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All Access to Working Right at Cummins.
Have you ever wondered what it's like to work at Cummins? Ever imagine being a member of global team innovating with employees in China, Brazil or the United Kingdom? How our career experience could develop your professional skill set? Would your personality fit with our collaborative company culture? Curious to learn about how our employees find their work life balance inside our diversity-based affinity groups?
Cummins: All Access is an insider's perspective that helps candidates understand who we are, what we do and how we're Working Right. It's a reality-based, behind-the-scenes glimpse into our global Company like we've never shown before. This ongoing series is a compilation of unique employee stories from various work groups inside Cummins. You'll follow our employees during an exciting day on the job and learn more about why our dependable, innovative products begin with our world class teams.
Think you've got what it takes to make a global impact? Click below to begin your journey as a Cummins employee. Choose the work group you're interested in and learn more about the different types of positions here at Cummins.


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Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry has decided to leave Nike and sign a new deal with the up-and-coming brand Under Armour, according to multiple sources.
Curry debuted his new allegiance at the Warriors' media day on Friday.
His contract with Nike expires at the end of September. His rising stardom, coming off the Warriors' playoff run, prompted Under Armour to go hard after Curry. After months of negotiations with both companies, Curry made the surprising move to leave the shoe giant, with whom he signed with as a rookie, to become the face of the new kid on the block.
Many in the sneaker world will view this is a risky, gutsy move by Curry. Nike, according to a Forbes report in April, owns 34 percent of the basketball shoe market. The Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, dominates 58 percent of the market. Under Armour has 0.6 percent of the market.
Under Armour is mostly known for its football equipment. Curry is the big splash the brand was looking for to give its basketball line credibility.
Other endorsers of Under Armour include Detroit point guard Brandon Jennings, Charlotte guard Kemba Walker, New York guard Raymond Felton, Sacramento guard Greivis Vasquez, Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and Warriors guard Kent Bazemore.

subset: commoncrawl


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Attractions In And Around Shepherdstown, WV
If you're in search of adventures or activities, choose lodging at the Thomas Shepherd Inn in Shepherdstown, WV, and you'll be near a wealth of options including visiting Harpers Ferry and Antietam Battlefield.
Movies, live music and/or theater can be enjoyed most nights of the week in and around Shepherdstown. Appalachian and heritage music happen in jam-session fashion at O'Hurley's General Store every Thursday evening, and the Blue Moon Cafe features live music most weekend nights. The Opera House brings independent movies and foreign films to Shepherdstown every Monday. Community theater performances can be seen at the Full Circle Theater Company, the Old Opera House in Charles Town, and the Apollo Theater in Martinsburg. (more…)
In addition to the everyday activities available here, Shepherdstown is the site of several festivals. The renowned Contemporary American Theater Festival brings new American plays performed in repertory in July. Juried arts and crafts, along with West Virginia foods, are showcased at the Mountain Heritage Arts & Crafts Festival in June and September. Christmas, the Fourth of July, Easter and May Day bring parades and celebrations to the streets and parks of Shepherdstown. (more…)
The Shepherdstown area has many sites that played important roles in Colonial and Civil War era history. Antietam Battlefield, near the small town of Sharpsburg, MD, and Harpers Ferry, WV are only minutes away. Gettysburg, PA is just over an hour's drive away. The Washington family (including George) left many footprints in the Shepherdstown area. (more…)
Outdoor activities are just minutes away. Hiking, biking, rafting, tubing, kayaking, golfing, and horseback riding are all available to you. The C&O Canal Path lies just on the other side of the Potomac River from Shepherdstown and the Appalachian Trail winds near Harpers Ferry about 15 minutes away. Several outfitters near Harpers Ferry offer various levels of raft, bicycle, tube and kayak trips. Add a few golf courses and horseback riding, and you can spend several days challenging yourself in the great outdoors while recuperating at the inn. (more…)
There are many shopping opportunities in and around Shepherdstown. Boutique locally-owned shops lining German Street purvey wines, American-made artisan crafts, bespoke jewelry and French-inspired decor. The Sweet Shop and our Sunday Farmers Market lets you bring a little taste of Shepherdstown home with you. (more…)
Spa Services
Spa and wellness services are available at locations in and around Shepherdstown. Facials, manicures and other beauty services are available along German and Princess Streets. In addition, you'll find reiki, yoga, and other wellness practitioners in Shepherdstown and the surrounding area. (more…)
Several wineries offering tours and tastings are within a short drive from Shepherdstown. Most of the vineyards are located in Northern Virginia, just across the Virginia border from Harpers Ferry, near the small towns of Hillsboro, VA and Leesburg, VA. Some have terraces and patios with spectacular views, perfect for a bottle of wine and a picnic lunch. (more…)
Arts and Culture In and Around Shepherdstown, West Virginia:
[Read Details…]
Shepherdstown is fortunate to have a thriving arts scene, with a variety of venues in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia area. Movies, live music and/or theater can be enjoyed most nights of the week in and around Shepherdstown.
Contemporary American Theater Festival and Shepherd University Theater
CATF celebrates over twentyfive years of producing new American theater in rotating repertory with music, art, lectures and readings to create the ultimate theater experience. The Festival runs during July with tickets going on sale in the spring. Visit their website for schedule info.
Shepherd University has a theater program with occasional performances during the school year.
Black Box Arts Center, 113 S. Princess St, 304-870-4685. Known as a place where local artists can come together to produce a variety of works (theater, music, and visual arts). Programs vary throughout the year. Visit their website for more information.
Old Opera House in Charles Town and Apollo Theater in Martinsburg
Two other community theaters make their homes in renovated historic buildings in the Eastern Panhandle, the Old Opera House in Charles Town, WV and the Apollo Theater in Martinsburg, WV. Visit the Old Opera House website for schedule info. Visit the Apollo Theater website for schedule info.
