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Toy Inventors Find Work With Novelty Candy
Segment outsold mints last year.
While many 70-year-olds busy themselves with golf and travel, Larry Jones spends his days creating gummi worms that glow, constructing containers for candy gel and building mouth-shaped machines that spew out gum balls.
Jones, who toiled for four decades at toy companies including Hasbro Inc., Mattel Inc. and Playmates Toys Inc., now finds his tinkering talents are of little use in that industry. Instead, he has discovered a sweet tooth for the world of novelty candy, reported the Wall Street Journal.
Like Willy Wonka, the eccentric confectioner depicted in the film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Jones is an inventor at heart. Yet he doesn't make candy.
"What I'm after is to have the kid have a little bit of magic or a little giggle while eating his candy," Jones told the newspaper.
He is part of a new breed of inventors who have bridged the worlds of candy and toys to feed a new market hungry for both. Candy executive Deirdre Gonzalez calls it "a hybrid business between the two industries." She has worked for several toy companies, now as vice president of marketing for Cap Candy, a novelty candy company that is a unit of Hasbro.
The business has been fueled, in part, by the popularity of movie tie-ins, with big sellers like Nestle SA's Wonka Nerds and Jelly Belly Candy Co.'s Harry Potter Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans. Novelty candy racked up more than $251 million in U.S. sales last year, which placed the segment behind only chocolate bars and chewy candy like Gummi Bears but ahead of mints, according to Information Resources Inc., a market research firm.
At first, candy producers weren't receptive to taking ideas from toy inventors. "They wouldn't talk directly to inventors because they thought we were crazy," said Adam Straus, a toy-turned-novelty-candy inventor. Then came the Spin Pop, and candymakers began looking for freelancers who could come up with variations on the old Pez dispenser -- that is, new-fangled candy-delivery systems.
Jones created Candy Ear Wax and Lightning Bugs, the gummi worms that glow when handled with electronic tongs, while last year he produced the mouth-shaped Big Barf and Big Burp candy dispensers. He now has a contract with Kandy Kastle Inc., a San Diego subsidiary of Multizen Asia Ltd., Hong Kong's largest novelty-candy company by market share, according to the company. One of his projects: thinking up new products that could be tied to Sanrio Co.'s Hello Kitty brand, which Kandy Kastle recently licensed.
But candy products can fizzle just as quickly as they catch fire. "We've probably pushed, on average, two or three new novelty items in our stores every week," said Kevin Elliott, vice president of merchandising for 7-Eleven Inc. In March, for instance, sales climbed 2.7 percent for novelty nonchocolate candy from the previous year, according to IRI data. But sales in June fell 3.7 percent in comparison to last year, in part, inventors say, because licensed products tied to last month's release of the movie Batman Begins weren't as popular as those spun off from the June 2004 release of Spider-Man 2.
"We're reinventing the wheel every six months because [novelty] candy is constantly proving itself and reproving itself as a valid niche category in the candy department," Gonzalez said.
Indeed, Cap Candy will release a new line of BAAT's Spin Pops, which will be molded into characters featured in the coming Walt Disney Co. film Chicken Little. Harry Potter Cockroach Clusters, a new product consisting of gummi roaches with crunchy wings, will ship to stores in August to tie into the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Although neither film is slated to open until November, Cap Candy inventors -- half of whom are freelancers and half of whom work in-house -- already are trying to design prototypes that will tie into a 2006 live-action film based on the 1980s TV show "Transformers."
The cycle moves so quickly that Jules Shecter, an inventor at LN International Inc.'s Kool Interactive Candy, already developed a variation on his plastic Bling Bling Pops --lollipops that come with flashing lights -- which hit the market in March. The variation, with a chrome casing, will come out this fall. He has created the coming Rap Pop, a lollipop covered by a microphone that lets children record and remix their voices with music. "Reinventing candy is easy," Shecter says. "I just think I'm Willy Wonka."


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Obesity Solutions welcomes a new bariatric surgeon
Medical Center recognized for cardiac arrest data work
Public Health director wins community service award
As I fumbled in the dark the other night for my keys, I remembered I had a flashlight app on my cellphone. Today, after examining that app, I discovered it is loaded with spyware, and I promptly uninstalled it.
Wood joins Lakeside OB/GYN
Local craft beer lovers now have a way to take bottles of their favorite brew home.
Gainesville-based Georgia Chair Co. recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary with the announcement of an international agreement to expand its operations.
Gainesville's Phagan among Belk Award of Excellence winners
Syfan Logistics chosen top 100 by industry magazine
A grocery retailer known for cutting the frills of standard grocery stores in favor of cutting expenses for consumers is poised to open in South Hall.
It all started with a bow tie.
Chattahoochee Bank of Georgia taps Hall as senior vice president
Sullivan & Schlieman open Gainesville branch
The unemployment rate in metro Gainesville for July rose to 7 percent, up six-tenths of a percentage point from 6.4 percent in June, the Georgia Department of Labor announced today.
Gainesville dialysis center earns award
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It's that time of year… we are all looking for a change and a fresh start. My question: why wait for it to become a New Year's resolution that never sees the light? Fashion right now is big, bold and bright! So dust off some old pieces or do a little holiday shopping for your closet. From a pair of pants to a simple necklace, there are so many ways to brighten up your look and keep it on trend for the season.
This Fashionista stood out in bright yellow skinny jeans. Colored denim has become the fashion craze over the last few months and this sunny pair is the perfect example of how to take a wardrobe staple and make it something even better. If you want to stick to more muted, fall colors, try these teal or red jeans from Seven7. Throw on some zipped-up boots and a cozy, oversized cable knit sweater and you're set.
To go along with her yellow pants, this Fashionista donned a leather jacket layered on top of two different patterned tops, and a snakeskin print purse. Patterns and prints are all over the runways and everywhere in the stores. Don't be afraid to mix and match them, especially those with bright pops of color. I love this sweater blazer from Free People. The Aztec print is huge right now, and it's comfortable, casual and unique. All it needs is a classy tote or wallet with a similar texture to the one that this Fashionista had on.
My favorite part about this look are the accessories. Her shoes matched her bag and so did some of her bracelets! And speaking of jewelry… more, more, more! Bangles, statement necklaces and earrings add so much to an outfit. The best pieces are the kind that can be worn over and over again in so many different ways. So while you're doing your gift shopping over the next couple of weeks don't be afraid to try something new!
Spotted: Suno is known for their mixing and matching of colors, prints and patterns, and they didn't disappoint on the fall 2012 RTW runway.


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I was invited to participate in a paleo food blogger swap called Paleo Pen Pals. I thought that was a very cool idea so I joined up.
Each month I get an email from a new penpal. We send each other a Paleo/local food ingredient and we are challenged to make something with that ingredient. This month I am featuring my recipe(s) using my pen pal's choice for me and I am featuring her recipe as well.
Tarah from What I Gather and Brittanie from Three Diets One Dinner have teamed and are running this fantastic ongoing event. If you are interested in joining the adventure, you can sign up at the facebook page: facebook.com/paleopenpals or by sending them an email at firstname.lastname@example.com.
This month my penpal is Amy from Massachusetts. She sent me a beautiful cheese pumpkin. It has nothing to do with cheese. It's named for the shape — just like a ring of cheese. I wish I could eat cheese, but it does not agree with me — even raw aged cheeses. But I love this cheese pumpkin because there is so much to do with it!
I used to make pumpkin bread with regular wheat and canned pumpkin. But those days are long gone.
This recipe is grain, dairy, refined sugar, and soy free. It is moist, delicious and satisfying and in my humble opinion, it is better than the wheat version I used to bake!
Paleo Pumpkin Bread
- 2 cups cheese pumpkin puree (regular pumpkin or butternut squash may also be used) (see below for directions)
- 6 large eggs (pastured if possible)
- 1/4 cup ghee or butter melted (where to buy ghee) (how to make ghee)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 cup almond flour (where to buy almond flour)
- 1/2 cup coconut flour (where to buy coconut flour)
- 2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon (where to buy spices and salt)
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 3 seven inch stainless steel baking pans (where to get these) lined with parchment paper and greases with ghee or butter
- Food processor
- In the food processor process the pumpkin puree
- Add the eggs, honey and melted ghee or butter and process
- Add the almond flour, 1/4 cup of the coconut flour, salt and all the spices and process
- If the batter is still loose, add the remaining 1/4 cup coconut flour
- you want the batter to be thick but pourable
- Divide the batter into the three baking pans
- Smooth the batter in the pan and with a spatula bring the batter away from the sides
- Place all three small baking pans on one cookie sheet for ease in handling
- Bake at 325 degrees F for 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
- If it is still not cooked inside, cover with oven safe material and bake another 5 minutes
- Cool on a rack
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Bake Time: 45 minutes
Isn't this baby gorgeous? It's hard to resist buying these up when they are in season. I'm so glad my Paleo Pen Pal sent this one to me!
Baking the Cheese Pumpkin
- 1 medium to large cheese squash
- Garlic powder
- Sea salt
- Ghee or butter
- Fresh parsley for garnish
- 9 x 13 baking dish
- Bowl for mixing
- Place the cheese squash into the baking dish
- Bake at 400 degrees F for about 1 hour or until a knife goes through easily
- Carefully remove from the oven and slice open to cool (this will be hot so be careful!)
- When cooled, remove all the seeds and discard
- Scope the meat our of the shell taking care not to bring any skin
- Place in a colander or sieve over a large bowl
- Let drip for 1/2 to 1 hour — there will be a lot of liquid
- Discard the liquid and mash the squash
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Pumpkin Swirl Banana Bread
This is the recipe that my Paleo Pen Pal, Amy, followed to use the shredded coconut I sent her this month. You can find the recipe at whatrunslori.com. Here is a bit from Amy:
Hi! My name is Amy. I am a 34 year old stay-at-home with 2 boys ages 5 and 6. Just about 3 years ago in January 2010, I began having daily digestive issues. After several months of dealing with symptoms, I saw a gastroenterologist and was diagnosed with IBS. After my diagnosis, I began taking 3 OTC medications daily to try and combat my symptoms.
Fast forward two years to spring 2012. I came across a link on a friend's FaceBook page that took me to an article on Mark's Daily Apple about how bad gluten was. I found it to be an interesting read.
So I did a Whole30. I was unsure at first about how I was going to accept this new way of eating. My body adjusted and accepted it better than I anticipated!! After the first couple of days, my energy was up. The headaches from caffeine with drawl were diminishing. I wasn't on a mood controlled roller coaster. And I felt satisfied after eating a meal.
I'm now 10 1/2 weeks into following a Paleo lifestyle. While I consider my Whole30 a success, I have had my ups and downs in the past 6 1/2 weeks since finishing. I am very happy with the food choices that I make for myself now. Best thing of all…those 3 OTC meds I used to take daily, I haven't taken any of them since going Paleo!!
One thing I've noticed that I don't miss is sugar. My body has become so adapted to not having any (unless it comes in foods naturally), that I don't crave sweets that I used to eat any time.
This month, I was sent unsweetened shredded coconut from Jill over at The Real Food Forager. So I decided to try out one of the bread recipes I came across on Pinterest. I had a few other ingredients at home (some homemade pumpkin puree and a few overripe bananas) that needed to be used as well, so I wanted to find something that would make use of all 3 ingredients. With this loaf, the coconut added a slight crunch and a nice texture to that moistness.
This is a great testimonial to the power of a grain-free, real food diet. Thanks Amy! I had a lot of fun exchanging emails and ingredients. I can't wait until next month for my next Paleo Pen Pal!


