to be a true MMO. Same with graphics. Those three have no place being a main focus of an MMORPG.
An MMORPG started out as it being about a nice big virtual world with great lore (not to be confused with story), meaningful content, and other players. Those 3 things were what started this genre. Now we have compilation of small instanced zones, busy work errand boy content, and a focus on solo play. There is a market for Online rpg's I dont care if they continue to make these so called MMO's but I want to see some real MMORPG's made again, It worked once it will work again. A true MMORPG was and always will be a niche genre.
Waiting for:EQ-Next, ArcheAge (not so much anymore)
Novice Member
Joined: 6/18/11
Originally posted by Pokket
I don't mean to butt heads here, or attack your argument, but by definition all opinions are inherently biased. There are no objective opinions, and claiming to have them may defer readers from your actual point and instead to looking at how you're saying things.
Maybe a different approach to stories could help the genre. We have too many stories centered on the player character; while this is nice, everyone is playing that story. Why not introduce stories that show our part as one of the thousands fighting for whatever faction we're a part of?
Advanced Member
Joined: 5/04/06
Finally! Someone who gets why MMO's these days aren't really MMO's! It's like a solo game with other players!
Bring back meaningful grouping! Not forced grouping! Most MMO's nowadays are a solo game.
Novice Member
Joined: 7/03/04
There's different ways to tell a story. You all can sit around me and I can tell you a story. Or you can all sit around me, I give you a setting and you tell me your stories within the context of the setting I established.
One method puts people in passive mode. The other method requires active participation and creativity.


text:
(skip this header)
Wednesday, August 05, 2015
Anti-whaling activists at Sea Shepherd have called themselves eco-terrorists and pirates while attracting some of Hollywood's brightest stars. Check them out.
GREG WOOD/Getty Images
Reader Services: My account | Mobile | RSS feeds | Follow us on Twitter | Facebook | E-mail newsletters
Company Info: Advertise online | Contact us | Send us tips | Job openings | About the P-I | Hearst Corp. | Terms of use | Privacy policy | Your California Privacy Rights | About our ads
Advertising Services: SEO by LocalEdge | PPC Management by Metrix4Media | Ad Choices
Send comments to email@example.com
© 2015 Hearst Seattle Media, LLC


text:
The game's combat is plenty fun, but DmC drops the ball when it comes to boss fights.
Mundus isn't the final boss in DmC Devil May Cry, and thank goodness for that. It's like déjà vu all over again. Mundus fights just like the succubus from eight or nine missions back. Even the dual-platform set-up is nearly identical.
The problem with most of the bosses in the Devil May Cry reboot is they're all for show—they're big, towering monstrosities but they're all bile and no bight.
The bosses also tend to capitalize on the gross-out factor. The idea appears to be: make the boss fights big and cinematic and gross and use that to mask how easy and boring they are.
Speaking of cinematic, how many cut-scenes ought we tolerate in a single boss fight?
I say just one one: right at the beginning. DmC has the annoying habit of inserting cut-scenes everywhere, and boss fights are no exception.
In fact, I think some of the normal enemies provide much more entertaining challenges. The assassins with their ability to teleport and parry are among the best enemies in the game. Better still, they teach you what to expect from the final boss—and the only decent boss in the game—Vergil.
Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?
Vergil is actually a pretty interesting character.
He plays a nice foil to Dante. In the beginning he comes across as the more "together" of the two brothers. Dante is a childish womanizer, a self-obsessed jerk with a devil-may-care attitude about anything and everything. Vergil studied computer programming and spent his days plotting and scheming the downfall of the demons.
The roles twist as the game reaches its climax. Dante has grown up somewhat, has shown that he's willing to risk himself to save Kat, and that he has little interest in Vergil's Machiavellian utilitarianism.
Still, I wish we'd had more of this story of brothers and betrayal; I wish Vergil's role and character had been more fleshed out, and that the final confrontation weren't so abrupt. Vergil's declaration of "it's our time to rule" felt jarring, even with his earlier display of callousness.
Classic Dante
I went ahead and got the costume pack for the game. I prefer Dante with his old mop. Call me sentimental.
Or maybe the new hair-do just accentuates all of new Dante's worst features. Or makes me feel like telling him to get off my damn lawn.
Whatever the case, the rebooted Dante was a lot more tolerable in the last third of the game than in the first two thirds—the only exception being his banter with Vergil, which makes them both look bad pretty much without fail.
There's actually a pretty egregious flaw with the costume pack DLC, however: while most cut-scenes show Dante with his new costume, hair, etc. every now and then the vanilla Dante is back. It's like a slap in the face, a jarring twist of my suspension of disbelief which I've worked so tirelessly to preserve.
Angels and Demons
Final question: Wither the angels?
Other than the above-pictured angelic angels, and some not-pictured NSFW Victoria Secret-style angels, the game is basically all about demons and a pair of demon-angel hybrids.
To be fair, I'm probably just picking on DmC at this point. And it's not just about angels.
I was thinking, back when Diablo III was released, how games about demons and angels tend to skirt the rather related issue of god and the devil.
We have all the trappings of religion with none of the meat. The easy demon-killing stuff is present in spades, but the uncomfortable religious questions are simply erased from the pallet.
In Diablo III there are essentially no religious themes at all save for the pride of the angels and a big, lavishly animated fight between Diablo and the angel king dude. Diablo is just any other big boss. The angels are just pretty cut-scenes.
But wasn't it pride that led to the fall of Lucifer in the first place?