Live Music:
O'Hurleys General Store
Every Thursday night, local and visiting musicians perform Appalachian and heritage music at O'Hurleys General Store on Washington Street by the railroad tracks. Jay Hurley (born in the rooms above the store that he still lives in) doesn't serve food or liquor, although sometimes there is hot chocolate warmed by the fire in the winter months. A great and absolutely free way to experience Appalachian music and local Shepherdstown color each and every Thursday around 7:30 p.m. Additional performances during Christmas in Shepherdstown.
Shepherd University Concerts
For classical, jazz and orchestral performances, Shepherd University's world-class music department has ensembles that have performed all over the globe. Visit the website for schedule info.
Blue Moon Cafe, Mecklenburg Inn and other music spots around town
The Blue Moon Cafe has live music most days on the weekends, ranging from rock to bluegrass to blues. Open Mic night is on Wednesdays from 9 – 11 pm. Visit the website for more information.
The Mecklenburg Inn features open mic night on Tuesdays and live music on many weekends. (www.facebook.com/pages/Mecklenburg-Inn/160669058133)
Domestic offers live music, often jazz, on Sunday afternoons from 4 – 7 pm.
Opera House
Enjoy popcorn with real butter and your choice of wine, beer or soda with your movie or live entertainment just two blocks from the Thomas Shepherd Inn, at the Opera House. They offer live entertainment, both locally and nationally known, weekly. Movies every Monday. Visit their website for schedule info.
Shepherdstown Film Society
On many Friday nights a quality independent, foreign-language or classic film is shown free of charge by the Shepherdstown Film Society. Visit their website for schedule and location info.
Upcoming Events In And Around Shepherdstown, WV:
[Read Details…]
Free Jam Sessions – Every Thursday Night
Traditional Appalachian/Celtic Music at O'Hurley's General Store. Enjoy listening to local musicians carrying on a 30-year tradition. (more…)
Free Movies – Friday Nights
The Shepherdstown Film Society offers screenings of classic films on Friday nights at no charge. (more…)
Movies and Live Music – Most Nights of the Week
The historic Opera House Theater offers live music or independent films in an intimate setting complete with buttered popcorn, wine, beer, and soft drinks. (more…)
Sunday Farmers Market – Every Sunday
Every Sunday, from late Spring until December, behind the Library on King Street from 9am until 1pm. Local farmers, bakers and crafts. (more…)
Contra Dancing – First Sat, Sep thru May
Traditional American country dance featuring New England-style contra dances and square dances with live music. (more…)
Festivals and Celebrations In and Around Shepherdstown, West Virginia:
[Read Details…]
In addition to the everyday activities of shopping, dining out and exploring the outdoors and history of the area, there are several long-standing fairs, festivals and tours in the Eastern Panhandle. Many are listed below.
Theater and Films:
The cutting-edge performances of new American plays that are the hallmark of the Contemporary American Theater Festival occur in venues around Shepherd University in July of each year, usually starting the weekend after the Fourth of July. Visit their website for more info.
The American Conservation Film Festival features films from a diverse group of conservation filmmakers from around the world and is usually held in late October at venues located in the National Conservation Training Center, Shepherd University and the Opera House. Visit their website for more info.
Arts and Crafts Festivals:
The Mountain Heritage Arts and Crafts Festival is held twice annually, in June and September. About 200 juried craft persons will be selling and demonstrating their wares at this nationally acclaimed festival. Enjoy the many varieties of food that are available along with the best in live Bluegrass entertainment. Visit their website for more info.
During the Over The Mountain Studio Tour, 20 or more professional artists and craft workers – the best of Jefferson County, West Virginia – open their studios and workshops to the public at several different locations on the second weekend of November on a self-guided tour. Visit their website for more info.
Boonesborough Days, held in Boonsboro, MD, in September features Early American art, crafts, antiques, historical demonstrations, and food vendors. Check here for more info.
House and Garden Tours:
The Back Alley Garden Tour and Tea, a weekend tour of the private back gardens of Shepherdstown and a scrumptious tea, is generally held sometime in May. Visit their website for more info.
The Shenandoah-Potomac House and Garden Tour, scheduled for the last full weekend of April, which features docented historic homes open for touring with beautiful floral displays provided by the local garden clubs. Thomas Shepherd Inn was one of the featured homes in 2016. Over 700 visitors and a great experience! Visit the website for more info.
Holiday Celebrations and Parades:
Christmas in Shepherdstown starts every year with the lighting of the town Christmas tree on German Street the Friday after Thanksgiving, and continues into December with Santa's arrival, a parade, late night hours for shops and a Christmas marketplace. Visit the website for more info.
Shepherdstown has a wonderful May Day celebration, complete with a parade and the traditional dance around the Maypole. Visit the website for more info.
An annual Fourth of July parade followed by a picnic and music at the Morgan's Grove Park is coordinated by the Shepherdstown Rotary.
An Easter Parade, led by the Easter Bunny, precedes the annual Easter Egg Hunt on the lawn of the Little House on Princess Street.
History In and Around Shepherdstown, West Virginia:
[Read Details…]
Shepherdstown and the surrounding area in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Maryland have many sites that played important roles in Colonial and Civil War era history. Shepherdstown itself is the oldest town in West Virginia and celebrated the 250th anniversary of its founding in 2012, having been officially chartered in 1862.
Entler Hotel and Museum and Historic Shepherdstown
The Museum at the Entler Hotel gives a nice overview of the history of the town; it is open Saturday and Sunday from April to October and during Christmas in Shepherdstown. Visit their website for more info. The Shepherdstown Visitors Center, located on the first floor of the Entler Hotel, has a self-guided walking tour brochure available for visitors (we have a few for borrowing here at the inn).
The Entler hotel is notable for its Revolutionary War history – troops practiced drills here before setting off on the "Beeline March" to join General George Washington in Boston.(http://www.historicshepherdstown.com/)
Civil War History – Antietam Battlefield, Harpers Ferry and Gettysburg:
Battle of Shepherdstown
The Battle of Shepherdstown, the most significant Civil War battle fought in what is now West Virginia, occurred at the ford across the Potomac known as Packhorse Ford, which is 1 mile downstream from Shepherdstown. Visit their website for more info.
