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We all like C++'s container classes such as maps. The main negative thing about them is persistance. Ending your process makes the data structure go away. If you want to store it, you need to write code to serialise it to disk and then deserialise it back to memory again when you need it. This is tedious work that has to be done over and over again.
It would be great if you could command STL containers to write their data to disk instead of memory. The reductions in application startup time alone would be welcomed by all. In addition most uses for small embedded databases such as SQLite would go away if you could just read stuff from persistent std::maps.
The standard does not provide for this because serialisation is a hard problem. But it turns out this is, in fact, possible to do today. The only tools you need are the standard library and basic standards conforming C++.
Before we get to the details, please note this warning from the society of responsible coding.
What follows is the single most evil piece of code I have ever written. Do not use it unless you understand the myriad of ways it can fail (and possibly not even then).
The basic problem is that C++ containers work only with memory but serialisation requires writing bytes to disk. The tried and true solution for this problem is memory mapped files. It is a technique where a certain portion of process' memory is mapped to a backing file. Any changes to the memory layout will be written to the disk by the kernel. This gives us memory serialisation.
This is only half of the problem, though. STL containers and others allocate the memory they need through operator new. The way new works is implementation defined. It may give out addresses that are scattered around the memory space. We can't mmap the entire address space because it would take too much space and serialise lots of stuff we don't care about.
Fortunately C++ allows you to specify custom allocators for containers. An allocator is an object that does memory allocations for the object it is tied to. This indirection allows us to write our own allocator that gives out raw memory chunks from the mmapped memory area.
But there is still a problem. Since pointers refer to absolute memory locations we would need to have the mmapped memory area in the same location in every process that wants to use it. It turns out that you can enforce the address at which the memory mapping is to be done. This gives us an outline on how to achieve our goal.
- create an empty file for backing (10 MB in this example)
- mmap it in place
- populate the data structure with objects allocated in the mmapped area
- close creator program
- start reader program, mmap the data and cast the root object into existance
And that's it. Here's how it looks in code. First some declarations:
*mmap_start = (void*)139731133333504; size_t offset = 1024; template <typename T> class MmapAlloc { .... pointer allocate(size_t num, const void *hint = 0) { long returnvalue = (long)mmap_start + offset; size_t increment = num * sizeof(T) + 8; increment -= increment % 8; offset += increment; return (pointer)returnvalue; } ... }; typedef std::basic_string<char, std::char_traits<char>, MmapAlloc<char>> mmapstring; typedef std::map<mmapstring, mmapstring, std::less<mmapstring>, MmapAlloc<mmapstring> > mmapmap;
First we declare the absolute memory address of the mmapping (it can be anything as long as it won't overlap an existing allocation). The allocator itself is extremely simple, it just hands out memory offset bytes in the mapping and increments offset by the amount of bytes allocated (plus alignment). Deallocated memory is never actually freed, it remains unused (destructors are called, though). Last we have typedefs for our mmap backed containers.
Population of the data sets can be done like this.
int main(int argc, char **argv) { int fd = open("backingstore.dat", O_RDWR); void *mapping; mapping = mmap(mmap_start, 10*1024*1024, PROT_READ | PROT_WRITE, MAP_SHARED | MAP_FIXED, fd, 0); if(mapping == MAP_FAILED) { printf("MMap failed.\n"); return 1; } mmapstring key("key"); mmapstring value("value"); if(fd < 1) { printf("Open failed.\n"); return 1; } auto map = new(mapping)mmapmap(); (*map)[key] = value; printf("Sizeof map: %ld.\n", (long)map->size()); printf("Value of 'key': %s\n", (*map)[key].c_str()); return 0; }
We construct the root object at the beginning of the mmap and then insert one key/value pair. The output of this application is what one would expect.
Sizeof map: 1. Value of 'key': value
Now we can use the persisted data structure in another application.
int main(int argc, char **argv) { int fd = open("backingstore.dat", O_RDONLY); void *mapping; mapping = mmap(mmap_start, 10*1024*1024, PROT_READ, MAP_SHARED | MAP_FIXED, fd, 0); if(mapping == MAP_FAILED) { printf("MMap failed.\n"); return 1; } std::string key("key"); auto *map = reinterpret_cast<std::map<std::string, std::string> *>(mapping); printf("Sizeof map: %ld.\n", (long)map->size()); printf("Value of 'key': %s\n", (*map)[key].c_str()); return 0; }
Note in particular how we can specify the type as std::map<std::string, std::string> rather than the custom allocator version in the creator application. The output is this.
Sizeof map: 1. Value of 'key': value
It may seem a bit anticlimactic, but what it does is quite powerful.
Extra evil bonus points
If this is not evil enough for you, just think about what other things can be achieved with this technique. As an example you can have the backing file mapped to multiple processes at the same time, in which case they all see changes live. This allows you to have things such as standard containers that are shared among processes.


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Topic: What're You Listening To? v5 (Read 68255 times)
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subset: commoncrawl


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Thank you. A nice reminder.One member of our ward, named Leo, is an older man with vision and speech issues, and perhaps some dementia or other disability (he has a heavy accent and makes comments in Sunday School that are hard to decipher). Leo joined the church about 3 years ago. Lately he has been blessing the sacrament, which has been kind of an adventure for everyone in attendance at sacrament meeting because he struggles to get through the prayer and takes quite a long time to do that.
Yesterday Leo had an especially difficult time and ended up giving the prayer 4 times before he got it right. (Our bishop will let small errors go -- slurred words, for example -- but Leo's mistakes yesterday were just too big to ignore.) It was hard for everyone present because we wanted Leo to do well and not be embarrassed. But the episode passed and we just moved on with the meeting.
It was testimony meeting, and one of the last persons who spoke, a woman who fairly recently reactivated herself, very emotionally brought up Leo's struggle. She looked down from the pulpit at him, seated in the pews, and in a breaking voice thanked him, saying that the sacrament prayer had become routine to her and she'd fallen into the bad habit of not listening to it carefully. Thanks to him, she said, she had been forced to listen to the prayer carefully and as a result had a new appreciation for the meaning of many of the words. She also was deeply touched, she said, by Leo's determination and persistence in getting the words right. There were few dry eyes in the chapel by the time she sat down. It was a touching and unexpected moment. I like to think the Lord was happy with it. I also learned something important about patience and charity.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk


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So What About Lavarnway's Defense?
On Tuesday night, Ryan Lavarnway had a pair of doubles and 4 RBI in an 8-7 loss to Lehigh Valley.
After 38 games with the PawSox, the 23-year-old catcher is batting .367/.440/.735 with 15 doubles, 13 HR, and 40 RBI. Overall, in 93 games between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket, Lavarnway is batting .318 with 27 HR, and 78 RBI (.995 OPS).
But I know what you're wondering: What about his defense?
(Photos courtesy of Kelly O'Connor)
Any time that I talk, write, or tweet about Lavarnway's hitting exploits, I hear from somebody that wants to know if the kid can catch. It's almost as if people that haven't seen him behind the plate think that every-other-pitch rolls to the backstop. In truth, Lavarnway has been solid behind the plate so far for Pawtucket, but the "great bat, mediocre glove" label is tough to change.
"That label is irrelevant," said Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen. "I think if Ryan keeps his ears closed and focuses on the task at hand, then there is no label. If he continues to work and improve, then he's going to catch in the big leagues."
In 20 games behind the plate with Pawtucket, Lavarnway has 0 errors, 4 passed balls, and has gunned down 27% (6 of 22) of the runners that have tried to steal against him. But evaluating how he calls the game and receives the ball is difficult to quantify statistically.
"The defense is steadily improving," Hazen said. "It's the hardest position to play, and every day, every week, and every month, Ryan gets better and better. That's the best quality that I can say. His work ethic is tremendous and he's put every ounce of his energy into becoming a major league catcher, and we believe that he's going to be one. If he continues to make progress, he's going to catch in the big leagues. The offense is outstanding and he brings that to the table every day, but the defense is continuing to improve."
With his offensive potential, Lavarnway doesn't need to be a Gold Glove Award candidate to have a long career as a major league catcher. Hazen says the key for Ryan is to simply keep working on his craft.
"Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jason Varitek still do their daily stuff with (bullpen coach) Gary Tuck every day, and Salty has been in the big leagues for three-plus years and 'Tek has been there forever," Hazen said. "That shows you the amount of time, effort, and energy that it takes to continue to refine your game – even at that level. Ryan's work ethic is going to allow him to catch in the big leagues."
* * * * *
The newest member of the PawSox was once traded for a Hall of Famer.
Left-handed pitcher Royce Ring – who joined the team on Sunday – was one of three players sent from the White Sox to the Mets for Roberto Alomar in July of 2003.
"He was a great player and that was an interesting time for me," Ring said. "I was in my first full year after being drafted by the White Sox and I had no idea what was going to happen after that. That's turned into 8 teams in 10 years so it's been interesting."
Ring started this season with Triple-A Tacoma (Seattle org.) and opted out of his contract in early July after going 2-1 with 2 saves and a 6.08 ERA in 27 games.
"Things weren't going well with the Mariners and I didn't feel like I had a good opportunity to get to the big leagues with them," Ring said. "I opted out and after a couple of weeks and a couple of offers; I signed with the Red Sox. Boston is a great organization and I've heard great things about them. They're in contention and I know that they are looking for people to help them out in the big leagues. So it's a good place to come and hopefully prove to them that I can be one of those guys."
Ring has a career 5.29 ERA in 99 major league games with the Mets (2005-06), Braves (2007-08), and Yankees (2010). The 30-year-old has previously pitched in the International League for Norfolk, Richmond, and Scranton/WB, but is just getting to know his Pawtucket teammates.
"I've never played with anybody on this team, but I've played against them since I've been in Triple-A for quite a long time," Ring said. "It's been a really easy transition because it's a great group of guys and it seems like everybody gets along.
"There's been interest from the Red Sox in the past, so I knew that Boston could be a possibility and when they called me to come out and play, I jumped on the opportunity. It's a great place to get a chance."
* * * * *
It's Kyle Weiland vs. Roy Oswalt on Wednesday night at 7:05, as the PawSox meet LehighValley in game two of their 4-game series.
I hope you'll join us for radio coverage beginning with the pre-game show at 6:50 on the PawSox radio network and pawsox.com.
I'd love to hear from you. The address is email@example.com.
If you Twitter, you can follow my tweets at http://twitter.com/Dan_Hoard
And I have finally joined Facebook. Just search for Dan Hoard and look for the photo of me with the handsome lad.


