text:
The sudden fall in the value of the Australian dollar against the US currency could provide a welcome boost to the profits of a range of companies - and that in turn might stimulate share prices.
In the words of a market analyst at optionsXpress, Ben Le Brun, the currency move has been ''a bit of a game-changer'' for investment markets.
''I would say there is probably now a new ceiling to the Australian dollar of about $US1.02 or $US1.03, whereas before it was looking like $US1.15 or $US1.20.''
The recent dollar strength resulted particularly from continuing economic growth in Asia, with consequent strong demand for Australian commodities.
But it has hurt many local companies, especially exporters of manufactured products and businesses with substantial overseas operations, along with sectors such as tourism and education.
For example, global surfwear manufacturer and retailer Billabong International reports its $119.1 million after-tax profit in the June 2011 financial year would have been $18 million higher but for the strong dollar.
Medical products company CSL, which has 85 per cent of its sales abroad, says that its June 2011 after-tax profit of $940.6 million would have been $116 million higher but for the currency.
After peaking at more than $US1.10 at the end of July, the Australian dollar began to slide, as financial problems in Europe and concerns about a double-dip recession in the US sparked fears of a global economic slowdown.
Its 9.75 per cent fall against the US dollar in September was its largest monthly drop in almost three years and the fifth largest since it was floated in December 1983.
''With our dollar weakening against the US dollar, exporters can lower their prices, making their products more competitive,'' says a senior investment analyst at van Eyk Research, Chris Bigg.
''Alternatively, they can hold US dollar prices constant and then effectively increase Australian-dollar profit margins.''
The question for investors is how long our dollar might stay at the current levels and what are the implications? Will it weaken further? Or is it destined to return to the $US1.10 level and possibly go even higher?
''It is early days yet,'' says the chief investment officer at Dalton Nicol Reid, Jamie Nicol. ''Given the volatility of the currency markets, investors would probably want to see things settle down.
''But if China's weakness persists, which it could over the next quarter, and interest rates in Australia come down, then I think you create a sustainable, softer currency.''
Le Brun sees a weaker dollar as encouraging overseas investors to direct more funds towards Australian equities.
''It makes takeovers a lot more attractive for foreign companies,'' he says.
''We have seen a couple of them come out of the woodwork in recent weeks. [Coal mining company] New Hope has received some takeover attention.
''The softer Australian dollar could create a lot of interest in our assets from Chinese and Indian buyers.''
For investors seeking to profit from a weaker dollar, a senior investment manager at Alleron Investment Management, Steve Robinson, advises looking at companies that were doing relatively well even with the headwind of a strong dollar.
These include the aforementioned CSL, rubber and surgical products manufacturer Ansell, QBE Insurance and bionic-ear pioneer Cochlear, which makes more than 90 per cent of its sales abroad.
Long-term investors might consider an array of smaller companies with modest but steadily growing international exposure. For example, mining support company Austin Engineering believes its new South American operations will eventually become as profitable as its domestic business.
Domino's Pizza Enterprises plans to boost the number of its stores in Europe from about 320 at present to 2000 during the coming 15 years.
Website Seek is a partner in ventures in Asia and Latin America and says these have the potential to become as big as the Australian market.
But even at current levels, many believe our dollar is still overvalued.
The chief investment officer at Select Asset Management, Dominic McCormick, says: ''Some companies have been screaming that when our dollar is worth more than $US1 they really cannot make money at all.''
If the euro zone can muddle through its current predicament and the US avoids a double-dip recession, then many observers suggest that some time next year we might expect growing Chinese demand for our commodities once again to push up our dollar.
In that case, the wiser course for many investors might be to heed the words of Alleron's Robinson: ''The key is not the exchange rate. It is the underlying business of a company and its ability to grow … We are looking for companies that can deliver good underlying organic growth. Therefore, over time, whether the dollar goes up or down, that growth will still be there.''


text:
What Happens When Your VA Loan Is Sold?
All mortgage loans come with their own set of rules, guidelines and quirks. Mortgage lenders approve loan applications using these universal guidelines and once a loan is approved the loan can be sold in what is called the "secondary" market and VA loans are no different. This secondary market is an important cog in the world of VA lending and helps free up cash for VA lenders to make even more VA loans. How does this work?
Cash Flow
Why do lenders sell loans, anyway? Why don't they just keep them? Those are good questions and the basic answer refers to cash flow. Let's look at an analogy together.
Say you're the rich uncle and have $100,000 in the bank and it's well known in the family that you're happy to lend it out to relatives when they need it, as long as they pay you back. One day, your nephew calls and says he needs to borrow $50,000 to start a business. He provides you with his business plan and you agree to issue the loan. He's going to pay you back with interest over the next 60 months.
You get another call a week later from your brother-in-law who wants to borrow some $50,000 and will pay you back at a rate of 8.00 percent over four years. You can't find a solid 8.00 percent return in any market and your brother-in-law has always paid you back on time so you loan him the money.
The next week your sister calls and wants to borrow $10,000 to help with medical bills. You'd love to but guess what? Your vault's empty. You had $100,000 in the bank, loaned it out and yes, you're going to collect some interest payments but you have no more money to lend.
VA lenders follow a similar philosophy. VA lenders can issue a VA loan then decide whether or not to keep it for the interest payments or sell it to another VA lender. Once a loan is sold, the original VA lender replenishes its coffers and proceeds to issue another VA loan.
Making a Commodity
When lenders buy and sell VA loans in the secondary market, they know beforehand what they're buying. A mortgage loan under a specific loan amount that conforms to VA lending guidelines. A VA loan in this fashion is essentially a commodity; one VA loan is like the next VA loan in terms of credit, income and loan amount requirements.
Because these loans are all underwritten to the very same set of standards, lenders know in advance what they're buying without having to individually evaluate each VA loan to be sold. Lenders do audit their purchased loans but underwriting a VA loan with universal VA guidelines streamlines the buying and selling process.
Your Loan is Sold
Are you surprised? You really shouldn't be. When you signed your original loan documents, one of the pieces of paper you signed was an acknowledgement that the lender is or is not engaged in selling VA home loans and if they do sell, the approximate percentage of their pipeline is ultimately sold.
Yet what happens if your loan is sold? The first notification that your loan will be sold is with a "goodbye" letter, a letter from your current lender telling you that your loan is sold and identifies the new lender. You will then receive a similar "hello" letter from your new lender, providing you with their contact information, your account number and general customer service information.
However, not one thing changes in terms of your loan. Your rate doesn't change, your due dates don't change nor your monthly payments or any other facet of your original loan. Even if your loan is sold 10 times, nothing can change the terms of the original note. In effect, if your loan is sold, nothing really happens. You simply make your check to a new lender.
[Asset Included(Id:7000023428834;Type:maComponent)]
Related Topics
|VA Loan

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Lovely Links, 9/25
- Are you vain on social websites? Jezebel comments on the results of a recent study: the more Facebook friends you have, the more narcissistic you might be.
- Makeup and Beauty Blog wonders if you'd take life advice from Gwyneth Paltrow.
- The Beauty Brains figures out how much perfume would cost if it were gasoline. Angel by Thierry Mugler for $11,530, anyone?
- Now Smell This wants to know what "cashmere sweater fragrances" are your favorite.
- Got a straw? Well, sip your way to healthier skin with Babyassface.
- Beauty Snob prefers smelling like vanilla, not bbq pit.
- Specktra wonders if you've done the egg-on-the-face mask.
- Find out what happens when you take a man and put him at a Nintendo-sponsored beauty event. Can he focus on his electronic game device or is he lured into the spa-like treatments?


text:
Robinson's squad to tour the Southern Hemisphere has a youthful feel to it with Brown included alongside the likes of Stuart Hogg, Lee Jones and David Denton who all made their breakthrough in the 2012 RBS 6 Nations.
Despite the positives garnered by their performances, Scottish rugby still hit a low point after being whitewashed.
But Brown, who took over from Scotland's all time leading scorer and caps holder Chris Paterson in the Edinburgh full-back berth, says the new generation are undaunted by past failings.
He said: "I'm hopefully pushing for the 15 jersey, but I think it's an exciting time for Scottish rugby with guys like Stuart Hogg, Lee Jones, David Denton, Matt Scott and others.
"I'm happy to be another one of those young boys pushing for spaces. Andy Robinson said that when I go out there I should just go for it and not shy away. That's what I want to do - really make an impact.
"As you grow up you always think that a Scotland cap is so far in the distance but seeing the boys come through this year has been great for Scottish rugby and it does make you realise just how close it is.
"Stuart Hogg has had a great season and done really well. He got his opportunity early on and he took it, which was brilliant for him. For me, it was a fight to get into the Edinburgh starting XV but, by the end of the season, I had kind of claimed that 15 jersey and played in the Heineken quarter and semi-finals."


