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What's the Deal With AI Connectors
Posted: 2017-07-25
Author: Krishna Kallakuri
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing our lives, and these days feels more omnipresent than ever before. From Siri to autonomous cars, AI is progressing at a rapid pace. Moving beyond its sci-fi-movie robot image, AI has become embedded in our daily lives, as we use Google search algorithms, book a quick ride with Uber, and manage our smart homes.
On the business side, AI has immense potential to catapult enterprises to a whole new level, where machines will augment human intelligence for complex decision making. I believe it won't be long before we start leveraging AI engines on a daily basis to conduct routine business. This flavor of AI for the enterprise can be referred to as an 'intelligent systems' approach. The future of enterprise decision-making systems is here, with embedded AI being the core transformational force.
Having said that, quite a few companies these days boast about their AI capabilities, though all they have is an AI connector to devices like Alexa and Google Home, with the intention to equip their antiquated application suites with a natural language.
To the uninitiated, this may cause some initial excitement, but leads to profound confusion about the use and scope of AI in the enterprise, and the role of the so-called AI connectors. To those well-versed in the domain of AI and enterprise software, the superficial addition of AI connectors feels like putting lipstick on a pig. This, however, does not stop enterprise software vendors from beating their chests about developing AI connectors to outdated Business Intelligence platforms, attempting to give those platforms a fresh breath of air. To me, it seems like a cruel joke on customers, as they are being set up for huge disappointments.
We must ask then, given the enterprise context, what is the 'real value' of an AI connector, and what does it stand for?
Let's use the analogy of walking into a dealership to buy a car. The dealer enthusiastically describes the great features of the car, but then hands over all the parts to you to figure out and assemble yourself.
If, in our analogy, we gamely attempt to assemble the car, at least we might expect an AI connector to be analogous to the engine of the car; but sadly, these AI connectors may not even compare to a smart windshield wiper. This is exactly what what you get buying AI connectors for an enterprise: lots of headache, minimal value.
Now, let's imagine an enterprise, and assume that we have connected a Business Intelligence System with one of these AI connectors. What is the value you would expect from such a connection? To my mind, it will be the same old demonstration of KPIs and standard metrics, without any context or reasoning. Would you really call this AI? At best, I would call it 'rehabilitated Business Intelligence.'
So what is the real definition of Artificial Intelligence for
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) system should exhibit human-like intelligence and behavior, self-learning ability, and automation of business processes while augmenting human decision making. One of the key characteristics of an AI system is the ability to converse in a natural language, to comprehend conversation and interact with intelligent responses.
Dive in a bit, and you will realize that most of these companies are putting Alexa and Google Home as their front-end, calling it AI just because they can talk! These human-like interface devices are just empty shells, and they need a robust AI engine working behind the scenes for these devices to exhibit the true behavior of AI.
Let's get into the real nut and bolts to understand what it takes to build an AI engine. Below is a picture that will illustrate high-level steps involved in building a true Enterprise Class Artificial Intelligence-Based Conversational Engine that can demonstrate
real business value.
Life cycle for an Artificial Intelligence-Based Conversational
This should give a fair understanding of the high-level steps to build an artificial intelligence application, involving neural networks, semantics, NLP, domain ontologies, etc.
That said, we are rapidly replacing the traditional era of programmatic computing with a new age of 'Cognitive Computing.' This is made possible through innovations around natural language programming and neural networks. In a nutshell, it means that we don't need to be explicitly coding everything to accomplish a certain task, and are marching towards systems that can learn and augment human intelligence.
AI is the new UI—experience above all. Artificial intelligence is coming of age, tackling problems both big and small, by making interactions simple and smart. AI is about to become a new user interface and change the way we transact and interact with our systems. It's much deeper and more revolutionary than the superficial addition of AI connectors.
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This week I am attending a seminar at Dagstuhl on Measuring the Complexity of Computational Content: Weihrauch Reducibility and Reverse Analysis. This post has slides from my talk and some blog-only remarks to expand on them.
As the title suggests, the main topics of the seminar are Reverse Mathematics and Weihrauch Reducibility. The collection of other participants is exceptional for the topic, with people from many areas of Classical and Constructive Reverse Mathematics and Weihrauch Reducibility, and it has been a very informative and productive meeting for me so far.
My talk was generally on the paper "On the existence of a connected component of a graph", with Kirill Gura and Jeff Hirst, which appeared in Computability this year. A preprint is available on the arXiv. The slides are posted here on my blog.
The main question I wanted to emphasize in my talk was the (uncertain) relationship between Reverse Mathematics and Weihrauch Reducibility in the context of the amount of induction needed for a particular problem.
General background
Experts can skip this section.
In Reverse Mathematics, we formalize theorems in second-order arithmetic, and we see which axioms are required to prove the theorems over a weak axiom system. One part of this is to verify that the theorem is provable in the system in which it is supposed to be provable, which is not always obvious. The base system we use, called $\mathsf{RCA}_0$, corresponds roughly to computable mathematics. In the paper we also use a stronger subsystem $\mathsf{ACA}_0$ and an induction scheme $\text{I-}\Sigma^0_1$ that is not provable in $\mathsf{RCA}_0$.
The context of Weihrauch reducibility, we study problems, which are generally statements of the form "for each $X$ there is a $Y$ such that …". These statements are known to be true; the "problem" is to produce a $Y$ for a given $X$, using a uniform computable procedure for all appropriate $X$. The input $X$ is called an instance of the problem, and the output $Y$ is a corresponding solution. A single instance may have multiple solutions, but the problem is only to produce one. Of course, if some instances of the problem have no computable solutions, then it cannot be solved computably, but we can get around that by reducing the problem to some even-more uncomputable problem.
The rigorous general definition of the appropriate notion of reducibility dates back to work of Klaus Weihrauch in the early 1990s. For problems related to principles from Reverse Mathematics, the definition is simpler. For our present purposes, a problem is just an arithmetical relation $\Theta(X,Y)$ on $\mathbb{N}^\mathbb{N} \times \mathbb{N}^\mathbb{N}$. In many cases, we know that $(\forall X)(\exists Y)\Theta(X,Y)$, but the domain of $\Theta$ does not have to be all of $\mathbb{N}^\mathbb{N}$. We say that a problem $\Theta(X,Y)$ is strong Weihrauch reducible to another problem $\Xi(X,Y)$, written $\Theta \leq_{sW} \Xi$, if there are computable functionals $F$ and $G$ such that, for all $X$, if $X$ is in the domain of $\Phi$ then $F(X)$ is in the domain of $\Xi$, and such that for any $Y$ such that $\Xi(F(X), Y)$, we also have $\Theta(X, G(Y))$. So the pair $(F,G)$ sort-of conjugates the problem $\Xi$ into the problem $\Theta$, although $F$ and $G$ need not be inverses. Two problems are strong Weihrauch equivalent if each can be reduced to the other; this induces the equivalence classes called strong Weihrauch degrees. There are many other closely related reducibility notions that are being actively studied, but I only need strong Weihrauch reducibility for this post.
A particular Weihrauch problem that does not arise in Reverse Mathematics is "closed choice for $\mathbb{N}$", denoted $C_\mathbb{N}$. By definition, $C_N(p, n)$ holds if $p$ is a non-surjective function from $\mathbb{N}$ to $\mathbb{N}$ and $n(0)$ is a natural number not in the range of $p$. So the "problem" is to find such a number given $p$. Of course each $p$ in the domain has such an $n$, but we are asking for a uniform ability to find $n$ given $p$, which is a nontrivial request. So $C_\mathbb{N}$ has a nontrivial Weihrauch degree. The name comes from the idea that the range of $p$ is $\Sigma^{0,p}_1$, and is thus "open" in some sense, and we want an element of its complement.
Two examples
Here are two examples of relationships between Reverse Mathematics and Weihrauch degrees from my talk.
The first is from my paper with Gura and Hirst. We showed that the following statement is strongly Weihrauch equivalent to $C_\mathbb{N}$:
GC: Given $k \in \mathbb{N}$ and a countable graph with exactly $k$ connected components, compute the characteristic function of any one component. In other words, $\text{GC}(X,Y)$ holds if $\lambda n . X(n+1)$ is (the incidence function for) a countable graph with $k = X(0)$ connected components and $Y$ is the characteristic function of some component of the same graph.
We also showed in the paper that $\mathsf{RCA}_0$ is not strong enough to verify that, for all $k$, every instance of every GC has a solution, when the claim "has exactly $k$ connected components" is expressed as "among every set of $k+1$ vertices, at least two are connected by a path in the graph". With this formalization, $\text{I-}\Sigma^0_2$ is necessary and sufficient that every instance of the problem has a solution. This might suggest that $C_\mathbb{N}$ is somehow related to $\text{I-}\Sigma^0_2$.
The second example comes from an older result of Hirst. Consider the Weihrauch problem
WPHP: Given $k \in \mathbb{N}$ and a sequence of sets $(A_0, \ldots, A_k)$, produce an upper bound for $\bigcup_{i \leq k} A_i$.
This is a weak form of the infinite pigeonhole principle. It is not difficult to show that WPHP is also strong Weihrauch equivalent to $C_\mathbb{N}$.
In the context of Reverse Mathematics, however, a well known theorem of Hirst shows that the induction principle $\text{B-}\Sigma^0_2$ is necessary and sufficient to verify that every instance of WPHP has a solution. Crucially for my purposes here, $\text{B-}\Sigma^0_2$ is strictly weaker than $\text{I-}\Sigma^0_1$.
Discussion of the examples
The examples show a phenomenon that was already known to occur: principles which are equivalent in Weihrauch degree may have different Reverse Mathematics strength. The converse can also occur. What is interesting to me is that the principles GC and WPHP differ only in the induction required to verify them. In general, Weihrauch reducibility has difficulty detecting issues like this, because from the Weihrauch perspective we only need to construct a solution when one already exists for a given instance of a problem. We don't have to verify that a solution actually does exist.
This leads to the question:
Is there some variation of Weihrauch reducibility which is able to detect differences of induction?
Ideally, this might lead to a hierarchy of degrees, of some sort, which corresponds to the classical hierarchy of induction principles including $\text{I-}\Sigma^0_n$ and $\text{B-}\Sigma^0_n$ for all $n \in \mathbb{N}$. At the moment, it is completely unclear what the reducibility would look like. I had initially thought about looking at primitive recursive reductions instead of computable ones, but this turns out to make no difference, because the sort of reductions we are looking at in the examples can be taken to be primitive recursive already.
The issue of this possible link between Reverse Mathematics and Weihrauch Reducibility leads to a deeper and more philosophical question in foundations of mathematics. Suppose for the sake of argument that there is some order, some deeper organization, that underlies mathematical theorems. We know that this organization is reflected only partially in each of the various foundational programs (Set Theory, Reverse Mathematics, Weihrauch Reducibility, Constructive Reverse Mathematics, etc.) Is it possible, in principle, that these programs can converge in some way, so that their results can be seen as special cases of more general results, which better illuminate the underlying organization? That might appear to be the ideal outcome. Or are the various programs doomed to always show only separate aspects, never fully capturing the underlying organization?

