text:
- Prayer and Worship
- Beliefs and Teachings
- Issues and Action
- Media
- Bible
- Catholic Giving
- About USCCB
WASHINGTON—The National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea will be celebrated May 22. The day is observed in conjunction with National Maritime Day in the United States of America, which has been celebrated since 1933 to honor those who serve as merchant mariners and to recognize the benefits of the maritime industry.
Bishop J. Kevin Boland, bishop emeritus of Savannah, Georgia and Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) promoter, encouraged dioceses to mark the national day by remembering the men and women of the sea in homilies and by including special petitions during Mass. When Mass is celebrated on May 22, the text for the Votive Mass of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, is encouraged.
"In a special way, let us remember those who have lost their lives at sea and those in dangerous situations," Bishop Boland said.
Bishop Boland will celebrate a Mass in observance of Maritime Day on Sunday, May 20, at 10 a.m., in the Crypt Church at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. The Mass is sponsored by the AOS national office and the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).
Last year, in his Angelus message on Sea Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI remembered the people of the sea and the hardships they and their families face.
"I address a special thought to the chaplains and volunteers who are doing their utmost for the pastoral care of seafarers, including fishers and their families," the pope said. "I also assure the seafarers, who are unfortunately held hostage through acts of piracy, of my prayers. I hope they will be treated with respect and humanity, and I pray for their relatives, that they may be strong in faith and not to lose the hope of being reunited with their loved ones soon."
Ninety percent of the world's goods are transported by sea and the waterways. There are approximately 1.2 million seafarers worldwide in 10,000 commercial ships and maritime vessels.
AOS is a worldwide Catholic maritime ministry for the spiritual and practical assistance to seafarers, fishermen, their families and all those who work and travel by sea and the waterways. In the USA, AOS chaplains, associates and volunteers carry on this ministry in 58 maritime ports encompassing 48 dioceses.
There are a great number of people who participate in and benefit from this ministry. On the occasion of the National Day of Remembrance, individuals and chaplaincies have shared personal accounts of the impact and reach of this ministry through the USCCB- AOS site: http://www.usccb.org/aos. The stories are available at: www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/cultural-diversity/pastoral-care-of-migrants-refugees-and-travelers/apostleship-of-the-sea/aos-news-and-events.cfm.
The USCCB established the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Mariners and People of the Sea in 2005 to encourage Catholics in the country to support, remember and pray for merchant mariners/seafarers, fishermen, port personnel and those in the maritime industry.
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text:
The rosters expand tomorrow, here is who you can expect to be called up this weekend, per Paul Sullivan
Today: Jeff Beliveau called up, and Brooks Raley sent down as Raley has reached his 2012 innings limit
Saturday: Adrian Cardenas, Tony Campana, and Dave Sappelt will be called up.
Sunday: Miguel Socolovich will be called up
Shortly after that Chris Rusin, Anthony Recker, and Rafael Dolis will be called up.
It's going to be a crowded clubhouse.
Thanks for reading,
– George

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text:
LIMRA discovered a disconnect between women's concern about retirement risk and the steps they've taken to prepare, the organization announced Monday. The report found more women were concerned about retirement risk than men, but 32% have done no retirement planning at all.
"We know from earlier studies that working women, on average, have accumulated 40% less than men for retirement, which was confirmed again in this study," Cecilia Shiner, senior analyst for LIMRA retirement research, said in a statement. "Even though 6 in 10 women are concerned they aren't saving enough to last throughout their retirement, we see few women taking steps to mitigate for this risk."
Overall, men are more likely to have taken steps to plan for retirement. Half of men have determined what their income will be in retirement and 43% have determined their expenses. By comparison, 47% of women have determined their income and 39% have determined their expenses.
Over a third of men have estimated how long their assets will last in retirement, compared with 29% of women. This is especially troublesome, as women are likely to have a longer retirement than men.
One explanation for women's lack of action on retirement planning is that they are simply too busy and haven't made it a priority, said Alison Salka, vice president and director of retirement research for LIMRA, on Tuesday. "They're focused on different things and may be balancing family and work," she told AdvisorOne.
An even larger issue, Salka (left) suggested, is women's lack of knowledge regarding investing. "We find if people are knowledgeable, they're more likely to take steps," Salka said. "Knowledge is the key to engagement.
Shiner agreed, adding that both men and women underestimate the risk of longevity to their retirement. "One-third [of respondents] consider it a major concern," she said on Tuesday.
Among women who have prepared for retirement, about a third say they are actively engaged in their retirement savings. That's compared with 46% of men. Furthermore, while two-thirds of women said they weren't sure they could spend their retirement in the manner they'd like to, just 26% were researching investment products that could help them meet their goals.
"Advisors have a huge role to play" in helping women prepare for retirement, Salka said. They should focus on "understanding women's needs and educating them in a way that is not intimidating."
Prior research from LIMRA that focuses on life insurance suggests women are more thoughtful when purchasing products and less likely than men to make a decision quickly. Advisors who are used to working with male clients may think they're not getting the sale, when in reality female clients are just processing the information, according to LIMRA.
LIMRA surveyed over 3,000 adults in May between the ages of 18 and 34. Of those, 1,900 were women.


