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Today, The Independent has published this article on Opera broadcasts in cinemas, and whether it replaces the real deal (spoiler: it doesn't). Alexandra Coughlan makes several good points, including several advantages of a cinema broadcast (i.e. can dress as you like, no stage-view problems of bad/far away seats in the opera house, and the ability to walk out mid-performance without offending performers). The article is well worth your time, and raises some issues that I also wrote about earlier this year when I saw Frankenstein in the cinema.
I support cinema broadcasts. Mainly because it gives people access to see things they couldn't have. I couldn't have seen Frankenstein because it would have required a UK visa, London accommodation, tickets purchased in advance, a train or plane ticket etc… However, I also find that the cinema should not replace opera or theater. In a way, it can't. Coughlan's article also touches upon this issue:
In an age in which we digest more and more of our culture digitally, it's vital that we preserve public rituals of performance. Because they are rituals, these trips to Covent Garden or the Coliseum, where you feel the breath of a climactic chorus on your face, where the fragile stillness of an aria can hush an audience of 2,000. Whatever we experience in this shared, public space is amplified a thousand-fold by the reactions of those around us, whether on stage or off. There's an energy, a risk, to this nightly act of creation that is impossible to simulate. We already have opera singers translated into 3D cinematic doubles, but until these shadowy doppelgangers can reach out and touch us physically, they can't truly hope to emotionally either.
I couldn't agree more. There is this joy of watching a piece being performed live. The fact that it all happens right in front of you, shared with you at that moment, with that risk and the nightly creation. That should not be replaced by technology. It can be enhanced by it, by cinema broadcasts, so more people can enjoy it, and maybe younger audiences can be engaged in it. But not replace it and take away that magic.


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General Query
If you are looking for news information about business or startup space in Bangladesh then we can help you. We provide information about digital marketing, market research, feasibility study, and legal information about setting up a business in the country.
We are located at :
House: 28, Block – K, Road: 20
Banani, Dhaka – 1213,
Website Suggestions & Error Reports
If you are experiencing problems with the site, or if you have any suggestions as to how we can improve it, please email us at fayaz [@] startupdhaka.org or mrkhan [@] @startupdhaka.org

subset: commoncrawl


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Labour has accused the chancellor of the exchequer of "actively revelling in contempt for environmental protection", in the latest broadside in the row over green policies that has consumed the coalition since the resignation of Chris Huhne on Friday.
Caroline Flint, shadow energy secretary, warned that the Tory right was breaking apart the cross-party consensus on climate change, thereby endangering the UK's economic health as well as threatening the planet with untrammelled global warming. Her intervention follows days of controversy as more than 100 Tory MPs wrote to the prime minister to call for wind farm subsidies to be cut, in the most serious attack on green policies yet.
Ed Davey, who replaced Huhne after the former minister resigned to face criminal charges on an alleged driving offence, tried to regain the high ground on Monday by insisting the government strongly backed renewable energy, but the impression was left of a coalition in disorder on the issue.
Tensions over green policies have been simmering for months, after last year in a series of speeches the chancellor, George Osborne, earned cheers from the Tory right by attacking environmental regulation as "costly" and a "burden". His words were echoed by claims from free-market thinktanks that green policies would add hundreds or even thousands of pounds to energy bills, claims the government has refuted.
Flint laid the blame for the coalition's disarray firmly at the chancellor's door: "The likes of the present chancellor not only believe that the green agenda is bad for business, bad for jobs and bad for growth, but actively revel in their contempt for environmental protection. According to this view, environmental policies are a luxury that can only ever be afforded when times are good."
Flint rejected that view, arguing instead that green growth was the best way to revive job creation. "Investing in the green economy is not just a route out of recession, but a necessary and urgent adaptation to the economy and society we will need in the decades ahead," she said. "This is not a journey of economic altruism, but a battle for economic survival."
Flint accused the coalition of destroying the long-running political consensus on climate change, by which all of the UK's main parties agreed on the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and pursue a green economy, though they differed on how to achieve this. In a speech on Tuesday morning to the Aldersgate Group, made up of companies with an interest in green technologies, she said: "We are fortunate in the UK that one of the legacies of Labour's period in office was broad acceptance of the need to tackle climate change. Today, the question marks over the government's green credentials have proliferated and raise genuine scepticism over whether the government is sincere in its support for that consensus."
She called for "an active industrial strategy" to promote green growth. Without it, she warned, other countries would forge ahead in the quest to lead the world in clean technology. Renewable energy is already worth billions to the Chinese economy each year.
But Flint also rejected the "extreme eco" argument, put forward by some greens, that would force people to accept a lower standard of living, for instance by driving less and taking fewer holidays abroad. She said: "Both the extreme eco view and the Tory right share one central premise – that economic growth and environmental sustainability are inherently irreconcilable. [But] here is a path between untrammelled growth at all costs, and a sustainable zero-growth world. We can grow our economy and benefit the planet. We can provide for our citizens and meet their aspirations without ruining our planet. It is not a zero sum game."
She warned that this opportunity must be grasped now, without waiting for the recession to pass: "The longer we delay action, the costlier mitigating and adapting to climate change will become – and the economic opportunities will slip through our fingers."
• Get the Guardian's environment news on your iPhone with our new app. You can also join us on Twitter, Facebook and Google+


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Greetings Friends of Ida Spence!
We have FINALLY launched a fresh website! Over the coming weeks both the .com and the .org URL will merge together. In the meantime, know that THIS is the official website for Ida Spence Mission. We have some basic information posted and we will be updating it with more content and some pictures in the coming weeks. Please keep us bookmarked and check back often to see what is going on up on the hill!


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Our Purpose
Nifty Selections is dedicated to providing information and options for smaller practical items of everyday equipment that you may need in your day to day living.
Things like our uniquely named AutoXiTool – a Car Escape Tool which is small and inexpensive but it might just save your life one day. For more details look at the AutoXiTool product page and the associated AutoXiTool videos.
Or maybe the kitchen is more your style. Discover why all the excitement about Spiralizers. See how useful they are in this post.


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Courtesy of Darlene & Mackenzie Kelbach
1/2 cup spelt flour
1 medium apple
1 handful spinach
2 tsp honey
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon water
Fresh mint leaves (optional)
Heat griddle on medium heat and grease. Mix all ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Let set 5 minutes. Spoon batter onto griddle. Flip pancakes when bubbles appear.
Delicious when topped with Strawberry and Honey Sauce, a recipe also from Darlene and Mackenzie, and a fresh mint leaf!