subset: commoncrawl


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Financing Your Paradise Pool and Spa
Pools, spas, water features and enhancements that improve your outdoor living space add beauty, fun and value to your home. And getting financing in place early on in the process so you can make these home improvements is wise. There are several ways to finance your backyard paradise. Home equity loans are popular because they are tax deductible. Other options include refinancing and taking a personal load against a retirement plan.
Paradise Pools and Spas has a relationship with several financial institutions that can give you guidance and help you finance your backyard dream.
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The sweetheart neckline has spiraling beading coils over the fitted bodice for a luminous effect. The mermaid skirt comes alive with tiers of ruffles in sheer and solid fabric. A defined trim adds texture to the full-length skirt. Center zipper back with sweep train.
Colors Available: Merlot, Navy
Interested in this dress?
Give us a call and we'll order it for you.1 (516) 541-0678


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Japan's fifth largest car maker, Mazda Motor Corporation is planning to launch its small cars in India. According to Zigwheels, Takashi Yamanouchi, President and CEO, Mazda Motor Corporation said, "We have a bouquet of compact cars like the Mazda – 2 and sedans that are suited for the bulk of Indian customers who prefer small and fuel efficient vehicles."
He added that Mazda is yet to finalize its strategy on whether they will have a joint venture or a fully owned subsidiary. He mentioned that the strategy will depend on the kind of Mazda cars that are feasible for the Indian market.
Mazda internationally sells the Mazda2, Mazda3 and Mazda6 in the small cars segment. The company sells the Mazda5, Tribute, CX-7 and CX-9 in the SUV/Crossover segment while MX-5 Miata, RX-8 and MazdaSpeed3 are models in its sports cars segment.
The third-generation Mazda2 is being sold in US markets since 2007 at$14, 180 (approx Rs. 6.29 lakh), in India the cost is expected to be higher. Mazda2 shares its platform with the Ford Fiesta hatchback (US specific model) and measures 3,899 mm in length, 1,699 mm in width and 1,478 mm in height. The wheelbase of the 930 kg, Mazda2 is 2,489 mm and it has a ground clearance of 150 mm.
In the U.S. market, Mazda offers the Mazda2 with three engine options that produce power ranging from 75 hp to 105 hp. The Mazda2's 1.3 litre engine is a 1,349 cc, 4-cylinder petrol motor that produces 75 hp of maximum power at 6,000 rpm and 121 Nm of maximum torque at 3,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a 5-speed transmission.
It accelerates from 0 – 100 km/hr in 14 seconds and its top speed is touted to be 168 km/hr. Mazda2 returns a mileage of 18.5 km/litre in a combined cycle that includes city and highway driving. On the safety front, Mazda2 is equipped with front airbags, ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution).
If launched in India, it will compete with the Maruti Swift, Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai i20, Nissan Micra, Fiat Punto and Tata Indica Vista.
Mazda was started in 1920 and was initially named as Toyo Cork Kogyo Company. The first Mazda car, named Mazda-Go, launched in 1931, was a 3-wheeled truck. In 1958, Mazda produced a 4-wheeled truck, dubbed the Mazda Romper. Passenger cars emerged from the factory during the 1960s. From 1973, Mazda forayed into North American car market and sold its Familia series, the Capella, RX7 and RX8 models.
In 1979, the Ford Motor Company acquired 27% stake in Mazda and in 1997, Ford acquired 39.9% of the company's shares. Ford and Mazda share engine, design and vehicle platforms too. Some of the Ford models such as the Escape and Focus were based on Mazda's models Tribute and Axela respectively.
Mazda had been a small player in India and Swaraj Mazda formed in 1983 by a joint venture between three firms, Punjab Tractors, Mazda Motor Corporation, Japan and Sumitomo Corporation, Japan is its only widely visible venture in India. Swaraj Mazda is now known as Swaraj Isuzu Limited and sells a wide range of passenger vans, trucks and buses. The company has more than 1.45 lakh vehicles running on Indian roads.
It would be interesting to see if Mazda joins hands with Ford India, which is currently the fourth largest car maker in the country.
Want to see your photo feature about that exciting road trip published on Cartoq? Share your details here


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Mathematisches Institut, Fakultät für Mathematik und Informatik, Friedrich-Schiller-Universität, Leutragraben 1, 07743 Jena, Germany firstname.lastname@example.com
Abstract: We study weighted function spaces of Sobolev type $H^s_p(w(x))$ (or, more generally, of type $B^s_{p,q}(w(x))$ or $F^s_{p,q}(w(x))$) where the weight function is of at most polynomial growth. In particular, we investigate continuity and compactness of embedding operators between function spaces of such type. The concept of entropy numbers (as well as of approximation numbers) has turned out to be very effective in ``measuring'' compactness. Specifying the weight function to $w(x)=(1+|x|^2)^{\alpha/2}$ one may characterize the compactness of that embedding by means of its entropy numbers $e_k$. In particular, it turns out that $$ e_k \sim k^{-\mu}\qquad\text{or}\qquad e_k \sim k^{-\nu}\,(1+\log k)^\gamma, $$ resp., where the positive exponents $\mu$, $\nu$ and $\gamma$ depend upon the underlying spaces and the weight function. Afterwards one can apply these results using Carl's inequality to estimate the distribution of eigenvalues of compact operators acting in spaces of the above type, $$ B=b_2(x)\,b(x,D)\,b_1(x), $$ where $b_1$ and $b_2$ typically belong to some weighted $L_p$ or $H^s_p$ spaces and $b(x,D)$ is in the Hörmander class $\Psi^{-\kappa}_{1,\gamma},\;\kappa>0,\; 0\leq\gamma\leq 1$. Moreover, there are also applications to the theory of ``negative'' spectra of related symmetric operators in $L_2$.
Full text of the article:


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It's been a while! How ironic that my last post was about motivation yet it's taken me a month to get my arse in gear and write again. Since my last post a lot has changed in my life which has culminated in feelings which I'll be talking about, summed up by the title above.
At the end of May I left my job with the promise of a new career which has yet to materialise. As such I have been in the world of unemployment again for the first time in 10 years. Initially I thought I could do with the break! But I'm a creature of habit that thrives on routine and structure, so once this was removed from my life I quickly became bored and my mood took a dive. My self-esteem was the first to take the hit followed by motivation and then contentment. I found myself making promises of "well when you're back in work you'll be fine again." But why? Then it dawned on me and I felt like the wool had been pulled from over my eyes. I had a mini epiphany, I'd finally woke up to reality and it was a bit shit.
Why do I need to go to work to feel happy and fulfilled?
Now, bear with me because I'm aware that what I'm about to delve in to sounds a bit mental…
I'd like to be able to be happy without having the distraction of employment. Going to work/having a job is a human construct. At first I thought this is capitalist bullshit but it actually serves 2 purposes; to provide an individual with an income and secondly so the government can take a bit of it and provide services to society. This in itself is a funny concept to me. I have no choice but to attend a specified place for 2/3rds of my adult life to carry out tasks that if autonomy was true, I would not be doing. I have to do this to be given bits of paper at the end of every month that I can exchange for a roof over my head and sustenance to keep me alive. Some of the bits of paper and metal I'm given in exchange for completing said tasks are taken from me by other individuals who have been chosen to be the 'bosses' of the piece of land I've settled on. These bosses decide what to do with the paper and I have to trust that they are choosing wisely in what to do with it in order to provide for everyone on the island. Imagine trying to explain that to an alien, it's like animal farm, it's weird. But it's what we accept as our normal.
It got me angry. We have a finite amount of time on this planet and we are forced to spend a large proportion of it being cogs in a much larger machine. Society sells us the dream of grow up, fall in love, buy a house, have a successful career, make babies then grow old and die and that is what makes a happy life. And although some might question it, on the whole we are compliant and slot nicely into our place and contribute to the ongoing cycle. Is this really it?
In 2016 I went travelling with my best friend through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos. It's the best and worst thing I ever did. I made the most unbelievable memories, met a lot of incredible people from different parts of the world, I experienced different cultures, ate food that's completely alien to me, saw sights that I'll never forget and actually had a look at even a small portion of the planet that I live on. I say it's the worst thing I could have done because I had to come back and you're expected to just slip back in to the life you had before, that everyone is accustomed to. How can I carry on when I now know what's out there. It infuriates me that we're all bobbing along predominately staying within a 50 mile radius for our lives when there is a whole planet full of opportunity to experience. Travelling is the only time I felt like I was living rather than existing. For that time my life was full of colour and adventure and learning and that to me is life, not the monotony of the system we are conditioned to be part of. I have hundreds of photographs but I mean, look!
I feel like asking everyone around me what are you doing?! Why are we not questioning this? I now don't know how I didn't see it before. Having said all this, I have no doubt that when I start my new job I'll fall back into the routine, I'll fall back in line, I'll go back to being a sheep and being somewhat content.
Over the last month I've spoke to friends and family about it and although some understand, the general response is, so what? Well I don't know is the answer. I can offer no alternative. Travelling forever is unrealistic and I have responsibilities and people I love at home. I'm not even saying travelling is the answer, I just know I felt fulfilled when I was.
So, when I say existential crisis it's not so much the why am I here, but the what am I doing while I am here?
If anyone can identify with anything I've spoken about I'd love to hear your thoughts. Alternatively if you haven't thought about it before, what do you make of it?
Till next time.


