text:
A system for integrating video programming with the vast information resources of the Internet. A computer-based system receives a video program with embedded uniform resource locators (URLs). The URLs, the effective addresses of locations or Web sites on the Internet, are interpreted by the system and direct the system to the Web site locations to retrieve related Web pages. Upon receipt of the Web pages by the system, the Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display. The video program signal can be displayed in a video window on a conventional personal computer screen. The actual retrieved Web pages are time stamped to also be displayed, on another portion of the display screen, when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window. As an alternative, the computer-based system receives the URLs directly through an Internet connection, at times specified by TV broadcasters in advance. The system interprets the URLs and retrieves the appropriate Web pages. The Web pages are synchronized to the video content for display in conjunction with a television program being broadcast to the user at that time. This alternative system allows the URLs to be entered for live transmission to the user.
1. A system for providing a programming signal containing a program and at least one address identifying online content relating to the program from an online information source, the system comprising:
an encoder, wherein the encoder encodes the address, the program, and timing indicia for controlling when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal; and
a transmitter for transmitting the programming signal;
wherein, the address can be used to automatically retrieve and play online content to a user in conjunction with the program and the timing indicia controls when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal.
2. A system as described in
3. A system as described in
4. A system as described in
5. A system as described in
6. A system as described in
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8. A method for providing a programming signal containing a program and at least one address identifying online content relating to the program from an online information source, the method comprising:
combining the address, the program, and timing indicia for controlling when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal;
and transmitting the programming signal to a user;
wherein, the address can be used to automatically retrieve and play online content to the user in conjunction with the program and the timing indicia controls when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal.
9. A method as described in
10. A method as described in
11. A method as described in
12. A method as described in
13. A method as described in
14. A computer readable medium containing instructions for providing a programming signal containing a program and at least one address identifying online content relating to the program from an online information source, by:
combining the address, the program, and timing indicia for controlling when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal;
and transmitting the programming signal;
wherein, the address can be used to automatically retrieve and play online content to the user in conjunction with the program and the timing indicia controls when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal.
15. A computer readable medium as described in
16. A computer readable medium as described in
17. A computer readable medium as described in
18. A computer readable medium as described in
19. A computer readable medium as described in
20. A computer readable medium as described in
21. A computer readable medium as described in
22. A method for transmitting to a viewer video programming and at least one address useable for retrieving over a network from at least one server on the network on-line information segments having content related to the video programming for viewing in respective predetermined timing relationship with the video programming, comprising the steps of:
providing the at least one address;
generating a signal carrying the video programming;
encoding the signal to carry the at least one address, and timing indicia for controlling when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program in respective specified timing relationship with the video programming; and
transmitting the signal encoded with the at least one address to a viewer, wherein, the address can be used to automatically retrieve and play online content to the user in conjunction with the program, wherein the timing indicia controls when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal.
23. A method as described in
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27. A system for transmitting to a viewer video programming and at least one address for retrieving over a network from at least one network server on the network on-line information segments having content related to the video programming for viewing in respective predetermined timing relationship with the video programming, comprising:
a source of the at least one address;
a source of a signal carrying the video programming;
an encoder responsive to the source of the at least one address for encoding the signal carrying the video programming to carry the at least one address and timing indicia for controlling when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program in respective specified timing relationship with the video programming; and
a broadcast system for transmitting the encoded signal to a viewer, wherein the address can be used to automatically retrieve on-line information segments over the network from the at least one server for viewing in respective predetermined timing relationship with viewing of the video programming, wherein the timing indicia controls when the address is used for retrieving online content relating to the program into the programming signal.
28. A system as described in
29. A system as described in
30. A system as described in
31. A system as described in
32. A system as described in
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/998,592 filed Nov. 13, 2002, abandoned , which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/998,592 filed Nov. 16, 2001, abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/633,347 filed Aug. 4, 2000, abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/472,385 filed Dec. 23, 1999, abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/109,945 filed Jul. 6, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,768, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/615,143 filed Mar. 14, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,778,181, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/613,144 filed Mar. 8, 1996, abandoned, and is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 08/622,474 filed Mar. 25, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,774,664, which is herein incorporated by reference.
Today, the capabilities of computers to provide massive amounts of educational and entertainment information has exploded with the Internet. The Internet has the power to transform society through unprecedented levels of information flow between members. Currently, on-line systems offer a variety of different services to users, including news feeds, electronic databases (either searchable by the user directly on the on-line system, or downloadable to the user's own computer), private message services, electronic newsletters, real time games for play by several users at the same time, and job placement services, to name a few. However, today, most on-line communications occur merely through text. This currently stands in great contrast to the audio/visual presentation of the alternative electronic medium, television. However, it is expected that as multi-media's incessant growth continues, audio/visual programs will proliferate and text will become less and less dominant in the on-line environment. Even though these programs will be introduced, the Internet, will remain essentially user unfriendly due to its very massiveness, organization, and randomness. Simply stated, there is no order or direction in the Internet. Specific pieces of information are many times hard to find, and harder yet, is the ability to put that piece of information into a meaningful context.
Television, on the other hand, has been criticized for being a passive medium—"chewing gum for the eyes," as Fred Allen once observed. Television has always been something you watched, not something you do. Many social critics believe that the passivity television depends on has seeped into our entire culture, turning a nation of citizens into a nation of viewers. While interactive television systems have increased the level of user interaction, and thus, provided greater learning and entertainment opportunities, vast information resources such as databases are inaccessible from such a medium.
What is needed is a means to close the gap between video programming and the information superhighway of the Internet. What is needed is a wider, richer experience integrating audio/visual and textual database elements into an organized unique interactive, educational, entertainment experience. Currently, the Internet is a repository of information on virtually any subject. However, what is needed is a mechanism for combining the user-friendly visual experience of television with the vast information resources of the Internet.
The system of the present invention combines broadcast television programming and/or video programming which appears on a VHS or Beta tape, CD-ROM, DVD or other medium, or video programming at a video server (hereinafter "video programming") with the massive Internet, creating a new and powerful educational and entertainment medium. The system allows consumers to receive more information in a more efficient manner than either television or the Internet alone. Consumers not only can see a news report on television, but they can also read pertinent information about the report, as well as explore related information about the story. The program becomes the introduction to a particular subject, rather than the entire subject itself. The act of viewing a program has now become a more engaging, enriching experience.
The system can also create a more intimate relationship between the viewer and the program. The user might be solving problems or performing virtual experiments on the Internet site that a teacher is discussing in an educational television program. Similarly, the consumer might be solving problems that the fictional characters in a television program must solve. In both cases, the consumer is an active participant in the process, rather than a passive observer.
Instead of an undirected and unfocused exploration of Internet sites, by synching specific Internet pages to the video signal, the system puts the Internet in context. The television program producers now can decide what additional information to offer their audience. This material can now be seen in the context of the television program.
An additional advantage is that consumers don't have to search through the literally hundreds of millions of pages on the Internet to find appropriate material. The material has already been filtered by the program producers and delivered to the consumer automatically.
Another advantage of the system is that it changes the nature of advertising. Since additional information can be given to consumers automatically, advertising can now be more substantive, allowing customers to make more informed choices. Now, the act of purchasing a product seen on television can be streamlined—the consumer can be given the choice of buying the product instantly using the two-way capabilities of the system.
In addition, users can take advantage of the two-way capabilities of the Internet to respond to polls, to send e-mail or to link to additional sites. For example, a viewer watching a television news program, through the system of the invention, can receive a stream of Web pages which provide additional, specific information relating to the news content—whether background on the Presidential primaries or the latest change in interest rates.
The video programming and corresponding Internet pages can be viewed on personal computers equipped with a television card, but the open software-based approach enables anyone with a television set and JAVA enabled PC to experience the system of the invention.
By marrying the appeal of video with the two-way data transfer capabilities of the Internet, the system creates a powerful new medium. Video producers and Internet site creators can enhance their content to extend their brand identity and differentiate their program offerings to the millions of people who are spending more time navigating through the resources of the World Wide Web rather than watching television; advertisers can speak more directly to consumers by directly sending Web pages to the consumer instead of only displaying Web addresses in their commercials; and consumers can gain a new level of interest and interactivity over a video-based medium. In addition to providing significant and immediate benefits to broadcasters and advertisers, the system will also present educational programmers with a way to more effectively use Internet resources in the classroom.
Recently, several media companies have joined to create a system for linking the Internet and television on the personal computer, called "Intercast." In this system, content will be provided simultaneously with the TV video signal. This system, however, requires that stripped down Web pages be sent in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of the video signal, using up to three scan lines limiting effective bandwidth to approximately 28.8 kbps. This approach, however, requires specialized hardware to both insert the Web pages into the VBI and extract these codes at each PC since it takes up to three scan lines of the VBI. Thus, the complexity and cost of the PC is increased. Because the Web pages are transmitted with the video signal, the Intercast system is not a true "two-way" system, but merely a one-way "piggyback" system. In addition, the Intercast is an analog video product, and thus, cannot handle digital video data.
The system of the present invention, on the other hand, is a much more flexible, but less complex, system. The present invention supports either analog or digital television broadcasts without broadcasters or end-users having to alter their existing systems, thus enabling broadcasters to reach a wide audience within a short time.
In a first embodiment, the actual Web pages are not forced into the very limited bandwidth of the vertical blanking interval (VBI). Instead, merely eight fields of line 21 of the VBI are used to deliver the relevant Internet Web page addresses to the PC. These addresses are called "uniform resource locators" (URLs). The system then directs the particular Web browser to retrieve the identified Web pages from the Internet. Upon receipt of the particular Web page(s), the system syncs the Web page(s) to the video signal, and at the appropriate times, presents the Web pages on one portion of the computer screen with the television video signal, shown in a window on another portion of the screen, and thus, provides the synergistic Internet and television experience. One of the advantages of the system of the present invention is that no specialized chip set need be produced and implemented into the standard PC. Thus, complexity is kept to a minimum.
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the VBI is not used to transmit the URLs to the user. In this alternative embodiment, member broadcasters enter the Internet through a member account, and will be provided with a graphical user interface for pre-scheduling Internet addresses, or URLs, for transmission to users at particular times of day. This interface could also be used to transmit real time live transmissions of URLs to users at the same time as a broadcast. The URLs are stored in a "Link File" for later transmission over the Internet to the user at the broadcasters entered time, which corresponds to the broadcast time of an associated program. The timing of URL's could be determined in advance or can be sent out live. This embodiment eliminates the need to place the URLs in the VBI, and also allows the broadcaster to store more than one Link File for transmission to users in different time zones, for example. Further, more than one broadcaster could access the same master schedule if desired, and add or delete certain URLs to personalize the program for their local audiences. Also, personalization can be taken to the single user, or small group of users, by having the system send a different stream of URLs to each user, depending on a unique user profile, for example. Thus, the personalization feature of the present invention allows each user to receive information uniquely relevant to their interests, demographics, history, etc. This embodiment makes the transmission of URLs to the user even less complex than the first embodiment disclosed herein.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide order and direction to the Internet by using television signals to place, orient and control such information in a meaningful context.
It is an object of the present invention to create a more intimate relationship between the viewer and the program by enriching the learning experience through the provision of more in-depth information.
The system of the present invention combines the rich visual capabilities of video with the vast resources of the Internet. As shown in
The video programming is preferably created at a centralized location, i.e., content creation 4 as shown in
The particular information in line 21 is not part of the visual part of the program, and thus, is not perceptible to the human eye, thereby making it ideal to send data information to the users. While the bandwidth capacity of line 21 is limited, because the system of the present invention transmits only the uniform resource locators (URLs), and not full Web pages, there is more than enough capacity. Furthermore, no additional hardware is necessary at the PC 16 to implement the elements of the present invention. Thus, the present invention has the additional advantages of being very efficient and takes advantage of conventional hardware.
Once the video program is created, it can be transmitted to user sites over any transmission means, including broadcast, cable, satellite, or Internet, and may reside on video servers. Furthermore, the video program, with or without embedded URLs, can be encoded on a VHS or Beta tape, DVD or other medium.
Preferably, each receiver station comprises any Intel x86 machine (preferably a 486 processor, pentium processor, etc.), an Apple Computer, UNIX or any other type of standard computer workstation. The local PC 16 is preferably connected to either a cable and/or broadcast television connection or to a local VCR or other video source. At each subscriber site, the local personal computer 16 preferably receives the cable transmission by cable connection on the back of the personal computer 16. The video/audio program can then be processed for display on the computer screen using any conventional PC card capable of displaying NTSC signals on a computer monitor, such as a WinTV card. In addition to the cable connection, however, in the present invention there is also an Internet 20 connection created concurrently with the cable connection.
The Internet 20 connection can be via high-speed line, RF, conventional modem or by way of two-way cable carrying the video programming. The local PC 16 has Internet access via any of the current ASCII software mechanisms. In a preferred embodiment, at each subscriber home, an associated local URL decoder 12 receives the cable video television program, as shown in
In another preferred embodiment shown in
Another preferred embodiment of the system, shown in
For example, one example of this interface might be a scheduling calendar (daily, weekly, monthly, yearly) in which the broadcaster 66 may allocate time periods which coincide with their broadcasts 86, and during which they will send out URLs to their users to link to Web pages. For each time period (for example, a particular hour long period during the day) determined by the broadcaster 66 to be a broadcast period (a period during which they want to transmit URLs that correspond to a television show being broadcast from their TV broadcast facility 110 to the external TV 114 of the user 118 at that time), the broadcaster 66 may then enter a series of URLs into an associated file ("Link File") for transmission over the Internet 20 at that time. This Link File might have a user interface such as a spreadsheet, table, or list, or it could be simply a tab-delimited or paragraph-delimited text-file. As an example, each of the records in the Link File consists of a data structure which could contain information such as:
The above data structure is just one example. The records in the Link File preferably specify the time, Internet address (i.e. URL), label (such as an associated name), and some optional additional information, for each Web page the broadcaster 66 desires to launch during a show.
When a broadcaster 66 modifies their calendar and/or the Link File associated with any given time period(s) in their calendar, this information is saved into the database 78 that is attached to the site 62. Each broadcaster 66 may maintain multiple calendars in the database 78 if they broadcast in different time zones, for example.
The database 78 provides the Link File records for upcoming time periods to a server 90, which may be one server or a distributed network of server programs on multiple computers across the network, to be utilized for scaling to large national or global audiences. The server 90 provides the Link File records, including the URLs, to the user's personal computer 16, which is connected via a network. Examples of possible networks include the public Internet 94, a direct private network, or even a wireless network.
One feature of the above embodiment is that one or more broadcasters 66 may utilize the same schedule in the database 78 for their own broadcasts 86 or during the same broadcast. For example, a network broadcaster may develop a master schedule and various affiliate broadcasters may subscribe to that schedule or copy it (in the database) and add or delete specific URLs in the schedule for their local audiences or unique programming. This scheme enables affiliates to insert URLs for local advertisers or local subjects into a sequence of more general URLs provided by their network broadcaster 66. In other words, the affiliate can add links that ride on the network feed and then redistribute it to their local audiences.
The above embodiment can also enable personalization in the form of unique series of URLs specific to each user's unique profile, which is directly sent over the Internet 20 to each user's specific client software 106. This can be achieved from the broadcaster 66 to each individual user 118, or to particular collections of users. To accomplish personalization, the service may send a different stream of URLs to each user's client software program 106. The stream of URLs sent would depend on a user profile stored in the database 78 or the client software program 106, a user profile which is built on demand or over time for each user 118 based on criteria such as the location of the user, choices the user makes while using a client software program 106, or choices the broadcaster 66 makes during a broadcast 86, or automatic choices made by an algorithm (such as a filter) residing on the service 62. Personalization enables each user to receive URLs which are uniquely relevant to their interests, demographics, history, or behavior in the system.
System Operation
Once the URLs have reached the personal computer 16, system operation is similar for all of the embodiments diagramed in
In a preferred embodiment, a JAVA enabled browser 98 as well as specialized software 106 for performing part of the method of the present invention are installed on the computer 16. The JAVA enabled browser 98 allows the computer 16 to retrieve the Web pages 102 and is preferred software, since it is platform independent, and thus, enables efficient and flexible transfer of programs, images, etc., over the Internet 20. The specialized interface software 106 (hereinafter, "client software"), attached as Appendix A, acts as an interface between the video programming and the Internet functions of the present invention. The client software 106 retrieves URLs from the video program (embodiment of
In a preferred method, the URLs are encoded and embedded into the video signal by inserting them into the vertical blanking interval (VBI), as mentioned above.
In another preferred embodiment, the URLs are entered by member TV broadcasters 66 along with specified times for transmitting the URLs to the user. At the appropriate times, the URLs are sent directly over the Internet to the user's PC 16 via the client software 106 over a direct point-to-point or multicasting connection.
One method of the present invention has the capability to detect identical URLs sent directly after one another which causes the browser not to fetch URLs in these particular cases. As shown in
Viewers can view the integrated presentation in the following manner. As mentioned above, the video signal is processed and displayed on a video window on the PC screen using a WinTV card, for example. The corresponding audio is forwarded to the audio card and sent to the PC speakers.
The actual retrieved Web pages 102, referenced by the URL, are optionally time stamped to be displayed on the computer screen when predetermined related video content is displayed in the video window, thus, enlightening and enhancing the video presentation by providing in-depth information related to the video content thereto. Another section on the screen is also preferably used to represent an operational control panel. This control panel provides a list of the URLs that have been broadcast and correspondingly received by the computer 16. This control panel is updated to add a URL code each time a new URL code is received by the PC 16. This list gives the subscriber the flexibility to go back and retrieve particularly informative or interesting Web pages that have already been displayed earlier in the program, or alternatively, to print them out for future reference. Furthermore, the list could include URLs referring to Web pages not displayed with the broadcast program, but that provide further information on a certain topic of interest to the viewer.
The present invention can best be understood with reference to an example. A viewer can begin watching a musical video featuring a new band, for example. As the video is received by the PC 16, URLs are either being received with the video signal or are being received directly via the Internet 20 or another data channel, and are being interpreted by the client software 106. Upon direction and command, the JAVA enabled browser 98 retrieves particular Web pages 102 from Internet 20 Web sites identified in the URLs. These Web pages 102 will then be displayed on the video screen at particular times. Thus, for example, while the viewer is watching the music video, biographical information on the band can also be displayed adjacently to the video window. Web pages 102 could also include an upcoming concert schedule, or even audio clips of the band's music may be downloaded from the Internet 20. As another example, a user could be watching a program relating to financial news. While the narrator is shown discussing high tech stocks, Web pages corresponding to detailed financial performance information on high tech stocks, environment and characteristics can be displayed with the video on the computer screen. If the personalization features are included, Web pages associated with a particular user's stock can be fetched and displayed on the computer screen with the video program. When the program narrator switches to a discussion on the weekly performance of the Dow Jones, Web pages presenting related financial performance information can be simultaneously displayed. Thus, it is evident that the present invention profoundly enriches the viewing and learning experience.
It is understood that there can exist alternative embodiments for use with the present invention. For example, the user can view the interactive program using a television set 114 or other display monitor in conjunction with the display screen of the personal computer 16. In this embodiment, the relevant Web pages are shown on the personal computer 16 while the video program is displayed on the television monitor 114. In this alternative embodiment, a cable set top box receives the television program from the multichannel cable. The personal computer 16 also receives the video program from the multi-channel cable and extracts the URLs, embedded in the vertical blanking interval of the video signal or directly transmitted 94 over the Internet 20. The client software 106 extracts the URLs and retrieves the particular Web pages as described above. The Web pages are then synchronized with the particular video frames and presented to the user. It is understood that a hyperlink may exist on the Web site that will allow the user to automatically load the client software and call up the specific television channel referenced in the Web site. For example, someone browsing the Internet 20 may come upon a major television network's Web site. They scroll to an interesting story then click on an hyperlink to turn on the software which tunes the TV window to the network to enhance the information residing at the Web site.
Furthermore, instead of receiving the video program from a transmission means, the video program can be addressed directly from the user site if the video program, with or without embedded URLs, is stored on a VHS, Beta, DVD or other medium. In this embodiment, the user PC 16 and/or television 114 are connected to a VCR, DVD player or other appropriate device.
The client software retrieves URLs from the received video program, directly from the Internet connection 20 or via a separate data channel, interprets these URLs and directs the Web enabled browser to retrieve the particular relevant Web pages, and synchronizes the retrieved Web pages to the video content for display on the television 18, as shown in
In this alternative embodiment, the digital cable set top box 140 receives the television program from the multichannel cable. The URLs can be encoded into the digital program channel using MPEG 1, MPEG2, MPEG4, MPEG7 or any other compression video scheme. Alternatively, the URLs can be transmitted to the digital cable boxes 140 from an Internet server 148. The digital cable box 140 decodes the URLs from the digital video signal or directly transmitted over the Internet 20. The client software decodes the URLs and retrieves the particular Web pages as described above. The Web pages are then preferably synchronized with the particular video frames and presented to the user.
As with all the embodiments described above, instead of receiving the video program from a transmission means, the video program can be addressed directly from a local video source 144 if the video program, with or without embedded URLs, is stored on a VHS, Beta, DVD or other medium. In this embodiment, the digital cable box 140 is connected to a VCR, DVD player or other appropriate device.
Although the digital cable box/TV 140, 18 and digital TV 152, shown in
The user can view the video and web content on one screen (in two windows), or with the video on one display screen and the Web content on a separate display monitor. Alternatively, the user can access the video or web content separately. Thus, the user can branch from video to web content and vice versa.
The present invention is well-suited to the education environment. In this embodiment, students and teachers access one or more Web servers. The software components include instructor and student user software, authoring software and database assessment software. In one such embodiment, an instructor uses content creation software on a personal computer to easily integrate into their curriculum current information published on the Web, through an easy to use interface 156 such as that shown in
At each of the student workstations, the program is directed by the playlist 160. In other words, the playlist 160 provides the structure for the program. At predetermined times as dictated by the playlist 160, the browser will go fetch and display a Web page in a frame on the computer screen. Because program events can be set up in this manner at predetermined times, the entire program and playlist can be prerecorded and stored in a Web database for later access by students.
A significant advantage of the present invention for educational applications is that the students and the instructor can be located anywhere, as long as they are all connected to the Web. Because a server is essentially controlling the program, the instructor output comes from the server and the student workstations get automatically updated by the Web server.
This educational embodiment integrates Web content and other media with collaborative groupware functionality to create an interactive environment for students and teachers. In this embodiment, the student can receive a traditional video lesson through a frame in his or her Web browser, or from a television. Simultaneously, the present invention provides separate frames, an example of which is shown in
In the student interface of
The instructor, however, may retain control over the chat feature. For example, the instructor can terminate the chat feature or web pushing to terminate unruly on-line conversations or the sending of Web pages by students.
Unlike conventional distance learning systems, the present invention is more powerful by allowing the instructor to freely and conveniently exercise almost any time of testing strategy. The instructor can test students using a combination of the Chat dialogue feature and Web pages. For example, multiple choice questions and short answer questions can appear in the Chat window 168. Essay questions, requiring longer answers, become Web pages. As mentioned above, students can perform virtual experiments on-line. Once the instructor's personal computer receives student answers, student scoring can be presented to the instructor in any format including tables, charts, diagrams, bar graphs, etc. The instructor, thus, can analyze the results and has the capability of providing real-time feedback to the students.
Students can also receive individualized feedback via branched interactive audio, video and/or graphics responses. For example, the workstation may branch to a particular audio response, preferably prerecorded in the instructor's own voice, based on the student response to a multiple choice question. In this embodiment, a plurality of potential audio responses are made available at the student's workstation according to any one of the methodologies set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,141, entitled DISTANCE LEARNING SYSTEM, herein incorporated by reference. Alternatively, personalized video, audio and graphics segments can be delivered and displayed to the student based on a student answer or personal profile in the manner set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,091, entitled COMPRESSED DIGITAL DATA INTERACTIVE PROGRAM SYSTEM, herein incorporated by reference.
Responses to student answers can be more substantive based on the memory feature of the present invention. The memory feature is an algorithm that selects an interactive response to the user based not only on the student's current answer selection, but also his or her previous responses, as discussed in the aforementioned applications. The algorithm, preferably stored in memory at each student's workstation and under processor control, merely selects an output interactive response based on student responses. As another example, if a student gets three answers in sequence right, he or she receives a more difficult question. If, however, the student misses one or more of the three questions, he or she receives an easier question.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a system is described capable of handling the education requirements of several schools in an efficiently designed network. The system shown in
Each node is responsible for serving an Area 192. An Area 192 is defined as a Virtual location serviced by a single Communications Server 180 (or "Com Server"). An Area 192 may be a single school, an office, or may consist of several actual physical locations. The defining characteristic of an Area 192 is that messages sent from one member of an Area 192 to another need not be routed outside of the servicing Com Server 180.
An Area member is analogous to the frequently used term "user." For example, a "user" may be a student in the educational embodiment described above with reference to
The Distributed Communication System of
Generally, service of very large numbers of users has required large expensive servers and networks. As the user base increases, performance suffers and hardware must be upgraded to service the demand.
The Distributed Communication System of the present invention allows the same, relatively inexpensive machines to serve an ever-increasing user base. The technique by which this will be accomplished will be through the routing of messages from one server to another when necessary.
The method essentially follows the same core pattern as IP routing and DNS lookups. If a message is for a member not belonging to the current Area 192 or group, the message shall be routed through the Distributed Communication System until its destination, or someone who knows the destination and can deliver the message, is found.
The destination will be cached so subsequent messages for that member or group may be more efficiently delivered.
Referring again to
New Areas 192 can be added on the fly. When a new Com server 188 is added to the network, it registers itself with the database application. Henceforth, any message destined for the new Area 192 can be routed properly without altering the other Area Servers 180.
This method and system works for global messages or for user to user messages. Furthermore, new Groups may also be dynamically added. Once added, each new Group Database Server 184 registers itself with the existing database servers 184. This distribution of load permits nearly unlimited expansion with existing software and hardware. Each server manages a finite number of members, cumulatively serving a growing community.
Users need not be informed as to the particular Com Server 180 they should connect to. Members are directed to a single URL. The selection of the server for user connection is determined by load balancing software. In this manner, the network may appear to be a global network of Servers or simply a local classroom.
The unique aspects of this architecture, using database servers as routing gateways, using techniques resembling IP routing and DNS lookup, enables this system to serve with minimum administration and configuration and with lower end, cost-effective hardware.
Using the foregoing embodiments, methods and processes, the system of the present invention creates a synergistic experience combining the vast resources of the Internet with the presentation capabilities of television.
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text:
Disappointed in Graham's response
My latest attempt to communicate with Senator Graham was a total waste of my time.
My e-mail:
I watched with interest the cloture vote in the Senate … I am truly disappointed that you chose to present to the world (such) division on the national security and defense issues facing our country today instead of helping put in place a Secretary of Defense who is committed to the defense of our country and who can relate to the issues facing the men and women in uniform due to his past military service and his experience as a U.S. Senator. A united position on defense and national security project a position of (U.S.) strength, but your words and vote present just the opposite.
It makes me feel that your fear of an extreme right-leaning primary challenger has caused you to blur the lines when it comes to keeping our country safe. Looking tough on cable news shows may play well in South Carolina, but participating in a first in American history – the filibuster of a nominee for Secretary of Defense – is (shameful).
His e-mail reply:
... I appreciate the opportunity to hear from you.
In spite of the high volume of mail I receive daily, I look forward to reviewing your correspondence and providing a personal response as soon as possible.
As we continue our work in the 113th Congress, I look forward to supporting our troops in the War on Terror, repairing our economy and creating jobs, strengthening social Security, lowering the tax burden on American families, and making the federal government more accountable and efficient.
Lindsey Graham
His goal of "providing a personal response" was not accomplished in this exchange! I doubt future correspondence from constituents will be more successful.
L.L. Sherwood
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Sleep is often underrated until you don't get enough and can barely think straight.
Teens often miss getting the recommended amount of uninterrupted hours of sleep and then find that they have a hard time focusing in school.
Previous research has suggested that some kids may have lower levels of the sleep prompting hormone melatonin, as they become teenagers.
So, other than medication, what can help teens sleep longer and better? A new study suggests that having involved parents and feeling connected to school increase a teen's likelihood that he or she will get sufficient sleep. The researchers found that shared bonds, including relationships with parents and friends, may actually have a stronger impact on changing sleep patterns in teens than biology.
"My study found that social ties were more important than biological development as predictors of teen sleep behaviors," David Maume, a sociology professor at the University of Cincinnati, said in a news release from the American Sociological Association.
Research included data from 1,000 kids from age 12 to 15 years old. During those years, Maume found that the participants average sleep duration diminished from nine hours of sleep to less than eight. He also discovered that when parents established a routine bedtime and stuck to it, their teens developed healthier sleep habits.
"Research shows that parents who keep tabs on their kids are less likely to see them get into trouble or use drugs and alcohol," Maume said. "My findings suggest a similar dynamic with sleep. Parents who monitor their children's behavior are more likely to have kids that get adequate rest. Given that children generally get less sleep as they become teenagers, parents should be ever more vigilant at this stage," he added.
Another important discovery was that the teens who felt a part of their school or had friends that liked school and were positive, social people, ended up sleeping longer and enjoyed a better quality of sleep.
"Teens who have pro-social friends tend to behave in pro-social ways, which includes taking care of one's health by getting proper sleep," Maume said.
When teenagers have trouble sleeping, doctors often recommend prescription drugs to address the problem, he noted. "My research indicates that it's necessary to look beyond biology when seeking to understand and treat adolescents' sleep problems," Maume said. "Such an approach may lead to more counseling or greater parental involvement in teens' lives, both of which are less invasive than commonly prescribed medical solutions and, at least in the case of parental involvement, cheaper."
If your teen is having trouble falling to sleep at night, the National Sleep Foundation recommends that he or she for at least two weeks, cut out television, video games and internet access within two hours of a bedtime to allow your teen to sleep a total of 8 hours a night. Also make sure to talk to your teen about cutting out all caffeinated beverages after lunch. Some of the more popular beverages these days contain extreme amounts of caffeine that can cause insomnia.
The study was published in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior.
Source: Health Day, http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/12/05/why-johnny-cant-sleep