text:
CableTV.com Recommends TV Service from DIRECTV
Independent consumer surveys show that DIRECTV is the
best TV service provider in the area. This ranking was earned
after careful review of satellite TV and cable companies in Ashville, OH. Our research helps you easily locate
providers and compare cable companies with other paid television services available in your
The more channels your TV package offers, the less likely you'll be to ever miss a Cincinnati Bengals or game or any of your favorite TV shows. While it's easy to find packages that include most of the major networks, many TV packages in Ashville are different from similar packages in other areas because the availability of smaller channels varies from city to city. We find the highest rated providers available in Ashville and give you a side-by-side comparison of all the channels and extra features offered by each company. You'll find the selection of channels and features you're looking for at a price that fits your budget so you can choose the best cable company in Ashville, OH for your household.
If you're looking for a cable company in Ashville, OH that's reliable and has a good customer service team, choose one of CableTV.com's recommended providers. When you use our TV provider ratings, you can gain peace of mind, knowing that you're choosing a company that offers excellent support when you need it.


text:
Product Code: CM0010171
- Product Details
Product Details
The MP XPRESSO combines Aqua Sphere's proprietary Exo-Foil and Aqua-Core fabrics to deliver the innovative dual fabric technology, Exo-Core, in a racing suit that not only provides compression, hydrodynamic material and bonded seams, but also increased flexibility and range of motion that allows athletes to maintain relaxed muscles before and during competition to maximise peak performance.
The Exo-Core construction features strategically placed panels designed to reduce energy dissipation through compressive support, while allowing for increased circulation throughout the leg and femoral artery.
The panels work in conjunction with the XPRESSO's proprietary fabric to offer athletes an unprecedented range of motion in a competitive racing suit.
- Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Our orders are sent out by First class Royal Mail or International Airmail with Guaranteed next working day deliveries available at a nominal cost. Terms and conditions apply
for more information see our shipping information page
- Reviews
- Reviews


text:
Kids will love it: Apple, pumpkin and cheddar soup
Better-than-the-pub chicken parma: Comfort food
Baked dinner: Pumpkin, garlic and ricotta lasagne
Fantastic with a cuppa: Citrus poppyseed cake
Thai with a twist: Tasty pea soup
Arranging a child's birthday requires military precision. There's the party food that is not only kid- and adult-friendly but may have to be allergy-friendly too, the party decorations, activities and games to keep them from boredom, the little gifts for pass the parcel, the lollies and pressies for the gift bag and, of course, there's the big fat birthday cake.
I feel tired just thinking about it ... I always swear that the next birthday I'm buying a cake, but after buying all the above mentioned items, buying a fantastic wow-factor cake is going to push my budget over its limit.
So here's the deal, the cake above is both store-bought and not: the base is a ready-made choc cake, the fence is choc finger biscuits, the grass is cocont (we show you how to make it green), the animas are from the $2 shop. Read how Food Editor Jen Cheung put it all together. It is REALLY easy yet has the oooh-ahhh factor.
If your child isn't into farm animals, Kidspot's Birthday cake section is worth checking out, plus other helpful party planning articles:
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alex Brooks MANAGING EDITOR Ella Walsh SENIOR EDITOR Jolanda Waskito SECTIONS EDITOR Lana Hallowes SOCIAL & CONTENT PRODUCER Lauren Rowland FOOD EDITOR Jennifer Cheung KIDSPOT SOCIAL EDITOR Suze English COMMUNITY MANAGER Tracy Hardy COMMERCIAL ONLINE EDITOR Yvette Lee
Kidspot is produced by the Kidspot editorial team and you can unsubscribe here.
Kidspot official address: Level 5, Queens Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3004
Tel: 03 9697 0800


text:
Chevrolet Repair Questions? Ask a Chevy Mechanic for Answers ASAP
Hello my name is XXXXX XXXXX I will be more than happy to assist you.
Is the fuse you keep blowing the ATC 20 Amp Fuse?
Does the fuse blow as soon as you put a new one in, does it blow when you try to put the vehicle inXXXXX or just blow randomly?
Go to the instrument fuse box and remove the 4WD 10 apm fuse.
No replace the ATC 20 Amp fuse and turn the ignition on, see if the ATC fuse Blows again, and let me know.
Next step will be to unplug the Encoder Motor on the tranfer case, put both fuse back in, and see if the ATC fuse blows.
You either have a bad Transfer Case Control Module or a short in the wiring from the Transfer Case Control Module to the Transfer Case Encoder Motor.
If you have a test light or volt meter I can tell you what wire to test.
If you don't then you will need to start from the Tranfer Case Encoder Motor connector and follow the Black, Red and, Tan wires back to the Transfer Case Control Module to see if you can find a short to ground in the wires.
Go to the Transfer Case Control Module located on the passenger side behind the kick panel and unhook it.
Now connect the test light to battery positive and touch the test light to the Black, Red, and Tan wires at the Transfer Case Encoder Motor connector.
Does the test light light up at any of the wires?
Transfer Case Control Module location
Sorry for the delay.
Some time the wire diagrams may say one color but it is not always correct. As long at you had the connector disconnected at the Transfer Case Control Module, the wire that lit up the test light is the wire you will want to follow.
All test are done with the Transfer Case Control module and Encoder motor unplugged.
Which connection do you have at the Encoder motor?
Pic 1
Pic 2
Does you encoder motor have a harness like the one in the picture below?
Let's make sure we are on the same page. There are three different types of Transfer Cases GM uses on that vehicle and the wire diagrams in gm manual I think are mixed up. In the picture below is the encoder motor. It might no look the exact same as your but at least gives you what we are looking for.
See how many connectors go to it and how many wire to each connector. If possible can you tell me what color the wires are in each connector?
Leave that connector at the Encoder Motor unplugged and plug the Transfer case Control Module back in. Put both fuse back in and see if the ATC fuse blows again.
Keep the Transfer Case Control Module plugged in, now plug the Encoder Motor back in and see if the fuse blows.
Either when messing with the wires the bad wire is not gounding out any more or the encoder motor is no shorting out.
Try and shift the Transfer Case to see if the fuse will blow.


text:
I love latin culture but I don´t really like living in the third world.
I am Colombian but I don´t drink coffee.
I love shallow things like fashion but I don´t enjoy so much being around shallow people.
I´m gay but my best friends are straight.
I love animals and despise animal abuse but I love a Filet Mignon.
I love sex but I think it should be meaningful.
I was raised very catholic and went to a catholic all boys private school and a Jesuit University but I don´t trust religious people very much.
I´m a huge extrovert to my close friends but kind of an introvert to strangers.
I don´t find very often on Netflix movies I want to watch but I won´t cancel my account.
I eat like a pig but I´m not fat.
I´m a little bit from here and a little bit from there. Sometimes conservative, most of the time ultra liberal. Usually very nice (and so I´ve been told).
I do find dates a bit awkward:
Two people trying to convince each other that they are the perfect fit, that the mother in law would love them, that they´ve got their life completely figured out. Like a job interview but sometimes you get lucky (or unlucky) and end up naked in someone´s bed.
I´d rather just meet someone, have a decent conversation, one drink, or two, or three, laugh, get serious at times,... maybe dance if it goes well? And then.....then we talk about the life goals, and the babies, and the bank account balance. Life is too short to waste it being so worried about such little things.
I´m a photographer, I write, I love, I laugh, I drink, I tan, I lay in the park, I think of my family often, I treasure my friends, I dance till the world ends.
Bogotá, Dallas, Miami, Buenos Aires, Savannah, Hilton Head...are places where I have lived. Now writing my story in NYC. Loving its sweaty Summers, enjoying its mellow winters and trying to deal with the 4 pm sunsets.
Movies: American Beauty, Magnolia, Requiem for a Dream, Crash, Little Miss Sunshine
TV: The Voice, Modern Family, American Horror Story, New Girl, The New Normal
Music: Flight Facilities, Friendly Fires, Empire of The Sun, Sam Sparro, Chromeo, Daft Punk, Hot Chip, Miike Snow, Morgan Page, Bag Raiders, Mika, Bruno Mars, Florence And The Machine, Calvin Harris, Pharrell Williams, Avicii, M83, ...
Food: Peruvian, colombian, middle eastern, sushi, spanish ...(I would never say no to guacamole and/or tabouleh)
My good friends.
I have a bit of a fetish with cheap underwear, AKA Fruit of the Loom and Hanes.


text:
To make reservations by phone, call 1-800-331-3131 in the USA and Canada (or any of our worldwide reservation telephone numbers).
3628 Park East Drive
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport - CLE
Airport Phone: +1 216 265 6000
Hotel direction: 18 miles NE
This hotel does not provide shuttle service.
Take I-480 East to I-271 North, Exit 29-Chagrin Rd.Left on Chagrin Road, left on Park East Drive. Hotel is on the right.
Akron-Canton Airport - CAK
Airport Phone: +1 330 499 4221
Hotel direction: 40 miles SE
This hotel does not provide shuttle service.
Merge onto I-77 North. Keep left to take OH-8 via exit 125A. Merge onto I-271N (local lanes). Exit Chagrin Blvd. via exit 29. Turn left on Chagrin Blvd. Turn left on Park East.
Cleveland Burke Lakefront Airport - BKL
Airport Phone: +1 216 781 6411
Hotel direction: 19 miles S
This hotel does not provide shuttle service.
Turn left on E. 9th Street from Marginal Road. Merge onto I-77 S. Merge onto I-480 E via exit 156. Keep left to merge onto I-271 N (local lanes). Exit 29 Chargin Road. Turn left on Chargrin. Turn left on Park East Drive.
3663 Park East Drive
Cleveland, Ohio 44122
Phone: +1-216-831-3836


text:
This company has the benefit of being a private, family run company, though that in itself is a danger. Rather than having strong structure from top to bottom, it is flexible and people are often made to feel expendable.
I enjoyed the adventure of trying, as my time with the company was in a time when they were open to trying new ideas. Unfortunately, the patience required when making such changes did not last long enough.