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Commissions earned by top 10 distributors in FY11
The article goes on to write, "To be fair, commissions earned by top MF distributors have nearly halved from the peak seen in 2007. "Relative to the heydays in 2007, commissions of MF distributors have come down sharply. The biggest amount in those days came from equity new fund offerings (NFOs)," said Dhruva Raj Chatterji, senior research analyst, Morningstar India.
At that time, some fund houses paid five per cent upfront commission to distributors for bringing in money for their equity NFOs. However, after 2008, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has been discouraging fund houses from launching look-alike NFOs.
The article has got half the story.
The story is not that the distributors make money.
Everyone has a right to earn a living.
The real story is that you were the bakra who was stuffed with products and mutual funds that should never have been bought for you. These mutual funds were sold to you because the distributors were paid fat commissions without your knowledge.
The story is not that mutual fund houses arelosing money. The real story is that the CEOs of the mutual fund industry got paid - and still get paid - a lot of money for doing the national "act of saving" a dis-service. The CEOs were party to the lack of transparency in the system. No board has fired them. In fact, they have been rewarded for showing "growth in AuM". Sadly, HDFC and Tata, two groups that I respect tremendously have not had the courage to defy the opaque distribution channels. Their mutual fund "businesses" still support the opaque structures. It took small Quantum Mutual Fund - an ant - to say we will not dance like the elephants to the tune of the distribution channels.
Till today, the focus of most conversations in the mutual fund industry is how to protect the distributor and reward them for their hard efforts as they reach out to retail clients across the depth and breadth of India.
The solution exists, now use it
Actually, the solution to reach out to most investors is there.
Investors can buy/sell mutual funds on the stock exchanges, just as they would buy a share.
Yet, this channel is hardly used and volumes are abysmal. Because no broker would be stupid enough to suggest that his client buys a mutual fund from the stock market.
If a broker asked his client to buy a mutual fund on a stock exchange, the commission earned would be displayed on the contract note. The fee would like buying a stock. Probably 0.25% of the value of the investment.
Most brokers have a wealth management division, a PMS division, or a financial distribution division. That same broking house would get up to 2.5% commission for making you buy a mutual fund through that PMS or wealth management division. 10x the commission they would get if they bought the same mutual fund for you on the stock exchange just as they buy your shares.
With a desire to maximise profit, that is their natural behaviour. You put your head in the jaws of a lion and you can bet the jaws will clamp shut.
Like any good capitalist, the broker will not tell you that you can buy a mutual fund on a stock exchange. He will shovel you into their opaque distribution channels.
The solution, in my view, is to ban mutual funds from paying any distribution fees. Upfront or trail.
The solution to bring the focus of investing back in favour of the investor is to force the broking community and wealth planners to execute their buy/sell orders for mutual funds on a stock exchange platform.
You will immediately see a sharp decline in costs to the investor. The incentive to misguide investors will vanish.
And, for giving advice, the wealth manager can charge a visible, declared fee. Not some lumped number that is difficult to decipher but a clear, one line statement: My fees for giving you advice.
Then investors can evaluate whether the advice given was worth the money paid for.
Will this happen?
Not until Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) demands it. The mutual fund industry is obsessed by its AuM and its AuM is a function of keeping the distributors happy.
Of keeping their commission structures intact.
Not every distributor is a crook, not every employee in a fund house has bad intentions. But their silence makes them guilty by association.
The savings of most Indians is seeking a "home" - a place where it is respected and cared for. Not mutilated and ripped apart.
Quantum Mutual Fund is committed to working for the benefit of its investors by launching sensible, low priced products that allow investors to build a long term portfolio. And our chosen path of integrity has not hurt our performance. The means, as Gandhi said, is as important as the end.
Watch us, observe us, evaluate us over time and I hope, one day, you will consider making Quantum Mutual Fund your home.
Suggested allocation in Quantum Mutual Funds (after keeping safe money aside)
Disclaimer: The Honest Truth is authored by Ajit Dayal. Ajit is a Director at Quantum Advisors Pvt. Ltd and Quantum Asset Management Company Pvt. Ltd. The views mentioned above are of the author only. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and has not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author, Equitymaster, Quantum AMC and Quantum Advisors do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. Please read the detailed Terms of Use of the web site. To write to Ajit, please click here.
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11 Responses to "Finding a home for your savings"
anshuJul 16, 2012
moral yeh hey ki jab moragan staley nahin bacha to hmarey stock neechey gaye to kya hua ,
Sarath Chandra NimmagaddaApr 19, 2012
"Watch us, observe us, evaluate us over time and I hope, one day, you will consider making Quantum Mutual Fund your home."
PradeepApr 16, 2012
The future is also very much actively managed ETF's. So, the Quantum Long Term Equity Fund manifests itself into an ETF on the exchange.
Dr Ketan JinwalaApr 15, 2012
Best way to invest is directly online. I invest in quantum fund online. Just log in. Select the scheme & pay online from bank. Its over. Thank you Quantum Fund.
Dr Ketan JinwalaApr 15, 2012
I will not buy any mutual fund from stock exchange when I can easily get it directly from mutual fund office. I advice to find out branches of fund house from its website. Go directly & fill the form & get it. Its over. Why should I pay brokerage as well as maintainance charges on each quarter when I am going to be invested for 5-10 yrs. period?
S GopalanApr 15, 2012
Why should I buy MF units from Stock Exchanges, when I can buy online from their websites? Even for buying from SEs I need Demat A/C and need an intermediary. If you talk about online trading, then investing directly online makes better sense than through SEs and that may be one the larger reason for failure of MF trading through SE
paramApr 13, 2012
you wrote: The solution, in my view, is to ban mutual funds from paying any distribution fees. Upfront or trail.
Abhishek BasumallickApr 13, 2012
Neither a very intelligent nor an original idea. Your suggestion would only make sense if ULIPs can also be similarly regulated. That is what was tried before and failed spectacularly. Else, these same distributors would force sell ULIPs and completely ignore the mutual funds, which would be more damaging to the industry as a whole.
Shayin C KApr 13, 2012
Reminds of the old adage "Four walls do not a home make"...or something like that. We have Quantum as our small(by AUM standards), cozy, comfortable home.
AshtonApr 13, 2012
Superb article and an eye-opener. Dear Quantum Team-Please keep up the good work!! Simple investors like me are grateful to you.
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As a leader in a government agency, you have many concerns in fulfilling the mission of your agency, such as dealing with supplier quality issues, budget constraints and regulatory changes.
The one thing you don't have time for is technology problems. I work with government leaders to help make your technology work for you instead of against you.
I often tell agency heads there are two places you don't want to me after a project launch - on the TV or the front page of USA Today.
However, by applying the concepts you will find on this site, I can help you find an additional 15% or more in your software development budget.
Plus, I can show you how to reduce the risk in software projects and streamline the software delivery process to get new products to your stakeholders faster.
Wouldn't it be great to have a world-class IT operation that is aligned with your agency's goals?
If these ideas sound interesting to you, just contact me for a free, no obligation initial consultation.
We are excited to announce that after months (in fact, years of effort), we are now on the GSA Schedule 70!
This impacts three groups of customers:
- Federal government customers - You can now select many of our training courses and consulting services at significant discounts from our standard pricing.
- State government customers - You can also get the same discounts as Federal customers by using the GSA co-operative program.
- Corporate customers - Because of the GSA pricing and discount rules, we cannot offer any discounts beyond what we have already offered in the past.
Being on the GSA schedule makes it much easier for Federal and State agencies to obtain our training and consulting services.
Download our GSA pricelist here.
We are also on GSA Advantage, the government portal to find goods and services from GSA schedule holders. To find our courses and consulting services on GSA Advantage, just search on "Rice Consulting" or "software testing training" at www.gsaadvantage.com.
We are looking forward to serving our Federal and State customers in this way!


