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SQL Server Compact
SQL Server Compact enables you to create compact databases that can be deployed on desktop computers and smart devices. SQL Server Compact shares a common programming model with other SQL Server versions for developing both native and managed applications. SQL Server Compact provides relational database functionality: a robust data source, an optimizing query processor, and reliable, scalable connectivity.
Development support for SQL Server Compact is provided by Visual Studio. Database administration support is provided by SQL Server. You can access SQL Server Compact databases stored on a smart device or a desktop computer by using SQL Server Management Studio in SQL Server. You can create managed applications by using either Microsoft Visual Basic or Visual C#, or you can use Visual C++ to create native applications.
SQL Server Compact 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is included with SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 SP1. It is also available as a download from the Microsoft SQL Server Compact Web site.
Installing SQL Server Compact Components
SQL Server Compact components are available in the following Microsoft Windows Installer (.msi) files:
SQL Server Compact Design Tools (SSCEVSTools-ENU.msi)
SQL Server Compact Runtime (SSCERuntime-ENU.msi)
SQL Server Compact for Devices (SSCEDeviceRuntime-ENU.msi)
SQL Server Compact Query Tools (SSCESqlWbTools-ENU.msi)
SQL Server Compact Server Tools (SSCEServerTools-ENU.msi)
SQL Server Compact Books Online (SSCEBOL-ENU.msi)
For more information about how to install SQL Server Compact components, see the Microsoft SQL Server Compact Web site.
When you install the SQL Server 2008 Books Online, by default SQL Server Compact documentation is not installed locally. To download the SQL Server Compact Books Online, visit the SQL Server Compact Books Online Download Center.
Overview and SQL Server Compact Scenarios
SQL Server Compact provides the following features when you are using it as the local data source for your applications.
SQL Server Compact is file-based, which means that the connection string is a file path to the database (.sdf) file.
SQL Server Compact does not run as a service. This is one of the main differences between using SQL Server Compact 3.5 and using SQL Server or SQL Server Express.
SQL Server Compact supports multiple connections up to the 256 connection limit. Opening connections on different processes is also supported.
SQL Server Compact supports database files up to 4 GB.
SQL Server Compact is a file-based database that consists of DLLs that are approximately 1.4 MB. The following list provides some scenarios in which you might want to use SQL Server Compact in your applications:
In applications intended for desktop computers and mobile devices.
In applications that will be used in occasionally connected scenarios.
When you need a database that is redistributable at no cost.
When application size and memory requirements must be compact.
When you want the data access code to run in a process.
New Features in SQL Server Compact
The following sections describe new features in SQL Server Compact 3.5 and SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1.
SQL Server Compact 3.5
SQL Server Compact version 3.5 was released with Visual Studio 2008. Starting with the SQL Server Compact 3.5 release:
SQL Server Compact supports local transaction scope on desktop computers.
The SQL Server Compact Table Designer in Visual Studio 2008 has been enhanced to provide a user interface for creating primary key and foreign key relationships between tables.
SQL Server Compact now supports the following Transact-SQL statements:
Nested queries in a FROM clause
CROSS APPLY and OUTER APPLY
SQL Server Compact 3.5–based applications can be developed for desktop computers by using Visual Basic 2008 Express Edition and Visual C# 2008 Express Edition.
You can administer a SQL Server Compact database stored on a smart device or on a desktop computer by using SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) in SQL Server 2008.
SQL Server Compact implements the timestamp (rowversion) data type.
SQL Server Compact supports LINQ to SQL. LINQ to SQL is a component of the language integrated query (LINQ) project. It provides a run-time infrastructure for managing relational data as objects without giving up the ability to query. It translates language-integrated queries into Transact-SQL for execution by SQL Server Compact, and then translates the tabular results back into the objects as defined by the application developer.
SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1
SQL Server Compact 3.5 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is included with SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008 SP1. SQL Server Compact 3.5 SP1 provides several enhancements and new features for software developers. The following list includes some new features among several others:
SQL Server Compact supports case-sensitive collations at the database level.
SQL Server Compact supports the ADO.NET Entity Framework. The Entity Framework enables you to work with data in the form of domain-specific objects and properties, such as customers and customer addresses, without having to concern themselves with the underlying database tables and columns where this data is stored.
SQL Server Compact supports LINQ to Entities. LINQ to Entities allows developers to create flexible, strongly-typed queries against the Entity Framework object context by using LINQ expressions and the LINQ standard query operators directly from the development environment.
SQL Server Compact can run natively in a 64-bit environment.
SQL Server Compact provides support for replicating the new data types in SQL Server 2008, such as date, time, datetime2, datetimeoffset, geography, and geometry. For more information about data types in SQL Server 2008, see Data Types in SQL Server 2008 Books Online.
SQL Server Compact supports data replication with SQL Server 2000, SQL Server 2005, and SQL Server 2008 by using Microsoft Synchronization Services for ADO.NET. Microsoft Synchronization Services for ADO.NET is available for both desktop computers and mobile devices.
SQL Server Compact supports data replication with SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008 by using merge replication and Remote Data Access (RDA).
Integration with SQL Server
You can manage a SQL Server Compact database on a desktop computer or mobile device by using SQL Server Management Studio, which is a SQL Server management tool. This tool provides the same experience for users whether they connect to SQL Server or SQL Server Compact. SQL Server Compact databases can also be managed by using SQL Server Management Studio Express. You can download SQL Server Management Studio Express for free from the Download Center.
You can create SQL Server Compact databases on your local computer from Management Studio and Management Studio Express. You can configure these databases, populate them with data, and then deploy the databases to multiple devices. This saves significant development and deployment time.
See Also


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Golan Heights Hostels, Israel
See all Hostels in Golan Heights
Hostel | 24.3 km
A picturesque village, At the foot of Odem mountain, surrounded with oaks forest, vineyards, apple and cherry orchards. With perfect access to…Read more the many hiking trails from the hostel's door, springs and waterfalls minutes away, and for the time you choose to stay in the hostel there is everything you need for total relaxation. Specious rooms with XL beds and direct access to the yard or patio, endless gardens and homey feeling. Welcome to the Golan Heights hostel in Odem.from 30.94 USD
Hostel | 7.8 km
Outdoor-orientated, cosy & clean homestyle hostel in the heart of the Golan Heights. Hiking trails, waterfalls and wineries around the corner!…Read morefrom 30.94 USD
Hostel | 21.7 km
Ginges khan in the Golan, a Mongolian tents village, offer 5 Mongolian tents, which can contain up to 10 people each. an air-conditioner is…Read more in each tent, private bathroom attached to the tent, accessorized big kitchen for self use ( make sure to bring your own food to cook, the is a grocery store in the village ), barbecue area, grassplot and picnic tables. near the kitchen there is a garden of herbs and plants that can be used to make your own tea!from 22.50 USD
Browse the list above for details on all our hostels in Golan Heights and book Golan Heights hostels with no booking fee! Golan Heights is one of over 3,500 worldwide destinations available on hostelbookers.
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Group of 15 or more traveling to Golan Heights?Contact us directly
Find the best Golan Heights hostel deals using the search box on the top or select a hostel from the list at the side. Use the map tab to see the location of hostels in Golan Heights.
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subset: commoncrawl