Isn't there a huge amount of thematic marrow for us to suck out and spit into these games? Aren't there better stories to be told that make us uncomfortable not because of gross-out factors or generic evil things with horns, but because they talk about the darker side of our own humanity?
Now, you might argue that the story in DmC is about the darker side of our humanity. But it isn't really. The wickedness of the world is mostly explained away as the side-effects of a demon conquest.
The fight between Mundus and Dante sits cozily outside of any of the greater context of the war between Heaven and Hell. The game is, quite literally, stuck in Limbo. And Dante is similarly positioned not as someone too good, too on "the side of angels" but as a rebel, a jerk, an anti-hero. Maybe I'm just too post-post-modern for anti-heroes these days.
Now, perhaps that's the point. Perhaps we've simply set the stage here. But I get the feeling that tackling any sort of actual religious theme is simply too taboo, too risky, for game developers. You see some of it in the foreign indie title Inquisitor, but that game is hardly mainstream and, to be honest, far too tedious and oddly translated even for me.
So we have th only real thematic bogey man in DmC take the shape of capitalism, which is fine but for its heavy-handedness; and in Diablo III…well, I'm not sure there was any deeper theme at play in that game at all.
Read Part One of my review here.
Read Part Two of my review here.
Follow me on Twitter or Facebook. Read my Forbes blog here.


text:
Fancy becoming a productivity ninja with Alfred? Some might say that calling yourself a "ninja" is cliché but the ninja is efficient, stealthy and a master of his tools, just as you can be with Alfred. Besides, I've been gagging for an excuse to post this awesome Lego ninja picture so bear with me, alright? ;) To help you discover some of the more advanced features, I've put together this mini series to introduce some of the power user functionality you may not have used before.
First, use the web searches
Before jumping into Custom Searches, have a look at the dozens of web searches in the preferences. We've included a stack of standard searches you're likely to want to use. Simply type the keyword followed by your search term.
Create your own custom web searches
There are no doubt websites you want to search that we haven't included. In that case, it's time to create your own! The key to creating custom web search is to work out the search URL for that site. Simply do a search and replace the search term with {query} like so:
You can then use the searches to do super useful stuff:
- Search Apple Developer documentation: http://developer.apple.com/search/index.php?Search={query}
- Track packages from various shipping companies: See Alfred Tips for multiple query options
- Search Ruby on Rails API: http://apidock.com/rails/search?query={query}
And much more…
Searching apps on your Mac
There's more than one flavour of custom searches; you can also create them for applications on your Mac. Not all apps offer an application URI so it's worth digging around or asking the developer. Here are a few of our favourite ones:
- Spotify: spotify:search:{query}
- App Store: itunes://ax.search.itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZSearch.woa/wa/search?term={query}
- Facetime: facetime://{query}
A custom search without a query
Did you know that your custom "searches" can in fact not be searches at all? Launch any website with a custom keyword by saving it in Alfred's custom searches.
- I keep my stress levels low with the "lolz" keyword: http://icanhascheezburger.com/?random
- And read my favourite daily web comic with a "qc" custom search: http://questionablecontent.net
Check out Anna's Tumblr for regular tips on using Alfred and discover many more custom search ideas on Alfred fan Olivier Guerriat's alfredtips.com.
Share your searches
As Jack Johnson says, "it's always more fun to share with everyone…" so swap custom searches with friends. Use the copy icon to copy the custom search query and click on any special URL starting with alfredapp:// to import one to your own custom searches.
Websites change and evolve, so searches that worked in the past may stop working. If this happens, take a look at the website you created the custom search for and go through the steps above again. It's likely that the exact search URL has changed, so you'll need to update your custom search accordingly.
Chime in in the comments if you've become a black belt of productivity and want to share your own tips. We'll feature some of the best ones in future posts! Next time: Tweaking your search results to show just what you want


text:
Details and Shopping
Customer Favorite
Gauzy maxi dress with crochet ruffle layer at bust with beautiful embroidery and velvet trimming at front of neckline. Empire waist that is stretchy underneath bust line. Button detailing at front of chest. Straps crisscross at the back. Slight hi-low hem that is raw edge. Lined.
*100% Polyester
*Machine Wash Cold
*Machine Wash Cold
Measurements for Small:Length (from top of bodice): 36 3/4"
Bust (all around - relaxed): 28"
Total Strap Length: 18 3/4"
Rated 4.7 out of 5Â by 6 reviewers.