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Roberto Orci Interview About Fringe at Comic-Con
Cows — and Roberto Orci — Promote Fringe in San Diego
A herd of cattle grazing in a parking lot probably isn't the weirdest thing I saw during Comic-Con, but it's not too far off. The dozen or so cows had a purpose, though, serving as a clue along the way during a Fringe-related scavenger hunt in San Diego.
If you've seen the Fringe pilot — which several thousand more people now have seen following the San Diego screenings — you'll get the cow thing, which also came up at TCA; if not, stay tuned for Fall. But cute (though smelly) as they were, the cows weren't the best thing I found in the parking lot. Nope, that would be Roberto Orci, Fringe (and Star Trek) writer and executive producer, who chatted with me briefly about what Comic-Con has meant for Fringe. The entire show actually has its roots in the convention, so to hear about that, just
Last year, when Orci, JJ Abrams, and Alex Kurtzman were at Comic-Con to launch Star Trek, they were also kicking around ideas for a new TV series they hoped to do together. "We actually ended up staying an extra night here because we were so close to figuring out the exact story for Fringe," Orci said. "We like to say that the show in a way was conceived here."
The timing wasn't the only reason: The three also combed Comic-Con booths looking for old '50s sci fi comics ("We grabbed a handful of them and realized they all cost like $20 and were like, 'Whoa! Actually, we'll charge it to Warner Bros, it's fine.'"), pulling out images that they could use as inspiration. On their last day in San Diego, they hammered out the outline for the show, writing it down on hotel stationery.
A year later, they were back to screen the completed pilot widely for the first time. They weren't worried about getting the Fringe name out there — the show already has a powerful advertising campaign from Fox, Orci said, along with a plum time slot after House. Instead, they were there for feedback from bloggers and other convention-goers who had seen the pilot and wanted to talk about it. "It used to be called focus groups," Orci said. Far from the types who claim not to read their own press, Orci and the Fringe team devour it. "You can always learn more," he said.
For those who have now seen the pilot, a few teasers from Orci to keep you coming back: We might find out more about Peter (Joshua Jackson) and his childhood — things maybe even Peter doesn't know. We might meet the head of Massive Dynamic, the maybe-good, maybe-evil corporation at the center of the story. And, despite Abrams's promises that Fringe won't be as confusing as, say, Alias, every episode will drop a little clue of some sort for the next.


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So, y'know. Chances are if you like a cartoon, I do, too. Chances are if you browse the documentary section on Netflix, we've already got stuff in common.
My books lately are generally textbooks and philosophy, generally I like anthologies because they suit my ADD. I stay away from new books and try to catch all the classics I haven't read yet.
I like music. But I'm particular - I'll criticize anything - and I view the entertainment industry in general as kind of a pollutant. It's kind of a complex viewpoint that shades everything gray, so maybe I shouldn't be getting into it. Ain't nobody got time that. I guess if you're into journalism, this is the song I was listening to while typing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM_Nb6dpnys
2) Paper
3) The Internet
4) Music
this is the part where I realize there's very little in my life I don't consider expendable.
Re-reading this several months later, I realized I could buy an ipad and have the whole list covered.
Also the title of this section is silly. If everyone wanted to pass this test, they'd write "food, water, shelter, air, a working anus...." This should be the things I really really like section, or something.
If senpai will notice me today.
How people manage to forget not only the name of the drink they just ordered a minute ago, but also that they ordered anything at all.
Big blocks of scrolling text.
When and where the next cup of coffee/cigarette will be.
Walking down the road until I forget my name, my purchase, and purchasing in general.
Riding my bike down the road until I forget what walking was like.
Putting a hang glider on that bike and that just being okay and not at all a horrible idea.


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Samsung ML-2955DW
Buy Now...
The Samsung ML-2955DW is a mono laser printer. The "D" and "W" designation part of its title refers to its Duplex and Wi-Fi capability. This mono laser gives the user a choice of Ethernet, USB or Wi-Fi connectivity with you providing any leads (other than for mains power) that are required. Rather than the matt and glossy black used for the previous Samsung laser printer I checked out, this ML-2955DW takes us back to the old days when computer or battleship grey was the compulsory colour for the computer and its peripherals.
Despite the rounded corners and ribbed side panels, this solid looking device is hardly likely to win any beauty contests but then that is not its purpose. Instead this device has been designed to provide users with the ability to produce mono documents at a speed rated at 28ppm with double sided printing. The printer is powered by a 533MHz processor with 64MB of memory.
Although the unit's dimensions are a reasonable 348 x 196.5 x 338mm (W x H x D), some extra space will be required when deciding where to position this printer. Any leads, including the necessary one required for power, tend to jut out from the rear of the device. You will also find that you will need to ensure that space is available at the rear of the printer for the paper input tray which forms the base for the unit. This is because the tray will need to be extended so that it juts out from the back of the printer when certain paper sizes, such as A4, are being used.
The paper tray can hold up to 250 sheets and features a small window at the front providing feedback as to the level of paper remaining. Printed documents are deposited at the top of the unit where they rest against a flip-out flap. Up to 150 sheets can be stored here for quick and easy collection.
All the various controls and feedback options for this printer are concentrated in a small area on the top right side of the unit. There are buttons for power, cancel, WPS (Wireless Protected Setup) and Eco mode plus LEDs for toner and status feedback. With Eco mode you have the option to adjust the amount of toner used, a bit like draft mode used by inkjet printers, and fitting two reduced size pages on a single side of paper when printing large documents. Estimates of possible savings are shown on the Print dialogue box when using Eco mode.
The ML-2955DW is supplied with a starter toner drum cartridge with 1000-sheet capacity. As the review unit arrived with the cartridge already in place I can not comment on how easy it is to install but I should imagine it would be a straightforward procedure.
When setting up the ML-2955DW, a software CD is provided. This does include a PDF version of the User Guide. The installation procedure was hardly the quickest I have encountered. In fact I thought the procedure had hung at the initial splash screen but it eventually moved on and progress was made although I did encounter a problem when opting for a Wi-Fi set up. The program insisted on a USB connection being made before rejecting my choice of Wi-Fi network as being unsuitable. The installation did, however, agree to accept a guest account on the same Wi-Fi network. This is not a problem I have encountered with other printers including one from Samsung.
Among the user-selected print options, the ML-2955DW gives you a choice of Normal or Best quality. I was able to duplicate the printer's 28ppm rating when using Normal mode with a 540-word document. Switching to Best mode reduced to the output to 27ppm. There was a slight darkening in the print quality with Best mode. As mentioned earlier, this printer has a Duplex option. However this is a manual procedure which means the printer pauses after printer the odd pages so that you can replace the paper so that the even pages can be printed. While text printing is this unit's strong point, images are handled reasonable well with a full A4 monochrome image being produced in 9 seconds.
The Samsung ML-2955DW would suit a small office or home user whose printer output was predominately monochrome documents. You have a choice of connectivity options and the only real disappointments are the Duplex feature requires manual assistance plus having a two-stage shut down procedure. Samsung has priced the ML-2955DW at £139.99 however Amazon are currently advertising this product at £110. The 1500 cartridge will cost £43.34 while the high yield 2500 cartridge is listed at £57.85.
This printer can be used with either Windows or Mac systems. Windows users will require a 400MHz processor, 64MB of RAM and 600MB of hard disk space with Windows 2000 and later. For Mac user a PowerG4 or better with 128MB of RAM and 1GB of hard disk space running Mac OS X 10.4 will be required.
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Just in time to celebrate freedom of speech, and the right to read it, comes the Celebrating Independence Blog Hop! Even though Im Canadian, Im still thrilled to celebrate with all of you.
There will be fireworks, BBQs, and if your lucky something youll win extra special for you!
I'm giving away a book from by back list...
Join us for some explosive fun.
stay naughty,


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ALCATEL Launches POP 4 Series: The most customizable smartphones - inside and out- to best suit all desires
Barcelona |
• Three devices for three desires: POP 4, POP 4+, POP 4S • Vast collection of colors and styles: Hairline-Brushed, Leather, Wood, Baby Skin • Curved design with a slim body and fully laminated black crystal display • Take great group selfies in the parties with the front camera of wide viewing angle and front flash • 4G LTE for fast browsing and streaming
MWC, Barcelona, 22 February, 2016 – ALCATEL announces POP 4 series, a full line of customizable smartphones with design and performance in mind. The iconic POP 4 series includes variants of POP 4, POP 4+ and POP 4S. These smartphones offer customization – from style, color, design, size, performance to user experience.
"To consumers in their early 20's, the POP 4 smartphone is 'designed by you, inside and out,'" said CW Park, Chief Designer and General Manager of Global Design Center at ALCATEL. "The POP 4 series offers a huge collection of covers to fit every personality. It's the ultimate tailor-made smartphone because customization is always a top priority for us"
Fashionable, With Superior Design
The POP 4 series offers a choice of four fashionable cover collections to customize a look: Hairline-Brushed, Leather, Wood and Baby Skin. Top that off with a slim body, curved design and fully laminated display for a premium look that users will adore.
Great Camera Expereince
POP 4 and POP 4+ carry 8 Mpxl rear cameras for clear shots and 5 Mpxl front cameras with wide viewing angle for better group selfies.
The POP 4S's 13 Mpxl rear camera and 5 Mpxl front camera offers ultra-fast focus (PDAF); large sensor size for clear, bright pictures; a dual-tone flash for accurate color rendering, bright night shots and selfies.
Premium Performance and User Experience
POP 4 and POP 4+ runs quad-core CPU and the top-of-the-line POP 4S integrates an octa-core powerful CPU and 4G LTE category 6. This feature puts users in the fast lane for always more streaming and gaming connectivity. In addition, the POP 4S includes fingerprint recognition for maximized security. Its JBL headsets and Hi-Fi sound allow for a great multimedia experience right at your fingertips.
The big powerful battery makes sure users can party as long as they want. With a "quick charge" function, consumers can charge their battery to 50 percent in 30 minutes.
Stop by our booth Hall 6, Stand 6C-30 at MWC.
For high resolution product image and specification details, please contact our PR team.
Media Contacts
Codi Dugas – Ogilvy Public Relations
+33 1 53 67 12 91 – firstname.lastname@example.com
About ALCATEL
ALCATEL is international multicultural company which designs, develops and markets globally a growing range of mobile and Internet devices. TCL Communication is a public company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (2618.HK) and a member of TCL Corporation, one of the largest consumer electronics companies in the world.