text:
The only error is the 3 instead of 2 cycles. I think their use of the word "jump" is just in the general sense meaning "some opcode that gets you from one place to another". Both JMP and RJMP achieve that. I agree that if they'd said "The vector is normally a JMP to the interrupt routine, and this jump takes three clock cycles. " then that would be wrong. (obviously the 3 cycle thing is an error though).
AVR Errata - Unpublished, and other "Gotchas"
Device: ATtiny167
Datasheet Revision: 8265C-AVR-03/12
Feature: Dynamic Clock Switch
The code section in datasheet page 34 (non-watchdog) & page 36 (with watchdog) has a missing section of code & the CLOCK_AVAILABILITY definition.
The missing definition to be added:
#define CLOCK_AVAILABILITY 0x03
The missing section of code:
//NEW Added: Request for Clock Availability CLKSELR = ((sut << 4) & 0x30) | (clk_number & 0x0F); CLKCSR = 1 << CLKCCE; CLKCSR = CLOCK_AVAILABILITY;
Without the above section of code & definition, the CLKRDY bit in CLKCSR will NEVER be set thereby putting your code in endless loop in:
// Wait for clock validity while ((CLKCSR & (1 << CLKRDY)) == 0);
Atmel support has confirmed this error & the above missing section of code was provided by them.
My complete & tested code is below:
#define F_CPU 5000000UL #include
#include #include #define CLOCK_RECOVER 0x05 #define CLOCK_ENABLE 0x02 #define CLOCK_SWITCH 0x04 #define CLOCK_DISABLE 0x01 #define WD_ARL_ENABLE 0x06 #define CLOCK_AVAILABILITY 0x03 #define WD_2048CYCLES 0x07 void ClockSwitching(unsigned char clk_number, unsigned char sut) { unsigned char previous_clk, temp; // Disable interrupts temp = SREG; asm ("cli"); // Save the current system clock source CLKCSR = 1 << CLKCCE; CLKCSR = CLOCK_RECOVER; previous_clk = CLKSELR & 0x0F; // Enable the new clock source CLKSELR = ((sut << 4 ) & 0x30) | (clk_number & 0x0F); CLKCSR = 1 << CLKCCE; CLKCSR = CLOCK_ENABLE; //NEW Added: Request for Clock Availability CLKSELR = ((sut << 4) & 0x30) | (clk_number & 0x0F); CLKCSR = 1 << CLKCCE; CLKCSR = CLOCK_AVAILABILITY; // Wait for clock validity while ((CLKCSR & (1 << CLKRDY)) == 0); // Enable the watchdog in automatic reload mode WDTCR = (1 << WDCE) | (1 << WDE); WDTCR = (1 << WDE ) | WD_2048CYCLES; CLKCSR = 1 << CLKCCE; CLKCSR = WD_ARL_ENABLE; // Switch clock source CLKCSR = 1 << CLKCCE; CLKCSR = CLOCK_SWITCH; // Wait for effective switching while (1){ CLKCSR = 1 << CLKCCE; CLKCSR = CLOCK_RECOVER; if ((CLKSELR & 0x0F) == (clk_number & 0x0F)) break; } // Shut down unneeded clock source if (previous_clk != (clk_number & 0x0F)) { CLKSELR = previous_clk; CLKCSR = 1 << CLKCCE; CLKCSR = CLOCK_DISABLE; CLKCSR = 0x80; //Errata suggestion } // Re-enable interrupts SREG = temp; } int main(void) { DDRB |= (1 << PORTB0); PORTB &= ~(1 << PORTB0); ClockSwitching(0x0D, 0x02); while(1) { PORTB ^= (1 << PORTB0); _delay_ms(100); } }
Thanks for sharing, it is now saved in my bottomless pit of AVR stuff. :-)
ATmega644(P) and ATmega1284(P):
High slewrate data on RxD0 disturbs the crystal oscillator in the AVR when it's not set to "Full swing" with the fusebits.
So either reduce the slewrate on RxD (using 10k - 100pF Low pass filter), or set the oscillator to full swing.
All credits to njepsen on the MCSelec-forum
I am just the messenger ;)
Atmega48A/88A/168A/328A+PA datasheet
doc: 8271G-AVR-02/2013
In section 20.7 there is a bug in the example
The assembly example is:
USART_Receive: ; Wait for data to be received in r16, UCSRnA sbrs r16, UDREn rjmp USART_Receive ; Get and return received data from buffer in r16, UDRn ret
Here the USART Data register Empty flag is checked instead of the USART Receive Complete flag.
The fun part is that the C code example below that does have the correct code:
unsigned char USART_Receive( void ) { /* Wait for data to be received */ while ( !(UCSRnA & (1<<RXCn)) ) ; /* Get and return received data from buffer */ return UDRn; }
AT90CAN128: aborting a pending MOb can leave CONMOB in an unexpected state
I am not sure what kind of bug this is: could be a hardware bug or could be Atmel's library at90CANlib_3_2 being buggy AND misleading.
The library's procedure to abort a MOb that was pending consists on writing 0 to the CONMOB bits. Also, the library depends on those bits being 0 to detect a MOb as being free.
Turns out that a failed MOb (e.g. because of bus errors) will retry its process, and if its CONMOB is overwritten with 0 in that situation there is a rare chance that the CONMOB will jump back to its old value. So any routine testing for CONMOB==0 will consider the MOb busy. Result: a MOb leaked and unusable until reset.
I wrote Atmel about this and their answer was that:
If you want to abort CAN communications, I would instead recommend using ABRQ in CANGCON as the means to abort. CANCDMOB is not affected by the abort, so you would still have to manage it.
... but that is not a good solution, because ABRQ aborts all MObs. I only wanted to abort one MOb.
Also they said, ...
CANCDMOB really does not indicate that a MOB is "free" in the sense that it is ready for the next transmission - other bits indicate this; the user manual is clear that CONMOB bits are not cleared once communication is performed...
Which is true according to the documentation, which mentions that CANEN is the register to check for availability of MObs. But that means that the library is pretty b0rked, since it never even refers to the CANEN registers.
Also, the manual mentions repeatedly that the CONMOB is not expected to change by itself, not even after a reset. Which makes me think that this is actually a hardware bug (no?).
Anyway, my minimal workaround is: when aborting a MOb, write 0 to CONMOB, check that the corresponding CANEN bit is 0, and rewrite the 0 to CONMOB.
Alternatively, to search for free MObs, stop checking CONMOB and switch to checking CANEN.
ATtiny13A datasheet 8126F-AVR-05/12 chapter 7.5.1.
BODCR - BOD Control Register bitnames are labeled as BODS and BODSE, while in the tn13Adef.inc are labeled as BPDS and BPDSE.
Typo in t25/45/85 datasheet, page 150, table 20-7. The rightmost column should read "Signature Byte 2" instead of 0.
The low power oscillator itself is a bug imho. I have seen it cause all manner of glitchy, impossible to debug problems, which are magically cured by going back to the full swing oscillator.
Two typing errors in ATmega64M1 datasheet (7647K–AVR–12/13 )
19.2.2 Current Source for Low Cost Traducer
An external transducer based on variable resistor can be connected to the current source. This ca be for instance:
● A thermistor, or temperature-sensitive resistor, used as a temperature sensor
● A CdS photoconductive cell, or luminosity-sensitivity resistor, used as a luminosity sensor.
Using the current source with this type of transducer eliminates the need for additional parts otherwise required in resistor
network or Wheatstone bridge.
Many AVR8 datasheets, including modern versions for e.g. Mega48 family and Mega164 family, have the "I/O pin input hysteresis vs. VCC" graph in Typical Characteristics scaled in millivolts (mV). It should be volts (V), as in e.g. Tiny1634 sheet.
ATtiny4/5/9/10 datasheet.
link: http://www.atmel.com/images/atme...
page 146, section 16.4.2
SST - Serial STore to data space using indirect addressing
This binary value is wrong....
"DS[PR] ← data 0110 0000 PR ← PR + 1 Post increment"
It should be...
"DS[PR] ← data 0110 0100 PR ← PR + 1 Post increment"
Device: MEGA644P family
Summary: Datasheet errata
Datasheet assembler examples (notably the USART) do not appear to have been updated to reflect that some registers are now outside the 'magic 32' where in and out instructions work and therefore lds and sts need to be sued, and the example code will throw errors.
Datasheet assembler examples (notably the USART) do not appear to have been updated to reflect that some registers are now outside the 'magic 32' where in and out instructions work and therefore lds and sts need to be sued, and the example code will throw errors.
Thank you.
Note that the 'magic 32' are for the single-instruction bit-manipulation and bit-testing instructions like SBI/CBI/SBIS/SBIC. Instructions like IN/OUT will work on all 64 I/O registers.
stub does your datasheet contain a little note at the bottom of the examples which says:
Note: 1. See "About Code Examples" on page 8.
which in turn says
3.2 About Code Examples
This documentation contains simple code examples that briefly show how to use various parts of
the device. Be aware that not all C compiler vendors include bit definitions in the header files
and interrupt handling in C is compiler dependent. Please confirm with the C compiler documentation for more details.
The code examples assume that the part specific header file is included before compilation. For
I/O registers located in extended I/O map, "IN", "OUT", "SBIS", "SBIC", "CBI", and "SBI" instructions must be replaced with instructions that allow access to extended I/O. Typically "LDS" and
"STS" combined with "SBRS", "SBRC", "SBR", and "CBR".
Anyway assembler tragics use macros to overcome that sort comings
AVR001: Conditional Assembly and portability macros
Device: XMEGA128A1U
Summary: Analog Comparator silicon errata
The XMEGA128A1U (and probably XMEGA64A1U) does not make AC1OUT signals available on PA6 and PB6.
Not a problem if just migrating from older XMEGA128A1 device. Could bite you if migrating from a different AU device (A4U in my case).
Workaround: AC ISR to toggle output pin if you can tolerate the latency.
Workaround: AC ISR to toggle output pin if you can tolerate the latency.
The event system can route an event sourced by AC to be sunk by a port pin.
Atmel AVR XMEGA AU Manual
(file size: 7.2MB, 478 pages, revision F, updated: 04/2013)
13. I/O Ports
(page 146, bottom)
13.10 Clock and Event Output
It is possible to output the peripheral clock and any of the event channels to the port pins (using EVCTRL register). This
can be used to clock, control, and synchronize external functions and hardware to internal device timing. The output port
pin is selectable. If an event occurs, it remains visible on the port pin as long as the event lasts; normally one peripheral
clock cycle.
Edit : manual
Device: ATmega328PB datasheet (complete) 40001906A, (C) 2017
Summary: PD0 incorrectly listed as RXD1 (USART1 Input Pin) on page 98 under "17.3.3. Alternate Functions of Port D". Correct assignment for PD0 is RXD0 (USART0 Input Pin) as elsewhere in datasheet (including "Table 6-1. PORT Function Multiplexing"). Also makes ATmega328PB Xplained Mini schematic more logical: unlikely to use USART0 for TXD and USART1 for RXD.
Device: ATmega328PB Xplained Mini User Guide 42469B, updated 2015-08
Summary: PD1 and PD0 ATmega328PB pins incorrectly swapped in "Table 2-10 J104 USART Header" on p.17. (ATmega328PB Xplained Mini schematic A09-2523 Rev. 4, 04.01.2017, is correct.)
The latest (0856L - Nov '16) revision of the Atmel AVR Instruction Set Manual gives the mistaken impression that an intermediary register will often be needed with the EOR instruction. In section 58.1 (p91), among the operands, the bitmask register Rr is restricted to R0 - R3. You can't use LDI to load a bitmask register with that restriction: LDI requires R16 - R31.
The problem is a typo - a missing '1': the restriction on Rr should be R0 - R31. This is hinted at by the example (in 58.2 on the same page) which uses R4 for Rr; that would be wrong if the limit of R3 were correct. More significant, the opcode shows five bits for Rr (R0 - R31) not two as it would if the limit of R3 were correct.
AVR910: In-System Programming APPLICATION NOTE
The document states that Programming Enable command ($AC 53 xx yy) gets reply ($zz AC 53 xx).
That is not correct. It does not echo AC in the second byte of the reply.
It should. It's usually the input delayed by one byte.
It should. It's usually the input delayed by one byte.
Note that the command in question is "Programming Enable". The echo-to-MISO likely isn't enabled until programming is enabled. That happens after the $53 is received, so echoing likely starts on the 3rd byte, echoing the second byte, $53.
Note that device datasheets are not definitive, but seem to support this interpretation:
Note that I have not confirmed on hardware what @MASIP has reported above.
The latest complete datasheet (DS40001906C, dated 2018-02-22) still gives conflicting pinouts for serial ISP.
"Figure 32-6. Serial Programming and Verify, VCC = 1.8 - 5.5V" on p400 shows MOSI, MISO and SCK as PB5, PB6 and PB7 respectively. That's wrong; it appears to be copied from the datasheet for the ATmega324PB (for which those pins are correct).
For the ATmega328PB the correct pins for MOSI, MISO and SCK are PB3, PB4 and PB5 respectively. The datasheet has that correct further down the page, in "Table 32-15. Pin Mapping Serial Programming". (The schematic for the 328PB Xplained Mini board also shows the correct pins.)
Below Table 32-15 there also appears this confusing note: "The pin mapping for SPI programming is listed. Not all parts use the SPI pins dedicated for the internal SPI interface." What it means is this: The pin mapping for serial ISP is listed. There are pins dedicated for the internal SPI but not all parts use them for ISP.
I believe there an error in the ATmega48A.../328/P datasheet, dated 2018, DS40002061A.
On page 131, Section 16.9.1, the second paragraph starting "The Input Capture ..." states the need to deal with "resolution of the counter", but I think they mean "range of the counter".
Edit: Or am I missing something with respect to the term "resolution"?
"The Input Capture ..." states the need to deal with "resolution of the counter", but I think they mean "range of the counter".
This appears to be what is meant by "resolution."
See sections 15.7.1 and 15.7.2 on page 107.
Device: ATtiny212/ATtiny412
Summary: Wrong mux table in the datasheet
Datasheet: Rev. A - 01/2017
Here is the right mux table:
Device: ATmega32U4
Summary: Errors in datasheet 7766J (04/2016), Chapter 32 "Instruction Set Summary"
I've tested the CALL and RET instructions, and their #Clocks values are wrong.
Since the Program Counter (PC) is 16 bits wide:
- the CALL instruction pushes 2 bytes on the stack,
- the CALL instruction takes only 4 cycles -- instead of 5,
- the RET instruction takes only 4 cycles -- instead of 5.
Since the wrong values might come from the copy of data corresponding to a device with a larger memory space, the values for the RCALL, ICALL, EICALL and RETI instructions should also be checked.
Datasheet says on pg337; "When the USART is set in one-wire mode, the transmitter and the receiver share the same RxD I/O pin."; (that is wrong)
One-Wire pin is the TXD pin, NOT THE RXD PIN
Microchip has confirmed that TXD is the correct pin for One-Wire. I'm in the process of trying to get Microchip to update the datasheet.
Also not specified in the datasheet for One-Wire mode...
If TX pin is set as output, ODME "Open Drain Mode Enable" does not work.
so TX port must NOT be set as output when using ODME "Open Drain Mode Enable".
This is Not specified in the datasheet.
The following statement from pg340 about one wire setup is vague.
For setting the USART in One-Wire mode, the following initialization sequence is recommended:
1) Set the TxD/RxD pin value high, and optionally set the XCK pin low.
*Needs clarification, what does "Set the TxD pin value high" mean, pullup resistors? or set as output?
*testing shows that in open drain mode, pin should NOT be set as output
2) Optionally, write the ODME bit in the USARTn.CTRLB register to '1' for Wired-AND functionality.
3) Set the TxD/RxD and optionally the XCK pin as an output.
4) Select the baud rate and frame format.
5) Select the mode of operation (enables XCK pin output in Synchronous mode).
6) Enable the transmitter or the receiver, depending on the usage
Tested and working method for 1 wire.
1) Do NOT set TxD pin as output
2) Enable Pullup Resistor on TxD pin if NOT using external pullup.
3) set bit LBME "Loop-back Mode Enable"
4) set bit ODME "Open Drain Mode Enable"
5) Use TxD pin for Transmit and Receive operations.
6) Enable the transmitter or the receiver, depending on the usage
Please also publish this in a separate Tiny1614 thread because nobody who needs it (maybe including me) will ever find it here when the time comes.
New silicon errata found on ATMEGA324PB: OC1B signal on pin PD4 stops working if USART1 is enabled.
Case 00496661 submitted to Microchip.
This is really annoying, because in my design I can't use my second stepper motor (step signal connected to OC1B) together with the second UART. (I Use 2 steppers and 2 UART's, so I cannot use other channels).
Here is a minimal code example to demonstrate the bug.
#include <avr/io.h>
#include <avr/interrupt.h>
// Proof of concept of silicon errata on ATMEGA324PB: OC1B signal on pin PD4 stops working if USART1 is enabled
// Minimal working example, some registers are already set correctly by power on default value
int main()
DDRD |= (1 << 4); // Set OC1B (PD4) as output
TCCR1A = (1 << COM1B0); // Toggle OC1B (PD4) on compare
TCCR1B = 0x02; // Start timer (divide by 8)
// Pin OC1B (PD4) is now generating pulses at frequency fOsc / 65536 / 8 / 2 (check with blinking LED)
// Uncomment line below to demonstrate silicon errata on ATMEGA324PB. Pulses on pin OC1B (PD4) will stop after uncommenting.
// As soon as USART1 is enabled, Pin PD4 is disconnected from OC1B and stops generating pulses.
// It seems that alternate port function XCK1 is disturbing control of pin PD4
// This should NOT happen since the USART is NOT in synchronous mode. (UMSEL in TCCR1C is 0 by default)