Rated 5 out of 5Â by MamaSquish GORGEOUS I tried this dress on today and it was absolutely stunning. I'm a bigger lady and a lot of FP stuff doesn't fit me/can't accommodate my chest (38 D) but this dress was absolutely AMAZING and fit like it was made for me! The fabric is rich and soft and the embroidered bit on top is beautiful. I didn't find it to be particularly sheer, I think nude undergarments would be fine, and the crochet bit on top covers anything that might show through. They only had ONE left in the store and it had a damaged strap so I didn't end up buying it, PLEASE PLEASE bring this back in more sizes, I really want one! For reference I'm 5'9 190 lbs, tried a size large. 5.2.2013
Rated 4 out of 5Â by brielle_hallett Love this Dress!! OK so I bought this dress on a whim, I'm a size 8-10 Australian and average height so I got the size S, I probably should of gone one smaller as it is a little loose - It is a VERY sheer dress!! I bought a slip to go underneath but because of the low back of the dress the slip is visible so I'll have to figure out another solution. besides that seriously the dress fits fine, even if its a bit loose - for the price I don't like the way the straps are sewn in, the ends poke out and I had to do my own sewing to fix it - but seriously still worth it as they dress is so stunning, light and flows very lovely. 4.20.2013
Rated 5 out of 5Â by Aithley Light Summer Dress This is absolutely one of the perfect dresses for summer, it's soft and lightweight (very pretty when it gets picked up in a breeze). Just remember to pair it with a slip!! (Seriously make sure you have a slip!!! :)) I'm so very happy with this dress though :) 4.12.2013
Rated 5 out of 5Â by FP_Obsessed FAVORITE FP PURCHASE EVER Literally I'm so obsessed with this dress. It is gorgeous! The fabric is beautiful! it looks wayyy better on than on the hanger. It is not sheer. If you're worried just wear nude underwear. seriously, ladies...buy this dress you won't regret it. I have big hips and small bust and it looks beautiful on me. 3.27.2013
Rated 5 out of 5Â by AmieCecile Perfect Summer Dress I saw this dress in the store & I had to have it. It's a beautiful summer dress with a beautiful embroidery at the bust. It was a perfect length for me like most things at fp I'm 5' 10" & it runs large I got a small & am usually a medium at fp. 3.3.2013
Rated 4 out of 5Â by songb1rd Lovely but sheer!! This dress fits so well, just like on the model. I'm 5'4 118 lbs and the xs was perfect, with the hem not being too long. I'd probably want to wear a slight heel just to give some safety space for the hem, as it does brush the ground without any shoes on. I tried this on in the store and I'm debating buying it online - the only thing holding me back is how sheer it is. It says the dress is lined, and it is, but the lining does absolutely nothing to help with the sheerness. Definitely need a slip with this dress. Super comfortable and pretty, nonetheless. 2.23.2013
1-6 of 6
Product Reviews
There are no reviews for this product yet. Check back. or write a review yourself.


text:
Focus Area:Prevention
- HIV Prevention Knowledge Base
- See All Topics
- Topics by Alphabetical Order
- See All Topics
- Combination Approaches
- Biomedical Interventions
- Behavioral Interventions
- Comprehensive Sexuality Education
- Comprehensive Condom Use Programs
- Delayed Sexual Debut
- Mass Media and HIV Prevention
- Multiple and Concurrent Sexual Partnerships
- Partner Reduction
- Peer Outreach and Education
- Prevention of Alcohol-related HIV Risk Behavior
- Transactional and Age-disparate Sex in Hyperendemic Countries
- Structural Interventions
- Multimedia Resources
- Podcast: Reaching Transgender and MSM Populations through Social Media
- Video on Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC)
- Prevention Update
- HIV Prevention Update: Latest Must-Read Literature
- Subscribe to the Prevention Update
- Resources
- Case Studies
- Promising Practices (G3Ps)
- Reports
- Spotlight on Prevention
- Structural Approaches to HIV Prevention Position Paper Series & Resource Tool
- Technical Briefs
- Technical Consultation Materials
- National Guidance
- National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plans
Subscribe to AIDSTAR-One!
Sign up to receive current HIV technical resources delivered to your inbox. Customize your updates based on your areas of interest.
What can AIDSTAR-One do for you?
From short-term technical assistance to long-term program implementation support and more, AIDSTAR-One provides rapid, evidence-based services to PEPFAR country teams in generalized, mixed and concentrated HIV epidemic settings.
Behavioral Interventions: Delayed Sexual Debut
I. Definition of the Prevention Area
Delay of sexual debut is an important tactic in HIV prevention among youth, resulting in fewer years at high risk. "Abstinence-only" programs, which promote complete sexual abstinence as the only effective method for preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections including HIV, have not been demonstrated to reduce HIV risk behaviors. Recommended instead are comprehensive sexual education programs that include sex education and information on abstinence, delay of sexual debut, partner limitation, condom use, and contraception.
II. Epidemiological Justification for the Prevention Area
Several national demographic surveys have found a correlation between early onset of sexual activity and higher HIV prevalence among young people, who may not be biologically or psychologically ready for sex. In fact, older age at first sex appears to be one contributing factor in declines in HIV prevalence among youth in sub-Saharan countries with generalized epidemics.
III. Core Programmatic Components
Efforts to delay sexual debut should be incorporated into comprehensive sexual education programs and should begin early, offering age-appropriate messages over time. Comprehensive sexual education programs are typically targeted towards youth and are predominately school-based. Opportunities to reach out-of-school youth, who may be at heightened vulnerability, should be identified as well. Comprehensive programs may include messages that:
- Reinforce positive individual and group norms
- Teach safer sex practices for young people who are already sexually active
- Offer opportunities to practice skills in negotiating for safer sex or refusing sex
- Provide access to condoms.
Several studies show that such programs can help to achieve desired behavior changes without leading to an increase in participants' sexual activity.
IV. Current Status of Implementation Experience
According to a report by the U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM), effective programs were comprehensive, combining abstinence messages with safer sex education and condom availability. A media campaign in Zambia that conveyed age-appropriate messages to youth suggests that media campaigns can be useful adjuncts to programs encouraging delayed sexual debut as part of a comprehensive sexual education program.
Gender Factors Associated with Sexual Abstinent Behavior of Rural South African High School Going Youth in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Dlamini, S., Taylor, M., Mkhize, N., et al. Health Education Research (2009), Vol. 24 No. 3, pp. 450–60.