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Main Content
Best Books of Indiana 2007
Best Books of Indiana 2007 Results
Children/Young Adult - Best Book
Georgie's Moon
by Chris Woodworth
(Farrar, Straus, and Giroux)
"Georgie's Moon tells the story of a young troubled girl, Georgie, growing up with a father who is missing in action while fighting in the Vietnam War. Georgie struggles with anger issues and expressing her feelings. The book also reveals the turmoil in America during the Vietnam era. This troubled teen learns about family and friendship when she moves to Glendale, Indiana and befriends Lisa whose family is splitting over whether the troops should stay in Vietnam. The characters are believable and very appealing to any reader. By viewing the conflict and struggles of the Vietnam War through the eyes of teenagers, Chris Woodworth has given a unique, effective, and refreshing viewpoint to the Vietnam War that hasn't been written about too often." (Best Books of Indiana 2007 -- Children/Young Adult Judges)
Evie Finds Her Family Tree
by Ashley B. Ransburg
(Indiana Historical Society Press)
"This book illustrates the concept of the family tree by looking at different trees in an original and inviting method that will be an asset to any lesson about heredity, genetics, family, or trees. The leaves in the book are very realistic and encouraging. Children will delight in trying to find trees to represent their family members. Though the book is not Indiana specific in its context, the book has a long lasting appeal to many students living in various states." (Best Books of Indiana 2007 -- Children/Young Adult Judges)
The Soldier's Friend: A Life of Ernie Pyle
by Ray E. Boomhower
(Indiana Historical Society Press)
"Many Hoosiers have heard the name of Ernie Pyle, but few may not know what he did to earn this notoriety. This non-fiction book associates his journalism and support for the troops in World War II with his name. Teenagers will discover a point of view of World War II, Pyle's work, which has rarely been revealed to them. They will get an understanding of the soldier's view and hardships." (Best Books of Indiana 2007 -- Children/Young Adult Judges)
Fiction - Best Book
Triple Cross
by Kit Ehrman
(Poisoned Pen Press)
Greed, blackmail, pageantry. This novel has it all. The actual horse race is the anti-climax to the human interactions. This Hoosier author captures the worlds of horses and intrigue with realism, creating a compelling experience. The author creates a solid mystery in the horse racing world with suspense and wonderful characters. (Best Books of Indiana 2007 -- Fiction)
Love in a Small Town
by Betty Jo Schuler
(Hard Shell Word Factory)
"Against the backdrop of a tender love story, the author depicts a realistic commentary of a small town in the Midwest, struggling to maintain its identity. An Illinois representation of small town Indiana at its best. The Hoosier author introduces you to real people, who can become good friends. This romance warms the heart and leaves you wanting more." (Best Books of Indiana 2007 -- Fiction Judges)
by JD Phillips
(Art in the Heartland)
"A surreal and unpredictable read that forces one to question pre-conceptions and assumptions. Author, J. D. Phillips, dangles truths and half-truths to keep the reader turning the page. ambiguity about the narrator, both in gender and reliability. Suspenseful and intriguing with deeply developed characters you want to know." (Best Books of Indiana 2007 -- Fiction Judges)
Non-Fiction - Best Book
Getting Open: The Unknown Story of Bill Garrett and the Integration of College Basketball
by Tom Graham and Rachel Graham Cody
(Atria Books)
"Getting Open is the compelling story of Bill Garrett, who as a young and talented Indiana basketball player in the 1940s paved the way for the integration of the Big Ten. Tom Graham and Rachel Graham Cody have created a compassionate snapshot of the realities of daily life in Indiana at a time when a few brave souls were beginning to breach formal barriers to integration. Although the details of Garrett's story expose a society willing to accept both overt and unspoken racial discrimination, the treatment of the issues and individuals involved is exceptionally fair and even-handed. Every page of this book is skillfully and smoothly written and deserves attention by those, even native Hoosiers, who would not ordinarily consider reading a "basketball book." Skillfully weaving the author's recollections with the story of the breaking of the Big Ten's "gentlemen's agreement," Tom Graham and Rachel Graham Cody have provided us with an inspiring account of courage amidst great social change." (Best Books of Indiana 2007 -- Non-Fiction Judges)
The Nature Conservancy's Guide to Indiana Preserves.
Photographs by Christopher Jordan and Ron Leonetti
(Quarry Books)
"For nearly fifty years, the Indiana Nature Conservancy has been setting aside and preserving lands important to the natural history and ecology of Indiana. Generally open to the public, these lands represent natural Indiana at its best, surprisingly wild and wonderfully varied. Spectacular photographs of Indiana's natural resources will draw readers into The Nature Conservancy's Guide to Indiana Preserves immediately, but the pleasures of this book only begin there. In essays that weave informative details about flora and fauna with human stories of land use and restoration, the text enriches understanding and appreciation of the small remnants of our natural history that remain accessible to twenty-first century citizens. Quite unlike a typical tour book or field guide, Guide to Indiana Preserves gives Hoosiers access to these wild areas through vivid photography, excellent descriptions, and clear directions." (Best Books of Indiana 2007 -- Non-Fiction Judges)
Painting Indiana II: The Changing Face of Agriculture.
Indiana Plein Air Painters Association, Inc. and Center for Agricultural Science & Heritage, Inc.
(Quarry Books)
Part agricultural history and part Plein Air painting portfolio, Painting Indiana II demonstrates the greatness that can be achieved when disparate disciplines work together. The paintings showcased here, created by artists of the Indiana Plein Air Painters Association, celebrate Indiana's rich agricultural heritage, and even more importantly, portray the energy, diversity, and innovation that define Indiana farming in the twenty-first century. The breathtaking loveliness of rural and pastoral landscapes that will always come to mind when one thinks of Indiana farms is celebrated here as well. Thoughtful text emphasizes changes that have altered agricultural practices through time and discusses emerging technological ones that are shaping the future. As a result, Painting Indiana II leaves one with a collection of complex, superb impressions that can only deepen feelings of respect and admiration for the state's rural communities. Equally at home on the farm or fine art bookshelf, this book is a treasure and a uniquely apt tribute to Indiana agriculture. (Best Books of Indiana 2007 -- Non-Fiction Judges)
Poetry - Best Book
Cross this Bridge at a Walk
by Jared Carter
(Wind Publications)
"Jared Carter's Cross this Bridge at a Walk is a serious and ambitious volume of poetry. Works in this collection often combine a storyteller's knack for narrative with a poet's careful crafting of language. The book displays original subject matter and contains poems that particularly appeal to Indiana readers interested in historical information and folklore." (Best Books of Indiana 2007 -- Poetry Judge)


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QualityWe promote continuous improvement of our business activities to be able to guarantee quality products.
EthicsWe guarantee to treat our clients and the end users of our products in an ethical manner. Regarding current legislation.
IntegrityCoherence and ethical behaviour towards people, the environment and society.
HonestyHaving a sincere and fair attitude, internally and externally.
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The new Teclim química website launch arrived as an evidence of the Company commitment to keep updated at the digital front, supporting the communication, image & perception. Under www.teclimquimica.com domain, the new website portal includes more information...
EPIS for the cleaning of ships
All the EPIS necessary for carrying out the cleaning of tanks or cargo holds are at our customers' disposal. We can provide these essential materials along with the purchase of the chemical. We have a wide range of equipment available. Here is a list of the most...
LL-638 / LL-639 Dissipative Antistatic Detergent
LL-638 is a dissipative antistatic detergent that provides both antistatic and dissipative properties. It improves the conductivity of the pavement and avoids triboelectric generation. It is a neutral pH product and does not generate vapours, making it ideal for the...


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MXPlay: Better Than A Jukebox
Digital music is everywhere now. The trouble with digital music is that superior sound quality comes in a variety of file types, and usually with large sizes. As digital music has become more and more widespread, the quality has deteriorated, becoming an afterthought, when marketing online music stores, digital music players, and jukebox software for your computer.
I own an iPod have been a Winamp fan for a long time. I buy music via iTunes and sometimes use it to rip CDs and burn mixes. The trouble is, while iTunes is fully featured and tied into a great music store, and while Winamp is lightweight and lets me play my music without eating up a lot of memory, neither of them are particularly attentive to audio quality, or offer any tools to customize the listening experience. MXPlay, a new digital music player and jukebox, is completely different. The app has all of the tools of your everyday jukebox app and then some, but there's a special focus on audio quality and the listening experience, and it shows.
Downloading and installing MXPlay was a breeze. The installer is lightweight, only 7MB, and there are versions of the app for Mac OS and Windows XP. (No word on Vista support, so try at your own risk.) As soon I opened the player for the first time, I was prompted to add music from my music library. Since my music library is shared on my home theater machine, I tried to browse over to it. so I could import some music. No such luck: MXPlay promptly froze on me, and I had to end the process and re-open it. I also noticed that there's no compact-view that saves screen real-estate, you either have it open or minimized, and when it's open it's pretty large on-screen. As polished as MXPlay is and as fully featured as it is, it's still a beta, so expect to have the occasional issue or run into a glitch here and there.
Even with the occasional bug, MXPlay is a very impressive application. Even the default audio settings provide a richness and quality that I didn't know I was missing in my music until I had a chance to hear it again. MXPlay has a built-in web browser, and the homepage (when viewed inside the player) links you to a variety of different music discovery sites with bands you can read about, genres to explore, and most importantly music you can listen to. A click on "Scissor Kick" took me over to an alt-electronica heaven I didn't know existed, and MXPlay immediately scanned the site for embedded music and started playing. I also took advantage of the option to add the song links to my music library, so I could come back to them and play them from within MXPlay as long as the site had the songs available online.
You can easily browse different genres of music using the various music discovery services, but going to a different site with different streams will interrupt the one currently playing. I decided to see if the excellent audio quality was just from online streams, or if I would get better sound from my own mp3s, so I dragged a few of my own into the music library and was pleasantly surprised. MXPlay took existing music that I had played before, and seemed to draw out the nuances of the tracks.
One of MXPlay's best audio-enhancing features is the ability to customize speaker and listener position very easily, using a drag-and-drop interface. Simply click on the speaker you'd like to move, or the little head icon that represents where you're sitting, and make the audio setup as close to real life as possible. MXPlay does the rest for you, adjusting the fade, bass and treble levels, and volume to match the setup you've arranged. Swing the speakers in closer if you're sitting at a small desk, or move them out if you're sitting on the couch. You can also customize the reverb, maxing it out to sound like you're hearing the song performed in a church hall laden with echoes, or minimizing it for a softer listening experience. You can also customize listening settings for different songs, or create listening spaces to save and use later depending on how you feel. MXPlay calls these customized settings "AudioSpaces."
Another one of MXPlay's cool features is the ability to customize the AudioSpace with videos and photos. Open a video at YouTube, Google Video, MySpace, or UnCut Video inside the MXPlay's built-in web browser, or photos and videos from your computer, and you can add it to your AudioSpace and watch the video play while your music is playing over it. It may not have anything to do with the audio quality, but it's a neat trick that adds a personal touch to your music. Video AudioSpaces are also sharable, so you can browse featured AudioSpaces with their embedded videos, play them, and listen to someone else's chosen tunes and video. Some people might want to listen to their digital music in MXPlay quality, with the video for the song playing in their AudioSpace, for example.
MXPlay isn't trying to be a music store, at least not yet. They're not interested in just being a jukebox or music player, either. The real strength of the app is its audio quality, and the technology under the hood that gives your music a fuller, deeper experience. I'm by no means a true audiophile; I don't buy expensive cables and speakers to enjoy my music, but I can tell the difference between flat stereo and rich audio quality, and MXPlay makes a difference. The download is free, but keep in mind that the program is still in beta. All in all, hoever, I was really impressed with MXPlay, and I'll probably keep using it for a while.
Post by Alan Henry


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What's behind the Watchlists?
Watchlists are a way of sharing or publishing information. They draw from what has been stored in Digimind folders
How do I select which folders to use when creating a Watchlists?
In order to do this, you need to have administration rights for your Digimind platform.
When you are creating a watchlist, you will see your projects and their associated folders:
Click on the ones you would like to include in your watchlist.