text:
Graduate Schools in Colchester, Vermont
There are at least 4 colleges in the Colchester area that have graduate programs. This includes graduate schools in cities surrounding Colchester (Burlington, Johnson). The specific degree types offered by each school are included below. Popular graduate degrees include Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Masters in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Doctor of Medicine (MD) and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD).
For more graduate school options, we have also compiled a list of featured Graduate Schools in Vermont.
These schools do not admit all qualified applicants.
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2015-16, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
Champlain College
163 S. Willard St
Burlington, VT 05401
Johnson State College
337 College Hill
Johnson, VT 05656-9464
Saint Michaels College
One Winooski Park
Colchester, VT 05439
University of Vermont
85 S Prospect St
Burlington, VT 05405-0160
Colchester Colleges
Colchester colleges and trade schools.


text:
Canon's EOS 5D Micro-Satellite Preps For March 2017 Launch
Last year Canon itself decided it wanted to get into the micro-satellite game. Those plans have now come to fruition, with the company preparing for a test launch in March.
Last year Canon itself decided it wanted to get into the micro-satellite game. Those plans have now come to fruition, with the company preparing for a test launch in March.
You've never truly known what kind of gunk lives beneath the keys of your keyboard until you've seen them melted off in hi-def macro photography.
Can the new Canon EOS M5 turn a corner for the company's mirrorless misery?
When you're trying to convince photographers that a £7,000 camera lens is a worthy investment, sometimes you need more than a list of specs. To that end, Canon has created a short stop-motion video of its EF 200-400mm f/4L IS USM lens disassembling itself and revealing all of its wonderfully complicated internal components. See more >>
It looks like Canon might soon be releasing a macro lens featuring an LED ring light built right in.
The Canon EOS 80D follows in the footsteps of the 60D and 70D DSLRs.
This makes the £5,200 outlay totally worth it.
Overkill that will surely be embraced by professional photographers everywhere.
There's (deep breath) nine new cameras in Canon's line-up.
Two different beautiful exteriors may almost make you forget their few key shortcomings.
This isn't art, though it may look like it. Instead, it's a striking look at 17 years of progress in snapping digital photos in low light, as shown by photographer Jim Goldstein. Read more >>
Mind-boggling tech with a mind-boggling price-tag.
Back in February, Canon teased the development of a new premium superzoom camera aimed at enthusiasts. They have finally taken the lid off completely with the announcement of the Powershot G3X.
Canon's new high res DSLR, the 5DS, shoots giant 50 megapixel images. That's a crapload of resolution you probably don't need. But it's fun to look at anyway!
The camcorder business has seen better years, but Canon is trying something new with its bizarre-looking XC10, a 4K video shooter that in no way resembles the dad-cams of yore.
The photography trade show known as CP+ took place this week in Japan. It's when many camera makers trot out their shiny new wares. And that they did!


text:
This is my entry for the dance off. I'm a student, I'm poor, so I can't afford anything other than a crappy webcam.And I only had two square feet to dance in. Unlike Steven, who had an entire house and garden.
I really need to be drunk to do something like this. Enjoy the shitty video.
Also, cookies to anyone who recognises the song.
And for Chewcara. I hope it get's stuck in your head.
So, Chewcara, Moolie and Stool.... YOU JUST GOT BUTTERED


text:
Property Tax Appeal Procedures
Hearings generally begin in February and continue until completed, but no later than April 15, 2017. Hearings are scheduled for 15 minutes (unless a petitioner has several petitions and/or prior arrangements have been made with the board clerk).
The 15-minute hearing is comprised of the board reviewing both the Assessor's and your information, your presentation of evidence, questions and the decision. Please plan to present your evidence and answer any questions the board may have in that amount of time.
Because the board's time frame is regulated by law, notification of your hearing date and time is usually mailed only 5 days in advance of the hearing date. Therefore, please prepare any evidence now which you may wish to present at the hearing. Submitting your evidence with your petition, or shortly thereafter, will expedite the decision on your appeal. If you plan to have someone represent you at the hearing, contact that person immediately so he/she will be ready for the hearing when it is scheduled.
To ensure fairness in this hearing to you, the petitioner, and the Assessor, the following procedure will be used:
- You, or your representative, will begin by presenting your case against the Assessor's valuation of your property.
- The board will receive information from the Assessor's office. The Assessor may recommend a reduction or that the original values be sustained. The board does not have the authority to increase the total assessment.
- You are strongly urged to present evidence to support your case.
The evidence may consist of your own testimony, the testimony of witnesses you bring with you, and/or physical evidence such as photographs, maps, graphs, or other documents.
- All evidence, including display, should not exceed 8 1/2" X 14". Any evidence used by the board to make its decision becomes part of the official record and cannot be returned; therefore, it is recommended you bring copiesof any evidence rather than originals. We are unable to make photocopies for you.
- In many cases, the strongest evidence would be verified sale of subject property and/or sales of properties comparable to yours in location, size, and quality.
- After all evidence has been presented, you will have an opportunity to summarize your argument.
- The board members will ask any questions they may have during your presentation.
- The board generally will reach a decision on your petition at the conclusion of your hearing. You are welcome to stay and listen to the proceedings. Occasionally, the board will not be able to reach a decision at the conclusion of your hearing. The appeal will then be held over until such time as deemed appropriate by the board.
- A copy of the board's decision will be mailed to you approximately three weeks after the hearing. The board's decisions are not available by phone.
- The hearings are subject to the Open Meetings Law and are tape recorded to ensure the accuracy of the public record.
Other evidence that could have an effect on the board's decision might include appraisals prepared by fee appraisers, real estate listing of the property, physical condition of any buildings on the property, cost to cure any defects supported by written estimates, and income data, such as leases, rent receipts, balance sheets, and profit and loss statements for commercial property.
The burden of proof
What is the Board of Property Tax Appeals looking for? What is considered evidence?
During training by the Oregon Department of Revenue, Board of Property Tax Appeals Members are advised a petitioner must meet the burden of proof.
How does the petitioner do this? By:
- presenting evidence showing the Assessor's value is wrong
- showing why the value the petitioner is requesting is correct
What meets the Burden of Proof? Real Market Value evidence could include:
- a current arm's length sale of the subject property
- sales information about comparable properties
- an appraisal by a fee appraiser for the appropriate time period
- real estate listing of the subject or comparable property for the appropriate time period
- information on leases, rent receipts, occupancy expenses, or profit and loss statements for the appropriate time period
- error in Assessor's records of inventory or physical condition
- costs to cure defects in the property supported by written estimates
- economic information
- neighborhood information
One or more of the above-mentioned types of evidence may be appropriate to your appeal.
If possible, please submit evidence with your appeal at the time of filing. However, you may present evidence or additional evidence at your hearing. Submitting your evidence in advance of your hearing will expedite your hearing. All evidence submitted becomes the property of the Board of Property Tax Appeals record and cannot be returned.
Disclaimer: The above is advisory only and is generalized as to evidence helpful to our understanding of your appeal.
Share this page


text:
BEIRUT (Reuters) - Hezbollah will respond to an Israeli air strike on Monday night that hit one of its bases, the militant group said on Wednesday.
"The new aggression is a blatant assault on Lebanon and its sovereignty and its territory...The Resistance (Hezbollah) will choose the time and place and the proper way to respond to it," a statement on Hezbollah run Al-Manar television said.
The strike, which Israel has not confirmed, hit the Lebanese-Syrian border near the Bekaa Valley village of Janta, it said.
(Reporting by Oliver Holmes and Laila Bassam; Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Read the original article on Reuters. Copyright 2014. Follow Reuters on Twitter.


text:
11 Jan 2017
Rahimafrooz Distribution Ltd Job Circular 2017
Assistant, Counter Sales
Rahimafrooz Distribution Ltd.
Category: Marketing/Sales
Job Description / Responsibility
- Attend walk-in customer at retail sales counter.
- Ensure retail sale of Rahimafrooz brands.
- Ensure effective input in sales planning activities.
- Prepare & maintain retail customer database.
- Ensuring of merchandising materials in all planed location at the retail counter.
Job Nature
Educational Requirements
- The position requires the jobholder preferably to have a Graduate in any discipline.
Experience Requirements
- 1 to 2 year(s)
- The applicants should have experience in the following area(s):
Job Requirements
- Age 27 to 29 year(s)
The job holder requires demonstrating strong analytical ability, computer literacy, patience in customer management, chasing promotional target and maintaining schedule.
Job Location
Anywhere in Bangladesh
Salary Range
- Negotiable
Job Source
Online Job Posting
Applicant must enclose his/her Photograph with CV.
Application Deadline : Jan 20, 2017
Company Information
Rahimafrooz Distribution Ltd.