The study of ninth-grade students in rural South African high schools investigated the prevalence of sexual abstinence among rural KwaZula-Natal 14- to 20-year-old youth. The study analyzed gender perception about abstinence and motivating factors in abstaining from sex, and found that students who practiced abstinence were more likely to be younger females who also drank less alcohol. Girls who abstained from sex tended to believe that their friends and parents wanted them to abstain; that their friends also abstained from sex; and that abstinence helped them to mature emotionally. Abstaining girls tended to feel more confident than non-abstaining girls about saying no to sex when their partner pressured them. Abstinent boys expressed intentions to abstain from sex until marriage. The authors conclude that programs need to consider developing different abstinence activities for boys and girls. Programs that target and encourage females to abstain should focus on social influences, which include perceptions of friends and parents about abstinence from sex, parental support, and intervening early before the age of sexual initiation. For males, activities should include skills on resisting pressure to have sex and also changing and creating positive attitudes towards sexual abstinence.
Trends in HIV infection: Prevention-related Attitudes and Behaviors among Secondary School Students In Western Uganda
Kilian, A.H., Kipp, W., Jhangri, G.S., et al. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (2007), Vol. 44 No. 5, pp. 586–93.
The study tracked western Ugandan youths' trends specific to HIV and AIDS prevention behaviors between 1995 and 2001. Data were collected annually from schools from three districts using a self-administered questionnaire. A cross-sectional sample of students from these schools was selected each year to obtain a generalized representation of youth in the area. For the study, 15 students were randomly selected. It was found that ever use of condoms increased from the 1995 to 1996 school year to the 2000 to 2001 school year (49 percent versus 73 percent). Abstinence increased more among males than females. During this period, females reported fewer partners compared to their male peers. These positive behavioral changes in regional youth could help explain this group's reduction of HIV and AIDS prevalence.
Sexual Abstinence, Contraception, and Condom Use by Young African Women: A Secondary Analysis of Survey Data
Cleland, J. & Ali, M.M. The Lancet (2006), Vol. 368 No. 9549, pp. 1788–93.
In this secondary analysis of public-access data in 18 African countries, the authors examined abstinence, contraceptive use, and condom use between 1993 and 2001 among young single African women. The analysis found little change in the percentage of women reporting to be virgins. However, the percentage of sexually experienced women reporting no sexual intercourse in the previous three months (secondary abstinence) increased significantly in seven of the countries, and the median percentage of women reporting secondary abstinence increased for all countries (43.8 percent to 49.2 percent). Condom use for contraception increased in 13 countries, and the median percentage of women using condoms for pregnancy prevention rose from 5.3 percent to 18.8 percent. In summary, the reported increase in condom use was greater than the increase in abstinence, though an increase in secondary abstinence could have signified a change in sexual partner selection. The authors noted that the period of data analysis pre-dated the wide-scale implementation of abstinence messages. They also underscored the variation in the prevalence of virginity, and noted that diversity of societal attitudes toward abstinence would affect the acceptance of such messages.
Sexual Behavior, HIV and Fertility Trends: A Comparative Analysis of Six Countries: Phase I of the ABC Study
Bessinger, R., Akwara, P., & Halperin, D. USAID-funded MEASURE Evaluation Project (2003).
Data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) were used to compare abstinence, being faithful, and condom use (ABC) behaviors in three countries where HIV prevalence declined during the 1990s: Uganda, Zambia, and Thailand, with three countries where HIV prevalence did not decline in the 1990s: Cameroon, Kenya, and Zimbabwe. In countries with declines in HIV prevalence, there were increases in all ABC behaviors. The same pattern of behavior change was not evident in the three countries that did not experience declines in HIV prevalence; instead, condom use was observed to increase, though little increase in abstinence or partner reduction was reported. In Uganda, the country with the earliest and greatest reduction in HIV prevalence, declines in non-regular and multiple sexual partnerships were greatest between the late 1980s and the mid 1990s, when the rate of new infections (HIV incidence) most likely began to drop. Throughout this decade in Uganda, levels of premarital sex also declined, along with an increase in the average age at sexual debut. Increases in condom use with non-regular partners occurred throughout the 1990s, although levels of condom use were not substantial until the middle of the decade. While the trends in ABC behaviors within these countries are consistent with trends in HIV prevalence, they were not sufficient to fully explain differences in HIV prevalence between countries.
Abstinence and Delayed Sexual Initiation for Youth
Programs that include comprehensive messages can teach skills for practicing abstinence as well as provide information for sexually active youth about condoms and reducing the number of partners.
Abstinence and Delayed Sexual Initiation
Family Health International/YouthNet (2003).
Promoting abstinence is an important strategy that can help delay sexual activity, but complementary messages are needed for youth who are sexually active. This document discusses abstinence programming from a variety of countries, including Jamaica, Uganda, and Zambia.
Abstinence: An Option for Adolescents
Family Health International (2002).
This document explains the importance of abstinence as one of many options for adolescents in Uganda. According to the authors, abstinence offers adolescents, in particular, a number of advantages, such as protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. However, in practice, abstaining from sex tends to be less effective than many contraceptive methods because complete abstinence requires strong motivation, self-control, and commitment.
Youth Survey Provides Wealth of Data on Behavior to Inform Intervention Strategies
Family Health International/YouthNet (2006).
The Youth Behavior Survey was conducted in 2004 in the Iringa region of Tanzania. Its goal was to gain a fuller understanding of the youth's HIV knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors to guide prevention programs. One of the main results of the survey was that fear of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections was the strongest motivator to remain abstinent.
Condom Use and Abstinence among Unmarried Young People in Zimbabwe: Which Strategy, Who's Agenda?
Population Council (2003).
