text:
Over the past 25 years, I've used many tools from Morningstar (MORN). In this post, I'll share some of my experiences with these products.
As a new advisor years back, I used Principia and found it very helpful. I became comfortable with it and over time created custom layouts, alerts and exported data to Excel with regularity. Over all, I have a deep appreciation for the quality of Morningstar's products and the helpfulness of its technical support team. Recently, I've learned that Morningstar is discontinuing the desktop version of Principia, moving it to the cloud. Because it had been a while since I used a Morningstar product, I inquired about some of its other tools. I'm glad I did.
I've used Advisor Workstation in the past, but at the time I was not impressed. This online tool seemed clunky and had many limitations. Perhaps it was built on older technology? Also, it did not allow exports to Excel. The revised version, however, is much improved. It will now export to Excel, is more comprehensive and has a much better feel.
When you use Principia, you have to subscribe to each module separately. For instance, if you want to build a portfolio or do research on mutual funds and stocks, you have to purchase each module separately. Purchasing a subscription to mutual funds, closed end funds, ETFs, stocks, etc., can get pricy. Plus, the data is only updated monthly and the update arrives about seven to ten days after the month end.
The new and improved Advisor Workstation is updated daily and my particular subscription includes mutual funds, ETFs, closed end funds, individual stocks, individual bonds, the hypothetical tool, an investment policy statement generator, various calculators and some tools inherited from Ibbotson. As mentioned, the data is updated daily, but all reports are based on the prior month-end data. Finally, Advisor Workstation includes many more data points than Principia and the price is fair.
I've also used Morningstar Office in the past. My experience with it was neutral. In short, I found it contained many things I did not need and would never use, but had to purchase. Office is a great research tool and if you need performance reporting and some light financial planning capabilities, it's something to consider. However, I had glitches with the performance reporting functionality. Actually, the problem was with the download and may have resided with my custodian at the time (not TradePMR, my current custodian). To summarize, Office is a much more expensive offering so make sure you need most of its capabilities, and at the time that I subscribed it required a 12-month contract.
In closing, I think I'm going to really like Advisor Workstation as it will broaden my research capabilities without a contract and all at a competitive price point. If interested, you should check to see if your custodian or BD has some arrangement with Morningstar whereby you would receive a discount. Many, if not most, do.
Thanks for reading and have a great week!


text:
Ready To Battle?
KBattleship is a TCP/IP-based boardgame similar to the common game played on a sheet of paper, where two players try to battle the other's fleet. KBattleship has just been moved into the KDE Games package and will be publicly available with the KDE 2.2 release. For the moment, you can only get it via APPS.KDE.com, anonymous CVS, CVSup, or a recent kdegames snapshot. Check it out!
Re: Ximian/Eazel mess vs theKompany
Haha, I thought you were serious, too:) The funny thing is, your's wasn't even the most irrational post! (which is why I didn't know you were joking)
By kdeFan at Fri, 2001/04/06 - 5:00am
Re: Ximian/Eazel mess vs theKompany
The Kompany is a part of the KDE community, but Miguel's' Xamian and Eazel control the gnome community. Theres a big difference.
By Craig Black at Fri, 2001/04/06 - 5:00am
Re: Ximian/Eazel mess vs theKompany
I was speaking more about TrollTech, if the KDE developers were to fork Qt and do a CORBA binding then they could clean up all the hacky stuff to get around MSVC's crappy compiler, fix the language bindings problem and end the liscencing problems with Qt. Do you realize how many KDE developers are working for TrollTech, because of that the direction of KDE is realy controled alot by TrollTech(Lotta developers on one thing and you have the network effect).
By John at Fri, 2001/04/06 - 5:00am
Re: Ximian/Eazel mess vs theKompany
What licensing problem are you talking about. Qt is GPLed. For the few people who still have problems with that I can only say that even RMS agreed that Qt has no licensing problem anymore.
By jj at Fri, 2001/04/06 - 5:00am
Re: Ximian/Eazel mess vs theKompany
I did not mean legal problems with liscencing, where I work we don't GPL our software, and I garauntee you that we aren't going to pay 2000$ a developer for a toolkit when there a toolkits just as good for free, forking Qt means that TT's Qt would probably be incompatible.
By John at Fri, 2001/04/06 - 5:00am
Re: Ximian/Eazel mess vs theKompany
Talk about trolling?
> Yeah, you're right. We should all like the Kompany better because their budget is small
Actually I'm going to guess you have not been exposed to much business, expecially the school of hard knocks. I'll make this very simple but quoting a proverb. "The borrower is the lender's slave". If one wishes to make an honest evaluation it seems you would have to be utterly naive or totally dishonest not to recognize that theKompany's less glamorous budget gives them an advantage of not having to feed an 800 pound gorilla. To quote more wise words to business people "If your income does not exceed your outgo then your upkeep will be your downfall".
Now, I have yet to hear anyone who's savvy I respect give me an explanation of what is rational in the Eazel and Ximian business plan. However given the old rule that 1 in 6 ventures returns a yield I guess some people are looking at tax write offs already.
> and because they're jealous of all the attention Gnome is getting. Oh, whoops! Did I say that?
Yes, but that is alright. While I respect the GNOME core developers I have found their advocates to not be able to make a better argument than this for their opinions. I'm sorry... Shawn Gordon does not strike me as being jealous, let alone having time for such pettiness... and unlike Eazel and Ximian I can pencil out his business plan.
> No one is "destroying" Gnome. Point out just ONE thing that Ximian or Eazel have done to "wreck" Gnome.
I'm going to agree and disagree. Those are too strong of words, but there is little doubt that some of the lustre has been taken off. Eazel is a good example since they are openly risking their continued development by entering business without a real business plan. Spare me the sound bite GPL argument. In the first place that is LGPL which means that new features can be charged for to pacify investors. But the reality is that if they should cease to exist there appears to have been 35 programmers on the payroll for over a year to get to a nowhere near finished product. There is no way this does not add up to major slow downs in development should it come to pass. Source code is one thing... 70,000+ hours of development time to replace is another.
> And thanks to the license you apparently scorn, if I don't like what Eazel or Ximian does, I can fork the code and do whatever I like with it.
Who's scorning the licence? Anyway, I am 110% percent behind you forking the code or at least fishing through it trying to figure out what they hell went on. I am guessing there must be a fair pile of it so by the time you have sorted through and are ready to fork we should have had months of peace.
> but what's the point of talking about how sh*tty the one you're not using is. I love Gnome, but I know KDE has some VERY cool features. I simply don't choose to use it - I prefer Gnome.
Well again I agree and disagree. I know there is plenty of activity outside these companies (even though I think they both smell since I see no viable business plans). I also agree that there is no point in knocking them... however I'd like to point out that this site for KDE. People need a place to let their hair down a little and say what they are tired of getting flamed for... even if it really is not the best. The point is... if you don't use KDE... why are you reading the KDE news? Why are you trolling? I have to tell you... I don't use much GNOME, but I do not dislike it so that I look for GNOME news sites to make snide remarks on. It seems pretty petty that you are trying to open a GNOME formum on a KDE site.
By Eric Laffoon at Thu, 2001/04/05 - 5:00am
The GNOME advocate was being a wee bit defensive and angry. This is true. It's a fine line between that stance and trolling, and perhaps he crossed it. However, both the GNOME news site (which, BTW, has a lot of KDE trolls posting on it) and this site are open. If people here want to knock GNOME, they should be open to GNOME people responding. This same is true at the GNOME site. Honestly, though, all this trolling does no one any good whatsoever. It doesn't help KDE; it doesn't help GNOME (well, maybe it helps Microsoft ;-). Constructive criticism is good. Trolling is just a waste of chars. Peace.
By andrew at Fri, 2001/04/06 - 5:00am
Re: Ready To Battle?
Yes... katzbrown.com:5801 ;)
kbattleship rOx0rz !
Good job WildFox!
By Jason Katz-Brown at Thu, 2001/04/05 - 5:00am
Re: Ready To Battle?
I hope I didn't disrupt any of your games... I've been trying to connect but I have to go offline now. ;)
By ac at Thu, 2001/04/05 - 5:00am
i was at school, i just got home now, now i start server :)
By Jason Katz-Brown at Thu, 2001/04/05 - 5:00am
Idea for game makers
Nice game, but consider doing something different.
How about a game server that can be EASILY programmed (perhaps Graphically). Imagine a server using Mercury (Compiled Functional/Logic language) as a game server. Also, imagine a nice client board with drop in pieces that can be coded easily, perhaps in C++/Python.
Why use Mercury for games? Board games are nothing but rules/logic. Mercury was built for this and can be much faster than Python and flexible compared to C++/Java (As it relates to logic/inferences).
While I like the games, it would be nice to see a gameing system that individuals can build/design. If I might point out, Hasbro/Parker Bros might get interested in this, in that it will allow games to be test marketed. Capsi, I might point out that your kmonop could be extended to do just this.
By ac at Thu, 2001/04/05 - 5:00am
Isn't "battleship" the trademark of some company? I know games.yahoo.com calls their version "Naval Command" for this reason... Perhaps the name should be changed?
By anon at Thu, 2001/04/05 - 5:00am
Re: Trademark?
That's why we say
"KBattleship, a "battle ship(R)" clone"
in the documentation.
I think this is sufficient. Additionally, this is open source and there are tons of other battleship clones, so what?
Anyway. I am not a layer and if the company that own "battle ship" feels like sueing us, I won't keep them from doing so.
By Daniel at Thu, 2001/04/05 - 5:00am
Re: Trademark?
Heh, im sure you are not a layer, Daniel. But you arent a lawyer either. :P
By Lenny at Thu, 2001/04/05 - 5:00am
Won't compile on Mandrake 8.0 Beta 3
Hi all,
I can't get Kbattleship to compile on Linux Mandrake 8.0 Beta 3. It keeps looking for libXext (I've found it in /usr/X11R6/lib) but ./compile never sees it. I let compile know where my x includes and libs are.
Any help would be appreciated.
By Tim_F at Thu, 2001/04/05 - 5:00am
Re: Won't compile on Mandrake 8.0 Beta 3
Hi Tim,
By Henri at Thu, 2001/04/05 - 5:00am