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ZACK ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE LTD are an established Private Limited Company who've traded for 3 years. They operate in the Electrical installation sector, the SIC for which is 43210. Their registered office is located in the area of LONDON.
Their legal country of registration is United Kingdom. Private Limited Companys are required to file accounts on an annual basis and their last set of accounts was made up until 31/08/2017.
ZACK ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE LTD are next due to file for year 2019 by the 31/05/2019
Their status at Companies House is Active which means they are likely to be trading. Their unique company number is 10329832. Their legal form is a Private Limited Company


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Final Review: The Atlas of New Librarianship
Continuing on with more review of Lankes, R. (2011). The atlas of new librarianship. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. I was still reading out of curiosity as to how Lankes believes his theories contribute to a practical progression of the profession, but what I found was something I never expected, can not recommend, and, in fact, explicitly oppose. I now regret stating it was a good textbook, but I still suggest that all serious professional librarians should read Lankes' book and make up their own mind if his worldview of a new librarianship is the profession they want.
When Lankes gets into "Scapes" (pg. 53) he is theorizing quite well. He builds a "conceptual digital reference software system that embodies concepts of Conversation Theory" that is both impressive and futuristic. But, I couldn't decide whether he was describing how he thought a software system could facilitate real conversation and then store it (oops, is that a bad word – one of those tools we focus on too much – since Lankes finessed away from using it by writing that the community's conversation "would still be available three years hence" pg. 60), or whether he was describing how he envisioned the ideal human interaction and collaboration in some future existence – theoretically.
I have a hard time believing that Lankes seriously believes that "It is time for librarians to be there at every step of the knowledge-creation process. Just as with the community example, they need to be there helping the community formulate their agreements, helping them discuss it, helping them document it, and then helping them implement it." (pg.60) Does he seriously believe that librarians should be all that – when he admits that our social compact is virtually non-existent?
One "Thread" of Lankes is "Facilitating". (pg. 65) ("Threads are a construct – a way of explaining the arrangement and logic that sit around the agreements." pg. 13) He outlines how your interpretation of the term 'facilitate' defines who you are as a librarian, which harkens disturbingly to images of the emperor's new clothes.
If you are for the people, you are a tool and separate [from the community]. To facilitate is to act on a population. You have users and customers, not members. If, in contrast, you feel as I do that the library is of the people, then to facilitate is to engage and help the community because you are helping yourself. You have members. If you see yourself as a tool for the people, you have a job. If you see yourself as a member of the community, you have a vocation – a calling – a mission. (pg. 66)
I must admit that I like Lankes' notion of "members" as opposed to either patrons or customers. I agree it does seem much more participatory and partner-like – sorta like SAM's Club and COSTCO. But, by common connotation 'membership' implies exclusivity. I can't help but wonder how long it will take for the term 'member' to mean something other than "one of the individuals composing a group" in common usage, the way language is constantly changing along with everything else.
And, unfortunately, some of that exclusivity creeps into Lankes' description of his "new librarianship" mission. Still in the Facilitating thread, Lankes describes how libraries of the people provide Access, become "publisher" of communities, share shelf space, and provide meeting space – of monumental importance.
Bringing people together for conversations, particularly the right people, is how things get done…. … [Independence Hall in Philadelphia] was a Spartan room with simple tables. No more than 50 or so people could cram themselves into the space, …. Yet in this small space something remarkable happened. A few of the right people came together and changed the world. Librarians must use this power of convening to improve their communities. They must provide access to the right members." (pg. 69-70)
I'm compelled to point out that this was not the best example for the importance of meeting spaces, because this analogy seriously breaks down his previous assertions. I can't help but wonder whether there were any librarians among the delegates who drafted, discussed and adopted the Declaration of Independence, and whether they truly "need[ed a librarian] to be there helping the community formulate their agreements, helping them discuss it, helping them document it, and then helping them implement it." (pg. 60) Seems like they did OK without one.
And his contradictions continue with his conclusion of the Access Thread. Using a basketball court analogy, he explains the value of the court to the game, but then states;
By knowing how to structure the court, you have no idea how the game will end up or even how it will be played (strategy). What's more, you don't even need the court to play the game. On asphalt parking lots and driveways around the United States, kids play just fine. Around the world, they play with literal baskets on hard-packed earth.
Build meeting spaces. Build physical ones with comfy couches and huge displays. Build virtual meeting spaces and host blogs. But remember that by doing so you have simply painted the lines on the court. For your members to play, they need coaches, referees, and even an audience. They also need to know the rules of the game, ….
So, kids can play basketball just fine without a court, but your library members can't accomplish anything worthwhile unless you provide coaches, referees plus an audience – and rules. Does anyone else find this confusing and contradictory?
I was still hoping for something practical and useful in "The Atlas" when I came to the Knowledge section in the Facilitating Thread (which includes access, knowledge, environment, and motivation) where Lankes begins to develop the foundation for an argument in favor of all kinds of literacy. However, for librarians "To be 'literate in' means to be able to use something to gain power." (pg. 75) Excuse me? Did I read that correctly? Unfortunately, YES! Lankes then continued on down a path I could not have imagined, and hopefully, neither could the vast majority of professional librarians. Please excuse the lengthy quote, but it is well worth the read, and essential not to break context.
Librarians can impart all the instruction they want on how to search and evaluate sources, but if we don't also facilitate the knowledge of transforming all of that new knowledge into an effective conversation …, we have created a closed loop with limited benefit to the community in general. So information literacy must include the idea of conversation literacy. Indeed, concepts of new librarianship call for a host of expansions in all sorts of literacy.
… Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals, a handbook written by a far left radical during the unrest of the 1960s … is a fascinating read.
What I want to point out, however, is Alinsky's take on the word "power."
There are a number of fundamental reasons for rejecting such substitutions [for the use of the word power]. First, by using combinations of words such as "harnessing the energy" instead of the single word "power," we begin to dilute the meaning; and as we use purifying synonyms, we dissolve the bitterness, the anguish, the hate and love, the agony and the triumph attached to these words, leaving an aseptic imitation of life.
Power is not bad or evil. Alinsky would say the evil is when you don't have power. Without power you don't make decisions, things are decided for you. Librarians need to be powerful. They need to be able to shape agendas, lead the community, and empower members to do the same. We seek out power not as an end but as a means to make the world a better place. To serve, to truly serve, you need to be powerful so you can steward the community.
Why this trip through radicalism and political protest? Because it lies at the heart of how we are to interpret the role of literacy in librarianship. If we see the role of librarians as supplementing other educational processes (teaching reading in schools or literacy organizations, or supporting parents), then literacy is a somewhat limited concept. …
However, if we look at literacy as empowerment, literally to gain power, then we have a different take on literacy altogether. Librarians, I would agree, need to view literacy as a means of acquiring power – more often than not, power for the powerless. (pg. 74) [Emphasis added.]
WOW! I did not see that coming. Is Lankes advocating a radical librarian workforce whose main goal is to achieve power through literacy? To be used "more often than not, [as] power for the powerless"? Sure makes me wonder about those other occasions Lankes alludes to when librarians will use that power for other than the powerless.
As was asked in a previous post comment by a reader – Who imbued librarians with the wisdom to use this power appropriately and effectively? "We seek out power … to make the world a better place. … to truly serve, you need to be powerful so you can steward the community." is arguably the most arrogant attitude any profession could conceive. Then couple that power with Lankes' idea that librarians should be present for ALL knowledge creation within the community and you have what sounds like some kind of socialism or communism – certainly not librarianship!
If the librarian's power will NOT be used for "teaching reading in schools or literacy organizations, or supporting parents" because that limits the whole concept of literacy, what should we stand up and tell our community we are acquiring power to accomplish? How are we going to convince community leaders to give us that power? Are we simply supposed to take it – regardless of who agrees or disagrees? How do we convince those community tax payers that we are acquiring power for their own good?
Authors should write what they mean, and mean what they write. Readers can not be responsible to apply any assumed motivation to what has been written. I can't help but think that Lankes didn't think this whole 'power through literacy' concept through to some logical conclusion, or reasonable implementation.
It is unfortunate that anything useful Lankes proposes – which I was still searching for – is now tainted by his "far left radical" "worldview of new librarianship". I have no intention of being part of a profession that radically advocates for power to improve society in whatever image it creates.


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The Lagos State University (LASU) said on Friday that 24, 734 certificates of graduates who left the institution over the last 10 years were lying uncollected at its registry. Mr Adekoya Martins, Acting Head, Centre for Information, Press and Public Relation, LASU, told newsmen that the certificates were for students who graduated with diplomas and degrees.
Martins said that the university, following the backlog of uncollected certificates, had decided that affected graduates who fail to collect theirs before Oct. 21 would have to pay N 15,000 before doing so. "Before you know it, some the graduates of the university will be clamouring that LASU is withholding their certificates. "Now that the certificates have been signed and released for collection, only a few are coming for it. "Collection of certificates commenced on Sept. 26 and it will end on Oct.21.
"Payment for late collection after the stipulated period of four weeks, after Friday Oct. 21, is N15, 000 only,'' he said. The university, in its official bulletin, had said the certificates were available for collection at the Certificate Unit of the Exams and Records in its Registry. The university, in the bulletin, gave a breakdown of the certificates and the faculties that were affected. It urged graduates to visit the university website – www.lasu.edu.ng – for further information on the procedure for collection of certificates and confirmation of the list of issued certificates.
Source: Vanguard


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213 pages
This groundbreaking text draws upon examples from everyday health care situations to demonstrate that the behaviour differences we all experience in others actually fit within a readily understandable framework (the MBI).
'This book is an important contribution to the literature on health-care communication. It makes the concept of psychological type in this setting accessible to all in a way which will be of use to all doctors, medical educators, and other health-care professionals who are interested in improving communication within the field of health care. I recommend it to all readers.' - Hospital Medicine