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This issue is so impressively packed full of beautiful art and
distinctive techniques that can satisfy a variety of artistic styles--
I'm honored to be a part of it.
All of the stamps are from Oxford Impressions Vintage Circus and Big Top collections.
and some also have hearts or stars. It's a little bit difficult to see that they are 3D. When they are tilted, the "confetti" inside washes over the images--a little burst of excitement and festivity.
|Love the tickets--so many uses, and they're a great size!
|Those tickets again, and I LOVE the hat that's part of the banner. So versatile!
|Blurry photo :-( but the banner rocks! You could put any sentiment inside.
|This is a wand with heart glitter inside. I'd love to see a little girl waving this around!
|These curtains are amazing. Cut them into two panels to make them larger.
|Love the old ad. Barnum was such a character. So if he "says so..." it must be true!
These Vintage Circus and Big Top stamp collections from Oxford Impressions (here's my little ad)
are so versatile and could be used for quick party decorations
when stamped in one color and then added to "spice-up" pre-made circus cards,
crowns, bags, and other circus themed items that are now at Michael's craft shops
and will probably be everywhere soon.
I just purchased some of these items at Michael's and have a whole new idea for
using these stamps with them for quick decorations with a lot of bang!
I'll either post them on my blog soon or submit to a Stampington publication--
in which case, I'll probably be waiting another year to show anyone! :-)
I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
I'm linking up with:
Your Gonna Love It Tuesdays
Wow Us Wednesdays
Weekend Showoff Party
Funky Junk
Share Your Cup Thursdays
Time Travel Thursday


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WTF is this? This is a completely anonymous site where you can offload that thing that is completely pissing you off at the moment.
There are no usernames, no replies, no edits, no deletions. You simply rail against the universe in 255 characters or less.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy (1 year ago)
Men's mid life crisis!!! (2 years ago)
I am not actually angry at the moment (2 years ago)
Got no chance. Bitch is angry before I open my mouth (2 years ago)
I don't know what to do!!! (2 years ago)
Just not into it today (2 years ago)
Mouth noises!!! Aggh lol (3 years ago)
Aggghh (3 years ago)
noisy office (3 years ago)
cos donald trump guy (3 years ago)
Note about cookies: This site may set 2 cookies. These are part of the default functionality
of the framework (Laravel) I am introducing myself to by building this web site. They are not and cannot be used
to identify you in any way.
Note about IP addresses: My server does log your IP address. You have to trust me that I do not use this for identification, but there may
be interesting things to do with geolocation at a later date.
UPDATE: I am no longer storing your IP address, only country name. Which country is the angriest?
Contact me: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Now users can create waybills and other shipping documents directly from templates made with Excel. Important information from Excel can be scanned right off the screen of any mobile device.
Feb 22, 2018 — SpreadsheetConverter is an add-on to Microsoft Excel that converts spreadsheets to live, calculating web pages. The new version 9.4 recently became available at SpreadsheetConverter.com.
Barcodes typically identify the object that carries them. Most items in today's shopping malls are marked with barcodes that are used to look up the price for each scanned item and add it to the total. New tools make it easy to generate barcodes from content and formulas used in Excel.
"Excel is an enormously versatile tool. In combination with SpreadsheetConverter, your skills in Excel can be leveraged both to the global web environment and to personal iPhone and Android devices", says Anna Winter, sales manager for SpreadsheetConverter.
Many trackable object like vehicles, containers, pallets, bags and parcels carry a barcode that identifies the object and makes it easy to track it during transportation. With Excel, barcodes can be generated either from static content or calculated by formulas and live data in a web form.
"SpreadsheetConverter publishes any template you make in Excel as a web page. If there are barcodes, they can be scanned directly off the screen or printed on labels", says Winter.
The new version of the popular Excel add-in can also generate QR codes, a two-dimensional matrix that is often scanned by or displayed in smartphones. But Winter really sees no reason to stop there.
"We are dead serious about business automation. We will do our best to support any automation tool requested by our customer base", she says.
SpreadsheetConverter is available for free trial at spreadsheetconverter.com/buy/free-trial/. It creates web pages that are completely standalone, do not use Excel and run on all web servers. You only need Excel and the Spreadsheet Converter add-on for the actual conversion from spreadsheet to web page format. There is a one-time fee for the conversion program, with no extra fees per page, user or server. You may use the program and the web pages it creates for as long as you like. Full versions start at $127.
Media contact: Anna Winter, email@example.com
Website: spreadsheetconverter.com
Click on Download to install and test this Excel add-in for Windows.
Click on Upload to let us convert a spreadsheet for you for free.


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In talking with our friends about Christmas, we've discovered that nearly every one of them boasts of a friend or relative who has the happy faculty of finding just the right gifts — gifts that ring the bell. We like to think that you can select a host of such gifts from our tested-and-approved list. Here are some of them.
1. A group of well-styled cooking utensils — heatproof-glass casseroles, the pioneer in kitchen-to-table cookery; a Dutch oven of gleaming aluminum; and a covered, stainless-steel saucepan, lovely enough to take its place at the table. Just the right gifts for the new Christmas bride, or for friends who place so much emphasis on their hospitality.
2. The answer to that ever-recurrent search for gifts to tuck into Mother's stocking. Smart and gay, too. Bright, cheerful dish towels, dishcloths, and novel pot holders are offered in profusion. The quaint little pitcher-shaped pot holders were "made by loving hands." You can make them, too, if you are clever.
3. Another small, yet most welcome gift — faucet spray attachment that can supply either a full stream of water without splashing it all over the sink, or a steady spray for washing vegetables.
4. A nice collection of measuring cups from our tested-and-approved list. The heatproof-glass cup is a "must" for the drip-coffee maker. The 2-cup size is particularly useful for a large family.
5. A thermometer will help many a roast or batch of fudge or layer cake to reach the ultimate point of perfection. The oven thermometer is a suitable gift for the user of a range without a heat regulator. With the candy thermometer cake icings can be made with never a fear for their success. The new meat thermometer will be much appreciated by the woman whose husband wants his roast beef done exactly right.
6. An exhibit of gifts made of paper. Paper dusters, paper towels, paper cups for picnics and luncheons, paper pie plates, shelf paper and edging — all these will delight the young modern housekeeper because of the time and labor they will save her. Every Christmas someone we know gives a case of paper towels to a friend who wouldn't be without them and for whom Christmas wouldn't be Christmas until that box arrived, with its welcome, useful load.
7. This belongs to the group of more-important gifts that we choose for well-loved members of our family. Last Christmas the wife of one of our staff members received this very present — a portable sewing machine. Although her family was a bit humble about so prosaic a gift, her pleasure in using it throughout the year set their minds at rest about its appropriateness.
8. An electric oven is an important gift for many a kitchen lacking oven facilities. In the same category come many other fascinating electrical devices — roasters, waffle bakers, toaster sets, and heat-regulated irons. They never fail to bring joy.
9. Santa goes into the laundry with suggestions for three inexpensive gifts. The sprinkler is for redampening those little frills that dry out before you have a chance to iron them. The sleeve board, though not new, has revived in popularity since the coming of puffed sleeves. The ironing-board cover can be fitted on the board without pinning or tying tapes. Perhaps you know someone whose laundry accessories leave much to be desired.
10. A gift to make someone happy for years. We would never have thought of including an electric ironer among our Christmas gifts, because to us it seems a necessity rather than a luxury. But a member of our staff is saving up to give an electric ironer to a married sister. And why not? We have approved ironers of both the rotary and the flat-plate type.
11. What we call a royal gift. If you were to travel through our laboratories, you would see this stool and kitchen chair in a variety of colors. The combination of color and chromium gives our kitchens a smart touch. The chair is an excellent addition to the laundry. It provides a comfortable place to sit at your ironer — with a comfortable back support. So we pass on this suggestion to you. And we hope that all our hints will simplify your Christmas shopping.
RELATED: Find the Perfect Gift for Everyone on Your Holiday Shopping List


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Book #0 Song of Ice and Fire
On Sale: 01/06/2018
Published in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of George R. R. Martin's landmark series, this lavishly illustrated special edition of A Game of Thrones-with gorgeous full-page illustrations in every chapter-revitalizes the fantasy masterpiece that became a cultural phenomenon.In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the North of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom's protective Wall.
Search the Australian Bookseller's Association website to find a bookseller near you. The links will take you to the web site's home page. From there you can navigate to the title you are interested in.Find a bookshop near you: http://www.aba.org.au/find-a-bookshop.