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Mathematical Expeditions: Exploring Word Problems across the Ages, Frank J. Swetz, 2012, ix + 192 pp, 59 halftones, 32 line drawings, paperback $30, ISBN-13: 978-1-4214-0438-7, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4363.
History testifies that all civilizations were concerned with solving mathematical problems. The problems pondered by our ancestors frequently involved their survival, ensured societal harmony, and prepared the way to the future…. Mathematical problem solving has a long and fruitful tradition. We are not alone in our efforts. (Swetz, 2012, p. 159)
Frank Swetz shares this observation at the close of his book, Mathematical Expeditions: Exploring Word Problems across the Ages, which is a lovely contribution that contains hundreds of historical problems, as well as case studies on interesting solution methods and cultural and contextual background for collections of problems. Although many may argue that the concerns of past civilizations for posing and solving problems may not resonate with students of today, I believe the book has the power to convince mathematics teachers to revisit the role of word problems in their teaching and their students' learning.
The book contains 17 chapters, with the first two chapters serving as an overview of the development of historical problems over time and reasons for using historical problems as a resource for teaching mathematics. In the first chapter Swetz surveys problem development based upon different reasons and categories. For example, collections of problems may evolve based upon "societal concerns and a chain of situations demanding mathematical consideration" (p. 3) that include food, construction, labor, and trade and commerce. In Chapter 2, Swetz describes four features that make historical problems an excellent resource for teaching a variety of mathematical topics, including (1) problems are non-threatening and do not represent "something extra" in the school curriculum; (2) the mathematical context of problems is relevant to instructional needs; (3) the settings, historical milieu, and situational encounters provide intrigue and added motivation for students; and (4) historical problems promote appreciation of diversity (mathematical and cultural) and provide interdisciplinary contexts for exploration (p. 27).
Although there are 43 problems provided in the first two chapters alone, the remainder of the book is a mathematical treasure trove of historical problems. Chapters 3–11 include 233 total problems taken from a variety of civilizations from around the world (and from different times), from Ancient Babylonia, Egypt, Greece, and China, and from India, Islam, Medieval and Renaissance Europe, and Japan. Swetz provides another 201 problems in Chapters 12–16 from more modern contexts, including 18th and 19th century mathematical texts and the Farmer's Almanac. More importantly, however, for each of the chapters 3–16, Swetz ends with a "What are they doing?" section. Here, he selects a particular solution method or mathematical algorithm taken from the cultural or situational context of the chapter and presents an example to explain the mathematical idea. Furthermore, Swetz presents seven case studies in Chapter 17, in which he presents an historical problem, the historical solution, and the modern solution. Finally, for those readers who are a bit rusty in their historical problem solving practices, Swetz provides answers for the problems in Chapters 3–16.
In summary, every person interested in the history of mathematics should own a copy of Mathematical Expeditions. However, if you teach grades 6-16 mathematics or prepare future mathematics teachers, this book is an essential and valuable resource. Given the current landscape of the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics, particularly with attention to the Standards for Mathematical Practice, I believe the problems and case studies of Mathematical Expeditions could promote most if not all of the eight Standards for Mathematical Practice in middle and high school classrooms. Moreover, if I were to teach a "History of Mathematics" course for prospective teachers again, I would definitely assign Mathematical Expeditions as a required text!