text:
Air Filter - HYUNDAI (MPV, SUV) TUCSON I - 2.0 CRDi, 83Kw, Year: 2004 - 2010, 4 Cyl 1991 Eng
Panel air frame
Barcode: 6003098006248
Ref: AG1356
It is always the responsibility of the customer to verify the correct application prior to purchasing any filter using the information provided by the seller.
This filter, when correctly installed and used, is warranted, by the filter manufacturer, against defects for the service life interval specified by the vehicle manufacturer for the specific model for which the filter is intended.
All filters have undergone stringent quality controls.
The warranty does not cover incorrect fitment or failure due to, abuse, neglect or as a result of normal wear and tear.
In the event of any claim, the supplier must be contacted immediately as the manufacturer's claim procedure needs to be followed. All documentation and service records need to be submitted.
All filter Warranties are covered entirely by the filter manufacturer, and is limited to the replacement of the filter or a refund of the price of the filter, and not by Start My Car its staff, agents or representatives in any way.
Original names and numbers are used for reference purposes only.
Safety critical parts to be fitted by Qualified Technicians in an approved workshop.


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Telepresence Can Build Bridges Between Young Learners
Two classes of New Jersey middle school students recently enjoyed a unique opportunity for exchange with their peers. From neighboring towns, the eighth graders live worlds away from each other demographically—one town is largely affluent and white, while the other is mostly low income with a predominately black and Hispanic population. Each class studied John Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, and they visited each other's schools to discuss perceptions of the novel.
As reported in The New York Times, the students at both middle schools found the interaction with their counterparts eye-opening and rewarding, both in terms of literary analysis and cultural understanding. The ability to see the text—and life—from a different perspective fostered a rich educational experience.
With telepresence and other collaborative technologies, students are able to mimic the exchange in which the New Jersey youth participated, except they could share ideas with and experience the cultures of peers not only across town boundaries, but also across state lines and country borders. Telepresence enables a real-time, high-definition connection that allows for a quality of conversation comparable to in-person interaction, creating a unified classroom across geographies. The telepresence set-up establishes an environment that feels inclusive and intimate—the students would feel as though they had traveled to each other's schools. They could see the detail in each other's settings, in clothes, hairstyles, facial expressions, and other aesthetics that make up parts of a culture.
Imagine the cross-cultural learning possibilities if schools everywhere adopted telepresence. Yes, it's an up-front equipment investment that exceeds the costs the New Jersey schools incurred to bus their students to the different schools. But, with telepresence in place, schools can host exchanges at any time, to any place around the world. The return on investment is priceless: a worldly student body, an attractive educational tool that engages learners and enables multiple teaching modalities, and an installation that, over time, can lead to savings—why not go on telepresence-led field trips or hook students in to courses taught elsewhere when budgets restrict hiring more faculty?
The possibilities with are endless! Are your local schools using technology to enrich the education of students?
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.


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Out Back
For anyone who stumbles into this disused box room during a spring clean of their favourites tab, I thought I'd out a short note of explanation on about my absence over the last year or so.
I never took a decision to stop blogging, but it tailed off for various reasons. Some personal - I became busier at home. But also because of work. I started my blog to put across what it was like on the front line of Britain's police force. I did end up satirising performance culture, and bureaucracy, and the insidious world of senior policing. But really my aim was to fly the flag for the front line bobby. I never intended to keep blogging if I was no longer front-line, which is the case at the moment. Although the role I do now is still police work, I am a lot less likely to be assaulted or vomited on. Well, by non-police officers anyway.
I believe that those who take the greatest risk have the most right to tell others what it's like out there. I still fight daily fights for common sense in uniform, and I still have a lot to say about the world that politicians think we live in. I guess I've become a bit jaded when it comes to my ability to change anything - some of those we bloggers talked sense to 3-4 years ago are now the worst instigators of lunatic policy when it comes to the police.
I will go back to the front-line, and I hope I come back to blogging. The archive will remain up for anyone who's interested, and to remind myself what I joined both my force, and Blogger.com, for. Contrary to what a lot of people think, the two aren't mutually exclusive.
For now, stay safe out there.
Sgt Ellie Bloggs
'Diary of an On-Call Girl' is available in some bookstores and online.


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Time may have passed, but it hasn't erased the memories of World War II from the minds of Ralph Lynn, Bob Withee and Don Block.
Time has taken its toll.
They are nowhere near as young and agile as they were 70 years ago in the war torn skies over Europe and the Pacific. But their minds are still sharp and clear when they talk about what those years of service were like so long ago.
Time may have passed, but it hasn't erased the memories of war from the minds of these three men – Ralph Lynn, Bob Withee and Don Block.
Each was a pilot during World War II, part of what journalist Tom Brokaw has called the "Greatest Generation." When their country called, they answered and flew missions against the Germans in Europe and the Japanese in the Pacific.
"We never really thought of it as a sacrifice," Lynn said of his service. "We were just doing our job. You didn't worry about what was going to happen to you, it was going to happen to somebody else."
Block echoed Lynn's thoughts.
"You really didn't think about it being a sacrifice," said Block. " You never really talked about it after the war. You just went on with your lives. I have no desire to go back to where I flew from. It has changed and I just want to remember what it was like back then."
Back then, these men and women who served in the war efforts represented a cross section of our country.
New York City kids went through boot camp with Southern farm boys. Sons of wealthy families suffered alongside poor children of immigrants on battlefields around the world. Volunteers and draftees all served their country together in combating the evils of totalitarianism. For the first time in American history, large numbers of women made a tremendous contribution within the military by taking the place of men who could then be assigned to combat units overseas.
Lynn, Withee and Block were just three of them.
Lynn, 94, flew the four-engine Consolidated B-24 bomber known as the "Liberator." After graduating from high school in Canfield he joined the Army and went to flight school where he was assigned to fly the B-24. During flight school he kept one secret from the instructors.
"I had flown before the war and had my pilot's license," Lynn said with a mischievous smile. "But I never told anyone as I didn't want them to think I was a smart aleck. I loved to fly. It didn't matter what I flew. It was just a great experience to take any machine up into the air."
In reflecting on the war, one thing still sticks out in his mind. It happened during a mission over Germany.
"We had been hit kind of bad by enemy fire and the pilot and I decided to try and fool the Germans and put the B-24 into a spin," Lynn said. "We were at 22,000 feet and you weren't suppose to deliberately spin a B-24. We called the crew on the intercom and told them what we were going to do. We finally got the plane out of the spin at 10,000 feet. Unfortunately, the front turret gunner didn't get the message and after we returned to England he refused to fly. When that happened everyone thought you were 'chicken' and you carried that as a stigma wherever you went after that. Afterward, I felt guilty I didn't go to him. I never saw him again after that. I wished I had talked to him."
Lynn also flew two missions on D-Day in June 1944. It was the invasion of Europe and it eventually broke the back of Hitler's war machine.
"I remember looking down at the English Channel and seeing thousands of ships," Lynn said. "At that point, I realized that the Allies were invincible!"
Withee, 92, flew fighter planes over the Pacific. He started out in the Curtiss P-40 "Warhawk", a plane that gained fame with the famous "Flying Tigers" over China. Later he moved on to the North American P-51 "Mustang," probably America's premier fighter plane of the war. He even managed to fly the British Supermarine Spitfire while flying from a base where an Australian squadron was based.
Originally from Massachusetts, he came to Ohio and attended Case Western University until he joined the Army. After training, he was selected to fly fighters and eventually went overseas to the Pacific.
"I trained with 20 or so other pilots," Withee said." Only a few of us made it through unscratched. And the pilots kept getting younger and younger as the war went on."
Withee saw a lot of action and met some interesting people during his time in the Pacific. One time a pilot flew over the base and began doing victory rolls.
"After a few rolls, lots of people came out to see what was going on because you didn't do this unless you had shot down an enemy aircraft," Withee said. "This guy did seven rolls which upset people until he landed and explained he had shot down seven enemy aircraft. The guy was William Shomo and for that mission he was later awarded the Medal of Honor. I got to talk with him a little after he landed."
Withee himself shot down four Japanese aircraft during the war. This happened on two missions in which he shot down two aircraft each time, though he downplays this since the planes were just taking off.
"After I shot down the second two aircraft I talked with Dick Bong, the top American ace of WWII, who I had met once before," Withee said. "He had just scored his last two victories and was going home."
Withee was also on the receiving end of crashing.
Once he and his wingman collided over the Pacific and he was able to escape but his wingman didn't. He spent several days in a life raft until picked up by a Consolidated PBY "Catalina" flying boat. One of the jokes around MAPS is that Bob feels that the ungainly looking "Catalina" is the most "beautiful" plane is the world since it rescued him.
Later, Withee would cras again, this time to be rescued by a submarine. He spent several days on the sub until they were able to return him to his base.
"I was lucky to be alive," Withee said, reflecting on his service. "You worried about your friends who were missing or in the hospital. I was lucky and came home but a lot of my friends didn't. It is hard to believe it was so long ago. I wouldn't ever want to go through it again but I will never forget it."
At 89, Block is considered the "youngster" of the trio.
He graduated high school in June 1942. One month later, he enlisted in the Army and eventually went into flight school.
"I went all over the country – South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Kansas – for training," Block said. "I remember going to New Orleans and it was a lot different then. Later, my wife and I went back there … and there were a lot more people and a lot more partying going on."
After going through the early stages of flight school Block was sent to twin engine training. There he was assigned to the Martin B-26 "Marauder".
"I had wanted to fly twin engine aircraft," Block said. "I don't think it really mattered what you wanted, it was just what the Army needed you for that mattered. … But I was assigned to the B-26 which was a really 'hot ship.'"
In Florida, Block picked up his plane and crew. Then began the flight across the South Atlantic for his eventual destination, England. Along the way he had some interesting experiences.
"We were trying to find a field in British Guiana in the rain," Block said. "The directions were a little vague but, suddenly, it appeared out of the rain and I dropped the landing gear and flaps at 200 miles an hour – which you weren't suppose to do in a B-26 – and we made it in. If we had missed the landing we would have crashed in the jungle."
In Marrakesh, Morocco they had to wait a few days to fly north. Finally, they got the go-ahead to head to England.
After getting to England, Block and his crew underwent more training in Scotland. Probably because of that they missed out on the D-Day invasion by a few days.
"We first flew out of Chipping Ongar, an airfield near London, " Block remembers. "I called myself a 'professional wingman' as I felt I was too young to be trained as a flight leader. There was a good chance that I was the youngest B-26 pilot during the war."
During the war, Block's aircraft was hit numerous times by enemy fire but rarely did it cause serious damage. But there was one mission he remembers well.
"We were hit on the side below the cockpit by enemy fire. It hit our twin gun packs on the side of the fuselage below the me," Block said. "It broke off both the machine gun barrels and cut my pilot's controls. The navigator was wounded and it cut my controls to the elevators and ailerons. Luckily, the co-pilot's controls were still working, so we used them to get back to the base."