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Assessment |
Biopsychology |
Comparative |
Cognitive |
Developmental |
Language |
Individual differences |
Personality |
Philosophy |
Social |
Methods | Statistics | Clinical | Educational | Industrial | Professional items | World psychology |
Clinical: Approaches · Group therapy · Techniques · Types of problem · Areas of specialism · Taxonomies · Therapeutic issues · Modes of delivery · Model translation project · Personal experiences ·
- Main article: Smokeless tobacco
Chewing tobacco is a smokeless tobacco product. Chewing is one of the oldest ways of consuming tobacco leaves. Native Americans in both North and South America chewed the leaves of the plant, frequently mixed with the mineral lime.
Smokeless tobacco contains 28 cancer-causing agents (carcinogens). It is a known cause of human cancer, as it increases the risk of developing cancer of the oral cavity. Oral health problems strongly associated with smokeless tobacco use are leukoplakia (a lesion of the soft tissue that consists of a white patch or plaque that cannot be scraped off) and recession of the gums.[How to reference and link to summary or text]
The United States requires all smokeless tobacco advertisements to carry a warning label stating that they are not a safer alternative to cigarettes. [1]. Chewing tobacco was previously widely associated with baseball players.[How to reference and link to summary or text]
Modern chewing tobacco is produced in three forms: twist, plug, and scrap. Twist is the oldest form. One to three high-quality leaves are braided and twisted into a rope while green, and then are cured in the same manner as other tobacco. Users cut a piece off the twist and chew it. Until recently this was done by farmers for personal consumption in addition to other tobacco intended for sale. Modern twist is occasionally lightly sweetened. It is still sold commercially, but rarely seen outside of Appalachia. Popular brands are Oliver Twist, Mammoth Cave, Moore's Red Leaf, and Cumberland Gap. A few manufacturers in the United Kingdom produce particularly strong twist tobacco meant for use in smoking pipes rather than chewing. These twists are not mixed with lime although they may be flavored with whisky, rum, cherry or other flavors.
Plug chewing tobacco is made by pressing together cured tobacco leaves in a sweet (often molasses-based) syrup. Originally this was done by hand, but since the second half of the 19th century leaves were pressed between large tin sheets. The resulting sheet of tobacco is cut into plugs. Like twist, consumers cut a piece off of the plug to chew. Major brands include Days Work and Cannonball.
Scrap, or looseleaf chewing tobacco (sometimes referred to as "chew" or "chaw"), was originally the excess of plug manufacturing. It's sweetened like plug tobacco, but sold loose in bags rather than a plug. Looseleaf is by far the most popular form of chewing tobacco. Popular brands are Red Man, Levi Garrett, Beechnut, and Mail Pouch. Looseleaf chewing tobacco can also be dipped.
In the late 19th century, during the peak of popularity of chewing tobacco in the Western United States, a device known as the spittoon was a ubiquitous feature throughout places both private and public. The purpose of the spittoon was to provide a receptacle for excess juices and spittle accumulated from the oral use of tobacco. As chewing tobacco's popularity declined throughout the years, the spittoon became merely a relic of the Old West and is rarely seen outside museums.
The city of Kaimganj, Uttar Pradesh has been a large hub for chewing tobacco trade in India. General Supply Corporation and Sri Lakshmi Tobacco Company were the leading suppliers of chewing tobacco from Kaimganj. A court decision in 2002 banned the sale of chewing tobacco in Uttar Pradesh [2].
Legal bans on the sale of chewing tobacco and snuff have been introduced or proposed in other jurisdictions, including Queensland in Australia [3].
U.S. IndustryEdit
In the U.S., the term "chewing tabbaco usually refers to dipping tobacco, which is not actually chewed, but rather sucked upon and spit onto the ground, or into a bottle or can for the sake of cleanliness or discreet enjoyment. Sales of chewing tobacco and moist snuff (smokeless tobacco) sold by American manufacturers to wholesalers were 109.4 million pounds in 1999; that represents the lowest level of sales in more than 100 years. However, possibly due to increasing regulations on public smoking, sales have since increased [4]. Those revenues reached $1.89 billion in 1993 and $1.94 billion in 1994. The total amount spent on advertising and promotion by the five major manufacturers declined slightly from 1997 to 1998 (from $150 million to $145 million), then rebounded to an all time high of $170 million in 2005. The most popular tobacco industry is the U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company. They manufacture Skoal, Red Seal, Copenhagen, Husky, and Rooster. [5].
Dipping tobacco is sold in almost all places where cigarettes are sold, but chewing tobacco is more limited in distribution.
The Southern U.S. was distinctive for its production of tobacco, which earned premium prices from around the world. Most farmers grew a little for their own use, or traded with neighbors who grew it. Commercial sales became important in the late 19th century as major tobacco companies rose in the South, becoming one the largest employers in cities like Durham, NC and Richmond, VA. Southerners dominated the tobacco industry in the United States; even a concern as large as the Helm Tobacco Company, headquartered in New Jersey, was headed by former Confederate officer George Washington Helme. In 1938 R.J. Reynolds marketed eighty-four brands of chewing tobacco, twelve brands of smoking tobacco, and the top-selling Camel brand of cigarettes. Reynolds sold large quantities of chewing tobacco, though that market peaked about 1910.[6]
A historian of the American South in the late 1860s reported on typical usage in the region where it was grown, paying close attention to class and gender: [1]
|The chewing of tobacco was well-nigh universal. This habit had been widespread among the agricultural population of America both North and South before the war. Soldiers had found the quid a solace in the field and continued to revolve it in their mouths upon returning to their homes. Out of doors where his life was principally led the chewer spat upon his lands without offence to other men, and his homes and public buildings were supplied with spittoons. Brown and yellow parabolas were projected to right and left toward these receivers, but very often without the careful aim which made for cleanly living. Even the pews of fashionable churches were likely to contain these familiar conveniences. The large numbers of Southern men, and these were of the better class (officers in the Confederate army and planters, worth $20,000 or more, and barred from general amnesty) who presented themselves for the pardon of President Johnson, while they sat awaiting his pleasure in the ante-room at the White House, covered its floor with pools and rivulets of their spittle. An observant traveller in the South in 1865 said that in his belief seven-tenths of all persons above the age of twelve years, both male and female, used tobacco in some form. Women could be seen at the doors of their cabins in their bare feet, in their dirty one-piece cotton garments, their chairs tipped back, smoking pipes made of corn cobs into which were fitted reed stems or goose quills. Boys of eight or nine years of age and half-grown girls smoked. Women and girls "dipped" in their houses, on their porches, in the public parlors of hotels and in the streets.
Chewing tobacco remains popular in the American South and continues to spark controversy. In September 2006 both the Republican and Democratic candidates for Senator from Virginia admitted chewing tobacco and agreed that it sets a bad example for children. [7]
See alsoEdit
- National Center For Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (Center for Disease Control), Smokeless Tobacco Fact sheet (2005) online at [8], with additional links
- ↑ A History of the United States since the Civil War Volume: 1. by Ellis Paxson Oberholtzer; 1917. P 93.
External linksEdit
|This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).


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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/6/2012 (1884 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
TODAY, the Jets and their fellow NHL clubs resume the selections with rounds 2 through 7.
As of this morning, Winnipeg has the No. 39 pick, then Nos. 70, 130, 160 and 190, making six picks in total at this draft.
The Jets have no fourth-round pick this year, having traded it last summer to Washington for Eric Fehr.
-- -- --
Some Jets were tuning in to Friday's first round of the draft.
The team's leading scoring in 2011-12, Blake Wheeler, even took the opportunity to give a friendly jab to team captain Andrew Ladd. Ladd went fourth in the 2004 draft, Wheeler fifth.
Tweeted Wheeler: "Never forget my draft day. Wayne Gretzky said my name and everyone scratched their heads. Still think I was 1 pick low... " and then put in Ladd's Twitter handle.
-- -- --
Things didn't really go according to many predictions through Friday night's top 10.
It could have gotten even wilder. The New York Islanders, at No. 4, were reportedly shopping their pick hard around the league.
They found no takers for an elite player they were demanding, so they used the pick themselves to choose defenceman Griffin Reinhart, who was high on a lot of teams' radar.
-- Lawless, Campbell


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Donation Types
Allogeneic transfusions are those received from the blood bank which have been donated by carefully screened and tested Central Texas donors. Allogeneic blood is always available in emergencies.
An autologous blood transfusion is a procedure which allows patients to become their own blood donors. Those undergoing an elective surgery that will likely require transfusion may be able to donate one or more units of their own blood prior to the date of surgery. This is stored and reserved for the patient's use only. A written order must be obtained from the patient's surgeon to be considered for autologous transfusion. Blood must be given at least three days prior to use to allow time for processing and testing of the blood and recovery for the patient prior to surgery.
The Designated Donor Program allows patients who may need transfusion to designate specific donors for provision of blood. A special consent form with a list of approved donors must be signed by the patient prior to the time of designated donation. All designated donors must meet the same qualifications as an allogeneic donor. Blood must be given at least three days prior to use to allow time for processing and testing.
Apheresis platelet donations allow for a transfusion of platelets to come from a single donor, which reduces the risk to the patient. The donor's blood is collected using a machine which centrifuges the blood to remove the platelets and simultaneously returns the other blood components to the donor. This process requires an appointment. Visit the Donate Platelets page to learn more about donating platelets.
Therapeutic Phlebotomy
Therapeutic phlebotomy is the process of collecting blood and disposing of the blood as a way of treatment. The Scott & White Blood Center currently accepts only patients who have a current written order from a Scott & White physician. Blood drawn from donors diagnosed with hereditary hemachromatosis can be used for transfusion provided the donor meets the qualifications for an allogeneic donor and has a current written order with diagnosis from a Scott & White physician.


