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MP who suffered when his party was de-registered wants grace period introduced.
Justice Minister Judith Collins says changes that Peter Dunne wants to party registration laws could be incorporated into a Government bill tweaking electoral laws.
Ms Collins introduced the Electoral Amendment Bill yesterday which will require political parties to declare loans of more than $15,000 as well as donations, and outlaw supporters wearing rosettes and coloured ribbons on election day.
The loans provision is intended to close a loophole which could allow parties to hide donations as loans and later forgive them - delaying the need to disclose them until after the election.
She said she would suggest to Mr Dunne that he put the changes he wanted to party registration rules in as an amendment to that bill, either through the select committee process or when it returned to Parliament. However, she said she could not guarantee National would support Mr Dunne's measures, saying it would have to be discussed by caucus and Cabinet first.
Mr Dunne is also drafting a members bill to give effect to his changes as well as continuing his discussions with Ms Collins about incorporating them into the Government bill.
Mr Dunne wants the law to provide for three-yearly checks of all parties' membership numbers and to require the Electoral Commission to recognise online membership subscriptions. He also wants it to give parties which have to de-register a time limit within which to meet the registration requirements again without having to go through the entire process from scratch or suffering penalties, such as losing parliamentary funding.
The bill was prompted by the recent deregistration of United Future because it could not guarantee it had 500 members.
Ms Collins bill's new loans disclosure rules were prompted by the Conservative Party, which funded its 2012 campaign through a loan of more than $1 million from its leader, Colin Craig, who forgave much of it after the election, at which point it was disclosed as a donation.
Ms Collins said individual candidates would not have to disclose loans, partly because their spending limit of $25,700 was much lower.
Electoral Amendment Bill
* Requires political parties but not candidates to declare any loans above $1500.
* Parties will also have to give the identity and other details of anyone who lends them more than $15,000.
* Allows for full online voter enrolment using the government's new RealMe electronic identity verification system.
* Allows for greater use of EasyVote cards to streamline the voting process and reduce special votes.
* Outlaws the wearing of party rosettes on election day except for scrutineers.
Peter Dunne's amendments:
* Checks on all political parties' membership numbers every three years.
* Require the Electoral Commission to recognise online membership subscriptions.
* Give parties which have to de-register a grace period to meet the registration requirements again without having to go through the entire process from scratch or suffering penalties, such as losing parliamentary funding.


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When the 2018 Game Developer Conference touches down at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California from March 19th to the 23rd, game designers, artists, producers, and programmers will be ready for everything from learning at workshops to networking with peers.
But as the countdown for what has become the world's biggest professional game industry event continues in earnest, not everyone who should be at the conference will be able to afford the opportunity—an opportunity that could open up career opportunities.
That's why Enhance's 8th Annual Indie Giving event is focused on raising money to help small developers attend the conference. When you consider the benefits to independent developers, community-building, and our three sponsorship group options, we're sure you'll see the importance of supporting this worthwhile fundraiser.
Benefits to Developers
Our Indie Giving event is a great way for independent developers to attend the conference at a discounted rate. While attendees can pick and choose which events they go to at the conference, anyone desiring all access for the five-day affair can expect to pay between $1,949 to $2,449. Our Indie Giving package includes a summit pass for only $349!
Building Communities: Help The City, Meet Other Developers
At Enhance, we recognize that it's all about community. Independent developers who sign up will get the opportunity to participate in a charity event to support a local organization and meet other developers before the conference! For our volunteer activity, we are working with One Brick in a beach clean up program at the Aquatic Park in San Francisco. Volunteers not only will benefit the community, but also will get to meet other developers before the conference kicks off. In previous years, we've volunteered with organizations such as Hands on Bay Area, ECS, OBUGS, and The SF Parks Conservancy. This year, we are proud that all proceeds will be donated to One Brick and Water.org.
How can you help? We're looking for sponsors. GDC and Enhance are the title sponsors, with additional support from Champion Sponsor Unity and Supporters Flowplay and FGL. If you're ready to get involved, we're looking to bring aboard additional sponsors. Our sponsorship levels include Champion, Partner, and Supporter. Contact us to learn more about each level!
All of our sponsors receive branding throughout sponsored event venues, logo and description on indiegiving.com website, and logo on the Indie Giving 2018 volunteer t-shirt.
Sign up here: Indie Giving Event 2018
If you're interested in becoming a sponsor this year or just want to learn more about the benefits of being a sponsor, get in touch with us!
Email email@example.com to secure your sponsorship today.

subset: commoncrawl


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From: Good Faith Casting, LLC [mailto:firstname.lastname@example.com] On Behalf Of Good Faith Casting, LLC
Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 1:51 PM
Subject: Casting for print shoot Tucson Casino
PROJECT: Casino Print Shoot Casting
We are casting a casino print shoot to be shot in Tucson, Arizona. There will be two auditions, one in Tucson and one in Phoenix.
TYPE OF JOB: Print shoot
UNION STATUS: Non-union
AUDITION DATES: September 22nd (in Tucson) September 23rd (In Phoenix) BY APPOINTMENT ONLY!
You must first submit and then be "invited" to audition. If you submit and do not get called then you were not selected to audition. Thanks.
Principals will be paid $300 per day (up to 10 hours), plus 20% agency fee if applicalble. If travelling from outside of Tucson area then $50 gas allowance will be provided. Extras will be paid $100 per day (up to 10 hours), plus 20% agency fee if applicalbe. Usage is complete buyout for all print media (excluding billboard use) for indefinate period of time. Usage pertains to Tucson market only and is non-exclusive.
ROLES: Attractive men and women of all ethnicities between the ages of 25 and 65.
Actors will be asked to slate with their name only then will be asked to do a short improve showing different facial expressions and actions. Please bring one photo and resume.
CASTING DIRECTOR (s):
Faith Hibbs-Clark, CSA, Head Casting Director / Owner
Leigh Ann Dolan, Casting Director
Chris J. Bowe, C.S.A. Casting Director
SHOOT DATE(s):Checking availability for September 27th to October 1st, 2010 (note that this will be a day shoot not an overnight shoot)
SHOOT LOCATION: Tucson, AZ.
NION STATUS: Non-union.
1. Send an email to email@example.com with the subject line reading "Tucson Casino"
2. Attach a current, color, low resolution photograph
3. In the body of the email provide us with your full name, cell phone number, the name of your agent if you have one, your union status, the city in which you live, and your email address. Please state your availability.
4. All submissions will first be considered for principal work but please also state if you are willing to be considered as an extra should you not be called in for a principal role.
CAUTIONS: Not all submissions result in an audition/booking. Please do not call our office to follow up or submit multiple submissions for the same job. Do not send us links to other websites. Do not hide your contact info within an attachment. Do not say things like "you already know me" or "I am already in your database" as all submissions that do not follow precise protocol will be deleted and will not be considered for the project. Do not submit if you are not a good match for the project or if you are not available for the either the audition date, callback date, or shoot date(s). Please make sure you read this entire email before asking questions that may already be answered in this alert. If you are signed with one of our "preferred agents" you should ask that your agent submit on your behalf. For best results, follow instructions exactly. Please always be concise and courteous in your correspondence.
LEGAL WARNING: This information is for subscribed individual use ONLY. To pass this message on to another individual, use the forward function key below. Do NOT contact the client directly. Do NOT post this casting notice to websites without our express permission and do NOT forward it to groups without contacting our office first. Under no circumstances are you permitted to sell this information or use it to promote your own business.
Reposted to the TTA List by permission of Good Faith Casting.
TucsonStage.com - home of Chuck Graham's "Let the Show Begin"
Visit the website for TTA Listserv subscription information


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The staff and food quality is excellent. It's a great experience. I recommend one must visit this place amidst forests at least once and experience the natural beauty.
Really enjoyed every moment of our stay and the excellent hospitality extended by very member of the resort. we definitely wish to stay again.
A superb spa makes the body very light. A well planned & huge estate with extra-large, clean, loaded with good amenity rooms are mind refreshing. The most important is service for which I can say it's difficult to count how many times you have been greeted in a day by the staff. A superb place to relax.
Watch sunrise and sunset. Go through organic gardening. Bird watching. Cooking sessions by their well experienced chefs.
You have various amenities available at different hillocks. There is availability of Nano cars on call for taking to various locations. It has got very lively swimming pool, a separate pool for kids. A very good SPA.
A good library. Facilities for learning umbrella painting & clay pottery. Cycling tracks. Yoga classes & bird watching activity is also available. Nice and sumptuous food available. Had Fun & enjoyed our stay.
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Tom Brady has opened up about his wedding to supermodel Gisele Bundchen earlier this year.
The New England Patriots star tied the knot with Bundchen in a private ceremony in Santa Monica, CA, in February, attended only by their parents and his baby son.
Speaking to GQ, he said: "We planned [the wedding] in like ten days, and it was perfect. We went back to the house and I barbecued aged New York strips. We had champagne, a cake, some ice cream. It was a great night."
He continued: "I think you always have this idea that weddings need to be 200 people and you invite everybody, and I'm all for it if people want to do that, but I think there was really something special about just having our parents there."
Brady - who also celebrated the nuptials at an extended reception in Costa Rica - added: "It's nothing personal against anybody but it's not about them. It's about what you and your wife need for that day."
The couple recently confirmed that they were expecting their first child together in December. Brady also has a child from his relationship with Bridget Moynahan.