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To counter the bad news about layoffs and angry employeesat Yammer, Microsoft today announced that Yammer has achieved "record sales growth" since Redmond bought the company for $1.2 billion last year.
Here's the stats Microsoft shared:
- Full year 2012 sales nearly tripled year-over-year (as of Jan. 31, 2013)
- Fourth quarter sales quadrupled year-over-year (as of Jan. 31, 2013)
- Number of paying customers increased 165 percent in 2012
- Yammer has surpassed 7 million registered users
Microsoft also says that Yammer added "a record 290 new paying customers" in the fourth quarter, including GlaxoSmithKline, T.G.I. Friday's, Trek Bicycle Corp. and Woolworths Ltd.
But, as we previously reported, employees are growing increasingly unhappy at the company.
Earlier this month, Microsoft laid off 20 Yammer employees in sales and marketing. What really burned was that the company confirmed the layoffs to tech news outlet TechCrunch before management actually told employees about it.
For what it's worth, Yammer was on track to do $15-$30 million in sales in 2011, according to analysts. That would mean that 2012's revenue was $45-$90 million.
Get the latest Microsoft stock price here.


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It's not a happy Thanksgiving in Detroit. And Lions fans are particularly unhappy with the officials.
In a game the Lions led most of the way, the Texans came back to tie the game 31-31 late in the fourth quarter, then won 34-31 in overtime, thanks in large part to terrible officiating.
The game featured a blown call by the officials that was as bad as anything we saw from the replacement refs while the regular officials were locked out during the first three weeks of the season: Texans running back Justin Forsett was allowed to get up and run for an 81-yard touchdown even though he had clearly been tackled after eight yards. The Lions can also blame a stupid challenge from coach Jim Schwartz, and a stupid NFL rule that says the challenge negates the referee's ability to review the play.
There were also missed calls on hits to both quarterbacks, including J.J. Watt using the crown of his helmet to hit Matthew Stafford in the chin on the Lions' final drive of the fourth quarter, a penalty that would have moved Detroit into field goal range if it had been called. (Watt's hit was clearly illegal, and a nearly identical hit by Nick Perry of the Packers was correctly called earlier this season.)
We then had a back-and-forth overtime session featuring missed field goals from both teams and a costly fumble from Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew. In the end, a Texans field goal sealed the deal.
Lions receiver Calvin Johnson had a great game, and Lions receiver Ryan Broyles had his first career start and responded with a 100-yard game. But that wasn't enough. For the Texans, Watt had three sacks, one on the first play of the game and two more late in the game, both of which came on third downs and both of which took the Lions out of field goal range. But while Watt is a huge presence as a pass rusher, the lack of depth in the secondary is a major concern for the Texans. With Johnathan Joseph out, Houston simply had no answer for Detroit's passing game on the plays when Stafford had enough time to throw.
In the end, however, the Texans (10-1), who got a tremendous performance from receiver Andre Johnson, were able to overcome their defensive liabilities and put 34 points on the board. The Lions (4-7) have to put a lot of blame on their defense, and on their mistakes in overtime. But in the wake of this game, the mistakes from the officials will take center stage.


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The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a training arm of the United Nations System, serving some 36,000 beneficiaries annually by conducting close to 500 capacity development and research activities around the world. We empower individuals, governments and organizations through knowledge and learning to effectively overcome contemporary global challenges.
The mission of UNITAR is to develop capacities of individuals, organizations and institutions to enhance global decision-making and to support country-level action for shaping a better future. Our training targets two key groups of beneficiaries: the delegates to the United Nations and others who develop intergovernmental agreements establishing global norms, policies, and programmes, and the key national change agents who turn the global agreements into action at the national level.
UNITAR offers various training and capacity-development activities in the thematic areas of Capacity for Agenda 2030, Strengthen multilateralism; Promote economic development and social inclusion; Advance environmental sustainability and green development; Promote sustainable peace; and Research and Technology Applications.
As an autonomous body within the United Nations System, UNITAR is governed by aBoard of Trustees and is headed by an Executive Director. The Institute is supported solely by voluntary contributions from governments, intergovernmental organizations, foundations, and other non-governmental sources. We work in the spirit of leaving no one behind and we strive to reach the furthest first. To achieve this, our training plan depends also on donor support. We appeal to donor countries and other donor entities to help us so we can design and deliver high-quality training especially to countries in special situations.


text:
Object #1000242 from MS-Papers-0032-0220
2 pages written 25 Jun 1862 by James Reddy Clendon in Russell to Sir Donald McLean
From: Inward letters - Surnames, Cle - Coc, Reference Number MS-Papers-0032-0220 (25 digitised items). Correspondents include:J R Clendon, Russell, 1857-1862 (12 letters); J S Clendon, Auckland, 1868 (4 letters); C Clifford, Lichfield, England, 1873 (1 letter, enclosed in letter from C M Taylor); John Close, Napier, 1874 (1 letter); James Coates, 1848 (1 letter); Sarah A Coates, Parnell (Auckland) & Wellington, 1870, 1872 & undated (3 letters); Samuel Cobham, Wellington, 1855 (1 letter); Samuel Cochrane, Belfast (Ireland), 1875 (1 letter)
Tikiake i tētahiPDF taumira pāpaku or taumira teitei PDF
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Inward letters - Surnames, Cle - Coc, Reference Number MS-Papers-0032-0220 (25 digitised items)
Series 1 Inward letters (English), Reference Number Series 1 Inward letters (English) (14501 digitised items)
McLean Papers, Reference Number MS-Group-1551 (30238 digitised items)
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text:
Beyond BYOD: The Optimal Experience for Any Workspace
We use them in the office, in the car, at the café. They help us close deals, build relationships, and access resources. What are they? Devices, of course.
Currently, over three out of every four employees have multiple devices, according to the Cisco Connected world Technology Report. What's more, one in three employees globally use at least three devices for work.
For our partners, though, this trend isn't really about devices. It's about how to provide your customers' Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) employees seamless access regardless of device or connection point. It's also about how to ensure security, simplification, and high performance.
The answer is easy. Let me introduce the brand new Cisco BYOD+ solution—a game changer in Enterprise mobility.
This end-to-end solution empowers your customers to go beyond simply connecting user-owned devices to scaling the experience of many users with multiple devices, anytime, anywhere. Plus, Cisco BYOD+ delivers a unified security policy across the entire organization—a relief to any organization. It also optimizes and manages the experience to meet the needs of many types of users with diverse devices, security, and business requirements.
The bottom line: your customers can safely extend the right level of access and performance in every situation.
Let me guess? You're ready to load up on devices, make appointments with customers, and share the BYOD+ story.
Cisco BYOD+: Delivering the Optimal Experience for Any Workspace
Cisco is the only provider offering a truly experience-centric solution with context-aware onboarding, highly secure access to resources, and high-performance network connections for any mobile device.
This new Cisco BYOD+ Solution provides:
- Security policy management to enable secure, customized access for any device and any user across the wired and wireless network
- High-performance, intelligent network infrastructure for an exceptional user experience
- Simplified operational tools to protect corporate resources and provide visibility and troubleshooting
These enhancements allow your customers to scale the scope of innovation and IT efficiency—all while achieving a superior customer experience, higher workforce productivity, and seamless globalization.
Plus, BYOD+ delivers an amazing value proposition, helping you:
- Assure a highly secure, consistent experience, even as your customers add more devices, technologies, and applications to the network
- Deliver a superior unified user experience with a wireless infrastructure that is up to 30 percent faster than the competition
- Reduce time to deployment and lower costs for your customers
- And develop a profitable wireless practice with Cisco's industry-leading validated solution architecture
Check out these details and resources, including how to sell in the BYOD space, a BYOD hosted demo, info on products and solutions, and more. And be sure to also read the Cisco Bring Your Own Device Whitepaper for even more information. Begin talking with customers today. They're under pressure to support a massive number of employee- and corporate-owned devices—with complete security and a great user experience.
Are you customers talking BYOD? Share your thoughts.
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.