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Social network for pugs and their people.
13 members81 Comments 2 Likes
14 members44 Comments 6 Likes
25 members116 Comments 7 Likes
10 members5 Comments 1 Like
13 members27 Comments 4 Likes
Started this discussion. Last reply by Helena Brown Sep 23, 2013. 5 Replies 1 Like
Started this discussion. Last reply by Pug Chick Jul 20, 2013. 3 Replies 3 Likes
Started this discussion. Last reply by Helena Brown Nov 22, 2012. 19 Replies 0 Likes
Added by Pug Chick 5 Comments 4 Likes
Posted on July 15, 2013 at 12:26pm 44 Comments 0 Likes
I have an urgent prayer request. Bonnie, Louie and Ginger all got bit this morning by a copperhead snake. I had put all 6 out in the pen for morning potty break. When I let them in a little bit later I noticed Louie was holding up one of his front paws and wouldn't put weight on it. He wouldn't eat his breakfast either. I thought maybe he stepped on something. I had to leave for an appointment and was going to check on him when I got…Continue
Posted on June 30, 2013 at 2:30pm 11 Comments 2 Likes
Well we have had quite a weekend here at the Baker home. Last night as we were all heading to bed. James was in the process of putting the Pugstonians up on the bed one by one as he does every night. He must have been very tired because he and I both know Puga goes up last if the others, others being mainly the girls are in the room. Thus why I am typing this in pink...lol The reason being that the…Continue
Posted on May 26, 2013 at 3:33pm 10 Comments 0 Likes
I am very concerned about a growth on Pixie's face. Several months ago a small spot appeared on her upper lip. It looked like she just lost the pigment in her skin there. Since she is a black it was just a white spot. It didn't change until right before we left for…Continue
Posted on March 18, 2013 at 12:31pm 4 Comments 2 Likes
My Boston Bonnie is one very lucky girl. The other day someone in our family who will remain nameless left Bonnie and Clyde in the dog pen and did not check that the gate was secure. We left to go get some dinner and on the way home my husbands phone rang. I listened to his end of the conversation and he says "Oh NO!" I could tell from his tone that something awful had happened. He proceeds to tell…Continue
Hiya! Just going around seeing where everyone who used to hang out here in 2010 has gone? How you're all doing! It's Milos 10th birthday this year and his health is getting worse and I've been reminiscing at his old photos and wanted to see how everyone was doing.
Hi there, I don't know how this was missed last year as I used the same people. I get my cards done through Moonpig.com and they have a service in the States, they also do the same in Australia and hence your cards come from them, clever isn't it. Just love the internet. I used to be standing in the queue at the Post Office on the last day of posting airmail to Australia, no longer. Glad you liked it. Helena
Thank you! Love the glittery hug, LOL, so much like our little Pug Chick! Pug Hugs right back. :0)
Hi Pug Chick it was the 25th, another year gone soon be too old to celebrate. Hektor has got a clean bill of health from the Vet for his eyes, now he needs the drops to clear the colour from them. We have to continue the steroid cream on his skin till Friday, have a day off and then start his eye drops on Saturday. Fingers crossed he had these to clear his conjunctivitis years ago and I had to go back and get his usual stuff. So I am hoping it works without problems.


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We offer specialist advice, information, assessment and support; One to one and group facilitation to enable physically disabled people to identify and work towards outcomes to enhance and improve social inclusion.
We work with people with physical disabilities to identifying existing opportunities in their local communities such as employment, education, training, volunteer opportunities and leisure. We organise various groups to encourage social inclusion, promote leisure and physical activity.
We develop support plans and goals all dependant on each service user's goals.


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Located along Ao Bang Charu Beach, Charu Bay Beach Villa offers two types of private fully furnished villas and a luxurious sea side bungalow. Guests can choose from a villa in a tropical garden, a beachfront villa with a private plunge pool or a studio-style bungalow with beach access. The property features stunning views of the glittering waters. Free private parking is available on site.
Steps away from the white sand of Naiwok Beach, Kupu Kupu Phangan Beach Villas & Spa by L'Occitane features luxurious accommodations, as well as an outdoor infinity pool and a private beach. It offers the convenience of an on-site restaurant, 2 bars and free WiFi, which is available throughout the resort.
Showing 1-10 of 12 results for 1-BedroomClear All


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The Two Armed Advisor
We've all heard the joke about the quest for the one armed advisor – The one who will give us advice without saying "on the other hand". This commentary will be chuck full of two handed type guidance. Such is the nature of messy markets and this one is no different. If you want to skip to the "Big Picture" of each section, you might find this easier to digest.
Bonds Now on a Sell Signal
Bonds have once again gone to a sell signal for virtually all types including corporate, high yield, emerging market debt, short and long term Treasuries. Our last sell signal was in mid August, 2012 so this is not something that happens very often. Our system generates asset class signals on an intermediate term basis only so naturally, this sell signal is coming after Treasury bonds and the like are already down a bit. In 2012, long term treasury bonds were down -7.2% before our sell signal tripped. Likewise, the same bond is now down -7.99% from the high for this year set on January 30th. Also consistent with any sort of intermediate term signal is the fact that they often occur at the bottom of a short term decline making the signal look a bit silly as we often see reflex rallies. In 2012, the reflex rally brought long term Treasuries up nearly 5% before restablishing the down trend. On the other hand ! I won't be surprised to see the same sort of reflex rally now remembering that there is likely more carnage ahead longer term. Steve Blumenthal of CMG posted his regular bond carnage chart again over the weekend showing what happens to your investment in a bond fund when rates move either up or down from current levels. The important thing to note is how much price damage could be done to your bond positions when rates are coming UP from our current historically low level. Take a look.
Impact of Rising Interest Rates
So we have bonds on a sell signal. What does that mean to most investors? Should we make changes to our holdings? How does this impact other asset classes?
As a quick reminder, bond prices and interest rates move in opposite directions. When interest rates rise, bond prices fall as do the value of our any of our bond type holdings (shown in the chart above). Last week, we sold the majority of our high yield corporate bonds as well as our emerging market debt bond funds as both went on sell signals in sync with the Treasury bond market. Sadly, we were hoping for more bang from these trades taken in January. As I have said repeatedly in the last two years, our income model returns are going to taper to around 4-5% annually net of all fees (from 7-9%) until the bond markets see a reset higher in interest rates, both long and short term. Given all the chatter about the Federal Reserve raising rates this summer, our wait might not be that long. So yes, we are following our discipline and cutting bonds out of our investment portfolios as needed.
Rising interest rates are also a negative headwind to equity prices as the current high valuations in the vast majority of stocks are only supported by very low, near zero interest rates according to most analysts' pricing models. Now, remember that back in 2012 when we had our last period of rising interest rates, stocks were not as overvalued as they are today following some pretty healthy gains in 2013 and 2014. The impact of rising rates in 2012 would not therefore have been as significant then as they are today. You begin to imagine why Wall Street might be a little obsessed with specific words found in the Federal Reserve minutes these days – due out Wednesday by the way.
The Big Picture For Bonds
*Bonds are now on a sell signal
- *Falling bond prices and rising rates making for tough sledding in stocks
- *Expect a reflex rally in bonds BUT remain wary of investing in anything interest sensitive (utilities, real estate, etc) at this point.
- *Income models should be in defense mode now waiting for a developing buy later in the summer.
Stock Market Still Range Bound
I am going to make a bold statement that might be eye opening to you. The majority of the stock markets across the world put in a peak in July of 2014. In March of 2015, most developed countries made another stab at breaking out to new highs but that effort appears to have failed. I think there are still some lingering perceptions that "the markets" are charging strongly higher week after week. That is simply not so. Take a look at the chart below showing the NYSE index in Red and the Dow Jones World Stock index in Green. Notice the final high in July of 2014 with now four failed attempts to move out to new highs since.
This could either be just a healthy consolidation from an overzealous bull market in 2013 or it could be predictive of the typical 8-10% decline we see prior to any cycle of rising rates. Either way, gains and growth in most broad stock market indices has not been what you might think. So where might we find productive investments in this environment?
Remember that we should view things as a market of stocks not a stock market. There are lots of things still moving higher that don't look like the chart above but they are found in individual stock names, sectors and size boxes only. Healthcare, biotech and pharmaceuticals continue to blaze higher. This is our largest sector exposure in almost all strategies. Technology as a sector also looks good as do financials and potentially banking stocks. One could find gains in a rising US dollar or by way of many managed futures funds that play macro currency moves. We also have positions in cyclical leaders like transportation and consumer discretionary sectors that are benefiting from the massive price declines fuel costs. Finally, we can also continue to own select stocks that are simply marching to their own beat. The only "market" type investments we are holding in our blended asset strategies are small and mid caps index funds and ETFs which are also beneficiaries of a stronger US dollar. So there are enough things moving higher in a non-correlated way to the broad stock markets of the world that we can remain largely invested. At the same time, we're naturally playing some defense at the same time, careful to avoid much exposure to indices that look like the chart above.
The Big Picture for Stocks
- *Many "stock market" indices peaked last July
- *But there are still lots of things to own that are making new highs
- *2015 is already a year that should benefit tactical/ active management styles
- *The bull market is still intact but adjusting to the prospect of higher interest rates.
- *It is too early to get really defensive but selection is critical now.
*I'll leave it there for this week as I'm sure your patience for the two armed advisor is wearing thin.
Enjoy the early spring!
Sam Jones


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Image: Nick Wiggins/ABC
When wildlife expert Caitlin Raynor spotted a bird mesmerized by its own reflection in a window, she thought that people might be worried about what it was doing. So Raynor posted a little note that reads, "I'm a Bush Stone Curlew. I'm fine. I just like to stare at myself in the window."
Little did Raynor knew that she'd be launching the bird into Internet stardom, with images of the "Narcissist bird" rattled 'round the web. But Raynor said that the behavior was actually quite normal for this bird species.
"They're primarily nocturnal so they're not used to seeing their reflection," she told the BBC, "They're not being aggressive. They're just fascinated with the 'other bird' in the reflection."
If I were that cute, I'd stare at myself that much, too!