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Pre-lubrication metering devices for use in single-line lubrication systems
Designed for installation in manifolds, series 351 single-port, pre-lubrication metering devices were developed for use with single-line, centralized lubrication systems for oil and fluid grease. When used in combination with one- to six-port manifolds, these metering devices provide flexible options for lubrication system design. Customized manifolds for series 351 metering devices are available in aluminum and stainless steel.
Features and benefits:
- For use with manifolds having one to six ports to match number of lubrication points
- Provides flexible options for systems with remote single lubrication points or multiple-port metering devices with up to six ports
- Select optional push-in or screw-in type nipples for feed line connections
- Choose separately manifold models with different thread sizes for main line connection and materials
Current metering nipples are exchangeable to yield different output quantities
Configure the product according your needs, download the CAD file


text:
Period Analysis of AAVSO Visual Observations of Semiregular (SR) Variable Stars. II
John R. Percy
Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3H4, Canada
Received October 26, 2012; revised January 8, 2013; accepted January 8, 2013
We have used visual measurements from the AAVSO International Database, and Fourier and self-correlation analysis to study the periodicity of 44 pulsating red giants, classified as semiregular: 16 SR, 15 SR:, 12 SRb, and one misclassified RV:. Within each of the three groups, the average degree of periodicity (or regularity) is about the same and there is a wide variety of behavior, from irregular to highly periodic. About a dozen stars show definite or possible double-mode pulsation, and half a dozen show evidence of a long secondary period.


text:
Kent State's Iris Harvey and Virginia Albanese Honored With Harold K. Stubbs Awards
Kent State University's Vice President for University Relations Iris E. Harvey and Trustee Virginia Albanese were honored at the 2014 Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Awards dinner on March 14 at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn Hotel in Akron, Ohio.
Harvey, a resident of Stow, Ohio, has been with Kent State since 2008 and oversees Kent State's global branding initiatives and directs university communications, marketing and media relations, regional engagement and corporate affairs. She recently was selected by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board for a U.S.-France International Education Administrators Seminar award, and spent three weeks in France learning about other higher education systems.
"I'm greatly honored by this award and humbled to be considered a humanitarian," Harvey says. "In the sense that a humanitarian works to make people's lives better, I'm fortunate that my work allows me to help young people understand the future benefits of higher education."
Harvey earned her bachelor's degree in marketing and Master of Business Administration in international marketing from the University of Southern California, as well as an education specialist degree from George Washington University. Before joining Kent State, Harvey held senior marketing positions in higher education at Wright State University and the University of Maryland University College; was the CEO of an international consulting firm she founded and operated in Japan for nearly a decade; and held a vice presidency position at Citigroup Global Consumer Bank Group.
Albanese, a resident of Akron, received the 2014 Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award in Business. Gov. John Kasich appointed Albanese to the Kent State Board of Trustees in 2013. Albanese is president and CEO of FedEx Custom Critical, North America's largest, critical-shipment carrier. Since joining FedEx Custom Critical in 1986, Albanese has served in various roles, including as director of Safety, Recruiting and Contractor Relations, managing director of Service and Safety, and vice president of Customer and Strategic Operations.
"I'm honored to receive this award and to share the stage with so many deserving leaders and volunteers," Albanese says. "Our community is shaped by those willing to lead and collaborate, and I'm humbled to be recognized with this achievement."
Albanese earned both a Bachelor of Science degree and an Executive Master's Degree in Business Administration from Kent State. She is the immediate past chairwoman of the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce and serves on a number of other boards to benefit the Northeast Ohio community, including Akron Children's Hospital and the Boys and Girls Club of the Western Reserve.
The Harold K. Stubbs Humanitarian Award, sponsored by the St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church of Akron, recognizes those who have made contributions in areas such as social action, government, business, medicine and law. The awards program honors Stubbs, a former Akron Municipal Court judge and Kent State alumnus. Stubbs was actively involved with the church, which since his death has annually recognized individuals for their community service with this award.
For more information about Kent State's Division of University Relations, visit www.kent.edu/about/administration/ur.
For more information about Kent State's Board of Trustees, visit www.kent.edu/bot.


text:
Best Buy
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Washington, DC 20016202-895-1580
Washington, DC 20016202-895-1580
? out of 4 recommended
You won't find anything else like Checkbook
- Nonprofit and independent
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text:
Faro wrote:I have a quick question regarding this map (really nice one btw).
It's my first team/polymorphic game and I am unsure on how to manage Prometheus: does the player attacking true the ring of fire needs to be the same as the one holding Prometheus?
Never-mind I found it by looking at the thread. Can the mapmaker make a note of it on the first page of this thread, I am pretty sure some other people will have the same question.
Thank you
It is noted on the map.


text:
Glide along @CB_Connector from #CincyCyclones Stop 1 @TheBanksCincy to #FindlayMarket and #OTR and back again. Pa… https://t.co/Bt3rB8ws3b
White Oak Valley Farm bakes amazingly delicious pizza crusts made from zucchini and squash that we grow on their farm. White Oak Valley Farm is continuing the Wittmeyer vegetable farming tradition that began almost one hundred years ago in Anderso...read more


text: Without Palin, a wide-open GOP race could play to Mitch Daniels' strengths. By David Morris, Deputy Managing Editor December 16, 2010 They say you can tell a lot about a person by what he or she reads. If that's the case, Mitch Daniels' reading list suggests a serious, determined man who is keen on scrappy underdogs taking on the big shots. It also suggests that the Republican governor of Indiana is serious about jumping into the 2012 presidential race.Daniels just released his annual list of books that make good gifts or are smart choices "when you sneak out to exchange those fuzzy slippers or that Grateful Dead necktie." The nine books he names cover a variety of fields -- economics, politics, sports, religion, weather and war. But there are hints of the lone wolf and hard times in many of the titles: The Forgotten Man, by Amity Shlaes; Underdawgs, by David Woods; Lone Survivor, by Marcus Luttrell; The Time It Never Rained, by Elmer Kelton; and After the Fall, by Nicole Gelinas. Sponsored Content The one-man-against-the-world theme is a fitting one for Daniels, who often had to stand alone in his fight against bloated spending as President George W. Bush's director of the Office of Management and Budget. He wasn't popular, but he was good. So good that Bush's nickname for him was "The Blade." A few other titles, and his commentary, suggest that Daniels is giving more than just passing thought to a White House bid of his own. He says that in Who Are We? the late Samuel Huntington "sounds the alarm about the dangers of our eroding sense of national identity." And he praises City of Man by former Bush speechwriters Michael Gerson and Peter Wehner for its call for religious tolerance. Advertisement But the biggest hint is found in the first book on his list: Diplomacy, by former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger. In an e-mail describing his list, Daniels writes, "If, like me, both your diplomatic history and your sense of the practical aspects of statesmanship could stand some touching up, this is the place to get it done." Now why would a two-term governor suddenly be interested in diplomacy and statesmanship? Unless, of course, he is thinking about extending his political career. On paper, Daniels appears to be a long shot candidate for the GOP nomination. A guy who once said that the unofficial motto for members of Congress was, "Don't just stand there, spend something," doesn't have a lot of friends in official Washington. He has extremely limited foreign policy experience. He is not a household name, doesn't have a book to hawk or a reality television show to hype. His ability to raise funds for an expensive national race is untested. But Daniels does have a lot going for him. He's had staff-level experience in a major city -- Indianapolis --in the U.S. Senate and, of course, in the Bush White House. He knows how the political game is played because of that experience as well as stints as executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and as White House political director during Ronald Reagan's second term. And 11 years as an executive for pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly gives him an insider's knowledge of corporate America. He would also run well in his home state, where Obama won narrowly in 2008. Advertisement The best thing Daniels has going might be the nickname that Bush bestowed on him. In a political cycle where the ballooning federal deficit and tough spending cut decisions will be high on the list of GOP issues heading into 2012, other potential candidates can talk the talk. "The Blade" actually walked the walk. The GOP campaign to come up with a candidate to challenge President Obama's bid for a second term is likely to be wide open, especially if Sarah Palin decides not to run. Like Daniels, many of the potential candidates -- Mitt Romney, Haley Barbour, Tim Pawlenty, Mike Huckabee and Palin -- are governors or former governors. But, arguably, not one of them brings to the table as much relevant experience as Daniels. The road to the White House is littered with qualified candidates who never made it out of the starting gate, or faltered in the early stages of the race. But don't be surprised if Mitch Daniels emerges from relative obscurity to have a serious shot at the GOP nomination.


text:
Your personalized and non-personalized order is guaranteed to arrive by Father's Day.
The Custom Wind Tamer Oversize Umbrella is built to keep you dry in the stormiest of weather. Your brand comes prominently displayed on the umbrella. Great for the rainy golf day, this umbrella is sure to be used over and over, but it's sturdy enough to hold up in the worst conditions for years. Available in a variety of color options.
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You will receive a response in approximately 1 business day. if you provided an email address, you will receive a copy of the answer via email. Your question may be posted on this page when answered.
Sign up now to be alerted of our great deals!