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Register for an upcoming CE class, take a class online, listen to a webinar and update your ADRE profile!
View More
Access MLS information and Flexmls software tips for Santa Cruz County Multiple Listing Service.
Market your client's residential properties by participating in the MLS Home tours.
Due to their frequent contact with unfamiliar people in private locations, real estate agents face more on-the-job risks than many other business professionals.
Show your pride by wearing your REALTOR® pin and access marketing material for your emails, website, and much more.
As a real estate professional, it is important to be knowledgeable about the standard of care in the industry and achieve the highest level of professionalism to protect your client.
We've partnered with REALTORS® PROPERTY RESOURCE (RPR). Try it Now!
Training videos and tips to maximize your Zipforms® provided by National Association of Realtors®.
Before you search elsewhere, take advantage of the research the National Association of Realtors® has already done for you.
Update license information, subcribe to news & alerts, lookup licensee information and much more.
View SCCBR Calendar for MLS tours continuing education courses, and membership meetings.
Work forms and web site links to help you with your day-to-day real estate business.
SCCBR Dashboard " >View More


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How Do We Help Our People Perform at Their Natural Best?
January 27, 2017 | Rick VanDermyden
There's a recurring theme that has come up recently during the leadership training I facilitate: How do we help our people perform at their natural best? It's a great thought process, it's a great conversation. If we could have people in the place where they are naturally at their best, what's that look like? What's it feel like? This conversation around our giftedness has come up many times. When you operate at your natural best you will see the following characteristics:
The first thing that your giftedness gives you is superiority. In your area, in your lane, you're head and shoulders above everybody else in that lane. You perform better, you perform more naturally, and you can deliver the results easier than anybody else in that area. So, in your area of giftedness, you have superiority. Don't abuse it; it is given to you so you can serve others.
Secondly, when you recognize this superiority, it should give you humility. You'll begin to notice the superiority you have in your area and be able to recognize others who are superior to you in other areas, or "lanes". When we see that we're good in just this little area, we realize all these other areas where we need other people to surround us to help us be our best. This should bring us humility, and we should model it. We know what it is to model humility when we can say the areas we are good at and that there are plenty of areas where we need help.
The third area that your giftedness gives you is responsibility. If we're given a gift, (and we're talking about giftedness here) if we're at a place where we're naturally our best, don't we have a big responsibility to be in that place? And so for responsibility, just accept it. Just know that it is put on you, and it's put on me, it's put on our people, for a reason. We need to accept that responsibility of using our giftedness to put us again in that place where we're naturally at our best.
The last thing it gives us is opportunity. When we're at our natural best, doors of opportunity will absolutely open for you and for me. It'll open up for our team. And so, for opportunity, go ahead and take it. When opportunity comes, take it. The great coach John Wooden said, "When opportunity comes, it's too late to prepare."
And so you'll know when you're in your area of giftedness, you'll be better than others in that area. You know that it'll bring you humility, and it'll be appropriate humility. You know that it will give you a sense of responsibility for delivering that, and ultimately it will open up doors of opportunity that you'll want to take.
As you're thinking about how you can be at your natural best and how your people can be at their natural best, think about these 4 areas.
Where do they show up a little better? Help them to be in that place all the time, and make sure to do that yourself also.


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All magazines sent by 1st Class Mail UK & by Airmail worldwide (bar UK over 750g which may go 2nd Class).
With articles such as how to 'Be your own psychic' and '20 ways to be happy and uplift your sprit' we think this magazine will lift your mood in no time at all. There will also be amazing stories of how people were allegedly saved by angels or their 'guardian' if you believe in such things. We were particularly interested in one article called 'assess your cosmic cash flow'; we wouldn't mind a little extra cash were its due! Soul and Spirit magazine has got a nice classy finish which makes it look and feel well made; if you like your magazines to be of the very best quality then this magazine will not disappoint you. This magazine is good value for money and is produced to a high standard so readers can rest assured that they will be spending their money on a nice quality bit of publishing. Basically if you fancy yourself as a bit of a psychic or having mystic powers then this magazine will give you some good solid advice on how to make your life work in the way you want it too. We quite enjoyed the positive messages that this magazine gives to its readers, if you are feeling a little blue then we think this magazine will make you feel perky in no time. We recommend that you get this magazine in order to dispel your Monday blues, we had a good read of this magazine on a cloudy Monday morning and we felt more uplifted in seconds. Soul and Spirit magazine promises to give readers a more positive attitude and more peace of mind for their futures, which as you'd expect with a magazine of this type, will always be rosy!
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Read three articles published in three consecutive days, and the conclusion one would draw is clear: It's the Republican-controlled House of Representatives that is to blame for the debt ceiling negotiation stalemate.
That's not the view coming from one of the left-leaning talking heads employed at MSNBC. Nor is it something from the New York Times opinion page. Instead, it is coming from Politico, an outlet that claims it has no political leaning. But a closer look indicates otherwise, whether it is intentional or not.
In three separate articles published on July 18, 19 and 20 respectively, Politico reporter David Rogers found fault with congressional Republicans in his reporting on the standoff between the GOP-controlled House of Representatives and the Democratic-controlled Senate and White House. In those stories, he quoted Democrats at a margin of 2-to-1 over Republicans.
In his July 18 report, Rogers was very critical of the Republicans' efforts in the House of Representatives.
"Indeed, with the Aug. 2 deadline exactly two weeks away, the House GOP is doubling down its bet with 10-year statutory spending caps intended to wring $5.8 trillion in unspecified savings from the government during the next decade — more than twice the $2.4 trillion debt ceiling increase that is allowed," Rogers wrote. "And in his haste to act, [House Speaker} John] Boehner will bring the so-called Cut, Cap and Balance bill to the floor under exactly the type of procedure he has said he abhors: limited debate and with no real review by any legislative committee."
Rogers, writing in Politico on July 19, took a curiously critical stance on Republican measures to push a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, despite President Barack Obama continuing to "speak hopefully."
"Against this background, Obama continues to speak hopefully of progress being made and 'some narrowing of the issues.' But thus far, the House GOP remains unyielding on new taxes and is demanding instead deep spending cuts and a constitutional amendment to make it harder to raise revenues in the future," Rogers wrote.
His July 20 report specifically blamed the GOP in his headline and leaned heavily on Democratic sources, including an unnamed "veteran" Democratic strategist, Democratic Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin and White House press secretary Jay Carney.
"'They are going to torch the House,' said one veteran Democratic strategist, predicting a steady escalation of political heat on Republicans in the remaining days before the Aug. 2 deadline," Rogers wrote.
When Rogers was asked by The Daily Caller to comment on his reporting, he downplayed any bias and said he felt he had been fair to Republicans.
"All three stories you cited were shaped by conversations with Republicans," Rogers wrote in an e-mail. "I talk to Republicans all the time. You seem to be penalizing me here for writing about Cut, Cap and Balance in detail, rather than dismissing it as a 'symbolic' vote like many papers. I took it seriously, talked to those who helped write it, sought out Mr. Goodlatte over the weekend and quoted Ryan's closing."
Almost immediately after reaching out to Rogers about any perceived bias, the headline from his July 20 story was changed from "House conservatives resist compromise" to "Barack Obama looks for debt-deal endgame." However, Rogers maintained he had nothing to do with the headline being changed.
"As you know, I have nothing to do with headlines, and if that is what you are judging me [on], you have come to the wrong person," Rogers wrote.
Rogers isn't a stranger to leaning on Democrats for sources in his stories. His Politico bio boasts about his association early in his career with former Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O'Neill:
"Much of Rogers's early education in Congress came from the Massachusetts delegation, which then included Speaker Tip O'Neill and senior members of the House Appropriations Committee, who encouraged him to cover that panel when few other reporters did on a regular basis. His Vietnam experience fed an interest as well in the covert wars of the 1980s, and his reporting disclosed the U.S. mining of Nicaraguan harbors as well as earned him a footnote — though not a movie part — in 'Charlie Wilson's War.'"