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Management System (FMS) - FMSWeb
(To return to the main Remarkable Ideas site, close this browser window)
| FMSWeb
1) Saves time - Printing all of the information included in FMS Web would take far longer than using FMS Web ... and then there's the time you'll save on filing.
2) Saves paper - A complete transactions list might take 200+ pages. With FMS Web it is instantly available, instant searchable, and you can "cut and paste" details as required.
3) Improved Cost Reporting - All details supporting your Cost Report are included
4) E-mail ready - You can send a copy of all of these reports to Completion Guarantors and production partners in a few minutes. (Password protected e-mail is recommended)
5) Easy Archiving - You can build up a library of Cost Report snapshots over a period of time (if required).
6) Intranet/Internet ready - You can easily publish your Cost Reports to your Intranet or the Internet (A secure site is recommended)
FMSWeb Top Menu Options
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1. Maximise your screen resolution: Many reports are best viewed with your screen resolution set at the highest possible resolution. If you can, set your screen resolution to 1024*768.
2. Reduce browser text size: If you are using Internet Explorer, do this via the View | Text Size option to view wide reports on one browser 'page'.
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4. Budget Report: The 'Budget" report option always puts you at the top of the Budget Index which makes it easy to navigate large budgets.
5. Use your browsers Back and Forwards buttons: These buttons put you back to where you were when you were last in a page i.e. you don't 'lose your place'.
6. To send an individual report: select the repot using your browser, and then, from your browser menu, select Tools | Mail and News | Send Page. Your e-mail client will open and you can then enter the recipients address and send the page.
7. To send all reports: Start WinZip and use it to create a ZIP file containing the FMSWeb folder. Then send the ZIP file via e-mail. (If you don't have WinZip, you can download a FREE version from www.winzip.com
8. Customising FMSWeb: You can add and/or delete reports from FMSWeb (using an HTML Editor such as FrontPage or a text editor such as Notepad). If you want a custom version, or you would like to integrate FMS or FMSWeb with other systems, send us an e-mail.
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EUREKA, Ill. -- Anchored by the top slugging offense in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Spalding won both games of a league doubleheader against Eureka College on Saturday at Henry Sand Field. The Golden Eagles overcame a sluggish start to win game one, 12-1, before earning a 20-2 victory over the Red Devils in the nightcap.
The Red Devils took advantage of shaky Spalding defense to grab a 1-0 lead in the first inning of game one. Junior right fielder Ray Vogel (Bartonville, Ill./Limestone H.S.) drew a one-out walk, moved to second on a wild pitch and ultimately scored on a throwing error in the SU infield.
The visitors promptly recovered, forcing a 1-1 tie in the second inning on Matt Harper's RBI single. The score remained 1-1 until the Golden Eagles erupted for six runs in the top of the third inning. Blake Patterson gave SU the lead for good, 3-1, on a two-run double into the left-center field gap. Dillon Sievert and Harper added home runs later in the frame.
SU scored five more times in the fourth to put the contest out of reach. Kam Bruner delivered the inning's biggest hit, a two-run home run over the left-field fence.
Spalding starter Cole Slamko worked around the unearned run in the first inning to keep the Red Devils off balance throughout the opener. He yielded only two hits, walked four and struck out seven to earn the complete-game win.
Eureka sophomore reliever Josh Mead (Tampico, Ill./Bureau Valley H.S.) was solid in relief, firing 3.0 innings without allowing an earned run. Senior Peter Litwiller (East Peoria, Ill./Peoria Christian H.S.) also fired 1.0 scoreless inning of relief in game one.
The Golden Eagles struck early an often in game two. SU sent 15 hitters to the plate in the top of the first inning, part of a 12-run blitz for a big advantage. Harper, Ian Woodall and C.J. Phillips each homered during the first-inning outburst.
Back-to-back doubles from freshman Jake Carter (Carlinville, Ill./Carlinville H.S.) and Vogel got the Red Devils on the board in the fifth inning. Sophomore Max Marcoux (Jennings County, Ind./Jennings County H.S.) doubled and scored in the seventh, but the offense wasn't enough to close the gap.
Freshman outfielder Braxton Ary (Manito, Ill./Midwest Central H.S.) had a pair of hits, including a third-inning double, to pace Eureka's nine-hit attack in game two. Eight different Red Devils hit safely in the loss.
Up next for the Red Devils is a 3:30 p.m. non-conference start versus Knox on Wednesday at Henry Sand Field.


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Silver Light
A white, ductile metallic element, used for making mirrors, coins, ornaments, table utensils, photographic chemicals, conductors, etc. A lustrous grayish white or whitish gray, or the color of the metal. Sounds: clear and soft. Symbol: Ag; atomic weight: 107.870; atomic number: 47; specific gravity: 10.5 at 20 degrees Celsius. A currency standard.
Spiritual metaphors and applications: Favor, Royalty, Redemption, Refining Process, Salvation, Healing, and the Levitical Priesthood.
A sample of Biblical scriptures: Esther 1:6; Psalm 66:10; Isaiah 48:10; Zechariah 3:9; Acts 3:6; Ephesians 1:13-14.
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They were built by the Inuit as guideposts to make the easier & safer for those who follow. It took many hands and the co-operation of the entire group to construct these massive stone structures. Each stone is a separate entity but each supports the one above and the one below it. No single piece is any more or less important then the rest.
Finely crafted pewter Inukshuk pendants are now available from Jasper Moon in three different styles....
|Stylized Inukshuk, with Gem
|Stylized Inukshuk, without Gem
|Primitive Inukshuk
Each pendant is hand-cast & individually finished by a Canadian artisan in Ontario. The photos don't do them justice. I love them all but still can't decide which one is my favourite. Which one do you like best?


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Serious games are booming nowadays. In the recent decade, this type of games has become a serious business and the branch of industry in serious games will continue to grow at a rapid pace in the coming years. According to VentureBeat, the boom in mobile applications and mobile usage further boosts the growth of serious games. Academic research towards this relatively new phenomenon grows at the same rate as well.
Serious gaming is hot
Statistics show that The Netherlands is the frontrunner worldwide in the field of serious games. About fourty-four percent of the 330 companies in the Dutch game industry is exclusively engaged in the development of this type of games. In april of 2014, Minister of Economic Affairs Henk Kamp opened in Amsterdam a hub for companies in the field of serious games. It is the first time that producers, publishers and distributors of serious games in The Netherlands are united under one roof. The idea is to bundle the entire process from the production to the distribution of serious games.
News articles in the press about this event use terms like "leerzame spellen" (Dutch for 'educational games' or 'learning games') to describe the field of serious games. But is that an accurate term? What exactly is a serious game? The most simple definition of the term is that a serious game is designed for a primary purpose other than pure entertainment. In other words, they can be entertaining, but they have other purposes, like marketing or training.
Applied gaming
Serious games are also called applied games, as the games can be applied in a broad range of areas, including military, government, education, business and healthcare. The use of 'education' or 'learning' to refer to the field of serious game is thus strictly speaking incorrect. These different interpretations of the term used in the media do not contribute much to the awareness of the term among gamers.
Research conducted by a member of the Game Accessibility project run by the Accessibility Foundation in Utrecht, The Netherlands, show that the term 'serious game' is not known among gamers with disabilities. All test subjects who participated in the game test sessions as part of the research are people with at least one impairment related to their vision, their hearing, their motor or cognitive skills. Only ten percent of the test subjects has ever heard of the term before and only one of the twenty-nine test subjects is able to explain correctly what it means.
After informing the test subjects of the definition of the game, the researcher asked them to play three serious games that differ in the purposes of the game. The games included in the study are respectively an advergame in the form of a platform game, a health game in the form of a mind game and an edugame in the form of a drag and drop game. At the end of the game test sessions, the majority of the test subjects express they do not know why the game they played is considered a serious game.
Games for therapy
Earlier studies published in American Journal of Preventive Medicine in 2012 focusing on video games used for therapy claim that improvements in different health-related areas can be found, including physical and psychological therapy, the self-management of patients, distraction of discomfort, physical activities and training of clinical skills. Another study by Brown et al. in 2010 noted the potential of serious games as effective and engaging learning resources for people with learning and sensory disabilities.
In conclusion, the sector of serious games is growing rapidly, with the expanding game industry increasingly making more room for these games, but the awareness of the term 'serious games' is low among people with impairments despite the many possibilities serious games may offer to people with temporal or permanent disabilities.