text:
This was awesome. I enjoyed it so much, I read it twice.
Hahaha great!!!
Laughing feels good when ur sad.
Thanks Fish.
ROFLMAO awesomly funny
I need to check out that fakeconvos.com site at the bottom of those images....could have a lot of fun with that one to be sure....
LOL I never wanted it to end
Oh man, that was freaking hilarious. Thanks !
buuuuuh where you git em from?
That was actually really amusing. Thanks for that.
People need to do that more often lmao.
Eli jumped in with the 2 rings line then dropped the hammer in Vick lol
ROFLMAO!!!! That was hilarious!! Everyone at work thinks I'm crazy being I'm dying over here


text:
Nearly two dozen riders were safely returned to the ground Wednesday night after having been stranded hundreds of feet in the air for more than three hours on a ride at Knotts Berry Farm.
The Knotts Berry Farm Wind Seeker stopped working around 4 p.m. when the ride's "safety security system activated," causing it to come to a halt, park officials said. Twenty riders were stranded about 300 feet in the air near the top of the ride, according to Jennifer Blazey, spokeswoman for the park.
Update, Sept. 20, 2012: Knott's Thrill Ride Brake Froze, OHSA Says
By 7:30 p.m., the ride had been manually lowered about half way to the ground. At 7:40 p.m., the group -- which appeared to range in age from teenage to adult -- walked off the swings.
The Buena Park ride also became stuck on Sept. 7. That time, it took three hours for maintenance crews to manually lower the ride.
"Safety is Knott's number one priority and we are committed to the protection of all our guests. Each of our rides is inspected, check-listed and properly maintained daily. Knott's will continue to consistently monitor and inspect the rides and operation thereof," the park said in a statement relreased Wednesday night.
"The attraction will remain closed while Knott's Berry further investigates the cause of the incident."
The ride has 32 two-person gondolas that go 301 feet in the air then swing riders for a minute at a 45-degree angle at eight rotations per minute, according to Knott's website.
No injuries were reported, officials said.
Knotts Berry Farm used its own maintenance crew to handle the malfunction.
Orange County Fire Authority firefighters were not called to respond to the malfunctioning ride, OCFA Capt. Marc Stone said.


text:
James Christian "Jimmy" Kimmel (born November 13, 1967) is an American television host and comedian. He is the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a late-night talk show that airs on ABC. Prior to that, Kimmel was best known as the co-host of Comedy Central's The Man Show and Win Ben Stein's Money. Kimmel is also a television producer, having produced shows such as Crank Yankers, Sports Show with Norm Macdonald, and The Andy Milonakis Show.
Kimmel was born in the Mill Basin neighborhood of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, the eldest of three children of Joan (née Iacono), a homemaker, and James Kimmel, an IBM executive. He was raised Roman Catholic and served as an altar boy. Kimmel is of German and Irish descent on his father's side and Italian descent on his mother's side. His real life uncle, Frank Potenza, would later appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as a regular from 2003 to 2011.
The family moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, when he was nine years old. He graduated from Ed W. Clark High School and then attended University of Nevada, Las Vegas for one year before attending Arizona State University for two years without completing a degree.


text:
Ceres Suicide — Suicide Girl of the Day
Ceres is a 20-year-old Suicide Girl from Vancouver Canada who lists her first three interests as lust, satanism, crafting. It's always good to be well-rounded.
NAME: Ceres Suicide
LOCATION: Canada
HOMETOWN: Vancouver
OCCUPATION: Girl of your dreams
CURRENT CRUSH: James Deen
BODY MODS: Currently: both ears stretched to 1 inch,14g left & right nostril, chest piece.
HEROES: My Daddy.
GETS ME HOT: Passion, dominance, and confidence.
SIGN: Pisces.
I LOST MY VIRGINITY: To your mom.
I AM LOOKING FOR: Whoever comes along.
MY KINK FACTOR: I buy sex toys at the hardware store.
MY POLITICS: Politics, who cares?
MY IDEA OF A GOOD TIME: Stay in and watch old movies on tv.
I WANT: Friendship, online flirting.
INTO: Lust, satanism, crafting, Greek and Roman myth, oddities, learning, DIY, body modification, taxidermy, adventures, fashion, music, and photography.
NOT INTO: Blast beats and first-person shooters.
MAKES ME HAPPY: The ocean, kitties & titties, love, road trips, nudity, HBO, and good conversation.
I SPEND MOST OF MY FREE TIME: On the internet, crafting, painting my nails, bike riding, at the beach, driving, and shopping.
SuicideGirls is a community that celebrates alternative beauty and alternative culture from all over the world. Since 2001, tens of thousands of models have submitted millions of photos to their website hoping to become SuicideGirls.


text:
Four blocks to Little Italy and Balboa Park in either direction, enjoy urban living at its finest from this detached row home. Enjoy no HOA Fees and no shared walls! Stroll down to the farmers market on Saturdays and browse the local flavors to bring home to your three bedroom home features 3 living levels above the abundant 3 car garage. The deck off of the master suite boasts commanding views of Downtown San Diego and San Diego bay.
Residential, MLS# 180062637
Listing provided by Pacific Sotheby's Int'l Realty
Residential, MLS# 190003049
Listing provided by CityMark Realty
Residential, MLS# 190004921
Listing provided by CityMark Realty
Residential, MLS# 180063253
Listing provided by Pacific Sotheby's Int'l Realty
Residential, MLS# 190010147
Listing provided by HomeCoin.com
Residential, MLS# 190002046
Listing provided by Coldwell Banker West
Also known as Park West, Bankers Hill is an established uptown neighborhood in San Diego near Balboa Park. The neighborhood is primarily residential, with many homes that date from the late 19th century. Architects Irving Gill, William Hebbard, Richard Requa, and Frank Mead all have designed homes in the area.
This information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. You should rely on this information only to decide whether or not to further investigate a particular property. BEFORE MAKING ANY OTHER DECISION, YOU SHOULD PERSONALLY INVESTIGATE THE FACTS (e.g. square footage and lot size) with the assistance of an appropriate professional. You may use this information only to identify properties you may be interested in investigating further. All uses except for personal, non-commercial use in accordance with the foregoing purpose are prohibited. Redistribution or copying of this information, any photographs or video tours is strictly prohibited. This information is derived from the Internet Data Exchange (IDX) service provided by Sandicor®. Displayed property listings may be held by a brokerage firm other than the broker and/or agent responsible for this display. The information and any photographs and video tours and the compilation from which they are derived is protected by copyright. Compilation © 2019 Sandicor®, Inc.