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Wednesday, January 30, 2013
How to Get People to Apply What They Learned: Just One Thing
Learning is complex. There are many definitions and many different ways of learning. Learning is the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience or being taught. Learning is the modification of a behavioral tendency. I believe any definition of learning must include the part about a change in behavior. After all, the learning that occurs in organizations requires that people change their behaviors in order to perform work at a certain proficiency. Certainly the stakeholders of our training programs care most that people leave our training and can actually "do" something valuable.
Therefore, the learning and development professional is concerned with how to make sure what people learn in a training class translates to performance on the job.
[Read More]
Monday, January 28, 2013
Social Learning Does Not Require Social Media
In my search for a new facilitation method, I discovered The World Cafe: Shaping Our Futures Through Conversations that Matter. I have been asked to lead a group of sixty leaders through a discussion of the book, Understanding Michael Porter: The Essential Guide to Competition and Strategy. I wanted to do something different and apart from what I felt comfortable doing and something that could leverage the conversations inherent in social learning. I think the facilitation method in The World Cafe is exactly what I need and precisely aligned with my objectives.
The World Cafe was published in 2005, so it seems I am a bit late to the party on this method of facilitating discussions. However, as I read the book, the method seems timeless and one that would be just as effective in 1983 as in 2013. The goal of the session is to get leaders talking about strategy and how the organization can compete better in a tough market. The best ideas are going to come from this group of managers, who know their business better than anyone. I just need to shape the conversation in such a way that these managers will open up and be candid with each other.
Want Better Conversations? Ask Better Questions
The chapter on questions is worth the price of the book all by itself. Not only does it give great ideas and examples about how to frame questions to elicit bigger, better discussions, but it provides sources that the read can look up for read more about coming up with really good questions.
For example, a typical question that I would ask a group of managers is, "How can we improve communication between departments?" This question is fine (I guess), but it does not necessarily free people from discussing ways of communicating much beyond what they are already doing. This question implies that we can only improve what we already do and roots the group in existing communication methods. What if the question was asked this way, "If we were great at communicating in this company, what would that look like?" This question frees the group from existing ways and allows people to explore the ideal.
I learned this from reading The World Cafe. The book is full of examples like this, which I found refreshing.
Not So "Touchy Feely"
For some, hosting good conversations seems like a touchy feely topic, but it is not. And when you read stories of high-level executives in large organizations in oil, pharma, financial and other so-no-touchy-feely-industries, you will find the method practical and useful.
That's Social Learning
If you are looking for a new method for facilitating group discussions on important, high-level organizational topics or if you are look for a new approach that will get people talking, you need to purchase this book and devour it. It is an easy read, and it is supplemented by resources on the web to help you get started in your first World Cafe....that is what I plan to do.
Have you participated in or hosted a World Cafe? What was your experience like? Was it a valuable experience? I would like to here your stories in the comments below.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Good News: Spending on Training Increasing
In a recent Bersin by Deloitte study, spending on learning and development rose by 12% in 2012. In another study, 90% of CEOS said they plan to maintain or increase training budgets in 2013. Obviously, this is great news for learning and development (L&D) professionals. Not only do CEOs intend to invest in training, but the study also found that cost is not a primary factor when deciding to invest in training. This is good because the only thing you need to say to your CEO when you have this discussion is this: "If you want me to create this training program you have a choice – Good, Fast and Cheap — pick only two."
[Read More]
[Read More]
Posted by @billcush at 2:31 PM No comments : Links to this post
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Getting Started in Mobile Learning
In a recent post, I talked about a new feature in Mindflash that allows you to create training modules that work beautifully on the iPad. This opens up a whole new realm of possibilities for reaching learners with effective and relevant learning opportunities. Based on the numbers and predictions, mobile is going to be bigger that we can even imagine, and learning experience (LX) designers need to be ready. So now that you know designing mobile learning is possible with Mindflash, the next question is, "How do I get started?"
The first three things you should do to get started in mobile learning is to education yourself, learn your authoring tool well, and experiment with mobile learning designs.
Posted by @billcush at 9:24 AM No comments : Links to this post
Produce Something of Value That Improves Results
It turns out, I have chosen (potentially) a combination of the two most lengthy methods, two of which most committee chairs would not actively recommend to students...mixed methods and action research.
However, based on my research interests and questions that I want to answer, the best way to design my study is with a mixed methods action research methodology. From the speaker, "A mixed methods study is like doing two dissertations."
Double Yikes!!
And Action Research? Really? "You want to do two (or more) iterations of your intervention?"
I must be crazy.
Look, I want to conduct research that is valuable to organizations. Research that is practical (Action Research) and actionable in organizational settings. And I want to produce research that improves outcomes. Many (maybe most) dissertations can be written in their entirety without ever "leaving the lab?" I did not want to do that.
There is no easy path to a dissertation, but it seems I have made it a bit more difficult on myself. But that's OK. I think I will meet some smart and interesting people along the way, help an organization improve results, and have a good dissertation from which others can benefit.
If you'd like to read more details about my research plan, see the tab above call "Dissertation." You can read a detailed account of my research plans.
Posted by @billcush at 9:16 AM No comments : Links to this post
Labels: Communities of Practice , CoP , Dissertation , Learning , PhD , Research , Social Learning
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The Secret to Designing Training For Busy Schedules
When one gets started in e-learning, it is easy to think, "This is great, now we don't have to do classroom training anymore." This is certainly one benefit of e-learning. However, you do not have to think of this as an either/or proposition. In fact, an effective and popular way to use e-learning is in a blended approach that combines live training and self-paced e-learning.
There are a variety of ways in which blending learning methods can be applied. In his Chief Learning Officer Magazine piece, "Learning Bursts: A Different Way to Deliver Training," Dave Basarab lays out a method of effectively breaking up learning experiences into short bursts that can be used in combination with live or other self-paced training, OR completely replace classroom training.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Can Social Learning Improve Sales Results?
working on my dissertation in pursuit of my PhD in Education.
The purpose of my study is to test a social theory of learning (Wenger, 1998) through the use of a community of practice of new sales people in an organization to further understand the relationship between participation in the community of practice and sales results, and to explore how new sales people, participating in a community of practice, supported by an enterprise social network (ESN), can learn the skills necessary to achieve sales goals. The study intends to put to the test that learning is an informal and social process of meaning building, practice, participation in a community, and identity seeking (Wenger 1998). The results of the study could help organizations apply the HPT model, a formal and systematic process of linking business goals with the workforce (Van Tiem, Moseley & Dessinger, 2000), to design, implement, and evaluate a community of practice on an enterprise social network (the intervention) in order to improve performance, as defined by sales results.
The study also seeks to solve the problem of how to allocate training and performance improvement resources to maximize how people learn and to maximize sales results. The study intends to therefore help organizations make sense out of how a theory of social learning can be implemented with newcomer sales people (or any sales people, for that matter) to improve sales results.
Van Tiem, D., Moseley, J., & Dessinger, J. (2012). Fundamentals of Performance Improvement: Optimizing Results Through People, Process, and Organizations. San Francisco, CA: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice: Learning, meaning, and identity. Cambridge, U.K: Cambridge University Press.
Posted by @billcush at 11:02 AM No comments : Links to this post
Labels: #e20 , #esn , #Socbiz , ESN , Social Enterprise , Social Learning , Social Networking
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...weep with those who weep.I probably won't get in my car and head east 4 hours, but I would like to. I will instead continue to look at the pictures of a sister who just heard her sibling was one of the teachers who died protecting 'her kids' and not look away when Facebook pictures of those being laid to rest this week will continue on my newsfeed. I may not be able to sit in the back pew of a memorial service, but I can pray for all those who are weeping...and continue to weep with those who weep.
I don't want to trust in the illusion of 'absolute safety'. I Do want to trust in the God who rules absolutely. Rob GatesI will continue to pray, but will be shutting off the TV, I don't need details in order to pray for those who are grieving.


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Ontario Green Energy Act
In 2006, the Government of Ontario set a precedent in North America by introducing the Renewable Energy Standard Offer Program — the most progressive green energy initiative in more than twenty years. In that same year the Ontario Power Authority began work on the Integrated Power System Plan – a 20-year plan that will determine how Ontario's electricity system will evolve.
Green Energy Act Executive Summary
To make Ontario a global leader in the development of renewable energy, clean distributed energy and conservation, creating thousands of jobs, economic prosperity, energy security, and climate protection.
The purpose of this Act is to facilitate the development of a sustainable energy economy that protects the environment while streamlining the approvals process, mitigates climate change, engages communities and builds a world-class green industrial sector.
It will enable all Ontarians to participate and benefit from green energy as conservers and generators, at the lowest cost to consumers.
Cost / Price
The Green Energy Act would provide a lower cost option to Ontarians.
Evidence submitted to the Ontario Energy Board hearings shows that a renewable-powered electricity system with a greater emphasis on conservation and efficiency would be at least 11 percent less expensive, and potentially as high as 32 per cent less expensive, than the Ontario Power Authority's proposed Integrated Power System Plan.
Moreover, as Moody's Investment Services noted in May 2008, traditional generating technologies have fixed designs whose costs are rising rapidly while renewable technologies are still experiencing significant advancements in terms of energy conversion efficiency and cost reductions.
The Green Energy Act can deliver on Ontario's Climate Change Strategy while creating a world-leading clean-technology industry and enabling Ontario to achieve aggressive targets:
- 6000 MW of conservation by 2015 with an additional 2.5% annual (compounding) reduction in energy resource needs from conservation from 2015 onwards
- 10,000 MW of new installed renewable energy by 2015, over and above 2003 levels
- 25,000 MW of new installed new renewable energy by 2025, over and above 2003 levels
- 1,500 MW of new installed clean distributed energy by 2015, and 3,000 MW by 2025, as of the introduction of this Act.
- Achievement of the approximately 30% reduction in natural gas consumption that has been identified as economic by 2017 in studies for the gas utilities.