text:
NBA free agency doesn't officially begin until July 1, but rumors about center Dwight Howard and where he'll wind up are in full swing.
The Los Angeles Lakers big man is expected to draw heavy interest from four teams in addition to L.A.: the Rockets, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and his hometown Atlanta Hawks.
Earlier this week, ESPN's Marc Stein reported that according to sources close to the process, the Rockets had received "hopeful signs" that Howard was considering leaving the Lakers and coming to Houston.
Sources indicated that Howard would field in-person visits from the Rockets, Mavericks and possibly other teams once the free agency period begins.
Howard confirmed that much in his first interview since the Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.
In a chat with Los Angeles Times columnist T.J. Simers, Howard said he will use the summer to seek out the best situation for himself.
"I want to see what each opportunity offers," Howard said. "I want to see how people plan on winning."
The seven-time All-Star referenced "winning" several times in Simers' Sunday column. The interview was conducted while Howard competed against the writer's adult daughter in a free-throw shooting contest.
Howard said that "any team I am on can win" and that basketball is more important to him than being an entertainer: "I'll get those opportunities (movies and TV) later; it's all about winning now."
One thing that would help Howard win with whichever team he chooses to play for next season would be an improved stroke from the foul line.
The 6-11 center is a career 58 percent free-throw shooter, but he made just 49 percent of his attempts from the charity stripe the past two seasons. Howard's plan to remedy the problem includes shooting 1,000 shots a day and working with Hall of Famer and noted sharpshooter Chris Mullin.
The extra reps should help, but Howard admitted his foul-line issues are more mental than anything else.
"I have only one problem and it's between my ears," he said, while admitting he visited a Lakers' psychiatrist. "I just think too much."
Right now, much of the NBA world is spending a lot of time thinking about him.


text:
The Prison Religion Project
Why a Prison Religion Project?
The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA) requires, among other things, federal and state correctional authorities to accommodate religion in prisons in a way that does not substantially burden inmates' religious practice. Federal correctional authorities are also subject to the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA). However, the application of these requirements has resulted in much uncertainty in many jurisdictions and even resistance in some. The Prison Religion Project strives to address these issues by providing educational materials and a forum for inclusive discussion about accommodation of religious diversity in prisons.
The Center for Engaged Religious Pluralism and the American Academy of Religion co-sponsor sessions for prison chaplaincy directors. AAR scholars of religions represented in prisons share their expertise in informal dialogue sessions, and updates on prison religion and the law are provided.
Comparative Religion and Correctional Institution Public Policy
The project involves the development of suggested prison religion policies on such topics as chaplaincy, resource allocation, and accommodation of diverse religions in prisons. The project addresses the question: How can prison religion policies be neutral, fair, and unbiased, thus respecting religious diversity, while also taking account of security, safety, and limited resources?
Find Out More >>> Here


text:
This sequence of radar images from May 29 shows asteroid 1998 QE2 and its moon, seen as a bright spot.
When astronomers analyzed radar readings to create their first maps of 1998 QE2, the big asteroid that's due to sail past Earth on Friday, they were surprised to find that it has a moon twice as big as an ocean liner.
1998 QE2 itself is way bigger: The latest readings from NASA's Deep Space Network antenna in Goldstone, Calif., are consistent with earlier estimates that the asteroid is about 1.7 miles (2.7 kilometers wide). But the moon is hefty as well. Astronomers estimate its diameter at 2,000 feet (600 meters). That's big enough to wipe out an area of the size of Virginia if it were to strike land.
Fortunately, neither space rock will come any closer than 3.6 million miles (5.8 million kilometers), or about 15 times the distance between Earth and the moon, during a flyby that reaches its climax at 4:59 p.m. ET Friday.
Even though Earth is in no danger, the close encounter is stirring up interest because it gives astronomers a rare opportunity to see an asteroid up close. Such observations could help NASA plan for efforts as the Osiris-Rex mission, which will bring back a sample from the asteroid Bennu in 2023; and an even more ambitious mission to corral an asteroid by the mid-2020s.
Goldstone's first radar observations of 1998 QE2 were made on Wednesday evening, producing images with a resolution of about 250 feet (75 meters) per pixel. The pictures show that QE2 has a rotation period of less than four hours, and is marked by several dark surface features that are suggestive of large craters. In an image advisory, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory says that the image resolution will get better as more radar readings become available, from Goldstone as well as the Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico.
More about the close encounter:
- 1998 QE2's flyby generates online buzz
- It's bigger than an ocean liner and flying past us
- Cosmic Log archive on asteroids
Alan Boyle is NBCNews.com's science editor. Connect with the Cosmic Log community by "liking" the NBC News Science Facebook page, following @b0yle on Twitter and adding the Cosmic Log page to your Google+ presence. To keep up with NBCNews.com's stories about science and space, sign up for the Tech & Science newsletter, delivered to your email in-box every weekday. You can also check out "The Case for Pluto," my book about the controversial dwarf planet and the search for new worlds.


text: Do any o' youse guys/gals oot there know how to clean-up/clear-out the cloudiness on the plastic thingys covering my '02 E39 headlights? I've done lots to this car to keep 'er looking as new as humanly possible - but the mysterious fil-um on these headlight covers really bugs me . Any suggestions are welcome...thanx!


text:
Peoria Pest Control
Thank you for visiting our Peoria pest control page! As Arizona's leading pest control company for decades we have helped thousands of families and businesses remove unwanted pests from their home or business location, including bees. Call us at 1-888-411-2337 for your FREE ESTIMATE today!
Whether you need termite control, have bed bugs, scorpions or need bee removal we are the Peoria Pest Control experts!


text:
Artist Allyn Cox created murals in the U.S. Capitol over two decades from 1952 to 1972. He completed and restored the Frieze of American History and restored the Apotheosis of Washington in the Rotunda. He also designed murals for three first-floor corridors in the House wing, now called the Cox Corridors, and completed two of them before his death.
Allyn Cox was born in 1896 in New York City; his father, Kenyon Cox, was an eminent muralist and his mother was a painter. After studying at the National Academy of Design and at the American Academy in Rome, he began specializing in murals and portraiture. Cox belonged to various professional organizations and in some served as an instructor, trustee, fellow or president.
In 1952 Cox was selected to finish the "Frieze of American History" in the Capitol Rotunda begun in 1878 by Constantino Brumidi and continued by Filippo Costaggini after Brumidi's death. He designed and painted three scenes that filled a gap that had existed since 1889. He also restored the original portion of the frieze, and in 1959 he restored Brumidi's "Apotheosis of George Washington" in the eye of the Dome by repainting it.
Cox also painted the portrait of Henry Clay for the Senate Reception Room in 1958; 16 years later he depicted America's first moon landing in the Brumidi Corridors. In 1969 he began the research and preliminary sketches for the first corridor, the Hall of Capitols, on the first floor of the House wing (now known as the Cox Corridors). He started painting in February 1973 and completed it in July 1974. In painting the Great Experiment Hall, which was completed shortly before his death in 1982, he was assisted by Cliff Young. Cox also created drawings for the Westward Expansion corridor, which was painted by Evergreene Painting Studios in 1993 based on his approved design.