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Former 20 North Gallery space is home for joenstas galleryWritten by Matt Liasse | | email@example.com
When Stas Krukowski ended his career in selling cars after 13 years, his love of art was revitalized.
"Before, I would draw something every blue moon or write a poem every other blue moon, but it was so kept inside and so compartmentalized because of my career in the car business that I didn't ever really let it come out," Krukowski said. "Now that it's coming out, it's like a freight train coming out. I'll stay up all night and write a book."
Krukowski works with a variety of art forms: he likes to mix egg whites and food coloring, which he uses as paint on paper.
"I love primary colors. I'm sorry, at heart I'm still 5," Krukowski said.
Some of his work will be displayed at his new gallery in the former 20 North Gallery space, 18 N. St. Clair St. Krukowski is opening the gallery with the help of some friends and family.
His life partner Joe Jordan's name combines with his for the gallery's name: the joenstas gallery.
Krukowski, born and raised in Toledo, has specific plans for the space. With it, he wishes to "beautify and educate," a phrase he uses as a mantra.
"That's what I decided I'm put on the planet to do," Krukowski said. "I'm here to make the place look nice and tell you why it does and make sure you understand … I'm going to use that theme throughout pretty much everything that I do."
The gallery will include one-of-a-kind pieces of art, clothing, jewelry, furniture, and more for sale. Krukowski has been collecting for years from antique shops and auctions. The pieces used to all be stored in his home but now fill the gallery's basement.
"I want to be a source of inspiration for people," Krukowski said. "Sure, I want to sell things, and that's what I'm here to do first is represent artists and sell nicer, vintage items."
Krukowski said he wants the space to serve as a hangout spot or a venue for events, like a graduation party, retirement party or wedding reception. Reservations are now being taken and there is still time to reserve the space for holiday events, Krukowski said. The gallery is able to hold 20-80 people, "100 if you want to push it," Krukowski said.
The gallery will offer art classes, (maybe even a cooking class) for adults in the area. For kids, Krukowski plans to host an unplugged day, where kids can be dropped off at the gallery for four hours free of iPads, phones or other electronics. The children will have to read a book, look at art, cook something or listen to a record.
"There's a variety of different things that we're going to do that I've seen successful in other cities and I want to emulate that success here," Krukowski said.
The gallery will participate in The Arts Commission's Holiday Loop, the second annual shuttle bus service making stops at more than 30 venues on Nov. 16, but the grand opening is 1-5 p.m. Dec. 1. There will be Champagne and brunch offered during the opening.
"I want it to be after everyone else used you up after Thanksgiving weekend," Krukowski said. "Come on in here, have a mimosa, have a little bite of something and then look at the art."
For shows, Krukowski wants to fill the space with local, national and international artists. The gallery's first show "The Mother and Child Theme Exhibit," begins opening weekend; every piece of artwork will showcase motherhood in some way.
"I was just inspired by the strong bond between children and their mothers," Krukowski said. "It's one of the strongest bonds there is."
Another idea Krukowski has for the space is an automotive show.
"That's what I want to bring to the place; a unique sense of style that you might not find in a 100-mile radius," Krukowski said.
Krukowski said he is not nervous to open in 20 North Gallery's former space because he is not taking over for the former host.
"They built up such a great reputation for the space; I'm kind of riding on that a little bit, which I'm grateful for, but they're still them. They're still doing their thing. They're not out of the picture, they're just out of the building," Krukowski said.
Contact Krukowski at (419) 265-7150 for more information.
Tags: 20 North Gallery, art classes, champagne, cooking class, iPads, mimosa, Sta? Krukowski, the joenstas gallery