text:
If you have any questions please contact us at email@example.com
Eclectic with a heavy emphasis on directed teaching and constructivism. I create my lessons so students have to interact with the material on their own thereby constructing their own knowledge.
Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly Legislature
-Master's Degree in Instructional Design and Technology -Bachelor's Degree in Biological Science -Appropriate credentials
Follow me and you will receive updates on my products. I have taught computer careers at a high school (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access with basic hardware and Internet knowledge) as well as English. Also, I teach a web design class with Flash, Photoshop, and Dreamweaver. Contact me if I can help you in any way at email@example.com. If you have purchased an item and it has been helpful please leave feedback! Let me know if you would like anything edited so it is clearer. Many of my products have been enhanced thanks to your suggestions!
PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, Higher Education, Adult Education, Homeschool, Staff
English Language Arts, Creative Writing, Reading, Spelling, Vocabulary, Specialty, Math, Arithmetic, Basic Operations, Numbers, Other (Math), Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Arts & Music, Visual Arts, Graphic Arts, Computer Science - Technology, EFL - ESL - ELD, Career and Technical Education, Other (Specialty), Computer Science, Math Test Prep, Other (ELA), Critical Thinking, For All Subject Areas, Business, Instructional Technology, General Science, Physical Science, Employment, Short Stories, Writing, Reading Strategies, Writing-Essays, Holidays/Seasonal, Back to School, Thanksgiving, Christmas/ Chanukah/ Kwanzaa, Autumn, Mental Math, Halloween, The New Year, Valentine's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Products For TpT Sellers, Summer, Informational Text, Vocational Education, Phonics


text:
Regardless of the time of year, it's important for business owners to keep an eye on their production operations and ensure the different components of the business are running smoothly and issue-free. Losing sight of the ins and outs of these operations can put a business in danger of damaging its reputation, which can be very difficult to repair. For example, a late order due to out-of-date inventory can easily result in an angry customer. It doesn't take long for word to get around, which can cause a good reputation to disappear in the time it takes to read a bad review. Meeting business commitments every day and every time is critical to an organization's continued success.
Unfortunately, several bottlenecks can affect a company's reputation, and they are different for every organization. For example, a manufacturer could hit a business pot hole due to budget overrun, quality concerns and capacity overload. A wholesaler might face problems with low inventory or late/missed payments. A professional services agency could experience a server outage and lose track of its employees' billable time entries. The key to overcoming these challenges, keeping the business on track and maintaining a strong reputation with customers lies with having greater insight into the business. In this slideshow, Kae Williams, general manager of Exact, has identified five tips that can keep a business running in tip-top shape all year long.
Related Topics : Vulnerabilities and Patches, Resellers, Broadcom, Broadband Services, Supercomputing
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Here are the top 10 strategic technology trends that will impact most organizations in 2017. Strategic technology trends are defined as those with substantial disruptive potential or those reaching the tipping point over the next five years. ... More >>


text: Share: Comments Print June 13, 2013 at 9:35 PM Hawaii man pleads guilty to falsely reporting plan to hijack Alaska jet Posted by The Associated Press HONOLULU — A Hawaii man is pleading guilty to making a hoax call to the FBI when he falsely reported a possible hijacker was aboard an airplane. Prosecutors say Timothy David Hershman of Kona admitted calling the FBI on Jan. 17 and saying another man was going to hijack a plane headed to Alaska. Authorities determined the other man was aboard an Alaska Airlines flight from Kona to Seattle. Two Oregon National Guard fighter jets escorted the flight. Authorities decided the call was a hoax after questioning the other man for nearly two hours. Prosecutors said Thursday Hershman confessed to making the call because the man had allegedly placed fish guts in his truck. Hershman faces up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 7. 06-13-2013 at 21:12:17 Comments | More in General news, The Blotter


text:
Typographia-21 necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 77 diseños de 27 diseñadores freelance.
Ryan Hanau
UPDATE: I have attached two files that have my original signature. Can you please use this as the starting point. It is a little rough in some places. I would be great if you could clean it up: smooth out the curves, make the letters a little more legible, etc. Thank you!
Characteristics that define me and that should define the logotype in question:
• Professional
• Elegant
• Smart
• Young
• Optimistic
This logotype will be placed on my personal stationary, business card, and web site. I will use these elements in a professional setting. I work in technology and advertising.
I would like a logotype for my name, "Ryan Hanau", to be used on a business card, letterhead and web site.
The content of the logotype should only be: Ryan Hanau
The logotype should be a Word Mark. Please don't include any symbols or shapes. I would like the logotype to have a hand drawn character. It is NOT ok to use an existing typeface. This should be unique and personal.
The logotype needs to work in 1 color. I DO NOT want a logotype that is 3D or overly rendered. I tend to prefer flat black and white, but you can try color if you like.
Your final delivery should be a vector file: EPS or Adobe Illustrator.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.


text:
Herbert Jefferson Jr. as Colonel Galt
Herbert Jefferson Jr. portrays Colonel Galt, a freedom fighter.
Veteran actor Herbert Jefferson Jr. is known to many as Lieutenant Boomer from Battlestar Galactica, the third of the holy trinity that included Captain Apollo and Lieutenant Starbuck. But you've seen him in many more roles than as Galactica's erstwhile Cylon hunter.Mr. Jefferson was a series co-star in Rich Man, Poor Man with Nick Nolte, as well as its sequel. He has also appeared with Sam Elliot and Cybil Shepard in The Yellow Rose. Additional roles for Herb include television's ER, Sister Sister, Hill Street Blues, Airwolf, TJ Hooker, Columbo, Knight Rider and Mission Impossible, as well as Apollo 13 and Outbreak. He's also starred in the recurring role of Police Chief Price on NBC's Sunset Beach.
Mr. Jefferson is an alumnus of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, as well as the Herbert Berghof Studios in New York. He also studied under the legendary Lee Strasberg at The Actors Studio. In his free time, Mr. Jefferson is an active supporter of the Special Olympics, the USO, the Paralyzed Veterans Association and the United States Marine Corps' Toys for Tots program.
Biography courtesy of http://www.tv.com/


text:
Simply faBOWlous® creates baby gifts, hair bows and hair clips, baby flower hats, crochet flower hats, child flower hats, baby flower headbands, infant headbands, 'tween arch headbands, interchangeable mix -n- match headbands, tutu (tulle) headbands, tattoo art baby hats, and our most popular petal poof toddler/child tutus that arrive in a patent pending package designed so your keepsake tutus can last a lifetime.
If you are looking for holiday or seasonal accessories look in one of our holiday accessory shops including our: faBOOlous Costume Tutus, HO-HO-HOliday Accessories, Pink & Brown Angel Accessories, or for extra savings go to our Web Discount shop.
Need help with sizing suggestions or placing an order? Please feel free to email us at: email@example.com