Antietam National Battlefield
Antietam National Battlefield near Sharpsburg, MD is a quietly moving memorial to the bloodiest day in our nation's history. Special events include an annual Fourth of July concert featuring the Maryland Symphony Orchestra followed by an amazing fireworks display. The first weekend in December marks the lighting of luminaries, one for each of the 23,000 that perished that day. The Visitors Center there features a film about Lincoln's visit to Antietam shortly after the battle and a ranger-led overview of the battle from the Observation room. Park rangers lead tours of the significant spots near the Visitors Center, like Dunker Church, and a driving tour of the battlefield (on CD or cassette) takes you to Bloody Lane and the Burnside Bridge. Antietam is about 3.5 miles from Shepherdstown, near the small town of Sharpsburg, MD. Visit their website for more info.
Private guides are available and can be booked by contacting the Antietam Museum Store at 301-432-4329.
Now you can tour Antietam National Battlefield by horse and buggy courtesy of Bonnymeed Farm – experience the battleground from a unique perspective (National Park Service approved). Tours on Saturday and Sunday; weekdays by appointment. Call 1-304-876-1307 for reservations and information.
Harpers Ferry:
Harpers Ferry, WV has wonderful vistas and a collection of small museums created within original buildings; visiting there is like stepping into the past. Park at the Visitors Center just off Route 340 and take the shuttle into town to visit the John Brown Wax Museum and the historic Arsenal. Living historians are often strolling the town to point out historic sites and answer any questions you might have about what life was like during the Civil War. Harpers Ferry is about 9 miles from Shepherdstown, near the border with Virginia and Maryland. Visit their website for more info.
Ghost Tours and the O' Be JoyFull musical entertainment tours are top-rated attractions in Harpers Ferry, and loads of fun. Visit their website for more info.
The Court House where John Brown stood trial and was sentenced to hang is in Charles Town, WV, just a few miles from Harpers Ferry and about 9 miles from Shepherdstown.
It is surprisingly easy to visit three significant Civil War battlefields while staying in Shepherdstown, as Gettysburg, PA is only about 75 minutes away. The bloodiest battle in Civil War history (51,000 casualties over three days) and the site of Abraham Lincoln's most famous speech, the Gettysburg Address, the bustling town in PA stands in contrast to the quiet cornfields of Antietam. Gettysburg is about 70 miles from Shepherdstown in Pennsylvania. Visit their website for more info.
Should you decide to stay overnight in Gettysburg, may we suggest The Doubleday Inn, the only B&B on the battlefield proper. Visit their website for more info.
Colonial History:
Rumsey Boat House and Rumsey Monument
James Rumsey, a compatriot of George Washington, took the first steamboat out on the Potomac River near Shepherdstown in 1787, well before Robert Fulton's steamboat took to the water. A half-scale replica of his boat resides in the Rumsey Boat House behind the Entler Museum and a monument to Rumsey stands on the bluffs above the Potomac River just off Mill Street. Visit their website for more info.
Washington Heritage Trail
The Washington family, including George and his brother Charles (for whom Charles Town is named) spent many years in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia while it was still part of Virginia. The Washington Heritage Trail, which meanders around all three counties in the Eastern Panhandle, explores the natural and cultural history of 18th century towns, 19th century industrial sites, Washington family homes, springs, rivers and mountain ranges located along its 136 scenic miles. Visit their website for more info.
Guided History Tours
Several excellent tour guides are available for personal guided tours of Antietam, Harpers Ferry, South Mountain and Shepherdstown. Here is the contact information for some of the local guides:
- Bob Murphy – firstname.lastname@example.com, phone (301) 491-0002
- Jim Surkamp – Visit his website or email at email@example.com
Outdoor Activities In and Around Shepherdstown, West Virginia:
You don't have to worry about the calories you consume while dining out in our wonderful restaurants in Shepherdstown – there are plenty of ways to get some fresh air and burn those meals off while you're staying at the inn.
Biking and Hiking:
With its connection to the Great Allegheny Passage trail in Cumberland, MD, the C&O Canal Tow Path is 184.5 miles of scenery and adventure ending near Washington, D.C for bicyclists. We welcome cyclists and have a secured bike rack in our back yard (uncovered) for storage; please, no bicycles may be brought into the inn. The access ramp from the Rumsey Bridge to the C&O is less than one mile down Duke Street from the inn. Visit the C&O Canal website for more info.
Shepherdstown Pedal and Paddle at 115 W. German Street rents bicycles as well as kayaks. Guided bicycle historical tours can also be arranged there. Visit the website for more info.
River Riders and River & Trail Outfitters, both near Harpers Ferry, also rent bicycles. Please see their contact info in the Water Sports section below.
The C&O Canal Path, mentioned above, is a relatively flat, shaded hiking surface for easy walking. The Appalachian Trail, near Harpers Ferry, is about nine miles away and offers more challenging hiking. Only about four miles of the Trail lie within the state of West Virginia but it passes within 1/4 mile of the Trail headquarters in Harpers Ferry and continues along the Virginia/West Virginia border for another fifteen miles. Visit the website for more info.
Water Sports:
The Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers offer some of West Virginia's finest watersports. Everything from fishing and canoeing to kayaking, tubing and whitewater rafting are available. River Riders in Harpers Ferry provides outfitting services for all of the above sports, as well as bicycle rentals. Visit the website for more info.
River & Trail Outfitters, also in Harpers Ferry, offers guided whitewater rafting, tubing, kayaking, and canoeing. They also coordinate climbing, team-building and hiking trips. Visit the website for more info.
Golfers who stay at the inn can play at Locust Hill Golf Course in Charles Town. Locust Hill has been rated #5 by Golf Week Magazine for best public access course. Please visit their website for more information.