text:
Gather round while Thomas reads some stuff from when we were young (http://sequentialmatinee.com/storytime/). To keep it interesting he'll embellish here and there. It may not make it better, but it will definitely be interesting.READ MORE »
Posts in category Upcoming Releases
Sequential Matinee Proudly Presents: Ronnie The Robot
Created, written, drawn, inked, colored, and lettered by Johnny Townsend, Ronnie The Robot will be starting up soon. You may view Johnny's teaser page here (http://sequentialmatinee.com/ronnie/).READ MORE »
Sequential Matinee Proudly Presents: A Princess of Mars
Enough teasing. Scripted, penciled, inked, and lettered by Richard Cox (me) with lavish colors by Thomas Boatwright, our faithful adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars is published weekly, on Tuesdays, beginning today with Chapter One: On The Arizona Hills. We're hoping to capture something in the vein of Milton Caniff, and any [...]READ MORE »
Comic Preview #3
Well, the date on the calendar is getting closer. So let's have one more go at some previews. Here's another line art/color art comparison of some preview images I've used: I'm going to go ahead and say I'm really happy with my textures and line work here. But how does it look after Tom works [...]READ MORE »
Another Comic Preview
The countdown to June, comic launch, and my growing nervousness continues. Here's a panel from the strip that I've modified in order to show it morph from my inks into Tom's colors, just so you can see the amazing dimension he's bringing to my art: And so, your new spicy tidbits: The above is the [...]READ MORE »
A Preview of My Comic
My comic will be premiering in June here on Sequential Matinee, and in order to hopefully get your interest up for the point when we flip the switch, I thought I would preview some pieces of art I've shown elsewhere on the web already, as well as throw out a few bits of information about [...]READ MORE »
Sequential Matinee Proudly Presents Cemetery Blues
At the risk of this becoming The Thomas Boatwright Show, we're thrilled to announce that our first comic release will be Cemetery Blues: Ring Around the Rosey A Pocket Full of Schnapps, written and illustrated by Ryan Rubio and our own Thomas Boatwright (with an able color assist by Michelle Wooten). The web comic, starting [...]READ MORE »


text:
Authorship and Collaboration 2
Description of the ProblemA dispute over the correct interpretation of data arose within a three-person research group. An agreement couldn't be reached, so one author (Smith) decided to publish separately. The other researchers in the group thought they would wait to see whether Smith's paper was accepted.
Smith moved to a new institution in the interim, but the notice of acceptance and manuscript number were faxed to the old institution, and Jones, the former research partner, learned of it. Jones then contacted the journal, said that Smith's paper was wrong, and asked to be allowed to submit an alternate version of the material.
- If you were the editor, how would you respond to this problem?
- What if the disagreement were the result of a long-standing dispute between the two authors?
- How might the researchers have avoided this situation?


text:
To request additional information about the Master of Arts in Bioimaging, please complete and submit this form.
Fill out the form below to receive more information about this program including:
• Tuition and other costs.
• Financial aid opportunities
• Application deadlines and tips
• Required and elective courses
View our video featuring faculty and students discussing the MS in Bioimaging Program.


text:
A NIGHTCLUB which promised to bring the VIP experience to Swindon has shut for good, owing tens of thousands of pounds to local companies.
Tiger Bills closed just three months after launching in October, but the management said the venue would re-open in the festive season.
The Old Town club was still shut this week, with huge tyres placed outside the entrances, and the Adver understands it will not be re-opening.
The management had ordered refrigeration and air conditioning units, along with furniture and upholstery, which included bar stools, tables and chairs.
They had arranged to purchase the goods, some of which also involved labour costs, within different time scales after delivery.
Peter Yeardley, of Arctic Services, still has to be paid for a cooling unit which he claims is now missing from the building.
His company was paid 50 per cent of the £3,000 bill upfront and was told the remainder would be paid within 30 days.
Mr Yeardley said: "If we could have gone in and retrieved the cooling system it wouldn't have been such a problem, but it has been removed from the building and the management seem to have disappeared.
"We are waiting for formal information about the company and then we will contact our solicitors. "We are not as badly off as some of the other companies as we agreed a 50 per cent deposit up front."
Mr Yeardley said some traders had acted in good faith to do business with another local company.
The club is understood to owe more than £20,000 overall. Dan Field, the general manager of Tiger Bills, did not respond to a request for comment.
Even before opening, the club was involved in a row with a restaurant chain already using the same name. After its launch, it was threatened with legal action by Swindon Council over wooden panels around its smoking terrace, which have since been replaced with glass panels.
The following month, a clubber spent three hours in intensive care after falling eight feet from a railing in the venue.
The victim said Tiger Bills was not to blame and it had just been an accident.
Later in September, seven men were arrested following a disturbance outside the club after it reached capacity and door staff refused to allow anyone else entry.
At the end of the month a drunken reveller headbutted a police officer after being ejected from the club and his girlfriend made a complaint to police that she had been assaulted by a bouncer.
The club said it had dealt with the incident correctly and professionally. Tiger Bills launched on August 31, promising "sharp service and only a premium range of drinks surpassed by a music experience not heard for at least a decade."
It offered a range of VIP packages, including one combining a private booth, a designated waiter and cocktails, spirits and champagne for £500.


text:
Fri 21st Feb 2003 | News
Kaydara today announced the availability of the MOTIONBUILDER Personal Edition (PE) for artists, 3D enthusiasts, students and freelancers. MOTIONBUILDER PE is a full one-year production license of MOTIONBUILDER, Kaydara's leading character animation software, which includes printed documentation, upgrades and customer support. Priced at USD $100 until July 31, 2003, MOTIONBUILDER PE is available now through Kaydara's website and Kaydara's educational partner 3D Buzz.
Used by leading production and animation companies such as Sony SOHO, Acclaim Entertainment, Capcom, Attitude Studios and Weta, MOTIONBUILDER is a professional 3D character animation solution that is substantially more powerful, faster and easier to use than any other product on the market. MOTIONBUILDER seamlessly integrates with all the major 3D packages and provides a powerful, easy-to-use animation solution for game, film, TV or broadcast animation productions.
MOTIONBUILDER Overview
Specifically designed for professional 3D character animation, MOTIONBUILDER features an ease of use never before achieved by any other professional 3D software. Feature highlights in MOTIONBUILDER include:
Automatic Character Rigging saves animators a significant amount of time when compared to manual rigging. Motion retargeting also allows animators to use diverse motion data in one, unified animation environment.
Lip-Sync / Facial Animation provides a powerful lip-synchronization tool that uses Kaydara's Voice Reality phoneme-extraction technology to create compelling lip-sync in real-time. Voice Reality has the most comprehensive phoneme coverage of any real-time lip-sync tool on the market and is as easy to use as loading an audio file.
Real-time Display provides instant feedback and eliminates the production delays associated with the rendering process. With Real-time Display there are no limited resolution or limited frame-rate previews.
Drag-and-Drop Contextual Interface is an intuitive, drag-and-drop contextual approach to content creation that simplifies the animation process and significantly lowers the learning curve. When objects or elements are selected, the tools and properties for that object or element become instantly available in the interface. Also, the tools that an animator would need to modify elements are automatically displayed for easy access.
MOTIONBUILDER PE also natively supports Kaydara's FBX file interchange format, a powerful format for 3D data that allows MOTIONBUILDER users to quickly and easily acquire and exchange 3D assets and media from a wide variety of sources. FBX is widely supported by 3D content and streaming media vendors such as 2D3, Alias|Wavefront, Autodesk/Discreet, DI-O-Matic, Face2Face, Maxon, ElectricImage, InSpeck, Motek, NewTek, QEDsoft, Reflex3D, Softimage, Turbosquid, Vicon, and Viewpoint.
Pricing and Availability
Kaydara's MOTIONBUILDER PE is a one year production license priced at USD $100 (MSRP) and is currently available through Kaydara's Web site, www.kaydara.com and 3D Buzz, www.3dbuzz.com. This special promotion will be valid until July 31, 2003. MOTIONBUILDER runs on Microsoft Windows NT/2000 and Apple OS X.