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quote:Originally posted by Domesticated
Now you've done it! You're on the dreaded "ignore" list, you bigoted trans-gender hater!
I wonder if I've ever been on someone's ignore list.
I wonder what Tasty Onions just said.
lol. I think the only person I've ignored here is IGK. Although he's not currently on the list.
st3nc and chlola.
> S u s h i p u n k . P h o t o g r a p h y <
quote:Originally posted by Domesticated
That means nothing, you foolish fool! Sharing or not sharing opinions with a trans-gender is the only accurate barometer for these sorts of matters!
I dunno, Adam used to go out of his way to let everyone know they were being ignored because their contributions just weren't of any worth. Who knows what this Avana is like...
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
quote:Originally posted by shaw
st3nc and chlola.
Geez, choda. I should have put her on Ignore, but for some reason I never did. I think I just skipped reading her posts most of the time instead.
I had Karim on ignore for a few months. It was fabulous.
definitely a 'feels good, man' day when I finally gave up that battle.
quote:Originally posted by Miss Pie
I had Karim on ignore for a few months. It was fabulous.
that hurt him more then all the names you called him.
btw welcome to the foogazzi hate club.
that fuckin frocio finochhio fuck.
i think avana should have changed her name to nancy
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New York City officials agreed on Tuesday to a plan that would eliminate the use of solitary confinement for all inmates 21 and younger, a move that would place the long-troubled Rikers Island complex at the forefront of national jail reform efforts.
The policy change was a stark turnaround by the administration of Mayor Bill de Blasio, which recently eliminated the use of solitary confinement for 16- and 17-year-olds but, backed by the powerful correction officers union, had resisted curtailing the practice more broadly.
Even the most innovative jails in the country punish disruptive inmates over age 18 with solitary confinement, said Christine Herrman, director of the Segregation Reduction Project at the Vera Institute of Justice. "I've never heard of anything like that happening anywhere else," she said, referring to the New York City plan. "It would definitely be an innovation."
The Correction Department has faced repeated criticism over the past year after revelations of horrific brutality and neglect of inmates at Rikers, the country's second-largest jail system. Preet Bharara, the United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, is suing the city over the treatment of adolescent inmates at the jail complex.
In the face of mounting scrutiny, the city has provided millions of dollars for better staffing and improved programs for inmates.
A large body of scientific research indicates that solitary confinement is particularly damaging to adolescents and young adults because their brains are still developing. Prolonged isolation in solitary cells can worsen mental illness and in some cases cause it, studies have shown.
Inmates in solitary confinement at Rikers are locked in their cells for 23 hours a day, with one hour of recreation, which they spend by themselves in a small caged area outdoors. A report published in August by Mr. Bharara's office described the use of solitary cells for young people at Rikers as "excessive and inappropriate." Inmates can be locked away for weeks and months and, in some cases, even over a year.
As of Jan. 9, according to recently released city data, there were 497 inmates between ages 19 and 21 at Rikers, with 103 of them held in solitary confinement.
"The majority of inmates in the 18- to 21-year-old cohort are young men of color whom we presume innocent under our laws because they are awaiting trial," said Bryanne Hamill, one of the board's strongest voices for eliminating solitary for young inmates. "The evidence showed that solitary confinement will not improve their future behavior, but will reliably convert anger and frustration today into rage and violence tomorrow."
The plan to further reduce the use of solitary confinement was approved unanimously, 7 to 0, by the city's Board of Correction on Tuesday morning and is supported by the correction commissioner, Joseph Ponte, who was appointed by Mr. de Blasio last year to spearhead reforms at Rikers. The change would not take effect until January 2016 and is contingent on obtaining financing for additional officers and clinical staff members.
Jail reform advocates who have criticized the Correction Department for years praised the initiative. The New York Civil Liberties Union said the change would "make Rikers a leader in solitary confinement reform."
"With these reforms, New York City has taken an important stand for basic human rights and reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of prisoners, prison staff and our communities," said Donna Lieberman, the organization's director. "An institution as profoundly broken as Rikers Island will require wholesale reform to transform into a humane environment that emphasizes treatment and rehabilitation over punishment and isolation, and these rules are a major step forward."
Norman Seabrook, president of the 9,000-member correction officers' union, said the plan, which appeared to take him by surprise, would endanger correction officers, leading to more inmate attacks. He vowed to sue the board for every guard assaulted.
"I'm deeply, deeply bothered by a decision that you would make, jeopardizing the safety and security of inmates and officers," he told the board on Tuesday.
Union officials said they felt excluded from the discussions about solitary confinement.
"It's a blindside," said Sidney Schwartzbaum, who leads the union for assistant deputy wardens.
"Eighteen- to 21-year-olds are a very violent group," said Mr. Schwartzbaum, who added that he had not met with Mr. Ponte since mid-December. "If we can't secure them, violence is going to go on unabated. What do we do with a guy who slashes someone's throat?"
After years of wrangling between inmate advocates and city officials over solitary confinement, the agreement on Tuesday appeared to have been worked out in a private meeting between Mr. Ponte and Ms. Hamill. The two met on Monday morning at the behest of Mr. Ponte and spent 45 minutes developing the details of the initiative.
Along with the changes to solitary confinement, the new initiative allows the department to open a new 250-bed housing unit for the most violent inmates, known as enhanced supervision housing.
The unit will hold inmates with a history of violence, including those affiliated with gangs and who have assaulted officers or other inmates. They will be locked in their cells for 17 hours a day, rather than the standard 10 hours.
Effective immediately, the new rules will reduce the maximum amount of time inmates age 18 and older can be sentenced to solitary confinement to 30 days, from 90. The department also will eliminate so-called owed time. In the past, inmates who left Rikers before completing their stint in solitary confinement returned there if they went back to the jail.
"For years, New York City has locked people up without the provision of adequate programs and treatment to change their thinking and their behavior," Mr. de Blasio said in a statement. "We are pursuing evidence-based practices that will lead to a safer and more humane system."
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr. Ponte said he was confident he would be able to get the necessary resources from the city to put the plan in place next year. Ultimately, he said, getting young inmates out of solitary confinement will drive down violence.
"The idea we lock people up for any length of time and don't provide them with programs or treatments" does not lead to good outcomes, he said. "It seems to defy logic."


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Puddings, crumbles, custard etc
Mint Choco Chip Ice cream
The rains pouring outside is a relief after the unbearable heat! There is something soothing about the soft spluttering of the rains & makes me all dreamy! The trees are all so much greener, the birds chirpier & happier and the smell of freshness in the air is intoxicating. Reading a good book & having some crispy pakoras are all I want to usually do the whole day when it pours outside..!
Strawberry Parfait
Chocolate Marie Pudding
There are many reasons to love chocolate. Our love for it has made them find their way into confectioneries, desserts, drinks, pastries, soups and some savories even. 'Chocolate' come under those 'beloved' food categories. Most of us adore it. Have it daily or pretty often. Crave for it regularly. Savor the heavenly taste as it coats the tongue. Having chocolates makes us happy, scientifically proven they say. They also say chocolate,the dark variety is good for the heart. True or not, I would not want to prove it wrong. I prefer to believe in them always and each time I bite into one. Makes me less guilty having them! No doubt chocolates come with calories. They are 'bittersweet' treat, right?!
And lastly, you don`t need many excuses to indulge in chocolates. You love it, and that`s all it takes to dive into world of chocolates!
Fruit Trifle
Here is a recipe for a simple & yummilicious dessert – 'Fruit Trifle'. I don`t think Trifle requires much introduction as it is sure to be prepared in most homes. But there are endless variations to this and here is one version. Add or delete ingredients as per your taste, only your creativity is the limit!
Fruit Crumble
"Happiness, contentment, the health and growth of the soul, depend, as men have proved over and over again, upon some simple issue, some single turning of the soul."
~ George A. Smith
"To enjoy good health, to bring true happiness to one's family, to bring peace to all, one must first discipline and control one's own mind. If a man can control his mind he can find the way to Enlightenment, and all wisdom and virtue will naturally come to him."
~ Buddha
Eat healthy food for good health. Eat nutritious food. Have regular meals. All these and more we hear day in day out for good health. Feed your stomach with good food to live a healthy life. And all this time we are focussing on feeding our stomach but there is more to be done for a healthy living.
This is something I learnt yesterday. It is something I knew, we all know it well actually. But choose to not give it enough precedence. In our fast paced and competitive daily lifestyle little things that matter a lot in the long run are put aside and forgotten. And then we move on, picking along the way fear, negative thinking, jealousy and so on. At the end of it all even after a healthy diet we still feel we are lacking in something.
Strawberry & Apple Crumble
Mango & Oat Pudding
The texture is quite soft yet firm. The smooth texture comes from the fruit and the firmness from the oats and bread crumbs. The brown sugar topping gives a nice crunch as you bite into this deliciously healthy pudding!
Mango can be replaced with apples, strawberries etc (see notes). Serve it hot or cold with some ice cream or homemade mango sauce, as per the season. Have it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This is an all season and any time dessert!
Biscuit Pudding Cake
Chocolate-y Comfort!
Craving for something sweet & intoxicating to cheer up. Now people often do find themselves in this situation. And so one must always have few reliable & handy tricks up our sleeves to regain our spirits – your favorite music, a good movie, good book, cell phone & a good friend, quick treats to satisfy our taste buds…This is one recipe which qualifies & makes this list. A velvety, satiny smooth, creamy, chocolatey 'Chocolatey Pudding'! Quick & easy to make, requires few simple ingredients which every home, esp of a foodie`s will normally have :). Its a recipe that won`t let you down. Try it out & find out for yourselves…


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Leonardo DiCaprio Dines with LeBron James & Al Pacino in Beverly Hills!
Leonardo DiCaprio had a star-studded dinner last night!
The 43-year-old actor met up with NBA superstar LeBron James and actor Al Pacino at Avra on Wednesday night (July 11) in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Fans believe this could have been more of a business dinner, because LeBron's business partner, Maverick Carter, was also in attendance!
In addition, TMZ is reporting that Leonardo decided to exit the restaurant through the front door, while LeBron and Al exited through the back door.
Check out photos from the star-studded dinner…


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Posted by GameDemon in DanMachi | 0 Comments
DanMachi episode 13
Yeah, I suppose I do find this ending rather good. It may have been a little rushes and not all questions were answered, but I suppose it's because I wanted to see a lot more of DanMachi. It saddens me that it's already over.
DanMachi truly was this season's underdog. Many people thought that it was another dirty anime when they saw that busty loli Hestia and thought that it was going to be more fan service than anything else. Things soon changed after only a couple of episodes. People came around and saw DanMachi for was it truly was; a great show.
I'm not sure if there's ever going to be a sequel. I haven't heard anything yet. Not even an item about the possibility of a sequel. That's why I'm kind of satisfied with this ending as it had everything you could wish for; a badass boss, a huge fight and a happy ending. That finishes things pretty nicely if you compare it to the endings of other shows.
I knew that Bell-kun's latest skill would be the key to him defeating that boss. His attack being amplified like that allowed him to slay that boss before it could destroy them all. That's all very cool and impressive that Bell-kun managed to rise to the occasion, but I still think that it could've been avoided if Hestia hadn't used her divine powers after Bell-kun had already won the day (so to speak). It seems kind of pointless if you think about it. Bell and his friends were safe and so was she, so there was no point in having her interfere. I wonder if that happened in the manga as well or if it was just their way of ending the show. Either way; I am pleased. I'm glad I watched this show and that I wrote about it.