This paper compares the views about abstinence and condom use expressed by young people in Zimbabwe in contrast to abstinence-only messages promoted by policymakers and traditional and Christian leaders, and condom promotion messages from private sector and nongovernmental organizations. Evidence from focus-group discussions indicates that adolescents sometimes conceal condom use in deference to adult preferences. Clear and open policies regarding condom use and abstinence should be promoted as complementary alternatives.
No Time to Lose: Getting More from HIV Prevention
Committee on HIV Prevention Strategies in the United States, Institute of Medicine, Washington, DC. National Academy Press (2001). Vol. xi–xii, pp. 118–20.
In this report, the Institute of Medicine, a medical expert body advising the U.S. Federal Government, reviewed abstinence-only activities in the U.S. and concluded that there was no scientific basis to support funding of these programs. The committee recommended using care when considering adaptation of U.S. abstinence-only activities to other settings. The report highlights scientific studies showing that comprehensive sex and HIV education programs, along with condom availability, can be effective in reducing unprotected sexual intercourse and frequency of sex.
Government Support for Abstinence-Only-Until-Marriage Education
Duffy, K., Lynch, D. A., & Santinelli, J. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (2008), Vol. 84 No. 6, pp. 746–748.
This article discusses the effectiveness of the United States Federal Government's support of abstinence only-until-marriage (AOUM) programs. AOUM programs are defined as promoting abstinence from sexual activity and limiting discussion of condoms and contraception, except in regard to failure rates. According to the authors, although monetary support for these programs has increased substantially in the past decade, no research has shown that they are effective at preventing teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. Furthermore, recent analyses reveal that many of these programs contain misleading and medically inaccurate information. Federal support for AOUM programming began in 1982 under the auspices of the Adolescent Family Life Act, greatly expanding after 1996 with the enactment of welfare reform that provided $50 million per year to fund AOUM programs. Although the funding has continued to grow, because of the lack of evidence supporting the protective effects of AOUM programs, health experts, including the Society for Adolescent Medicine, have begun to question the utility of continued funding. Furthermore, the Society for Adolescent Medicine recommends that current funding for abstinence-only programs should be replaced with funding for programs that offer comprehensive, medically accurate sexuality education.
The impact of Uganda's HIV/AIDS "A,B,C" Prevention Policy On Married Women: Identification of A Need To "Reinvent" A Successful Approach
AIDS- XVII International AIDS Conference (2008). Abstract No. WEPE0813 Al-Bahish.
Uganda is often described as a beacon of hope in HIV/AIDS prevention. Its "ABC" prevention strategy, emphasizing abstinence, being faithful, and condom use, has garnered international attention and acclaim. This policy analysis examines the impact of the ABC strategy on married women by analyzing both quantitative and qualitative data, including governmental statistics, anthropological sources, and human rights literature. The authors explore the interplay among the prevention strategy, gender relations within marriage, and HIV/AIDS risk for married women. They conclude that despite its decreasing prevalence, generally HIV/AIDS is a significant problem for married women in Uganda. Importantly, the disparity in prevalence between married women and other sectors of the population is growing. Aspects of the current prevention strategy, particularly the emphasis on abstinence, provide little to no protection to married women, and may simply reinforce the gender inequities that increase their risk.
Moving Beyond the Alphabet Soup of HIV Prevention
Collins, C., Coates, T. J., & Curran, J. AIDS (2008), Vol. 22 Suppl. 2, pp. S5–S8.
The "ABCs" of prevention (abstinence, being faithful, using a condom) continue to be one of the main focal points of HIV and AIDS prevention policy. "A" (abstinence) can be an important or preferred choice for many individuals, particularly for many young people. Delaying sexual debut is an effective strategy in reducing infection rates among the youngest age group. However, abstinence or being faithful may not be realistic options for many people at different times in their lives. Women in particular may be ignorant of risk they incur as a result of their partner's behaviors, and they may not be able to insist upon protection. The authors argue that the ABC terminology infantilizes the prevention discussion by placing too much focus on a few activities, instead of promoting comprehensive national prevention programs that have a measurable impact on HIV incidence. Governments, donors, and global agencies should implement prevention programs that are tailored to the specific characteristics of national epidemics; bring quality programs to scale; address environmental factors in vulnerability; and link prevention and treatment services.
Promoting Abstinence: Lessons From Four Countries Over Four Years
Purcell, P., et al. AIDS- XVII International AIDS Conference (2008), Abstract No. CDC0686
Youth for Life (MYFL) is an abstinence and behavior change program from World Relief targeting youth in four countries over five years. Funded by USAID and the President´s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and started in 2004, this project has reached 1.8 million youth and those who influence them, in Haiti, Kenya, Mozambique, and Rwanda. The program engages youth through interactive training and encourages abstinence before marriage and mutual faithfulness within it as a means to protect against HIV. To understand components of impact and to propose recommendations for improvement, World Relief conducted a mid-term evaluation in all four countries between May and September, 2007. Emergent themes reported by youth beneficiaries and youth influencers included a commitment to abstinence, partner reduction, improved school performance, and identification and reporting of sexual abuse. Youth report that the lessons on self-esteem and making good choices were pivotal to the programs' impact in their lives; particularly effective was the use of peer role models that moved abstinent couples to marriage.