text:
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You can get started now by calling us at 573-840-9605 or toll free at 877-879-8722.


text:
Everybody I know is hissing and spitting, carping and griping at one another.
I got out of the dentist's office today (broke a tooth) and found a snotty text from a family member on my iPhone. Instead of shrugging it off, or, as the Scriptures suggest, giving a soft answer, I called them up and was snotty back.
It's as if every person I've talked to in the past couple of days has been like an angry wasp looking for someone to sting, and now I'm catching the angry wasp flu myself.
Is it something in the drinking water? Or is it coming from our televisions?
Are we suffering from a societal case of the over-stimulated heebie-jeebies?
We have had to put up with a lot of vicarious trauma in the past year, ranging from wealthy, gun-toting post-adolescent males who murder everybody they encounter, to killer weather and a President and Supreme Court who have decided that overturning the family structure on which our entire civilization is built is the neatest idea since Tom Sawyer convinced Becky Thatcher to go spelunking. The fact that the rest of us can see that these folks have no better road map than Tom did doesn't seem to matter.
And, of course, there's the economy. The stinking, stewing, going nowhere economy. Our "leaders" lie about the economy, just like they do most else. They've cooked the books on the statistics until those statistics are disconnected from the reality of the American people, and — dare I say it? — the economy they are supposed to report. Everyone ignores and will not admit that the reason we don't have any jobs is that we exported them, along with our industrial base. A country that can't manufacture it's own goods is a vulnerable nation.
Then, there's the little matter of the government putting all of us — and I mean all of us — under surveillance to keep us "safe." And our missing-in-action press can't be bothered to ask who's going to keep us "safe" from the government. Meanwhile the folks in Washington are scratching around, trying to find another war to get us into. It's as if they fear peace; which, I think, they perhaps do. After all, where are the profits for the corporate war machine going to come from if we run out of wars?Then, there's Zimmerman and other nonsensical and utterly trashy means of controlling the populace. Watching cable news doesn't inform you. It shuts your brain off by focusing it on trash, kind of like giving you a drug of some sort that puts you to sleep and makes you crazy, both at once — a jazzed-up-zombie drug that's mainlined into our brains via the endless blab and no news on the cable news.
To top if off, the Pope resigned.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am all in for Pope Francis.
But Popes aren't supposed to resign. Popes are supposed to hang in there until the Lord calls them home. But the Pope resigned.
Is this why everybody is in such a lovely, lovely mood?
Have we reached a sort of midsummer trough because we are momentarily between disasters, and we're sliding into disaster withdrawal? Has the media succeeded in hypering its audience into such a frenzy that even a few days of ordinary time have become unbearable?
I dunno.
All I know is that everybody I encounter is double grouchy and seems to have a chip on their shoulders. They are weird and ticked off and they don't know why. But as soon as some little something comes along that focuses their weird tickedoffness, they ram the snotty little comment maker we all have in the reptilian basements of our brains into gear and they are off.
Unfortunately for me, I hang with people who tend to be extraordinarily gifted at the verbal arts. That means that when the snotty commenter takes them over, they can come out with some really poisonous stuff. You can bleed for days from one of their barbs.
But even for them, with all their skills and extraordinary ability to make things seem to add up even when they don't, the story doesn't track. The rage outpaces the annoyance, and the arguments tend to negate the reasons they give for why they're angry.
There's something going on here. I don't know what it is.
But I'm tired of it.


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Interview with Flavio Castelli, A Strigi Developer
We are here today to talk about the Strigi project - the indexing and search technology of KDE 4 - and to interview Flavio Castelli, a key developer of Strigi. Read on for the interview.
This interview was initially released to KDE Italia and is available for Italian readers here.
Flavio can you introduce yourself to the KDE Italia readers? What did you study? Have you got a job?
When did you hear of KDE for the first time? When did you start using Linux and why?
How and when did you get involved in KDE?
How was born Strigi, can you tell us a story about meta information engine search designed for KDE?
Lately Strigi entered in KDE 4 with the kdesupport SVN module. This KDE 4 core developer decision let you be proud of your contribution?
What makes you contribute for KDE instead of the competitors?
Can you say that programming for KDE was an investment? You got C++/Qt programming experience that helped you enriching your personal curriculum. Can this be of help getting a job? Can it be a good call ticket to go to a job interview with a software company?
Are you part of a Linux Users Group? Have you ever presented some works for the LUG or in Free Software events?
Have you ever stayed at an aKademy or at a Free Software Event? If so can you tell us briefly how it was? What did you do? Do you think a KDE user/developer has to participate at least once to the KDE developers conference (aKademy) in his/her life? Or at a Free Software event?
What is the more beautiful experience with KDE? To know the other developers? Or something else?
Do your parents and friends use Linux and KDE?
What could be your slogan to attract people to KDE? Can you give also some "reasons to stay with *nix/KDE"?
If one day you won't be working on KDE anymore what could be the reason? Too much time to dedicate to a new job, to your family or what else? Or simply you decided to leave behind your passion for KDE and so leave KDE team? What will you miss of the KDE experience? Obviously we hope you can work in the KDE team for a lot of time yet.
How much time do you usually spend on KDE?
Flavio what are your plans for KDE 4?
What was your first Linux distribution and why? You tried many ones before you get the right one?
Which distribution do you use now? Why?
Mac OS X or Linux?
What is your favourite place in the world?
Flavio, thanks for your time,
And thank you, Flavio!
How nice to read this interview. I'll never forget when I first met Flavio. After giving the Kde-Nepomuk talk at FOSDEM in 2007, someone came up to me and started questioning me about the, in his view, inadequate state of file change notification in Strigi. I tried to respond calmly but was a bit careful in how to deal with the tone of the questions.
Says the questioner: "Hey, don't worry, it's me: Flavio!"
"Oh you, bastard!" was the first thing I thought. "You tricked me!" That was really an excellent joke and emphasized how we'd been working together for months and had never spoken to each other or seen on another at all.
By Jos van den Oever at Tue, 2007/05/08 - 5:00am
My dream
All this talk about "desktop search" either on Windows or on Linux has so far been not very useful for me. I just don't own that many text documents on my harddisk. The whole thing becomes very interesting if network search would be considered more and worked easily and "out of the box". So - here is my dream of the ultimate "desktop search":
I can easily (per UI) create and delete "search spaces" on different servers. SSH authentication (i.e. server, user name, password) and a folder to search for (say /var/www) would be sufficient. I give a name for this search space, i.e "webhtml". Other folks on different PCs can connect to this server via the same authentication data. They can subscribe to my existing search spaces or create additional ones. Vice versa I can of course subscribe to their search spaces. Now i.e. every night while nobody is at the office the search is done efficiently on that server only once no matter how many PCs are subscribing to that search space. The index is also stored on that server. Everyone can now make use of the same index. For instance all my PHP functions would be in that index. If now I select search (perhaps even embedded in the file open dialog of Kate) and enter a function name the 10 most recently modified files containing that string would be returned. I can open one in a text editor or KWord or whatever immediately via KIO/FISH. Wouldn't that my great? Perhaps this is possible right now but just to difficult for me to set up.
By Michael at Tue, 2007/05/08 - 5:00am
Re: My dream
remote search indexes are indeed a cool thng, and something i hope kde does get to one day. however:
> I just don't own that many text documents on my harddisk
no mp3s, emails or digital photos with metadata? no bookmarks or contacts or im conversations? i think there's a lot more textually representable data around than most people consider. add in dynamic information and it can get pretty interesting =)
By Aaron Seigo at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Re: My dream
Right; it would be great if it would search my digiKam database and report how many of my pictures have a particular tag. What about finding segments of lyrics that are linked to my .ogg files! That would be somethin':
By Louis at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Re: My dream
Since Amarok stores the lyrics localally somewhere the last one should be more than possible, especially with a little help from Amarok!
I'm not sure if Amarok embeds the lyrics into the files metadata or stores it in its own database, but either way shouldn't be much of a problem (and if in the metadata, it should be trivial since it would already be scanning the metadata on the file anyways).
What I think would be very interesting would be stuff like this in addition to yours:
And other things like that, which is the general idea of what Tenor wanted to achieve, and I believe is (at least somewhat) the goal of NEPOMUK (both AFAIK and IIRC). Even though Strigi (best I know) what have these features in KDE 4.0, I'm still looking forward to seeing if it can be useful while not getting in the way (until I forced beagle off my laptop about once a week my laptop's hard drive would start thrashing like mad when beagle updated its index which would last quite a while!).
By Sutoka at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Re: My dream
lyrics are stored in database, not in the files itself.
By hurra at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Re: My dream
There is however at least one script available to automatically store the lyrics in the ID3 header. Maybe this could be turned on by default in amarok?
By Martin at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Re: My dream
"Maybe this could be turned on by default in amarok?"
I'd love this feature ! Why can Amarok write ID tags and not lyrics ? There should be a button on the top of the lyrics sidebar which allow to write the current lyrics in the music file when we think the lyrics are OK
By DanaKil at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Re: My dream
This might be a legally problem. Although using much more of the ID3 tags would be great. But even the bought music on magnatune.com has only the very basic tags (not even the cover art) :-(
By birdy at Thu, 2007/05/10 - 5:00am
Re: My dream
My dream would be finding things as fast as Spotlight can do. When I downloaded something, it's immediately visible in Spotlight (I assume the file dialog calls some hook to spotlight).
Apple iterated over spotlight, and is now at the point to search network shares too. I'd love to see the same thing happening to Strigi: first get local searching really well, so remote searching will be cool do (e.g. with KDE 4.1 or 4.2).
Reverse that, and you'll get a tool which does all sorts of cool things, but doesn't have it's core functionality worked out well enough. So my dream is they get local file searching properly first! :)
By Diederik van de... at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Searching on network shares
While both strigi and beagle are both nice tools when you only consider your personal files sitting on your local hard disk, both are totally insufficient when it comes to files sitting on network shares, either NFS or Samba.
Fileservers should be capable of creating the indexes itself, and giving the client an interface to query the indexes. Results should be presented taking the permissions of the querying user into account, which might be quite complex (think of ACLs, there is more than user/group/world). For permission checks, Kerberos comes to mind, but its IMHO to complex and demanding for simple setups.
If there is a good interface, it should be expandable to email/groupware servers as well.
If I understand correctly, Windows Server is capable of indexing shared files, but I have never used it, so no experience.
By Lurchi at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Re: Searching on network shares
As far as I know, the architecture of strigi would support this, and Nepomuk is specifically doing research in the area of sharing meta-data with other people over networks etcetera... So you can expect 'things like this' to come up and be integrated in KDE in the coming years, though of course they won't be KDE 4.0 things.
By superstoned at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Nice Interview!
Ciao Flavio! Compliments for your work!! strigi is a critical kde4 component, and it needs to be really good. It's a pleasure you're developing it ;-)
By alphaman at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Partial word search
Since search tools came to be based on word indices, we have been gradually losing the ability to search for arbitrary chunks of text. That is mostly fine for web search, where you are throwing away 99.9999% of the results anyway (most of the time), but becomes an issue for desktop search.
I am asking these questions in general terms since I honestly have not been able to figure out how Strigi works in these respects, despite using it quite a bit. Perhaps Strigi already solves some of the issues I present; it is not apparent that it does.
1) First Question: File name search
The problem of not being able to search for parts of a word becomes especially bad for file names, which are often of the form MyStrigiPresentation.odp. To search for that using a word index, I already need to know the exact file name! Searches for "Strigi" and "Presentation" come up blank.
Does someone have a brilliant solution to this? For instance a clever way to break up long words and also index the parts of them? More realistically; will Strigi be configurable to do full text search (also finding parts of words) on a data source basis. It could then be set up to do this more expensive search for file names, which should be a small amount of data anyway?
2) Second Question: Special characters
The other issue that has bitten me is how non-alphanumeric characters are treated. Suppose I am looking for the text "foo:bar". Will the query "foo" find that? Will "foo:bar"? It depends on how the indexer treats the non-alphanumeric character (a colon in this case). It also depends on how clever the tool is both at indexing at search time: If "foo:bar" was split into "foo" and "bar" at indexing time, the query "foo:bar" may or may not produce a match.
As a user I would love to see some friendly documentation on how different characters are treated and when you can search for things that contain them. Another example: can you search for "C++"? The answer is not obvious. As a user I would like to know what queries are futile without trying them all out.
By E at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Re: Partial word search
The filename /home/you/my-strigi-presentation.odp is indexed under the keywords home, you, my, strigi and presentation, so it's easy to find it. The indexer does not understand CamelCase though.
Indexes that index all parts of works takes a lot of diskspace. For this reason, we try to make sane choices about how to break up words we index. Note that you can search for 'foo*' and even for '*foo'. The first is fast, the second is slow on the default lucene index.
Indexing non-alphanumeric text is not done for the same reason. Yes, this means that looking for 'c++' is not possible.
Lucene has the concept of an 'Analyzer' (do not confuse this with a Strigi analyzer) which is a class that can break up text into relevant tokens. For different languages, different analyzers can be used. Strigi does not have this abstraction at the moment. We have only one way of breaking up text.
By Jos at Thu, 2007/05/10 - 5:00am
Re: Partial word search
Thanks for your reply! Strigi does store the full text content, in addition to the word index, does it not? Would it then be possible to turn on full text search for certain kinds of data? That could be turned on by default for e.g. file- and application names and could be switched on by the user for other kinds of data when needed: searching through the Strigi-collected full text would still be faster than going back to the original data source.
Let me also again plead for a full docmentation of all the details on how search works! For instance: what happens when I search for C++? Will that find matches to "C" (including "C++)? Will it find the specific string "C++" anyway, by means of first finding "C" and then checking the full text data for the surrounding characters? Or will it find nothing, either because the search front end does not drop the "++" or since "C" is just one character long and that was deemed too short to index? No need to answer that particular question here, but it would be great if that sort of thing were addressed by the user documentation.
Have a good day!
By E at Thu, 2007/05/10 - 5:00am
Re: Partial word search
this is an important problem.
this was the last straw with gmail for me, and I finally switched back to kmail.
By Chani at Sun, 2007/05/20 - 5:00am
Picture Search
I would love to be able drag and drop a photo to a search bar, and then have it search that picture's meta-data. Or find simular photos with the Gnu image search.
By John at Wed, 2007/05/09 - 5:00am
Re: Picture Search
why would you want to 'search the metadata' from a single picture? you use metadata to find something... showing the metadata in KDE 4 is just rightmousebutton -> properties.
finding similar photo's could probably be done with a strigi plugin (or it might be more a Nepomuk thing). Maybe Jos knows...
By superstoned at Thu, 2007/05/10 - 5:00am