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Love this!
Month: May 2013
One-Upping the One-DownerStandard
Great one!
The other night a friend and I both had a random song in our heads we couldn't quite place. A quick smartphone search later and we learned it was from the musical Legally Blonde. My friend said, "oh that's right I saw that on Broadway!" Without missing a beat I replied, "Cool, I saw it in London." In the moment I thought I was just stating a fact, but I quickly realized I was inadvertently being one of "those people" we all love to hate – the One-Upper.
One-Uppers freely roam the streets these days, ready to pounce on your relatively cool statement with something decidedly more awesome. Your weekend at the pool is no match for the One-Upper's weekend by the ocean. If you've been to Paris, the One-Upper has been there twice. The One-Upper will take your 10K walk and raise you one half marathon. See a…
View original post 329 more words
My Trusty Galaxy Note 2Standard
So I recently decided that although I share alot of other peoples device reviews, I really should begin to share my own. I have the privelage to be able to switch between devices on a pretty regular basis, thanks to my job, and thought I would start to share with you my favorite things about the devices I carry.
So up first is what I currently use on my work line, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. So here we go…
This amazing phablet has a screen of 5.5 inches, while the one of the recently announced Samsung Galaxy S4 is 4.99 inches. One of the biggest differences in the displays is the fact that the one of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 is 720p while that of the Samsung Galaxy S4 is 1080p full HD. However, without equipment it is hard to tell the difference.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 was a big jump in comparison to the previously released Samsung Galaxy S3. The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 has 2GB of RAM plus the 1.6GHz Exynos quad core processor and offers a 3100mAh battery, which will offer around 12 hours of talk time. (Amazing considering the size of the device)
If you want a big screen on your device for services like Netflix and Hulu you truly can't beat the Galaxy Note 2. The screen size alone keeps me coming back to this device for all my entertainment! I love the fact it has a massive screen that I can carry in my pocket versus a tablet I would otherwise have to carry in my bag.!
The Galaxy Note 2 also comes with the S Pen makes it super easy to play with. It is really fun and easy (once you know about them) to explore through the features, although I do recommend downloading "User's Digest: Samsung Galaxy NoteII" from the Playstore. It is a basic, yet very informative guide that takes you through many of the S-Pen features. And there are sooooo many!
Overall this is an amazing device! It's packed full of features, battery life, and capabilities for anyone who is an Android fan or looking for a device meant for productivity!
*Disclaimer: I got to review this device from Verizon Wireless and received the device to use as a demo unit at no cost. Opinions are my own*
How to be Brilliantly Vague: Corporate Jargon Part 2Standard
You will certainly enjoy Part 2! Don't forget to check out Part 1!
I once had a professor who enjoyed incorporating unnecessarily lengthy words in his lectures. At first he sounded brilliant and I hung on his every really long word. Alas, this was a class in accounting rather than rhetoric, so it wasn't long before my classmates and I began to notice that his eloquence was a tactic to cover up the fact that he wasn't really saying anything at all. Thank goodness for grading on a curve.
What I didn't realize at the time, however, was he was unknowingly teaching us how to leverage and decode a time-honored business practice we'd be faced with our entire lives – vagueness.
As you wander the halls of just about any workplace (or classroom), listen closely and you will hear the sounds of brilliantly vague buzzwords and catch phrases leaving the mouths of highly intelligent people – present company included. The I'll-circle-backs, mission-criticals and…
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The World's Top 10 Best Examples of Anamorphic IllusionsStandard
How cool are these….
A Brunch Date at the Vinoy St. Petersburg Florida with Family and my My Blackberry Z10Standard
Check it out!
It began with a bet. The rest, as they say, is history. And what a magnificent history it's been. From the time it opened at the dawn of 1926, to its current incarnation as one of St. Petersburg's most spectacular waterfront resorts, this timeless treasure still impresses with its lofty pedigree, along with an ability to survive decades of neglect, winds of change and painstaking renewal. For 85 years, the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club has been – and always will be – a place to relax, play, indulge, and savor the good life.
Now celebrating its 85th anniversary, the Vinoy continues to expand upon its legacy of comfort and elegance. Just as in years past, guests can enjoy luxurious amenities designed to pamper and restore within stunning surroundings and a chance to experience unique moments for a lifetime of memories.
Read more History of Vinoy® Renaissance®…
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June 2009
Thinking Out Loud
Randy Wolf has a chance to pitch forever. He's still going strong as a reliever, but if he ever chooses to (or has to) go to the bullpen, he'll be a lights-out LOOGY. His numbers against left-handed hitters are almost unbelievable. Heading into Monday's game against the Rockies lefties were just 7-70 against him (.100 BAA). Of those 70 AB's … 34 ended in a strikeout. That's outstanding. In his career he's averaging over 10K's per 9 IP against lefties so this isn't a new thing.
I used to think that batting average was the most hollow of all statistics. I've changed my mind. It's RBI. Runs Batted In is a product of opportunity. For RBI to have relevance, it should be computed as a percentage. What percentage of runners on base does a batter drive in? Then you can compare players who hit in stacked lineups versus players who don't. Players who frequently come to the plate with runners on the base-paths … versus guys with fewer opportunities. There's an old baseball adage, "Don't tell me what you hit … tell me when you hit." This takes that adage and gives it a modern spin.
The best baseball mascot I've ever seen? It no longer exists except in my mind … but back in the late 90's in the independent Western League the Sonoma County Crushers struck gold. The Crushers got their name because of the many wineries in the area (crushing grapes). Well, the mascot also came from local lore as well. It was a yeti. A massive, hairy beast that went by the name of The Abominable Sonoman. The name was a ringing double, but the costume was a home run. This hairy-thing had a spot-on costume complete with purple feet stained from crushing grapes. Perfection.
I love the straight steal. In late-game, looking-for-one-run situations, why give up an out with a sacrifice bunt, if you have an average to above-average runner on first base? Pressure the pitcher and catcher. Make them throw you out on a straight steal. It takes either a smartly-called pitchout, or a close-to-perfect pitch, throw, and tag to get the base runner. In my opinion, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages.
Tampa Bay has figured this out. Joe Maddon is playing chess when everyone else is playing checkers.
I'm a trivia guy. Baseball players generally are not. But there are exceptions. The player with the most interest in baseball trivia that I've met? Albert Belle. No doubt about it.
Looking back at the last thirty years, I think I could make a case that Rickey Henderson influenced the games that he played in more than anyone else. I'm not sure that Rickey H. is respected enough for the career that he had. If you get a chance, take a look at his numbers.
While looking at numbers, take a look at the only "perfect" player in MLB history.
— Eric Collins
Minor League memories…
With Manny Ramirez beginning his minor league stint prepping for his return to the Dodgers, it got me thinking about my time as a minor league broadcaster.
I spent four years in minor league baseball, one in Rochester, NY with the Red Wings of the International League … and three with the Schaumburg Flyers of the independent Northern League.
I got a chance to see a no-hitter thrown, a four-home run game, and a player play all nine positions in a nine inning game. I saw a veteran player hit a homer, round the bases, rip off his shirt and retire at home plate. I saw a manager order that an opposing player be hit by a pitch for three consecutive at-bats because the offending batter had accidentally fouled a ball off the manager's daughter the night before.
I've heard John Fogerty's "Centerfield" quite possibly thousands of time and every version of rain delay music you can think of (Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head, Here Comes the Rain Again, Can You Stand the Rain?, Singing in the Rain, Rain in the Summertime etc …).
I've seen the Zooperstars perform too many times to count … and Myron Noodleman's act TOO MANY TIMES.
I've seen nuns giving massages in the grandstands, pigs delivering balls to the umpires and Ila Borders, the first female pitcher in pro ball, throw back-to-back no-hit innings.
I've been on bus trips from Chicago to Winnipeg where players have boarded without a book, magazine, computer or cellphone and looked out the window for an entire 16-hour trip. Let me tell you, the view doesn't change much on that trip. Cornfields and more cornfields. I've also had some of the best baseball conversations in my life over $8 steaks in Sioux Falls.
And that's what I'll always remember.