Horseback Riding:
Guided horseback rides are available at Elk Mountain Trails near Harpers Ferry, about 9 miles away. Visit the website for more info.
Shopping In and Around Shepherdstown, West Virginia:
[Read Details…]
It's easy to while away the better part of a day browsing the delightful shops of Shepherdstown, all within walking distance of the Inn.
German Street and Princess Street:
German Street is lined with one-of-a-kind shops offering something for every taste. None are chain stores and all are locally-owned small businesses. Visit the Shepherdstown Visitors Center website for a more comprehensive listing of the shops.
Farmers Market and Orchards:
The Shepherdstown Farmers Market, opening Easter weekend and closing around the Christmas holidays, is located behind the library on King Street, which is closed to traffic on Sunday mornings during the season. Follow the market on Facebook for announcements about weekly specials and photos of produce and flowers.
Outlet Shopping:
If you are looking for bargains, the Prime Outlet Mall is just about 20 minutes away, near Hagerstown, MD. Visit the website for more info.
Spa Services In and Around Shepherdstown, West Virginia:
[Read Details…]
Several small businesses offer spa services in and around Shepherdstown.
Jala Yoga at 117 W. German St. offers daily yoga classes. For more information or to schedule a class visit them online or call them at 401-440-0279.
Skin Care, Facials and Waxing:
Off Mane Street at 109 S. Princess Street in Shepherdstown does manicures, pedicures, ear candling and waxing. Visit the website or call them directly, 304-876-6060, for more information.
Soul of Skincare and Wellness at 121 W. German St. specializes in organic skin care, facials, waxing and integrated massage. They are open by appointment only. Book online or call or text them at 240-818-9327.
Aanandha Health and Wellness at 217 South Duke Street, #104, offers massage services just a 2 block walk from the inn. Visit their website or call directly at (304)362-3009.
Full-Service Spa:
Serenity Day Spa offers a full array of spa services and is located in Martinsburg, a 15-minute drive from the inn. Visit their website or call them directly (304-263-4200) for more info.
Wineries near Shepherdstown, West Virginia:
[Read Details…]
There are several wineries within an hour's drive of Shepherdstown, most in the Loudoun Valley of northern Virginia. Tastings are available and some have event weekends with food and music.
Loudoun Valley and northern Virginia Vineyards:
Breaux Vineyards, voted the best winery in Virginia the last three years, has beautiful terraces overlooking their acreages of grapes. They have several events throughout the year, including a Cajun Festival and wine-pairing dinners for Valentine's Day. Visit the website for more info.
Hillsborough Vineyards has beautiful stone buildings among landscaped gardens and offers wedding services in a special setting. Visit the website for more info.
Notaviva Vineyards has a music loft and live music performances every weekend. Visit the website for more info.
Doukenie Winery offers frequent dinner events and cooking classes, along with live music performances. Visit the website for more info.
There are at least a dozen more wineries and vineyards in the northern Virginia area just across the West Virginia border. Visit the Virginia wine website for more info. Choose the Northern Virginia region option for a complete list of tasting rooms around Purcellville, Hillsborough and Leesburg.
Maryland Wineries:
Knob Hall Winery in Western Maryland is near Clear Spring, about 20 miles from Shepherdstown. The tasting room is open on weekends only, and there are often music events. Visit the website for more info.


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avast! Mobile Premium Fights Back Against Phone Theft, While Securing Your Data
~ AVAST surpasses 25 million customer milestone with its free Android security app and now releases advanced innovative features to combat device theft and data loss ~
REDWOOD CITY, California, August 22, 2013 – AVAST Software today announced the release of avast! Mobile Premium, the premier version of its award-winning mobile security app for Android smartphones and tablets, which is currently used by more than 25 million people. avast! Mobile Premium offers customers new superior anti-theft and backup technologies that will help them recover a lost or stolen phone and the data stored on it. Geofencing, a core anti-theft feature of avast! Mobile Premium, creates a virtual perimeter around a device sounding a loud alarm if someone attempts to take the device beyond a user-set distance. Anti-theft, along with mobile backup, addresses consumer's primary concern of losing important content such as pictures, contacts, and even financial information when their mobile device is either lost or stolen.
In a customer survey with more than 167,000 worldwide respondents, AVAST found that one in four smartphone users in the US has lost or had their device stolen at least once, costing an average of $372 per person. AVAST found that not only are consumers lax in using anti-theft features to prevent losing their mobile device and the data on it but nearly 50% of US smartphone owners do not back up their content as well.
"More than half the people in the US own a smartphone and consumers are growing more concerned by the day about the security of the information on their mobile devices," said Vincent Steckler, Chief Executive Officer at AVAST. "avast! Mobile Premium easily fills the rapidly growing need for on-the-go security and protection."
Keeping Track of Device and Data
avast! Mobile Premium includes the same antivirus and anti-malware protection as the free version, which was certified by independent testing organization AV-Test with top-level effectiveness (99.8%) and 100% in usability. The premier version's user interface has been further simplified for smooth and easy access to all new features. The solution includes two cornerstone apps: avast! Mobile Security and avast! Mobile Backup.
avast! Mobile Security: To protect their data and retrieve a stolen device, free customers can already remotely locate, lock, or wipe data from their lost phone, or sound an alarm. Now avast! Mobile Premium customers can also choose to have pictures taken or sounds recorded of thieves who attempt to unlock their phone. Another feature that prevents anyone from accessing a customer's device is Password Check, which locks the device if the wrong password is entered three times in a row. With avast! Mobile Premium, Geofencing allows customers to define the radius of a location where they will be for a period of time. With Geofencing activated, if someone were to attempt to take the phone beyond the set perimeter, an alarm sounds, catching the would-be thief red-handed.