text:
A retro inspired illustrative print, inspired by the 1950's for colour palette and patterns.
Part of a collection of retro inspired typographic and illustrative prints, Lucy Wilkins has created a collection to brighten up the home and put a smile on your face. Each print compliments each other with the retro colour palette perfectly.
Treat yourself or someone special to a little piece of Lucy's playful prints.
Would fit in perfectly in any retro contemporary home.
This print is available framed in a black A4 frame, ready to go straight up on your wall to add a burst of colour and quirkiness to your home.
It would also look just as good displayed with tape on a wall or on a clipboard to create a wall of pretty prints and quotes.
made from:
Printed on a heavyweight matt paper, each hand signed.
Each print is packaged with grey backing board and protected in a cellophane sleeve so that it arrives in perfect condition.
A4 (21×29.7 cm)


text:
Add two more wheels to your collection. All BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (MOA) and Car Club of America members who have been members for one year or longer are eligible to receive up to $750 off MSRP on a new BMW Motorcycle.
2019 and 2020 Model Year
*19MY/20MY R nine T Pure ineligible for Motorrad Appreciation Programs
Eligible Customers:
Active MOA / BMW Car Club members who have been members one year or longer at the time of their motorcycle delivery will be eligible for this program.
Purchasers are eligible for one (1) BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (MOA) and Car Club of America Members Purchase incentive during the offer's scheduled dates (January 2, 2020 through December 31, 2020). Recipient must be an active BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (MOA) or BMW Car Club of America member for a period of one year or longer at the time of motorcycle delivery. Motorcycles purchased and reported under a name other than the eligible BMW Motorcycle Owners of America (MOA) or BMW Car Club of America member applicant do not qualify. Sales documentation and claimant ID must match.
Motorcycles must be purchased through an authorized BMW Motorrad USA dealer. Dealers are responsible for complying with all applicable sales tax regulations regarding customer incentives for their state. Purchases through a 3rd party or BMW dealers outside the USA are not eligible. Motorcycles sold to brokers or not delivered to the ultimate retail purchaser by dealership employees are not eligible for sales support.
This incentive may be combined with any other monthly retail customer incentive* available at the time of purchase for a qualified model (unless specifically excluded in the incentive offer rules), which is defined as any new, previously unregistered BMW motorcycle sold between the dates of January 2, 2020 through December 31, 2020. BMW Motorrad fleet, auction or official P2 demonstrator units do not qualify.
May not be combined with other special purchase offers including BMW MOA / BMWRA / VBMWMO / BMW Car Club of America Offers, Emergency Services, MSF RiderCoachSM, MSF Basic Rider Course or BMW Group / Center Employee or Valued Vendor Purchase Offers.
BMW Motorrad USA reserves the right to make changes to the offer and/or terminate the offer at any time without prior notice. See your authorized BMW Motorrad dealer for more details.


text:
Last night, Obama gave his annual State of the Union address. Here's the important part.
And, of course, the rebuttal.
How not to deal with the media: New York representative threatens to throw reporter off balcony and "break him in half." With the cameras running.
Remember that time Pete Seeger refused to cooperate with HUAC? He did offer to sing them some songs though.
The Journal has an interactive map and comprehensive timeline of APD shootings, as well as information on the resulting cost to taxpayers.
More proof that God's running out of ideas for miracles: The Toe Jesus of Silver City. Go home, God. You're drunk.
Watch out, everybody! The tumbleweeds are fighting back!