text:
On February 28, 1861, Jefferson Davis vetoed the bill that the Montgomery Convention had passed banning Confederate participation in the African slave trade. Davis did not veto the bill because he favored the trade's resumption. Instead, he was concerned that the provisional Confederate congress had created a loophole whereby Africans might still be imported into the Confederacy from overseas to become slaves. Davis stated in this veto message:
In the sixth section of the bill provision is made for the transfer of persons who may have been illegally imported into the Confederate States to the custody of foreign States or societies, upon condition of deportation and future freedom, and if the proposition thus to surrender them shall not be accepted, it is then made the duty of the President to cause said negroes to be sold at public outcry to the highest bidder in any one of the States where such sale shall not be inconsistent with the laws thereof. This provision seems to me to be in opposition to the policy declared in the Constitution – the prohibition of the importation of African negroes – and in derogation of its mandate to legislate for the effectuation of that object.
The text of the 6th section of the bill had stated:
Sect. 6. Every negro illegally imported as aforesaid into the Confederate States shall be arrested by the Marshal or his deputies, or any officer of the said States charged in any manner with the execution of this Act, and shall be safely kept, subject to the disposition hereinafter provided. And the said officer shall immediately notify the President of the Confederacy of such arrest and confinement. The President shall, as soon as possible, communicate with the Governor of the State whence the vessel in which such negroes were imported cleared, if the same be one of the United States of America, and shall offer to deliver such negroes to the said State, on receiving a guarantee from such State that the said negroes shall enjoy the rights and privileges of freemen in such State, or in any other State of The United States, or that said negroes shall be transported to Africa, and there placed at liberty, free of expense to this Government. If such proposition be rejected, or if the contingency specified above shall not have occurred, the President shall receive any proposition which maybe made by any responsible persons or society, who will furnish satisfactory guarantee to the President that such negroes will be transported to Africa, and there placed at liberty, free of expense to this Government; and if no such proposition shall be made within a reasonable time, the President shall cause said negroes to be sold at public outcry to the highest bidder in any one of the States where such sale shall not be inconsistent with the laws thereof, under such regulations as he may prescribe; the proceeds of which sale, after paying all the expenses incurred by the Government in the capture, detention, and sale of such negroes, and in the prosecution of the offenders, shall be paid, one-half to the informer (if he be bond fide such), and the other half into the Treasury of the Confederate States.
In retrospect, Davis' veto and the bill itself were largely superfluous. In 1861, the African slave trade still existed, but was under tremendous pressure from western navies, particularly Great Britain's Royal Navy, but also from the U.S. Navy's African Squadron. Indeed, three days before Davis' veto, the USS Saratoga had seized a suspected slave ship, the Express, off the coast of what is today the Republic of the Congo. The last known ship to deliver African slaves to mainland North America, the Clotilde, had discharged its cargo in Alabama in 1859. Although the concern of Confederate leaders over the African slave trade was not unfounded, by the time of the bill and Davis' veto it was essentially dead in North America. Not surprisingly, the Confederacy never revisited the issue as they soon had more urgent issues to deal with, but both the African slave trade bill of the veto served a useful diplomatic purpose in distancing the Confederacy from this odious commerce–which perhaps had been the point all along.
To read Jefferson Davis' full veto message visit: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19th_century/csa_v022861.asp
For the complete text of the Confederate bill banning its participation in the African slave trade see: British and Foreign State Papers: 1861-1862, Vol. 52 (London: William Ridgway, 1868), 728-731, available through Google Books.


text:
usk had een nieuw logo ontwerp nodig en lanceerde daarom een wedstrijd op 99designs.
Een winnaar werd gekozen uit62 ontwerpen ingezonden door25 freelance designers.
We are a veterinary centre in South Wales in the UK in need of a simple, crisp and professional logo for our new brand 'Usk Vets'
Usk Vets
Usk, Caerleon, Pontypool (in any order)
Desired Color Scheme:
no particular scheme
Desired Style:
Simple, Clean and no frills
Accepted File Formats:
PDS or JPEG
The logo should be centered on the words 'Usk Vets' or incorporate it in some fashion. The tagline is optional but we will leave it to your interpretation. The file format would be a psd file or failing that high-res jpeg to allow for resizing for a variety of uses. There is no specific colour scheme, so feel free to be creative; however we would like to avoid anything fluorescent, 'fluffy' or cartoony and anything that is too busy... 1 to 3 colours is fine. There are a couple things that we would like to avoid, animals in the design, paw prints (they've been done to death) and any symbols or objects i.e. it should be an abstract design. We are willing to offer $150 to the winning entry, ideally payable through Paypal. Alternative payment methods may be possible but cant be guaranteed, but please feel free to discuss it with us. Any other queries just ask. Many Thanks
Bekijk hoe een ontwerpwedstrijd werkt of leer meer over logo ontwerpdiensten.


text:
I. Hahn, M. Schneider, MAGMA Giessereitechnologie GmbH, Aachen, Germany
J. Terhaar, J. Jarolimeck, R. Sauermann, Saarschmiede GmbH Freiformschmiede, Völklingen, Germany
Today, more than 90% of all steel semi-finished products are continuously cast. Ingot casting production is increasingly concentrated on special alloys and products, which can only be produced by this process and where all of the typical quality issues associated with ingot casting are accepted. Steel ingots are subsequently subject to further processing steps, the most important of which is forging.
There is no doubt that proper quality control and cost savings throughout the whole production process are key factors for a competitive production. The quality of the as-cast ingot is the starting point for all subsequent heat treatment and deformation processing. The state-of-art tool to investigate and predict product quality is simulation. With casting process simulation, it is possible to teem, solidify and cool a virtual ingot to predict e.g. shrinkage, centreline porosity, segregation, inclusions, residual stresses and cracks that originate during casting. The simulated properties of the as-cast ingot can be transferred to a subsequent forging simulation in order to predict their influence on the quality of the final product.
This paper shows how the quality of a cast ingot can be predicted using simulation. Emphasis is laid on those casting defects that will affect the quality of the forged end-product. The simulation of ingot casting starts with tapping a steel melt of a given chemistry from a ladle. The teeming, solidification and cooling of the ingot are simulated with the casting process simulation software MAGMA 5. The results of this simulation are then mapped as input to a forging simulation.
The results of the integrated process simulation illustrate the future capabilities for the virtual prediction of the quality of ingot cast and forged products.
Please read the complete publication in the linked PDF.


text:
Teaching Associate Programme (TAP) New
The Teaching Associate Programme (TAP) is a year-long programme which supports early career researchers who have some responsibility for teaching and learning. TAP is accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), and, if you successfully complete all elements of the programme, you will become an Associate Fellow of the HEA. Applications are open to researchers from any discipline who can confirm both that they have the minimum prior experience of teaching or supporting learning within higher education and that they will have some teaching during the programme. In this way, the programme enables you to reflect on your own current practice, to explore ideas and approaches for enhancing your teaching, and to think about your future development as a higher education professional.
There is an introductory session, plus 4 days of complusory training, which you must complete, but otherwise the programme has a high level of flexibility and participants are expected to plan their TAP work to fit around other activities. Help and support is available throughout the year to enable students to achieve this, and to get the best from the programme.
All Schools PhD Students 2, 3+ & Postdocs/Research Staff
Number of sessions: 1
|Fri 17 Oct 2014 15:30 - 17:30
|15:30 - 17:30
|16 Mill Lane, Office of Post-Doctoral Affairs, Eastwood Room
- Experience a supported introduction to HE teaching
- Develop a thorough understanding of the theory and practice of small group teaching
- Build an understanding of the different ways in which students learn
- Participants will examine their role and responsibilities as a teacher
- Receive an introduction to lecturing preparation and practice
- Identify further training needs and opportunities
TAP is open to postdoctoral research staff and graduate students in the 2nd year of their PhD or above. Applications are welcome from any subject area.
In order to be eligible for Associate Fellowship of the HEA, you will also need, at the point of submitting your portfolio, to have a minimum of 40 hours' experience of teaching and/or supporting learning. We require you to have completed at least twenty of these hours prior to applying for TAP. Only higher education (university-level) teaching experience can be considered. You will also need to have some confirmed teaching for the academic year to come, so that you have chance to put your learning from TAP into practice and your Tutor can observe your teaching.
Assessment is through completion of the compulsory elements and submission of a teaching portfolio in July. The programme has been accredited by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), and on successful completion, participants will become Associates of the HEA.
For more information please email Researcher Development
The first session of this programme is scheduled for late October.
"TAP gave me the confidence to think more holistically about my teaching and interaction with students, both in terms of their learning and their welfare."
"The TAP course is all the formal training I have received in teaching here in Cambridge. It has greatly helped to formulate my approach to teaching, and just through the process of participating, I believe I greatly enhanced my teaching this year. I plan to continue applying (some of) the ideas learned during the course throughout future years."
"I now plan my teaching material in a more detailed and tactical manner. I am therefore more organised in my overall approach."
"In the way I manage the classroom and the relations with my students. I also reflect on my teaching skills and techniques more than before."
Booking / availability


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Oricon Charts President: "Too Many K-Pop Artists Rushing to Japanese Market"
Koike Koh, the CEO of Japan's Oricon Charts, made an important comment regarding the influx of Korean artists into Japan. He stated, "The metabolism of Korean artists and music seems too fast for Japanese market. Japanese fans might get tired of them since way too many of them are rushing to enter the market. This might negatively effect Hallyu, the Korean wave."
Oricon Charts is considered the ultimate measure of success in Japan for many Korean artists. Oricon started compiling daily, weekly, and monthly charts based on sales records of approximately 26,000 music record stores all over Japan. Oricon charts' influence and credibility measure up to that of the U.S.'s Billboard Charts. Oricon Charts is well known to Koreans as many K-pop artists like BoA, Jang Geun Suk, Kara, and Girls' Generation have been ranked high on them.
Koike Koh visited Korea to partake in Gaon Charts K-Pop Awards. When asked about the future of K-pop in Japan, he pointed out that K-pop might have some roadblocks ahead. He commented, "For now, the feminine looks and images of Girls' Generation and Kara are attracting many fans, but this is a very limited side of K-pop. Korean artists need to be more diversified to continue their success in Japan. Japanese fans expect something new that these artists have never shown before, not even in Korea. Recently, many Korean artists are staying in Japan only for a short period of time, remaining within the metropolitan areas. While this is working for now, this may pose as a roadblock in the future of K-pop in gaining more wide ranged popularity within Japan."
Koh added, "For Korean artists to continue their success, the roles of leading Hallyu figures like TVXQ, Girls' Generation, and Kara are very important. They have had huge success in Japan. But once their popularity and impact start to diminish, so will K-pop in general. Then people will see Hallyu as a temporary phenomenon."
However, Koh was not entirely pessimistic about K-Pop. He highly valued the strategic preparation of K-pop and Korean artists and their strong fan base. He pointed out, "When you look at the Korean artists who's made it to the top of Oricon charts, they have great musical talent and very unique visual concepts that have been strategically prepared for. Most of their songs were ranked highly on Oricon charts almost instantly after their releases. Also, many fans were previously aware of these artists through the Internet before they made their official Japanese debuts. Therefore, these artists gain a very solid fan base upon their debut."
Koh also talked about the recent anti-Hallyu movement, which led to the cancellation of Kim Tae Hee's Tokyo CF promotion. He dismissed this anti-Hallyu movement as a phenomenon restricted to a very small population. He said, "In my opinion, Kim Tae Hee and her agency overreacted in this case. The anti-Hallyu movement is not a major thing at all. Most Japanese people view Korean artists and entertainment very favorably. They enjoy K-Pop and K-Drama very much. Korean artists should not pay much attention to the distorted and disturbing opinions of the few."