App Locking empowers customers to set a password for chosen apps, as online shopping and banking via apps bears the risk of losing sensitive data when a user's smartphone gets stolen. Moreover, avast! Mobile Security's Ad Networks Detector informs customers of ad networks and tracking systems that target them with unwanted ads while collecting their information.
avast! Mobile Backup: Customers can back up their personal data as a preemptive measure to avoid data loss. In addition to backing up contacts, text messages, and photos, which is available in the free version, apps, music files, videos, and even video game scores can be backed up with the premium app.
"Our developers continuously keep an eye out for emerging security issues in order to invent new solutions to provide our customers with bullet-proof protection. With avast! Mobile Premium we catch smartphone thieves in the act and we safeguard customer's valuable personal information," said Ondrej Vlcek, Chief Technology Officer at AVAST Software.
avast! Mobile Security is the top-rated mobile security app by users in the Google Play Store, by leading technology publications and by independent testing organizations. In addition to AV-Test's certification, PC Magazine and Laptop have rewarded avast! Mobile Security with Editor's Choice awards.
How to download avast! Mobile Premium
avast! Mobile Security and avast! Mobile Backup are both available for download in the Google Play store and can be used stand-alone as free versions or be upgraded to avast! Mobile Premium for access to all premium features. avast! Mobile Premium is available for $1.99 per month or $14.99 per year and can be downloaded at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity


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As a longtime public radio listener, I often imagined Corey Flintoff as someone resembling Willem Dafoe. Turns out he looks a lot more avuncular. Famous game characters likewise bear little resemblance to their voice actors.
GamesRadar has paired up shots of several well known games characters with their voice talent. While David Bateson is a dead ringer for Agent 47 from Hitman. I have to agree that Jason Anthony Griffith looks nothing like Sonic. And not only does Sam Fisher (pictured) not look like
Ham Tyler Michael Ironside, Michael Ironside doesn't look like Michael Ironside. WTH happened?
Famous Game Characters Versus Their Voice Actors [Games Radar]


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HOUSTON – If there were times in 2013 when the Houston Dynamo looked out of sync, that is simply because they were.
Injuries and international duty made it difficult for the Dynamo to field a cohesive group week in and week out, despite the fact that the club conducted their usual postseason magic for a run to the Eastern Conference Championship.
In 39 MLS regular season and playoff games, the Dynamo used 23 different starting combinations. Despite that lack of consistency, Houston still managed to play deep into November before seeing their season end with a 2-1 aggregate loss to Sporting Kansas City in the East final.
Ultimately, those same issues cropped up in the end as injuries to three starters, Will Bruin, Ricardo Clark and Jermaine Taylor, helped trip them up in the two-game series. The result saw them fall short of their ultimate goal of a third MLS Cup title for the franchise, a standard for the club after two straight years in the title game in 2011 and 2012 and back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
"It was difficult," Dynamo captain Brad Davis told the media Wednesday at a season-ending press conference. "I will say this year was definitely difficult to get into a rhythm. It is what it is, we took it as it came, but for the most part I thought we did well. We got ourselves in the playoffs. It was a difficult year, but I think our guys handled it well."
The season saw the club hit historic highs and lows.
On the positive side, Houston got off to their best start in franchise history and got to their sixth conference final in club history. On the other hand, Houston gave up a franchise-worst four goals at home in a 4-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls and a club-worst 5-0 loss at the Montreal Impact.
"It's no fun watching other teams play this late in the season," head coach Dominic Kinnear said. "It's not a treat at all, and I'd be surprised if many on our team sat down and watched the game Saturday because that's the competitive nature that we have."
- The latest Dynamo news at HoustonDynamo.com
Sitting in front of the Houston media while other teams prepare to play in the MLS Cup is an unfamiliar position for Kinnear. Had the Dynamo advanced to play Real Salt Lake on Saturday, it would have been the third straight appearance in the Cup for the club. Now they will have a longer than expected offseason to build their roster depth for another run at their usual lofty goals.
"We hold ourselves to a high standard and Dom holds us to a high standard," Davis said. "We set out our goal and don't like to come up short. We came up a little bit short. If there are other people out there that would be happy with what we have, great, but deep down inside we're not satisfied."
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.


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MMO games are supposed to play with others.
However, we see that more people prefer play alone with time. Here is why we guess.
'Blade & Soul' officially launches 19th January in NA &Europe as well as reveals the launch trailer.
'Blade & Soul' is a Korean fantasy martial arts MMORPG developed by NCsoft. The game is available in English, French, and German. The game features a combination of martial arts inspired combat and Qinggong in an open-world environment.
'Blade & Soul' launched the first service in South Korea in 2012 and in China in 2013. The game has been listed in top 10 online games both in South Korea and China for several years. It took almost 3 years to be available for the western MMO users.
Black Desert OBT started on 17th, Dec in South Korea and ranked #4 in PC Bang rank, which is impressive.
Neowiz Games Corp. is set to go all out during the second half of this year. There's at least four planned online game CBTs starting July, and including other OBTs and new game announcements, there's going to be at least one game to be tested every month.
Considering the marketing costs and the manpower required in such tasks, it won't be an exaggeration to say that they're to start off on a journey which they cannot turn back. Will this all-out plan really be worth the time and effort? We had the opportunity to listen in on the words of the VP of Neowiz Games, Jongchang Kim.
The reason behind this all-out plan? Staying still won't create any paths for us
Neowiz has had a relatively quiet first half of the year despite the number of games in the lineup. I don't think there's been any activity other than the first CBT of <Bless>?
Kim: We really wish development was so simple, and have everything fall right into our initial plans. (laughter) But everyone has been hustling since day one. The development phase has progressing so fast that makes it hard to believe that we're working with an online game. Thanks to the hard work that the development has put in, it seems that us at the business department will have our hands full this half of the year.
Right now, the only games that have been publicly announced are <Project OG> <Project Black Ship> and <Bless>. Will we be able to see these games during this second half of the year?