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How to Become a Citizen of the United States of America
Immigration issues are complex, you don't have to do it alone. Our Immigration Attorneys are here to help: Kennewick, Tacoma, Yakima, Moses Lake and Seattle
Ritchie Reiersen Immigration Attorneys Love Helping Immigrants Become Citizens
If you or a loved one have immigration questions regarding becoming an American Citizen, let Ritchie Reiersen Immigration lawyers help. Citizenship and naturalization questions can be complex, confusion and often very frustrating. At Ritchie Reiersen Immigration Law, our team of Immigration Lawyers is experienced with all your immigration needs. We provide immigration services in Kennewick, Yakima, Moses Lake, Tacoma, Seattle, and Auburn. Call today at 1 (888) 884-7337.
How To Become A United States Citizen
Typically, there are two basic ways to become a United States Citizen. The first is by birth and the second way to become a citizen of the United States is through the immigration process known as naturalization.
Birth In The United States
If someone is born in the United States, he or she automatically becomes a U.S. citizen. Likewise, if you are born outside of the United States, but you have a U.S. citizen parent, you likely qualify to be a U.S. citizen.
To qualify for naturalization, you must previously be a permanent resident for at least three years. Permanent residency is commonly referred to as having a "green card," and is obtained either through the familial relationship with a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident or through obtaining permission to be in the United States for Employment. There are many requirements to become a naturalized U.S. citizen including the listed items below:
- Be a lawful permanent resident of the United States for 5 years or 3 years if married to a U.S. citizen for a minimum of the 3 years (although there are certain exceptions to this requirement for persons who have honorable service in the U.S. Armed Forces);
- Be physically present in the United States for over 50% of the required residency period;
Be a person of good moral character;
- Take an oath of loyalty to the United States;
- Be able to speak, read and write simple words and phrases in the English language (although there are certain exceptions to this rule); and
- Pass a test in US history and government.
Why You Should have An Immigration Attorney
Many people with immigration needs find it very helpful to have an experienced immigration attorney because the laws involving immigration are complicated and always changing. Additionally, the paper work can be very overwhelming and frustrating. At Ritchie Reiersen, we want each of our immigration clients to not only get the best possible outcome but also be treated like family. Our team of Immigration Lawyers is experienced with all your immigration needs and ready to help. We provide immigration services in Kennewick, Yakima, Moses Lake, Tacoma, Seattle, and Auburn. Call today at
Download Our Immigration Guide Book Free
Get help For an Immigration purpose by an immigration lawyer. This book is full of easy to understand action steps so you can Guide yourself or your family.
Our Immigration Services
The immigration process to becoming a U.S. citizen or receiving any type of visa can be very complex and confusing. Get an experienced immigration lawyer, who cares for you and understands the Immigration process.
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Sometimes you just need some advice. Tell us how we can help.
All accident injury and immigration consultations are free and carry no obligation.


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This blog post brings exciting GTA news! In early July, Gary Thompson Agency acquired Anderson Insurance Agency in Lincoln, NE. More recently, effective August 15th, Anderson Agency relocated to our 300 N. 27th Street, Suite B location in Lincoln joining the GTA team and centralizing in one office. We are excited to welcome Larry Anderson, Jackie Anderson and Clint Lilienthal to our team! We are confident this merger will offer the customers of Anderson Insurance more options in today's competitive market.
Feel free to stop by the Lincoln office at anytime to get acquainted with the new office staff!
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Service (2014)
A woman arrives at a large house with cleaning products, feather dusters and a young daughter in tow. She orders the girl to wait out of sight in another room while she works. But in keeping with a theme that runs through this short film, things are not how they first appear. The woman strips down to skimpy lingerie, before beginning a 'cleaning' routine that involves a lot of stretching and bending over in front of her employer. But when she realises that he has been stabbed, she runs to find her daughter, who she discovers is no longer alone...
Written and directed by Jerry Pyle (who also created the tense 'revenge' short, Burn) this seven-minute film plays with our expectations all the way through. Innocence and threat become less clearly defined, as the story explores the different vulnerabilities of its characters.
Denna Thomsen gives a convincing and impressive performance as the terrified mother in possibly the smallest smalls I've ever seen. The music is particularly noticeable, adding a sense of dread to certain scenes, and the photography (using a hand-held camera) underlines the uneasy feeling of unpredictability.
Normally I would avoid discussing anything that could be considered a spoiler, but there is one point of the film I wanted to question. One of the characters has been written as having a learning disability, as a plot device, which is something I wasn't entirely comfortable with. It's good that a film should make the audience question its preconceptions, and I understand what the film maker was trying to do here, but this felt slightly misguided.
I really enjoyed the director's previous film, and this one is also well directed and is technically very competent. I very much look forward to his next production.


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How To Style A Bodysuit For Summer
If you're looking for a sexy must-have piece for the summer, then the bodysuit has to be at the top of your shopping list. From Kim Kardashian to Vanessa Hudgens, it seems that the bodysuit is back to stay for good. Try a few different ways to style this versatile piece, inspired by celebrities, bloggers, and street style.
RELATED: 11 Street Style Looks From Pitti Uomo
Midi skirt
Take your evening look to the next level by pairing your bodysuit with a fitted, midi skirt. This style will never go out of fashion, so don't be afraid to splurge on these pieces.
High-waisted pants
Balance out the proportions by choosing a pair of menswear-inspired cigarette trousers for chic night-time look. Keep it simple with a bold red lip, and a neutral clutch.
Denim jeans
Try a black bodysuit to dress up denim jeans for the day-time. This look is perfect if you want to look casual and put-together at the same time.
For festival chic, try a winning combination of bodysuit plus shorts just like Ciara Ferragni. It'll keep you cool and trendy!
Palazzo pants
Opt for palazzo pants and a comfy bodysuit as a go-to outfit for the summer. Nicole Richie shows us just how to make this look work – it's all about finding a bodysuit which flatters your body at all angles.
How would you style a bodysuit for summer?
Images via Who What Wear, Micah Gianelli, Andee Layne, The Blonde Salad


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Historicity/13th & Lafayette
Tall grass blue chicory on every yet to come corner Unruly movement Unsung tracks horse mud paved in cobbles Carriage paved meant horseless tail fins Filling station open late Left off Route 66 the interstate siphon Old underground tanks leak Unknown something keeps nothing happening on this corner Nothing but air and weeds seeding themselves
Outside, a flat abdomen with a six pack of streets and alleys roughly scrubbed of structures and a divot in the middle of the street: a coverless manhole in the dark with a knot of shadows to guard its messy secret tangle of plumbing: veins and electrical conduit, gas lines and wind pipes, intestines. Only the street lights and stop signs concede there might have once been something
more: an answering pulse, the cords of neighbors and strangers, some braided, some chafed and bleeding together, some outright wild, but related all in their constant jigsaw tumble of stories piled up over fences, drifting in through second story windows, stopped to talk or brushing past on the sidewalk, unavoidable in and out the corner store, upstairs apartment, big family house full of dinner and kids
gone missing, gone for sprawl, grown up along clean, uncomplicated streets lined by the same six houses and a messy silence. Slowly, a new knot grows in our gut: a need to be known, to live close, the small round hole of shadow drawing us in, pulling us back.
Jennifer Tappenden is Poet Laureate of the University of Missouri – St. Louis, where she is an MFA candidate in poetry. She is also founding editor of Architrave Press and a 2011 Pushcart nominee. Her poems have appeared in Euphony, Slipstream, The Cape Rock, and elsewhere.
Photo by Simmons B. Buntin.


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3 Letters of Acceptance from China!
America World's China team shared the great news that 3 Letters of Acceptance arrived yesterday from China! The Letters represent these 3 beautiful babies that now have families of their very own to share life with!
Join us in praising God for His faithfulness in growing families through the miracle of adoption. We are excited to see photos of these little ones with their families soon, who are now planning their trips to China.
If your family is interested in learning more about adoption or considering an adoption from China, please contact our China staff at firstname.lastname@example.com for more information. Families can view our China Adoption page for more information on children currently available and waiting for families.
PRE-APPLY FOR FREE for assistance in qualifying or fill out our full APPLICATION now to begin your adoption process.


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Are you thin or thick? Where at?March 26, 2013
I'm often asked about how to provision virtual machine disks. This almost always comes down to, "Should I use thick or thin disks?" and then "Should I do thin provisioning on the array or on the hypervisor?"
So here we go: Thin vs Thick
Thin provisioning:
Thin provisioned disks don't allocate all of the space during the provisioning of the storage. Instead, they allocate the space on demand. This is a great way to get more bang for you buck out of your storage. Let's take a closer look with an example.
The above picture shows a 100GB virtual disk, and 20GB of it is actually being used by the virtual machine. In a thinly provisioned disk, the hypervisor will only show 20GB of disks space used. The virtual machine on the other hand will still show a 100GB disk that is available to be used.
Obviously the main reason to use thinly provisioned disks is to cut down on your storage costs. In the example we used earlier, we could create four more virtual machines each of which has 100GB available to them, and is only using a total of 20GB X 4 = 80GB.
Also, think about what happens if you start to do full clones. Now you're only increasing your disk space based off what's actually being used.
Now say that we did create four more virtual machines and we're sitting at 80GB of used disk space. Each of those machines could grow to 100GB. If they all did grow unexpectedly, you could fill up the datastore and cause an outage.
Thick Provisioning:
Thick provisioning comes in two flavors. Eager Zeroed and Lazy Zeroed.
Eager Zeroed allocates all of the disk space when you provision it and chews up the blocks it's been assigned almost right away. It takes a short period of time during creation in order to write zeroes in all of the assigned blocks. This time has been dramatically reduced with the VAAI primitives.
To give a very simplified example of this, the below diagram shows twelve blocks. Four of them have data on them, but the rest are allocated and have 0's written on them.
Lazy Zeroed allocates all of the disk space immediately in the vmfs file system, but doesn't actually start using the disk blocks on the storage system until they are requested by the virtual machine. There is a small performance hit to zero the blocks before they can be written to.
Thick provisioning will keep you from over provisioning your datastores and assure you dont' cause downtime. Thick provisioned Eager Zeroed will also have the best performance since all of the blocks will be pre-zeroed so they don't have to be during normal operations.
This type of disk will eat of your storage must faster and will likely waste disk space on empty blocks of data.
What about Array Thin Provisioning?
It gets a little more complex when you're considering thin provisioning your storage array as well as your VMware datastores.
The best thing to do is to realize that the array doesn't know what VMFS is doing on it. The array can just tell if blocks are empty or not.
Let's look at Thick Provisioned Eager Zeroed disks on a thin provisioned LUN. We look at the same blocks from our previous diagram only this time we put them on top of a LUN. This LUN is larger than the virtual disk size that was provisioned. If the array thin provisions, it must be at least as large as all of our blocks. Here, the arrow shows the disk savings the a LUN could gain by moving from a full sized LUN to a thin provisioned LUN.
Thin provisioned virtual disks on a thinly provisioned LUN can reduce the size by much more. This example shows the same four blocks that have data on them, but remember that thinly provisioned virtual disks don't pre-allocate the rest of the space. So if we took the same size LUN that was full sized, and then thin provisioned it, we'd gain a lot more space.
Thick provisioned Lazy zeroed disks actually behave much like thinly provisioned disk in this instance. Remember that we pre-allocate all of the disk space, but we don't zero it out. This means that our VMFS datastores won't be over provisioned, but the storage array could be. Below we see the four data blocks and the additional allocated blocks, but since they're not zeroed, the array doesn't know anything is allocated. Remember, the array doesn't know what VMware disks are doing.
So the answer to the question of "Are you thin or thick?" and "Where at?" is… It depends. But at least now you hopefully understand the differences and can decide for yourself.