An Outcome Assessment of an ABC-Based HIV Peer Education Intervention Among Kenyan University Students
Miller, A. N., Mutungu, M., Facchini, E., Barasa, B., Ondieke, W. & Warria, C. Journal of Health Communication (2008), Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 345–56
This study reports on an outcome assessment of an HIV peer education program initiated in 2004 on the main campus of Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. The program is being implemented by I Choose Life-Africa (ICL), a local nongovernmental organization. ICL's early programs focused primarily, though not exclusively, on abstinence messages and other activities such as purity pledges. More recently, abstinence plus activities have been adopted, including advocating for general sexual responsibility, faithfulness, and condom use. After two years of on-campus ABC-based HIV peer education programming, no changes in behavior were evident with respect to either abstinence or number of sexual partners. Small but statistically significant changes were found in condom attitudes and behavior, and a large increase in HIV testing was evident. The authors contend that the effectiveness of peer education is likely to vary depending on contextual and cultural factors related to a given activity. However, the lack of a shift of abstinence and faithfulness indicators in this study raises questions about the ability of peer education to promote behavior change through a comprehensive ABC message. The authors advocate that future studies should compare abstinence-only approaches with full ABC programming.
Impact evaluation of the African Youth Alliance in Ghana, Tanzania, And Uganda: Implications for Future Youth Programming
Posner, J. et al. AIDS- XVII International AIDS Conference (2008). Abstract No. WEPE0320.
In 2005, the JSI Research and Training Institute, Inc. evaluated the impact of The African Youth Alliance (AYA) program, established in 2000 by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and implemented by the United Nations Population Fund, Pathfinder International, and the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health. The evaluation measured whether exposure to AYA's comprehensive, integrated HIV prevention program resulted in improved adolescent and sexual reproductive health (ASRH), knowledge, attitudes, and sexual behaviors among male and female youth ages 17 to 22 in Ghana, Tanzania, and Uganda. Results demonstrated a significant positive impact on knowledge generation, condom use, contraceptive use, partner reduction, and several self-efficacy and knowledge antecedents. The program had less of an effect on male responsibility, sexual debut, and/or abstinence and partner reduction. Results suggest that a comprehensive, scaled-up, multi-component HIV prevention approach can be effective in improving some key ASRH outcomes.
The impact of Life Skills Education on Adolescent Sexual Risk Behaviors in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Magnani, R., et al. Journal of Adolescent Health (2005). Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 289–304.
A middle and high school-based Life Skills Program for ages 14 to 24 was conducted in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province. The curriculum addressed 11 sexual and reproductive health-related life skills topics, ranging from drugs and alcohol to negotiation and assertiveness in relationships. Baseline and two-year follow-up data from 2,222 youth assessed the program's impact on HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. Knowledge gains were generally minimal and uneven across the topics. The largest changes observed in sexual behaviors were for condom use at first and last sex. Minimal gains were observed for sexual health knowledge and reported self-efficacy to get and use a condom. The proportion of youth who had initiated sexual activity increased by nearly half, though it is important to note that the youth were two years older than at baseline; no change in age at sexual initiation was noted. There were no major effects on age at sexual initiation, secondary abstinence, or number of partners. While school-based life skills programs have the potential of helping youth reduce HIV risk, the long-term benefits of a national education program are unknown.
The United States President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Guidance, Abstinence, Be Faithful, and Correct and Consistent Condom Use (ABC)
This site offers six links to PEPFAR's ABC approach, including an introduction, defining the ABC approach, and implementing the ABC approach. There are also two appendices: one is on how to determine the appropriate mix of ABC activities and the other is a list of references. The last link is to the original ABC Guidance Number One, which is in PDF format. These documents are designed to provide guidance to the field and missions to implement ABC programs.
Preventing HIV/AIDS in Young People: A Systematic Review of the Evidence from Developing Countries
Ross, D. A., Dick, B., & Ferguson. J.UNAIDS Inter-agency Task Team on Young People. WHO Technical Report Series (2006), No. 938.
This report documents the findings from key studies on youth-based HIV prevention programs organized into categories, depending on whether the evidence is strong enough to recommend the program. The report includes recommendations for policymakers, program development and delivery staff, and researchers. Both chapters five and seven examine the effect of these activities on abstinence as one of the outcomes (Chapter Five: "The effectiveness of sex education and HIV education interventions in schools in developing countries," and Chapter Seven: "The effectiveness of mass media in changing HIV/AIDS related behavior among young people in developing countries"). These results, by study, are concisely summarized in tables.
The Less They Know, the Better: Abstinence-only HIV/AIDS Programs in Uganda
Cohen, J. & Tate, T. Human Rights Watch (2005), Vol. 17 No. 4A, pp. 1–79.
This article assesses the "ABC" approach that has been heralded as a success in Uganda. Specifically, it cautions that abstinence-until-marriage messages fail to educate young people about accurate HIV and sexually transmitted infection risks and prevention options, and thus violates human rights principles. The authors present a series of recommendations for the Government of Uganda, the United States Government, and all other donors to Uganda AIDS programs. The recommendations focus on supporting effective HIV prevention programming, including encouraging youth to delay sex as part of a comprehensive approach to HIV prevention. The authors discourage use of ideology-based messages, e.g., abstinence-until-marriage, that do not incorporate scientifically effective HIV prevention methods, including condoms, and accurate information about HIV risks.
Abstinence, Fewer Partners, and Condom Use are Complementary Messages
Family Health International (2003).
The first phase of a major six-country study suggests that promotion of sexual abstinence to prevent HIV infection contributed to an approximately one-year delay of sexual initiation among youth in two countries, Uganda and Zambia, where HIV prevalence declined throughout the 1990s.
Preventing HIV with Young People: A Case Study from Zambia
Gordon, G. & Mwale, V. Reproductive Health Matters (2006), Vol. 14 No. 28, pp. 68–79.