Kim: Including <Viper Circle> and the currently unannounced FPS, there's a total of five. We do plan to show all of these games in the second half of the year, starting with <Project OG> and <Viper Circle> tests in the summer season and <Project Black Ship> and <Bless> CBTs before this year's G-Star. On top of this, there's the unannounced FPS CBT, and we plan to progress <Project OG> and <Viper Circle> into their OBT phases within this year.
Basically, we will end up having a new test on our hands every month. We'll have our hands busy well into the first half of next year with OBTs for <Bless> and <Project Black Ship>. We've been quiet for about two years for now, and we think that this will be a great turning point for us.
Compared to the recent move in the trend towards mobile games, the number of online games in this lineup almost seems odd.
Kim: Truth be told, looking at the sizes of the two markets, the online game market will have a hard time following the mobile game market. There's no shortage in the number of users, and although it has been changing, mobile games are still cheaper(?) to develop. This talk has been around ever since mobile games have been getting big.
However, we don't believe that means that mobile game market is easier. While the market is big and the initial entry isn't as hard, there are that many contenders in the mobile market. There are literally thousands of products, but among those, about ten or so really get their place settled. In a way, the market is a harsher place than the online game counterpart.
This made us think back to the online game market. Because of the move in the trend towards the mobile market, online games are now harder to find. Compared to a year ago, the attitude of the overseas publishers have changed when looking for online games.
Now it's not about the difficulty in acquiring games anymore, rather it's about not being able to see online games in the market. Users respond to good quality games.
Even so, it doesn't decrease the danger in online games. Online games often end up costing more resources and manpower compared to mobile games. On top of that, Neowiz Games of today does not have the strength it once did before.
Kim: That's correct. We really didn't leave anything for us to fall back on. But will we have anything left behind us if we don't do anything? To be honest, we're not nearly wealthy enough for us to live on interests alone. If we stay still, not only is there nothing behind us, there will be nothing for us in front. However, if we go forward by letting go of whatever is behind us, there will be something for us. We decided that it was better for us to move and challenge ourselves rather than to stay as we are.
But this doesn't mean that we'll overextend our abilities to do something unreachable. Our mobile game department is still doing its best to develop new titles and to look for the best course of action, and us at the online game department is doing our best all the same.
When PC games made its appearance and when online games boom began, many people predicted the difficulty that console markets will face. Console games did have its own share of difficulties, but it persevered with quality games and the interest of the users. I believe that the users will continue to show their love for good quality games.
FPS and golf games are our stepping stones
Let's talk about the lineup. You have set FPS and Golf genres up first despite the fact that the peak season is just in the horizon.
Kim: You may be able to tell from looking at our lineup, but <Project OG> and <Viper Circle> are games that have OBTs planned within this year. We want the CBT to be of the highest quality possible, so that the testing phase will transition well into the OBTs.
This is around the time when people start asking why these genres were picked first. (laughs) While a portion of the reason lied in the development times, we wanted to gain a number of audience through these games before heading into next year. Neowiz Games has always been strong with FPS games, and Golf has its own niche market. It was with these strong pool of audience that we wanted to head into next year, where <Project Black Ship> and <Bless> are planned.
For golf games, <Pangya> and <Shot Online> already have a strong presence in the market. Especially with realistic golf games such as <Project OG>, you don't know if the older gamers will bother to look into new games.
Kim: <Project OG> is a game that aims for both the general golf gamers and the real golfers. We don't think this is any different for any other golf games out there. However, <Project OG> stands out with the fact that 'Golf Zone' is the developer.
Golf Zone is a company that is known for screen golf technology, and it now has a presence that rivals even the PC cafes in Korea. Looking at their expertise, we don't think it would be too difficult for real golfers to approach <Project OG>.
Also, <Project OG> is not a game that falls behind other games. <Project OG> takes pride in the realistic physics engine of screen golf technology, and the state of the art graphics of CryEngine. The amazing graphics engine itself will make the game enjoyable to watch. Whether they be golf game players or real golfers, we believe that there's enough in this game to be appealing to all.
<Viper Circle> is already notorious among gamers, enough to bring out the speculations such as 'Neowiz will throw this game away.' The changing of the game's concept from SF to modern only added onto this notorious image.
Kim: As <League of Legend> and mobile games gained popularity, the market that suffered the most was the casual gaming market. However, one of the only markets that stood its ground despite the odds is the FPS market.
While there have been numerous FPS games, we believe that most of them failed because they focused too much on the 'differentiated service' factor and not enough on the popular appeal. Of course, we agree that the interests of the core fans are important. However for FPS games, well at least for Neowiz FPS games, these games have grown in the past by making sure that the game appeals to the general audience. Considering these factors, we're actually glad of the changes made to <Viper Circle>.
Aside from all of this, there has to be something unique that FPS fans can look forward to in <Viper Circle>. What do you think this may be?
Kim: In a way, <Viper Circle> and <Bless> are very similar games. Due to the fact that both RPG and FPS genres have very long history, it's difficult to differentiate itself from all others in terms of the system. This is especially so if the game is being developed with the interest of the general audience.
The only thing we can reveal at this stage is that we made sure that the basics were strong. There are a lot of concerns that the developers have at this stage. But these things are better shown in person rather than explained in words.
If I was to add one more comment, it would be that it's received the best responses and reactions from our tests within the company. The testing phase is coming up soon, so please try it out yourself.
If you tested it within the company, wouldn't your testers have felt the pressure to give back good response?
Kim: FPS games have played a key role in the growth of Neowiz Games. This is why we have been stretching the contents of our wallets to develop multiple FPS games such as <Viper Circle>, and because of this, our workers are ruthless when it comes to evaluating FPS games.
Like I have mentioned before, <Viper Circle> will probably not be a game that changes the face of FPS games. However, players will be able expect a fully enjoyable FPS game as well as experienced balancing in between contents.
Be looking forward to the party play of <Project Black Ship> and the large scale war of <Bless>
The CBTs for the RPG lineups begin in September. As <Project Black Ship> and <Bless> are products that expended a vast amount your resources, there must be quite a bit of pressure riding on these games.