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Fun games
Order by: Rating / Run count / Date added
Shopping Cart Hero
In this game, it shall be done with the jumper in the shopping cart. Jump in the truck and run from the hill down the slope. At the right time to jump into the truck, get yourself off the ground and balance correctly truck that flew away, and you were the best. To get a jump funny money, which you…
Troll Cannon
Troll Cannon is a fun puzzle game of the series MEME. The main heroes are drawing trolls and I'm sure you will like it;) Graphics, as well as the concept of all games MEME is very quirky and often more like a parody of the classic game. That's certainly more fun. This time, thus Shoot from cannon…
Amateur Surgeon
In this game you can finally experience what it is to be a surgeon. But you will not have it so easy. Your career is starting as a pizza delivery boy, so depending on your equipment will look at operations. You will have very little time and very busy so it is a classic routine surgeons. So what do…
Enjoy another really unusual game of the series MEME. The game certainly surprise and perhaps even entertain even the most experienced players. So do not wait and come to try it ;)
Gingerbread Circus
Gingerbread Circus is the first part of the popular games from the circus, where you are in the role of throwing knives. Gingerbread and his family are gradually being tied to a rotating wheel, and you have to snipe the objects around them. With every goal levels are smaller and faster bike.…
Shift 4
A game in which you are tasked to get in the door leading to the next level and win, which is on the other side of the playing field. In a relatively simple graphical interface awaits a lot of pitfalls, where you can inject the stakes, or otherwise die. Classical control via arrow keys and space bar…
Coin Pusher Mania
Try a bit of fun gamble and try to win as much money from the machine. It will be to throw a coin into the right hole at the right moment, so that pushing as many coins and banknotes that are already in the machine and you get to the edge and fell to you.
Trollface Launch
Shoot the troll and try laughing with his head reach as far. For his performance, and you get points for you then you'll be able to buy a variety of improvements, such as the body, turbo dog ... to fly really far.
Snowboarding Supreme 2
To cool in hot summer? Try to snowboard. Choose a character to go, depending on whether you put the emphasis on speed or jumps. Then you go the best ride to get as many points from the jury!
Paddle Ball
Paddle Ball is basically a virtual ping pong where you have to keep his bat on the ball as long as possible, and what nejvíckrát pinknout with him. Bat control simply via mouse, but the game itself is not so simple because the ball can bounce treacherously, or run away.


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|The Fool from Siolo Thompson's Linestrider Tarot
Siolo Thompson's Linestrider is exquisite, elegant, and unique. Its beauty and balance suggest a depth and an intelligence behind each card.
Tarot decks are often quite busy. The classic Rider-Waite-Smith High Priestess card buzzes with visual alarms that would set the hair on fire of any freshman in an English, Art, Anthro, Psychology or Theology class. There's a woman in a blue robe, two pillars, a veil decorated with palms and pomegranate, a cross, a Torah scroll, the moon in various phases, and flowing water. The mind bounces from symbol to symbol, from one possible interpretation, one possible story, to another. There is virtually no white space on the card.
It's easy to understand why most tarot decks cram huge amounts of portentous imagery into the roughly fifteen-inch square surface of a card. Tarot has only 78 card-vocabulary to depict the panoply of human experience: life, death, joy, suffering, and even just hanging out with friends.
Siolo Thompson's Linestrider Tarot takes a very different approach. Most of what one sees in most of her cards is white space. Does this amplitude of white space suggest a paucity of meaning? No.
Images are cheap in our media-drenched world. We scroll past family snapshots and graphic photos of the latest atrocity. In this visual environment, well-done minimalism bids us to slow down and contemplate what we see. Thompson's is the kind of minimalism that communicates to the viewer: appreciate every detail. Look far enough, and you look into your own soul, and beyond it to the entire universe.
The Fool exemplifies Thompson's excellent use of minimalism. At first glance, the card appears to be an unfinished sketch – but even that first glance tells you that this is the sketch of a real artist. The lines snap and flow and all but take flight. Someone with great skill guided this pen. Recognizing the skill, your eyes pay closer attention, and you realize that this is a sketch of a striding figure. You can't tell if the strider is young or old, male or female; you can't identify nation or era. What is unmistakable is the bounce and determination in this figure's advance.
Actually it looks as if this is a photograph of a brave soul marching directly into bright sunlight, and the image is so overexposed you can't make out the traveler's face. Thompson's artistic illusion of overexposure emphasizes the brilliance of the sun, and the bravery, naivety, or folly of the figure marching so unhesitatingly into that blinding power. It's a minimalist card, but prolonged exposure to it – forgive the pun – repays the viewer with a new appreciation of the card's deeper meaning of fearless new beginnings in the face of formidable obstacles.
The Fool is primarily charcoal gray against a white background. A series of colorful daubs, some floral, some vegetative, fall in the shape of a long object. The querent can decide if this is a conventional bouquet or something magical and holy – a walking staff that bursts into bloom.
This use of daubs of color within the confined borders of geometric patterns is especially well used in the Death card. Death is a human skull. Swirls of vegetation and the radial symmetry of flowers decorate the skull's surface. Life bursts, inevitably, from death. Most of the skull is black and white. Within a triangle-shaped portion of the skull, the swirls and blossoms burst into pink, gold, and blue. The triangle is often interpreted as symbolizing the female vulva, anatomy associated with generation and new life.
Some of the cards in Thompson's deck have human figures; others are animals. The animals are sometimes naturalistic, and sometimes fanciful. The naturalistic bunny on the ace of pentacles is both accurate and adorable. The nine of wands is a fox nattily attired in seventeenth-century neck ruff and breeches.
The influence of Greco-Roman statuary is evident in The Chariot. A laurel-wreathed human head rises above two horse's heads; all this looks very much like marble carved along classical aesthetics. The World is a shapely nude with the proportions and the coyness of a Varga girl. The queen of pentacles has tattoos. The boatman in the six of swords wears the hat of a Venetian gondolier. The Tower is a pagoda, typical of Asian Buddhist architecture. The five of swords is an armored knight.
Thompson keeps some Judeo-Christian elements. The High Priestess wears Hebrew writing. Traditionally she holds a Torah scroll. The ace of cups includes a traditional Catholic chalice.
The Wheel of Fortune is so serenely composed and colored that just looking at it is soothing. Thompson uses restrained touches of lapis blue, charcoal gray and rust-red. Two exotic birds preen each other over lush blue and white flowers, with the wheel of fortune a circle in the center. It's so well composed, it should be hanging on a wall within a frame.
A couple of the cards didn't work for me. I'm put off by the three of pentacles, a card representing artistic genius. It's meant to be two ravens, although they don't look much like ravens, and they appear to be spattered in blood. Maybe a better illustration for the five of swords.
I was really curious about the page of pentacles, because she looks, to me, like a lady of the evening. She wears only stockings, a scarf, and a ribbon in her hair. What looks like a man in a dunce cap crouches servilely at her feet. This image is reminiscent of Bruno Szulc's erotica. The companion book did not inform me as to why Thompson chose this image for the page of pentacles. The book does, though, list astrological, numerical, and botanical correspondences for each card. She associates the page of pentacles with the numbers 5 and 68, the dates December 22 through December 28, and the plants cashew, blue flag, and cinnamon.
Card backs are an inkblot in denim blue, grey, and off-white. They are fully reversible.
Thompson says of herself that she was raised Christian, "but as soon as I was old enough to really think" she rejected "the monotheistic God" and connected with "the stars, the planets, and the animals." She "traveled a lot" and adopted an eclectic assortment of beliefs. She acknowledges that "all these things might sound a bit like purple wind chime mumbo-jumbo" but she says that "at its root" tarot is "a cognitive tool much like meditation or talk therapy" and the cards are "beautiful, collectible objects."
Danusha Goska is the author of Save Send Delete