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- Meghan Markle wore an extravagant hat for her debut Royal Ascot appearance.
- She wore a white hat with structured black detailing on the brim by Philip Treacy.
- Markle paired it with a white coat dress by Givenchy.
- Prince Harry and the queen also pulled out all the stops.
Now that Meghan Markle is officially part of the royal family, she'll be attending all sorts of lavish events. One of the biggest royal events of the year is the annual week of horse races known as the Royal Ascot. Markle made her debut appearance at the event in Ascot, Berkshire, UK, on Tuesday looking as glamorous as ever.
The dress code for the event encourages attendees to dress to the nines, especially when it comes to their hats and fascinators. While Markle has kept her hat style fairly low-key so far, she pulled out all the stops for her debut Ascot appearance. She opted for an extravagant white hat with black structured detailing on the brim by milliner Philip Treacy.
She paired the stunning hat with a white coat dress by Givenchy, who seems to be her new go-to designer. She previously worked with the design house on both her wedding dress and her chic ensemble for her first joint engagement with the queen. Some black heels were a simple finishing touch that paired perfectly with the detailing on her hat.
Markle's fascinator was just as elegant and over-the-top as some of Kate Middleton's and Princess Eugenie's best headpieces, proving that Markle is quickly adapting to the guidelines of royal fashion with ease.
Though Markle stole the show, Prince Harry was also at her side looking dapper in a top hat and with his beard looking as full and dashing as ever.
The queen made her grand arrival wearing her signature neon colors, this time opting for a bright yellow coat dress with a matching hat featuring a blue floral design.
It's just further proof that good hats run in the royal family.
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We hold life – this is our divine spark. We know – we feel – we must – we are already – it is given. We are part of the dreaming. And it is time. The return of the Sacred Feminine Consciousness is upon us. The feminine must lead the way back to balance. We need the union of the two principles – sacred feminine in balance with sacred masculine.
The feminine is the spark, the initiator. And the feminine must initiate the healing, the rebalancing. This is womb wisdom. The wisdom of the Mother of all life that we hold within us. It is up to us to light the fire that will blaze across the earth and leave behind glowing embers of a new light, a new dawn.
I invite the sisterhood to circle together as one as we dance our way through the dark-light of life. A dance that is bigger and more wondrous than we can ever imagine. When we gather in sacred circle, we generate Shakti, and in doing so, we transmute suffering in both men & women. Together we have the power to create life anew. When we transform within, everything without must also change. Woman-change means world-change.
So, it is Womb-time. Woman-time. Her-time. It is time for women to circle together as one womb, the circle of life itself. It is time to redefine what it means to be successful, to be powerful, to be feminine - what it means to be truly, wholly (holy) woman. It is time to listen deeply to our knowing and to the calling of the world, the calling of our Great Mother. It is time to inspire and be inspired. It is time to 'be the change we are want to see in the world' at this great turning point in our times.
It is time to bring it all home, to gather in - the pain, the guilt, the shame, the inheritance of our mothers, grandmothers and grandmothers and the long held beliefs that keep us shackled to untruth. It is time to gather the courage and willingness to dive into the depths of our darkness, individual and collective. There is no separation - our wombs are connected through the web of life. It is time to bring all of it into the light of our consciousness to birth ourselves anew. It is time to recreate our lives to live in joy, in love, in beauty and in service to each other and the planet. In healing ourselves, we heal the planet.
It is time to join together as a community (common-unity) of women consciously engaging as a powerful force for change, for evolution. This is our response-ability, our offering and our quest.
It is time to awaken the beauty and power of the feminine through surrender to Her, to hear the call of Mother Earth, to offer ourselves and in doing so receive from Her in abundance. It is time to align with our highest calling, our unique soul purpose here on earth and the greatest vision of the future we have the possibility to imagine. Our dream-seed waiting to bear fruit.
Sisters, let us gather in the dreamtime to vision a new world, a new way of being, 'being earth' - loving, caring, nourishing all of life. Let us begin with ourselves - loving, nurturing and empowering ourselves and each other. Let us grow and nurture a better world together - for ourselves, for our children, for our children's children and for all of life.
Sisters, I invite you to bring your unique, beautiful, radiant self fully into this great dance of life. Join me to gather-in, transform and celebrate our womanhood in joy and wonder. We must recognise the goddess dancing through each other as the divine creative spark of life. Many small sparks of light will create one great big fire, lighting the fire of collective transformation. Women on fire will blaze the way across the earth and out of the ashes she will rise - a new earth and a new dawn.
in love, service & sisterhood