Kim: Looking at our previous performance, it's not a surprise when people are concerned about our RPGs. However, our business and development teams have tried their best despite these concerns. Both of the teams for these games are complete RPG veterans. The developers for <Project Black Ship> are the creators of <Dio> and numerous other RPGs, and <Bless> is being developed by the people who worked on the development of <Lineage 2> and <Aion>.
The business team have also changed their direction in plan. We have always shown our best quality and strength business and publishing. This is why we changed our focus to reinforce our performance in these areas. We have reinforced ourselves with people with experience in business with RPGs, and researched how we could reach more people with the news of our games.
<Bless> has received many criticisms after its 1st CBT.
Kim: Not only were there criticisms, we were seriously scolded. After such events, many people have been saying that <Bless> is not fun, and that the company is in serious trouble. However, we think that we were actually lucky to have received such criticisms so early on. In all honesty, when developing a game for a long time, it becomes easy for developers to develop personal attachments to that game, becoming almost stubborn to changes.
This phenomenon becomes more likely when a game is developed for a long time. However, thanks to the users who participated in the first CBT, we were able to get our heads back in the game. There's nothing more important than the direct feedback of users.
The development speed has been sped up, and a lot of our concerns have been resolved. Some of our workers even wished that we had started the CBT even earlier.
It sounds like a lot of things will be changing in the 2nd CBT of <Bless>
Kim: To start off, the concept of a traditional MMORPG will not be changing. The points that the users criticized on, such as player movement and battle system, will be improved. We would like the players from the 1st CBT to try the game again this time around.
We have made modifications to the original plan of announcing content after content, and now plan to showcase some of <Bless>'s main features in the 2nd CBT, such as the large scale war system. We've actually been regretting the fact that players were only able to experience the basic systems of <Bless> in the 1st CBT. We plan to show a lot more in the 2nd CBT during this Fall, so please keep an eye out for the news.
This is the first CBT for <Project Black Ship>. If the history of 3D MORPGs means anything, games from this genre have a difficult time succeeding in the long run. How have you been preparing for this?
Kim: We're actually more worried about the OBT next year than the upcoming CBT. (laughs) Like you said, MORPGs receive fairly good feedback during their CBTs thanks to the overwhelming action. However, these games tend to suffer from lack of content after their OBT stages.
It's with this in mind that we have been developing <Project Black Ship> with plenty of action as well as repeatable contents. When we say repeatable content, we don't mean the common 'grinding' or 'farming' content. To be honest, while those may unavoidably exist in the game, <Project Black Ship> aims to offer unique gaming experiences that will be different depending on the actions of users and party members.
Battles becoming different depending on the party is something that we can see commonly in other MORPGs.
<Project Black Ship> utilizes very accurate physics engine to feature destructive action in combat. Field environmental objects will break apart upon receiving player attacks to affect the strategy involved in completing the dungeon, and precise hit-box and striking motions will create brand new experiences in every single dungeon. What I have said earlier draws on this feature, with multiple players affecting the progress of the dungeon.
For example, defeating a boss monster may involve directly aiming for the opponents' legs to topple them over, or some may opt out to throw the environmental objects or creeps to strike at the weak point. Aside from this, players will have the option to break the environmental objects to damage the opponents, or to use the hidden switches within the room to forcefully expose the opponents' weaknesses.
As such, the gameplay will not be made unique with simple character design, but with user play patterns and battle strategies. The game aims to have unique strategies available for every play style out there. We have also been paying much attention on the community side of the game, creating places of social gatherings and game systems that require communal collaboration. For more detailed explanation, please look forward to the convention in the Summer.
The two RPGs both aim for 2015 OBTs. Would it be safe for us to think of 2014 as the year for genre-specific fans, and next year as the year for the popular audience, utilizing the Pmang portal?
Kim: While it ended up seeming like that, our goal is not portal, but games. If Pmang still had the popularity that it had before, we may have considered that route. However, people will not come to <Bless> because it will be serviced on Pmang; rather, people will come to Pmang because <Bless> is being serviced on it.
The strength of a portal fundamentally lies in content. It's because of this that we've been changing our focus towards individual games, rather than the portal. The game must do well for a portal to do well. In a way, we've gone back to our initial roots.
Lastly, would you like to leave our viewers a message with the continuous tests in the horizon?
Kim: The online game market is not like it was before. Not only are there less games in all, there are even less successful games. However, seeing how good quality games still receive lots of love, we think that players are still on the lookout for a good online game.
Staring with the second half of this year, we will be showcasing lots of games to the market. We hope that our games will be enough to satisfy the needs of our players out there, and that they will be able to breathe life back into this market. The workers at Neowiz Games and at all our partners have been putting tremendous amounts of efforts. We have worked very hard on these upcoming titles starting July, and we hope that many players out there will show their love for our games.
Bluehole Studio, a developer of MMORPG <TERA>, announced that it attracted investment of US$13M from IMM Investment and Premiere Partners for its next game on June 23. Bluehole Studio started working on two brand-new MMORPGs.
Bluehole Studio had attracted investment of US$8.4M from Altos Ventures in 2008 and US$17.7M from a consortium formed of six investors such as Kaynet Investment and Stonebridge Capital in 2009 respectively.


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4501 Old Hanover Road
Westminster, Maryland, 21158
Commute to Downtown Westminster
Almost all errands require a car.
It is possible to get on a bus.
About your score
4501 Old Hanover Road has a Walk Score of 0 out of 100. This location is a Car-Dependent neighborhood so almost all errands require a car.
This location is in Westminster.
Explore how far you can travel by car, bus, bike and foot from 4501 Old Hanover Road.
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Search for homes in Westminster or find a Westminster real estate agent who knows walkable neighborhoods. Links will open on our partner site Redfin.com.