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Introduction: Yet Another Compost Tumbler
A compost tumbler is the stomach of the compost digestion system. It aerates and mixes the compost so the the bacteria reach the new stuff quickly. This one is a barrel that pivots on a horizontal axle. Every time you throw in new compost, turn the thing over.
I built one because the rich food waste that was going into the Pentagon composter was causing smell and fly problems. Hopefully the tumbler will solve that.
There are several instructables showing good ways to make a tumbler. There isn't a bad way to make one. I threw this one together in about an hour.
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Step 1: Mark the Axle Pivot Holes
Wrap a piece of string around the middle of the barrel.
Mark the barrel and the cut the string so it just reaches around.
Fold the string in half and mark the midpoint.
Wrap it around the barrel again and mark the other side of the barrel where the string midpoint falls.
You now have two spots marked that are directly opposite each other.
Now measure down from the edge to each spot and make sure they are centered vertically as well as circumferentially.
Step 2: Drill the Pivot Holes
I used a 1" wood bit and a brace to drill the holes. It worked well. I drilled my holes an inch or so toward the top of the barrel. I did that so the barrel would sit right side up when it was empty.
The top will be a bit heavier than the bottom due to the door hinges etc. at the top.
Step 3: Cut the Top Off
I used a sawzall to do a plunge cut and cut the top of the barrel off. I left the lip of the barrel intact.
Save the part you cut off. That's going to be a lid.
Step 4: Lid Hinge Rod
The barrel top had a bit of a lip. I drilled holes for a steel hinge rod in the lip of the lid and the rim of the barrel. I though I'd need another to latch the lid shut, but I'd done a sloppy job cutting the top, and it stayed wedged closed with no additional hardware. It's also pretty easy to open. That was easy!
Step 5: Make the Pillars
If you have a convenient tree to hang your tumbler from, you can skip this step.
A couple of posts pounded into the ground will also work to support your tumbler's axle.
I had some pieces of welded square frame sitting around that were perfect, so I used them. I welded the U-shaped piece to the rectangular frame. I used the solar-powered golf cart welder with a spoolgun to do the welding. I used .030" fluxcore wire at 24 volts, the wirefeed was run on 18 volts.
I did 4 tack welds and was done. That was quick!
Step 6: Drill Axle Holes in the Pillars
If you're lazy a Vee notch at the top of the pillar is fine. Or a couple of nails pounded on either side of the axle atop a wooden post. Or of course suspending the whole thing by a rope from a tree branch.
I had the right size hole saw so I used that. I used plenty of oil so the cutter didn't clog or overheat.
Step 7: Install Axle Retaining Pins
Optional. I drilled holes in the axles, inserted nails, and bent the nails to keep them from falling out.
This will keep the axle from wiggling out of the supports.
This is the usual way I retain the wheels on a land yacht.
Step 8: Perforations!
Invite your frustrated friends to go nuts at the barrel with icepicks and drills.
I'll probably have to drill bigger holes than this to get proper airflow.
Step 9: Happy Composting!
That's it! You have a tumbler!
Keep your compost damp, turn the tumbler whenever you add stuff or need some entertainment. When the barrel is full dump it into the Pentagon Composter or put it on your garden.
Happy composting!
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13 Discussions
Cool. I should have that tumbler.
This one is a pretty easy yet fully functional version though. Yes there are plenty of other good workable versions out there but having options involving a wider variety of materials is always a good thing.
I was considering buying one of these but I think this would be fun to make. How has it held up over the years? Is it worth building?
You can also buy these blue barrels with a removable lid held in place by a steel band.
I know those.They are used to hold a chemical named Ferrodor at the apartment pool here.
Great job. Fantastic step by step.
You could get one with a twist cap and use that.
I made compost cubes once out of EMT pipe and chicken wire. They worked pretty well. Now I have a bit too much to put into containers so I sort of have my own landfill. It takes maybe two years for a really big pile of leaves to break down. I'll have to do an instructable about how I sift the mulch someday.
Tim, I have a few questions about your composter. I am interested in making one similar, but I want to make sure it will last. How well has it been holding up? I am curious if the pivot points on your axle are going to warp the holes that you cut in your barrel. Do you think it needs support around the holes? Also, I hear that some of the compost tumblers that rotate vertically just flip the material inside, instead of really turning it well. Have you had this experience? Thanks. Stu
Tim, what I love about your instructables are the other posts you've done and how you show how you are using them. That's awesome. It shows that you build stuff and use it, not just to toss it aside. Good job.
My compost doesn't tumble and it works fine. I guess moving parts makes things sexy, but a shovel, a hand in the compost guts, and ecstasy. Get dirty.:)
This seems a whole lot more simple than other compost bins, Thanks!


text: Here at David's, you'll not only recieve the best quality Chinese food; you'll also be greeted with exceptional service, and pristine facilities to accommodate. Our highly skilled sercive team will ensure your needs are satisfied. The Managment and staff trust you have an enjoyable time, and hope to see you again in the future.


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Yet Another Developer
My IRL name is Hugo Delaunay (it's been more than ten years now that I'm using
Skyost on the internet).
I'm doing a Master degree in Mathematics and I'm also an amateur developper. I'm in parternship with NiHost, a great hosting (websites, game servers, domain names, ...) !
You'll find on this website some information about me but also about my work.
My skills
My projects
Do you want to see all my projects (even those that are deprecated) ? So check out my Github and take a look at my projects.
My best-known projects are Bacomathiques (where you can work your maths to pass your exams), Algogo (an algorithm editor and interpreter), SkyDocs (allows to create and build documentations) and Alcoolum (a cool drinking game).
You have to know that developing softwares takes a lot of time and that all my projects are free (most of them are even open-source). So feel free to donate or to watch some ads for me if you think that me and/or my projects worth it.


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Friday, December 30, 2011
'11 -Scapes
I never was interested in landscapes. They were pretty look at and I would appreciate them for what they were but they just weren't for me as a photographer. Seemed like a lot of work and a lot of searching for just the perfect light and composition where I prefer narratives/themes in my work. This year though I found myself shooting things that seemed to be landscapes but couldn't be categorized as "landscape" but -scapes. Whether it be abstracted landscapes shown here, industrial-scapes shown here or even a sport-scape shown here I was drawn to different ways of creating -scapes. I felt since I had the fascination this year with the "-scapes" it was only fitting to show some.
Posted by furmanphotography at 9:08 AM
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Montana's MarketPlace adhere's to the Seller's posted refund policy. All refund requests must go directly to the store Seller. The Seller's contact information is included in your order confirmation email; you can also contact the Seller by visiting the Seller's store and selecting the support button.
In the unlikely event you're unable to resolve a problem with a seller, please open a ticket in your Montana's MarketPlace Support Portal.


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Looking for a barber or a hairstylist specialized in taking care of the beauty and health of your hair in COURTICE? Find a hairdresser near you with the L'Oréal Professionnel salon locator.
HOT HEADS UNISEX stylist welcomes you for a unique and unforgettable salon experience.
HOT HEADS UNISEX Salon offers unique solutions and the latest trends in haircuts, hair color, hair care in Belfast, for short hair or curly hair for example. Trust the professional expertise of your hairdresser in COURTICE with HOT HEADS UNISEX salon.
In your L'Oréal COURTICE hair salon, you'll find the most innovative L'Oréal Professionnel products.
For services ranging from pro-keratin treatments to a new permanent hair color or balayage, you will find all the professional products to achieve the best trendy haircuts and look for you hair in COURTICE.
Permanent colour
Semi-permanent colour
Professional haircare
Professional hair oil
Salon styling
Damaged hair
Haircare for men


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#VisitMyMosqueCanada Day took place on October 15th with mosques across Canada holding open days.
If you missed out on the day, don't worry its not too late, as #VisitMyMosqueCanada 2018 is already in the planning! Sign up here to receive updates.
Alternatively if you want to visit a mosque earlier than that, fill in the contact form below letting us know what area you are based in and your availability, and we can try to put you in touch with a mosque near you!


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mikroProg™ for Tiva™
- Brand: Mikroe
- Product Code: mikroProg™ for Tiva™
- Availability: Pre-Order
- ?18,000.00
- Ex Tax: ?18,000.00
Tags: mikroProg™ for Tiva™
Support in mikroE compilers
Compiler Compatibility
mikroProg™ for Tiva™ is supported with mikroC™, mikroBasic™ and mikroPascal™ compilers for ARM®. Works with other ARM® compilers too!
Debugger inside
Fast hardware debugger
Debug your code and monitor code execution on the chip itself. mikroProg™ technology brings the power of hardware debugging to your favorite compiler.
One programmer for all TIVA™
Cortex™ M4 and M3
All Tiva™ and Stellaris® MCUs are supported right from the start. What ever chip you decide to use, you will never need another programmer.
Compact and slim
Design matters
Elegant minimalistic design, clean matte white plastic finish and colour indicator LEDs make our programmer the first of it's kind in the world.
What is mikroProg™ for Tiva™?
mikroProg™ for Tiva™ is a fast programmer and hardware debugger. Smart engineering allows mikroProg™ to support all Tiva™ C Series and Stellaris® ARM® Cortex™-M3 and Cortex™-M4 devices from Texas Instruments® in a single programmer! Outstanding performance, easy operation, elegant design and low price are it's top features. It is supported in mikroElektronika ARM® compilers.
Hardware In-Circuit Debugging with mikroProg™
SingleClick™ Debugging
mikroProg™ has a native support for hardware step-by-step Debugging. debugger is a separate DLL module in mikroElektronika ARM® compilers which supports Step-over [F8], Step-into[F7], Step-out[Ctrl+F8], Run[F6], Run To Cursor[F4] debugging operations. Also, debugger supports standard and advanced breakpoints, which enable you to exploit the full potential of fast debugging.
You can pull it as hard as you want, but
You won't rip out the cable
How many times have you pulled
the cable out of some device
accidently and it just
stopped working?
We made sure to provide a
secure connection of programer
cable and created a holder
to tie it firmly into place.
mikroProg™ Suite for ARM®
On board mikroProg™ programmer requires special programming software called mikroProg™ for ARM®. This software is used for programming ALL of Tiva™ and Stellaris® ARM® Cortex-M3™ microcontroller families, Software has intuitive interface and SingleClick™ programming technology.
ARM® software
[5.20MB]mikroProg for Tiva™ Drivers
[2.33MB]mikroProg for
Tiva™ User Manual [1.95MB]
mikroProg™ for Tiva™ software and programmer drivers are certified for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems.
Supported Devices
mikroProg™ for Tiva™ currently supports ARM® Cortex™-M3 and Cortex™-M4 microcontrollers. Browse through the list of supported devices or use the search box to filter out the microcontrollers or families you are interested in. For example, by typing "TM4C123" will leave only TM4C123xxxx microcontrollers in the list. More detailed search string will leave more narrow list of devices in the list box.