text:
Your Linear Feet:
6 linear ft. each
$3.30 each
Your Material Cost:
PRBAMQRN - 3/4" x 3/4" Natural Bamboo Quarter Round
Quarter Rounds create a subtle blend between the wall base and wood flooring. They are also used alone to transition between a hardwood floor and cabinetry.
(based on 8 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
5 Stars
4 Stars
3 Stars
2 Stars
1 Stars
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Best Uses
Reviewed by 8 customers
Displaying reviews 1-8
Back to top
(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)
Perfect addition
By J. D.
from Springfield, IL
About Me Casual Do-It-Yourselfer
Comments about 3/4" x 3/4" Natural Bamboo Quarter Round:
Used this to match bamboo floor. Purchased floor from a friend who had overbought several years ago. He may have bought at LL. Was so glad to find the trim that matched! May however be discontinued. Looks real nice though!
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
Was this review helpful? Yes / No
- You may also flag this review
(1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Will use again for next project
By Pat
from Frisco, TX
Easy to cut with hack or electric saw
Good Quality- nice and straight!
By Sky King
from Poplar Grove, Illinois
I found the product very easy to work with, but I would suggest that there be a low cost jig made available to attain PERFECT miters every time!
(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)
Great product, Poor communication
By ventzuni
from Woodbury, MN
About Me Beginner
Great stuff
By KenB
from Chicago Il
About Me Avid Do-It-Yourselfer
Great product, I would buy it again
By Rob in FH
from Fountain Hills, AZ
I used the bamboo quarter round to finish the edges around the room. You leave a bit of a gap between the flooring and the wall, and the quarter round covers the expansion gap.
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
By Laura
from Seattle, WA
The bamboo matched perfectly, and covered up the gap between the floor and the wall. We installed the Morning Star Natural Vertical Bamboo flooring. It looks gorgeous, and had held up well so far. I plan on installing the bamboo in the rest of our house for our next project.
Great Material
By SteveO
from Houston, TX
About Me Handyman
This is a trim material. I needed a mitre saw and a power router to get a precise fit. The effort and expense is well worth the result. The finished floors look beautiful. All my friends are just a little bit jealous.
Do you have questions about this product?
AnswerBox - Get answers from Staff Experts and real customers by clicking "Ask a question" or click here to ask our Customer Service Team
Know the answer? Answer this question
1 answer
Do you have a question about this product?


text:
Would you like to save as your currency permanently or for this visit only?
Budvar Arena
St. Nicholas Cathedral
Proximity to old city, the tennis facilities, the restaurant - good "cuisine" for a facility focused on sport activities. The furniture looks better and newer in photos than in real life. But it's not a big issue, considering the price.
Size of the room Reception is unmanned during the night
Convenient location. The room was clean but small. Hotel was located in a sports complex with staff oriented to sports issues.


text:
Average grade: 9 %
Length: 8.88 km
Altitude start: 1740 m
Altitude top: 2541 m
Ascent: 801 m
Maximum: 10 %
Monitor Pass rankings
Difficulty ranking world: 1054 (all)
Ranking United States: 89 (all)
Difficulty score: 114.54 what?
Monitor Pass ratings
(rate it)
The Monitor Pass is situated in Nevada.
Starting from Markleeville (West),
the Monitor Pass ascent is 8.88 km long. Over this distance, you climb 801 heightmeters.
The average percentage thus is 9 %.
The maximum slope is 10 %.
Look for other sides to climb the Monitor Pass.
Find climbs close to the Monitor Pass: within 10 km - within 20 km - within 50 km
Find all climbs and cols in Nevada on a map.
No stories submitted yet. Did you climb this mountain?
Did you climb the Monitor Pass? Please send your cycling story, description or comments. You can also send us video's or send us pictures on the Monitor Pass.
© climbbybike™ All rights reserved 2005 -