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|89 posts found
If we define Sandbox as a game where players create content, then GW2 is a non-traditional, non-linear Themepark. Zones have level ranges but instead of following a quest chain from A to B to C, you can do Dynamic Events in whatever order you come across them. The game automatically mentors you down when you do lower level content so you can actually go do any event in the world of a lower level any time it's running and get a decent reward for it. I could go into vastly more detail about the game and events and how it all works, but I'm trying to be brief.
The bottom line is that GW2 is a true MMORPG and almost completely unlike GW1 except for the lore. It's almost completely unlike games like WoW as well. As they say in their Manifesto Trailer, "if you love MMOs, you'll want to check out Guild Wars 2, and if you hate MMOs, you'll really want to check out Guild Wars 2."
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Let's see. Actions speak louder than words. I have free time to play now. Yeah!
Shall I log in and continue to level my level 23 trooper? Or would I rather come to mmorpg.com and read threads about getting off the theme park ride? Hmmmm. Maybe I will even post a reply or two. Tortanic, indeed! LOL
Actually I found this thread an interesting read. I am really sorry I can't be getting into my SWTOR, right now. I paid over $60, for it after all. I still have till the 20th of my first included 30 days. But I log in and feel bored. There were 8 people on Tatooine when I was on a bit ago. Sure, must be off peak.
One thing that irritates me and makes me feel more on rails is the fact that some quests (not even class quests) cannot be abandoned. I don't want to be forced to do anything in a game. Doing these quest chains actually becomes infuriating to me, so I won't. So when I play, I have been just sticking to my class quests and pvping to level, but then you might miss out on some gear upgrades.
Started thinking about Darkfall again, as I do every 2-3 months. But I'm not happy with Aventurine's management of the game. I want a definitive answer about whether there is going to be a wipe or not prior to 2.0 and they won't cough it up. I have a level 50 in Rift. It's pretty fun for a themepark game. But, I get bored sooner and sooner because I don't know anyone that plays it. I have a friend who went back to WoW, and I'm even thinking (just toying with the idea) of going back...but really it would only be if I couldn't get the guy to play another game. I can't see myself getting him into Darkfall now with the present state of the game and the grind for someone just starting now. I would have to re-roll, too. It could be fun.
I don't know. I have no hopes for any saviors. That is what I have learned since AoC and WAR. That's a good thing, at least. I don't regret having played SWTOR till now. It was $60 and I got that much fun out of it. And I'm not curious because I have experienced it for myself.
I still have Minecraft and Skyrim there, too.
Originally posted by jpnole
Tell me about it. But watchout you might be called a hater if you mention that you are tired of SWTOR's model of game because there are lurking nerdraging fanbois on these forums. Just a fair warning.
I am in the same boat you are. I got tired of the themepark deal after leaving WoW for about four months then coming back then leaving it again for 7 months. There just doesn't seem to be something better right now to play other then solo games. All the mmo's out there are either really really old sandboxes or recent themeparks. I don't care that you can choose the color of your light saber if it leads you by the nose from one quest to the next then it's immediately boring to me.
The thing i'm excited about is GW2 and the reason? Random Dynamic Events. Let's say you head out of town into an area, some villagers run up to you and ask you for help because they are being invaded by a small army bent on looting and pillaging. If you decide not to help the town is taken over everyone killed and the same army begins to invade other towns nearby until they built up enough to actually take on the major city you just left. I want my next game to be like this, not some timed event with the same exact happenings (ahem Rift) but events that change. The thing about GW2 is in their devs example, if someone goes there and tries to help and they kill say ten men and then leave then the next events the next day will be completely different. That's what i want. Along with the ability to just walk into an area and a series of event specific group objectives appearing on my bar, Screw this talking to npcs even with Voice Overs there shouldn't be a need anymore.
Originally posted by TROLL_HARD
Dont Do It Man! trust me i am in that boat, im on WoW right now, bored as hell. "there's only two things to do eat and poo eat and poop it's like i'm visiting my parents!" is the most accurate way to describe what's happening on WoW right now. Nothing but the same crap that's always been on there. So if you are looking for pve fun i wouldn't suggest it if you REALLY need the social interactions then i'd say go for it. You may just end up being bored out of your mind like I am.
Novice Member
Joined: 1/06/12
Originally posted by cali59
No offense Cali, but I think the last thing a person who had their hopes up high for an MMORPG and had them shattered is one of those videos where the devs take turns using same old 'We will be different!' phrases like "...lost the ability to make the player feel like a hero." Those kinds of videos are just meant to get up hype without actually showing players what they should be hyped about. It is all talk (Isn't that right Bioware?). What people want to see is live gameplay action!
PVE (World boss I think? You don't need to group for a raid to fight them we are told. Anyone can join in.)
Thief gameplay (Also includes town under siege by catapults.)
Right now I'm trying to find good gameplay videos. Some of these peeps don't know how to play! There was this one video where the guy kept hinting with words like "dodge" while he was doing commentary and this one lady kept standing there taking damage.
Novice Member
Joined: 2/10/06
Nothing from a major developer due out in the next two to three years is really moving far away from the theme park approach.
The one that moves the furthest from it is ArcheAge, with city building, open world, politics and more, but the leveling system is very much the same as any other theme park.
It is currently unavoidable, I suggest you look at the "endgame" features of MMOs, rather than their level progression, because the progression in every single MMO from now until at least 2015 is theme park.
I've been researching this game like mad crazy since i first heard about it, it's definitely getting my money when it releases because they have done an amazing job from what i've just seen so far of breaking the mold on mmo's things like quest leading, gear treadmills, GCDs all will be a thing of the past when this game hits. I simply cannot wait!
Originally posted by Quenchster
Fair enough.
Here's one of my favorite videos for just showing dodging and casting on the move. It's one of the first videos I ever saw of the game. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TKENm1M6vP4#t=159s Note that talking to this guy is part of the Personal Storyline. Dynamic events in the world you don't have to speak to anyone to participate. This is the tutorial and it throws you right into the action.
If you want a skilled player, this is a developer playing PVP. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=KDCsXfg9HNY#t=32s It might look like he's only got 10 skills, but he's actually got 25 (20 on the left side in four sets of 5 he swaps to with F1-F4, fire, water, air, earth). Part of the problem I think with showing footage is that a lot of the features (no holy trinity, no ally targeting, skills tied to weapon) aren't going to be immediately obvious.
Here's a pretty good video about dynamic events. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lpwxr8LrZJc
Advanced Member
Joined: 6/12/11
Originally posted by jpnole
I lurk here a great deal, because i enjoy a lot of the folks that post here. Five minutes before i read your post, i had logged off from SWTOR and had come to the exact same conclusion. My wife talked with me a little bit about it, and i just came to realize the exact same thing. I had the same experience with Rift ( although i think it's a fine game ) and i feel the same way about Star Wars.
I went balls to the walls on my Republic Sage and hit 50. I did plenty of PvP and plenty of Hard Modes. I switched to Empire and began leveling my Imperial Sniper and although the story is truly outstanding and the Empire side in general just seems so much better....it wasn't enough. I looked at my screen and said, " sweet frikkin Christmas, if i have to kill 40 more droids, i'm going to explode." It was then i realized that i have to take these games in bits and paying a continual sub for bits is not going to happen.
So i've resolved to rotate my games in one month incriments. I love the games but i just can't take them in large chunks of time anymore. I am very much looking forward to GW2 as i have been a fan of the original for a very long time and am looking forward to D3. Skyrim will be seeing lots of action as well, but i think i've bought my final themepark as well. For clarification, I certainly don't hate these games at all, i just personally can't do it for long anymore. I am looking forward to seeing what Bioware has in store for TOR in the coming months and will enjoy them as i choose. For those sticking with it and fighting the good fight so to speak, keep it going, and more importantly, have fun! ^ .^
Novice Member
Joined: 11/26/11
Am I banned again?
Gw2 or archer age...
Everything I say is my opinion or personal preference. You may or may not find it useful to your cause but regardless I am entitled to it.
Hard Core Member
Joined: 7/10/10
Originally posted by DexterMMO
or even dominous i think archage will be a bigger game at release tho .. def give it a try : )
Novice Member
Joined: 7/14/05
Knowledge brings fear.
As skymourne suggest perhaps solution to themepark syndrom (which i have as well, yes, welcoming myself to the club) really is to rotate the games by months (have say 3 or 4 of them). But that brings one major issue and that is that your guild/corp/whatever will simply outlevel you, outgear you etc... That is major issue if you don't want to spend most of your time seeking new friends (and that's not why most play these games)...
I resubbed EVE before xmas after playing with that idea for like a month (but really constantly considering it). But people i knew are who knows where. I still think one slim chance for a bit different game is EVE but it can turn into too much routine as well.
I too will keep waiting for savior. Tera? Probably no. Firefall looks promising. At least it's a bit different theme (park). Oh World of Tanks is good. It's free, shoot this, move there, explode here. Has it's minuses but it's free and you can play like 2-3 maps (less than hour) just to relax.
Originally posted by itgrowls
Thanks for the warning. I totally hear you.
I will try to get my friend to roll Darkfall (with the caveat I mentioned above). Otherwise, I am split between Rift and Darkfall -- which are 2 totally different experiences in my opinion.
Advanced Member
Joined: 10/02/04
Darkfall is a great game that needs very little done to it to make it amazing... sadly the DEVs are morons and keep saying the same thing every week.
Instead of fixing Darkfall they are working on what they call Darkfall 2.0 but we dont know when this will be out because the DEVS asy the same thing in every blog..
So its basically forced most people to leave. The NA server is still pretty active tho and might be worth giving it a go there.
Spotlight Poster
Joined: 6/17/10
Tera and gw2 aren't sandboxes, not even sandparks.
Archage and TSW, and a large list of other sandbox MMO, which the staff at mmorpg.com won't update the development list about. But oh well
Q: I'm tired of themeparks. What should I do?
Spotlight Poster
Joined: 6/17/10
Originally posted by DannyGlover
My bad Danny, I forgot that GW2 isn't a THEMEPARK mmo
Originally posted by DannyGlover
The OP did specifically ask if we know enough about GW2 to know if it was the same old formula. My response, at least, was to say that it is a themepark but it doesn't follow the same formula.
The OP is concerned about doing the same old things in the quest for a series of carrots. In GW2, you won't be doing the same old things, and they're deemphasizing the carrots. Not even talking about linear questing during leveling, traditional MMOs get to the point where if you want a reward, you're locked into certain playstyles (raiding, pvp). GW2 is about letting you do what you want to do, without being on anyone's schedule, with fun being the primary reward and whatever you want to buy with your gold/karma/glory second.
If nothing else, it's B2P so people will be able to play as much or as little as they want without worrying about trying to get their money's worth, or worry about whether or not to unsubscribe.
Its more of a /boggle at a response I see more often that not on these forums. People come here asking for mmo advice and the best some people can come up with is to wait for GW2 or wait for ArcheAge or wait for <insert whatever hyped game is on the table here> There are a ton of unique mmos already out. Just because some people are jaded or blind to what else is out there doesnt mean they have to shovel their bias on someone that is looking for a game they can actually play right now. Just my 2c
Novice Member
Joined: 1/06/07
Hype (noun)
Welcome to our rapidly growing fan club, you'll be receiving your membership card in the mail soon.
"Censorship is never over for those who have experienced it. It is a brand on the imagination that affects the individual who has suffered it, forever." - Noam Chomsky