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Click the icons above to get the full chords and lyrics to this song in one of Andy's recommended guitar songbooks for beginners!
Here we look at how to play the chords G, C and D on an acoustic guitar. We can then play the song Knocking on Heavens Door by Bob Dylan as shown. You can also play any of the 10 songs in this series with these three easy chords
Nail the Guns N Roses version Slash Style HERE!


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Winter events around Erpfendorf in Tyrol
Erpfendorf in Tyrol puts on numerous events all winter long. The Kitzbüheler Alpen are among the regions with the most events. The varied program of events in Erpfendorf is characterized by tradition, but also by internationality. Here you can find the top winter events, such as the Int. Tiroler Koasalauf in St. Johann in Tirol. All the parties, sports events and festivals can be found in the program of events of the Kitzbüheler Alpen. Experience the vibes at the events!
- Advent events
- New Year's Eve and turn of the year in the Kitzbüheler Alpen
- Tiroler Koasalauf - the open cross-country ski race in St. Johann in Tirol
- many weekly events in the townships
In summer, too, the calendar is bulging with events in Hopfgarten. The many top events make your holidays in Tyrol varied ones. Take a look at the events in the Kitzbüheler Alpen in summer!


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Bees Wax (1 piece)
We highly recommend this beeswax because it is the perfect consistency for saddle stitching & burnishing.
Beeswax helps to reduce static and tangling, plus strengthens thread when saddle stitching.
* Please note, all items are delivered to our studio. *
Send an email to email@example.com if you would like your order to be shipped to you. We will calculate shipping cost and send you a separate shipping invoice.


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Besides using the wireless Xbox 360 controller that came with my 360 I've been using a Madcatz 360 Game Pad Pro and it's pretty tops.
It's a pretty reasonably priced game pad at $30 and since it uses a USB cable instead of a wireless interface it is pretty thin and light. Apparently Microsoft will not let any third party manufacturers make wireless controllers for the Xbox 360 and their wireless controllers plus a play-and-charge battery pack kit will set you back $70 total so a $30 corded gamepad looks quite affordable in comparison.
There are some nice rubber grips and the companies experience making controllers really shows in this one. The buttons are nice and responsive and the d-pad is more pronounced and responsive than the Microsoft 360 pad. The analog sticks are nice and accurate and the analog trigger buttons on the top are really thin and comfortable. Retro arcade games really benefit from the more pronounced d-pad. Overall this is an extremely nice ergonomic gamepad and it is a good alternative to shelling out $70 for another controller for your Xbox 360.
Score: 83


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The strongest leaders don't try to be leaders. They're just doing their thing.
It's great to read and try to learn how to be a leader, but the best books and guides can really be summed up as "determine your values, or standards, stick to them and communicate them efficiently".
Great business leaders use a business canvas model template, bit aren't trying to convince everyone to follow them. You can't force leadership. Leadership is given to the leader by the people they lead. People follow those who have conviction and who know who they are.
In "The Score Takes Care of Itself", assistant coaches shared their experience working with Bill Walsh, arguably one of the greatest coaches and leaders in the history of the NFL, and what made him so successful. But they don't talk about his "leadership" directly, they describe his "standard of performance" and his work ethic. They describe his dedication to his system and how effective it was at aligning the team. Bill Walsh didn't have to tell people he's the leader. He formed his system, surrounded himself with the people who aligned with his system, and got rid of the people who didn't.
A great leader for one group of people might be a terrible leader for another group of people. Like Bill, leaders surround themselves with people who believe in their mission, and cut the people who don't. They don't try to lead everyone, they want to lead the right people.
Leaders also come in many forms. Some are good, some are evil. Some are nice, some are mean. Some are really analytical, others are more creative. But look at any of them, any leader that people really respect, and it's their standards that people respect…whatever those standards are.
What's more important may be WHY you want to be a leader. Is it just to fulfill your own need to feel important? Or are you working to unite people and create a change in the world?
I think a lot about leadership. As a CEO, part of my responsibility is to be a leader for our team, for our community, for our partners, etc. But I don't want to be a leader to be important. I want to be a leader because it empowers others to do great work and make a positive change.
If you want to be a leader, don't try to be a leader, just do your thing. Focus on your values and the change you want to see in the world, then surround yourself with people who align with that mission.
Boom. You're a leader. Now don't be a jerk (=


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'remarkable' set out in 1996 to do some good, by recycling rubbish into products every body can use, and highlighting that the disposable packaging and waste we throw away, is reusable.
Founded by myself - the first invention recycled a plastic cup into a pencil - to date over 500 million of them. This idea demonstrates that something as simple as a cup can be recycled into something as useful as a pencil. A product with an identity that speaks out about the environment.
The big break came with a Design Council award - 'Millennium Product', as a result 'remarkable' represented 1500 other companies in the Millennium Dome turning 3.75 million cups into pencils - Cool Britannia!
This put the brand on a path of strength to develop a product range gaining awards -'Invention of the Year', 'Environmental Company of the year', 'Recycled product of the Year', 'Outstanding services to Industry' 'Guinness World' record and a few more.....
The heart of the company rests in eco-design - innovated by science and invention, pushing and improving conventional technologies to develop more recycled products that are useful and - 'remarkable' The products communicate a background story, and inspire possible solutions.
Being a pioneering business I have been forced to consolidate and expand according to the economic times. I believe 'remarkable' is a force for good and hope an inspiration, pushing a cultural change to value waste as a resource.
It is haunting and devastating that wars, habitat destruction, terminal declines to endangered species and reckless pollution are justifiable reasons to obtain natural resources to make consumer products which then go into a landfill...
Thank you, Ed


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Equestrian Buildings - Stables
Viking Garden Buildings provide quality timber stables that are designed to provide long lasting, comfortable stabling for your horse. We produce two types of stable that cater for both the leisure and professional market and we are also able to design and build something bespoke to suit your specific requirements.
All of our buildings are manufactured using top quality joinery grade redwood shiplap, machined with our own deep tongue and groove pressure treated tanalised timber that needs no further treatment. We manufacture box units, hay barns, corner units and tack rooms and because our stables are fully sectional, they can be extended at any time.
The actual finished size of framing is 65 x 40mm or 90 x 40mm planned with eased edges and graded to C16. The kickboards are in o.s.b (re-constituted particle board using waterproof glue) to minimise splintering if damaged. It is this high specification of materials and attention to detail that makes Viking Garden Building an excellent choice.
All stables are erected on site by our own team of joiners or can be supplied on a delivery only basis.
Please note: We offer free delivery within 50 miles. We also offer nationwide delivery at an extra cost. Please contact us for prices.
Please note: Customer must have a firm, level base with walk in access. Please see terms and conditions for more information.
All timber sizes are actual finished sizes.
- Fitting and bolting down to customers ready prepared single course of brickwork.
- Damp proof membrane attached to underside of timber to prevent moisture rising.
- Installation is charged at 15% of the build cost.
- Height to eaves 7'3 (2210mm)
- Height to ridge 9'3 (2820mm)
- 21/2" x 11/2" (65 x 40 mm) Cls selected and graded Scandinavian timber set approx 23" (590mm) centres,coach screwed or bolted at panel joints.
- 12mm x 125mm selected red wood shiplap, pressure treated and fastened with stainless steel nails.
Stable Doors
- Total height 82" x 48" (2083mm x 1200mm) wide x 2 ½ (65mm) wide.
- Lower door 48" (1200mm) high with angled top, anti chew strip, osb kickboard and kick over bolt.
- Top door ledged and braced 21/2" x 11/2" (65mm x 40 mm) with 22mm tongue and groove boards.
- Both doors fitted with galvanised Brenton pad bolts , galvanised cabin hooks and 18" galvanised heavy duty hinges.
Roof Purlins
- 31/2" x 11/2" (90 x 40mm) Cls Scandinavian selected and graded timber, spaced at 24" (590mm) centres and sitting on prefabricated 21/2" x 11/2" (65 x 40mm) apex frames.
Gable Ends
- All gable ends finished with tanalised barge boards and finials.
Roof Cladding
- Onduline which is an extremely durable roofing sheet available in assorted colours.
- Black supplied as standard and comes with a manufacturers 15 year warranty.
Roof Lights
- One clear sheet per stable fitted in place of Onduline sheet.
- Canopies extend to 4ft (1220mm) strengthened with diagonal bracing. The underside of canopy is boarded in.
- 15mm sterling board, splinter and moisture resistant, fitted to 4ft (1220mm) high with horizontal stud work between framing.
Tack rooms
- Dividing walls fully lined to ridge for improved security.
- Perspex windows fitted with galvanised grills.
- Black 4" (100mm) half round guttering and down pipes fitted to front only.
All timber sizes are actual finished sizes.
Prices include VAT.
|Loose box units
|10 x 12
|12 x 12
|12 x 14
|Integral hay barns
|12 x 12
|12 x 18
|12 x 24
|Corner units
|12 x 16
|12 x 18
|Tack rooms
|6 x 12
|8 x 12
|10 x 12
|12 x 12
Need a custom size? We can build to your specification. Contact us for a bespoke quote.