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Back in May, NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance announced plans to go to competitive tender for buses in the inner west of Sydney - effectively privatising bus services in that densely-populated region.
(In Sydney, bus services in different parts of the city are divided up into 'contract regions'. The government-owned State Transit Authority (STA) currently holds the contract to provide services in four of those regions. Region 6 is the one to be privatised. On average, there are around 3.5 million trips on buses in this region every month - making it the second busiest contract region in Sydney, after the STA-run Region 9 in the city's east.)
|Sydney bus contract regions: STA regions 6-9 in blue
This is the latest in a long line of privatisations of urban infrastructures by this government: electricity infrastructure, crown land, government-owned buildings, train lines, ferries, hospitals, land titles registry, public housing all over the city (especially inner city) to name a few. A defining characteristic of their policy agenda is to shrink the role and assets of the public sector.
A terrific union-community campaign is taking shape to oppose this move, and to fight for publicly-owned and operated public transport that serves the public good. Drivers walked off the job for 24 hours the day after the announcement. A couple of weeks later, they swapped their uniform for Hawaiian shirts, switched off the Opal machines that collect fares, and handed out leaflets about the privatisation to happy commuters travelling for free. This month, there's been leafletting at bus stops, letterbox drops, a social media campaign, and well-attended community meetings across the affected area.
I was honoured to be invited to talk to a community meeting about the issue that took place in Pitt St Uniting Church on 28 June, alongside union leaders, community leaders, and politicians from both Labor and the Greens. Here's the long version of what I said, including links to sources. It's a critical analysis of the main arguments being used to support the privatisation.
I'm here to offer some critical analysis of the case for privatization that has been made by the Transport Minister, Andrew Constance, and his supporters.
There's a lot at stake here. Tonight we're talking about the privatization of buses in Sydney's inner west. But if this goes ahead, it won't end there. Back in March, Minister Constance told the Australian Financial Review that: "In 10 to 15 years' time government will not be in the provision of transport services".
He has been strongly supported in this by the Tourism Transport Forum (TTF), a lobby group of tourism and transport operators. Last year, the TTF produced a report on "the benefits of private sector involvement in the delivery of bus services", urging governments around Australia to divest from public ownership and operation of bus services. When Constance made his announcement about inner west buses, they were highly supportive, and urged him to go further: "Today's announcement the NSW Government will franchise the Inner West STA region is a very good start that hopefully signals a shift towards franchising more and more regions in due course."
Four main arguments have been used to justify this privatisation. So let's do some fact-checking.
Claim #1: Inner west buses attract more complaints than privately-operated buses
In announcing the planned privatisation, Minister Constance frequently cited the high level of complaints received in about buses in Region 6 - for instance, telling the ABC: "If you consider that the private sector's had 19,000 complaints statewide verse 12,000 in this one region alone something had to give, and when it's complaints about buses not turning up, poor performance, we need to take action for our customers."
Now, it's not easy to check this claim, as the complaint data has not been made public by Transport for NSW. I have asked for the data, and have been told by Transport for NSW that I will need to lodge a Freedom of Information request, which I plan to do.
Guardian journalist Nick Evershed has seen, and analysed, the complaints data. He found that once you take account of the much higher number of passengers that use public buses in Region 6, they don't receive way more complaints than private buses. Here's his figures:
|Nick Evershed analysis of bus complaints. Source: Guardian Australia
This analysis undermines the Minter's claims. Indeed, he surely knew he was bending the truth in citing those statistics out of context.
What's more, the Minister's point makes little sense until we know more about the reasons for those complaints. For example, it's possible that they're about buses running late, or being full – factors that are beyond the control of the STA and its drivers. This leads to the second claim...
Claim #2: Inner west buses run late more often than privately-operated buses
The privatisation announcement included the claim that buses in the inner west had one of the worst on-time running performance results in 2016.
Well, this claim is technically true. But, as with the claim about complaints it is also pretty meaningless, when the data is offered without any context. Traffic congestion is also much worse in parts of the city covered by public buses. I have crunched some numbers from the Roads and Maritime Services Roads Report. For the period June 2016-May 2017, in the morning peak, traffic crawled along at an average of 54% of the speed limit in parts of the city where public buses operate. In less congested private bus areas, it averaged 62% of speed limit. Congestion influences on-time performance, having effects on punctual departures and keeping to timetabled stops.
|On-time running 2016 x AM peak road congestion 2016-17. STA Regions shaded in blue. Sources: Transport for NSW Performance Reports; Roads and Maritime Services Roads Report
So, given the different road conditions across the city, it's just not meaningful or reasonable to compare on-time performance in congested and less congested areas.
Claim #3: Public buses cost more than privately-operated buses
As with all privatisation debates, supporters are talking up the financial benefits of expanding the role of private operators in Sydney's bus network. But their claims in this case are overblown, and/or blinkered.
Tourism Transport Forum CEO Margy Osmond was quoted on ABC news saying that "With a complete franchising of the bus service here in New South Wales, on the basis of research we did at the end of last year, it could mean up to a billion dollars over a five-year period for the NSW Government."
Well, actually, their research did not show that at all. It purported to show that a privatisation of all publicly-owned buses across Australia (ie, not just in Sydney and Newcastle, but in Brisbane, Canberra and Hobart) would save governments up to $1 billion over 5 years (see TTF, On the Buses, p. 4). Back in February, before being in the trenches defending the Minister, Osmond had said full bus privatisation in NSW could generate up to $500 million in savings over the 5 year period.
So ... what's half a billion among friends? Either way, these are big numbers. On what basis are such savings claimed?
The TTF never breaks down their calculations in its report, but it cites a 2005 journal article by Hensher and Wallis in support of its claims about the financial savings associated with privatisation. I've had a read of that article. And while Hensher and Wallis are by no means opponents of bus privatisation, their position is far more nuanced and critical than one might think from reading the TTF report. In particular, they identify several deficiencies in the process of competitive tendering for bus services that are relevant to our situation here in Sydney.
First, they note that the evidence on cost-savings is not particularly reliable. Indeed, they put the word 'evidence' in scare-quotes when discussing cost-savings (p. 300).
Second, while they certainly do think that competitive tendering seems to have generated savings where it has been implemented, they note some concerns about how such savings have been achieved in different contexts. In some contexts, particularly developing contexts, this has been achieved by driving down wages (p. 314). They also worry that "Although competitive tendering is market driven at the time of bidding, given the dominating focus on cost efficiency, it generally provides the wrong set of incentives to do more in line with social obligations or external benefits" (p. 318).
Third, they note that while there are often significant savings in the short-term from competitive tendering of bus services, the long-term is another story: "Evidence is accumulating of cases where some of the initial cost savings through CT are eroded through cost escalation in subsequent tendering rounds" (p. 313).
The competitive tendering of bus services in London in the 1980s provides a case of some of these points. There, it was reported that there was a significant 50% unit cost reduction in bus services between 1985 and 2000. A major factor was a reduction in labour costs. Another factor was a substantial increase in farebox cost recovery - a growth of 60-95% that does not seem to be accounted for by the increase in patronage of 12%, but by higher fares. Further, in the five years from 1995-2000, costs were back on the rise, at an average of 10% per year (pp. 301, 306).
Another case a bit closer to home is Perth. Bus services were privatised there in the 1990s. The TTF report points to cost reductions in the first decade of private contracting (p. 12). But costs have risen since then. The cost per passenger kilometre of bus services run by private operators in Perth has more than doubled since 2002, a rate of increase much higher than inflation over that period.
|Perth, Bus Costs per Passenger Kilometre, 2002-2016. Sources: WA Public Transport Authority Annual Reports, Reserve Bank Inflation Calculator
As I noted above, Hensher and Wallis are far from advocates of public ownership (much less nationalisation!). But their review comes to the conclusion that a system of 'negotiated contracts' with established providers might be a more effective way to ensure cost efficiencies are matched with effective services levels that meet the important social obligations of a good public transport system.
Guess what we currently have with the STA for Regions 6-9 in Sydney? A negotiated contract, of course! And that negotiated contract has in fact been delivering performance improvements and cost reductions, through the hard work of staff, over the past several years.
Indeed, even the Tourism Transport Forum is forced to admit, in a small-print footnote on the last page of their report: "Sydney buses has begun to reduce its operating costs during 2013/2014, somewhat closing the gap to the private sector" (p. 31). These reductions have continued since then. It was being reported last year that as a result of these reductions, which were often painful for staff, in-principle agreement had been reached between the Government and STA to extend the STA's contracts for a further five years from 2017 with competitive tendering.
Now, Minister Constance is saying that the cost reductions have not gone far enough, and that STA buses still cost more to run than privately-operated buses in the rest of the city. Well, of course they do! The STA also happens to run a much more frequent service than those private operators - with regular services all the way from 5am to midnight, as we found when we mapped public transport frequencies for the Sydney Alliance a few years ago (see below). Benchmarking the STA against private operators with much less frequent services is just not reasonable.
|Areas in purple = areas within 400m of public transport that has frequency of at least 15 minutes between 5am and midnight - note the overlap of high frequency parts of the city with STA contract areas. Source: Troy and Iveson for Sydney Alliance
Even the hard-line economists at the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal recognised in their 2015 report into the efficiency of NSW public transport services that you could not directly benchmark the STA against private operators (pp. 52-57). While they attempted to take account of congestion and weekend services in their comparison, they too failed to take any account of the higher frequency of STA services during the average weekday. So IPART's conclusion that STA buses are less efficient than private operators is flawed. It does not value the STA's role in running more expensive bus services early in the morning and late into the evening. These non-peak services provide an essential social and economic service to the city - for shift-workers, people participating in the 'night-time economy', and many more besides. So comparing public and private here is like comparing apples and oranges.
Claim #4: The private sector provides more innovative services
Finally, both the Minister and the TTF make the claim that the private sector will provide more innovative service offerings. The Minister, in particular, seems very enamoured of 'on-demand' bus services - in which passengers can effectively hail a small bus that could adjust its route in real-time. For him, cracking open the market to the private sector might allow such wonders to emerge.
Such services have been trialled now in a few cities – for example, in Helsinki (in a scheme called Kutsuplus that was run by the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority), and in Boston, Washington and Kansas by a company called Bridj. There was plenty of hype about all of these services when they started up. But Kutsuplus, Bridj, and other similar services like Split have all fallen apart in the past few months. Evidently, the subsidies per rider were simply too high. In Kansas City, Bridj services (which were offered in partnership with the public transit authority there, and at least offered union jobs to drivers) were apparently being subsidised to the tune of $1000 per rider in the first six months of their operation. The public authorities and the venture capitalists who were funding the schemes eventually cut their losses.
Surely there are some lessons to be learnt here. It seems that right now, these on-demand, app-enabled mini-buses are no match for mass public transport in dense urban environments, from a cost perspective. So far, it seems the private sector is having no more luck delivering some of these techo-fantasies than the public sector.
Beyond the techno-fantasies, there's plenty of evidence for publicly-owned transport operators providing great, innovative services right here in Australia. Brisbane offers another example of this. There, the publicly-owned service includes a sector-leading Bus Rapid Transit network.
Conclusion: What kind of public transport do we want?
So, the case for privatisation has some big holes in it.
This is not to say that buses in the inner west, or anywhere else in Sydney, are perfect. Far from it.
But as we've been arguing in the Sydney Alliance for some years now, the biggest improvements we could make to public transport in Sydney are about filling the gaps in the network. We need to make sure that everyone is in walking distance to frequent public transport services, that form a coordinated network across the city that can get people wherever they need to go, whenever they need to travel.
That's the job of … the government! It's the government who ultimately has responsibility for network planning and service levels.
It seems that Minister Constance and Premier Berejiklian are trying to deflect our attention away from their failings to deliver the integrated network they promised in a series of previous plans. Worse still, they're trying to redirect our frustration towards the drivers who deal with lousy Sydney traffic on our behalf, and the staff who keep those buses safe and clean.
I'm so heartened to see people in our city not failing for this attempt to divide us, sticking together with the drivers and maintenance workers and demanding that our public buses remain in public hands, serving the public good. And I look forward to working with you as we get ourselves organised to assert and win this demand.