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Log in if you have an account
By creating an account with our store, you will be able to move through the checkout process faster, store multiple addresses, view and track your orders in your account, and more.Create an account
Ana + Zac run Makenew, a curated thrift shop established in 2010.
Makenew is comprised of select pieces of women's and men's vintage and second-hand clothing along with new clothing, jewellery, skincare and accessories from emerging designers and makers. The shop is stocked weekly with casual - well-made - classics that stand out or blend in.
The curated clean lines and natural fibres work fluidly alongside Ana + Zac's own basics line and speak to a sustainably minded fashion-forward customer. Shop carefully curated seasonal pre-worn items like vintage denim, hand-made knitwear and cotton shirting.
Shop ethical clothing lines and special pieces carefully sourced locally and from all over the world, currently including Lithuania, Morocco, The Philippines, Turkey, Peru and Argentina. Makenew also hosts pop-ups with like-minded designers, collaborates with local artists and makers and promotes long-term relationships with the brands they carry.
Makenew strives to be inclusive of sizing and to offer quality choices for many shapes and sizes. Sizes depend on what can be sourced locally and what current inventory is in stock. Sizes vary from XXS to 3XL.
Makenew is located at 2698 Agricola Street Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3K 4C9 Canada
+1 902 444 4120
Monday - Friday 11-6
Saturday 11-5 Sunday 12-5


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The mugshot extortion industry should make us rethink open records laws.
In a feature that ran this past weekend, The New York Times drew some much needed attention to a very ugly business: websites that trawl sheriff and police databases for mugshots, post those mugshots on their own sites, then charge arrestees to have their mugshots taken down. Since its inception the industry has grown to include scores of sites that will post your mugshot, as well as intercessory businesses that charge hefty fees—ranging from $195 to more than $800—to have your photo removed from one or more Internet locations. As Wired reported in 2011, the two business models are essentially complimentary, and the operators of each sometimes collude.
While some states have attempted to write laws prohibiting companies from profiting off mugshots, the Times notes that private corporations, after being contacted by the paper, are having a bigger impact on the business than legislators:
As it happens, Google's team worked faster than Mr. Freidenfelds expected, introducing that algorithm change sometime on Thursday. The effects were immediate: on Friday, two mug shots of Janese Trimaldi, which had appeared prominently in an image search, were no longer on the first page. For owners of these sites, this is very bad news.
And, it turns out, these owners face another looming problem: getting paid.
Asked two weeks ago about its policies on mug-shot sites, officials at MasterCard spent a few days examining the issue, and came back with an answer.
"We looked at the activity and found it repugnant," said Noah Hanft, general counsel with the company. MasterCard executives contacted the merchant bank that handles all of its largest mug-shot site accounts and urged it to drop them as customers. "They are in the process of terminating them," Mr. Hanft said.
PayPal came back with a similar response after being contacted for this article.
American Express and Discover were contacted on Monday and, two days later, both companies said they were severing relationships with mug-shot sites. A representative of Visa wrote to say it was asking merchant banks to investigate business practices of the sites "to ensure they are both legal and in compliance with Visa operating regulations."
If it's not obvious why this business is unseemly, imagine the impact it would have on your career, your job hunt, your school-age children, to have a mugshot appear on the first results page of a Google search for your name; near the top, perhaps. Maybe you were young, overestimated your tolerance for alcohol, and got pulled over for speeding. Maybe you were middle-aged, lonely, and sought out paid consensual sex with another adult, who just happened to be an undercover cop. Regardless of how one feels about, say, sex work, it is ultimately the case that mugshots turn ephemeral moments into lasting monuments. If you're convicted of something awful, perhaps you deserve the infamy. But what if you're not convicted? What if you didn't do what your mugshot suggests you did? What if you are guilty, but only of preferring nontraditional but totally consensual recreational activities?
Doesn't matter. Your chances of landing a job or a lease aren't helped by that picture of you with red-rimmed eyes and messy hair, your hands gripping a black and white placard. Despite the obvious consequences of trotting innocent-until-proven guilty people before a camera and then blasting that picture far and wide, some folks are concerned to see corporate giants refusing to cooperate with extortionists. Writes Mathew Ingram at GigaOm:
It seems — to me at least — that there's a very real risk that this kind of behavior could quickly become a slippery slope, and eventually result in Google and/or other platforms doing what Amazon did when it removed WikiLeaks documents from its S3 cloud servers in 2010 (which the company claims was not the result of any pressure from the U.S. government).
But there are slippery slopes on both sides of the mountain. The case against releasing mugshots was probably made most effectively in 1999 by the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Louisiana, which ruled against releasing the mugshot of Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. Then the owner of the San Francisco 49ers, DeBartolo had been charged with failing to report a felony after Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards attempted to extort him. The New Orleans Times-Picayune sued the Department of Justice to get DeBartolo's mugshot, and lost. In its ruling, the court said that
As in the cliche, a picture is worth a thousand words. For that reason, a mug shot's stigmatizing effect can last well beyond the actual criminal proceedings. Furthermore, just because somebody has conceded guilt does not negate that person's interest in nondisclosure of the mug shot. Halloran, 874 F.2d at 322 ("that otherwise-private information may have been at one time or in some way in the 'public' domain does not mean that a person irretrievably loses his or her privacy interests in it"). A mug shot preserves, in its unique and visually powerful way, the subject individual's brush with the law for posterity. It would be reasonable for a criminal defendant, even one who has already been convicted and sentenced, to object to the public disclosure of his or her mug shot.
Perhaps more importantly, the court noted that mugshots "contain information that is intended for the use of a particular group or class of persons." That line is probably the best argument for exempting mugshots from public record laws. Like fingerprints, mugshots are used by law enforcement to identify people. Over time, the press began to treat them as "public documents," and some courts have agreed. It's clearly time to renegotiate that claim. Two decades ago, unless you were a celebrity or a nobody accused of a particularly heinous crime, your mugshot wasn't worth much. Today, it's worth something to a lot of different parties: mugshot sites want to bank on prying eyes, neighbors want to know more about their neighbors, etc. As one mugshot site said:
"No one should have to go to the courthouse to find out if their kid's baseball coach has been arrested, or if the person they're going on a date with tonight has been arrested. Our goal is to make that information available online, without having to jump through any hoops."
These mugshot websites aren't for leering, say their creators (even though that's why these sites rank so high on Google—people surf them for a looong time), they're for keeping you and your loved ones safe. Yet people lived without having this information at their fingertips until about 2010, when the first of the mugshot sites began to pop up. Were things really so bad back then?
If the best argument for keeping mugshots in the "public information" category is that they've always been in that category, or that they help people instantaneously vet their dates and children's baseball coaches, then open records advocates (of which I'm one 99 percent of the time) need to rethink this issue. Mugshots are a tool that allow police and crime victims to identify and track suspects through the criminal justice system. Making them publicly available turns an investigative tool into a lifelong punishment.
Top image: Al Capone.


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Population growth, congestion and environmental damage alongside increased use of convenience stores and the home delivery of internet purchased groceries are challenging the traditional methods of food logistics. U-TURN is a 3 year project running until May 2018 that will investigate and identify new models for urban food transportation to bring about environmental and societal benefits. Involving nine European partners the project focuses on research and solutions to urban logistics in Athens, Milan and London.
Pilots overview
U-TURN explained


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Oh goody…another mint tea. Hear me out though — Mighty Leaf's Organic Mint Melange sounds like it might be more than what you think just from the name alone.
And yet, that's where it falls flat (to me, that is). Putting "melange" in the name makes you think you're getting a mix of mints, when in actuality, it's just a plain ass cup of spearmint tea. Why you gotta lie, Mighty Leaf? That's mighty dishonest of you. NEXT!