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Beauty & the Beach
Beauty & the Beach is the brainchild of Katie Wilson, who in 2008 decided to design high-quality, handmade crochet and knit bathing suits that are a comfortable fit and a feast for the eyes. You can feel like you're on vacation in Maui all year round in Beauty & the Beach's sensational designer crochet bikinis, crochet monokinis, crochet dresses, cover ups and one-pieces.
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Day 1 - Pittsburgh to Prague
Day 2 - Prague
Day 3 - Downtown Prague
Day 4 - Strahov Monastery & Prague Castle
Day 5 - Prague Walking Tour
Day 6 - Slovakia and Budapest
Day 7 - Budapest
Day 8 - Royal Palace, Godollo
Days 9/10 - Full Day Free at Leisure. Return to Pittsburgh
Your last full day in Budapest you'll be free to enjoy the city on your own. That night we will bring our adventure to a close as we dine together at the famous and historic Gundel restaurant.
Included meals: breakfast, dinner
Since all good things must come to an end, after breakfast we'll say viszontlátásra to Hungary as we head to the Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport for our return air journey to Pittsburgh.
This is certain to be the best RMU Alumni Tour yet. We hope you will join us!
$4,766 per person based on double occupancy (airfare included)
Air Transportation
Delta Air Lines
About Gulliver's Travels of Shadyside
Founded in Pittsburgh and sending discerning travelers around the world for more than 45 years, Gulliver's Travels is organizing the RMU Alumni Tour for the third consecutive year.
Need more information?
Email Jay Carson or call (412) 397-6404
© 1995–2014 Robert Morris University. All rights reserved.