text:
Increased Sensitivity to Pain Caused by Opioids in People Who Have Abused Prescription Opioids
|The safety and scientific validity of this study is the responsibility of the study sponsor and investigators. Listing a study does not mean it has been evaluated by the U.S. Federal Government. Read our disclaimer for details.
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01821430
Recruitment Status : Terminated (poor recruitment)
First Posted : April 1, 2013
Last Update Posted : February 9, 2017
- Study Details
- Tabular View
- No Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
|Condition or disease
|Chronic Pain
|Drug: Pregabalin Drug: Placebo
|Phase 2
The clinical management of pain in prescription opioid abusers presents a challenge to the health care professional. Investigators have novel pilot data showing that the GABA-agonist gabapentin (GPN) significantly decreases opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) in methadone patients (Compton et al., 2009), providing the first empirical evidence of a pharmacotherapy for OIH in opioid abusers. The work of Gore and colleagues (2011) showed that pregabalin (PGB), a GABA analogue succeeding GPN, was shown to decrease opioid use in patients with neuropathic pain in patients, suggesting an anti-hyperalgesia effect not observed in the matched cohort receiving GPN. The proposed research will comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of PGB in treating opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) in a well-described population of prescription opioid abusers (POAs) with chronic pain and on Suboxone (buprenorphine) or methadone therapy. A pressing need for such investigation is presented by the rising number of POAs presenting for treatment (SAMHSA, 2010; 2011), and for whom, chronic pain is a common co-morbidity. The proposed work is anticipated to provide vital and timely information on the efficacy of PGB in the treatment of OIH in prescription opioid abusers on Suboxone or methadone therapy.
Following recruitment and screening, 75 subjects assigned to the active medication group will receive pregabalin 400 mg/day, a dose well-within published guidelines of 300-600 mg/day for the treatment of neuropathic pain (http://www.pfizerpro.com/hcp/lyrica/phndosing). During the first week of treatment, subjects will be quickly titrated up to the assigned daily PGB dose of 400 mg/day PO (50mg BID x 2 days; 100mg BID x 2 days; 150mg BID x 2 days, with full dosage of 400mg administered on day 7 ), or maximum dose tolerated) for six weeks. 75 subjects will be assigned to receive matched and undergo identical titration and study activities under double-blind conditions. Study staff will evaluate subjects daily by phone during titration; thereafter they will be seen weekly at study sessions. Tapering of medication will begin at the end of week 6. The severity of chronic pain will be measured at each time point using two standardized self report tools which report on pain severity (McGill Pain Questionnaire) and pain-related disability (Brief Pain Inventory). Opioid-induced hyperalgesia will be measured at each time point using a standardized cold pressor trial, and performance at baseline will be compared to performance following PGB/placebo administration over time.
|Study Type :
|Interventional (Clinical Trial)
|Actual Enrollment :
|4 participants
|Intervention Model:
|Single Group Assignment
|Quadruple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
|Primary Purpose:
|Official Title:
|Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia in Prescription Opioid Abusers: Effects of Pregabalin
|Actual Study Start Date :
|March 2013
|Actual Primary Completion Date :
|February 2016
|Actual Study Completion Date :
|February 2016
Experimental: Pregabalin
Pregabalin 400mg / Day
Drug: Pregabalin
Titration of intervention will begin with 50mg PO BID x 2 days, then 100mg PO BID x 2 days, then 150mg PO BID X 2 days, then on day 7 full dose of Pregabalin 400mg PO QD for six weeks
Other Name: Lyrica
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Control
Placebo Tablet
Drug: Placebo
Placebo group will follow the same titration as the pregabalin group
- Improved Pain Response, threshold and tolerance [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ]
To test the efficacy of PGB, compared to placebo, to diminish OIH, as evidenced by improved pain responses (threshold and tolerance) to experimentally induced cold-pressor pain, in a well-described sample of POA patients with chronic pain and on buprenorphine or methadone therapy.
- Pain Threshold: On the CP assay, pain threshold is operationalized as the number of seconds after the onset of the painful stimulus when a painful sensation is first detected. Subjects will indicate threshold by saying "Pain."
- Pain Tolerance: On the CP assay, pain tolerance is operationalized as the number of seconds after the onset of the painful stimulus when the painful sensation is subjectively intolerable. Subjects will indicate tolerance by removing their arm from the ice bath.
- Improvement in pain severity and daily functionality [ Time Frame: 8 weeks ]
To test the efficacy of PGB, compared to placebo, to diminish chronic pain, as evidenced by improvements in pain severity and functionality in a well-described sample of POA patients with chronic pain and on buprenorphine or methadone therapy.
Pain Severity will be measured with The McGill Pain Questionnaire. Daily Functionality will be measured with the Brief Pain Inventory
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|21 Years to 65 Years (Adult, Older Adult)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Be between the ages of 21 and 65 years of age.
- Have a DSM-IVR diagnosis (used through 10/1/2014) of prescription opioid abuse or dependence disorder or a DSM-5 diagnosis of opioid use disorder.
- Be enrolled and compliant in Suboxone or methadone treatment and on a stable dose [Suboxone (6-24mg/day); of methadone (60-120mg/day)] x at least 10 days.
- Provide urine sample absent of any non-prescribed drugs of abuse at screening.
- Screening cold-pressor pain tolerance < 70 seconds
- Have chronic lower back pain or arthritis pain (duration six or more months).
- Be otherwise in good physical health, or in the case of a medical condition needing ongoing treatment, be in the care of a physician who is willing to take responsibility for such treatment. The same conditions apply in cases of patients with a psychiatric disorder needing ongoing treatment.
- Be agreeable to and capable of signing an informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Have known sensitivity to pregabalin or gabapentin.
- Potential participants must not be taking the following medications: pregabalin or gabapentin, tiagabine, vigabatrin, valproate, phenobarbital or primidone for the treatment of epilepsy; SNRI or TCA antidepressants; baclofen; or carbamazepine, oxycarbazepine or lamotrigine for the treatment of chronic pain.
- Currently be substance dependent on alcohol, benzodiazepine, methamphetamine, cocaine or other drugs of abuse (except nicotine).
- Have any acute medical condition that would make participation medically hazardous, (e.g., acute hepatitis, unstable cardiovascular disease, liver or renal disease) or have liver enzyme values (AST or ALT) greater than 5 times normal range.
- Be acutely psychotic, severely depressed and in need of inpatient treatment, or an immediate suicide risk.
- Have a neurological or psychiatric illness (i.e., schizophrenia, Raynaud's disease, urticaria, stroke) that would affect pain responses.
- Be currently taking opioid analgesic medication for a painful condition on a regular basis.
- Be a nursing or pregnant female, or a female or male who does not agree to not become pregnant or father a child during the course of, and six months following completion of the study. If a subject becomes pregnant or fathers a child during the study, they must immediately notify the study investigator.
- Have a history of heart disease, stroke, liver or kidney disease, epilepsy or acute hepatitis, or currently have a pacemaker or uncontrolled high blood pressure.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01821430
|United States, District of Columbia
|Georgetown University
|Washington, District of Columbia, United States, 20007
|Principal Investigator:
|Peggy Compton, RN, PhD
|Georgetown University
|Responsible Party:
|Peggy Compton, Professor and Associate Dean, Georgetown University
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT01821430 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
U01DA029580 ( U.S. NIH Grant/Contract )
|First Posted:
|April 1, 2013 Key Record Dates
|Last Update Posted:
|February 9, 2017
|Last Verified:
|February 2017
|Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
|Plan to Share IPD:
|Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product:
|Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product:
Keywords provided by Peggy Compton, Georgetown University:
Chronic Pain
Narcotic Abuse
Opioid related disorders
Opiate substitution treatment
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Chronic Pain
Neurologic Manifestations
Signs and Symptoms
Analgesics, Opioid
Central Nervous System Depressants
Physiological Effects of Drugs
Sensory System Agents
Peripheral Nervous System Agents
Calcium Channel Blockers
Membrane Transport Modulators
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
Calcium-Regulating Hormones and Agents
Anti-Anxiety Agents
Tranquilizing Agents
Psychotropic Drugs


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Williams Sonoma Classic Logo Towels, Set of 4
Easy, hassle-free returns online and in-store for eligible items.Learn More
Earn $25 in reward dollars4 for every $500 spent on your Williams Sonoma Credit Card. Learn More
- Summary
A staple in any home kitchen, our signature dish towel is ready for all sorts of tasks – from mopping up spills to drying pots and pans. Each features "Williams Sonoma" jacquard woven in the colorful center stripe.
- Woven of 100% Turkish cotton.
- Includes loop for hanging.
- Set of four.
- Dimensions & More Info
- 30" x 20".
- Made in Turkey.
- Use & Care
- Machine-wash.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3–5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Next Day Delivery
For an additional charge of $26 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Orders received by 9:00 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday will arrive the next business day; orders placed Friday through Sunday will arrive on the following Tuesday.
Return Policy
At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
If within 30 days, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded in the form of a Merchandise Credit for the amount indicated on the gift receipt. Returns with original receipt will be refunded in the original form of payment, cash and check refunds over $100 will be issued as a company check (may take 14 business days from time of request).
For all cutlery returns (knife sets, single knives, cutting boards, knife sharpeners and knife storage), please contact us at 888.922.4108 to initiate the return.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, custom upholstery, food, items shipped direct from the vendor or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. Final sale items ending in .97 or .99 cannot be returned.
Made to Order and Final Sale Furniture items are non-returnable and cannot be cancelled once the order is placed.
For returns of items purchased from your Williams Sonoma Gift Registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. View Full Returns Policy.
Rated 1 out of 5 by Leeney from Very disappointed in the quality I agree with other reviewers that the quality of the classic logo towels (and the striped towels) has declined over the years. After a few washes they were looking horribly misshapen, crinkly and did not line up when folded. I bought a few sets of these same towels almost six years ago and those held up extremely well in comparison. They are even, lie flat and just feel more substantial. I am tempted to toss my new ones (six months old) and go back to the old towels. That should not happen.Date published: 2019-01-08Rated 2 out of 5 by BDLAUS from What happened to quality I used to love your kitchen towels, I began buying them 30 years ago, when I really could not afford them but knew that Williams and Sonoma stood for quality. Please bring back quality merchandise. I change my dish towels and small towels daily, thus have a large supplyDate published: 2016-12-25Rated 2 out of 5 by Nikinik from Disappointing I have the perspective of inheriting several of these in a timeline. I have 2 different manufacturers prior to this one. These are my least favorite, made in turkey. One started unraveling before the first wash. They are still probably too new to give a true perspective but I'm just not satisfied with the quality for a W/S product. The Chinese made towels had. Waffle pattern, better I think but not great. My favorite of all are the ones made in France. WOW! I wish we could get that kind of quality again. They have a woven pattern with a blue stripe down each side. It must be 20 years old and still a perfect rectangle, with bright colors.. The onesI just bought I will give away. I've ordered the woven ones made in turkey without the W/S written on it.Date published: 2016-09-08Rated 2 out of 5 by AZSunshine from Quality Decline I have purchased Williams-Sonoma towels for several years now, but the logo towels have declined in quality. I have changed my color in the kitchen to red accents, so I ordered the red logo towels. The towels are not cut straight at all. They are not square. I am keeping them only for their color. Luckily, I bought the striped ones also, but they are square. I am using the logo towels only for decoration. Very disappointing!!!Date published: 2016-09-07Rated 1 out of 5 by Dougregularguy from Not like they used to be I've owned the previous towel line for over 7 years, and they are just now starting to wear out. They are heavy cotton and perform beautifully. This new line which "looks" like the old ones are flimsy and lost their shape the first time I washed them. I am honestly amazed that WS would put their name on this product. Please bring back your old contrast stripe dish towels and logo towels that were built to last. I'd gladly pay more for quality.Date published: 2016-04-26Rated 5 out of 5 by LauraJean1005 from Been Buying These For Years...... and they are wonderful. Worth every penny and I love the periwinkle color!Date published: 2016-03-12Rated 1 out of 5 by Amymrn from Poor Quality These towels are not what they used to be. Thinner, cut crooked and not all the same size. They wash up poorly and shrink too. I returned them to the store. PLEASE BRING BACK THE QUALITY TOWELS WE ALL KNOW AND LOVE!Date published: 2016-02-05Rated 5 out of 5 by ChristinaF from Great Towels and will last for years I love these towels. I had a few from a few years back and i decided to get new ones because mine were starting to look tired after 4-5 years. It has been my experience with these as well as other nicer linens that they will wrinkle when you first wash them. The more you use them, and after you wash them a few times, the fibers relax. I have had my new ones for about 2 months and they are just starting to relax. The fibers naturally seize up and will shrink a bit. When i wash them , i shake them out a bit before putting them in the dryer. If you are super neurotic and need them to lay flat right away IRON them. These are great towels and i would recommend them to anyone.Date published: 2016-01-28