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New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft made the pecking order in Foxborough perfectly clear in his actions last week, when popular wide receiver Wes Welker was allowed to depart for Denver over a difference of $2 million for the next two seasons.
On Monday, he made certain the message was received.
"I don't answer to Tom Brady," Kraft said, discussing any peripheral damage of allowing Welker to leave after five 100-catch seasons as Brady's favorite outlet.
Kraft said he believed the Patriots' two-year offer was better for Welker, and that agent David Dunn overvalued Welker and wound up getting him less money -- and security -- with a two-year, $12 million deal in Denver.
Point of fact -- Welker is guaranteed only $6 million, all in 2013, and can be released with minimal repercussions.
Kraft said the Patriots were putting more money in the first year of the deal, but didn't advance to granular details of that contract offer.
Brady is not upset, according to the owner, and Kraft said the entire franchise still has a lot of respect for Welker.


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Recently celebrating its 1st birthday, Four Seasons Resort Vail is celebrating yet another recognition: the esteemed Forbes Travel Guide 5-Star Spa Award. One of only 30 spas to make the list, and one of two in Colorado, the new spa is a heavy-hitter of the industry offering the Vail Valley luxury spa services and supreme spaces.
Of the recognition, General Manager Hans Willimann stated, It is a tremendous honor for our Resort to receive this accolade from Forbes Travel Guide having been open less than one year. Spa Director Craig Newton attributes the award to his phenomenal staff, adding I am extremely proud of our wonderful therapists, who are largely responsible for the accolades our Spa continues to receive, Newton beams It is quite an outstanding recognition for our spa, since there are many amazing spas in the Vail Valley.
The luxury spa, overlooking the heated outdoor pool and complete with its own Earth Wind and Sky Ritual, is at home in its mountain surroundings with appropriately contemporary décor and themed treatments. Affording spa-goers spectacular services such as a Skiers Massage or the Heavenly Himalayan Contour Wrap, the spaces are as posh as the services. With cozy indoor fireplace mirrored by an outdoor fireplace and seating areas as well as water features in both the mens and womens lounges, everything from the steam room and chic furniture to the outstanding therapists and staff of the spa scream the quality-over-quantity standards of Four Seasons.
I love the environment here at The Spa, says Mandi Ashbrook, a Front Desk receptionist at The Spa, Its exciting to be a part of something that has an eye to the future. We have such a fun camaraderie; as energy-driven people, its wonderful to be around so much positivity. And the guests visiting the spa agree with raves showing up in Condé Nast Travelers Hot List of the Worlds Best Spa, the It List by Travel + Leisure, and a finalist in Virutoso Life Best of the Best Spa category. Travelers from afar and Coloradans themselves are flocking to the oasis in the mountains, a peaceful sanctuary with thrillingly unique and fantastic services with a spa staff that is unparalleled in both skill and sunny customer service.
The excitement and buzz over the recent accolades is in wonderful contrast to the relaxed guests and pampered people who enjoy every bit of Four Seasons Resort Spa; proud moments for all, the bar has been set high in the Vail Valley for the rest of Colorado to follow.
Water feature in the Women's Lounge
Outdoor fireplace and relaxation lounge


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Doin' It With Dr. V: What To Do When You're Feeling Raw
Hi, I'm Dr. V. I'm not a real doctor, I just play one on the Internet. What I am is a lady, a lady who is a fool for love! And I love nothing more than sex. My deepest desires have happily lead me on many adventures in the sack, but they have also, sadly, made me one of my gyno's most valuable players. But I've lived to tell the tale(s)! So, from time to time, I will dish the dirt on everything from getting freaky to getting freaked out. And please, if you have a question, email me. You know I love to read your smut too! Now, let's get this party started.
We all love to be rode hard and put away wet. But sometimes we're enjoying the ride so much, we don't realize we're dry — bone dry. While that can be a good problem to have, it's still a painful predicament that could have you getting out of bed even more bow-legged than usual. This week's Dr. V was inspired by a cowgirl in this very pickle. How do you heal a raw hide after some gun play?
"I had a VERY fun weekend and got caught up in the moment and didn't lube up properly. Now I'm feeling a little raw. Is there any way to moisturize that region after the fact?" — Too Much Fun
Well, hot stuff, you're my marathon sex hero! But next time, do yourself a favor and add lube to your naked romps. Even if you feel like a slip-n-slide naturally, going at it could always use an extra squirt.
But it's easy to lose yourself in the moment. When it comes to crotch discomfort, this is one of the few that can put a smile on your face, because all you need to soothe the soreness is a little moisturizer and some rest. Here's how to care for your raw hoo-ha:
- Back(teria) Off: When your skin is feelin' thin, you are more susceptible to bacteria. So, avoid further complications by…
- Only wear soft cotton undies. Anything else will get all up in your girl grill and start trouble.
- Don't cross your legs. In fact, sit with your thighs slightly apart. And don't wear a mini skirt!
- Don't wear pants, even pantyhose.


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Destination Wedding Invites - Bottle Wedding InvitesDIY destination wedding invites are usually easy to pull off. Why? Because most of the time, a destination wedding will have a much smaller guest list than a traditional wedding at home. Smaller guest list means you can get fancy - and this includes creating bottle wedding invites!
Now I wouldn't suggest DIY bottle wedding invites if your guest list is huge. The postage will be high and the sheer cost of all those little bottles and boxes (not to mention the time it takes to put them together) might be too big of a headache for you. However, if your guest list is on the small side then these destination wedding invites might be perfect for you, especially if your destination is somewhere beachy or on an island.
See the pretty blue box above? It was just a plain old cardboard box! Simply paint it any color or colors you like with good old watercolor paint. Mixed with water, it creates a light wash of color, perfect to give a beachy vibe.
The RSVP postcard that is already stamped is wrapped around the outside of the bottle - not part of the message inside. This makes is much easier for your guests to actually mail the postcard. If it was all curled up it would be annoying for them and also might run into problems in the mail system. Best to keep your RSVP postcard outside of your rolled up message.
Now this next tip is a must! Put a string around your message before your roll it up and have this string come outside of the bottle. This way your guests can just pull the string and get the message out easily. Otherwise it will be nearly impossible to get the rolled up invite out. You can either wrap a string all the way around it like this one, or you could punch a small hole and just have it through the top part.
Add a bit of sand and tiny, tiny shells to set the mood too!
Hope you got some ideas from these destination wedding invites for your own planning!
Happy planning!
It's your wedding, do it the way you want!
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text: why can the county help the people here in the area and not help the dump companys come in here and damage the buildings(like Bluebird and others)and not offer jobs here but bring people form out of the area to work. they will not hire locals like they said they brough them in form other states. wake up county and help us keep jobs.


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Not necessarily, despite a report in this morning's Times warning of an "autumn of discontent" involving lots of unions.
As I report in today's ft.com, the TUC's general council met last month to discuss whether to kick off a huge protest this October or next March. Rapid action this autumn was urged by some of the smaller firebrand unions (PCS, FBU, RMT etc). Read more


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Jake Owen – Then and Now
This picture of a 25-year-old Jake Owen finds the country singer fresh off the shore, with the glow of the Vero Beach sunshine still bringing out the freckles that now hide behind the scruff of his more adult beard. You'll find that the 'Barefoot Blue Jean Night' singer has always preferred to keep a stubble. His outfit in the more pensive 'Now' photo is remarkably different, however.
Owen takes more chances during red carpet strolls than he did 'Then,' as this leopard-print jacket from the 2012 CMA Awards shows proves. In both photos, he opts for an open collar, a stylish move than his female fans appreciate. His hair hasn't changed too much in six years, although his bangs are a bit longer now than they were in 2006.
Of course, the biggest change that happened between these photos is the singer's new wife Lacey and their baby girl, who is expected any day now. If Owen's experience is like most fathers, we expect him to look 20 years older in 10 years.