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LearningStudent journalists, broadcasters, designers earn national recognition
The newspaper, yearbook and radio station at Muskingum College all have earned national recognition from the Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) in its judging this year.
The college newspaper, The Black & Magenta, earned the following awards:
First place for personal opinion was awarded to Kolet Buenavides '07 for "Credit Card Debt."
Third place for news stories was awarded to Eric Sternot '09 for "Access denied: Court becomes temporary parking lot."
Third place for a news series was awarded to Angela Weimer '08 for "Racial Reality."
Honorable mention for a feature story was awarded to Jessica Marshall '08 for "The Doon School."
The newspaper is advised by Assistant Professor of Journalism Dr. Vivian Wagner.
WMCO 90.7-FM, the college radio station, garnered these awards:
First place for broadcast sports in radio was awarded to the WMCO Sports Team.
Third place for broadcast features in radio was awarded to Jessica Marshall '08 for her story, "Love You Forever."
The radio station is advised by Instructor of Speech Communication Kim Fox.
The college yearbook, The Muscoljuan, earned the following recognition:
Third place for small schools overall excellence.
Fourth place for display in layout, design and graphics.
Fifth place for coverage of the year.
Fifth place for concept of the book and fifth place in photography.
The yearbook is advised by Instructor of English Meghan Fox.
The Society for Collegiate Journalists is a National Society of Collegiate Mass Communications. It is the nation's oldest organization designed solely to serve college journalists. It has approximately 80 active chapters nationwide and 800 members. The Muskingum College chapter of SCJ is advised by Dr. Wagner.


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Instead of calling myself an atheist I'd rather call myself a person of reason.
Plus what hits harder when someone asks if you believe in god, replying "No, I'm an atheist." OR "No. I'm a man/woman of reason".
(Though I do realise 'atheist' is a little sexier and easier to google.)
Views: 1152
Try "Free Thinker" It's been a euphemism for "atheist" since the Enlightenment.
I like that one too.
I've used the word atheist since about age 7 I think, facing crowds of catholic students, nuns, nun-teachers, priests, bishops. So I guess I'm used to using it. In a world awash with moronic spiritualism (be it celestially religious or not), the word atheist has it's place for me, it means "I think you are all ridiculous" ("you" being those faith driven sheople).
But when it comes down to a discussion with friends about faith and spiritual stuff, I move on to the term realist, sometimes naturalist, but mostly realist. I surround myself with realism, I seek out the discernibly real from the fake and delusion and karma and "mushy feelings" and all the other BS that gets pushed by those obsessed with the non real world... which unfortunately includes some who consider themselves atheists.
Reason and rational I find to be duplicitous words. I know a whole lot of people who "believe" in Capitalism and the New World Order who consider themselves reasonable... not very impressed.
A 'normal rational person' is a good description too.
Normally Rational Person, might work also. I have found some strangely helpful stuff at times mixed with newage crud. The last has been RT energy therapy, during which I get a very good nap, while the other person thinks they are an 'energy engineer' playing with my 'energy fields'. Figure good for me/good for them, I don't have to believe it to get a nap/deep relaxation. LOL
Dan, I agree with you that although I am a Atheist by definition, I prefer to describe myself as "non-religious" because not only do I not believe in a god, I don't believe in the whole religious scam. Also when you tell someone "I'm a atheist" it brings up pre-conceived ideas immediately, no chance for a discussion because they have already formed their opinion of you.
"Free-Thinker" baffles most people so that is a good one also.
Agreed, Tim - granted, there's nothing wrong with the word, but it does have it's connotations, and if you have ANY intention of further dialogue with your audience, another, synonymous term might be advisable. Of course, if you're just looking to say, "up yours!" then atheist should do nicely.
I agree with you. I tell people I don't believe in the scriptures, so I have no basis to believe or disbelieve in a God. But I caucus with the Atheists.
The problem with identifying yourself as a "person of reason" is that many people consider themselves that as well.
Xian - "So, do you go to church? I do."
person x - "No, I'm a person of reason".
Xian - "What luck, me too!"
Once 'reason' is associated enough with nonbelief, I would consider this title.
Valid point.
Also it's a little condescending. Maybe that's not unwarranted, but it's usually not helpful either. The obvious implication is that the other person is not reasonable just because they are religious.
The term Atheist gives the impression of an ardently non-religious person, which almost invites challenge. I don't usually want to discuss religion with a religious person at all, so I tend to just say that I'm not really religious, and leave it at that. If they persevere, I simply say I think religion is a personal matter and I don't want to discuss it.


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Samsung's newest Android smartphone — the Galaxy S III — is launching on T-Mobile tomorrow, June 21, in limited supply through its online store and in select retails in its "top 29 markets." (Demand has forced AT&T and Sprint to delay a week. Verizon will get the GSIII on July 10.)
Stacked against last year's GSII, the GSIII has a larger screen, a faster processor, a whopping 2GB of RAM, a larger battery to keep it running all day long, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and 4G LTE on every carrier except T-Mobile. It's a beast.
A smartphone with top-of-the-line specs is hardly a big deal. If the combination of hardware and software blow, who will honestly give a hoot about the Galaxy-whatever? It's a good thing Samsung is talking less about specs and more about the experience. And it starts with the GSIII's focal point: sharing.
U.S. & World
I can go on and on about how gorgeous the 4.8-inch Super AMOLED screen is or how fast everything feels thanks to the 1.5GHz dual-core processor and how I'm absolutely in love with the clarity of the pictures and 1080p HD video that the 8-megapixel can pump out, but I'd be grinding away endlessly. Thin, light and powerful; these are all terms that are already expected from a high-end smartphone. Good, because you won't need to worry about the GSIII not being able to quickly load a website, update a status on Facebook, open apps, play Angry Birds or stream a video.
Sharing Is Caring
If I were to pin down the killer feature on why you should buy a GSIII, it would have to be "S Beam." S Beam is Samsung's combination of NFC and Wi-Fi Direct that allows photos, videos, contacts, music, documents, etc. to be shared between two GSIII smartphones. It's so simple that you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
To share a file, simple open it up, tap both GSIII devices together, tap the file that's being shared again, and presto, it's shared. And because it creates an ad-hoc Wi-Fi network between those two devices, sharing files doesn't use up any of your cellular data plan. Samsung wouldn't quote official transfer times, but I shot a 30-second 1080p HD video clip and beamed it from one GSIII to another in under 10 seconds. Photos took under three seconds. Mind you, these are the original file sizes and receivers are not getting any compressed version.
No more emailing documents and no more transferring them to a PC and then downloading them back to another mobile device. Tapping-to-transfer is also something we saw Microsoft push today in its Windows Phone 8 reveal.
I know that Android Beam already exists, which is basically the same thing, but NFC has largely been ignored or has failed to reach mass appeal due to few phones having it. The Galaxy S III is the first real wide-scale push to accelerate the adoption of NFC in smartphones. Samsung is going to put its money where its mouth is with what its calling the "largest marketing campaign" it has ever done for any mobile product in the U.S.
The other neat sharing option on the GSIII is called "Share Shot." Prior to shooting a photo, you can create a local Wi-Fi network between other GSIII devices. Then when you shoot a photo, you can immediately share that photo to each of those GSIII devices, so long as they're within 100 yards. With Share Shot, everybody goes home with a copy of the photos taken from last night's wild party.
Again, social networks eliminate the need for sharing photos locally, but Samsung's sharing features provide a type of real-life and real-time intimacy that I haven't felt since film was in vogue. There's a joy in sharing a digital file of a just-taken photo as if it were a tangible item.
S Voice And Gimmicky Gestures
I can't get to everything on the GSIII immediately, but I will say that S Voice isn't as terrible as you may have heard. It's definitely a complete rip-off of Apple's Siri in terms of UI design and its not quite as sharp, but for a first stab at a voice assistant, it's enough to convince savvy shoppers to stop smoking the iPhone 4S hash. While I don't own an iPhone 4S, and I only played with S Voice for about an hour or so, the novelty of talking to your phone wears off quickly.
There are a ton of gimmicky gestures that can be enabled such as wiping the screen with the palm of your hand to take a screenshot (really nice) or double tapping the top of the phone with two fingers to scroll to the top of emails, websites and apps (really dumb, and hardly ever works), but again, there's a lot get familiarized with. In fact, this is the first time I can recall that Samsung felt the need to include a 33-page printed manual (with a staple in the top corner) to introduce a new smartphone.
I'll have more thoughts on the GSIII when I've spent more time with it — I'll be putting my iPhone 4 aside to test this review unit for a few weeks — and can make a better judgment on whether the GSIII is the best Android smartphone to date (maybe, even better than HTC's superb One X and One S). So far, it's looking pretty solid, if you don't mind the gimmicky attempts to outdo the iPhone 4S.
At the very least, the GSIII is of a holdable size, unlike the ridiculously huge Galaxy Note.