My first year with the Schaumburg Flyers was in 1999. The Flyers were an expansion team that year. An expansion team in an unaffiliated independent league. It doesn't get any lower than that in pro ball. The roster is made up exclusively of undrafted college players and players that have been released from the lower levels of big league organizations.
Back then in was 22 players splitting each team's salary-capped $82,000. Meal money was $15 a day. But you had a chance. A chance to play pro ball for the summer and hope against hope that you could catch the eye of a scout working for a team in affiliated ball. Once you got signed … well then you could really dream.
Of those 22 players on the 1999 Schaumburg Flyers, two of them have made the big leagues. Jim Rushford making it to Milwaukee Brewers in 2002. And just last year, Alberto Castillo getting a chance with the Baltimore Orioles. The fact that two guys made it to The Show is astounding.
I've had a lot of good times in the world or baseball. But the moments that make me proudest are the moments I spent in the minors. You've got to earn your way in baseball. That's the way its always been. That's the way it always should be.
— Eric Collins
Hall of Fame Legends Game
When the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association told me about the "Legends Game" that they were putting together in place of the tired out Hall of Fame Game, I was pretty impressed. Hall of Famers like Paul Molitor, Fergie Jenkins and Bob Feller were going to be there — playing in a game. But I have to admit, there was a lot of dead air on my end of the conversation. Why were they telling ME about this game? I started thinking that maybe they needed an announcer. Nope. They wanted me to PLAY too!
We all know that I'm nothing close to being a legend, but they needed a few guys that were young enough to still run around a little.
So there I was, with guys like Steve Finley—who still wants to play and is in good enough shape to pull it off, Mike Pagliarulo, a happy and smiling Jeff Kent—who won the HR hitting competition, and pitchers Anthony Telford and Ron Robinson.
The Spaceman, Bill Lee was there, and Bobby Grich. I got my first major league hit on a ball that glanced off of Grich's glove and into center field in 1985.
Mike Timlin got a lot of cheers from all the Red Sox fans in Cooperstown and former Yankee first baseman Kevin Maas was there.
About 8 thousand people lined the streets for a pregame parade through the town and into Doubleday Field and then jammed themselves into a stadium that only seats 7 thousand.
My personal highlight was playing catch with Brooks Robinson and then playing Shortstop next to him on my team.
I played catch with freaking Brooks Robinson!!
90-year-old Bob Feller threw an inning! He and Bobby Doerr are the oldest living HOFers.
I got three hits in the game—one off of Hall of Famer Phill Neikro. I also drove in the tying run and scored the winning run.
Jim Kaat almost drilled me…twice, and our team came from 4 runs down to win it in the 7th and final inning.
Geoff Hixon, the Director of the MLBPAA told us that they wanted the game to be more interactive and more fun for the fans. They didn't have to tell me twice.
In the first inning I ran out to right field and grabbed a 12-year-old kid with a glove and told him he was coming out to play short with me. He was scared to death but hung right in there.
After giving up a couple runs, with one out and a runner on first, Mike Timlin hit a hot shot to short. My little buddy snagged it, made a perfect feed to Kent at second and then Jeff threw on to first for a double play. The place went nuts!!
I get a little emotional re-living that moment. All I ever wanted to do was extend my 12-year-old days into an entire Major League career, for as long as they'd let me.
Later, the tour of the Hall of Fame was so cool. Now I know why baseball freaks from everywhere make that pilgrimage to Cooperstown.
I got to hold a Babe Ruth bat. It had 28 notches grooved in the bat, around the label to mark the 28 home runs he hit with that bat. One of only two known bats in existence that he notched.
The plaques, and balls and bats—and photos that send you back in time through the history of baseball humbled me.
I even saw my print and photographic file. So yes, I am in the Hall of Fame—along with every other of the nearly 17,000 players all time.
I'm not a Hall of Famer. But with all that happend that day—playing catch with Brooksy, the parade, a few hits, making a kids day and holding Babe's bat…I felt like one.
— Steve Lyons
Deep in the Heart
The say that everything is bigger in Texas … well, maybe not everything. While waiting for the bus after Friday's game, I caught the Rangers Ballpark at Arlington fireworks display. They were ok, but by Dodger Stadium standards it was like kids shooting off bottle rockets. No comparison.
Talked with Andre Ethier and Brent Leach about their former schools heading to the College World Series. Andre is a former Arizona State Sun Devil and Brent played at Southern Miss for two years before finishing up at Delta State. Andre never made it to a CWS while at ASU, losing in the Super Regional round to Cal State Fullerton twice. In 2002 as a sophomore, Andre's teammates included Dustin Pedroia, Ian Kinsler and Jeff Larish…yet they didn't make it to Omaha. Crazy game.
Southern Miss is making it's first trip to the CWS. In case you're ever in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, eat at Leatha's BBQ. World-class barbeque in a shack off the side of the road. World-class. If you call ahead, sometimes they have possum on the menu. I won't go that far, but the beef and pork ribs are some of the best I've ever had.
The current member of the Dodger Family with the best CWS experience? Rick Monday. Rick was an All-CWS pick on Arizona State's 1965 National Championship team. On the ASU freshman team that year? Reggie Jackson. Arizona State won national titles in 1965 and 1967 but Reggie Jackson only played varsity baseball in 1966. That means no rings for Mr. October as a collegian. Crazy game.
Not too many college players are on this year's edition of the Dodgers. Logan White, the Dodgers Assistant GM – Scouting, has made a habit out of taking high-ceilinged high schoolers in the draft in years past. You can't question the strategy. Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, Jonathan Broxton, James Loney, Matt Kemp, Blake DeWitt … all high school players that the Dodgers scouted, drafted and developed in a hurry.
Rangers Ballpark in Arlington doesn't get discussed much when people are talking about some of the best ballparks in the game, but it's got some real plusses. I like the deep green of the seats and the overhang. I like the grassy ramp (don't say grassy knoll here in Dallas) beyond the center field wall. I even like all of the signage on the outfield walls. It reminds me of ballparks of days gone by. But the real treat in the ballpark is the turkey legs. I think it's one of the best concessions in baseball. These things are huge. I've just decided that's my goal for this weekend. I'm going to talk with the camera guys and see if we can find some people eating these things. It's impossible to not feel like King HenryVIII when you're gnawing on these things. There you go … that's my goal.
— Eric Collins
Remembering the draft of 1981…
Back in the good old days of the MLB amateur draft, nobody paid any attention at all.
It wasn't on TV, very few, if any players had agents, and the process was much simpler.
Yesterday, as expected Stephen Strasburg was the #1 overall pick of the Washington Nationals. It was a no-brainer—- 13-1 with an ERA less than 1.50 and he even threw a no-hitter. Oh, and by the way he throws 100MPH routinely.
So this is where I'm supposed to point out how the draft is not an exact science and have numbers and facts about how #1 picks rarely make it to the big leagues. And guys like Bill Russell of the Dodgers was a 42nd round pick and never played high school baseball– but had a great career. Or maybe the most famous Dodger draft story, the great Mike Piazza who was drafted in the 63rd round out of courtesy to his father.
But I'm not going to do it.
I hope Strasburg makes it big. In fact, the number two pick in the draft, Dustin Ackley, is the son of a guy I played with in the minor leagues way back when. I hope he makes it, too.
I have no problem with the kids and the talent level they posess, I have a problem with the agents and the system that's created so much pressure for the teams to sign these guys—and for BIG BUCKS.
Strasburg is represented by Scott Boras (big surprise) and he's not just going to get a big signing bonus and a plane ticket to "A" ball the way it used to be. Oh, no. Boras will be involved in intense negotiations to get Strasburg a package in the area of $15 to $50 Million.
Yes, 50 Million!
Of course that deal will be a long-term contract that will contain bonuses and guaranteed call ups to the big leagues– before he's ready and major salary increases at every level he pitches at etc, etc. But still, $50 Million?
It was always well known that the top players in the draft we're going to get a nice bonus. "Bonus Babies" was the term used for the Nuke Laloosh's of the baseball world. But the money and the pressure on the organizations to sign these guys is incredible. And I always wonder why?
What's Strasburg going to do if Washington says, "no"?
What would any of them do?
It may sound like sour grapes on my part and I promise it's not—but I do have a point of reference. In 1981 I was the Number 1 daft pick by the Boston Red Sox.
I got $55,000.
One day later I was sent to "A" ball in Winston-Salem NC where I began my Pro baseball career.
My salary was $600.00 per month and meal money on the road was 9 bucks.
I played 13 years of professional baseball, 9 in the Major Leagues and felt like the luckiest guy in the world for the entire time.
I made 2.1 Million in my whole career.
50 Million wouldn't have made me a better player or any happier.
— Steve Lyons