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Looking for a way to help your local library?
Consider donating a subscription to a children's magazine to the library. Due to budget reductions, the library currently subscribes to Sports Illustrated for Kids and Ranger Rick. On our holiday wish list is Highlights, National Geographic for Kids and Zoobooks. For our adult readers, Our State, Birds and Blooms and North Carolina Wildlife are popular reads. If you would like to give a gift subscription, please see our Branch Librarian. Remember, it is a charitable donation!
Due to interest and high volume of usage, the library is pleased to announce that NWRL will renew their Ancestry.com Library Edition subscription, giving the public access for an additional year. In January, the Yadkin County Public Library will resume an ongoing Genealogy Workshop on Thursdays at 1 pm. If you are interested in learning about researching your family history or need assistance with genealogy issues, make plans to attend our free workshop.
There will be no STORYTIME held on Thursday, December 20th and 27th or Thursday, January 3rd due to the Christmas and New Year's holidays. STORYTIME will resume on Thursday, January 10, 2012.
The library is holding a book sale in the front entryway. Like new hardcover books are available for $2.00, making them a great bargain and perfect gifts for the holiday season. All proceeds will be used to purchase new books.
On display at the library is a collection of Santa Clauses, part of a larger collection that is owned by Darlene Crews. These items will be on display through the end of December. Take time to come by and see this wonderful collection.
The Yadkin County Public Library will be closed on Monday, December 24, 2012 through Wednesday, December 26, 2012 for the Christmas holiday. The library will reopen at 8:30 am on Thursday, December 27, 2012. The library will also be closed on Monday, December 31, 2012 in observance of the New Year's Day holiday.
The library will reopen at 8:30 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013. The Yadkin County Public Library is a member of the Northwestern Regional Library system, comprised of libraries in Alleghany, Stokes, Surry and Yadkin counties. The library's normal operating hours are as follows: Mondays and Thursdays 8:30 am – 6:30 pm and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 am – 5:30 pm.