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Resources for StudentsPage address: http://www.mnsu.edu/counseling/students/
Concerned about a friend?
Everyone goes through periods of stress from time to time. When that is compounded with homework, papers, assignments, labs, and other educational demands, sometimes things can feel overwhelming. Signs that a student is not functioning as well as they could may include dropping grades, withdrawing from friends, feeling overemotional or depressed, relationship difficulties, lack of interest in hobbies, changes in eating habits, excessive drug and/or alcohol use, or self-injurious behavior (cutting, burning, etc.). If you have a friend that it exhibiting any of the above symptoms, or you are concerned for other reason, consider the following suggestions:
Express your concern Talk to your friend in a private setting when you both have some time and won't be distracted. Tell your friend that you are concerned about him or her in a straighforward way (something like, "I notice that you have slept through your morning classes all week long." or "You don't seem to be as happy as you usually are. Is something going on?" or "You haven't seemed the same since you and Pat broke up."). It is important that you not agree to be sworn to secrecy, especially if your friend is experiencing a crisis.
Refer to the Counseling Center Talk to your friend about scheduling a free, confidential appointment with a counseling center professional, even if it is just one appointment to try it out. The Counseling Center helps students with a wide varietey of issues - no concern is too small. Many students feel that having a counselor to talk to means they don't have to feel like they are burdening their friends or loved ones with their problems and find it very helpful to get a neutral perspective on their life circumstances.
Get help for yourself It is important that you be a good friend by keeping your own life in balance. Getting too wrapped up in your friend's life can cause you to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and have difficulty managing your own life. Scheduling an appointment with the Counseling Center for yourself is a good idea to help you maintain appropriate boundaries, practice self-care, and as a result, be the best support for your friend.
Need a consultation? If you have a friend that you are concerned about but are unsure how to approach him or her or are having difficulty figuring out what to say, schedule a free consultation with the Counseling Center (identify yourself as wanting a consultation). We can help you brainstorm ways to approach your friend, as well as how to have a conversation with him or her.
Have a friend in crisis? If your friend makes statements about seriously harming themselves or others or makes suicidal statements, call the Counseling Center at 507-389-1455 Monday through Friday during office hours. During evenings or weekends, call University Security at 507-389-2111, the Blue Earth County After Hours Emergency line at 507-304-4319, or Minnesota Crisis Connection at 1-866-379-6363.
If you believe your friend is in imminent danger to themselves or others, call 911 or University Security at 507-389-2111.


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Long before anybody had seen a single frame of Star Wars, these luminous drawings were all anybody could see of George Lucas' vision for a thrilling space epic. These "dyelines" were created to show possible backers and studio executives something tangible.
The science behind the creation of these brilliant prints is almost as exciting as what they reveal about the early versions of some Star Wars icons like the Millennium Falcon and Han Solo.
These images were drawn mostly, if not entirely, by Lucas protégé Joe Johnston, whom Lucas would later convince to go to USC film school. Johnston worked on all three of the original Star Wars trilogy films, starting out as an illustrator on A New Hope and moving to Art Director for Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Johnston would go on to direct Rocketeer, Jumanji, and this summer's Captain America: The First Avenger.
The Chemistry behind the Dyelines
These dyelines were produced by exposing the original Joe Johnson vellum drawing to ultraviolet light while the drawing was laid over UV sensitive diazo paper. Diazo paper is coated in a reactive diazonium salt. A diazonium salt is an organic compound with two linked nitrogen atoms as a terminal functional group, and the salt forms are often found with a chloride conjugating the terminal nitrogen atoms.
After the master drawing and diazo paper are exposed to ultraviolet light, the sections of the diazo paper left exposed to ultraviolet light are chemically inactive. These exposed portions retained the original color of the diazo paper. In the next step of the process, the diazo paper is exposed to ammonium hydroxide, a weak base which can cause poisoning in humans. The reaction between the diazonium salt and the ammonium hydroxide caused the unexposed sections of the diazo paper, those shielded in the previous step by the master drawing, to become visible.
In the case of the Star Wars dyelines, these unexposed sections became blue, and mirrored Johnston's original drawings. This was a rather expensive way to create a print, but it produced a very high quality, detailed image that could be used by others in the prop department to create intricate models and miniatures. More common copies of the dyelines were later created, with these being in black and white. They are often called "cactus prints" amongst Star Wars collectors due to common cactus logo on the back of the print.
A Peak into the Early Story of Star Wars
These dyelines are particularly interesting, as they reveal the visual origins of Star Wars. In several dyelines, what would later become the Millennium Falcon is a "pirate ship" that looks something like a Rebel Blockade Runner. Also, the character who would later become Han Solo is always shown with a helmet covering his face.
These dyelines are wonderful, physical pieces of Star Wars history that cannot be changed by interviews or time — they stand on their own. Around 10-15 copies of each dyeline were made, with many damaged during a flood at Elstree Studios. As several of each print exist (and the dyelines themselves were replaced with black and white copies later in the production of Star Wars as the technology became more available), a handful have found their way into the collector's market. These dyelines have to be kept out of ultraviolet light to this day, as markings left on the diazo paper can still fade.
It doesn't get much more geek cool than hanging a piece of art that helped get Star Wars financed on your wall. The dyeline shown above is from the collection of Leif G.
Check out more of these amazing illustrations in our gallery.
Images courtesy of Lucasfilm.
A dyeline of the main gun of what would become the Millennium Falcon, sold in a Christie's UK auction in 2009.
A dyeline showing the positioning of a gunman in what would be the main turret of of the Millennium Falcon, sold in a Christie's UK auction in 2009.
Joe Johnston at work designing in front of a wall of reproduced dyelines. Cinefex, March 1996 issue.
A dyeline hangs on a background wall during the construction of a Star Destroyer prop. Cinefex, March 1996 issue.
A dyeline showing an early version of the "pirate ship" and a helmed character that would become Han Solo.
Joe Johnston's Star Wars Sketchbook, Ballantine Books, 1977.
Reproduction of a tie fighter dyeline published in the Star Wars Sketchbook, Joe Johnston, Ballantine Books, 1977.
Top view of the Millennium Falcon. From a reproduction of a dyeline published in the Star Wars Sketchbook, Joe Johnston, Ballantine Books, 1977.
This is where the torpedo goes. From a reproduction of a dyeline published in the Star Wars Sketchbook, Joe Johnston, Ballantine Books, 1977.
A Rebel Blockade Runner dyeline from the collection of Leif G.
From a reproduction of a dyeline published in the Star Wars Sketchbook, Joe Johnston, Ballantine Books, 1977.
From a reproduction of a dyeline published in the Star Wars Sketchbook, Joe Johnston, Ballantine Books, 1977.
A dyeline showing the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon gun turret (yourprops.com).
A dyeline showing the arduous path through the Death Star trench (yourprops.com).


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Byron Buxton and Andrew Albers named 2013 Twins Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year
Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN - The Minnesota Twins announced today that outfielder Byron Buxton has been named the 2013 Sherry Robertson Award winner as the Twins Minor League Player of the Year and left-handed pitcher Andrew Albers has been named the 2013 Jim Rantz Award winner as the Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year.
Buxton, 19, began the season at Single-A Cedar Rapids and hit .341 (92-for-270) with 15 doubles, 10 triples, eight home runs, 55 RBI, 68 runs scored, 32 steals and 44 walks in 68 games with the Kernels. He was promoted to Single-A Ft. Myers on June 24 and hit .326 (71-for-218) with four doubles, eight triples, four home runs, 22 RBI, 41 runs scored, 23 steals and 32 walks in 57 games with the Miracle. He combined to bat .334 (163-for-488) with 19 doubles, 18 triples, 12 home runs, 77 RBI, 109 runs scored and 55 stolen bases in 125 games this season.
The Baxley, Ga. native led the minor leagues in triples, ranked second in runs scored and 12th in stolen bases. He was named Midwest League MVP as well as the top minor league prospect at midseason and Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America, the second Twin to win the honor after Joe Mauer earned the award in 2003. Buxton was the Twins first round (2nd overall) selection in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft from Appling County (Ga.) High School.
Albers, 27, began the season at Triple-A Rochester and went 11-5, 2.86 ERA (132.1 IP, 42 ER), allowing 124 hits with 32 walks, 116 strikeouts and three complete games (one shutout) in 22 starts. He had his contract purchased by Minnesota in August and went 2-5, 4.05 ERA (60.0 IP, 27 ER), allowing 64 hits with seven walks and 25 strikeouts in 10 starts, including 17.1 scoreless innings to begin his career, setting a Twins record by a starter.
The 6-foot-1, 201-pounder was named to the Triple-A All-Star game in 2013. At the time of his promotion to Minnesota, he ranked first in the International League in strikeouts, tied for second in wins, third in innings pitched and fifth in ERA. The Battleford, Saskatchewan native was signed by the Twins as a minor league free agent March 11, 2011 and was originally drafted in the 10th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft by the San Diego Padres.
The Sherry Robertson Award, named in honor of the Twins first farm director, was established in 1970 to recognize the Twins top minor league performer each season. Beginning in 2002, the award began recognizing the Twins Minor League Player of the Year while an additional award was created to recognize the Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year. This award was named in honor of former Twins Minor League Director and Twins Hall of Famer, Jim Rantz. Past winners of the Sherry Robertson Award include: Butch Wynegar (1974), Kent Hrbek (1981), Gene Larkin (1986), Paul Sorrento (1989), Denny Neagle (1990), Marty Cordova (1992), LaTroy Hawkins (1993 and '94), Todd Walker (1996), David Ortiz (1997), Doug Mientkiewicz (1998), Michael Cuddyer (2001), Joe Mauer (2003), Jason Kubel (2004), Alexi Casilla (2006), Brian Dozier (2011) and Oswaldo Arcia (2012), while past Jim Rantz award winners have included, Jesse Crain (2003), Scott Baker (2004), Francisco Liriano (2005), Matt Garza (2006), Kevin Slowey (2007), Kyle Gibson (2010), Liam Hendriks (2011) and B.J. Hermsen (2012).
Both Buxton and Albers, along with the Twins other 2013 award winners, will be recognized at the Ninth Annual Diamond Awards dinner, which will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2014 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Target Field.