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Our Activist
We honor the individual wisdom and charisma in each of us.
We exist to empower those who are ready to improve their lives and the world. We have made it our mission to Providing Ideas To Improve Your Active Life™. We have selected thriving individuals who inspire us and we proudly call them our Karma Activists. Our Activist program supports amazing athletes and personalities across North America. We partner with inspiring individuals who are passionate about their sport and are actively engaged in their communities. We collaborate with our Activists to promote a healthy and active lifestyle and build the Karma movement.
The Activist program is an opportunity for people in North America to act as inspirational and influential role models between Karma Athletics and their beloved communities. Our Activists are true, inspiring, caring, responsible leaders in their communities. They are goal-oriented visionaries who are motivating and socially conscious. Our Activists motivate their communities to join us in making a positive impact around the world.
- They are involved in community events, fundraisers or meet and greets and share those experiences with the world
- They promote, reach out, teach, try new things, and guide individuals in their community
- Are social media influencers who thrive to engage their followers through creative content, timely updates, and genuine dialogue
- Have solid writing skills to write on relevant health and fitness topics
- Identify opportunities to work with other Activists to promote healthy and active living
- Certified fitness professionals with professional fitness designation
- Fitness and health studio owners and instructors
- Healthy and active professionals exhibiting positive lifestyles
- Inspirational leaders in their communities
For any questions, please contact: email@example.com
The Elite Activist program is a network of professional and elite athletes who share similar values with Karma Athletics and have the ambition to use their talents to make the world around them a better place. Elite athletes are respected individuals in the community and have deep connections and influence with the people around them.
For more information or to apply, please contact: firstname.lastname@example.com
The media and social media influencer program is a network of mass communication advocates who are passionate about Karma's vision, values, and growth. For more information or to apply, please contact: email@example.com


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You will need :-
250 g Unsalted butter at room temprature
250 g Plain flour
125 g rice flour
pinch of salt
100 g Caster sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 tbsp icing sugar for dusting
1 tsp ground cinnamon for dusting
In a bowl mix butter and sugar. Mix till it gets fluffy, now add both flour, cinnamon and salt. Rub the mixture is like fine crumbs and knead untill smooth. Then cover the dough with clingflim and place it in the fridge for half an hour. Preheat the oven to gas mark 4. Now roll out the dough untill 1/2 inch thicker. cut out the cookies with cookie cutter in what ever shape you fancy. I cut mine into STARS... Place the cookies ona baking sheet.Press the tines of a fork into each cookie to make designs. Bake them about 18-20 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Mix icing sugar and ground cinnamon and gently toss them to coat.
Let's cook for christmas Red and Green


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To say fiscal year 2012 were a disappointment for American business owners would be an understatement. The Great American Recession ended in June 2009, according to Forbes Magazine contributor and economic commentator James K. Glassman (i). Yet recovery from this recession has taken much longer than most expected.
Our current recovery pales in comparison with [ ] the one following the Great Depression, argues Stanford professor of economics, Edward P. Lazear, contrasting the lackluster economic rebound of 2009-12 with the economic boom that occurred 1934-37 (ii). While there are a number of significant variables that account for the difference between then and now, one thing is certain: American businesses cannot afford to overlook financial losses, particularly when the cause is easily prevented. According to a new report issued by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute, however, it seems that American businesses think they can.
Workplace slip-and-fall accidents cost American business owners an estimated $13 billion in 2010, according to the research institutes 2012 Workplace Safety Index (iii). An annual report, the Index combines data from Liberty Mutual workers compensation insurance claims, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and the National Academy of Social Insurance to provide estimates for the most prominent causes of accidents that occur on the job. According to the report, slip-and-fall accidents are classified in two ways, fall on same level and fall to lower level, which cost business owners approximately $8.61 billion and $5.12 billion, respectively.
Most disturbing is the fact that 2010 was not an atypically bad year for American businesses. According to the report, the real cost of fall on same level accidents increased by an estimated 42.3% between 1998-2010, amounting to nearly $2 billion. This is particularly alarming given that the overall real cost of all workplace accidents actually decreased by about 4.7% over that same period.
These numbers indicate that businesses have made strides in preventing other types of workplace accidents, like those caused by overexertion or falling objects. However, the number of employees injured by simple slip-and-fall accidents, particularly those that occur on flat ground, has seen tremendous growth since 1998.
Reversing the Trend: Preventing Slips and Falls in 2013 and Beyond
For most business owners, preventing slips and falls is as simple as performing a workplace risk assessment to identify what has the greatest potential to cause an accident. After identifying areas of potential hazard, businesses may then determine whether current safety products, protocols, and other resources are adequate in preventing an accident.
According to HSE.gov, there are 5 steps to performing a safety assessment (iv):
1. Identify the hazards.
To identify hazards, perform a facility walk-through to observe all areas that are instrumental to daily operations. Ask employees for input, and be sure to check the operating instructions and specifications sheets for machinery that might be dangerous while operated.
2. Decide who might be harmed, and how.
While identifying the hazards, consider how employees may come into contact with dangerous workplace elements. It is also wise to consider how other facility guests, like customers, may likewise encounter hazards. With these individuals in mind, visualize how an accident may occur. Then, brainstorm ways in which that accident could be prevented.
3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.
When it comes to deciding on ways to reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents, pay particular attention to the texture and gradient of floor surfaces. For smooth floors, consider installing safety matting that provides added grip, liquid drainage, or fatigue relief, as needed. To eliminate tripping hazards, consider resurfacing uneven floors, or cover the uneven transitions with a safety mat of ¼ to 3/8.
4. Record your findings and implement them.
This step is essential when it comes to benchmarking performance. By recording findings prior to implementation, businesses are able to measure the effectiveness a particular safety solution (see #5 below).
5. Review the assessment, and update when needed.
Upon review, take note of safety precautions that adequately eliminate the hazard in question. For those that fall short, it is recommended that business owners and risk managers conduct another risk assessment to brainstorm additional ways in which accidents can be prevented.
Proactive risk assessment is an essential component of todays workplace. In addition to reducing insurance costs, accident prevention has potential savings in other areas of operations. Implementing floor mats and recessed grill systems to reduce slip and fall accidents, for example, may have a significant impact on improving indoor air quality (IAQ), employee health, and job satisfaction. The implementation of signs, handrails, and other safety products may also translate to long-term cost savings by reducing employee injury, turnover, and new employee training. With a marginal up-front investment of time and capital, American businesses have the potential to significantly reduce the annual cost of slip and fall accidents.
About the Author
Elizabeth Ira is a marketing representative and public relations specialist for Eagle Mat and Floor Products. A Maryland-based company, Eagle Mat proudly represents the finest in commercial matting and facility safety products. The company is actively involved in the sale and rental of matting, safety flooring, and other products that help businesses deliver the highest quality of service to clients, patrons, and employees alike.
Website: Eagle Mat and Floor Products
Blog: Eagle Mat Blog
(i) Glassman, James K. "Let's Be Clear, The U.S. Economy Is Just Awful." Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 31 July 2012. Web. 26 June 2013.
(ii) Lazear, Edward P. "The Worst Economic Recovery in History." Wsj.com. Wall Street Journal, n.d. Web.
(iii) "2012 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index." Libertymutualgroup.com. Liberty Mutual Research Institute, n.d. Web.
(iv) "5 Steps to Risk Assessment." Hse.gov. Health & Safety Executive, n.d. Web.


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When I wrote this song I was fighting with myself, trying to understand why I was so broken, why I had been left and was hurting so badly, why I felt like I had lost something that I would never have again and why I felt like it was all my fault. I felt like I was never going to be happy again. I signed my record deal and my dreams were coming true but the person I loved wasn't there and it didn't hide the fact that my soul was unbalanced.
I wrote this song when I was angry and nothing felt right. I didn't know how to get past the emptiness I was feeling. Once I wrote it, I put it to bed and didn't listen to it for months and months and I slowly started to take on my life with a different perspective. My friend said to me give yourself space and time and it's true, that's all I needed. I was reminded of who I was as a person by someone who cared so much and wouldn't let me break. I was given an opportunity to make an album and have a career in doing what I love, which is something I had worked so hard for, for so many years, and I wasn't going to let a broken heart defeat me. Hope through heartbreak was my new perspective on life. I re-visited this song and edited it. I changed it from one about me feeling sorry for myself and a person who didn't even deserve that much from me, to one about the person who caught me before I hit the ground and made me believe in myself again. This song was written to you. Not to the person who broke me in so many ways but the person who helped save me from drowning in something that wasn't worth drowning in. This song is now about being grateful and taking advice from the people who care, and who are there for you when you are in need. So thank you.
I wanted to share this version of the video because this is all this song really needed to show. I was naked and alone in a room with a camera, bare, fragile and empty. There was a time when I was all of this and couldn't have felt any worse in myself. When I stood there and sang this song on the day we made the video, stripped of everything, I was reminded of all that I had gone through. I couldn't have been prouder of how far I have come and I couldn't have been more grateful for the people
surrounding me in my life. Jo'lene had this idea for Take Me Home and it couldn't be more perfect, I can normally picture how I want things to go for my videos but for this one I couldn't and she could. Both Jo'lene and Declan made this video and took full creative control of something that I was incapable of envisioning because it was so personal. I can't thank you both enough for something that represents both me and my song so superbly. To the person who told me time would heal me, this song is for you.
The list of Jess' achievements this year is inexhaustible - her debut album 'I Cry When I Laugh' is the biggest selling debut of the year in the UK having gone platinum there in only 10 weeks, she has sold 10m singles worldwide and has combined YouTube views of over a billion.
Jess Glynne 'I Cry When I Laugh" North American Tour
+ dates supported by Conrad Sewell
Jan-18 - Washington, DC @ 9:30 Club +
Jan-20 - New York, NY @ Webster Hall +
Jan-22 - Boston, MA @ Paradise Rock Club +
Jan-23 - Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer +
Jan-25 - Nashville, TN @ Mercy Lounge +
Jan-26 - Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West +
Jan-28 - Orlando, FL @ The Social +
Jan-29 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Culture Room +
Jan-30 – St. Petersburg, FL @ The State Theatre +
Feb-1 - Houston, TX @ The Studio @ Warehouse Live +
Feb-2 - Austin, TX @ The Parish +
Feb-3 - Dallas, TX @ Trees +
Feb-5 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater +
Feb-8 - San Francisco, CA @ Mezzanine +
Feb-10 - San Diego, CA @ House of Blues +
Feb-11 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Fonda +