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Infiniti Announces 2004 FX45/FX35 Pricing
GARDENA, Calif. (October 8, 2003) Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan North America, Inc., today announced 2004 model year pricing on the breakthrough Infiniti FX45 and FX35 premium crossover SUV. In 2004, FX continues to offer a unique combination of aggressive styling, outstanding performance and luxury car comfort.
The all-wheel drive FX45, with its standard 315-horsepower V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission and long list of luxury features, starts at a Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $44,375. A powerful V6 engine version, the FX35 features a MSRP of $35,850 for the all-wheel drive model, while the rear-wheel drive model begins at a MSRP of $34,350.
Enhancements for the 2004 FX include a refined suspension for improved ride comfort, a new 8-way power passenger seat that replaces the previous 4-way design, available aluminum roof rails and 20-inch chrome-plated wheels, new dark silver metallic finish added to 20-inch wheels (for non-chrome wheels), standard HVAC air filter added on all models, and the addition of a Snow-Mode function (shifts throttle input algorithm in low-speed slippery road conditions once activated by the driver for enhanced traction).
Complete pricing and option packages are available soon.


text: Dollar Tree, Inc. (NASDAQ: DLTR), North America's leading operator of discount variety stores selling everything for $1 or less, reported its results for the quarter ended April 28, 2012 ("first quarter"). Consolidated net sales for the first quarter were $1.72 billion, an 11.5% increase compared to $1.55 billion reported for the quarter ended April 30, 2011 ("first quarter 2011"). Comparable store sales increased 5.6%, on top of a 7.1% increase for the first quarter 2011. Earnings per diluted share for the first quarter were $1.00, a 22.0% increase compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.82 reported for the quarter ended April 30, 2011. "I am pleased with the first quarter results as both sales and earnings exceeded the high end of our guidance," said President and CEO Bob Sasser. "The top performing categories for the quarter included Home products; Food, snacks and beverage; Health care products; Party supplies; Household cleaning supplies; and Seasonal merchandise. Inventory turns increased in the first quarter and we entered the second quarter in stock and well prepared, with our shelves full of the right product for our customers." Operating margin for the quarter was 10.9%, a 40 basis point improvement from the 10.5% operating margin in the first quarter 2011. Cash and investments at quarter-end totaled $382.3 million, compared with $510.3 million at the end of the first quarter 2011. During the first quarter, the Company completed its $300 million Accelerated Share Repurchase program and repurchased an additional 49 thousand shares on the open market for $4.5 million, and ended the quarter with $1.2 billion remaining on its share repurchase authorization. The Company continues to grow. During the first quarter, Dollar Tree opened 110 stores, closed 10 stores, and expanded or relocated 44 stores. Retail selling square footage increased 7.1% compared to a year ago, to 38.6 million square feet.


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Hey guys,
I just finished watching all 10 seasons of Stargate SG-1 in four months. Never had I seen such an excellent series! It was my first time watching it. My question is, to wrap up the SG-1 series, which movie comes first? The Stargate Ark of truth or stargate continuim? I know the Ark of truth, the ori are ridden forever, but then in stargate continuim i know that the Gould (sorry cant spell) are destroyed finally as well. Which movie should i see first to make the most sense in the plot? I want to connect all of them together.


text: "We are very pleased with our agreement with T-Mobile, which strengthens our position as the largest provider of shared wireless infrastructure in the US, which we believe is the largest, fastest growing and most profitable wireless market in the world," stated Ben Moreland, Crown Castle's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Consistent with our focus on the top 100 US markets, the T-Mobile towers are similarly well-located, with 83% of the towers in the top 100 markets and 72% located in the top 50 markets. The T-Mobile assets are expected to provide significant growth driven by the continued demand for wireless data services, particularly in the most densely populated areas in the US. While this transaction increases our tower count by approximately 33%, the transaction consideration represents only approximately 9% of our enterprise value. Further, we expect the impact from the contemplated transaction and related expected debt financing to be accretive to our 2013 adjusted funds from operations per share and approximately 5% accretive to our long-term adjusted funds from operations per share."Crown Castle expects to fund the transaction with cash on hand and debt financing. DT will use the proceeds from the transaction to retire corporate debt and strengthen its financial position to provide for funding of growth investments, including T-Mobile's Challenger strategy. Following the contemplated transaction, Crown Castle will continue to be the largest wireless infrastructure operator in the US with approximately 30,000 towers and extensive small cell operations in over 50 markets. T-Mobile's nationwide network remains unchanged today, consisting of approximately 51,000 cell sites, the vast majority of which are leased from third parties, as is common in the industry across the US. Crown Castle estimates the T-Mobile towers will produce approximately $125 million to $130 million in adjusted funds from operations ("AFFO") before financing costs in 2013, and have sufficient capacity to accommodate at least one additional tenant per tower without significant incremental capital. T-Mobile has committed to maintain its communications facilities on the towers from Crown Castle for a minimum of 10 years with annual rent escalation provisions tied to the consumer price index. Further, T-Mobile's rent includes the rights, subject to certain limitations, to complete its current network modernization on these sites.


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LaPorte is an unincorporated community, with land use decisions the responsibility of Larimer County. The LaPorte Area Plan, revised and adopted in 2004 as an element of the Larimer County Master Plan, provides specific land use policies for this area.
LaPorte Area Planning Advisory Committee Agenda
The plan can be viewed in full by downloading the 4.5Mb Adobe Acrobat format document below.


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Havana Cigar Shops
The biggest city in Cuba has a superb collection of cigar stores that sell handmade, premium cigars
(continued from page 2)
There are a few comfortable leather chairs to sit and smoke, and a frequent visitor from the United States is known to drop off copies of Cigar Aficionado magazine.
El Aljibe Tienda de Tabaco
Av. 7 y Calle 24, Miramar
Av. 7 y Calle 24, Miramar
It's not a Casa del Habano, it only has about seven types of cigars available by the stick and it's very small, but the cigar shop at El Aljibe restaurant just might save your night. Say you fly into Havana on a Sunday, miss out on the Casa del Habanos and head to dinner at Cuba's most famous restaurant. You're happy to find smoking is allowed at the tables, but you just arrived on the island and you don't have cigars for before (and after) dinner. Salvation awaits only steps away inside the shop.
The staff here is friendly, and while the selection is limited, it's hard to go wrong. There were two unbanded cigars on a recent visit, a pirámide and a Churchill. I asked for the former. The manager took two from the tray, gave each a gentle squeeze to check for plugs, and handed me the one she liked best. It was priced at 3.60 cuc.
When I asked for details about the cigar, she told me it wasn't made on premises, but rather by a cigar roller at the Comodoro Hotel. (I later asked said roller, and he denied making the cigars for El Aljibe.) Whoever made the one at El Aljibe, he or she knows the craft well, and the flavor was just fine. Will it be the best cigar you smoke in Cuba? Far from it. Will it make you smile because it just might be the best $4 cigar you've ever smoked? Maybe so.
The cigar shop at El Aljibe even has a little seating area in the back, but with all those tables in the restaurant proper (and all that succulent chicken) who would sit there? This is not a cigar shop you should visit just for the experience, but when you eat at El Aljibe, pop in and try the $4 house smoke.
AlsoCigar Shop at Romeo y Julieta (AKA H. Upmann) Factory
Belascoaín 852 entre Peñalver y Desagüe, Centro Habana
Cuba's Romeo y Julieta factory is now serving as the temporary home of the H. Upmann factory and the cigar shop down the street from the fabrica is in the process of being transformed into a full-fledged Casa del Habano. This factory (operating as H. Upmann) is open to tourists, and said tourists need a good place to shop for cigars after leaving the factory, so Habanos is working to improve the quality of the shop.
It was OK in May during a visit, with a midsized walk-in humidor with a fairly sparse selection, focused on cigars made at the factory, from Montecristos to H. Upmanns and Romeo y Julietas and some Cohibas. There was a small bar, guayaberas for sale, but the rum selection was bigger than the cigar selection.
The shop is decent, but should be better once it becomes a Casa del Habano.
Cigar Shop at La Corona Cigar Factory
Av. 20 de Mayo y Línea de Ferrocarril, Municipio Cerro
Av. 20 de Mayo y Línea de Ferrocarril, Municipio Cerro
This is the most disappointing cigar shop in Havana. Located next door to the La Corona cigar factory, the shop is small and soulless, with a limited selection. This shop is not meant for connoisseurs, but for tourists to grab a quick box or five-pack of cigars and a bottle of rum.
Walking inside is a bit of a running of the gauntlet, as cigar hustlers freely solicit counterfeits to anyone going in or out. Should you walk in when a bus packed with tourists arrives, prepare for an even worse experience as the shop turns into a subway car in New York at rush hour. A shop to avoid.
The Insider's Guide to Havana
Comments10 comment(s)
Simon Cathcart February 24, 2012 12:00pm ET
wait what do they say about a picture, it paints a 1000 words! Next time guys whip out the Nikon yes.
Bruno Gallucci Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, February 25, 2012 5:52pm ET
I agree with Simon. Even your smartphone camera will do.
Damian Bancroft Georgetown, Cayman Islands, February 29, 2012 2:04pm ET
My favourite place to hang out with a loaded humidor and bar.
Keith Tramer Stoughton, Saskatchewan, Canada, March 13, 2012 5:09pm ET
Love Senor Diaz and his staff.....great cigar store.....great history, especially in the back room!!!
Roy Jeglum April 18, 2012 12:56am ET
I went there and was shocked by what a dive it was. This was my first time to Havana and was with a guide so when I walked out of there I thought I had bought real Cuban cigars. Wrong!
I ended up with 3 boxes of FAKES. I know this was my own fault for not inspecting more closely every detail that you need to but, REALLY... 3 out of 3 turned out to be fakes. The "FORT" was a good experience and at least has real Cuban cigars.
I ended up with 3 boxes of FAKES. I know this was my own fault for not inspecting more closely every detail that you need to but, REALLY... 3 out of 3 turned out to be fakes. The "FORT" was a good experience and at least has real Cuban cigars.
Andre Du toit South Africa , June 7, 2012 7:02am ET
WoW excellent write up.
Will plan this into my next trip that is for sure.
Will plan this into my next trip that is for sure.
Zdravko Brkic Belgrade, Serbia, Serbia, July 31, 2012 5:10pm ET
La casa del Habano at Melia Havana hotel is THE BEST casa in Havana. that is the place where ži am spending most of the time during more than 20 visits so far. excellent and polite staff.
Ypu can get all help you need, and in hotel there are few good restaurants with fusion food and Italian cuisine
Ypu can get all help you need, and in hotel there are few good restaurants with fusion food and Italian cuisine
CHRISTOPHER BRIND'AMOUR STE-CATHERINE, QC, CANADA, August 21, 2012 4:28pm ET
I took your suggestion and visited the Casa on Quinta Avenida in May 2012... WOW! The service was extraordinary; very knowledgeable and they often offered me some lesser know vitolas that were exquisite (notably a Trinidad Edicion Limitada short Robusto). I was there the day after May Day so their stocks were pretty depleted, but I was able to find some nice little jewels and left very happy. Senor Robaina took me on a visit of the Casa, the different rooms, lounges and the "vault" where the lockers are. He also invited me to visit the Robaina Vegas Finas in Pinar del Rio on my next visit. I was only able to spend an hour there, but this was by far the highlight of my trip. A must on any trip to Havana.
James Poland Jr Branchland , West Virginia, United States, September 22, 2012 6:50pm ET
I would love to visit there. What do you have to do to be able to go over there? or can you just renew your passport and go.
Phillip Butler Timonium, MD, US, July 3, 2014 2:40pm ET
Thess must be what they are describingwhen using the word 'heaven.' visiting Cuba is on my bucket list.
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Overview Edit
The FTC Bureau of Consumer Protection investigates and enforces matters related to activities that may be classified as cybercrime. It has several divisions that focus primarily on different aspects of the FTC's consumer protection mission.
The Bureau of Consumer Protection is composed of six divisions, which target different substantive areas for enforcement and outreach purposes. The divisions routinely coordinate initiatives and share resources to most efficiently and effectively further the consumer protection mission. Its resources include headquarter staff and staff located at eight regional offices that investigate and bring a variety of consumer protection and competition cases and engage in outreach efforts.
In addition, the Criminal Liaison Unit coordinates for all of the Bureau of Consumer Protection's divisions with criminal law enforcement agencies across the U.S. to encourage the prosecution of criminal fraud.