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Triple play: Take it as is or go wild
ADDRESS: 605 St. Charles Avenue
NEIGHBORHOOD: Locust Avenue/Martha Jefferson
SIZE: 2,090 fin. sq. ft., 120 unfin.
LAND: 0.146 acres
CURB APPEAL: 6 out of 10
LISTED BY: Michael Wright Century 21 Real Estate Resources 923-8188
Everyone knows a chameleon can change its color to match its surroundings, and this house within sight of Martha Jefferson Hospital is a veritable real estate chameleon.
Investors looking for a deal can easily convert the current two units back to the three it contained when the owners bought it. First-time buyers can move in and use the first and second levels, keeping the basement a rental. (There are separate utilities in place for this arrangement.)
But a really enterprising buyer who wants a challenge can take over, tear down some walls, do a little creative modification, and have a very interesting single-family brick house in a desirable city neighborhood of much higher-priced spreads.
People with imagination who need a new house and a project for the New Year can have lots of fun here. As we toured the prosaic late-'50s place (it might be a rancher, except it's on a little rise, tall instead of long), our imagination ran wild.
How about breaking out the living room ceiling to turn the large main room on the second level into a loft, and bring in lots of light from above? Why not take out the grim paneling separating the living room from the staircase and making the entry a welcoming, flowing space instead of its current boring, boxy self?
If those options don't appeal– or aren't structurally feasible (maybe the ceiling's doing something important)– the upstairs can be transformed into a big wide-open studio/master suite with the removal of all the kitchen apparatus from when the place was a triplex. The dormers and views add interest, and the current smallish full bath could take over the kitchen space to create a sweet Jacuzzi-and-tile retreat to rival any glassy concoction in a new subdivision.
Buyers short on inspiration and with a nostalgic streak can move in and enjoy the place as-is. They may find the original knotty-pine cabinets, Formica countertops, and vinyl flooring in the kitchen just retro enough to be cool. The lack of central air would probably not be a problem for these folks, and the pretty oak floors throughout the rest of the house would surely appeal.
People happy with the place as it is will no doubt also enjoy the income from either the upstairs apartment or the one on the ground level– or both. Finding a livable, convenient place with the potential of two rental incomes is no easy task in America's number-one city. For first-time homebuyers on a shoestring, this could be a real opportunity. The condition of this house is far better than most we've seen in this price range.
The small lot has unfortunately been usurped– in front by ghastly paving to provide parking for the three units, and in back by a huge (by city standards) storage barn taking up a good bit of the yard.
But in addition to providing lots of extra room, the shed/barn creates a privacy screen for the small deck off the kitchen. Negotiations with neighbors (and maybe the city) will be necessary to gain car or truck access to the shed, but if it could be arranged, the barn could convert to a garage (its original use, apparently), making it possible to have that awful blacktop taken away and grass and a perennial garden installed out front.
The house has gas-fed hot-air heat upstairs and electric baseboard in the ground level unit. Each level has a full bath and kitchen, and all appear to be in good shape, if small. The bathroom on the main level has cute blue tile, whereas the others sport those icky fiberglass tub surrounds. The current owners recently installed vinyl windows in place of all the originals– unfortunate, in our view, but it's what people do when gas prices soar to record levels.
All in all, this chameleon has a lot going for it– not least the fact that it has the potential to turn a buyer's ledger numbers from red to black, and acquaintances– who paid a lot more for a lot less space nearby– green with envy.


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- Description
DetailsThis lovely mercerised cotton is suitable for table linens, scarves and more. We stock the full range of 57 colours available in this count of this very popular yarn. If you prefer to follow a magazine project this yarn is frequently featured in Handwoven for all sorts of projects ranging from towels and table linens to cloth for clothing. It is strong with a subtle shine, behaves well on the loom and whether you follow a written project or your own it is very versatile. It also works well with its 'smaller brothers' the 10/2 and 5/2 for use in lots of different structures. At present the standard put up is 200g on cone.
- Additional Information
Additional Information
Fibre Mercerised Cotton Colour Code 2550 Metric Count 5/2 metric count Imperial Count 3/2 cotton count Metric Length 2257/kg Imperial Length 1260yd/lb Metric Sett 4, 6, 7 epcm Imperial Sett 10, 12, 14 epi Net Weight / Length 200g
- Reviews


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Browsing Department of Economics (ECON) by Author "Mayer, Wolfgang"
Now showing items 1-1 of 1
Mayer, Wolfgang; Raimondos-Møller, Pascalis (København, 1999)[More information][Less information]
Abstract: Why do donor countries give foreign aid? The answers found in the literature are: (i) because donor countries care for recipient countries (e.g. altruism), and/or (ii) because there exist distortions that make the indirect gains from foreign aid (e.g. terms of trade effects) to be larger than the direct losses. This paper proposes a third answer to the above question, namely that aid is determined through the domestic political process of the donor country. The paper demonstrates how foreign aid affects the donor country's income distribution and how, in a direct democracy, the majority of voters might benefit from foreign aid giving even though the country's social welfare is reduced. JEL Classification: F35 Keywords: foreign aid, politics, majority voting. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10398/7488
Files in this item: 11999_4.pdf (89.81Kb)
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You've chosen a theme and picked out the decor. And you've got the cups, napkins, and cutlery! Now...don't forget the plates! Add these Brown Dinner Plates to your party supplies for a vivid splash of color! These sturdy plates complement any event.
Our Brown Plates are of better quality than other party brands, making them perfect for your party. Each of our party themes is researched and tested by our team of designers. We go the extra mile to make sure that you absolutely love our party supplies.
These Brown Dinner Plates make a great addition to your tableware at your upcoming celebration or event. Choose from one of our many themed parties and add these Plates to any theme! Whether you're throwing a birthday party or other special gathering, guests will be delighted to see the matching tableware. Pair with our other solid color cups and napkins.
These plates go great with so many of our party themes! You can mix and match them with other solid color cups, dessert plates, napkins, and tablecovers, or keep the same solid color for all of your tableware! Get creative with the decor theme, and then choose solid color Brown tableware as an accent!
Our plates are designed at 350gsm (grams per square meter), so they're even stronger and sturdier than other party brands! Use them to hold things like snacks, light meals, tacos, chips and dip and so much more.
Our Brown Party Plates, along with the rest of our party supply products, are created at our main office by our dynamic team of in-house product designers. Our designers work hard to research and design a variety of party themes that are perfect for your special occasions, like Gymnastics, LOL! Surprise, Video Games, and Glow!


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Slimline Aluminium Square Male & Female Toilet Sign
- Manufactured from 0.5mm brushed silver aluminium
- Available in a choice of sizes
- Self adhesive tape fitted for a quick and easy fix (ensure surface is clean, dry and flat before applying)
* Print will eventually fade if used outdoors
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Medina de Pomar
Medina de Pomar
- Autonomous region: Castile-Leon
- Province/Island: Burgos
This historic city is in the Merindades region of Burgos province, a little over 85 kilometres from the city of Burgos. It is on the Route of Charles V. Its old town has been declared Property of Cultural Interest. The medieval streets are lined with churches, palaces and historic buildings of all kinds.
Medina de Pomar was protected by a double wall. The current one is the inside one and was build in the 14th century. The Arco de la Judería and the Arco de la Cadena are two of the five entry doors that existed. Attached to the wall is the Church of the Holy Cross, build between the 12th and the 15th century. Imposing, with its battlemented towers, is the Alcázar de los Velasco. This castle-palace from the 14th century is the headquarters for the Museum of the Merindades, which describes the history of the city and of the region, with documents, manuscripts, archaeological finds and other objects. The Monastery of Santa Clara is from the same century. Its building exhibits several architectural styles (gothic, Renaissance and Baroque). Its museum allows you to admire the Laying Jesus by Gregorio Fernández. The town has more sites to see: the Convent of Saint Peter, the Church of the Rosary, previously called Saint Mary of Salcinar, are only some examples. The town also has green areas - Chopera and Villacobos - for cycling, picnicking and even taking a swim. For outdoor sports enthusiasts, there is also a network of hiking routes to discover the forests and natural spaces near to Medina de Pomar.
More info
Must see views in: Medina de Pomar
In the following map you'll find the locations of all the incredible views that we have recommended. Don't miss a thing!


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Light gray microfiber fabric sectional sofa in left-facing rotation with 2 accent pillows. Add matching armless chair for placement between two pieces for even longer sectional and ottoman if you need it. All of Glory sofas, loveseats, chairs and sectionals feature removable backs for easy delivery and placement in your home. Our Sectionals use high density support foam for long lasting comfort and durability. There are no steel coils in our seat cushions as they tend to sag over time and cause the foam surrounding them to collapse. This creates flattened cushions.
Model: GL633 LF
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Glory Furniture is a NJ-based wholesaler of quality imported furniture. Browse a large selection of leather sofas, sectionals and chairs at very attractive prices. Glory Furniture also offers plenty of uniquely designed furniture making it one of the premier players in the area.