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"Meet Your Monsters" is a coloring book/self-assessment that I created in 2016. My intention was to create a book which gives's people an opportunity to be self-reflective in a fun, non-judgmental way. The goal is to encourage growth and healing in a way which is fun and inspiring. Confronting problems is the best, and perhaps the only way to ever defeat them.
Looking at our problems on a personal level often will lead the way to overcome fears. The book is a way to gain insights into an individual's thoughts and feelings in an intriguing and entertaining way. The book offers a way to look at our problems while emersed in action, where we have control and also an option, a creative outlet, for the energy to flow.
The book is designed to be used at home or on the go, in classrooms or bedrooms, and within the confines of mental health and reformatory institutions. The book is fun to do alone or with others. Completing the book with a loved one, friends, or intimate partners is an excellent way to gain further insights and understanding of those closest to us. Within the book are thirty illustrations and thirty questions. The questions have three parts; a negative to confront the issue, a positive to create a defense, and then a solution to ponder as you write, color, and draw.
Creating "Meet Your Monsters" was a great learning experience, affecting my relationship with myself, to others, and to my artwork. I believe art is a spiritual experience which is largely influenced by the external, be it social, personal, or merely hypothetical. This belief leads me to think that art is ultimately a tool that can enable healing. Through art, we can discover reflection, and through this, we can begin to listen to our higher selves, our creative selves. It is my belief that by listening to creative inspirations we can listen to the divine forces of this universe. This force is the all powerful force of this earth, and it is this energy that can heal us. Art is an external force which can instantly or over time change the perception of the people that view and participate in the art. My mental health directly links to my artwork. The angst, anger, frustration, jealousies, depressions, the fears, these emotions, and tendencies have influenced so much of my artwork. In creating this book, I was forced to face all of the questions in the book, multiple times, in many states of mind.
An enormous amount of inspiration to make "Meet Your Monsters" came from my father who was a nurse practitioner at the Arkansas Valley mental health institute. His passion for healing and helping inspired me in numerous many ways, this book being the most directly. My father died and never got to see the finished copy of the book, this book is dedicated to him.
The book is available for purchase on Amazon.


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So before coming to US, my hubby & I decided to backpack around few places in Europe. Today is our first day & Rome happened to be our first stop.
Here are some photos taken by my Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom.
Here is a view from our hotel room.
I will be adding more as we roam around Rome and other places.
P.S. I did manage to pack that one suitcase which happened to be only 3 kgs extra. Im getting there 😉
P.P.S. For more instant photos, feel free to check my Instagram @RimaHassanPhotography


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20 years of experience
Providing value added and innovative solutions
to High Net Worth individual and corporations
About Us
Our Services
MM INTERNATIONAL HOLDING S.A. is a well-diversified holding structure providing products and services in:
- Fiduciary & Chartered Accountant Services
- Art Management Advisory & Services
- Investment Fund Management Services
- Real Estate Development & Services
Our Goal
In today's challenging environment with continuing regulatory changes, uncertainty, changing clients' expectations, HNWI and corporations seek for new, creative and tailor-made solutions, MM INTERNATIONAL HOLDING group companies aim at filling this gap and offering global solutions that can provide real value to the clients through the expertise of its partner member companies.
Companies – Services
With offices in Luxembourg, the group companies can assist clients
in the structuring their wealth to meet the future challenges.
We assist international clientele on issues involved in tax planning, setting up & management of companies and providing global corporate services.
We help art-based companies and high net worth individuals satisfy new set of needs in an age in which art constitutes not only a valuable collection, but a real core asset.
We are your partner in the new real estate landscape in Luxembourg.
Your GENERAL PARTNER for the new Luxembourg Alternative Investment Fund.
We propose uncorrelated investment in high growth environment and intangible assets classes & Private Equity projects.


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You know that feeling you get sometimes in the afternoon when you are so tired that you could rest your head on your desk and fall asleep in an instant? You know the one, your eyes are heavy and you can't concentrate because 80% of your focus is on keeping them open and the other 20% is on the clock, counting down the seconds until your next break. Now imagine feeling like that ALL THE TIME. For Isabel Cybulski, the struggle to stay awake was a feeling that she knew all too well.
In high school, she would become so tired that within minutes of the class beginning she could already feel her focus shifting to the enormous task of keeping her eyes open. Eventually, she became so distracted by the sleepiness that she was unable to concentrate in class and had to withdraw from her OP subjects. When it came to the weekend if she had to decide between attending a party or staying in bed, the choice was an easy one to make, bed. Concerned for their daughter's wellbeing, Isabel's parents sort advice from their family GP.
"My doctor put my symptoms down to anxiety and depression. The diagnosis made sense to me at the time. I chose to stay in bed, rather than go out with my friends and I was just so tired all the time."
Isabel's doctor prescribed her antidepressants. She was hesitant to take them at first but happy to have an answer and a possible solution.
"The antidepressants did nothing so I just carried on and eventually accepted that this feeling of constant tiredness was just normal for me."
A few years later Isabel's symptoms worsened and once again her education was put on hold.
"I was studying a Bachelor of Nursing at university but again I was having such a hard time focusing. Eventually, I had to pull out of the course. It was devastating. All I have ever wanted was a career in medicine and I knew I was capable of it but my body just kept letting me down."
After pulling out of university, Isabel went to work in a Real Estate office as a receptionist where her symptoms continued to plague her.
"Every day was a struggle to stay awake. I was okay when I was busy but as soon as I had completed all of my work the fight to stay awake became unbearable. Multiple times a week, I would have to leave early to go home to sleep."
It all came to a head one night when Isabel was out at a club with her friends.
"I arrived at the club and said hi to my friends, I went to the bar to order my first drink. All of a sudden everything went black and I couldn't feel my legs. I just knelt to the ground, I couldn't do anything. When I came to, my friends took me home. From that point on I began to feel really depressed. I had a great group of friends and a really supportive family but I still just wanted to be in bed most of the time. The real problem though was at work. I have a really strong work ethic and take pride in working hard but I just wasn't able to get through the day."
With the support of her parents, Isabel quit her job and decided to finally get to the bottom of the problem that had been haunting her for so long. She continued to meet with her GP and psychiatrist.
"At first my psychiatrist suggested that I might have ADD, however, when he discovered that I suffered from sleep paralysis and hallucinations, he went down a different path and referred me to The Wesley Hospital Sleep Disorders Centre to participate in a Multiple Sleep Latency test."
It took two separate trials for the doctors to reach their conclusion but eventually, Isabel was diagnosed with Narcolepsy. According to the Mayo Clinic, Narcolepsy is a chronic sleep disorder characterized by overwhelming daytime drowsiness and sudden attacks of sleep.
"I was actually so happy when the doctor told me what was wrong, I just burst into tears. I couldn't believe that after all of this time, I finally had an answer."
The symptoms caused by Narcolepsy often impact peoples work and school performance. It is not known what causes Narcolepsy though a majority of patients have low levels of the chemical hypocretin. Other suspected causes are autoimmune reactions or an inherited genetic fault. There is no cure but the condition can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes.
"I started on medication a month ago and I haven't looked back. I have a new job at a busy cafe. I still get tired but like anyone, it's after a hard days work or a Netflix marathon. I've even re-enrolled into university, I'll be starting a Bachelor of Science in the new year."
"I guess what I would say to anyone else in the same situation is if you think there is something wrong with you, just don't give up, keep going until you get the answer that you need."
For more information on Narcolepsy see visit the Sleep Health Foundation.


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The Chicago Bulls have been one of the most popular franchises for years.
According to Forbes, they're also one of the most valuable.
The publication on Wednesday released its annual valuation of franchises in the NBA and the Bulls checked in third with a value of $800 million. The only teams more valuable were the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively, with each franchise being worth at least $1 billion.
Forbes also calculated profit for each team and the Bulls rake in $34 million dollars annually.
Jerry Reinsdorf has owned the Bulls since 1985, leading a group that purchased a majority stake in the franchise for $9.2 million. Since then, the Bulls have won six championships and featured Michael Jordan, who many consider to be the greatest basketball player of all time.
Follow "Outside Shot" on Twitter (@Outside_Shot) for more Bulls news and information.