text:
Let me just start by saying MythTV rocks. I was keeping track of where I was at with Myth on my home wiki, but then figured I might as well share it here!
My Setup
Combined FE/BE.
- AMD S754 Athlon 64 3700+
- Gigabyte S754 GA-K8VM800M
- 1GB Ram
- 320GB Western Digital 7200rpm 8M Serial ATA HDD
Albatron FX5200LP 128M 8x Video Card with DVI output.
- Gigabyte FX5200 128M 8x Video Card with DVI output.
- DVICO FusionHDTV Hybrid Tuner
- DNTVLive LP Tuner
- DVICO FusionRemote
- BenQ PE8700 DLP Projector
- Ubuntu Dapper (upgraded from Breezy server install)
- Kernel 2.6.15-27-amd64-k8
- v4l-dvb-0.9 drivers patched to handle vendor/device codes being the same between 2 different devices!! (Many thanks to Chris Pascoe for getting the DVICO card going)
- NVidia amd64 version 8774
- lirc version 0.8.0 (Dapper upgrade changed device from
- Ratpoison window manager
- MythTV 0.20.x fixes branch
What's working for me
- Live TV/TV recording Free to air HD/SD (from Sydney, Australia). Both tuner's simultaneously.
- AC3 passthrough including 5,1 surround
- XMLTV grabber from the OZTivo site
- XvMC but I'm not really sure if it helps
- MythMusic
- MythGallery
- MythDVD using xine as an external player
- MythWeb on Jetty rather than apache including the WAP version on the BlackBerry!
- Using irexec to restart Myth, including with a different Layout to switch between the Projector and TV
What's not
- The Gigabyte FX5200 card does not do PAL output properly, as it renders in B&W. Fortunately my TV autodetects NTSC colour.
- The Albatron FX5200 card has been fingered as the cause of my DVI problems on my projector. Apparently it freaks out a PCB component causing the EDID data to become corrupt.
(the Gigabyte card lasted from Aug 2006 to Dec 2007. Fortunately the new nvidia driver allow you to override the EDID from the device with a file...).
What more do I want to do
- I'd like MythMusic to use MythGallery as a visualisation!
- More cleanup of MythGallery thumbnail code. (Thumbnail cache is unnecessary if EXIF thumbnails are available in the images themselves)
Useful config info
xorg.conf for PE8700, Samsung LCD. See also the tips for the NVidiaProprietaryDriver
Option ExactModeTimingsDVI is important for the projector. Option "UseEDIDDpi" "false" or some equivalent control of DPI is important for the Samsung television otherwise you get really small fonts!
There are two layouts, the default uses outputs via VGA to a Samsung LCD television, the second uses DVI to the PE8700 projector.
Section "ServerLayout" Identifier "Main" # PC VGA output to Samsung LCD television Screen 0 "LCD[0]" 0 0 InputDevice "Generic Keyboard" InputDevice "Configured Mouse" Option "Xinerama" "off" EndSection Section "ServerLayout" Identifier "Projector" Screen 0 "Projector[0]" 0 0 InputDevice "Generic Keyboard" InputDevice "Configured Mouse" Option "Xinerama" "off" EndSection # .... skipped Files, Modules, InputDevice .... Section "Device" Identifier "FX5200[0]" Driver "nvidia" BusID "PCI:1:0:0" Screen 0 Option "NvAGP" "3" EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "LCD[0]" Device "FX5200[0]" Monitor "AnyMonitor" DefaultDepth 24 Option "UseEDIDDpi" "FALSE" #Computed DPI values not so good for TV display Option "UseDisplayDevice" "CRT" # VGA out SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1360x768" "800x600" EndSubSection EndSection Section "Screen" Identifier "Projector[0]" Device "FX5200[0]" Monitor "AnyMonitor" Option "UseDisplayDevice" "DFP" # DVI out DefaultDepth 24 SubSection "Display" Depth 24 Modes "1280x720" "800x600" EndSubSection EndSection Section "Monitor" Identifier "AnyMonitor" Option "DPMS" Option "ExactModeTimingsDVI" "true" Option "RenderAccel" "true" EndSection
.asoundrc For ALSA digital audio out
pcm.!default { type plug slave { pcm "spdif" rate 48000 format S16_LE } }
/etc/inittab entry to auto login the mythtv user
1:2345:respawn:/sbin/mingetty --autologin mythtv tty1
.profile to start X from the auto login, also starts irexec.
PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin start-frontend() { rm $HOME/.serverauth.* irexec --daemon $HOME/.lircrc >> $HOME/irexec.log MYTHRC="$HOME/.mythrc" if [ -r $MYTHRC ] ; then . $MYTHRC fi LAYOUT_SPEC= [ ! -z "$LAYOUT" ] && LAYOUT_SPEC="-layout $LAYOUT" startx -- $LAYOUT_SPEC -logverbose 5 } tty | grep tty1 && start-frontend
.xsession To start Ratpoison, mythtv-setup and mythfrontend
#Remove blue background... from TV-Out picture xvattr -a XV_COLORKEY -v 0 ratpoison & echo $DISPLAY if [ -r $HOME/.mythrc ] ; then . $HOME/.mythrc rm $HOME/.mythrc fi if [ ! -z "$MYTH_SETUP" ] ; then mythtv-setup fi mythfrontend -l mfe.log $MYTH_ARGS
#Make escape (default C-t) not clash with mythTV key bindings escape C-r #Banish the mouse cursor out of the way. addhook switchwin banish
ir_mythtv.sh script to restart MythTV via irexec.
#!/bin/bash function log() { logger -t "mythtv" "$@" } parseopts() { MYTH_SETUP= LAYOUT= MYTH_ARGS= while [ ! -z "$1" ] do case "$1" in -l|--layout) LAYOUT="$2" shift;; -s|--setup) MYTH_SETUP="y" ;; -m|--mythargs) MYTH_ARGS="$2" shift ;; *) break ;; esac shift done } GETOPT=$(getopt -l "setup,layout:,mythargs:" -o "sl:m:" -- "$@") if [ $? -ne 0 ] ; then exit 1 fi eval parseopts $GETOPT OLDEST=$(pgrep -o -u $USER $(basename $0)) if [ $OLDEST -ne $$ ] ; then log "Process $OLDEST is still running, so I ($$) will abort" exit 1 fi log "Restarting on tty1 $USER $(basename $0)" cat - << EOF > $HOME/.mythrc LAYOUT=$LAYOUT MYTH_SETUP="$MYTH_SETUP" MYTH_ARGS="$MYTH_ARGS" EOF pkill -u mythtv irexec pkill -t tty1 -u mythtv mythfrontend sleep 2 pkill -t tty7 #Kill the login shell. pkill -9 -t tty1 -u mythtv
the .lircrc file (buttons as per the DVICO remote, which I think are now standard in the lirc distribution)
## irexec # Bounce this tty begin button = power_onoff prog = irexec config = /home/mythtv/bin/ir_mythtv.sh & end #Run myth-setup before running mythfrontend begin button = cpf prog = irexec config = /home/mythtv/bin/ir_mythtv.sh --setup & end #Bounce the tty, use the Projector layout. begin button = tv_onoff prog = irexec config = /home/mythtv/bin/ir_mythtv.sh --layout Projector & end
0.19.x fixes info
- MythTV 0.19.x fixes branch (had to move
/usr/lib/libdts.ato compile)
- Xine external DVD/video player
- XvMC ( with Bob de-interlacing for HD channels. Have to manually turn it off for SD stuff).


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Thursday, August 25, 2011
Testing, testing
One of the coolest things about where I work is being within a stone's throw of so much tremendous talent. Seriously, I can't walk five paces without running into someone who's generating fantastic and inspiring work.
After a couple of recent chats with both Bob Logan and Dan Krall, I decided to dust off the old scratch quills and colored acrylic inks. I love trying new stuff out (and re-trying out old stuff). Thanks, guys, for inspiring me!
In other news, the raffle for drawings continues; so if you like getting free stuff in the mail consider leaving a comment HERE. Until next time, be good!
Posted by Anthony Holden at 9:19 PM 9 comments
Friday, August 19, 2011
Doodle Book: Post 6
Hiya, bloggers and blogettes! How's things?
I've gotten a few questions about my doodling process. It's pretty simple: I'm drawing in a Handbook Journal sketchbook with a Uniball Roller pen (micro 0.5mm) and Kuretake Water Brush, which I have instead filled with Rapidograph Universal Black India ink.
Since the doodles are just for fun, I'm not fussing over much. The tools are simple and I don't do an under drawing in pencil (who's got time for that?). It leads to a lot of mistakes and accidents, but it also forces me to commit to the lines and shapes I make.
Before we get to the doodles, here are this time's RAFFLE WINNERS!
Each of you will be getting a doodle in the mail
so, at your earliest convenience, please send me
a message with your mailing address!! :)
This time around, I'll be selecting TWO MORE WINNERS at random,
so please leave a comment below if you'd like to be entered.
Also, the first commenter who can correctly identify the character
below will win the TRIVIA PRIZE (...which is also a doodle).
Anyway, on to the doodles!
25 July and 26 July
27 July and 28 July
29 July and 30 July
31 July and 1 August
1 August and 2 August
3 August
4 August and 5 August
5 August
6 August and 9 August
7 August, for Carrie (last time's raffle winner)
8 August, for L Rossi (last time's trivia winner)
10 August and 11 August
11 August
12 August and 13 August
14 August and 15 August
16 August
17 August
Thanks for stopping by!
As always, let me know which ones are your favorites.
Posted by Anthony Holden at 9:50 AM 48 comments
Labels: doodle book
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The Latest
Sorry for the gap in posts--it's been a little nuts at work. I've got more doodles to post, and I hope to get to them soon.
Meanwhile, if you haven't entered yourself in the raffle for a free drawing, leave a comment
or HERE.
See you guys soon!
Posted by Anthony Holden at 10:34 AM 11 comments
Labels: crazy town
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The Illustrious and Illustrative Sketch Adventure Lifestyle of Anthony Holden. Cartoons, Sketches, Character Designs, Storyboards, Comics, Illustration, Animation, Silly thoughts, Intermittent Posting, and Arbitrary Capitalization by American animation artist, Anthony Holden. Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!
All content on this page copyright 2007-2011 Anthony L. Holden. Do not use without permission, except for purposes of review.
All content on this page copyright 2007-2011 Anthony L. Holden. Do not use without permission, except for purposes of review.