This case study examines how Abstinence and Being Faithful programs for youth are being implemented in Zambia. They found that the majority of implementing agencies are supporting abstinence-only activities and have not challenged the overall prevention strategy. Many programs are providing erroneous information about condoms and refuse to distribute them. The authors caution against stigmatizing condoms and those who use them, and encourage all HIV/AIDS programmers to provide a wide range of prevention options to the target populations based on their needs.
What Works: Curriculum Based Programs that Prevent Teen Pregnancy
A summary of effective teen pregnancy programs in the United States that could be tailored to various contexts.
Emerging Answers: Research Findings on Programs to Reduce Teen Pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Kirby, D. (2007).
The review summarizes research, describes programs that have reduced teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, reviews programmatic evidence, and helps implementers select the most appropriate program for their youth.
Tuko Pamoja, "We are Together" Adolescent Reproductive Health and Life Skills Curriculum
PATH & Population Council (2006)
This curriculum builds youths' knowledge, understanding, and skills about reproductive health, adolescence, sexuality, relationships, sexually transmitted infections/HIV, and other topics. The curriculum is designed for 10- to 14- year-olds and 15- to 19-year-olds and suggests specific modules for each group; session 19 is specifically about abstinence.
Tips on Practicing Abstinence
Excerpt from HIV Counseling and Testing for Youth, Family Health International /YouthNet, 2005.
Resources on Youth Reproductive Health and HIV/AIDS, Program Areas
Interagency Youth Working Group
Related Prevention Knowledge Base Interventions
Related Promising Practices
Related Pages


text:
Good Scrum diagram. Suitable for XP too (replace "sprint" with "iteration" and "daily scrum" with "daily standup").
Courtesy of Mountain Goat Software
Good Scrum diagram. Suitable for XP too (replace "sprint" with "iteration" and "daily scrum" with "daily standup").
Courtesy of Mountain Goat Software
The moustaches. XP's are cooler.
January 23, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Serious answer: Scrum is like what you'd get if you took XP, subtracted all the practices having to do with how you actually write code (pairing, testing, refactoring, etc.) and how you estimate stories (no story points, no story/task distinction), replaced XP's insistence on a linear priority order for stories with a binary "in or out" attribute, and stretched out the iteration length to a month (although some Scrum teams I've seen use 2 week sprints).
Of course the reality is a bit more complicated than that, since they have separate genealogies and jargon and stuff. Hopefully what I've written above won't strike any scrummeisters as slanderous.
Scrum works very well if you want to introduce Agile into an organization since it's less of a horse pill to swallow than XP, and since it focuses on project management and iterations rather than covering everything from how you compose stories to how often you check in code like XP does.
We've seen success in some places by introducing Scrum first to get people used to iterations and story definition and just shipping code every month, then adding XP underneath Scrum, with some smoothing out the edges where the two methodologies overlap. And make sure to add a few other Agile practices that are mentioned but not enforced by either XP or Scrum, like [Retrospectives](http://www.amazon.com/Agile-Retrospectives-Making-Teams-Great/dp/0977616649/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201110003&sr=8-1).
and [Domain-Driven Design](http://domaindrivendesign.org/).
January 23, 2008 at 5:47 pm


text:
American Heart Association
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Canadian Cardiovascular Society
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
Akosah KO, Schaper A, et al. Preventing myocardial infarction in the young adult in the first place: how do the National Cholesterol Education Panel III guidelines perform?
J Am Coll Cardiol. 2003;41:1475-1479.
Cholesterol. Lab Tests Online—American Association for Clinical Chemistry website. Available at:
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/cholesterol/tab/test. Updated December 29, 2014. Accessed January 26, 2015.
How to get your cholesterol tested. American Heart Association website. Available at:
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/SymptomsDiagnosisMonitoringofHighCholesterol/How-To-Get-Your-Cholesterol-Tested%5FUCM%5F305595%5FArticle.jsp. Updated August 5, 2014. Accessed January 26, 2015.
Law MR, Wald NJ. Risk factor thresholds: their existence under scrutiny.
Br Med J
. 2002;324:1570-1576.
What is cholesterol?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
website. Available at:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbc/. Updated September 19, 2012. Accessed January 26, 2015.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Copyright ©
All rights reserved.
Go Back : New Search
Disease & Condition Facts
Disease & Condition Topics
Procedures & Surgery Facts
Health and Wellness
Interactive Tools
Hospital Website Design by Brown Parker & DeMarinis Advertising


text:
No turning back on clean water
Polluters are taking steps right now that could overturn the president's historic action restoring Clean Water Act protections.
Through Environment California, thousands of citizen members are teaming up with a professional staff to stand up for the places we love and the environmental values we share.
Join us in taking action for California's environment.


text:
Three interesting options tonight, all in downtown(ish) Bend:
— Portland roots-pop band (and Bend regulars) Ascetic Junkies are no more, having pared down to two members (married couple Matt Harmon and Kali Giaritta) and changed their name to There Is No Mountain. Now, they play unconventional psych-pop that draws influence from global sounds, particularly African music. I spoke with the couple about all of the above, and I hope you'll read the whole thing here. (Be sure to click "More Photos" to read very short pieces about the two acts opening for There Is No Mountain tonight at the Tower Theatre.)
— Vihara was a progressive hard-rock band active in Bend in the early 2000s, and then it sort of vanished after the release of its first album, "Stand Fast." Tonight at Liquid Lounge, the quartet reunites for some good ol' throwback fun. I visited a practice session last week and talked to the band about its past, present and future (though the future part didn't really make it into the article). Click here to read it!