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Let's have a look at the top 10 stadiums in the world.
10) Estadio Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti
Commonly known as El Monumental or the River Plate Stadium, this 67,00+ capacity stadium is located in Buenos Aires and is the home ground of Argentine club River Plate. It is the national stadium of Argentina and the stadium was the venue for Argentina's maiden World Cup win in 1978.
9) Stadio Giuseppe Meazza
The home ground to clubs AC Milan and Inter Milan, the San Siro (as it's commonly known) has hosted three European Cup finals (1965, 1970, 2001) and has also been used for the 1990 World Cup. It was named after former Milan and Inter player Giuseppe Meazza and can currently seat around 80,000 people.
8) Anfield
Anfield is the home to English club Liverpool, although it was originally used by their rivals Everton, and is renowned for the atmosphere the fans are able to generate. It currently seats 45,000 people although there are plans to increase its capacity.
7) Estadio Alberto J. Armando
The 49,000 capacity stadium is home to Argentine club Boca Juniors and is more commonly known as La Bombonera (translates to "The Chocolate Box"). Boca fans have always been able to generate an excellent atmosphere due to the grounds odd shape resulting in it having excellent acoustics.
6) Allianz Arena
The Allianz Arena has been home to both Bayern Munich and TSV 1860 Munich since 2005 and is also the national stadium for Germany. It has a capacity of 70,000+ and is known for changing colours to red, blue and white (depending on whether Bayern, TSV or Germany are playing in the stadium).
5) Old Trafford
The home ground to English giants Manchester United, the 75,000-seater stadium has hosted many international matches and FA Cup finals, as well as the 2003 Champions League final. It is the second-largest stadium in England (Wembley has the honour of being the largest).
4) Camp Nou
At a capacity of nearly 100,000 (99,700 to be precise), the Camp Nou is the largest stadium in Europe. It's the home ground of Spanish and Catalan club Barcelona and has hosted the European Cup finals in 1989 and 1999 and was also used to host matches during the 1982 World Cup.
3) Santiago Bernabeu
The home of Spanish giants Real Madrid, the stadium was named after Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabeu Yeste. The 1982 World Cup final was held at the Santiago Bernanbeu and the stadium also hosted the European Cup finals of 1957, 1969, 1980 and 2010. It's current capacity is around 85,000.
2) Wembley
The national stadium of England can seat up to 90,000 people although it's full capacity is around 105,000 (including standing areas). That makes it the second largest stadium in Europe after Barcelona. The new Wembley was built on the site of the old one, which was demolished in 2003. The old stadium was one of the most iconic stadiums in the world.
1) Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho
Commonly known as the Marcana, it's the largest stadium in South America. It holds the record for the largest number of spectators in a single match (199,854 people watched the 1950 World Cup final between Uruguay and Brazil). The match has since been used for matches between clubs in Rio and will be used during the 2014 World Cup.


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A COMMONER has told Verderers she is "appalled" at the state of "restored" streams in the forest.
The streams at Amberslade and Buckherd Bottom, tributaries of Linford Brook, have been undergoing restoration as part of the Higher Level Stewardship scheme funded by the EU.
The scheme is worth £16million over ten years, with the Verderers, the Forestry Commission and the New Forest National Park Authority joining forces to decide how best to spend it.
But the restoration of streams has proved controversial.
Now commoner Margaret Bunyard has presented her case to the Verderers' Court.
She said: "I have revisited both Amberslade and Buckherd Bottom in the last week, and am appalled to see the condition they are in.
"Before restoration, Amberslade was deemed to be in favourable condition.
"In 2006/7 a section around the footbridge was in-filled with heather bales and imported clay and gravel.
"This in-fill was washed away in the first winter, and what had been a minor 'nick-point' became a major source of erosion immediately downstream from the starting point of the works. I understand that there are plans for snagging to take place, but since the entire in-fill has gone it is clear that any works will need to be far more than snagging.
"Indeed, I understand that the term 'snagging' is no longer considered appropriate to describe the remedial work that has been necessary for so many restored streams."
She added: "The situation at Buckherd Bottom is, if anything, even worse.
"Here the initial works in 2011 had failed by the end of the first winter, leaving heather bales exposed and displaced, with string loose and dangerous to stock.
"The works were redone in August and September 2013. A huge stack of heather bales and quantities of imported clay and gravel were used to once more in-fill the stream. Within a month of finishing, the imported materials were starting to wash away. They continued to do so throughout the winter, leaving stretches of imported clay exposed in the heavily eroded sides of the stream."
And she told the court: "Wildlife habitats, grazing and appearance have been disturbed at both sites – twice at Buckherd Bottom – with no discernible compensatory benefits.
"These 'restorations' have both been a shocking waste of money. Other sites have suffered a similar fate. I understand that both this winter and last have seen particularly heavy rainfall.
"However, the erosion at both sites started well before the winter storms."
Deputy surveyor of the Forestry Commission, Mike Seddon, will be making a statement at the next Verderers' Court on March 19 in response to Mrs Bunyard's claims.


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I work on cars a lot. Mostly rock crawlers. They are my passion. Driving up and over objects that doesn't seem fathomable. Rarely taking the easy way, yet finding the smoothest path. Wanna go for a ride?
If you like going off road, don't mind getting dirty let me know. I'll do my best to keep us tire-side down.
I am funny, romantic, and honest
I like a lot of different types of music. Everything from lynyrd skynyrd, mumford & sons. I don't care for country music tho, but I put up with it. I listen to pandora every night going to bed.
Food? Yes I like food. I like mostly American foods, Italian, some Chinese. Mexican is delicious!
My wallet
Pepsi (I could do without but it tastes soo good[soda in general])


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This memo pad holder is a great addition to your home or office! The holder measures 6 inches x 5 inches x 1 inch, features a brass and enamel plate with logo and comes with a 3 x 3 memo pad.
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Recalled: 2000-2001 Four WinnsTrailer
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) today released a list of auto safety recalls announced in November and December 2000 and urged consumers to have the problems fixed promptly. Four Winns
Models: Four Winns Trailer Years: 2000-2001
Number Involved: 1,537
Dates of Manufacture: June - August 2000
Defect: On certain boat trailers equipped with brake solenoids manufactured by Kodiak/IMS, as a result of a defective solenoid valve, the brakes may not actuate properly. This could result in the brakes locking up on trailers hauling boats.
Remedy: Dealers will replace these solenoid valves. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began Nov. 29, 2000. Owners who do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Four Winns at 1-231-775-1343. [NHTSA Recall No. 00V400]


text:
Let us give thanks for risk management.
Raghu Gullapalli has a take on this on Minyanville.
He says those playing some high flying Chinese names need to review their risk management approaches carefully, citing the blowup of Longtop Financial (LFT) following accusations of fraud.
Gullapalli looks at AsiaInfo-Linkage (ASIA), E-House Holdings (EJ) and VanceInfo (VIT).