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Crystal Dollahon necesitaba un nuevo diseño de página web y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 19 diseños de 7 diseñadores freelance.
Lew's is a 60 year-old niche brand of fishing rods and reels. It is a southern-born brand and has a strong brand identity among southeastern U.S. anglers, especially baby-boomers. There is a lot of history to the brand, especially tied to late founder Lew Childre. His legend is around product innovation. "Innovation" is an important part of the company's image going forward. Lew's is a faded brand that was recently purchased by an individual who has extensive experience in rod and reel development, including innovation and styling. The brand's strength is with older anglers from the south. We want to win back that audience by playing off of the brand's original strengths of being "genuine," and "innovative." To this group, Lew's is "comfortable," much like favorite well-worn pair of jeans or an old pickup truck. The owner knows the "new" Lew's must also be appealing to the new and younger generation of anglers: those who like shiny, techy and trendy. He's confident his new product designs will play off the heritage of original models, but be sleek and feature-loaded to go with current trends.
Avid anglers - mostly freshwater but some inshore saltwater for those who enjoy light tackle fishing. Baby boomers with previous experience/knowledge of the brand, plus new-generation anglers that thrive on lighter, faster, stronger. Geographically, applicable for entire U.S., but strength will be in the south-central to southeastern parts of the country. Lews.com must satisfy old and young too. It needs to have the "comfort" feeling, without turning off the new generation of anglers. Bottom line is, Lew's anglers, regardless of age – eat, sleep and breathe fishing. Once you win their trust, they are extremely brand loyal. Today's anglers are stylish in dress and performance. No funky hats, no fishing vests, we're talking genuine hardcore (avid) anglers that cross all walks of life – rednecks, bankers, lawyers, blue collar, white collar, etc. They are passion-sports enthusiasts, and while not necessarily the best anglers on the block, they are knowledgeable about the sport and willing to invest in the tackle of choice.
For the most part, we are flexible and want you to be creative. A few requirements:
- The Lew's logo should appear somewhere in the main site design, preferably in the header but we're open to other placement. EPS and JPG logo files are attached.
- Main navigation items: Home, Lew's Today, History, Reels, Rods
- For lack of a better term, "sub-navigation" items (i.e. less prominent links to go either at the top or bottom of the page): Customer Service, Dealers, Contact, Catalog
- Some sites we like that are industry-related and capture the "heritage" component we're looking for:
o http://www.ernesthemingwaycollection.com
o http://www.anglerslegacy.com
o http://www.fin-norfishing.com


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Name above all names. The Way, the Truth, the Life. King of kings and Lord of lords. These traditional, biblical phrases express the depth of Christian devotion to Jesus.
In the Qur'an, too, there are many references and allusions to Jesus the Messiah. He holds a place of honor, and public abuse or ridicule of Jesus is offensive to Muslims.
A look through the Qur'an reveals that Muhammad affirmed the stories of the annunciation of Jesus to Mary and his virgin birth. He is presented as a sign to mankind, a prophet who affirms the Law of Moses, a worker of healing miracles who received the Holy Spirit for God-appointed tasks.
But Christians assert far more. Jesus is Christ the Lord, the only-begotten Son of God, the Savior of all who put their trust in him, to be worshiped and adored. These things Muslims strongly deny.
For the Muslim, Jesus of Nazareth is certainly not the Son of God, and the notion of a Trinity is utterly rejected. The idea that God could have a son is offensive because, for Muslims, it implies that God had a physical, sexual union with a woman. The Qur'an asserts: "Mary's son ... was but a mortal whom We (Allah) favored." In another passage it declares: "They say: 'God has begotten a son.' God forbid! Self-sufficient is he." And again: "Those who say: 'The Lord of Mercy has begotten a son' preach a monstrous falsehood at which the very heavens might crack."
The Qur'an goes on to deny that Jesus truly died. "They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but they thought they did." One interpretation of this crucial statement is that Muhammad thought that some kind of double suffered the execution, but the "real" Jesus was rescued and taken away by Allah. With the denial of Jesus' death, the Christian understanding of the Cross as the way of forgiveness of sins and as the door of salvation is rejected too. Nor is there any place for Jesus' resurrection.
Yet the portrait of Jesus in the Qur'an is a dignified one. Jesus is a prophet, one of a long line of prophets from what Christians call Old Testament history. A primer for new Muslim converts names Jesus as a messenger of Allah, one of five messengers in world history "known for their firm stand and endurance in struggling for the cause of Allah."
But he is not the last or greatest of the five; that place is reserved for Muhammad. Muslims declare that Jesus was sent by God to be merely a forerunner, "to give news of an apostle that will come after me whose name is Ahmad"another name of Muhammad's.
Muslims are bound to see Christian worship of Christ as deeply blasphemous. But in Muslim majority contexts this is not a theoretical matter. The Muslim who becomes a Christian has not just made a blunder; he or she has become committed to an offensive belief which deliberately asserts what the Qur'an denies. Hence the abhorrence of conversion among Muslims and the penalties for it.
In state schools in Muslim countries, children of Christian parents are exposed again and again to the insistent denial of what their homes and churches teach, sometimes with ridicule or even threats. The pressures upon such children are grave and great.
Not for nothing did Peter write, before there were ever any Muslims, that for people without Christian faith the Lord is "a stone to trip over, a rock to stumble against" (1 Pet. 2:7-8 NEB).
Reprinted (with slight editing) from Barnabas, the magazine of the Barnabas Fund, which evaluates the needs of persecuted Christians and monitors the spread of Islam. Further information can be obtained from The Barnabas Fund, The Old Rectory, River Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire, SN9 5DB, Scotland. Reprinted from New Horizons, December 2002.
|© 2020 The Orthodox Presbyterian Church
Chaplains and Military Personnel


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Online Privacy Statement & Children's Privacy Policy
Morgan Murphy Media ("MMI") respects and takes very seriously the privacy of its customers. This statement is provided to help you learn about our privacy policy and to help you understand what information we gather and what we do with that information.
What Information We Collect
In connection with your use of our sites, we collect two types of information: "Anonymous information" and "personally identifiable information."
Anonymous information refers to information we cannot tie back to a specific individual. This information, including your IP address (which is a number assigned by your internet service provider on a session by session basis to identify your computer so that the web pages you request can be sent to you), referral data (such as the address of the last URL you visited prior to clicking through to one of our sites), and browser and platform type (such as a netscape browser on a Macintosh platform). We use this anonymous information to tailor our sites to the needs and interests of our visitors, and to improve our site by making it more responsive to those needs and interests. Again, this anonymous information does not identify you to us personally.
Personally identifiable information is information which tells us specifically who you are, such as your name and postal address. We collect personally identifiable information about you when you register for a free e-mail account, when you order products or services through one of our sites, and if you enter any promotions or sweepstakes.
When you register for a free e-mail account with us, we ask for your name, address, zip code, and phone number. When you order products and services through one of our sites, we collect all information necessary to fulfill that order, which would typically include your name, address, zip codes, e-mail address and credit card number, and we also use cookies to track the items you place in your shopping basket. A cookie is just an entry in a text file or folder in your hard drive. The cookie contains a unique ID number assigned to you and allows you to select a product, place it in your shopping basket and continue browsing through other products available on our site, without completing a separate order form for each product you select.
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MMM's sites are general audience web sites that comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act.
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As much as it genuinely pains me to say it, the weather in Seattle today was absolutely ideal. I started out from the house about 9:00 for a 25 mile loop over to Lincoln Park, Alki (with a stop at Tully's for some coffee and a donut), then home again. It was 46 leaving the house, so I had on a long-sleeved silk underlayer and one of my old Perlizumi long sleeve jerseys with a windbreaker, wool knickers and short wool socks, and long fingered gloves. The first 3 miles from my house is pretty much downhill, followed by a couple of really nice climbs (1 is 11% for almost a mile) and by the time I got up to the top, I had to stop to take the jacket off. As I did, I was treated to a really nice view of Mt. Rainier behind me.
About a half hour or so later, it was even more spectacular as I saw it from Marine View drive just before the descent to Lincoln Park (I'm at elevation +/- 600' above sea level here)
The view out over Puget Sound to the south with Des Moines (left) and part of Vashon Island (right) was pretty nice, too.
Off to the west, the pristine Olympic Mountain Range was showing off, as well, with the Fauntleroy/Southworth Ferry heading in toward the Fauntleroy dock below me.
After a nice fast decent, I got down to Lincoln Park where I took off the busier roads and rode around by the water for a while where the temperature had warmed to a very pleasant 51 degrees. .
After coming out of Lincoln Park, the route follows along the waterfront to Alki Beach, where I went by one of my favorite places, the "blue bottle house"
and then stopped at the Statue of Liberty to reflect a little bit on what it means to be an American these days.
Several of my favorite American heroes are quoted here, including these two:
Of course, no ride is complete without a stop for some coffee and (ya think MAYBE???) a donut. I get so excited about my pastries sometimes, I just can't focus my blackberry very well.
When I rolled up to Tullys, though, I got to see one of my favorite vehicles, the famed TRIKE
I had a great time chatting with the owner of this fine steed (and his sister), who gave me a great demonstration on how the bell worked. Sis was really impressed with how my bell worked (complete with a thermometer) and told me she didn't have a bell for her baby stoller, and spent a bit of time introducing me to all of her dollies - sure wish I had some pics of those kids!!! They were really precious.
After working my way aroung Alki Point and south along the Duwamish Trail, I crossed the First Ave. S. Bridge for another great view of my mountain
and then headed home after riding around through the industrial district for a while where a few of the other pieces of heavy equipment found out that my bike isn't easy to crush
And as I rode along Michigan Street (this is one street NOT recommended for bicycles) I couldn't help be amused by this car wash sign
Thinking maybe I could get an explanation of just what this "CHEW BUSH" sign meant, I pulled into the parking lot and examined the other side
Now I'm even more confused than before. What the heck is a BASIC CAMEL?
The temperature at Alki when I came out of Tully's was 53 degrees and by the time I got home, I'd seen 55 degrees once briefly coming up Swift toward Beacon Hill.
2010 is off to a great start!