— Here's an interesting tidbit: No video of KPOV's annual Beatles Singalong seems to exist on the internet. So does it really exist in real life? Yes it does, and it's happening tonight at The Old Stone in Bend. In this short piece, I tell you what kind of festivities are planned, and why you really ought to go.
Elsewhere in this week's music section: Music in the Canyon kicks off in Redmond with Countryfied and New Transit plays The Horned Hand, plus The Strangled Darlings, Left Coast Country, The Blackberry Bushes, TapWater, Tha Dogg Pound, King Ghidora and more!


text:
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga used a pair of runs to pull away from Westenr Carolina Monday night at the McKenzie Arena for a 68-46 Southern Conference victory. UTC improves to 21-3 on the year and 13-0 in league play while the Catamounts drop to 11-13 overall and 5-8 in SoCon action.
The game started slow with Western Carolina getting out to a 5-3 lead on Chattanooga. The two teams combined for six missed shots in the first 2:57 before UTC senior Alex Black (Memphis, Tenn.) drained a 3-pointer from the right corner. WCU's Rena Wakama evened it out nearly a minute later with a trey and the Catamounts took its only lead of the game on a jumper from Shauna Terry with 15:32 to play in the first half to make it 5-3.
Sophomore Alicia Payne (Memphis, Tenn.) drove the lane with 13:57 on the clock to knot it up and spark a 16-0 run over the next 9:22 of the first. Junior Ka'Vonne Towns capped off the run with a layup to put UTC on top 19-5 with 4:35 to go in the opening stanza.
WCU's Makensey Campbell and Lindsay Simpson combined for 11 of the Catamounts final 12 points of the first half, but UTC would maintain its double-digit lead going into the break leading 28-17.
After trading buckets to start the second half, Chattanooga senior Taylor Hall (New Tazewell, Tenn.) combined with Black and sophomore Tatianna Jackson (Atlanta, Ga.) to put together a 12-2 run to give UTC a 46-26 lead with 12 minutes to play.
Chattanooga dominated the paint 42-10 and scored 29 points off 19 Western Carolina turnovers. Western Carolina's bench scored 31 of its 46 points led by Campbell's 11 points. Simpson had a game-high 14 points making 4-of-9 from beyond the arc while Campbell was 3-of-3.
Chattanooga senior Ashlen Dewart (Spartanburg, S.C.) was 7-of-13 from the field with a game-high 14 points, matching the 14 put up by Black who was 4-of-4 from beyond the arc. Hall was the third UTC player in double figures with 10 points and a game-high seven rebounds to go along with six assists, two steals and a blocked shot.
Freshman Jasmine Joyner (Southaven, Miss.) had three blocked shots Monday night pushing her to a team-high 26, even with Hall on the year, and pulled down seven boards. Freshman Chelsey Shumpert (Paducah, Ky.) dished out a career-high seven assists as UTC reached 20 or more for the fifth time this season.
UTC was 28-of-53 from the field, 60.7 percent in the second half, topping the 50% mark for the eighth time this year, and 5-of-15 (33.3%) from the 3-point line. Western Carolina made 8-of-15 (53.3%) from 3-point land but shot just 14-of-51 from the field.
Chattanooga will hit the road to take on Furman Saturday, February 15 at 1:30 at Timmons Arena. The Paladins are third in the league at 7-5 and are 13-10 overall.


text:
LEXINGTON - Floyd Countian Perry Jones is attending his 52nd Boys' Sweet 16. Jones has been a fixture at the Kentucky boys' high school basketball state tournament over the past five-plus decades.
Riverview Heath Care Center Administrator Missy Allen and her staff helped to make the trip possible for Jones, a resident at the Prestonsburg facility.
The Boys' Sweet 16 tipped off at Rupp Arena in Lexington on Wednesday. In the opening day's games it was Madison Central 81, Wayne County 56; Holmes 65, Pleasure Ridge Park 60; Graves County 74, Ohio County 60; Hopkinsville 74, South Oldham 52.
The tournament resumed on Thursday with the following matchups: Warren Central vs. Montgomery County; Fleming County vs. John Hardin; Johnson Central vs. Ballard; Knott County Central vs. Clay County.
Quarterfinals will be held at Rupp Arena on Friday. The semifinals are scheduled for Saturday night.
The championship game of this year's state tournament is set for 2 p.m. on Sunday.


text:
Powered by Coppermine Photo Gallery
No profit is made with this site, it is for entertainment only.
We do not claim any copyright on the images displayed here.
Credit goes to their respective agencies and wonderful photographers.
Please E-MAIL THE STAFF if you have any problems and before taking legal actions.
Hosted by: fanfusion.org


text:
"Most artists can go to extremes when needed; then there are those who seem to positively thrive there — Caravaggio, Almodóvar, Nirvana. The Borromeo Quartet, too."
"The Borromeo Quartet walked into Jordan Hall Wednesday night and gave what was easily the most profound and intellectually engaging experience I have had this concert season."
"A sense of existential struggle is written into this howling, premonitory music, and the Borromeo dramatized that element, pushing instruments and techniques to their outermost limits."
"Technology has changed the scope of our world. New advances are catapulting us forward, yet the Borromeo String Quartet is using this race into the future to take us closer to our past."
"The Boston-based Borromeo String Quartet are a fearless ensemble who appear to savour every sonic and and atmospheric challenge."
"The Borromeo String Quartet is the rock star of chamber music at present."