text:
Results 1 to 20 of 24
Thread: Lockdown Protocol (public alpha)
Lockdown Protocol
Lockdown Protocol is a score-oriented platformer/shooter game with multiplayer support and built-in level editor. The game is available on Windows and Linux.
This is how it looks at the moment:
Downloads and more information are available on game's official web page: http://www.fractilegames.com/product...down-protocol/
You can follow the development on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/lockdownprotocol) and Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/fractilegames) too.
Last edited by fractilegames; 22-03-2015 at 08:55 AM.
The game has now been renamed to Lockdown Protocol and new alpha version 0.11.0 has been released!
This release focuses mainly on visual improvements and reworked single player score calculation. Here's the full list of changes since 0.10.0 alpha version:
- Retextured all level blocks adding more details and shadowing.
- Tweaked some of the level block models to better fit together.
- Added simple blob shadows for human characters.
- Changed level score to be calculated on the fly.
- Implemented locally saved high scores for each level.
- Added new menu for viewing high scores for single player levels.
- Added floating text messages showing score gained from kills and picked up power cells.
- Added floating text showing level title at start of level.
- Replaced level completion page with floating texts.
- Made object interaction UI fade in and out smoothly.
- Optimized (reduced batches) name tag and other UI component rendering.
- Fixed ugly overlapping corners in UI rectangles.
- Added different skin texture for shotgun guard.
- Added camera nudge proportional to recoil when firing a weapon.
- Downscaled some way too high resolution textures for small objects.
- Moved controller type selection to player settings to be asked at first start-up.
- Kill streak and multiple kill detection for extra score.
More information, screenshots and the downloads are available on the updated game page at http://www.fractilegames.com/product...down-protocol/
New alpha version 0.12.0 has been released!
The most noticeable change in this release is removed line of sight visibility requirement. The enemies are now always visible like in most platformer games. This simple change makes the game much more enjoyable, since it removes the annoying unavoidable deaths when hidden enemy pops up right in front of you.
Here's full list of changes since 0.11.0 alpha version:
- Removed line of sight visibility tests so that enemies are always visible.
- Replaced all explosion sound effects with much beefier ones.
- Added separate stand pose to human animation for more natural standing position.
- Made damaged walk speed limitation fade in and out smoothly.
- Minor tweaking to human walk cycle animation.
- Fixed AI treating flying body parts and grenades as obstacles.
- Made AI react to door opening sounds.
- Guards now slowly aim at targets instead of instantly having perfect aim.
- Gave dragon AI ability to go around obstacles while attacking.
- Fixed reconfigure scripts that broke due to executable name change.
- Fixed dragon wing flap sounds not stopping when dragon dies.
- Fixed crash on match start after deleting and re-downloading the used level.
More information, screenshots and the downloads are available on the game page at http://www.fractilegames.com/product...down-protocol/
Public alpha version 0.13.0 has been released!
Here's full list of changes since 0.12.0 alpha version:
- Added new enemy called "jellyfish".
- Added new weapon, the SMG.
- Added one more single player level.
- Humans can now be damaged and killed by falling objects.
- Added basic guard speech using speech bubbles.
- Added subtle ambient background sound to all levels.
- Added key card indicator in HUD.
- Fixed blinking player shadow on moving platforms.
- Made all lines in UI look a lot smoother.
- Show human character chat messages as speech bubbles.
- Switched from Newton Dynamics physics engine to Bullet Physics.
- Fixed long-standing physics bug that caused some doors to slide out of their place.
- Fixed a rare physics bug that allowed dragons to fly through walls and objects.
- Fixed "/save" chat command saving configuration to wrong directory.
- Fixed a few warnings in log.
- Fixed a potential crash at match restart.
- Fixed walk speed limitation due to damage not getting reset when player respawns.
- Fixed player aim cursor and laser sight getting left behind when player character dies.
- Fixed minor error in center aligned text positioning.
- Fixed all lab doors opening with red key card.
- Added refiner machinery prop.
- Fixed editor cursor and other UI components unintentionally occluding glow effect.
- Dragon and jellyfish AI now goes directly to "search mode" on nearby gun shot.
- Miscellaneous minor AI improvements.
- Apply damage to flying enemies too if they are being crushed by heavy objects.
- Fixed Unix-style line endings in some text files in Windows release package.
- Made heartbeat sound fade in and out smoothly while player is badly damaged.
- Fixed an error in glow effect shader making it a bit faster at high resolutions.
Downloads and more information are available on website as usual: http://www.fractilegames.com/product...down-protocol/
A new public alpha version 0.14.0 has been released!
Here's full list of changes since 0.13.0 alpha version:
- Added initial gamepad controller support.
- Turned the first level into a tutorial with controller type dependent instructions.
- Updated menu system for slightly better looks and better performance.
- Added description texts to menu items.
- Added timestamps to high score tables.
- Fixed "network packet rate" option in system settings not getting saved.
- Fixed bad selection behavior in shared level browser when list content is updated.
- Scaled "console" size down to three lines with a bit smaller font.
- Created better looking "get full version" menu page.
- Fixed some text placement issues with 4:3 resolutions.
- Fixed random crashes when changing controller type while a game is in progress.
- Added a little bit more details to the background model.
- Some run-time errors previously only logged to console are now reported with an error pop-ups.
Downloads are available on the website: http://www.fractilegames.com/product...down-protocol/
Public alpha version 0.15.0 is out!
This update brings two new single player levels, one new weapon and enemy mine as well as loads of bug fixes and minor visual improvements.
Here's full list of changes since 0.14.0 alpha release:
- Added a new enemy item called spike ball.
- Added a new weapon called zapper.
- Added two new single player levels.
- Major update on match listing server and according changes to client side.
- Fixed broken PS3 controller auto-detection.
- Added level completion time and kill count to "completion screen".
- Added small random variation to all looping animation speeds to make them look more natural.
- Added slight animation to dragon eggs.
- Added score penalty on death in single player game.
- Changed the dragon egg texture to better match other enemies.
- Added warning in editor when saving level with dynamic entities placed outside outer walls.
- Added default renderer configuration, only show configuration dialog on request.
- Disabled background music while editing levels.
- Allow a bit more movement while in air to ease precision jumping.
- Minor tweaks to existing levels.
- Fixed broken multiplayer match player count reporting.
- Fixed several potential network related dead-locks.
- Fixed multiplayer match online listing when re-using match name.
- Only show online matches with compatible game versions.
- Tweaked human stand pose a bit to prevent feet from penetrating floor.
- Fixed bug that made transparent smoke pixels block glow effect.
- Added left trigger button as optional reload button on gamepad.
- Fixed missing texture on grenade.
- Tweaked lighting in some of the existing levels.
- Hid score labels in multiplayer matches.
- Fixed HUD key card indicator not showing keys on client.
- Fixed random freezes in windows version when browsing online matches.
Downloads are available on the game page as usual: http://www.fractilegames.com/product...down-protocol/
- Join Date
- Nov 2013
- Posts
- 5
Looks good, but my advice is to add more environment.
If you refer to the empty background, that has proven to be a hard thing to "fix". The fact that I want to keep the levels easily editable (in the built-in level editor) limits the level geometry. For example I have tried adding some sort of background blocks, but those would have to manually placed in editor, which makes level editing too complicated..
Lockdown Protocol alpha 0.16.0 has been released
New alpha version 0.16.0 is out!
This release brings again a lot of improvements to the game. Especially sound effects and overall audio has gotten much better. There is some new content too: One new weapon, new enemy type and three new levels.
Here's full list of changes since 0.15.0 alpha release:
- Added alternative aim/shoot animation for heavy weapons.
- Added level completion music.
- Added laser rifle.
- Added two more single player levels.
- Added new multiplayer level called Armory (new demo multiplayer level).
- Added dynamic audio filters (reverb).
- Fixed music stopping in case of decode buffer underrun.
- Added laser sight to zapper.
- Guard speech bubbles replaced with actual voices.
- Added security announcement voices.
- Tweaked some of the first levels based on game play tests.
- New skin texture for security guards.
- Added new guard type armed with pulse rifle.
- Made laser/zapper beams fade out at range limit.
- Minor tweaking to human walk animation.
- Made jellyfish collision body a bit larger to make it easier to hit.
- Fixed temporary corrupted electric weapon beam pattern when fired for the first time.
- Fixed beam weapon particle effects stopping too early.
- Optimized particle rendering for lower batch count.
- Fixed reconfigure.exe launcher not working with Wine.
- Fixed annoying delay in platform/elevator interaction on multiplayer client.
- Removed lowest lighting quality option (fixed function).
- Show score at end of player name instead of kill count in single player games.
- Fixed missing player name change notifications on server in multiplayer matches.
- Fixed guard AI unintentionally shooting during "stun delay" after getting shot.
More information and the downloads are available on the game page: http://www.fractilegames.com/product...down-protocol/
- Join Date
- Oct 2013
- Posts
- 12
Very interesting
Keep on going!
Public alpha version 0.17.0 has been released!
The main theme in this release is collectible items. There are new ammunition and supply packs, force field generators and crates revealing collectible items on destruction. Guards now drop their weapon or random items when killed.
Here's full list of changes since 0.16.0 alpha release:
- Added ammo pack power up item.
- Added supply pack power up item.
- Added force fields (destructive/protective/damping) and matching power up items.
- Added one more single player level.
- Turned the small green crate into a destructible container that reveals random items.
- Added floating labels on power up pick ups.
- Added a music loop playing during action.
- Made ambient background sound play even if music is set off in settings.
- Fixed a bug that prevented controller help (F1) overlays from being shown.
- Made guards randomly drop their weapon or power ups when killed.
- Made walls block explosion damage and impulse.
- Made dragons fly a bit faster.
- Made dragons coming out of eggs spot nearby targets immediately.
- Miscellaneous improvements to particle effects.
- Fixed bug causing badly oriented bullet hit particle effects.
- Minor improvements to enemy line of sight testing.
- Added smoke trail to rockets.
- Improved explosion particle effects orientation and timing.
- Fixed invisible smoke and fragment particles blocking light glow.
- Fixed heavy weapon aim animation problem that made AI aim too high.
- Many bug fixes to dragon and jellyfish AI, especially to target detection.
- Fixed all weapons misaiming slightly to the left.
- Made human AI switch target if a visible closer target attacks it.
- Added automatically randomized orietation for certain elements (e.g. barrels) in level editor.
- Floating labels from power ups are now shown on clients too.
- Show in-game error message on many level loading errors that previously killed the game.
- Editor now loads levels with invalid entity references so you can fix them.
- Fixed a serious bug in visibility data updating to clients.
- Retextured dragon eggs.
- Added alternative game pad controller jump by left stick up.
- Added update notification when a new version is available.
- Prevented respawning after level/match completion.
- Updated first level tutorial with more instructions.
- Minor fine tuning to character animations.
- Fixed match statistics not always getting cleared on multiplayer match restart.
- Improved network latency estimation making client side movement a bit smoother.
- Fixed multiple serious bugs that caused jerks in client side movement.
Download links have been updated on the game page: http://www.fractilegames.com/product...down-protocol/
Alpha version 0.18.0 is out!
This release brings some major graphical improvements. The most visible change is the new much more detailed human character model. Human enemies have also been updated to use this new model and they have been re-textured too. Several dynamic objects (like barrels and eggs) now cast shadows, which makes them fit in much better. A competely new enemy type has been added. They are called "spiders" due to their similar looks, although they are nothing from this world.
Here's some fresh video footage from the game:
And here's full list of changes since 0.17.0 alpha release:
- Human character model were replaced with much better one (created by an actual artist).
- All human characters where re-textured.
- Added new enemy type called "spider" and a nest that spawns them.
- Added separate stand-crouch animation to make crouching look more natural.
- Added blob shadows to some dynamic objects like dragon eggs and barrels.
- Added bilinear filtering to sound map image sampling.
- Added prediction error filtering to smooth out jumps when client side prediction is wrong.
- Fixed anti-aliasing not working with glow filter enabled.
- Made player aim range a bit wider.
- Increased maximum client side prediction from 10 to 15 ticks (375ms).
- Implemented object orientation interpolation for visualization.
- Fixed a bug causing stronger glow effect horizontally than vertically.
- Always trace hits in shooter's local XY plane even when weapon is offset from it.
- Fixed flickering human shadows during jumping and crouching.
- Fixed bug causing invisible shadows getting updated.
- Prevented some objects from receiving shadows (for example lights and explosion fragments).
- Fixed newly created objects randomly sliding into position from outside of screen.
- Allow a bit longer fall without damage.
- Made editor pick closest element first when clicking on multiple overlapping elements.
- Added position triggered announcement voices.
- Added PS4 controller support (with DS4Tool driver in Windows).
- Always hide controller instructions when menu is open.
Downloads are available on the game page: http://www.fractilegames.com/product...down-protocol/
New alpha version 0.19.0 is out!
This release focuses on improving game play and making the game generally more fun. Most of the changes are based on feedback I got for the last alpha version and suggestions from test play sessions with friends. Check out more information and full list of changes here:
Or jump directly to the game page with downloads:
Last edited by fractilegames; 26-08-2014 at 08:22 PM.
Lockdown Protocol 0.20.0 alpha is out!
The big new feature in this release is local split-screen multiplayer support:
There are also several other multiplayer improvements, some new content and bug fixes. Check out the release announcement with full change log here:
Downloads are available on the game page for Linux and Windows as usual:
Lockdown Protocol has gone beta! New beta version 0.21.0 is out!
Downloads and more information: http://www.fractilegames.com/product...down-protocol/
Full change log for this release: http://www.fractilegames.com/posts/2...-beta-release/
Here's some fresh screenshots:
New beta version 0.22.0 is out!
This update brings one new multiplayer level, one new weapon, many bug fixes and a long list of improvements based on player feedback.
Check out the release announcement here for full list of changes. Downloads are available on the game page.
A new beta version 0.23.0 is now ready and available for download. This release finally adds online high-scores and makes the game feature-complete. This is likely the last beta version before the final release (unless there are some major issues).
The high-score tables are currently almost empty, go put your name in there:
Check out the release announcement for full list of changes. Downloads are available on the game page as usual.
After almost five years in development,
Lockdown Protocol is ready!
Here's some fresh screenshots from version 1.0.0:
And a new gameplay trailer:
Go get the game here:
I would appreciate any help in getting the word out.
I have released an updated version 1.1.0. This update addresses some compatibility issues and annoyances reported by players.
Here's full list of changes since 1.0.0 final release:
- Replaced all computer generated announcement sounds with human voices.
- Revert to windowed mode instead of failing if primary monitor can't be detected.
- Reimplemented decal rendering to fix really slow decal updates with some Windows OpenGL drivers.
- Show error pop-up on some rare errors previously leading to silent failure.
- Added '--systemerrors' command line option for enabling more informative Windows error dialogs.
- Removed unnecessary high-score download for level editor previews.
- Hid internal unusable trigger elements from level editor.
- Removed a sentry gun that was too hard to destroy in the 5th single player level.
- Added a sentry gun to the tutorial level.
- Removed a couple of obsolete resource files from installation.
- Supply packs no longer contain vials.
- Slightly increased the score given based on level completion time.
- Lowered the total number of spiders spawning from a nest.
- Added instructions in readme.txt for setting the target time for custom levels.
- Set OpenGL renderer as default on Windows too.
- Properly signed Windows executable to get rid of the "unknown publisher" warnings.
Updated downloads are available on the website as usual