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Engineering Firms
Roman-Jones, Inc. Consulting and Contract Engineering Services in the electronic and computer profession. Analog, digital, and computer software design in industrial and commercial areas. Licensed Engineer and Expert Witness services available nationwide. 11679 LaCore Avenue Empire, MI 49630 Phone: 231.326.5194 Fax: 231.326.5195 Click here to e-mail Click here to visit our web site
Third Coast Engineering Third Coast Engineering specializes in product design, research and development. P.O. Box 412 Empire, MI 49630 231.326.5922 Click here to visit our site


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Digital Music Sales Continue to Outpace Albums
Posted by Lolita Beckwith Categories: Music
It's a frightening thought, but we're wondering if there's going to be a day when CDs will just fade away, like it's predecessors the cassette, album, 45, 78 and 8-track. Judging by the latest Nielsen SoundScan figures this seems to be the case, as sales of digital music are up—almost 50% higher—than this time last year. Not surprisingly, CDs are decreasing in sales, down 15% over the same period (Jan 1- July 1). The main reason seems to be that the people are buying only the hit songs they like online, as opposed to the whole album, which makes complete sense to us. Unfortunately, this also means fans will miss out on some truly terrific music, because if you only buy Amy Winehouse's hit "Rehab", you may never experience just how amazing the rest of her "Back to Black" truly is.
Read More | New York Times
Wii Virtual Console Sales Slowing Says Iwata
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, Video Games
Apparently, we aren't the only ones confused by
Nintendo's Virtual Console release choices. We haven't really seen much to be excited about on a weekly basis as Nintendo announces titles that seem to be more miss than hit. The numbers don't lie: Back in January, Nintendo announced that they had sold over 1.5 million Virtual Console downloadable titles. As of today, sales are at 3.3 million. While that means that sales have doubled in the past three months, the problem is that Wii has a much larger userbane now than it did back in the November-January period. 1.5 million in the first two months of the consoles life, when it was hard to find versus 1.8 million in the three months after isn't the best of news.
Nintendo - come on, hook us up. There are plenty of games in your catalogue that users would love to buy. Heck, where are all the Nintendo 64 titles? Surely you know that Nintendo fans from the N64 age are into more than just Mario and Zelda, no? Where are WWE No Mercy, Pilotwings, GoldenEye, Super Smash Brothers,
, and others? Seriously, if you want us to buy, give us a reason to do so.
Read More | Wired
Amazon Sells Out of Elite 360's in Hours
Posted by Michael Cardiff Categories: Release Dates, Rumors, Xbox 360
Personally, it seemed like a strange move to me when Microsoft announced the Xbox 360 "elite" edition. For a console that had really carved out a position for itself in the current-gen competition, it seemed like the Elite was just M$ trying to make their console look more like a PS3. Well, color me wrong, because it seems like the Elite may be selling like hotcakes.
According to videogame news site Punch-Jump, the Xbox 360 Elite edition was posted on Amazon.com yesterday for pre-orders (good luck getting it on Sunday!), and sold out "within hours" of being listed. Of course, it's not clear whether or not this actually represents M$ increasing their market share… are these truly *new* gamers, or just folks upgrading from their Platinum edition 360's? We'll be keeping a close eye on the NPD numbers next month… could this be the edge that Microsoft needs to beat out Sony in this round?
P.S. For those of you that weren't madly refreshing the Amazon.com homepage on Thursday, you could always try your luck getting a Wii or Elite 360 at Target this week!
Read More | Punch-Jump.com
Microsoft's Xbox Quarter: Losses Shrink, So Does Revenue
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Xbox 360
Yesterday, Microsoft reported their quarterly results for the period ending March 31, 2007. Overall, the results were good for the company, moving to record profits based largely on getting Vista and the latest version of Office out the door. Still, for gamers, one thing has stood out – while losses in the Entertainment and Devices Division shrunk, so did revenues.
Dean Takahashi at Mercury News describes this reduction in sales as a "disturbing trend." Since Microsoft doesn't break out revenues by subgroup in the Entertainment division, it's really hard to understand where this leaves the Xbox 360. Comparing March totals, Xbox 360 sales were down around 30% year-over-year, but this reflects a time period where Microsoft was still pretty much in the initial honeymoon phase of the console launch. Microsoft notoriously had supply problems during the first few months, but by March had seemed to catch up with demand, so the company was probably still dealing with early adopters.
More interesting is Takahashi's dissection of the company's ongoing losses with the Xbox 360. Even with cost reductions in hardware and having a really strong tie rate, the company is still losing money per console. With the estimated figures in the article, this projects to $53 lost per console. We can't really know what the financials behind the Xbox 360 are, but project this to Sony, where their tie rate is much lower and the console hardware cost is much higher, or Nintendo, who claims to make a profit on each console sold, regardless of software sold later.
Read More | Microsoft's Q3 Results
Read More | Mercury News
Nintendo Has Record Year on DS, Wii Sales
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Corporate News, Hardware, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, Wii
Nintendo just announced their financial results for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2007, and the numbers are huge. Revenues are up 90% to 996.5 billion yen, over $8 billion US. Profits are also up, nearly 150% to 226 billion yen, nearly $2 billion in profit.
Nintendo moved over 23 million DS handhelds, just an insane number, along with 5.84 million Wii consoles. The Wii number seems to be short of Nintendo's projections of 6 million units—this would seem to point to a genuine supply constraint on Nintendo's part. Some analysts had suspected that Nintendo was holding back shipments of the Wii because Nintendo had "made their numbers" but Nintendo's results would seem to indicate that this was not the case.
Nintendo's projections have them selling 14 million Wii consoles in the upcoming fiscal year, and 22 million DS handhelds. 22 million would seem to be a conservative estimate, given their strong sales from the previous year. 14 million Wii consoles moved, though, would seem to indicate a fairly decent ramp up in Wii production in order to meet their targets. Overall, though, the console that both Sony and Microsoft dismissed seems to be poised to challenge for the lead in worldwide sales.
Nintendo's full press release continues below
Click to continue reading Nintendo Has Record Year on DS, Wii Sales
March NPD Data Hits, DS, PS2, Wii Lead Sales
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360
The NPD sales data for March has been released, and Gamasutra is reporting on the sales numbers. Overall, the sales data pretty much seemed to follow expectations. The Nintendo DS again showed strong sales, moving over 500,000 units in March. Sunday's release of the latest in the Pokemon series might have the potential to even spike this further in April and May. The PSP sold 180,000; this month's price drop would seem to ensure an increase for April. Of the non-portable consoles, the PS2 continues to have legs, moving 280,000 consoles and outselling all of the current generation platforms. This was probably helped a bit by the release of God of War II, which sold over 833,000 units.
Within current generation platforms, rankings stayed the same. The ever-supply-constrained Wii moved 259,000 consoles; Nintendo has promised more supply, but this may not happen for a few months. The Xbox 360 continued to hold on, with 199,000 units sold, and Sony's sales numbers held relatively steady at 130,000 units.
Read More | Gamasutra
Playstation 3 Sells 165K in UK
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Culture, PlayStation 3
Despite reports of low turnouts at midnight launch events for the PlayStation 3 in Europe, Sony managed to break records for console sales during its opening weekend, moving over 165,000 units in the UK. ChartTrack in the UK believes that this sells through approximately 75% of the initial launch allocation for the UK, and surpasses all other console launches in the territory, including the Wii and the Xbox 360. Gamasutra also reports on UK software sales for the opening weekend, with Resistance: Fall of Man and Motorstorm taking spots one and two in the top ten. Of course, launch weekends are generally for the hard core; generally the first couple of million consoles sold are the easiest. Time will tell how Sony's console does as its purchasing demographic shifts.
Read More | Gamasutra
NPD: Nintendo DS, Wii Lead Hardware Sales
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, Nintendo, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360
February's NPD data has been released, and things look good for Nintendo. 1up has the details on video game sales for last month, and the Nintendo DS sold 485,000 units, the Wii 335,000. For the rest of the next-generation hardware, Microsoft maintained its sales pace by moving around 228,000 consoles, while the Playstation 3 saw a significant drop to 127,000. The PSP didn't do much better against the DS, moving 176,000 handhelds.
The only bright spot for Sony would be that in the non-handheld category, the PS2 took second behind the Wii, selling 295,000 units, showing that their now last-generation technology still has plenty of legs at retail. Still, having their PS3 sales drop by nearly half over last month's sales is a significant change; if new software from Sony can't change course, the company may have to do something drastic to turn things around.
Microsoft should be pretty happy; while they didn't lead the pack, the company will surely trumpet their increase in year-over-year sales. That, and having the number one game at retail for the month of February, Crackdown will also help. 1up's article also further details the rest of the software charts for the month.
Read More | 1up
Wii Leads January Sales, Playstation 3 Trails
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, Nintendo, PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
A Credit Suisse analyst has Nintendo's Wii leading January console sales with 436,000 units, according to a report from Bloomberg news. The report cites January NPD data, and has the Xbox 360 selling 294,000 units with the Playstation 3 trailing with 244,000 consoles sold. Above 200,000 units for January is a decent showing, but it will be hard for Sony to spin its numbers in the face of increasing availability on store shelves. Nintendo, of course, will be happy with their January sales; every indication into the third week of February has the Wii still facing shortages on shelves, so one might expect this trend to continue. While many had dismissed the Wii's new control scheme as a fad, the console's continuing popularity gets harder and harder to deny as the months continue.
Update: The Seattle Post-Intelligencer has comments from both Microsoft and Nintendo here.
Read More | Bloomberg News
Pachter Predicts Wii Over PS3 In January
Posted by Christopher Sasaki Categories: Hardware, PlayStation 3, Wii
Michael Pachter at Wedbush Morgan is predicting that Nintendo's Wii console sold significantly more units than the PS3 in January. He expects NPD numbers of around 500,000 Wii consoles sold to 300,000 Playstation 3 consoles sold by Sony. According to Gamasutra, the analyst is also predicting that game sales will increase year over year by 32%. Pachter believes that while the PS3 may be entering a lull, there is potential for sales of the console to rebound as hardware availability becomes more widely known, advertising increases, and better software titles emerge. Pachter also lays down his leading software title sales predictions as well. Of course, like many analysts, Michael Pachter's predictions haven't always been 100% accurate; he has admitted to overestimating Xbox 360 performance and also recanted predictions that there would not be a Bully sequel.
Read More | Gamasutra
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