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Local Wedding Venues
Wedding Venue Styles
Re-do search in this area
Wailea Inn
Kihei, HI
Private Estate, Hotel/Resort, Ocean/Waterfront View, Outdoor, Modern
**Wailea Inn Price Includes Accommodations for up to 32 People for 5 Nights** Have the destination wedding of your dreams at Hawaii's Wailea Inn. A luxury private estate located just 100 steps away from South Maui's world-class beaches, this newly remodeled villa offers a stunning sunset ceremony...
Sugar Beach Events of Hawaii
Kihei, HI
Private Estate, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Event Center, Ocean/Waterfront View, Beach, Outdoor
Sugar Beach Events truly offers a sweet spot to celebrate! The romance and elegance of the Hawaiian Islands is yours to experience, as the alluring charm Maui becomes the setting for your wedding day. Just the name 'Sugar Beach' invokes visions of white sand nestled on the azure blue waters of the P...
Wolfgang Puck's Spago Restaurant
Kihei, HI
Ocean/Waterfront View, Banquet Hall/Restaurant
Wolfgang Puck's Spago Restaurant, located in the Four Season Resort Maui at Wailea, is a festive site for your wedding reception. Spago embraces its Hawaiian surroundings with delicious food that portrays both traditional Hawaiian cuisine as well as Master Wolfgang Puck's sensibilities. You and your...
Nona Lani Cottages
Kihei, HI
Private Estate, Hotel/Resort, Park/Garden, Luau, Bed & Breakfast/Inn, Outdoor
Nestled on the south shores of stunning Maui, the eight cozy Nona Lani Cottages are situated on more than two acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. The Nona Lani Cottages is the perfect intimate venue for couples seeking casual, Hawaiian elegance. If you are planning a destination wedding, and pr...
Showing other similar Wedding Venues Venues in Hawaii
O'ahu Wedding Villa
Oahu, HI
Mansion, Private Estate, Rainforest, Bed & Breakfast/Inn, Outdoor
Welcome to our Oahu wedding villa! We specialize in wedding ceremonies and receptions on site in a tropical garden setting for up to 200 guests. https://watch.thegoodness.com/milton-and-melanie-are-married/
Hale Lokahi
Oahu, HI
Mansion, Private Estate, Rainforest, Bed & Breakfast/Inn, Outdoor
Plan a wedding in paradise at Hale Lokahi in Oahu, Hawaii. Able to accommodate parties with up to 100 guests, this tropical estate is the perfect place to host a small or medium-sized wedding. Inside, the 5,000-square-foot home features 12 bedrooms, six bathrooms, several living spaces, and a gorgeo...
Hale Ikaika
Oahu, HI
Mansion, Private Estate, Ocean/Waterfront View, Bed & Breakfast/Inn, Mountain
Aloha! Welcome to Hale Ikaika! We offer a beautiful tropical setting for both your ceremony and reception. We can accommodate up to 300 guests. We have wonderful wedding packages and we also offer wedding planning and coordination. Hope to hear from you soon. Mahalo Pitambar
Ko'olau Ballrooms & Conference Center
Kaneohe, HI
Golf Course, Event Center, Private Club, Ballrooms, Mountain, Outdoor
Nestled at the foot of the Ko'olau Mountains on the beautiful island of O'ahu in stunning Hawaii, the Ballrooms at Ko'olau Conference Center are just minutes from Honolulu and Waikiki. For a breathtaking ceremony with a jaw dropping volcano backdrop, one of the lush lawns provides the Hawaiian weddi...
Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa
Lahaina, HI
Ocean/Waterfront View, Hotel/Resort, Beach, Luau, Ballrooms, Outdoor
Nothing compares to Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa when it comes to creating the spectacular Hawaiian wedding you've dreamed of. Imagine celebrating your nuptials with the splendor of the ocean, the beauty of gracious swans and bright colors of lush gardens as your background. Picture each precious...
The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii
Kohala Coast, HI
Ocean/Waterfront View, Hotel/Resort, Beach, Luau, Ballrooms, Outdoor
The Fairmont Orchid is located on the beautiful Kohala Coast on the Big Island of Hawaii. This luxury resort provides the picturesque Hawaiian backdrop for your wedding day that you've always envisioned. Walk down the aisle to meet the love of your life with views of the Pacific Ocean and the s...
Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu Autograph ...
Koloa, HI
Ocean/Waterfront View, Hotel/Resort, Event Center, Ballrooms, Outdoor, Modern
Combining luxury experiences with tropical charm, the Koloa Landing Resort at Poipu offers a picturesque yet affordable location for saying your "I do's" in Hawaii. This hotel will make an immediate impression on guests with its 21 acres of lush tropical grounds, three lagoon-style pools, and an ope...
Royal Lahaina Resort Maui
Lahaina, HI
Ocean/Waterfront View, Hotel/Resort, Beach, Luau, Ballrooms, Outdoor
The island of Maui is a magical destination with its tropical breezes, swaying palm trees and fragrant flowers. This beautiful island offers the perfect place for your destination wedding and there's no better setting for starting your new life together than the Royal Lahaina Resort on the famed Kaa...
Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort & Spa
Honolulu, HI
Ocean/Waterfront View, Hotel/Resort, Beach, Ballrooms, Outdoor
Set in the heart of Waikiki and fronting one of the world's most famous beaches, the Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa provides the height of luxury for your memorable day. At this venue, the scene is set with an azure sky, swaying palms, and a deep blue ocean as far as the eyes can see. Le...
Paradise Cove
Kapolei, HI
Ocean/Waterfront View, Beach, Luau, Outdoor
Surrounded by tropical gardens, the bluest lagoons, rugged coastlines, and majestic mountain ranges, Paradise Cove offers unique and distinct locations for your special day. Each corner of paradise reflects not only the beauty of Hawaii but its everlasting culture and traditions. Located against the...
Hilton Waikiki Beach
Honolulu, HI
Ocean/Waterfront View, Hotel/Resort, Beach, Ballrooms, Outdoor, Modern
Hilton Waikiki Beach captures the excitement of your modern love in the charm of a Hawaiian setting. Our expert event planners guide you through a seamless process beginning from with your one-of-a-kind ceremony and reception to guestrooms for your treasured friends and family. Your perfect is day i...
He'eia State Park
Kaneohe, HI
Vintage/Rustic, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Historic/Landmark Building, Park/Garden, Ocean/Waterfront V...
Welcome to He'eia State Park, where the literal meaning of He'eia is "washed out to sea". The park is a peninsula that sits out in the middle of Kaneohe Bay, with spectacular views of the Sandbar, and balanced with the always mesmerizing Ko'olau mountain range. It is situated on an elevated penins...
Haiku Gardens
Kaneohe, HI
Park/Garden, Banquet Hall/Restaurant, Historic/Landmark Building, Rainforest, Mountain, Outdoor
A hidden gem nestled in Haiku Valley on the windward side of Oahu in Kaneohe, Haiku Gardens is the ultimate venue for a tropical wedding. Whether you live in the islands or across the sea, Haiku Gardens provides every bride with her own secluded paradise. Choose to have your wedding in the private b...
Sunset Ranch Hawaii
Haleiwa, HI
Private Estate, Barn/Farm/Ranch, Ocean/Waterfront View, Mountain, Vintage/Rustic, Outdoor
Breathtaking ocean and island views, expansive outdoor venues, a rustic indoor barn, elegant tropical gardens and newly renovated guest suites make Sunset Ranch the most exquisite wedding venue in Hawaii. Sunset ranch is an exclusive 30 acre estate on the North Shore of Oahu, with views of the en...
Ocean Garden at Ko Olina Oahu
Kapolei, HI
Park/Garden, Ocean/Waterfront View, Beach, Outdoor
Experience all of what Hawaii has to offer with sparkling blue ocean front, the beauty of sweeping lawns and fragrant tropical gardens, and a festive lu'au under the stars. Hawaii always makes you feel at ease but the Ocean Garden at Ko Olina Oahu takes it to another level. Start married life overlo...
Moana Surfrider Westin Resort & Spa
Honolulu, HI
Ocean/Waterfront View, Hotel/Resort, Beach, Outdoor
On the sandy shores of Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, the Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort and Spa, is the epitome of an ideal romantic getaway. Picture this -- as the Hawaiian sun sets over the Pacific Ocean, vows are exchanged during an oceanfront ceremony of an intimate and dreamy setting. With a cat...
Waimea Valley
Haleiwa, HI
Vintage/Rustic, Event Center, Park/Garden, Rainforest, Luau, Outdoor
Say "I do" in tropical paradise, bringing together friends and family at Waimea Valley on O'ahu's storied North Shore. The Valley offers lush botanical gardens and landscapes that make for a stunning backdrop. There are also a variety of indoor and outdoor locations, providing variety and shelter fr...
The King Kamehameha Golf Club
Wailuku, HI
Golf Course, Ocean/Waterfront View, Outdoor
Sitting on the beautiful sculpted slopes of Mauna Kahalawai, The King Kamehameha Golf Club offers amazing panoramic views of Haleakala and both the North and South Shores of Maui. Embrace the spectacular views the Golf Club has to offer by hosting a ceremony on the perfectly manicured green of the K...
Hale Wailele
Kailua Kona, HI
Event Center, Mansion, Private Estate, Ocean/Waterfront View, Luau, Modern
Escape to Hale Wailele — a lush, secluded estate on the Big Island — for a dreamy, tropical destination wedding of up to 100 guests. With an abundance of tropical foliage and panoramic views of Keauhou Bay and the Kona coastline, it's safe to say that the backdrop is breathtaking. Sunsets are a fir...
Holomua Farms
Waialua, HI
Barn/Farm/Ranch, Park/Garden, Plantation, Mountain, Outdoor
Combine glamp-style accommodations with sustainably built ethics with a sprawling secluded outdoor space surrounded by mountains and hundreds of lush acres and you get Holomua Farms, an unparalleled and breathtaking event venue for your big day! Although it feels remote and sits in a river valley at...
Waikiki Aquarium
Honolulu, HI
Museum/Gallery, Park/Garden, Ocean/Waterfront View, Beach, Outdoor
The Waikiki Aquarium offers an exceptional location for those seeking to hold a unique and memorable event. Whether you're celebrating a rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony, wedding reception or renewal of vows, the Aquarium is the perfect setting for any occasion. Our location and facilities provide...