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Tobin's Filling Station
Winner of the National EIQA Q Mark Award for Hygiene And Food Safety 2011-2014
Tobin's Service Station is a family operated business which was first opened in 1980. The facilities incorporate a modern, attended forecourt, a carwash facility, a convenience store and a café which seats sixty. The station currently employs thirty two people and is adjacent to the Letterkenny Institute of Technology on the main road into Letterkenny.
- Street: Port Road
- City: Letterkenny
- County: Co. Donegal
- Country: Ireland
- Telephone: 00353 74 9124097


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If you are looking for lightweight handcycles with superior balance, then Quickie Handcycles and Handbikes could be great options for you. The new Quickie Shark Handcycle from Sunrise Medical features innovative frame designs. With Quickie Handcycles you are sure of incredible speed and high performance.
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Jim, we are so glad you were born. Wish we could all be together there. Jim is so much fun and so good with all his nieces and nephews.
Children are a blessing, and as they get older, it can be wonderful to watch where their lives have led them, what paths they have chosen, remembering when they were little ones.
Happy Happy Birthday, Jim! We love u!


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City Lights Books firstname.lastname@example.com 20200410T0423Z eng COM.ONIXSUITE.9780872864177 03 01 City Lights Books 02 0872864170 03 9780872864177 15 9780872864177 00 BC 01 8.50 in 02 4.25 in 08 16 oz 01 21.59 cm 02 10.80 cm 08 454 gr 01 01 The Beat Generation in San Francisco A Literary Guidebook 1 B01 01 Onixsuite Contributor ID 4854 Lawrence Ferlinghetti Ferlinghetti, Lawrence Lawrence Ferlinghetti
Lawrence Ferlinghetti, poet and founder of City Lights Books, author of A Coney Island of the Mind and Pictures of the Gone World, among numerous other books, has been drawing from life since his student days in Paris where he frequented the Academie Julien and where he did his first oil painting.

 2 A13 01 Onixsuite Contributor ID 4843 Allen Ginsberg Ginsberg, Allen Allen Ginsberg Allen Ginsberg was born June 3, 1926, the son of Naomi Ginsberg, Russian émigré, and Louis Ginsberg, lyric poet and school teacher, in Paterson, N.J. To these facts Ginsberg adds: "High school in Paterson till 17, Columbia College, merchant marine, Texas and Denver copyboy, Times Square, amigos in jail, dishwashing, book reviews, Mexico City, market research, Satori in Harlem, Yucatan and Chiapas 1954, West Coast 3 years. Later Arctic Sea trip, Tangier, Venice, Amsterdam, Paris, read at Oxford Harvard Columbia Chicago, quit, wrote "Kaddish" 1959, made tape to leave behind & fade in Orient awhile. Carl Solomon to whom "Howl" is addressed, is a intuitive Bronx dadaist and prose-poet." 3 A01 01 Onixsuite Contributor ID 4906 Bill Morgan Morgan, Bill Bill Morgan
 Bill Morgan is a painter and archival consultant working in New York City. He is the author of numerous books about Beat Generation history and its writers, most recently Peter Orlovsky: A Life in Words, and The Typewriter is Holy: The Complete, Uncensored History of the Beat Generation. He has edited collections of writing and correspondence of many of the Beat Generation's most important authors, including Ginsberg, Ferlinghetti, Kerouac, Burroughs, Snyder and Corso. He is a painter and a civil war expert, and has worked as an archivist for Lawrence Ferlinghtetti, Allen Ginsberg, Abbie Hoffman, Diane diPrima, Oliver Sacks, Arthur Miller and Timothy Leary among others.
 01 eng 02 eng 00 240 03 10 BIO000000 10 TRV000000 20 beat generation; guided tour; literary counterculture; Howl; Gary Snyder Berkeley; Bay Area writing; Six Gallery Reading; home of the Beat Generation; West Coast Beat Generation 24 CL Publications Beat Generation 24 CL Publications San Francisco Literature & History 24 CL Publications Travel 03 00
A blow-by-blow unearthing of the places where the Beat writers first came to full bloom: the flat where Ginsberg wrote "Howl;" Gary Snyder's zen cottage in Berkeley; the ghostly railroad yards where Kerouac and Cassady toiled; the pads where Jack & Neal & Carolyn lived; Ferlinghetti's favorite haunts. This meticulous guide also brings to light never-before-heard stories about Corso, Bob Kaufman, DiPrima, Kyger, Lamantia and other West Coast Beats. A entertaining read as well as a practical walking (and driving) tour that covers the entire Bay Area. With an introduction by Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Praise for The Beat Generation in San Francisco:

"For travellers who wish to drive and walk the paths of the Beats and Bohemians; San Francisco is your destination and your luggage is this book... and the obligatory packet of cigarettes of course as every Beat loves a good smoke or two." —Book Spew
 02 00 A blow-by-blow unearthing of the places where the Beat writers first came to full bloom: the flat where Ginsberg wrote "Howl;" Gary Snyder's zen cottage in Berkeley; the ghostly railroad yards where Kerouac and -Cassady toiled; the pads where Jack &... 03 02 04 00 03 06 4843 Onixsuite Contributor ID 02 01 D501 http://www.citylights.com/resources/persons/4843.gif 04 00 03 06 4854 Onixsuite Contributor ID 02 01 D501 http://www.citylights.com/resources/persons/4854.gif 04 00 03 06 4906 Onixsuite Contributor ID 02 01 D501 http://www.citylights.com/resources/persons/4906.gif City Lights Publishers 01 City Lights Publishers 04 01 20030501 11 20030501 02 01 GCOI 87286100144630 WORLD 00 03 07 631-760X Consortium Book Sales & Distribution 612/746-2600 612/746-2606 email@example.com 33 www.cbsd.com http://www.cbsd.com 20 01 17.95 USD


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At the end of my last post, I promised to take us indoors into Paris's museums and galleries, BUT I forgot that we have one more outdoor excursion left. I'd be remiss if I failed to mention the many wonderful open-air markets of Paris on this blog – les beaux marchés en plein air!
Category Archives: Sabbatical 2012-2013
Green (Paris Parks)
I love city parks. From the small garden nestled on the street corner to the gigantic takes-a-day-to-walk-across-it kind of park, if there is a green space somewhere in the middle of the 'urban jungle,' I'll find it. Trees, flowers, fresh air, sunshine. People taking time out of their busy lives to play, stroll, read, relax. Combine all that with the fact that parks are (almost always) free to enter, and what's not to like?
Wandering… (the River Seine)
Now that we've taken a look at the Right and Left Bank of beautiful Paris, it's time to check out the reason for this division of the city in the first place – the River Seine itself! This is, without a doubt, one of my favorite ways to see Paris – walking along the water, passing doting lovers, old men walking slowly on their daily strolls, and groups of loitering teens and adolescents with nowhere else to go. Couple that with the spectacular views you get from the city's many bridges that cross over the Seine, and well… why wouldn't you spend much of your time near the water?
Of course, it is a river running through a major city – not the cleanest of all bodies of water and certainly not a place for a swim (although head upstream from Paris and swimming is no problem – I took a dip in the Seine myself while living in the small village of Marnay-sur-Seine months before, remember?) Some unfortunate pollution problems aside, it is a gorgeous river which plays a huge part in creating Paris' distinct character…
Wandering… (la Rive Gauche)
As I wandered through the streets of Paris, heading over to the Left Bank was always a delight. I can't quite put my finger on why, but la Rive Gauche has a distinctly different feel than the Right Bank. Perhaps it's because the majority of Paris' major tourist attractions are on the Right Bank? (With the glaring exception of la Tour Eiffel and a few others, of course). The Left Bank feels more residential and a bit more relaxed, maybe? And also a bit more modern in some places? I'm not quite sure what it was exactly, but I really liked the Left Bank quite a bit. I wish I had spent more time there and explored it more thoroughly, but alas, I didn't even get close to seeing it all. Ah well – what I did manage to see, I loved…
Wandering… (la Rive Droite)
Wander, meander, roam, drift aimlessly… in my opinion, this is the best way to see just about any city, especially Paris. Pick a neighborhood and go for a long walk. Take in the architecture, the tiny city square parks, the shops and markets, the museums and monuments. Take your time to notice the details, have a leisurely afternoon at a café watching the passersby. Try to get a pulse on that particular place and time. For me, this is at the heart of travel and discovery of a new place.
Aller, Rentrer, Retourner
Aller – to go
Rentrer – to go home
Retourner – to go back
After living and traveling in beautiful France for three months in the Fall of 2012, I happily returned to Paris in March of 2013. My original plan was to stay in France for a full six months, but sadly, I didn't have time before my initial departure from the States to arrange a visa for that length of time. Therefore, I was stuck with the standard tourist visa available to Americans traveling to France: three months in, three months out. No exceptions. And so, I stayed three months in France, went home to the States for three months, et encore… was back in France for yet another three months! (Oh, visas – why must you complicate our lives so!?)
My arrival in Paris was surprisingly easy – I knew how to navigate the airport and the train into the city. I found my way easily to my new art residency on la Rive Droite (the Right Bank). My French was rusty, sure, but decent enough to get me from Point A to Point B. In a way, it felt like I had never left France… and that felt good. It almost felt like coming 'home' – or at least my 'home away from home.'
Walls, Windows, and Doors – OH MY! (Michigan)
As always, my camera found its way to the walls, windows, and doors around me while I was in Michigan. Here are some of those pictures and a few other favorites from those two months in the Midwest…