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Lions Video Search Results
LNN Videos
Growing Your Foundation
5:31 minutes
LCIF grants go toward Lions sight services, disaster relief, health initiatives and more. Support LCIF and make a difference. http://www.lcif.org/donate
Strengthen the Pride: 2014-15 President's Theme
10:29 minutes
The 2014-15 President's Theme is "Strengthen the Pride." Learn how Lions can strengthen the pride through service, increasing members, partnerships, technology, creativity and more.
We Support LCIF
3:11 minutes
In this video, Lions around the world express their pride and gratitude for the support of Lions Clubs International Foundation. Lions efforts such as SightFirst, Lions Quest, disaster relief and more are made possible because of LCIF.
LQ – October 2012
13:20 minutes
In this LQ, an annual race in Illinois raises funds for community initiatives; a school provides assistance for disabled students in Argentina; and New Zealand Lions build toys for children. In California, Lions feed and clothe the homeless.
LQ – October 2011
14:00 minutes
This LQ features the Lions tree planting campaign; Lions delivering relief following tornadoes in Joplin, Missouri; Lions helping children with autism in Malaysia, Lions in England teaching kids to party safely; and the Cullman County Fair in Alabama.


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Home >
Brooklyn >
Academics >
Faculty >
Faculty Profiles >
Watson, Samuel E.
Professor of Chemistry
B.S., Stanford UniversityM.S., San Francisco State UniversityPh.D., Princeton University
I am a synthetic organic chemist who specializes in the synthesis of biologically active molecules that have possible medicinal interest as chemotherapeutic agents. I have experience working in industry and am originally from California. I teach undergraduate organic chemistry and graduate advanced organic chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry and organic synthesis.
Organic Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Heterocyclic Chemistry
Return to Faculty
1 University Plaza, Brooklyn, New York 11201-8423 | Telephone: 718-488-1011


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Contrast Yoke Ruched Blouse
Style # 207290
Glossy liquid-like contrast at square-shaped neckline and luxe ruching make this bebe long sleeve top a hot party item. Created from heavy drape fabric. Try it with a pair of leather pants and embellished heels.
- 90% rayon, 10% spandex
- Center back to hem: 24" (61 cm)
- Sleeve length: 24" (61 cm)
- Mesh lined
- Hand wash
- Imported
- Model is 5'9" and is wearing a US size S


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In anticipation of this year's "Paris" themed Grand Tour Gala that will take place November 16th at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, the Rosen Library has created a special Grand Tour Gala Exhibit.
The Grand Tour Gala honors local leaders in the hospitality industry and supports the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management. The annual event, begun in 2007 and produced since 2010 by the Orlando Chapter of the National Association for Catering Executives (NACE), combines "world-class cuisine, high-quality entertainment, and concierge-level service."
From October - December 2013, take a look at some of the Grand Tour Gala's themes throughout the years, and see why the Gala event teams have won numerous awards!
For more information about the exhibit, see: http://library.ucf.edu/rosen/Exhibits/default.php
Questions? Ask a Rosen Librarian!
Thank you for a beautiful display!
Dr. Ross
Rosen Library Homepage | Ask a Rosen Librarian | Rosen Library Hours


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|By freefotouk
What I have been thinking about is how I was able to travel the distance of my ancestors lives in a matter of hours. My Scots-Irish family migrated south through the Shenandoah Valley from western Pennsylvania to Tennessee over several generations. One morning I woke in Lexington, VA and visited the Rockbridge County Courthouse. I saw the original marriage bond for my 4th great-grandparents, John Stephenson and Elizabeth Cloyd. That afternoon, after driving south on I-81, I visited their graves at the Salem Cemetery in Washington County, TN. I stayed in Jonesborough, where Elizabeth started a school for girls in 1820.
I remember traveling through Virginia before the interstate was built, before cars had air conditioners, when a hotel swimming pool was rare. It took a full day longer. The roads were curvier (I consumed large quantities of dramamine on those trips), narrower, and far more difficult to drive. From today's perspective it was a difficult trip.
I try to imagine John and Elizabeth traveling down to Tennessee in 1808. They surely traveled the same route I did - the Great Warriors Trail. I wonder if there were ghosts on their road, as there have been on mine.