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Kelly Gale Amen is the fearless leader, driving force, life essence, and inimitable mover and shaker behind KGA Design.
The Dorian, Oh, it's timeless
Nothing moves there,
the old folks rave.
Just as it's loved.
But doesn't that whole picture
Jump like it shouldn't.
Long cylindrical pillow with 1/2" flange and trim on caps.
8" DIA x 37" W


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Key Sectors | Renewable Energy
Peak Ecology has been working with the renewables industry since the company formed in 2006; initially on smaller wind turbine projects, but with intermediate and larger projects more recently.
Our largest renewables project to date is the terrestrial ecology for the landfall and onshore connections to the Dogger Bank Wind farm in Teesside and East Yorkshire (see case study below).
We have undertaken numerous surveys on wind farm projects including Extended Phase 1 Habitat and NVC level botanical surveys and various protected species surveys including: bats, badger, breeding birds, vantage point surveys, upland wader surveys, woodland point counts, great crested newts, water vole, otter and white-clawed crayfish. We can offer a complete ecological survey package for any size of wind development.
We are involved in other areas of the renewables industry including hydro-schemes and small solar installations. For example we have undertaken numerous surveys in relation to micro-hydro schemes in Scotland and England surveying for aquatic invertebrates, otters and water vole. We also work alongside fisheries consultants and undertake electro-fishing surveys on water courses as well as crayfish and brook lamprey surveys.
We also advise on the location of solar panels on domestic roofs with relation to their potential impact on roosting bats.
Stop Press: Using our network of approved subcontractors we can now offer offshore marine capability with fully qualified/trained surveyors in both boat-and shore-based seabird and marine mammal surveys.
If you are interested in any of our services, don't hesitate to contact us >>
Renewable Energy | Case Studies
Dogger Bank Creyke Beck Onshore Electrical Connection
Peak Ecology has undertaken the ecological surveys for the onshore connections to the Dogger Bank offshore wind farm, which will be potentially the largest of its kind in the world. We have undertaken ecological surveys along a 35km (1km wide) cable corridor from the proposed onshore transmission bay at landfall on the coast to the inland converter stations. This included desk study, extended phase 1, targeted NVC botanical survey, bat, badger, water vole, otter and great crested newt surveys. Surveys results were written up in a series of technical reports and finally an EcIA report. This project involved working very closely with project management and adhering to strict deadlines, budgets and land access protocols.
Post Construction Monitoring Single Turbine Project, Cambridgeshire
Peak Ecology was commissioned to undertake post-construction ornithological monitoring work on a single turbine on farmland in Cambridgeshire. This is an on-going project involving a series of vantage point surveys monitoring bird flight activity, carcass searching and predator scavenging rate monitoring. The carcass searching consists of searching a radius around the turbine using 10m transects with a north-south orientation, scanning 5m either side for bird carcasses that may have been in collision with the turbine blades. A trial plot of the same size was also set up where a number of fresh pheasant carcasses were placed out randomly by the farmer and the surveyor then searched for them using the same method as above. These were marked with canes and left in-situ, and then each carcass was checked periodically for scavenging activity. These results will be used in the final calculations that will take account of these observer-bias and scavenging rates.
Micro-Hydro Scheme, Dumfries & Galloway
We were commissioned to undertake an otter survey for a small hydro-electric scheme proposal on a burn near Moniaive in Dumfries and Galloway. The proposal had two water intake options. The survey was carried out using a standard protocol for otters. Numerous signs of otter were found including two holts, couches, hovers, trails and sprainting sites. The holts were considered to be high status. We recommended one of the options for use, which was far enough away from the holts to minimise any disturbance during construction and operation.


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Stray just beyond the confines of Sweden's brewing capital and you'll find a brewery laying claim to Gothenberg's beery throne; Poppels, why not get a small taste of what these top Swedish brewers can do! - Learn more about Poppels Bryggeri
Swedish brewery Poppels give the tradition of beer brewing a modern twist, keeping the passion alive yet taking advantage of the modern brewing technologies at their disposal. Their master brewer Daniel takes a fondness for home brewing and his perfectionist nature to ensure Poppels beers are as good as they can be. The brewery is co-owned by 15 beer enthusiasts, creating a community of beer lovers in Sweden and beyond. View the Poppels Bryggeri page
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I have another masculine birthday card for you today. This card is for my son who will turn 23 on Saturday.
On to my card. I started with a piece of kraft card stock cut and scored to make a 4 1/4" X 5 1/2" card base. I cut a brown mat at 4 1/8" X 5 3/8", I just wanted a little of the card base to show. I wanted the patterned papers to be the star. The green patterned paper was cut at 4" X 5 1/4". When I saw this herringbone wooden pattern, I thought it would be perfect to serve as an anchor for my mug, to act like a table top. That piece is cut at 2 1/2" X 4".
My mug is from the Silhouette store and was cut at the default size. I adhered all the layers together using my Scotch Quick Dry adhesive. Before adding the foam to the top of the mug, I first added some white liquid applique and then lightly covered that with some clear glitter from my stash. I set it aside to dry. Once it was dry I used my heat tool to heat up the liquid applique which causes it to puff up. I thought it really brought the foam to life. I then added the foam to my mug using some clear foam tape.
I then adhered my mug to my card from also using the clear foam tape. To finish my card I stamped my sentiment using some Memento Morocco ink. I received this particular color while in the Memento Ink Pad club through Cutters Creek.
I bought my son a couple of bottles of beer for his birthday along with a beer stein and then a gift certificate to a local restaurant so he and his girlfriend can go have dinner together. I am hoping to etch his name on the stein if I get a chance. I thought the card went along with the theme of his gifts.
Thanks for visiting today. I would love if you left a comment letting me know what you thought.
Cutters Creek Products Used:
Scotch Quick Dry Adhesive
Liquid Applique
Memento Ink Pad
ASI Kool Tak Foam Pads


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Marriage and Money: Planning Your New Financial Life Together
Key Financial Basics: Questions and Answers
Marriage introduces changes in a new couple's financial situation that affect all aspects of their life together. Everything from personal financial goals to credit card debt will bring new challenges to the relationship. The new partnership means also new ways of managing personal finances, although many couples have questions about what to ask and where to start.
Understanding how to navigate through these changes isn't guaranteed to be easy, but planning ahead can help you build a strong financial foundation for your relationship. Following are five key questions many couples ask, along with answers to shed some light on how you and your partner can best proceed with your own financial plan.
Should We Set Up Joint Checking or Keep the Accounts Separate?
One of the first questions newly married couples should ask centers on their bank accounts. Should you keep separate accounts or put everything into a joint account? Alternatively, should you have a combination of joint and separate accounts? Whatever you decide, this is an important issue to tackle as you begin your married life.
There are some good reasons to consider a combination of both joint and individual accounts. A joint account should be used for family expenses: mortgage or rent, utilities, bills, groceries, and so on. Both of you can add funds to this account so that you each have a share in paying to maintain your household. In addition, each of you should have an individual discretionary account for personal spending or fun money. This arrangement can help simplify things when it comes to bills, yet it also helps keep personal spending in check without requiring you to compromise financial freedom.
When Is the Right Time to Discuss Our Finances?
The key to managing money successfully in marriage is good communication. Many couples find it hard to talk about money, which often leads to problems down the road. You may recall the stress that money can cause when you're single, so imagine how stressful it can be when you're married.
Don't let small problems or assumptions grow into large problems. From the outset, be open with each other and talk about your money concerns. If one of you is bringing substantial debt into the marriage, don't hide it. Be honest and come up with a plan for paying it off. No two people have identical values when it comes to money, so open communication helps to identify what is important to each of you. Then you can make the best decisions about your money as a couple.
How Do We Create Our Budget?
Not only is it important to decide how to allocate your money at the bank, but this is the time to get serious about creating a family budget. Your new spouse may be bringing assets or liabilities into the household, not to mention spending habits that might be completely different from yours. If you're used to budgeting solo, adding to the pieces of your financial puzzle will undoubtedly change the new budget.
Take some time to sit down with your spouse and look at your combined cash flow. What debt payments will you both have? How do your incomes match up? How much can you save? Can you find ways to combine expenses, such as switching to the same wireless phone plan? Are there any expenses that can be eliminated altogether? Answering these questions together will help you develop the most realistic budget for your married life.
How Do We Handle Beneficiaries?
Now that you're married, you'll also need to make important decisions about insurance and estate planning. If both of you work and are covered by a health plan through an employer, take a look at which plan will be the most beneficial. For example, does one plan offer lower premiums or a wider choice of doctors? Does your spouse's plan cover pregnancy or have other benefits that your plan doesn't? Getting married is one of the life events that allow you to change your health insurance election without waiting for the open enrollment period, so use this time wisely.
In addition to health insurance, use this time to discuss life insurance. When you're single and don't have children, there may be little need for life insurance since nobody is depending on your income but you. When you get married, you should discuss what would happen if your spouse was left to support your household alone, and consider whether or not life insurance would be appropriate. A sudden loss of income can be devastating to a family. Even if children still aren't in the picture, life insurance could help with paying for burial expenses or any debts you leave behind, such as student loans or a mortgage.
How Do We Handle Retirement Planning?
Once you have your health and life insurance benefits squared away, you'll also want to take a look at your beneficiaries on existing retirement plans, pensions, IRAs, and any other assets you may have. When you establish beneficiaries on these accounts, you can ensure that your assets are disbursed properly when you die.
Don't forget to take advantage of the many different retirement accounts that are available to help your tax situation. That includes an employer's 401(k) or a similar tax-advantaged plan, as well as traditional and Roth individual retirement accounts. With two incomes, it can be a great time to begin saving for retirement and save money on taxes at the same time.