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In the Pacific Northwest, May has been the most gorgeous month this year. For weeks now the sun has broken free of the clouds and lingering mist quite early in the morning and the temperatures have remained warm outside into the evening, something that happens rarely here, even in mid-summer.
This weather has been perfect for setting herbs and vegetables in the garden, for cooking out on the grill and, best of all, for ice cream! I love to eat ice cream when it is warm enough outside that something besides my body temperature is taking the brain-freezing chill off the cold ice cream and making it soft enough to run in luscious drips down the side of a cone or cupcake liner. It is then that I can really taste the sweet creaminess of the flavor and enjoy the sensation of its gentle coolness as it touches my tongue and dissolves.
Thinking of ice cream and enjoying the weather I was excited to read that Cupcake Project and Scoopalicious are doing an Ice Cream Cupcake Round Up again this year. It has been a treat to sit on my back deck with a frosted glass of iced tea dreaming up flavor combinations. Finally though, I had to set down my tea and get to work on actually making them.
When I got them home I set about trying all three. The Coconut Rum gelato was my hands down favorite. The others were good too but the texture of the gelato was exquisite and the flavor was fun. It was just right for this gorgeous weather. It reminded me of soft warm breezes, sparkling seas, beautifully garnished drinks and those lush tropical flavors which were on my mind as I worked out the rest of my cupcake.
I wanted to add a little spice to the soft luscious flavor of the well-crafted gelato. I thought of Ginger Cookie Sticks and their strong ginger bite. In a cake form with a shot or two of dark rum I thought the flavor would be perfect.
For an icing I thought of the sauce I use on Bread Pudding. I have suggested that it would be a great ice cream topping so I thought this would be a good opportunity to try it. Instead of the bourbon I used in the Bread Pudding sauce I would try it with dark rum. I thought the sauce would add a strong languid butter rum sweetness that would help define the dominant notes in the tropical flavor combination.
To top it off I added Dried Sweetened Hibiscus Flowers from Trader Joe's. These were an impulse purchase some weeks ago. These unusual flowers have a rather funky star shape that seemed to me a bit like a five legged octopus, all fascinating but a little scary. The flavor is a tropical tart-sweet sensation and the texture is less sticky than most candied fruits. It is definitely different and interesting, not to mention lovely. I also cut some small flower shapes from flat pieces of candied ginger to pick up the golden tone of the butter rum sauce and to accentuate the hibiscus flower.
I think it turned out well. These Butter Rum Cupcakes are quite pretty in my new silicone cupcake liners. The Ginger Rum Cakes are dense and flavorful and the Coconut Rum gelato adds a luscious lingering creaminess to the texture. The Butter Rum Sauce is also delicious, though it gets a little stiff in the freezer. When I make these again I will consider serving the topping warm over the frozen ice cream cupcakes and adding the garnish at the last minute.
Ginger Rum Cakes
½ cup butter, melted
1/3 cup dark rum
¼ cup grated fresh ginger
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 ½ cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon white pepper
½ teaspoon ground ginger
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
2/3 cup brown sugar
¼ cup molasses
3 eggs
2 tablespoons crystallized ginger, finely chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, rum, fresh ginger and vanilla. Set aside.
In medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, salt, pepper, ginger and cinnamon. Whisk to thoroughly combine dry ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the brown sugar and molasses until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
Add the flour mixture slowly, beating just until combined.
Add the butter mixture and beat until incorporated.
Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners filling each about one-third full to allow room for the ice cream after baking.
Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 15 minutes, or until done. (When done, the top will spring back when lightly touched.)
Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
When the cupcakes are cool, place them in the freezer for several hours.
When the cupcakes are ready place the ice cream out on the counter for a few minutes to soften slightly. Scoop the ice cream on top of the brownies into the cupcake liners. Smooth the ice cream to fill the liner, mounding slightly on the top if desired.
Place the cupcakes back in the freezer until the ice cream is firm.
To finish the cupcakes drizzle with Butter Rum Sauce(recipe below). and return to the freezer again until firm.
Garnish with Dried Sweetened Hibiscus Flowers and Candied Ginger shapes.
Butter Rum Sauce
¼ cup unsalted butter
½ cup sugar
3 tablespoons whipping cream
2 tablespoons rum
Pinch of salt
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the remaining ingredients, whisking until well combined.
Simmer, whisking often, until thickened, approximately 3 minutes.
Cool slightly and serve.


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Palestinian rivals to try again for unity deal
April 23, 2014
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Rival Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah agreed Wednesday to form a unity government and hold new elections — a potentially historic step toward mending the rift that has split their people between two sets of rulers for seven years.
Following the announcement of the deal, hundreds of people took to the streets in Gaza to celebrate. Crowds hoisted Palestinian flags and posters. "I hope it will be real this time," said Asma Radwan, a 33-year-old schoolteacher who came with her two young sons. "I came to say 'thank you' to the leaders. But don't disappoint us like the past. Seven years of division is enough."
It remained unclear how the plan would succeed where past attempts have repeatedly failed. It also added new complications to U.S. efforts to broker a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians. Both the U.S. and Israel condemned the agreement.
In an initial response, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a planned meeting for Wednesday evening between Israeli and Palestinian peace negotiators. Israel and the West consider Hamas a terrorist group. Hamas, which is sworn to Israel's destruction, has killed hundreds of Israelis in bombings and shootings over the past two decades.
Abbas "needs to choose between peace with Israel and an agreement with Hamas, a murderous terror organization that calls for the destruction of Israel," Netanyahu said. In a statement, Abbas said "there is no contradiction" between reconciliation and his efforts to reach a "just peace" with Israel. He said Wednesday's deal would help Palestinian negotiators achieve a two-state solution.
Hamas seized Gaza from Abbas' forces in 2007, leaving him with only parts of the West Bank. Both sides have become entrenched in their territories, setting up separate governments and their own security forces.
The division has been a major obstacle to Abbas' goal of establishing an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza, with east Jerusalem as the capital. Israel captured all three areas in 1967. The split is also seen by many everyday Palestinians as a tragic mistake.
The two sides planned to form an interim government within five weeks. Presidential and parliamentary elections should be held no sooner than six months after the government is formed, said Ismail Haniyeh, prime minister of the Hamas government.
Similar agreements have been reached in principle in the past. But they were never implemented due to deep differences and an unwillingness to cede power. Hamas, for instance, employs tens of thousands of civil servants and security forces in Gaza, and it is in no rush to relinquish control to a centralized government led by Abbas. The group has also seen its popularity plummet, making elections risky.
Abbas, meanwhile, could face international isolation and the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in aid if he joins forces with Hamas. International donors withheld aid during a short-lived Palestinian unity government elected in 2006 and 2007, before the Hamas takeover, due to concerns that the money would be diverted to Hamas.
A key test will be whether the sides can agree soon on a caretaker government of apolitical technocrats. Squabbling over the government's composition has derailed past reconciliation attempts. Still, changes in the region have given each side an incentive to try again, even if a full agreement seems unlikely.
Hamas has been weakened since a military coup in neighboring Egypt last July. The coup toppled the Islamist government of President Mohammed Morsi, Hamas' most important ally. Egypt's new military government has cracked down hard on Hamas, closing a system of smuggling tunnels that provided Hamas with a key conduit for weapons and tax revenue. The Egyptian pressure and a longstanding Israeli blockade have plunged Hamas into the worst financial crisis of its rule, making it difficult to pay the salaries of its employees and sinking its public standing.
Abbas, on the other hand, has achieved little during nine months of U.S.-brokered peace talks with Israel. Those talks are set to expire next Tuesday, though the sides have been searching for a formula to extend the negotiations.
In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the U.S. was "disappointed and troubled" by the Palestinians' announcement. "It is hard to see how Israel can be expected to negotiate with a government that does not believe in its right to exist," Psaki said, referring to Hamas.
Palestinian analyst Nasim Zubaidi described Wednesday's agreement as a "marriage of convenience." He said both sides were "forced" into each other's arms, with Abbas hurt by the failure of peace efforts and Hamas' financial struggles.
Even so, he said, it was far from clear whether they would go through with the deal. "Both have signed, but they are using the tactic of 'let's wait and see.' Abbas will wait and see how things will go in the peace talks, and Hamas will see how it goes with their problems in Gaza."
Ultimately, it will be difficult to merge two rival ideologies and two rival security forces into one, Zubaidi said. Wednesday's reconciliation deal is the latest attempt by Abbas to send a message to Israel that he has other alternatives. Abbas has also hinted in recent days that he might dismantle his self-rule government and saddle Israel with the huge financial burden of taking care of more than 4 million Palestinians in occupied lands.
These latest moves may be aimed at building leverage to pressure Israel to agree to favorable terms for continued negotiations. But they could also signal a new approach if the talks really do collapse.
Yet Abbas' decision also risks triggering a tough Israeli response. Hardline Israeli leaders quickly condemned the unity deal, and several called for Netanyahu to halt the peace efforts. Israel's Channel 10 TV said Netanyahu would meet with his Security Cabinet on Thursday to discuss a response. It also said that future meetings between peace negotiators were in doubt.
"The Palestinian Authority has become the biggest terror body in the world," said Naftali Bennett, head of the hardline Jewish Home Party. "Israel needs to be clear," he added. "No talks with murderers."
Adding to the tensions, an Israeli airstrike hit the northern Gaza Strip, missing its target but wounding at least three bystanders, Palestinian officials said. Medical official Ashraf al-Kidreh says the airstrike targeted two men riding a motorcycle, but that the missile missed its target and wounded a 50-year-old man and two daughters.
The Israeli military confirmed the failed airstrike, saying "a hit was not identified." Gaza militants fired a barrage of rockets at southern Israel soon afterward, the Israeli military said. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.
Associated Press writers Mohammed Daraghmeh in Ramallah, West Bank, and Ian Deitch in Jerusalem contributed to this report.