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v1 Continue to love each other like brothers and sisters. v2 Always remember to be kind to strangers. Remember to let them stay in your homes. In this way, some people have received *angels as visitors. But those people did not know that their visitors were *angels. v3 Remember those people who are in prison. Think about what that would be like for you. Think like someone who is there with those people in prison. Remember those who have troubles because of other people. Other people are doing bad things to them. Trouble like that could also happen to you. Think about what that would be like for you yourselves.
Verse 2 The Bible tells us about some people who received *angels as visitors. (See, for example, Genesis 18:1-21; 19:1-3.)
Verse 3 The writer is talking about Christians who had troubles. At that time, life was difficult for Christians. Many of them were in prison, and people were doing bad things to many other Christians.
v4 When people have married each other, everyone should remember that. Everyone should remember that it is a very good and important thing. Husbands and wives must not have sex with anyone else. Nobody should have sex with someone who is not their own wife or their own husband. God will *punish everyone who does not obey those rules.
v5 Do not want lots of money. Do not live like that. Be happy with the things that you have. Be happy, because God has promised to be with you.
'I will never leave you;
I will never let you be completely alone', he said.
[Deuteronomy 31:6]
v6 So we can bravely say this:
'The *Lord comes to help me,
so I will not be afraid.
I will not be afraid of anything that people can do to me.'
[Psalm 118:6]
v7 Remember your leaders, who taught God's message to you. Continue to think about the result of how they lived. They really believed God; so copy their example. v8 Jesus Christ is the same today as he was yesterday. And he will be the same always.
v9 Some people teach all kinds of strange things. Do not let them lead you the wrong way. God is very kind to us, so he will make us strong deep inside ourselves. It is good if we let him do that. Rules about what foods we eat do not make us strong like that. Those rules have never done anything good for the people who obey them.
Verse 9 Some people were teaching that Christians should obey certain rules about food. We do not really know which rules the writer was talking about. But the important thing is that food can only do good things for our bodies. Food cannot help our *spirits, because only God can help us like that. Only God can make us really strong inside ourselves.
v10 *Israel's *priests worked for God in his special *tent, and they ate there. But we have a *sacrifice that they have no authority to eat from. v11 The *chief *priest brings the blood from the animal *sacrifice into the Most *Holy Room. He offers that blood to God because *Israel's people have done many wrong things. But they burn those animals' bodies outside the place where the people live. v12 For this reason Jesus also died outside the city's gate. And God saw the blood that he lost. Jesus died there as a *sacrifice. He died there so that he could make people completely good and clean for God. v13 So we must go to him. We must be ready to go outside the place where everybody else lives. We must be ready for people to be ashamed of us, as they were ashamed of him. v14 Here on earth we do not have a home in a city that will always be there. But we are waiting for God's city that will come.
Verses 10-12 *Israel's *priests could eat some of the meat from animals that people brought as certain *sacrifices. (See, for example, Leviticus 6:26, 29 and 7:6-7.) This showed that they *shared in what the *sacrifice was for. But on a certain day each year, they offered a very special *sacrifice, for all the people. They killed animals and the *chief *priest took the animals' blood into the Most *Holy Room. The *priests could not eat any of the meat from those animals. Nobody could eat it. They had to burn the animals' bodies. (See Leviticus 6:30 and 16:27.)
That special *sacrifice was like a picture of how Jesus would give himself as a *sacrifice for us. And now Jesus has died for us. So now nobody needs the *sacrifices that belonged to the old *agreement between God and his people. Nobody needs those *priests who worked for God during the old *agreement. They have no authority to *share in the *sacrifice that is ours now. When we eat food, it makes our bodies strong. When we really believe Jesus, his Spirit makes us strong. So we could say this: we 'eat' Jesus when we believe him. When we believe him, we *share in his *sacrifice for us.
Verse 12 They killed Jesus outside Jerusalem city (see John 19:20). *Israel's people thought that a place 'outside the city's gate' was a dirty place. It was a place for someone that they refused to accept. It was a place where people were ashamed to go.
v15 So we should always continue to thank God. We should say how great and how good he is. That is our *sacrifice to him, because Jesus helps us. Then we will always be offering this gift to him while we speak his name. v16 Remember to be kind to other people. And remember to *share what you have with other people. God is very happy with *sacrifices like that.
v17 Obey your leaders. Do what they tell you. They continue to watch over your lives on God's behalf. And they will have to explain to God how they have done that work. So, if you obey them, they will be happy with their work. Do not make them sad, because that would not help you.
v18 Pray for us. We are completely sure that we have done nothing wrong. We always want to do only what is right. v19 I want you very much to pray that I may come back to you soon.
v20 God can take away all difficulties and he can cause you to be without trouble inside yourselves. God caused our *Lord Jesus to become alive again. He did not stay among the dead people. When Jesus died, the new *agreement began. And it will continue always. Jesus is like a shepherd (someone who watches over his sheep). He is our great shepherd, and we are his sheep. v21 I pray that God will make you completely ready to *serve him. He will give you every good thing that you need for that work. And then you can do everything that he wants. I pray that Jesus Christ will do these good things in us on God's behalf. Then we will make God happy. Everyone should say how great God is for all time and always. This is true.
v22 Christian friends, I ask very much that you listen patiently to my message. I have written this to help you so that you can be brave and strong. And this letter is not very long. v23 I want you to know about Timothy, who is like a brother to us. They have let him go out of prison, so that he is free now. If he arrives soon, I will travel with him to meet you.
v24 Say 'hello' on my behalf to your leaders and to all God's people. The Christians from the country called Italy say 'hello' to you too. v25 I pray that God will be very kind to all of you.
Verse 24 We do not know whether the writer was in Italy with the 'Christians from Italy'. When he wrote this letter, they could all have been together, somewhere outside Italy. Or the writer may have been with Christians in Italy and then he went to another place.


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Ingredients (serves 4)
- 4 (±800g in total) hake fillets
- 2 punnets cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- Olive oil cooking spray
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- Mixed salad leaves, to serve
- Lemon wedges, to serve
Spray fish, tomatoes and onion with oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside for 5 minutes.
Preheat barbecue plate on medium-high heat. Cook fish for 3 to 4 minutes each side or until cooked through. Transfer to a plate. Cover and keep warm.
Increase heat to high. Cook onion and tomatoes for 1 to 2 minutes or until warmed through. Toss with parsley and oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Serve fish with warm tomato salad, mixed salad leaves and lemon wedges.
Nutritional value
Energy 1156kJ
Fat saturated 2.30g
Fat Total 9.70g
Carbohydrate sugars – 0
Carbohydrate Total 4.60g
Dietary Fibre 2.60g
Protein 42.30g
Cholesterol 126.00mg
Sodium 124mg


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Below are two online courses that we provide. The first one is a self-paced course with 8 lessons to establish your own practice. The second one is a complete online course in 3 parts to learn Mindfulness Facilitation, including demonstration videos, members webinars, resources and ready to use Lesson plans.
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In this 8 week course, you will be introduced to and learn the powerful mindfulness techniques that are helping individuals from all walks of life to have more balance and focus in their lives.
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Three part online course for teachers and others who want to introduce mindfulness to their students, children and clients.
• PDF manuals
• Guiding videos & audios
• Lesson Plans- ready to use
• Skype & Messenger Session
• Members Forum
• Personal Support


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World Information Society Report 2007
Beyond WSIS
The second edition of the World Information Society Report, published by ITU and UNCTAD, looks beyond WSIS to the creation of an inclusive, people-centred and development-oriented Information Society, open to all. The opening chapter looks at the challenges of measuring the ICT sector while chapter two examines progress in bridging the digital divide. Chapter three focuses on emerging trends in the information society worldwide and chapter four looks at national ICT strategies. Chapter five considers the threats to cybersecurity, while chapter six provides an update on WSIS implementation and presents a number of ICT success stories across the world. When purchased, the report is accompanied by a series of tables providing the latest statistics on the development of ICTs worldwide.
- Click to access:
Click to download PDF - 10.40MBPDF
Click to Read online and shareREAD
Challenges to building a safe and secure Information Society
Over the past two decades, the Internet has transformed many aspects of modern life. Use of the Internet continues to grow, with the estimated number of Internet users exceeding one billion worldwide at the end of 2006 and an estimated 113 million websites. People around the globe and from all walks of life have been hearing about the promised improvements the Internet will bring to their lives. While some of these promises have materialized, the full potential of the Internet has not yet been realized. One of the main reasons is that many users lack trust in the Internet for conducting transactions or storing sensitive information. An online survey conducted by ITU in 2006 found that almost two-thirds of respondents had refrained from certain activities online due to security concerns, while users' greatest fears were theft of personal information (e.g., identity theft, credit card fraud etc), computer viruses and spyware. Building trust and confidence is one of the key enablers of future growth and use of the Internet.
- Click to access:
Click to download PDF - 621.21KBPDF
Click to Read online and shareREAD