text:
Quartet ends competition at World University Games
Guardian Sports Editor
Published: Jul 16, 2013
The 27th World University Games came to a close for four young Bahamian swimmers yesterday, as they competed in their respective heats of the 50 meters (m) freestyle at the Aquatics Palace in Kazan, Russia.
All four swimmers, Armando Moss, Evante Gibson, Ariel Weech and Bria Deveaux, failed to make the semi-finals which were held later yesterday evening.
In the Men's 50m free, Armando Moss finished fourth in his heat and was 43rd overall, in 23.96 seconds. The 20-year-old junior at Xavier University, in Cincinnati, Ohio, had the fastest reaction time in his heat but was still only able to touch the wall in fourth place.
Fellow Bahamian Evante Gibson, a sophomore at Queen's University of Charlotte, was seventh in his heat and 57th overall in 25.77 seconds. The 19-year-old swimmer also had the fastest reaction time in his heat, but according to reports, he simply couldn't keep up with the much taller swimmers. Gibson stands at just 5' 5-3/4" tall, which is unusually short for male sprinters in swimming. Still, he competed in six events in Kazan for The Bahamas, and from all indications, he represented the country very well.
The top qualifier for the semis in the Men's 50m free was Russian Andrey Grechin. He swam a time of 22.26 seconds.
In the Women's 50m Free, Ariel Weech had her highest individual finish of the two-week event, as she finished third in her heat and 25th overall, in 26.50 seconds. The 21-year-old senior at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln swam five events at the World University Games this summer.
In that same event, Bria Deveaux, who also swims for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, was 34th overall. Deveaux was third in her heat, in 27.34 seconds. The 19-year-old freshman swam six events at these World University Games in Kazan, Russia. Anna Santamans, from France, was the top qualifier for the semi-finals, as she swam 25 seconds flat in the heats.
The World University Games, or Universiade, is a biennial international multi-sport event, organized for university athletes by the International University Sports Federation (FISU). This year's event will wrap up tomorrow in Kazan, Russia.
Swimming was the only sporting discipline in which Bahamians participated in at these games.


text:
- MY FURRY VALENTINE: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., PetSmart, 1653 Millerville Road. More than 100 pets will be available for adoption. (225) 755-6940.
- BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK: 10 a.m., Carver Branch Library, 720 Terrace St. Select a book from a display of mysteriously wrapped novels. (225) 389-7450.
- "STICK FLY": 7:30 p.m., Shaver Theatre, LSU campus. The play focuses on race, class and family on tension during a weekend visit at the LeVay family home. Tickets are $18 for the general public, $15 for seniors/faculty/staff and $12 for students. (225) 578-3527 or www.theatre.lsu.edu.
- WILLIE CLAYTON CONCERT: 8 p.m., The Atrium, Belle of Baton Rouge, 103 France St. Willie Clayton will perform at the Valentine's Day concert. Tickets are $20. Doors open at 7 p.m.


text:
Yahoo! Weather for iPhone now sprinkled with Flickr photos, looks beautiful
18 Comments
1. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
Surely it does look "BEAUTYFULL"™
2. recond9 (Posts: 50; Member since: 11 Jan 2013)
Damn...why can't apps look so nice on Android..Pika doesn't get it...
3. boosook (Posts: 1442; Member since: 19 Nov 2012)
Well, actually... it has a more Android look than iOS...
16. JC557 (Posts: 1794; Member since: 07 Dec 2011)
I usually just stick with the one already on HTC phones. They look very nice already.
4. Ninetysix (Posts: 2689; Member since: 08 Oct 2012)
iOS first as usual. Android...welll...maybe?
6. ama3654 (Posts: 295; Member since: 27 Nov 2012)
Android has tons of much better weather apps which you can highly customise to your taste than this, you can set as lockscreen, widgets and live wallpapers. You don't have to open an app all the time just to see weather like iOS.
7. Ninetysix (Posts: 2689; Member since: 08 Oct 2012)
Ah that makes sense broski. That's probably why most developers develop games and apps for iOS first.
9. TROLL (banned) (Posts: 4851; Member since: 13 Apr 2012)
So they can get users to by there apps while google gives it for free, that's why!
What's up is 69pence on iOS, while its free on Android!
The devs go where the money is!
12. ama3654 (Posts: 295; Member since: 27 Nov 2012)
It just takes longer to adapt to various Android hardware that's why, not because iOS is special or anything.
10. terabyteRouser (Posts: 457; Member since: 18 Oct 2011)
can you name one? not being flippant, but i've been in search of one and the one's i've seen have, well, sucked
13. ama3654 (Posts: 295; Member since: 27 Nov 2012)
apps/details?id=com.yahoo.mobi le.client.android.weather&feat ure=search_result#?t=W251bGwsM SwxLDEsImNvbS55YWhvby5tb2JpbGU uY2xpZW50LmFuZHJvaWQud2VhdGhlc iJd
17. boosook (Posts: 1442; Member since: 19 Nov 2012)
Recall that Yahoo has a partnership with Microsoft, and this explains why we will never see this app for Android. Anyway, there are tons of wonderful weather apps for Android, even if I must admit that the idea of showing your city's picture is very good, it's something that you can probably live without after those initial days of excitement, when you realize that what you need most just is reliable weather forecasts.
5. Meleagru (Posts: 92; Member since: 03 Dec 2012)
Why won't Yahoo die already?
15. dangchitrung (Posts: 89; Member since: 04 Apr 2012)
They have just posted some promising financial report. Duh.
8. TheKookiemonster007 (Posts: 12; Member since: 26 Oct 2012)
looks more like windows phone if you ask me
11. MartianMe (unregistered)
little by little they're adapting the whole widget concept. do not be surprised if one day you see a widget on the iphone home screen,,,and they're going to say they got it first...F**k apple.
14. chocolaking (Posts: 495; Member since: 22 May 2012)
I love yahoo's new app! looks so beautiful!!
18. thelegend6657 (unregistered)
Whats the point of this app , the native iOS weather app took data from yahoo weather


text:
'Tis the Season for Savings!
Dec 13
This holiday season, give the gift of Prismacolor products, like Prismacolor Premier® Brush|Fine Art Markers or the 150 set of Prismacolor Premier® Soft Core Colored Pencils, to all the artists on your list and save with our Holiday Rebate!
Here's 1 gift you don't need to wait to open!
Save now! http://bit.ly/SUckho
From now through January 26th, 2013, save up to $20 when you purchase Prismacolor products with mail-in rebate. To see how much you can save, check out the savings chart on the downloadable rebate form.
For more information on the Prismacolor Holiday Rebate offer, and to download a copy of the rebate form, visit Prismacolor.com/rebate.


text:
The BallBoyz! Are Coming!
Expand Messages
- For those few who know me personally,I've been promising to put out
the "BallBoyz!" Multi-Cache.
Well I've finally decided how I'm going to do it.
Here's a little preview,
"The BallBoyz! are a group of renagade Christmas ornaments that
decided life was too boring hanging around the christmas tree.
So they Camoed up,took the presents,and ran away into the wild.
If you can find them all,you might get them to reveal the location
of their hidden cache of toys."
This Multi is intended for the kids to have a little fun over the
(Come-on Grown-ups let the kids have this one.)
It will be placed in the Doe mill,Powellton area.
look up "GC1D6V5" for aproximate area it will be placed in.
the road is rough,4-wheel drive recomended.
the hides will get harder as you go.
I'm planning on scouting out locations today, and intend to list it
before christmas.
The only snag I see is listing it,(not very good at it) so I may
need to get some help.
just thought I'd give you guys a little heads-up in case you want to
take the kids on a little holiday hunt.
Your message has been successfully submitted and would be delivered to recipients shortly.


text:
Gisele Bundchen debuts shoe line
Gisele Bundchen debuted her new shoe line at the official launch of Grendene's new international brand Ipanema Gisele Bundchen. It's kind of surprising that somebody with so much experience in the fashion industry can be so bad at it. It looks like she bought a bunch of shoes from Payless and had kindergartners decorate them during arts and crafts. And did I mention they're blind? Because the kindergartners are blind.
UPDATE: Gisele has finally spoken out about her alleged pregnancy, denying reports and telling a Spanish TV show: "It's crazy how people can make up these stories. I'm not pregnant and I'm not planning to be pregnant anytime soon. I have so many contracts to do, so many projects. It's just something I don't want now – it's something for the future," she said. "I'm 26 years old, for Christ's sake! Why would I have a baby now?"