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The aim of this literature review is to describe how eating disorders among adolescents affect family relationships and the family's daily living conditions and to describe the family's experienced need for professional support.
An integrative literature review based on the method of Whittemore and Knafl (2005). 15 articles with both qualitative and quantitative approaches were reviewed.
The results are presented in two main themes: A disharmonic family and The need for input from healthcare professionals. The results are discussed using Callista Roy's adaptation model and the adaptive modes; Group Identity Mode, Role Function and Interdependence.
This review article will be of interest to clinical nurses and other professionals who encounter families to clarify how the relationships and roles change within the family. To our knowledge, no integrative review has paid attention to how the relational aspects of the family members, their social roles and role constructions within the family affect daily living.


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Vitis Group was established in 2005. We have started as an Internet wine, spirits and wine accessories shop – wine.ua. Nowadays, this is the most well-known alcohol-selling online shop in Ukraine with the range of more than 2000 items from all the major Ukrainian wine and spirits importers.
Our hallmark is an unwavering commitment to quality - the quality of wine, the quality of service, the quality of communication.
Our aim is to be at the forefront of the Ukrainian market using the most effective modern techniques for business-development while maintaining the traditions, philosophy and soul of presented wines and spirits.


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Frommer Watch: Down With Corrupt User-Generated Travel Sites
In our latest (and first) installment of Frommer Watch™, Arthur Frommer is throwing the gauntlet down on user-generated travel review sites. Citing his own ill-advised foray into user-generated advice during the pre-internet days of yore, Frommer recounts how his own guides once contained a "Readers' Selections" section. That was, until he began to realize that his supposedly authentic tips and advice from ordinary travelers turned out to be, more often than not, coming from less than honest moles working on behalf of manipulative restaurants and hotels.
Nowadays, with the proliferation of user-generated travel sites all over the web (the most prolific newcomer being the Kayak.com spinoff, TravelPost.com), Arthur wonders whether theses sites "are being manipulated or, in some cases, operated with less than professional standards." He finishes by concluding that it's inevitable that these sites will fall prey to such manipulation and that the problem is basically "insurmountable."
I am personally shocked — shocked! — that there is manipulation going on at these sites. I just spent the last, oh 20 seconds or so contemplating this very dilemma and I'm ready to share my own opinions on this debate (for a more thought-out and actual debate, check out the lively comment section below the above-linked article, with Pauline Frommer herself weighing in on her father's side).
I tend to be suspect of anything that seems to capture the adoration and hearts of the general public (see American Idol, the American version of The Office, Titanic, the Snuggle, and 401K Retirement Plans) but at the same time, I'm just as suspect of so-called expert advice (see Gene Shalit, CNBC, and the Catholic Church). That being said, there are a few, trusted individuals who I either know personally, or have followed their advice long enough to know that they can be trusted, whether that advice concerns a certain band, movie, restaurant, travel locale, etc . . .
I guess what I'm saying is this: I think you should follow those guides that you trust based on past experience, whether they be a giant book publisher, or some guy on TripAdvisor from Kalamazoo that really knows his hotels in Playa del Carmen, and avoid those dubious raves from strangers and the herding masses.
Of course, the philosophy that I actually follow in my own life is to not listen to anyone, strike out with abandonment, make both giant mistakes as well as amazing discoveries, but ultimately find out via my own experiences (bad or good). You know, so I can then give advice to everyone else.


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1. Install HTC Sync Manager
(Required because it packs in the drivers essential for PC to recognize the device)
2. Unlock your phone's bootloader
Follow the steps listed here : http://www.htcdev.com/bootloader
You need to select device model as "HTC One"(Don't worry, it all follows almost same steps)
3. Download and Install a custom recovery!
> Download your recovery exe file(I recommend it so that it doesn't causes any troubles for newbies) from here.
> Boot you phone into fastboot and run the exe file, it will install the recovery(CWM 22.214.171.124 as of the date of writing).
> Boot into recovery by selecting HBOOT(Select using Power button and scroll via volume keys)
4. Download and flash SuperSU!
> Download the latest SuperSU zip file from here!
> Place it in the root of your sd card(Internal or External, your choice)
> Boot into recovery and select "Install Zip from SD Card".
> Select where you kept the flashable zip(Internal/External storage)
> Select the file when it shows all your files and then select "Yes" to let it flash.
> After flashing completes, reboot!
> Use the wp_mod.ko module from here!
> ?
> Profit! You finally have a rooted HTC Desire 816! Yay!
Credits -
@kinghunki for the initial recovery images.


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V Grooved Plywood Panelling
Revolution Wood Panels supplies a wall lining that is a high quality interior panel designed to give a traditional tongue and groove timber lining look. It is suitable for a range of applications including internal lining, ceiling lining, feature walls, back lining to exposed rafters, commercial interiors, soffits & furniture with a traditional planked effect similar to V Jointed boards.
2400 x 1200, 2700x1200mm
For more information you can download a document below


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Attendance is critical to our success, so students are expected to attend all rehearsals. All choir members are also required to participate in performances. For additional information and important dates, please view the 2019-20 Choir Registration document.
There is a $30.00 recommended donation to participate in choir, which covers the costs of rehearsals, music and t-shirts for choir members. Fees should be paid using the online system RevTrak. The fee is under Field Trip and School Activities and is called "Choir Fee". For scholarships, please contact Patty Miguelez at email@example.com.


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I absolutely loved Dragon Ball Xenoverse. Dragon Ball Z games were lacking in originality for so many years, and then Xenoverse came along last year and gave Dragon Ball Z fans what they really wanted, to create their own warrior and fight alongside their favourite Dragon Ball Z characters.
It didn't stop there either, because the game also allowed you to connect with other players and run missions together like a true band of Z warriors.
The game was a success and it was treasured by many Dragon Ball Z fans alike, so it was only a matter of time before Bandai Namco hit us with Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2.
Watch the first official trailer above and let us know your thoughts. So far it seems pretty similar to the first game, but more news is due to drop at E3. Let's all hope there's a ton of new features. One thing I'm hoping for is transformations for other races, because last time transformations were limited to the Saiyan race.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 is due to release sometime in 2016 and will hit the PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.


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The Heart of Yoga
Talks on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
The practice of Yoga is now being widely embraced by the West in an endless range of evolving formats, particularly with added movement components. It is therefore very timely that Osho with his razor-sharp insight, respect, and compassion for the individual, brings a wider understanding of the potential benefits of Yoga for contemporary people in these talks on The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Patanjali lived around 400BC and although Yoga was already in existence, he was able through his unique combination of logician, poet, and mystic, to present Yoga in a way that could be of help to all. And that continues to be true today.
Osho describes Patanjali as a mathematician of the ultimate poetry; a mystic with a scientific mind, who analyzes and dissects as if in a lab, but his lab is one of the inner being. Patanjali has searched deeply into human energy and devised many techniques; he has found that in order to meditate, the body, mind, and being need to be healthy. His discovery that the body energy becomes whole with the chanting of om, the basic sound of existence, and his findings of the deep connection between breathing and thinking have been of great importance to generations of meditators.
#1: The Meaning of Samadhi
#2: Simplicity Never Appeals to the Ego
#3: With Both Effort or Surrender, Totality Is Needed
#4: Patanjali Is a Great Persuader
#5: The Distinction between Need and Desire
#6: Osho: The Beginning of a Tradition, Not the End
#7: With the Chanting of Om, All Obstacles Disappear
#8: Death Is an Alchemy
#9: How to Become More Beautiful and Happy
#10: It's Difficult to Be Attracted to a Buddha