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Emoji By The People, For The People
We give voice to the people about emojis
Emojination wants to make emoji approval an inclusive, representative process.
Our efforts have drawn worldwide media attention through out successful campaigns for the hijab emoji and the dumpling emoji. We also run the highly successful Emojicon conference and fun Emoji Spelling Bee.
Join us! Help us change emoji.
Who Controls Emoji?
(Hint, we want to give the power to you!)
When we started looking into who could approve our proposal for a dumpling emoji, we were surprised to learn that the emojis – so central to the lives of ordinary Internet users across the globe – was controlled by a handful of multinational American tech corporations.
When you see or send an emoji, that emoji has likely been backed by the Unicode Consortium and approved to be standardized across platforms. Without guidance from the consortium, an emoji created for an Apple device would appear as a jumble on any other device.
So, who gets to vote on whether an emoji is included in that universal lexicon? There are currently 12 full voting members who pay $18,000 a year for the privilege. Nine of them are United States multinational tech companies: Oracle, IBM, Microsoft, Adobe, Apple, Google, Facebook, Shopify, and Netflix.
The only other voting members are the German software company SAP; the Chinese telecom company Huawei; and the government of Oman.*
It can take well over 18 months for a proposed emoji to complete the review process, which includes gaining the approval of ISO, yet another international standards body.
The decision makers along the way are generally male, white, and engineers. They specialize in encoding. Such a review process certainly is less than ideal for promoting a vibrant visual language used throughout the world.
We want to change that.
* Lower membership tiers in Unicode include the government of India, the government of Bangladesh, the government of Tamil Nadu, and the University of California, Berkeley. Those levels include full and half votes on the Unicode Technical Committee, which oversees emoji.
Emoji We've Helped Passed
A taste of our success stories in collaborating with others
HIJAB emoji
with Rayouf Alhumedhi
SAUNA emoji
with the Finnish government
RED ENVELOPE emoji
with Baidu
DUMPLING emoji
through Kickstarter
BROCCOLI emoji
with vegetarians
DNA emoji
with GE and the American Chemical Society
Emojination is the brainchild of a power team of women.
Jeanne Brooks
Ecosystem Architect
Jeanne Brooks is an ecosystem architect that built the community around Emojination, by bringing people together through Emojicon, a celebration of all things emoji which features the emoji spelling bee, emoji karaoke and an emoji studio. Her favorite emoji is 🔮.
Jennifer 8. Lee
Airtable Master
When Jenny learned there was no dumpling emoji from Yiying Lu, she felt like the system was broken. She joined the Unicode consortium and is now a vice-chair of the Unicode Emoji Subcommittee. She believes in giving voice to the people on issues of emoji.
Yiying Lu
Yiying Lu Artist of Twitter 🐳 & 🥟🥡🥢🥠 emoji. Bilingual Speaker. Former Creative Director 500 Startups. Fast Company Most Creative People 2018. Dumpling Connoisseur.
U.S. Press
Our work has been featured in major news outlets across the country.
Buzzfeed. December 20, 2015. By Charlie Warzel.
The Washington Post. September 13, 2016. By Abby Ohlheiser.
The New York Times. November 7, 2016. By Amanda Hess.
The Wall Street Journal. November 10, 2016. By Georgia Wells.
San Francisco Chronicle. October 19, 2017. By Anh-Minh Le.
NPR. October 18, 2017. By Courtney Columbus.
The Atlantic. October 21, 2017. By Megan Garber.
Refinery29. October 23, 2017. By Natalie Gil.
The Chicago Tribune. December 29, 2017. By Barbara Ortutay.
The Verge. February 27, 2018. By Kaitlyn Tiffany.
Quartzy. July 17, 2018. By Thu-Huong Ha.
International Press
We've gone global!
Tribun Lampung, Indonesia. September 15, 2016. By Reny Fitriani.
Dainik Jagran, India. September 18, 2016. By Sanjeev Tiwari.
Agencia EFE, Spain. May 10, 2018. By Marina Guillén.
T13, Chile. May 27, 2018.
La Nacion, Argentina. June 3, 2018. By Evangelina Himitian.
Lmneuquen, Argentina. July 12, 2018.
Contact us
Are you interested in working on an emoji proposal?
Contact us below. You can also join our Slack and Airtable.


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When I returned to the US this week, I was incredibly excited to see that the author of one of my favorite books ever was releasing his first novel in 15 years. A few years ago, I read The Tetherballs of Bougainville. I remember starting it while riding the train home–both a fantastic idea and a terrible one. I flipped by every page with lightning speed but tried so hard to keep the insane laughter inside. I even taught an excerpt to my undergrads a few semesters ago. But be warned, this book is so good it might fizzle your brain. I kept thinking to myself, How in god's name did this man write this? I wish I would have written this! It is an exhaustive process to read and I'm sure Leyner's hiatus could be attributed to his own mind-numbing fizzle.
It is so hard to explain to someone what the plot of Tetherballs is because of its ability to make the reader feel like they're doing hyperactive cartwheels (but in the good way). In Ben Marcus' NY Times review of Leyner's new book, The Sugar Frosted Nutsack, he abbreviates the plot analysis of Tetherballs to,
Mark Leyner is a teenage screenwriting prodigy, summoned to prison to witness his father's execution by lethal injection. His father survives (with a vicious hangover), only to be told that the State of New Jersey reserves the right to kill him in the future. Anytime. Anywhere.
Excerpt from Tetherballs: (click to enlarge)
I can't wait to get my hands on the new book.


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Autlan de Navarro Hotel hotel
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When is the best time to visit Autlán de Navarro?
- • Hottest months: August, July, June, October (average 93°F)
- • Coldest months: March, April, February, January (average 66°F)
- • Rainiest months: September, August, July, and October (average 6.15 inches of rainfall)


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Oh Snap! Snapchat Just Upped Their Ad Game
Aside from their recent IPO and impressively speedy insertion to the advertising realm, Snapchat has been taking their supplements and have given their ad platform a serious enhancement. With 166 million daily active users worldwide being reached by publishers like Cosmopolitan, CNN and National Geographic, target audiences can and are being found on Snapchat with endless opportunities to interact with brands at the swipe of a finger.
US Snapchat Users
As more brands are recognizing the importance of having a presence on the platform, the social tool is reciprocating the support by offering useful and incredibly relevant ad types. We've narrowed down and present to you the top 5 exciting new developments advertisers can utilize when spending social ad dollars wisely:
1. Ad & Business Manager + Mobile Dashboard
Yearning for the familiar face of social media ad managers? Now you can now see your campaigns, ads and various settings in one, very colorful, place. Buying media on Snapchat was previously a blind trust exercise, but after recent developments, advertisers can submit, optimize, manage and find analytics on campaigns housed together for your convenience. And bonus(!), there's a mobile dashboard for you to manage campaigns and pull data while you're sitting in traffic or want a real-time update.
The reassurance the dashboard and manager provide is backed by some stats pulled by the experts at eMarketer; ad spending continues to increase as marketers discover the value in being on an instant, digital and innovative platform. Savvy brands are investing their ad dollars in more digital with the future of digital in mind.
Snapchat within Digital Ad Spending
2. Creative Construction
Since Snapchat is a video-centric platform, having vertical video that's less than 10 seconds is absolutely vital. But unless you're spitting out video creative from your always-on GoPro, it's not likely you'll have enough content to stay relevant.
Fear not! Snapchat is providing "re-cutting" services for your convenience. This means their snappy creative team will repurpose, reshape, reformat and slice your pre-existing content into perfectly tailored video for your campaigns.
Why provide such service? Snapchat wants to make sure there's enough of your content in circulation to keep Snappers intrigued, engaged and entertained. In a recent article by Variety , "Snapchat is getting into the content game because it wants to keep its user base inside the Snapchat ecosystem (and away from competitors) for as long as possible; the average Snapchat user returns to the app 18 times a day."
3. Snap Ads in User Stories
You thought your ads were only going to be seen in Discover? Think again! Snapchat is putting your creative content where users' are putting their own snaps.
Picture this: your target user, a 23-year-old female who resides in Atlanta with fashion interests, has just snapped a selfie at Lenox Mall and is now tapping through her friends' stories. As her fellow Snapper's last-filtered video ends, she sees your carefully constructed video and is instantly introduced to or reminded of your brand. Ta da! You've successfully been personal, fun and effective thanks to Snapchat's User Stories placement.
4. Video View Goal-Based Bidding
As mentioned, Snapchat is all about the video assets. And, if we're being honest, video is taking over the future of media. Static images are comfortable staples, but social users are accustomed to and expect video in their daily feeds. Snapchat's ability to focus on this moveable vision has put them in their own buying pool, and they've formulated a way to bid based on views in the auction.
Advertisers who utilized Snap Ads within Discover "experienced a 16% increase in the average monthly reach of their TV audience compared with a 5% decrease in the six-month period prior to the partnerships," according to Variety. By adding User Stories as a placement, Snapchat is expanding reach and providing an even more efficient way to spend.
The combination of cord cutters and TV being repurposed for Snapchat makes it a no-brainer to follow viewers to their phones, so Snapchat explained bidding as their way to "deliver ads to help generate the most views at the lowest cost," whether that's the swipe-up or a 2-second view. Metrics include video views (impressions), CPV and average video view time.
5. New Publishers & Snapchat Shows
Snapchat is known for its disappearing content, so unlike being able to save on all other social platforms, users are obligated to stay up-to-date on content and develop a slight FOMO complex. The above view-based bidding goes hand-in-hand with being in the RIGHT NOW. With this knowledge and tv publishers recognizing the hype needed to boost viewership before and during a show's airing, Snapchat is one step ahead by offering original series called "Snapchat Shows."
From reviving MTV Cribs to the continuation of Good Luck America, Snapchat original content has proven to bridge the gap between TV and social. "It's part of a broader evolution in the coming months, sources say, that aims to make content a more central part of the Snapchat experience — a function that tends to get overshadowed by the app's primary use as a messaging tool," Variety also stated. And Snapchat's evolution to content creation and social hub will only continue.
Alongside Snapchat Shows, the platform is adding more publishers to the mix, so if users don't have basic cable or magazine subscriptions, they can still stay in-the-know. A few of the anticipated additions include GQ, Esquire, The Washington Post, New York Times and NBA. If you weren't interested in the variety of content before, there's sure to be something to spark your attention now.
So Snap To It!
Snapchat's ad revenues are on a rapid trajectory. With Facebook and Google topping the ad revenue list, Snapchat seems to be operating on its own schedule with no concern for competition. They've made it onto the list to the ad revenue mavens' party and will likely co-host the event in coming years.
Snapchat Ad Revenue
So whether your social strategy includes awareness or DR campaigns, don't finalize your plan without a look into Snapchat's self-serve or managed social initiatives. Your brand and its audiences will thank you.
Interested in leveraging these best practices and strategies? BKV can help!Contact us


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My feedback
553 votesStarted · AdminMixer Team (Product Owner, Mixer) responded
Pro users and Partners will now have the ability to add images, overlays, text, and scene switching to their broadcasts on all of our platforms (including Xbox and Mixer Create) using Lightstream Studio!
Read more about our partnership and how to get started here: https://blog.mixer.com/2018/04/11/enhance-your-mixer-streams-with-lightstream-studio/
We hope to expand access to Lightstream to more users as we validate the stability and performance of the feature.
- Matt SalsaAnonymous commented
I totally agree. Unless i want to upgrade my computer and buy a capture card I can't edit the way my stream looks. It makes it hard to attract more viewers


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Contact HealthDay
Tel: 1-631-582-9000 E-mail
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Stay ahead of the latest in pulmonology news with Physician's Briefing, the timesaving, turnkey resource for pulmonologists. As part of your Physician's Briefing license you'll receive pulmonology articles Monday through Friday.
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HealthDay is featured on more than 5,000 websites including:
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text: What can you get at SetCell? We carry a vast selection of the latest smartphones, like iPhones, Samsungs, LG and more! Let us switch you to an affordable month-to-month plan, no more contracts, no more worrying about lease programs. Our team of friendly and professional technicians are here 7 days a week to fix all of your phone problems. We have a wide range of phone cases and accessories to fit anyone's budget.