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I've been collecting photographs of the many, many weather vanes in the Nutfield area (Derry and Londonderry, New Hampshire). If you want a challenge, I'll post the locations at the bottom of the page so you can scroll down far enough to see the photo, but not the location, and try to guess where you may have seen these lovely weather vanes.
Do you know the location of weather vane #18?
|Coco, the featured star of this blog post!
This weather vane is located on private property in Londonderry, on top of a storage shed in my friend's backyard. It represents their little pet dog, Coco. If you know a daschund named Coco in Londonderry, then you know where this weather vane is located!
Copyright 2011, Heather Wilkinson Rojo


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On Monday night, the debt committee failed in its task to find a solution to America's debt crisis. Democrats and Republicans share blame for this debacle. However, in offering revenue increases far below the realistic compromises offered by House speaker John Boehner in his August negotiations with President Obama, Republicans bear a heavy burden of responsibility.
In the end, supercommittee Republicans put an anti-revenue orthodoxy before the interests of the country. Now, unless a bipartisan deal can be reached by the end of next year (an even greater challenge during an election year), the US military will face automatic and catastrophic cuts. In their unwillingness to engage in a pragmatic compromise, supercommittee Republicans have seriously jeopardised the national security foundations on which the Republican party has long resided.
What Republicans did – or did not do – on Monday night was dangerous, illogical and, in the context of ongoing foreign combat deployments, immoral.
I am a Republican. A major part of my attachment to the party stems from its traditional support of a well-equipped and effective military. After 9/11, I often took comfort that our deployed personnel generally had the support that they needed to do their jobs. Amid the looming cuts, those years seem very distant today.
While President Obama has already announced around $450bn in cuts to military spending over the next decade, these reductions represent a balance (albeit imperfect) between lowering the fiscal deficit and avoiding substantially weakened US military capabilities. But by inviting, via their intransigence, $500bn dollars of additional ten-year cuts to the military, supercommittee Republicans appear to have effected an overnight party conversion from foreign policy realism to strategic idiocy. While there are notable Republicans who have been honest about the need and practicalities necessary to protect military spending, so far, their numbers are insufficient.
There can be no question that combined together, the effect of the cuts will be disastrous for the US military. Defense Secretary Panetta has suggested that if the cuts proceed, military procurement would be gutted to such an extent that America would have its "smallest ground force since 1940, the smallest number of ships since 1915, and the smallest air force in its history". The US Military leadership have echoed this assessment. The head of the US Army, General Odierno, has stated that the cuts would "almost eliminate our modernisations programs", while US Marine head, General Amos, noted that the cuts would potentially lead to "a Marine Corps below the end strength that's necessary to support even one major contingency".
All this risk, in a decade that will likely see the continuing rapid growth of the Chinese military, continuing instability in the Middle East and South Asia, alongside the need to rebuild a force strained by years of war. It is crazy that the prospective benefit for these cuts is the avoidance of revenue reforms that would ask some to pay a little more and others simply to pay what they are supposed to be paying already. How can our party with a straight face ask young men and women to deploy on multiple combat tours and then reward that service and sacrifice with the message that it is more important to honor Grover Norquist's pledge than it is to support them? This is the opposite of what it is to be a Republican.
Beyond the impact of the cuts on the US military, the impact of the cuts on the credibility of the Republican party will also be profound. Over the past ten years, Republicans have often rightly opposed those who have mixed absolutely justifiable anti-war attitudes with unjustified attacks on non-political military officers doing difficult jobs. Whatever one thinks of the politician or the war (and they should feel free to air those opinions robustly), military personnel deserve the respect and the backing, when deployed under orders, that they need in order to do their jobs effectively.
Now to strip our servicemen and women of the tools they need to do their jobs is the ultimate insult and the height of hypocrisy. Such action is also extraordinarily politically stupid. The Republican party is risking the support of millions of veterans and military voters who have long gravitated to our party.
Republicans in Congress must now take account of the choice that our party faces. We can restore our national security position as intellectual conservatives, or we can continue to morph into a party of ideological partisans. We can follow in the intellectual legacy of scholars like Henry Kissinger, or we can pursue the foreign policy expertise of a Herman Cain.
We can embrace the heritage of leaders like Abraham Lincoln, or we can sacrifice our military at the altar of Grover Norquist. This is our choice.


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The oldest park district in Ohio, the Cleveland Metropolitan Park District was born in 1917, the initiative of a young, self-taught engineer who had conceived the idea of an outer chain of parks with connecting boulevards some 12 years earlier. William Stinchcomb's genius was to anticipate the future need for open space at a time when Cuyahoga County outside of Cleveland was still largely rural. From a few scattered donations of land in the Rocky River Valley, the Park District grew to embrace some of the most scenic areas of Greater Cleveland.
Stinchcomb first suggested his idea in 1905 and repeated his plea in 1909. Cleveland, which was then the nation's sixth largest city, finally formed a park board in 1912 following an act by the Ohio Senate. In April 1912, West Side brewer Leonard Schlather offered to donate approximately three acres of bottom land in the Rocky River Valley.
But, there was a problem. Although the park board had the power to receive gifts of land and property, it had no money of its own and no authority to raise money by bonds or taxation. The park board remained basically dormant for several years.
State law changed in 1915, allowing the Cuyahoga County Commissioners to appropriate money to the park board and in 1916 the first funds were received. Stinchcomb, who had been elected Cuyahoga County engineer, stayed involved in the project as a consulting engineer and developed the "Proposed Cuyahoga County Park and Boulevard System." The plan showed a continuous parkway encircling Cuyahoga County, threading its way through the Rocky River, Big Creek, Chippewa Creek, Tinkers Creek, Chagrin River and Euclid Creek valleys, and connecting, in two places, with the existing city of Cleveland park system.
In March 1917, the Ohio General Assembly passed a bill providing for "the conservation of natural resources by the creation, development and improvement of park districts." On June 30, 1917, the Board of Trustees of Euclid Township petitioned the Probate Judge of Cuyahoga County for the creation of the Cleveland Metropolitan Park District. In July, a new park board was appointed and then met for the first time on July 30, 1917. Stinchcomb stayed on as a consultant without compensation.
From its inception through the 1920s, the Cleveland Metropolitan Park Board concentrated its efforts on assembling parkland. The Park District materially took shape during its first decade. In 1920, the Park District held title to just 109 acres of land in Rocky River and Big Creek; by 1930, it had acquired at a cost of $3.9 million, 9,000 acres in nine large, unconnected reservations: Rocky River, Huntington, Big Creek, Hinckley, Brecksville, Bedford, South Chagrin, North Chagrin and Euclid Creek.
The next step, connecting the reservations, would be tackled in years to come.


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There is something irresistible about overhearing your name being whispered in a private conversation. Usually (of course) I try to stop my ears, but once I could not help taking in this little snippet, which has tickled me ever since:
"Yes, well, Reeves does love that Trinity stuff." (Picture eyes being rolled.)
It was the way this Christian man put it that fascinated me: not "Reeves does love God," but "Reeves does love that Trinity stuff." His choice of words seemed to sum up perfectly a common perception: that there is the God we know and love—and then, in some mental ivory tower far, far away, there is that Trinity stuff.
That mathematical mystery. That mind-bending oddity. That strange, even embarrassing idea. Yes, deep within the Christian psyche today seems to be the notion that the Trinity is an awkward and odd irrelevance, an unsightly wart on our knowledge of the true God. And so, when it comes to sharing our faith, we speak of God's offer of salvation, we speak of God's free grace, but we try not to let on that the God we are speaking of is a Trinity. We wax lyrical about the beauty of the gospel, but not so much about the beauty of the God whose gospel it is.
It is time to stand up and say, "No!" to such nonsense, to turn our backs on the absurd notion that our beautiful gospel could ever come from a God who is not the very perfection and essence of beauty. For the health of the church and our faith, we must be proud of who our God is. And since the Trinity is no mere theological icing resting atop our God—since the living God is Trinity—we must be resolutely and thoroughly Trinitarian in all our ways and thoughts.
Only then will ...1


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Chair with steel frame and upholstered legs. Polyurethane shell upholstered in hard leather grade 1 or hard leather grade 2. Backrest height 96 cm.
The distinguishing features of the Norma collection are its clean-lines and versatility of style. Upholstered in warm materials like hide or cuoietto or padded leather, Norma is perfect for the most classic and refined settings. Covered in fabric in a wide range of colours, the range enhances any contemporary space with a fresher, more informal spirit. The Norma collection has a steel structure with polyurethane padding. The range is available in chair – with three backheights –, stool and lounge armchair models. The leather or grade 2 hard-leather covered versions are also available with a decorative zip outline. A wide range of colours is available for the new finishes in fabric, leather or customers' own fabric.Particularly suitable for contract settings is the special stackable version, which comes padded and with medium-height back.
Arper is an Italian company producing and distributing office, home and contract sector furniture worldwide.