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In this video I'm going to show you how you can customize Insightly CRM to make it really easy to prospect.
Insightly is one of the easiest CRM's to use on the market and the best thing about it is really easy to set-up and import contacts.
As far as importing contacts into Insightly CRM goes, it's dead simple. Just set up the CSV file column names to match the fields in Insightly and importing is 2-clicks and done.
The best part about importing into Insightly CRM is even though you can create different .csv files for Contacts and Organizations, you don't have to. You can just import Contacts and it will make the Organizations auto-magically. Think that's not a big deal? Think again! It becomes a huge pain in the ass when you have to do each separately and then associate them afterwords.
The other thing about customizing Insightly CRM is the ability to add activity sets, pipelines, milestones, tags, and more to not only track the status of Contacts, Opportunities, and Projects, but also to create business systems and processes. If you have read any of Michael Gerber's books, like "The E-Myth" then you know what I'm talking about.
And while Gerber never clearly explained what he was talking about in his books, Insightly CRM gives you the ability to create business systems easily and get them to work in your business — intuitively.
That's huge!
While you may not realize it now, soon you will because the Fortune 500 are struggling and spending millions of dollars to organize their systems; you can do it for your small business in a day on a free Insightly CRM account.
Isn't life great?!?
Here's some resources for this video:
Here are the Contact Tags I recommend for Prospecting:
Here is a template .csv you can use to import contacts (and their associated organizations along with them) into Insightly CRM:


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Every now and then it's important to get back to basics and ask a question which seems obvious, because sometimes those questions have hidden depths. The question "What Is Product Data?" is one of those I recently asked myself, and it led me down a mini-rabbit hole. The basic definition of a product is: "A […]
Industry Specific
How Can Anyone Possibly Compete with Amazon?
Amazon is a retail giant. But that doesn't mean you can't do what they do. Here's how.
Ecommerce: Why You Need Web Data to Create Truly Competitive Pricing
Web data is an absolute necessity for retailers looking to stay ahead of the competition. Here's why…
3 Ways Retailers Can Use Web Scraping to Improve Conversions
Most major retailers use web scraping to improve conversions, but you don't have to be Amazon to take advantage. Here's what to know.
3 Ways Web Data Can Help You Beat Your Competition
Here are three great examples of practical uses for web data in your industry.


text: Shakespeare offers ProVia Doors – the top name in replacement front entry doors. The front door is the focal point of a home and is a reflection of you and your specific personality and style. And it is the first impression of your visitors and those passing by. If your front door feels tired, faded, or is just out of style, replacing it can have one of the biggest impacts on the curb appeal of … [Read more...]


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[JURIST] Leading Friday's international brief, Turkish President Ahmet Necdet Sezer [official profile] Friday vetoed a part of the new penal code {JURIST report] approved by the Turkish Parliament [government website in Turkish] that would have lowered the penalty for anyone caught teaching the Koran outside of approved religious educational institutions. Under old Turkish law, schools and religious educational organizations wishing to teach the Koran must demonstrate that they do not promote "dangerous, fundamentalist" principles in their teachings and that they do not call for the abolition of the Turkish secular state. Anyone caught violating these provisions faces three to six years imprisonment. The new law would have lowered the penalty to three to twelve months. Sezer said that the law would promote illegal hardline schools calling for the creation of an Islamic Turkish government. Parliament can override Sezer's veto by approving the legislation a second time, but Sezer can still challenge the bill in the Turkish Constitutional Court [judicial website in Turkish]. JURIST's Paper Chase has continuing coverage of Turkey. Islam Online has more.
In other international legal news ...
- Reports out of Burundi [government website in French] say that scattered violence has marred the opening of polls in the African nation as it attempts to hold the first of four national polls [JURIST report] that will ultimately lead to a new independent government. State-owned Radio Burundi said that violence had been reported in the Bubuanza and Bujumbura Rural provinces, and listed nearly 14 polling stations in another province that had yet to be opened. The report also put initial turnout estimates in excess of three million, on track to be one of the highest election turnouts in Burundi history. The UN Mission in Burundi [official website] has deployed both peacekeepers and election observers to monitor the voting process. IRIN News has more.
- Swaziland [government website], the southern African nation known for its beautiful landscapes and scenery, announced on Friday that it has taken steps to ensure that it maintains those traits by recreating the Swaziland Environmental Authority and expanding its power. Swaziland Minister of Environment and Tourism Thandi Shongwe said the that SEA would move from its past history of merely setting enviornmental policy to a more proactive management function. The agency now has the power to bring legal actions against corporations it believes to be violating Swazilands tough environmental protection laws. IRIN has more.
- In addition to training special forces soldiers of the Royal Nepalese Army, visiting US military officials will also be conducting a week-long class in international humanitarian law [International Red Cross backgrounder]. The class, which US officials said is ready to begin as early as Monday and is merely waiting approval from Nepalese military officials, will be conducted by the US Defense Institute of International Legal Studies [official website] and will focus on introducing RNA commanders and officers to the basic provisions of international humanitarian law and will use case studies of situations involving crimes against humanity and war crimes to train the officers in how to respond to these situations. The course is designed to train officers about their obligations and abilities under the international law of armed conflict. JURIST's Paper Chase has continuing coverage of Nepal [JURIST news archive]. The Himalayan Times has local coverage.


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For over thirty years Prime West has been providing award-winning commercial real estate development, management, and investment to Colorado's Front Range. Prime West is a relationship based company that prides itself in the satisfaction of its employees, clients, building owners and tenants.
Prime West Development provides personalized, high-quality development services for all your commercial real estate needs. We have developed over 5 million square feet, with a diverse portfolio ranging from state of the art medical buildings to built-to-suit office campuses.Learn More
Through the application of local market knowledge, understanding of current construction costs and valuable lender relationships, Prime West is able to quickly identify and capitalize on investment opportunities. These same qualities also can help quickly identify the best financial structure for your project.Learn More
Prime West Real Estate Services currently manages approximately 2 million square feet of commercial real estate, ranging from office to retail to medical buildings. Our team of experienced property managers and building engineers provides prompt, personalized services to maximize value for our owners and create the best experience for tenants.Learn More


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Get a first look at new arrivals, promotions and in-store events.
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(We promise not to share your information with anyone else)
Five dainty hearts dangle from this delicate chain, each one sparkling with a hand-set Swarovski crystal.


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Subtotal: $0.00
By Todd Wilbur
The basic recipe of 2 parts mayonnaise to 1 part ketchup has been around for years in many parts of the world, served as a condiment with French fries and other fried tidbits. It's commonly called "fry sauce," but Heinz chefs added a few more ingredients to their version of the sauce, making it more sweet-and-sour than the common two-ingredient formula, and then they gave it a new name. Heinz debuted Mayochup in September of 2018 following a social media campaign that teased the heck out of it.
Now you can make your own mimicked Mayochup in a matter of minutes with these 5 common ingredients, a bowl, and a whisk. Use it on burgers, sandwiches or as a dip for French fries and other fried foods.


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about us.
MMAGOLD is a Mixed Martial Arts Professional Fight Team based in El Dorado Hills, CA – Located 30 miles East of Sacramento at the "Urban Sprawl Fitness" Gym. (1117 Winfield Way, El Dorado Hills, CA 95762) We are a full service fighter training facility devoted to the fighter in the sport of MMA, treating each and every fighter like an individual business.
Our core values are simple; we believe in training and representing MMA Fighters who are skilled, appreciative of assistance and have a strong mental and physical presence as a cage fighter.


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You have to have one of these in your box!
Built with weight for awesome casting, you can peg your Rapala Long Cast Shallow Stick bait lures at a whole host of pelagic species for some insane top water action. This is a new lure from Rapala and is designed primarily for the shore based angler, particularly the rock hopper, to cast from the rock face in pursuit of Tuna, Mackerel, Bonnies, Tailor and Salmon that hunt the wash to feed on the numerous species of bait fish. They're also perfect for the boat angler looking to battle such species outside the heads in the blue water.
The action is superb. You can rip it a speed while adding a long sweeping action with your rod that will see your Rapala Long Cast Shallow Stick bait lure dart like a fleeing, panicking bait fish swimming for its life. Designed to sink, the Long cast Shallow has a brilliant fluttering action while descending that will see it struck hard without putting any work on it at all. Built tough to handle the likes of monster Tuna, your Long Cast Shallow is rigged with super sharp, super strong twin assist hooks that will prove deadly come strike time.
The Rapala Long Cast Shallow Stickbait lures are your sure path to some huge action on the top water. Your casting capacity will see you reach fish action that might otherwise prove out of reach. These will be great for casting into schools of Tailor and Salmon from the beach when they're parked out wide in the last line of breakers. These guys are not for the faint hearted. Expect hard core action and serious sport fishing. Grab a selection of Rapala Long Cast Shallow Stick bait fishing lures if your budget allows and create some surface driven bedlam.
120mm - 36g
140mm - 53g