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Our good friends welcomed a 2nd little baby girl last week, Siiva! She is totally adorable and I can't wait to give her more cuddles again. It is so amazing how quick they grow, Kobi was smaller than her 8.5 months ago, which is so hard to believe and so easily forgotten! Only 2.5 weeks now until my little niece is meant to arrive, I think Meage might go into Sept but we will see, she is getting quite big now. With all these little baby girls around, it's making me ultra clucky!!! Hehe! I really need one because my Prima flower stash (and I have just ordered more of the new CHA......yes I'm addicted) is way out of control and I need to use them up.........LOL!!!! I will get to start a little girl album, though, soon enough with the arrival of my niece!! YAY!! Can't wait!
Have a fun week, tomorrow we have swimming and we are all getting a haircut (except Kobi), I am getting all mine chopped off, so will take a pic of my new do!
Mwah, bye for now!


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Regardless of having the perfect product, superior service or an inventive idea; a brand must evolve with the world around it to survive. If your branding is not in tune with today's consumer, you need to rethink your identity.
- Logo Design: The main identifier of your brand, and the starting point for most branding exercises – we get this right and everything else simply falls into place.
- New Brand Identity & Guidelines: The development or creation of the visual aspects of your brand. This acts as the fingerprint of your brand, in which we can create a consistent message to be translated across all marketing platforms – how do you want your customers to relate to you? This can also be offered on a consultancy basis, where we will research the market place and help you get the most from your message.
- Refresh of Brand Identity: Something we are passionate about – bringing your brand up-to-date with today's consumers.
- Business Stationary: Business cards, letterheads and all that jazz to create a consistent image and professional finish.
- Display: From signage and store layout, to CAD mock-ups and promotional display, this is how we make your brand seen within the marketplace.


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find more pics on our Flickr-Channel!
Finally Punk
It's a late-night show with the female punk quartet Finally Punk rocking the streets of suburbian Vienna. The band from Austin arrives tardily and a little exhausted, a string of their bass breaks during their concert and the next day will bring another long journey of driving (the girls split this duty). As we approach Erin, Stephanie, Veronica and Elizabeth after their short and sharp onstage performance of rotating instruments and vocal duties, they are kind of "Uhm?" quickly followed by a "Great!". Beer-sippingly they hop out the venue and drop onto the next bench. "Primary Colors" is carried by a simple and cheery melody, Erin's bright sounding voice and a bass that needs to be restringed. It's all unwound, all good-mooded in an appealing DIY aesthetic. With this aftershow warming and cheering up – as if these firebreathing girls really required any of it…- the level of enthusiasm reaches its highpoint. Once Finally Punk have let pass by some police car, they liven up the deserted street with a fresh and vigorous performance of "JD vs. Gator". Animated jumps, vocal shouts – lead vocals by Veronica – and motorcycles speeding by included.
- September 13, 2009
- Michael Luger
- Matthias Leihs
- Simon Brugner
- Simon Brugner


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The Focus
Northern Design focuses on building humble, compelling and truthful brands and websites for small businesses and entrepreneurs. I love to help those who like to think big and push themselves (or if you need a nudge from me, we can comfortably get you out of your zone).
Your ideas are important to me, and I want to build upon them to create a unique experience for your audience. Collaborating to accomplish this unique outcome is crucial.
"Many ideas grow better when transplanted into another mind than the one where they sprang up." - Oliver Wendell Holmes
Northern Design was founded by myself, Alicia Northern in 2015. The studio is based in Oklahoma City, Okla. I have a BFA in graphic design from UCO and 5+ years of professional experience working in photography studios and creative agencies.


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Hong Kong Law to Bust Cartels? Not Likely.
More In Hong Kong
- Disconnect: Traders Wait, and Wait, for Shenzhen Trading Link
- Quiet Racing in Noisy City: Formula E Comes to Hong Kong
- Despite Recent Tensions, Chinese Olympians Welcomed in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong's New Brew Scene: A Barrel of Challenges
- Luxury's Pain as Others Gain in Hong Kong and China
- Why This Summer Hasn't Been the Splashiest for Hong Kong's Swimmers
With its low taxation rates, Hong Kong's long been seen as an unfettered capitalist playground. But the city that Milton Friedman once highlighted as a beacon of free economy is now close to passing an anti-trust law—though analysts and politicians say the proposed bill looks increasingly toothless.
In Hong Kong, a few local patriarchs dominate the local economy through conglomerates that control prime real estate developments as well as supermarkets, drug stores and more. As such, anyone trying to break into the market faces strong resistance. In one infamous example, when the French supermarket Carrefour tried to break into the local duopoly of ParknShop and Wellcome a decade ago, a number of suppliers blacklisted Carrefour for discounting prices below those of its competitors. The French giant—which enjoys enormous popularity across the border in mainland China—was forced to pull out, citing difficulties in finding suitable retail sites.
Such stifled competition makes people in Hong Kong "quite angry," says Starry Lee, a local legislator with the pro-establishment Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB). Consumer advocates have been pushing for the city to adopt a competition law for well over a decade now.
Since the so-called "competition" bill was introduced in July 2010, a number of amendments have been introduced to weaken the proposed law, including a provision last week to exempt smaller businesses with less than HK$40 million (US$5 million) in revenue from penalty for certain infringements, an increase from the previously proposed HK$11 million ($US 1.4 million). As well, the latest version of the law would remove the ability of Hong Kongers to initiate private, stand-alone actions against companies before a special tribunal—instead, all initial enforcement will be carried out by a competition commission.
"People don't want to see big business dominating the whole society, but I doubt whether the competition law can really help," says Ms. Lee, citing how the latest version of the proposed bill does not attempt to regulate merger activity.
The penalties that can be imposed on businesses that violate the law has also been reduced. Though companies who break the law originally could expect to face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue the government has agreed to decrease this penalty down to 10% of local (Hong Kong) revenue. The law also won't do much to stop vendors from colluding to set prices, says Ms. Lee, who says she personally doesn't expect the law to do much to help combat Hong Kong's high gas prices, which many have long worried are vulnerable to price fixing.
"They [the companies] don't need to negotiate privately anyway," says Ms. Lee. "They can just look at each other's [prices], everyone knows how to play the game."
The watered-down nature of the bill "reflects the huge, overwhelming power of the business sector in Hong Kong politics," says Dixon Sing, a political scientist at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. At this point, he says, the government has more or less given up the battle" for a strong competition law.
Be as that may, after so many years, legislators say they are intent on passing a competition law by the summer recess, which begin in July. "Even though the bill may not be so helpful, I think it's a first step," says Tam Yiu-chung, a legislator who chairs the DAB.
-- Te-Ping Chen. Follow her on Twitter @tepingchen
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Wallpaper has certainly seen a comeback over the years – whether it be just a centre wall or all four walls, a small space that needs to make a big statement or a room that […]
2 posts
[ezcol_1half] Painting and decorating in Wandsworth. David Banks and Co have been providing a high quality painting and decorating service in Wandsworth since 1974. Call today for a free quotation. [/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end] [/ezcol_1half_end]


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Database of Foundation Templates
Tips & Tricks
As of Version X.04.0024, there is an additional new feature in RF‑/FOUNDATION Pro: You can save the foundation dimensions for all five foundation types as foundation templates in a user-defined database and use them later in other models.
The database of foundation templates is located in the lower part of Window 1.2 Geometry. Click the [Save foundation to user database] button to save the dimensions of the previously calculated foundation in the database. You can freely specify the description of the foundation template.
Click the [User Foundation Database] button to open the corresponding dialog box where you can manage the existing foundation templates. In this dialog box, you can either display all foundation templates for all foundation types or filter them according to a specific foundation type. You can select any template from the "Foundation Template" table. The foundation dimensions of the template are displayed in the corresponding table or in the information graphic.
Click [OK] to transfer the dimensions of the foundation template to Window 1.2 Geometry for further calculation.
Import Export Templates Foundation Foundation dimensions Foundation template
Contact us
Do you have questions or need advice?
Contact our free e-mail, chat, or forum support or find various suggested solutions and useful tips on our FAQ page.
Associated Products
Add-on Module
Design of single, bucket and block foundations


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£5 Fron Goch Gift Voucher
£5.00 Fron Goch Gift Voucher.
The Perfect Present £5.00
If you're looking for a present for someone and you really can't decide what to buy, then why not choose a Fron Goch Gift Card?
Gift Vouchers are available and can be redeemed throughout the Garden Centre and the caffi.
They're a great idea for birthdays and at Christmas, and are ideal for weddings.
Please note that our Gift Vouchers can only be redeemed at our centre in Fron Goch, Caernarfon.
|In the check out process please select delivery option
|Gift Voucher Postage.


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We had a really relaxed weekend and lovely Sunday lunch cooked for us by friends Nick and Savannah yesterday. I'm finding it really comforting to be surrounded by large families at the moment, as I have moments of self doubt at the prospect of being a good mother to three children. Savannah, who looks gorgeous all the time, had her third beautiful baby last November and casually cooked and served up Sunday roast for nine with the newest arrival contentedly snuggled inside a baby carrier! I'm sure things will be more hectic at chez Bradshaw with number three's arrival, and I will expect a round of applause when I get dressed in the morning, without even attempting cooking for nine!
We took with us a batch of very chocolaty beetroot brownies, I've made these a few times before using this River Cottage Recipe, but this time followed a easier to make Riverford recipe, taken from their Riverford Farm Cook Book. The beetroot taste was far more subtle and they were very rich indeed, perfect warm with ice cream, cream or custard and definitely just for an occasional treat!
Finally, I have found some cream that actually works on my horrible red itchy forehead, I don't know if it was the cold weather, eczema or pregnancy hormones but I had tried everything the last few weeks, eventually using Dr. Haushka's light rose day cream. It's very expensive but it worked in just a few days, so I thought I'd share my discovery with you in case you too were suffering from winter skin!