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You are here
At a glance: Theatre
Did you know? Every year, Ohio Northern hosts an International Play Festival. Works are commissioned from international playwrights and are produced as an evening of one-acts. Past countries have included East Germany, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Estonia, Israel, Argentina and Chile.
Theatre Features:
[True] Freshman
'South Pacific' Heats Up ONU Summer Theatre
The B.A. in theatre is designed as a well-rounded introduction to the theatrical arts, ideal for the student who desires a program with more flexibility or variety than the B.F.A., or who wishes to double major. After satisfying the required courses within the B.A., students are encouraged, with the help of an advisor, to design the focus of their choice. Possibilities include: acting, technical theatre, theatre administration, dramatic literature or dramaturgy/playwriting. Visit the department's web site.
Distinctive features
- Program blends conservatory courses and production opportunities with the philosophy and resources of a liberal arts institution
- A unique international emphasis includes plentiful opportunities to work with international guest artists, touring and the annual International Play Festival
- Inspiring, challenging work with nationally and internationally acclaimed directors, actors, dancers, choreographers and designers (20 guests each year)
- The dance minor has an extensive guest artist program that allows students to network with professionals
- Double majors are encouraged and permitted across the University
- Academic and talent awards
The Freed Center for the Performing Arts is a modern facility with the latest equipment, including:
- A 550-seat proscenium theatre and 132-seat studio theatre
- Dance/rehearsal room, scenic and costume shops, and academic and performance support spaces
- "Smart" classrooms equipped with current instructional technology
- State-of-the-art computer lab
Student organizations
Theta Alpha Phi – national theatre honorary
Program outcomes
The BA in theatre has been a stepping stone for a wide range of opportunities for ONU students. They have secured internships and employment in areas such as acting, stage management, children's theatre (Missoula Children's Theatre), theatre administration (Washington, D.C.,'s Imagination Stage and the La Jolla Playhouse) and at casting agencies. ONU theatre majors have also been accepted to an array of highly rated law schools (such as William and Mary) and have pursued a variety of careers in communication arts and business.
Professional placement
The BFA program in international theatre production (ITP) enjoys a very high rate of placement for its graduates seeking either employment or further education at the graduate level. ONU's frequent hosting of guest artists enables many of its technical students to secure useful professional contacts, and sometimes employment, before graduating. Graduates from the ITP program have worked at such prestigious theatres as the Cleveland Playhouse, Actors Theatre of Harlem and the Utah Shakespeare Festival. They have been accepted to some of the most competitive graduate programs for theatre and design, including the Yale School of Drama and Carnegie Mellon University.
Career opportunities
All theatre arts degree programs prepare students for exciting careers or graduate school opportunities. Students graduating with the BFA in musical theatre have enjoyed significant success in finding professional work, internships and graduate school placement. They have worked at many prestigious, nationally recognized theatres, including La Jolla Playhouse in California, the Goodman Theatre in Chicago and the Denver Center for the Arts in Colorado. They have performed in national tours such as Scrooge, Kiss Me Kate, Beauty and the Beast and Sesame Street. Musical theatre majors occasionally focus their career paths in the area of dance; students graduating with a minor in dance have worked professionally as dancers or instructors.


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The WAGE Project
148 Fuller St., Brookline, MA, 02446Phone: (617) 731-3128 | Fax: (617) 566-5345
Website: www.wageproject.org
Principal Staff:
Evelyn Murphy, PhD, President
Jennifer Jackman, Ph.D., Program Director
Jessica Copeland
Type of Organization: National Policy/Research/Education
Founded: 2004
Mission Statement:
In August 2003, WAGE was incorporated as a charitable organization in Massachusetts. It received 501c3 status from the IRS in March 2004. WAGE was founded for one purpose: to end gender discrimination in the American workplace. Its goal is to eliminate the gender wage gap in the near future. To achieve its purpose, WAGE will provide four services: (1) educate working women about the financial consequences of the gender wage gap for themselves and their families, and encourage them to act on behalf of themselves and other women while supporting their actions; (2) educate and train working women to negotiate for salaries and other financial benefits which they are due; (3) advise CEOs of businesses, nonprofit institutions, and public agencies how to ensure they are paying and promoting women employees fairly; and (4) report on the status of the wage gap and age discrimination throughout America. The founder and President of WAGE is Evelyn Murphy. Ms. Murphy, a Ph.D. economist and former Lt. Governor of Massachusetts, is writing a book entitled Getting Even: Why Women Don't Get Paid Like Men and What To Do So We Will to be published in October 2005 by Simon & Schuster. WAGE is interested in joining the NCWO in order to coordinate our work to improve women's wages with other women's organizations.
Subject Expertise:
The main priority of WAGE is elimination of the wage gap between female and male workers. WAGE seeks to achieve this goal by educating women workers about their rights, how much money they should be making, and how other women have taken action to end wage disparities. The soon-to-be-released book, Getting Even, and website, www.wageproject.org, which is still under development, are the organization's initial strategies.
Annual Meetings/Conferences:


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Mr. Weathers was born Oct. 26, 1965, in Macon, and had lived his life in Jones County. He was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was a sales executive for Steel Services Inc. Mr. Weathers was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara Inez Mundy Weathers.
Mr. Weathers is survived by his father and stepmother, Jesse and Linda Weathers; sister and brother-in-law, Terri and Richard Huckvale; brothers and sisters-in-law, Scott and Cloca Weathers and Mark and Arresa Weathers; and by a multitude of nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family would welcome photos or a story about Dunk, if you have one.
Bridges Funeral Home and Crematory in Gray had charge of arrangements. Please visit the online memorial at www.bridgesfh.com.


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Teak Serving Board
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Reviewed by 1 customer
Comments about Teak Serving Board:
Bought it for my Italian husband, who always enjoys putting out cheese, olives, etc for guests. He used to serve it on a "no personality" cutting board, but now takes pride in displaying it on this teak wood. I even overheard him drawing attention to it to his buddies and boasting that I had gotten it for him, and that it's teak. We love it!
When not in use, I've centered in on our breakfast table and placed my wooden fruit bowl on it. Makes a great display base :)
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- Would you like to specify a delivery week? Call us at 1-888-833-1412 to place your order!


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Angus King: 'Skeptical' on assault weapons ban
Sen. Angus King on Sunday declared himself "skeptical" of the utility of an assault weapons ban.
The Maine independent said the problem with the proposed ban, of which a similar version was in place from 1994-2004, is that it is too easy to alter the physical appearance of a gun to get around it.
"I'm skeptical," he said on CNN's "State of the Union." "I'm leaning against simply because what I want to focus on is the functionality, not the looks."
King said he's for universal background checks, the element of President Barack Obama's proposed gun control agenda that is receiving the most support in Congress.
"What we really need to do is focus on what will really work, and to me that's universal background checks and perhaps limits on magazines," King said.
Read more about: Maine, Guns, Gun Control, Angus King
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