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Hundreds of U.S. cities still rely on antiquated systems that spew sewage during floods. Here's how one company is trying to change that.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that more than 40 million Americans living in 770 communities, mostly in the Northeast, Great Lakes, and Pacific Northwest, still rely on combined sewers.
Why is this a problem? These Victorian-era water management systems collect sewage and stormwater runoff in the same network of pipes. During heavy storms, overwhelmed systems flood streets and basements and discharge a variety of bacteria and toxic chemicals.
In 1994, the EPA required these municipalities to make improvements to reduce overflows and health concerns. Six years later, Congress required municipalities to comply as part of the Clean Water Act. Many major cities have since begun planning for hundred-million-dollar fixes, addressing failing pipes and networks as well as system overflows.
In an effort to develop more affordable and effective methods of compliance, one Midwestern group thinks it has a superior solution: EmNet's Combined Sewer Overflow Network relies on wireless sensors installed on the underside of manhole covers to monitor water levels at various points across a city. The sensors broadcast data via simple radio waves to a central monitoring facility, and can send messages telling smart valves to open or shut during times of peak water flow.
When EmNet was formed in May 2004, scientists estimated that combined sewer overflows result in the release of 850 billion gallons untreated wastewater each year, leading to contaminated drinking water and human and animal sickness.
Their decentralized system provides real-time information on developing bottlenecks or blockages, helping crews act quickly. It also ensures optimal water conveyance and storage across the system, helps cities meet compliance requirements and improves billing accuracy for local water users.
EmNet began testing the system in South Bend in 2005, receiving a $1 million grant from a state research fund in 2007. For the past two years, some 115 sensors have been monitoring the system across the city. Gary Gilot, South Bend's public works director, says his system has not yet achieved the forecast 23 percent reduction in storm-related overflows because the city is expanding its water storage capacity. Once that's complete, he expects to reduce storm flooding by about one quarter.
Meanwhile, South Bend has traditionally experienced 25 or so dry-weather overflows each year, due to debris or other blockages. That's all changed with EmNet's system. "We had one such incident each of the last two years, and both were related to a contractor digging into the system," says Gilot.
He estimates that the $6 million the city spent on the system has knocked as much as $120 million off the half billion dollars it plans to spend to bring its aging water infrastructure up to state and federal standards. These savings will show up in local water bills. "We don't want to just throw money at this problem so we're trying to use smarter technology," says Gilot.
Several nearby cities – including Elkhart and Evansville, Indiana, and Joliet, Illinois – have since implemented the EmNet system, at least partially. Last March, Hoboken, New Jersey, installed monitors at 15 locations across the city to collect data and develop an effective long-term flood control system. A spokesperson from the mayor's office says the city is satisfied with the results thus far.
The technology seems likely to proliferate. Buffalo has begun a feasibility study with EmNet, while Washington, D.C., is currently installing EmNet's flooding alert system, and New York City water officials visited South Bend last year for a firsthand look.


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Practical options for government-funded educational institutions in specific markets.
The GELA Program enables fast, simple and affordable procurement for government organizations and government-funded academic organizations in EMEA.
All-Inclusive Discounts
Apply the same discount you receive for your first qualified purchase to any additional eligible Citrix product. Discounts apply for an initial period of three years, after which they may be renewed annually with an additional qualifying purchase.
Key Points
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- Tiered based discounts on initial order (add'l options available)
- All software and hardware products are available


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In This Issue
- The Dire Consequences of Fixed-Price IT Projects
- Book Review: Ethics for the Information Age, Second Edition
- Links
The Dire Consequences of Fixed-Price IT Projects
"Fixed-price" projects are a common practice in IT, either as the result of a fixed-cost competitive bid or as the result of budgeting pressures on internal software development projects. I put quotes around the term "fixed price" because the projects often go over budget, but for the sake of argument let's choose to ignore this nasty little bit of reality. Organizations often prefer fixed-price projects in an attempt to decrease their financial risk. Unfortunately, the exact opposite seems to happen in practice. Everyone seems to know this, but we somehow can't find a way to get out of this rut. This month I discuss the problems surrounding fixed-priced IT projects to hopefully motivate you to move away from this questionable practice.
The fundamental problem with fixed-price projects is that they motivate you to perform very questionable things which invariably result in wastage. To develop an accurate estimate you need to understand the requirements which you are supposed to implement and the architecture which you are going to build to. The greater the need for accuracy in your estimate, the greater the need for more detailed information. As a result of the pressure to develop an accurate initial estimate you are typically motivated to adopt:
- A big requirements up front (BRUF) approach where you create a detailed requirements specification early in the lifecycle.
- A change management process which strives to avoid "scope creep" throughout the project.
- A big design up front (BDUF) approach where you attempt to specify your architecture in detail before coding begins.
- A software development lifecycle that is mostly serial in nature.
Let's examine the inherent problems with each of these practices. First, the challenge with BRUF is that you can't accurately determine up front what people want because they fundamentally don't know themselves. People are good at indicating their intent and then once they're shown something such as a UI prototype or actual working code they can indicate what they don't like and what might work for them instead. By iterating, we can home in on what they actually need, but that means that we'll evolve away from the initial requirement upon which the estimate was based. These "requirements changes", what is really changing is our understanding of the requirements, in turn puts the project team at risk of going over budget. The implication is that you can have an accurate estimate of something people likely don't want, or an inaccurate estimate of something people do want.
Second, many "change management" processes are designed to make it difficult for stakeholders to change their minds, reducing the chance of requirements changes forcing you to go over budget. Change really isn't being managed, it's being prevented. These change prevention processes increase the chance that the system will be built according to the specification but decrease the chance that the system actually reflects the true needs of its stakeholders. As a result a lot of money appears to be wasted building functionality that stakeholders don't really want and not on what they actually do want.
Third, BDUF also proves questionable in practice. By designing in detail early in a project you are effectively making serious decisions when you know the least amount of information -- during the first month of a project you know far less than on the 10th month of a project, for example. Once these decisions have been made you're motivated to stick to them because of all the hard work you've invested. Worse yet, if you didn't get the requirements right to begin with, which is often the case, then no matter how good of a design job that you do it's still wrong because the requirements on which it is based is wrong.
Fourth, BRUF and BDUF are two aspects of a serial lifecycle; serial lifecycles seem to offer few control points for stakeholders, thereby increasing overall project risk. Although stakeholders are usually actively involved up front with the BRUF effort their role is often greatly diminished until user-acceptance testing at the end of the project (assuming time permits). There may be the occasional milestone review where they go over status reports and technical documents which are presented as representing so form of earned value, but for the most part the majority of the software development process appears to be a black box to stakeholders: They won't know until close to the end of the project if they're going to receive anything of value in return for their IT investment.
Sadly, many of the so-called accurate estimates aren't all that accurate in practice anyway. No matter how detailed the requirements and design specifications there is always some uncertainty. For development teams to reduce their risk they'll pad their estimate to the point where it is still acceptable to the stakeholders yet still gives them some buffer room for any mis-estimation. In effect, the development team is putting as much of the project's financial risk onto the business stakeholder's anyway, effectively defeating the primary purpose of having a fixed-price project.
In reality projects often go over budget, and more often than not the business stakeholders pay for part or all of the overage to get the desired system from the IT provider. Sadly, mistakes like this motivate people to insist even harder the next time for an accurate up-front estimate, and thus we never seem to get off the fixed-price treadmill.
The alternative to fixed-price projects is of course variable-priced projects. In practice it is much easier to reduce financial risk on variable-priced projects with gated investment based on interim deliverables (ideally working software). This approach requires a good relationship between business stakeholders and IT as well as active stakeholder participation in the project. If you want to ensure value from your IT investment then you're going to have to manage your IT investment closely.
Fixed-price IT projects aren't good for the developers working on the project because it motivates questionable behaviors which put your job at risk in the long term. Nor are fixed-priced projects good for business stakeholders because they seem to increase risk instead of decrease it as promised. It's time to rethink our approach to funding IT projects.
Book Review: Ethics for the Information Age, Second Edition
One of the most important things about being a professional -- any kind of professional -- is to act in an ethical manner. This is as true for IT professionals as it is for doctors, accountants, and lawyers. An understanding of ethics is important whether you're a traditional IT professional or an agile one, yet ethics is rarely discussed in practice. Considering some of the questionable activity which we've seen when it comes to agile certification, I suspect it's high time that the agile community starts thinking about ethics a bit more than we do.
A good resource is the second edition of Michael J. Quinn's Ethics for the Information Age. This is a very approachable book which covers a formidably complex topic. It begins with a general overview of ethics and major ethical theories throughout the ages. The book includes chapters on the ethical issues surrounding networking, intellectual property, privacy, computer and network security, reliability, and wealth. The most valuable chapter, in my opinion, is the last one on professional ethics. Most of the chapter is a review of the ACM/IEEE-CS Software Engineering Code of Ethics, something all IT professionals should be aware of, and a discussion of why it appears to be a very good code. In the end, ethics boils down to a judgment about the choices that you make. My recommendation is that you choose to read this book.
Ethics for the Information Age, Second Edition
Michael J. Quinn
Addison Wesley, 2005
400 pps., $63.80
Hot Links
The article examining the "Big Requirements Up Front (BRUF) Approach" overviews and discusses evidence as to why comprehensive modeling up front puts your project at risk.
The Big Modeling Up Front (BMUF) anti-pattern described in detail.
The Change Prevention Anti-Pattern.
A comparison of estimating and scheduling strategies.
The Broken Iron Triangle Software Development Anti-Pattern describes how at least one factor of scope, schedule, or resources needs to vary otherwise quality will suffer.
The Agile Alliance homepage is the best starting point for anyone interested in learning more about agile software development.
The Agile Models Distilled page provides links to overviews of a wide variety of models.
The principles of Agile Modeling v2.
The practices of Agile Modeling v2.
Check out the the Agile Modeling mailing list.


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Neptune Fountain
Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, s/n.
28014 Madrid (Madrid Region)
- 自治州 : Madrid Region
- 県/島 : Madrid
The Neptune Fountain is on Paseo del Prado. Under the orders of King Carlos III, sculptor Juan Pascual de Mena began to build this marble statue in 1780. In 1786 his disciple José Rodríguez finished off the project, which represents Neptune, God of the Sea, with a trident in one hand and a coiled snake in the other. The figure is standing on a chariot, drawn by two sea horses and surrounded by dolphins.
Near the Neptune Fountain, where the victories of Atlético de Madrid Football Club are celebrated, there are many of the city's symbolic buildings, such as the Palace hotel, Villahermosa Palace, the Prado Museum, the Ritz hotel, the Congreso de los Diputados (House of Commons) and in the background, San Jerónimo el Real church.
- 建造物: Sculpture groups
- 芸術的時代: Neo-classical
- 歴史的時期: 18th century