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BigMIND now allows you to import the files you have under your G Cloud account.
To do so, here is what you need to do:
- Sign into your BigMIND online account.
- Select the Discover option from the left side menu.
- From the left side menu of the Discover Data page, click on the Add Service button.
- From the opened pop-up box, refer to the Import Files tab and click the Import from G Cloud button.
- A new Sign into G Cloud Backup window will be opened. Use it to sign into the G Cloud account which you need to import the data from it.
- If your G Cloud account was created using an email & password combination, then enter the credentials of your account and click the Sign In button.
- If your G Cloud account was created using the Sign up with Google+ option, you should directly click the Sign in with Google+ button to connect to your G Cloud account.
- If your G Cloud account was created using the Sign up with Facebook option, you should directly click the Sign in with Facebook button to connect to your G Cloud account.
This way, the importing will start, and the following data will be imported from your G Cloud account:
Photos, Videos, Music files, Documents, Contacts, Messages, Call Logs and Calendars.
The Close option only hides the Importing Data from G Cloud dialog, and the import process will continue in the background. However, the Cancel Import option cancels the importing process completely.
The import process happens only once. This is not a synchronization process. So, whenever new data is uploaded to your G Cloud account, it will not automatically be imported to your BigMIND account.
If new data is added to the G Cloud account, and you want to import it to BigMIND, you will need to import all the data again. This will override the old data and add the new one (It will pass all imported files again, and then adds the new one).


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Available in:
4" dia. x 36" and 42". heights
6" dia. x 42" height
This quality Schedule 40 Steel Yellow Bollard is Surface Mounted and Powder Coated Safety Yellow for added security. The 4" diameter bollard is available in 36" and 42" heights, and the 6" diameter bollard comes in the 42" height.
This Surface Mounted Steel Yellow Bollard prevents vehicles from damaging property without the labor intensive bollard installation process. Since there is no large core drilling, these products can be quickly and easily installed on most solid surfaces.
The steel dome cap and base plate are welded on. The .5" thick base plate measures 8" x 8" with four pre-drilled .75" corner holes. A set of 4, .625" x 4.5" Long Concrete
Anchors are included.


text:
November 6, 2008
Dear Sirs,
it is quite interesting, that we see only very few comments about the positive impacts markt-to-market had on the bank and public companies results before the so-called subprime crisis broke out. Similarly nobody highlights today the favorable impact of downgrades by rating agencies on the value of liabilities, debt and corresponding non-realized profits made by many banks.
In order to avoid this going forward a prudence rule should be added, which existed in IAS before IFRS started to align with US-GAAP:
Asets and liabilities are to be accounted at market (mark-to-market) or cost, whichever is lower.


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Pear, Fig and Blue Cheese Flatbread With the holiday seasons quickly approaching, we know you've got a lot of party planning and entertaining coming your way. So why not make lighten the load by checking searching for an appetizer recipe off of your list! This flatbread is amazing. It's savory and sweet all in one. Treat… Continue reading Dishing Out Recipes: Pear, Fig and Blue Cheese Flatbread
Tag: Home
Dishing Out Recipes: Bourbon and Chocolate Pecan Pie
Bourbon and Chocolate Pecan Pie November is finally here and it's time to break out the pies! This magnificent pecan pie is just the treat to provide your friends and family with the "warm" thanks they deserve this holiday season. So what are you waiting for? Get baking! Ingredients Pie Pastry: 1 cup unbleached flour, plus… Continue reading Dishing Out Recipes: Bourbon and Chocolate Pecan Pie
Dishing Out Recipes: Lemon-Herb Turkey with Lemon-Garlic Gravy
Lemon-Herb Turkey with Lemon-Garlic Gravy Everyone is obligated to provide turkey at Thanksgiving, it's tradition! But why not make it the holiday tradition that counts?! With this scrumptious lemony-herb smothered turkey, you'll never go back to the primitive ways of cooking your holiday poultry. Nothing beats going gourmet during the holidays! Ingredients Lemon-Herb Butter: 1 large lemon 1 small… Continue reading Dishing Out Recipes: Lemon-Herb Turkey with Lemon-Garlic Gravy
What's New: Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall
Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall This was a heated summer for Lajollacooks4u. Not only did we welcome new and wonderful faces, but we worked day-in and day-out to compile a cookbook worthy of our fans. And now as summer comes to a close and autumn begins to greet us, we can't wait to announce that our cookbook is making… Continue reading What's New: Goodbye Summer, Hello Fall
What's New: Marching Into Spring
Hop into spring time with Lajollacooks4u From a lovely night in Tuscany with the women of Callan Capital to the piping hot numbers of home cooking classes with foodies from all over the country, March has been bursting with new faces. Lajollacooks4u has truly taken to springing forward as we welcome the blossoming company of our new guests. It seems everyone wants… Continue reading What's New: Marching Into Spring
What's New: Refreshing Renovations and Recipe Recreations
Lajollacooks4u's newly revamped kitchen is just as cool as it is hot, hot, hot! During these warm summer months, Lajollacooks4u decided to stay "cool" and "fresh" by remodeling the main kitchen with new state-of-the-art features that are totally "hot"! The new cabinetry and wall mosaic boast a fresh and friendly design, while the new sink and filtered… Continue reading What's New: Refreshing Renovations and Recipe Recreations
What's New at Lajollacooks4u: Bringing May Flowers
April Showers Brings May Flowers The month of April was astoundingly busy for us at Lajollacooks4u! But good, gourmet food and wonderful people make time fly on by. So now we're wrapping up April's showers, and moving onto May's flowers! Lajollacooks4u's Chai @ Beth El cooking series is coming to a close: Lajollacooks4u hosted its last… Continue reading What's New at Lajollacooks4u: Bringing May Flowers


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Google's Android is now the most popular smartphone platform, according to The Nielsen Company. This mobile operating system is one step ahead of Apple's iOS and Research In Motion's BlackBerry OS, and it is constantly evolving. Recently, Google released the tablet-only Android 3.0, 3.1, and 3.2 Honeycomb as well as the 2.3 Gingerbread for smartphones, and they're already planning to introduce a new version of this software later this year. On May 10, 2011, the company announced that the Android 4.0, which is nicknamed Ice Cream Sandwich, is going to the market in Q4 2011. It looks like Christmas this year is going to be a super sweet one for tech enthusiasts all over the world!
Hot news about this latest version of the Android mobile platform has been spreading like wildfire all over the internet since its announcement in May. Google said that they wanted an operating system that runs everywhere, and hence the Android 4.0 was developed. The Ice Cream Sandwich is a combination of the Gingerbread and the Honeycomb, and you can expect to see it on phones, tablets, as well as computers. As we all know, the Gingerbread improves the soft keyboard and copy/paste features, refines the user interface, and also supports the Near Field Communication technology. On the other hand, the Honeycomb supports multicore processors and graphics hardware acceleration, and introduces new user interface features. The first tablet equipped with the 3.0 Honeycomb is the Motorola Xoom tab which was released in February 2011.
Tech enthusiasts can expect to see the Android 4.0 OS on the upcoming Google Nexus 3 smartphone. The China-based telecommunications company Huawei also claimed that their latest handset, the Glory, will be upgradable to Ice Cream Sandwich once it is available. Besides the Android 4.0, the Google Nexus 3 is also predicted to feature a 720p HD screen, 1080p HD video capture capability, 1GB of RAM, a 5 MP back camera, and ultra slim body. This smartphone is speculated to come with a dual-core 1.2GHz OMAP, 1.5GHz OMAP, Qualcomm Snapdragon, or a quad-core Kal-El processor.
Now the question is, what can the Android Ice Cream Sandwich do? This operating system enables user to connect other devices such as USB mouse or Xbox controller for Android games thanks to the Android Open Accessory program. It will also have multitasking tool and system manager so that you won't run out of memory on your mobile gadget. Last but not least, the facial recognition capability will keep your device secure.
The hot news [http://whitecottongloves.org/] about Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is an eye opener for tech enthusiasts. For more gadget news [http://whitecottongloves.org/category/gadget], please visit our website.
Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Wahyu_W/877564
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6406850


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Richard Mahoney
Mililani High Class of 1979
Personal Info
- Name:
- Richard Mahoney
- Maiden Name:
- Mahoney
- Graduation Year:
- 1979
Register to view Current location, Gender, Birthday, Relationship Status, Children, Employer, Military, College, and Interests
Memories of Richard Mahoney
What I'm doing now:Register to see what Richard Mahoney is up to now!
Richard Mahoney's Latest Activity:
|- Registered as a MHS Class of 1979 alumni. 2016