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Los Angeles' mayoral election is still nearly two years away, but the field of candidates already is taking shape. And the race is certain to present voters with starkly different choices about who should run Los Angeles next. More contenders undoubtedly will find themselves drawn to the opportunity, but here are the early candidates to watch.
L.A.'s controller was the first candidate officially in the race and the only one to have already been elected to citywide office. A former council member who won her seat on that body by a squeaker in 2002, Greuel is a resilient campaigner whose soft manner belies a tough fighter. Greuel is universally well-liked and can count on some labor support, but her base -- liberals, Westsiders, Jews -- may hold back until it's clear what Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky will do. That makes building wide support tough for Greuel, at least for the moment.
Perry, the only other serious candidate to have filed so far, has represented downtown since 2001 and has presided over its remarkable, if uneven, transformation, with Staples Center invigorating the south end of the city center even as Skid Row mars its eastern edge. Perry's dogged efforts have given her both a resume of success and an intriguing blend of supporters, from the area's loyal but shrinking African American voting core to some of the city's most influential business executives (Tim Leiweke, major domo of Staples Center, has been a stalwart ally). She starts with a solid base, but she lacks a citywide reputation.
President of the Los Angeles City Council since 2005, Garcetti is intelligent, a gifted coalition-builder and admired for his devotion to his city and to public service. None question his capacity for complexity, and he's immersed himself in the hard business of addressing the city's daunting pension crisis, emerging last week with an important breakthrough. The big question for him: Even some of his admirers wonder whether he's tough enough to be an effective mayor. If he runs, he's immediately near the front of the pack.
Once a successful investment banker, Beutner decided to pursue public service after a devastating bike accident gave him time to think. He took a job with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and says that he has been successful in luring businesses to Los Angeles with a three-year business tax holiday for new firms. Beutner's counting on the same kind of sentiments that put Richard Riordan in office: a city worried about the economy and looking for someone to bring a businessman's sensibility to the job. Beutner has two problems: He's not entirely an outsider, since he now works for the mayor, who is not terribly popular at this point. And he's not Riordan -- Beutner lacks Riordan's long engagement in civic affairs and his gregariousness. But Beutner also has strengths: He's smart, successful and beloved by the business community.
Caruso is best-known as the developer of big, showy malls, the Grove in Los Angeles and the Americana at Brand in Glendale. But he's also done his time in city government, serving on various commissions, including, most notably, the Police Commission that replaced Bernard C. Parks with William J. Bratton. Caruso is tough, polished and rich -- he can play rough, which some admire and others are repelled by -- and he's been hinting at his interest in this race since the moment Villaraigosa was reelected. For him the question is: Is America's most diverse -- and one of its most liberal -- cities prepared to elect a white, male mall developer?
Alex Padilla
A state senator, Padilla began his public service career when he was elected, at the age of 26, to the City Council. He was a moderately distinguished member of that fairly undistinguished body (his website claims as achievements "hiring William Bratton as chief of the Los Angeles Police Department" when he merely cast one vote in favor of the Police Commission's action, and serving as acting mayor on 9/11, which he did only because James Hahn was out of town). The only prominent Latino so far in the race, Padilla has obvious strengths, but, as Villaraigosa's losing mayoral race in 2001 showed, it can be hard to run for citywide office when your most recent service is in Sacramento. Some observers think he's running for name recognition and positioning for the future.
Zev Yaroslavsky
Yaroslavsky is the race's wild card, a position he's been in before. And that's precisely the rub for the longtime county supervisor and former City Council member. No one in the contest has the immediate name recognition that Yaroslavsky would have on entering the race. But Yaroslavsky has famously dithered about running time and again. This time he has the looming issue of being termed out as a county supervisor, which could be a powerful incentive, but unless and until he fully commits himself to this race, his supporters will hold back, afraid that he may once again back out. If he jumps in -- really and truly in -- he's the front-runner. Until then, he's a cloud that hangs over everybody else.


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The Secret World: A Bit of Vampire Slayer, a Bit of Bigfoot
The Secret World senior producer Ragnar Tornquist talks about launch stability, crunch time, and Joss Whedon's influence on the upcoming MMOG.
Funcom's newest massively multiplayer game The Secret World is almost here. In advance of the game's full launch next week, we caught up with creative director Ragnar Tornquist to see how he and his team were feeling at this late stage of development.
GameSpot: So The Secret World is almost here! What's the last-minute crunch like for the team? What's the mood among the team members?
Ragnar Tornquist: The mood is very, very positive! I think everyone feels that we've made the best game we could possibly make and that our testers are really enjoying it. That's what matters--that players are responding to it and that the team is proud of their work. In fact, everyone I talk to in our development studios in Oslo and Montreal are just anxiously awaiting launch day so that they can start playing for real--not just to test stuff, but to start a proper character that they'll have for years to come.
Crunch has been…crunchy. Lots and lots of long weekends and late nights, but the game is finally done, and we're already ready to get to grips with the postlaunch content.
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Obviously, you're at a point where you won't be making any major changes. Looking back, is there anything on your Secret World wish list that you wish had made it in but didn't?
Of course, there are always things you wish you had time for, but the great thing about MMOs is that you never have to cut anything--you just hold it back for later and make it part of a postlaunch patch. Some ideas and content has been cut because it wasn't very good, but most of the things we've wanted to do but haven't had time for, we're still going to do at some point in the near future.
"This type of contemporary fantasy setting is something we've all been fans of for years."
So in the New England areas, you clearly went for a Stephen King/Lovecraft sort of horror. Where else did you find inspiration?
Inspiration has come from a vast number of sources--anything from classical literature and mythology, to pop culture and urban legends, conspiracy theories and cryptozoology. We've drawn inspiration from comics, novels, movies, TV shows…This type of contemporary fantasy setting is something we've all been fans of for years, so it was easy to get into that mood with this game. It's hard to pinpoint just one source of inspiration, because there isn't, but for me, writers like Neil Gaiman, Joss Whedon, Warren Ellis, China Mieville--they all contributed to the mood and themes for our game.
When working on a game, you don't always know how successful a particular element will be until you get it into the game and see it play out. Were there any surprises there--any features that surpassed your expectations?
Absolutely. I mean, that's why we have our beta testers, and we've been running betas now for over a year--and based on the feedback we've received, we've changed and modified a lot of things, like the combat and role-playing systems, character creation, some of our missions, user interfaces, and so on. That's really the only way to make an MMO--to have it out there, see how players play, collect the feedback, look at it, and make the right calls. We don't change something just because one or two players complain, but if it's something a lot of people comment on, we'll definitely discuss it and find a solution.
Modern MMOGs work so hard to invite newcomers. How conscious were you about making the game friendly? Did you ever worry about crossing the line into "shallow" or "dumbed down?" What did you do to ensure you fell on the right side of that line?
The Secret World is probably a little bit tougher and a little bit more challenging than some other MMOs--but that's OK. Our players like a challenge, and I think players are smarter and more crafty than they often get credit for. We do try to make the game accessible, of course, and anyone who has ever played an MMO should be able to get to grips with the core mechanics within a few minutes--but the game is no walkover, and players will need to use their heads a bit more. Also, without a class or level system, there's a huge amount of freedom in how you develop your character, and that's a bit of an adjustment--but it also means you're not stuck with the choices you made when you started out.
During the beta phase, combat and animations were two of the negative points that players talked about. What were your reactions--surprise, worry, or something else? Did your priorities change based on player feedback from the beta?
Our priorities didn't really change, since we already knew those were two areas where we needed to improve and do more work. The feedback confirmed our own assessment, but it was still good to see what players wrote and what they suggested. We made a lot of changes based on that feedback and our own internal evaluations--all of them for the better.
"I'm absolutely sure that launch will go smoothly."
So let's just get this out of the way: Funcom doesn't enjoy a reputation for stable game releases. I have no doubt you were conscious of this, and are working to minimize launch difficulties. What kind of resources were put into making The Secret World a smooth experience out of the gate? How confident are you about the upcoming launch, and how confident should players be?
We're extremely confident, and so should players be. Funcom's last launch was the Age of Conan expansion pack--Rise of the Godslayer--and that was a perfectly smooth and stable launch without any technical issues whatsoever. Our technology and knowhow is top-notch, and based on how well our beta weekends have gone, I'm absolutely sure that launch will go smoothly.
Music is one of the most important aspects of both of your previous MMOGs, Anarchy Online and Age of Conan. How much focus did you put on audio and using music to affect the player's emotional state?
We've put a lot of focus on music and audio in the game, and our audio director, Simon Poole, is one of the best in the industry--I've worked with him since Dreamfall, and I wouldn't want to work with anyone else. The music is really important to our game, particularly our dynamic combat music that changes and evolves depending on the situation. Also, every area in the game has a different feel to it, both in terms of music and sound effects, and that's something players will definitely notice and appreciate. Our composer, Marc Canham, is an industry pro, and his soundtrack for The Secret World is fantastic. I can't stop listening to it.
Ultimately, you want your game to stand out in a sea of other games in the genre. Do you feel you've done enough to make The Secret World different enough to peel players away from games like Rift, World of Warcraft, and Star Wars: The Old Republic?
I believe The Secret World is a very, very different game from the ones you mention here, and I think players are going to feel it's a refreshing change from the class-and-level-based MMOs they're used to. We've really strived to give our game a completely different vibe, and I believe The Secret World has soul--it stands out, players respond to it emotionally, and it grabs you in a way that few games do. I don't think it's comparable to anything else out there, in a good way.'
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