text:
Best Birthday Ever!: Norwegian Jewel Cruise Review by augpod
Overall Member Rating
Best Birthday Ever!
Destination: Southern Caribbean
Embarkation: Miami
1. TRAVEL. Since we were traveling in December, fairly close to the holiday, we had a rather stressful traveling day getting from Knoxville, TN, to Miami. We were really glad, therefore, that we flew in a day early, so that we could recover our good humor before getting on the ship the next morning. We stayed at a small and very cute hotel in the Art Deco district, and had some excellent food and beach time that evening and the next morning. To make up for our grumpy day of air travel, the embarkation was a breeze no trouble at all. NCL had it all very well-organized.
2. THE SHIP/STATEROOM. I thought the Jewel was a great ship nice floor plan, nice (and often even stylish) public areas, nice deck spaces. I'm not one to study the specs, but it seemed like a fairly easy and intuitively-laid-out ship. More And our room was great! We had a balcony stateroom toward the front of the ship, because my travel companion is very fond of both feeling and seeing the ocean, thinking about the ocean, brooding over the ocean, reading stories about the ocean. So we (and especially he) spent a lot of time on the balcony, which was lovely and very quiet, and it made our room feel much larger. I'm a balcony fan. I have to say, too, that the bathroom seemed very large to me compared to other ships I have been on. The shower didn't even make me feel like I was squishing myself into it. I could raise my arms freely, etc. Perhaps that is just a factor in the ships getting bigger and bigger all the time. And by the way, kudos to NCL for the 2.0 mattress toppers: VERY comfy big bed.
3. THE FOOD. Great food! We were very impressed by the Garden Cafe for lunch, which I think was one of the better cruise buffets I have experienced. If you like ethnic food, NCL has really gone out of the way to add very good Asian and Indian options. I thought the Indian food rivaled the food at restaurants I have been to. Overall our experience in the main dining rooms was very good also, but we did try several of the specialty restaurants. Our favorite was Le Bistro, which seems to be everyone's favorite, and if I were going to do only one, that would be it. They have great service, nice atmosphere, and GREAT FLAVOR. I just closed my eyes and said "MMMMM" through most of that meal. Try the steak, oh try the steak. But I was also very fond of the sushi restaurant it was a close second, and might have been a TIE had we not been seated at a bar. We also ate at the Mongolian Hotpot and had Shabu-Shabu (very nice but the wait was very LOOOONNNNG because of the staffing problems due to the short flu-related serving spoon lockdown. This was not their fault they were very overworked but it did affect the experience), and at the Italian restaurant, which was at least above average. Overall, we were impressed with the food on this cruise and had only perhaps one meal in the main dining room that was only average or perhaps below (unfortunately this was on the first lobster night/formal night day 2 of the cruise)but this seems an acceptable ratio. I WOULD RECOMMEND having a lunch or two in the main dining room, by the way. We did it three times, and it was always FABULOUS. I know the buffet is quite good, but you really feel like you're having the gourmet experience in the dining room. And it's very quiet and soothing, unlike the dining room chaos.
4. THE ENTERTAINMENT. I didn't see too many of the evening shows I went only to the crew show (loved it) and the Cirque du . . . Something. A fabulous circus with wild dancing and contortionists and high flying. You must see it. But also: one of my favorite things was a string quartet from Russia called Four Seasons. They played every night in the main Crystal Atrium, and they were totally FLAWLESS and wonderful. I went to see them several nights, and thought they were really good enough to have been a main stage act. Check them out if they are on your cruise.
5. PORTS. I love these ports. I love the Southern Caribbean. So I can't do a lot of complaining here, but I have some thoughts (maybe interspersed with a few slight quibbles and consumer alerts), which I have put in my port reviews, below.
6. SERVICE/STAFF. Fine. Our cabin steward Robert was lovely. Because of the freestyle cruising we didn't get to know our servers (which I kind of miss), but restaurant service was fine. Our Cruise Critic group's Meet and Greet was attended by some of the officers, and they spoke to us a little about various things, and were very gracious. Everyone seemed on the ball, and very professional.
7. HEALTH ISSUES. There was a brief issue with stomach flu, apparently, which resulted in a couple of days of lockdown in the buffet line (which means only the servers get to touch the serving utensils). This must have worked fine, because lockdown ended after a couple of days, so I thought NCL must have done a fine job containing the problem. There were the usual sprays and gels to sterilize hands, and that too must have helped. 8. POOL. This ship has an adults-only pool! We really enjoyed it. We used it on every at-sea day, and it was fairly uncrowded. And it seemed salty, which I also liked.
Overall: I was crazy about this cruise. It was so RESTORATIVE to travel this time of year (Dec. 11-21) even if travel is a bit hectic. I felt rehydrated and reconstituted by the time it was over, and came back with a sexy tan in the middle of December. It made me happy, happy, happy. Go, go now! Less
Published 01/04/09
Cabin review: B38536 Family Balcony
Great balcony, great view, big bathroom for a cruise cabin! Very nice bed. Hurrah for NCL 2.0 comfy mattress toppers: no dip in the middle.Read All Family Balcony (B3) Reviews >>
Port and Shore Excursions
Read Cruise Critic's Norwegian Jewel Review >>
Carnival Vista - July 29, 2017
Just back and I'd book same ex...
Vista and jeep tour
Jewel to Alaska Review - Good ...
Great cruise to Alaska on the ...
2nd time to alaska
Amazing Alaska
We had a blast.
Less than average cruise
Sponsored Links


text: Show Hide image Politics 1 March 2012 Eurotunnel in the black Channel Tunnel operator turned a profit of €11m in 2011. Sign up for our weekly email * Eurotunnel, the company that operates trains shuttling cars and freight through the Channel Tunnel, made money last year, posting a net profit of €11m; the company lost €57m a year earlier. Revenues for 2011 grew 15 per cent to €845m and trading profit increased - by 40 per cent - to €247m. At yesterday's board of directors meeting, Jacques Gounon, Eurotunnel chairman and chief executive officer said: The outlook is positive and, as a sign of our confidence in the future, we will ask the shareholders to vote at the AGM for the doubling of the dividend to €0.08 for the 2011 financial year. Eurotunnel, anticipating a spike in tunnel traffic during the Olympics, will increase its train's speeds from 90 mph to 100 mph. At that faster speed, cars and heavy materials will move through the Chunnel in 30 minutes instead of 35. The company also plans to buy three ex-SeaFrance ferries. Shares of Eurotunnel, listed in London and Paris, have added 20 per cent in 2012. Subscribe from just £1 per issue More


text:
ED Magedson – Founder
Ripoff Report
TalentNetworks, Inc, Web Style Network, Webmodel Network, Inc., SOS Employment127 West 25th Street 5th Floor New York, New York U.S.A.
Does your business have a bad reputation?
Fix it the right way.
Corporate Advocacy Program™
Set the record straight:
Arbitration Program
email@example.com are almost there, but the stories of sexual harrassment, intimidation, extortion, greed, avarice and general stupidity must be told. We are going to tell it! We always welcome information from anyone who wants to help fight fraud and corruption, not only in business but also in government. Frank Torelli - Investigative Reporter Toronto, Ontario
This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 10/17/2003 01:02 PM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/reports/talentnetworks-inc-web-style-network-webmodel-network-inc-sos-employment/new-york-new-york-10001/rip-off-report-investigation-commentary-trans-continental-talent-aka-wilhelmina-scout-69396. The posting time indicated is Arizona local time. Arizona does not observe daylight savings so the post time may be Mountain or Pacific depending on the time of year.
Ripoff Report has an exclusive license to this report. It may not be copied without the written permission of Ripoff Report. READ: Foreign websites steal our content
Click Here to read other Ripoff Reports on TalentNetworks, Inc, Web Style Network, Webmodel Network, Inc., SOS Employment
If you would like to see more Rip-off Reports on this company/individual, search here:Search Tips
In order to assure the best results in your search:
Advertisers above have met our
strict standards for business conduct.


text:
Anyone paying attention to U.S. consumer is betting on a bleak holiday season. While inflation concerns of the spring and summer have abated, the troubled housing sector, unsteady stock market and swelling unemployment continue to batter Americans' collective financial psyche and crimp spending. The Federal Reserve is expected to slash its benchmark interest-rate target once again on Wednesday to help get the financial system back into gear -- and lending to buyers and sellers again, at lower rates. But with all the headwinds facing the U.S. consumer, his gloominess is unsurprising. "A few months ago Santa Claus couldn't afford the gas to come; now his credit card is maxed out," says Vicki Bryan, senior analyst at GimmeCredit. The Conference Board on Tuesday said it was unsurprising that its consumer-confidence index dropped further, though the extent of the decline was far worse than analysts expected. In October, the consumer-sentiment reading was 38, down 38% from the previous month and down 60% from the year-ago level. Analysts had expected a reading of 52, on average. Lynn Franco, director of the Conference Board's consumer research center, attributed the decline to the global financial crisis, which has saturated most media coverage for the past few weeks. "Looking ahead, consumers are extremely pessimistic," says Franco, who notes that Americans' outlook for employment, inflation and financial health has also become worse. "
T his news does not bode well for retailers who are already bracing for what is shaping up to be a very challenging holiday season."