This location is in the city of Westminster, MD. Westminster has an average Walk Score of 40 and has 18,590 residents.Learn More About Westminster


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Parkinson's Care
Caring for a loved one with Parkinson's is a major responsibility. From helping with housekeeping and personal hygiene to keeping track of doctor appointments and medications, it is natural to become overwhelmed by such a difficult undertaking.
With the support of a certified caregiver, a family can obtain peace of mind by knowing that their loved one is in professional and caring hands. Retire-At-Home of Ottawa is a trusted partner in the medical community, and is committed to providing continuity and familiarity, even in the most advanced stages of the disease.
Recognizing the importance and comfort of a familiar home environment, our specialized Parkinson's care program is conducted in the home of our clients. Our highly trained caregivers assist Parkinson's patients with their day-to-day activities, allowing them to spend more time with their loved ones. With a degenerative disease like Parkinson's, we are also aware that the level of care may increase at any time. To ensure the highest quality of life for our clients, our services are available on a flexible hourly or full time basis and can be modified at any time.
Our trained, experienced caregivers provide assistance with any of the following:
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We offer a wide range of In-Home Senior Health Care Services in Shirleys Bay to help you remain in your home for as long as you wish.
All of our employees and managers in Shirleys Bay are trained to work with you in a compassionate, non-intrusive way. Whether you would like simple companionship or require around the clock care, we will tailor our home care service for you. For more information on our Parkinson's Care services please give us a call at 613-369-5100 or email us at email@example.com
Learn more about our Shirleys Bay home care company


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America's big 'holiday' is right around the corner: Black Friday! For many Americans, Black Friday represents savings galore, for others, it's a day to frantically avoid. Whether you are a fan of Black Friday or not, these facts may surprise you!
The Average Black Friday Plans to Spend $472
How much do you spend while out on Black Friday? For many, this is the biggest shopping day of the year. No matter what type of shopper you are - the average shopper is expected to spend $472 on that day.
Shopping at Brick and Mortar Stores is Declining
In-store shopping on Black Friday in 2017 decreased 1 percent from 2016, according to Forbes. As online shopping and Cyber Monday continues to grow in popularity, this could be trend that we see in years to come.
Store Credit Card Applications Increase Around Black Friday
Many stores offer same-day discounts at sign-up, according to a survey by CreditCards.com. For some, offers of added discounts are too much to pass up. The most popular time for store credit card sign-ups is during the holidays, according to the Business Insider.
Nearly Half of Thanksgiving Weekend Shoppers Plan to Spend More
This year, 46 percent of Thanksgiving weekend shoppers plan to spend more than they did the previous year.
Online Sales Hit $5.03 Billion
More and more people are choosing to shop online during Black Friday. In 2017, Black Friday online sales reached $5.03 billion, a 16.9 percent increase from 2016.
Black Friday Boasts Best Deals on Electronics
If a new television or tablet is on your wish list this year, you may want to check out the Black Friday deals. Adobe's recent predictions for the 2018 holiday season, anticipates Black Friday will have the best discounts on electronic favorites like tablets, televisions and computers.
40% of Online Shoppers Make Purchases from a Smartphone
On Black Friday consumers are using smartphones more and more to make purchases. In 2017, a record 40 percent of online sales were made on mobile phones, which was an 11 percent increase from 2016.
Shopping This Black Friday? Your Big Ticket Items Could Be Covered!
Whether you are planning to shop in stores or online this Black Friday, be sure your coverage is up-to-date. Connect with your Farm Bureau agent or sign up for a SuperCheck® today!


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A wealthy space tourist announced plans today to launch a high-risk manned flight to Mars in 2018, sending a man and a woman on a bare-bones 501-day round-trip flyby, passing just 100 miles above the Red Planet before heading back to Earth.
Dennis Tito, the first private citizen to fly aboard the International Space Station, said he will provide two years of funding to support the Inspiration Mars Foundation, a nonprofit he started to execute the proposed venture. Additional money will be raised from private sources.
"We have 50 years of experience," he told reporters during a news conference. "We can do things a lot faster, we just need a commitment. I'm not worried about getting this done from that standpoint. The vehicles are there, we have time to get it together."
In a statement, Tito said his organization is "engaging the best minds in industry, government, and academia to develop and integrate the space flight systems and to design innovative research, education, and outreach programs for the mission."
"This low-cost, collaborative, philanthropic approach to tackling this dynamic challenge will showcase U.S. innovation at its best and benefit all Americans in a variety of ways."
But building a reliable, affordable spacecraft in five years is just one issue facing mission planners. Spending nearly one-and-a-half years in the weightless environment of space poses a variety of health risks for the two-person crew, along with an increased risk of cancer due to the effects of space radiation.
And then there's the psychological stress associated with extended confinement in a vehicle the size of a motor home.
Homer Hickham, author or "Rocket Boys/October Sky," said in a Twitter posting: "A married couple in a bathroom for 501 days? I love my wife but rather take my cat and some good books."
He joked that a book about the trip might be titled "Murder on the Martian Express."
But Jon Clark, a former NASA flight surgeon whose wife, Laurel Clark, perished in the 2003 Columbia disaster, said exhaustive screening procedures will be used to select candidates with excellent health, technical competence, and psychological stability.
Preflight training and well-established exercise protocols will help offset the effects of prolonged exposure to microgravity, but space radiation remains a major concern. Clark said NASA will not consider a mission that could result in a 3 percent excess cancer mortality rate over a lifetime.
The proposed Mars flyby mission is "in that ballpark," said Clark, who is working with the Inspiration Mars Foundation. "So, the real issue here is understanding the risk in an informed capacity. The crew would understand that. Ultimately, that is going to be the decision based on that informed consent."
Taber MacCallum, the chief technical officer for Inspiration Mars and CEO of Paragon Space Development, said it's "the kind of risk America used to be able to take."
"That's the kind of bold thing we used to be able to do, we don't do that anymore," he said. "We've shirked away from risk. I think just seriously contemplating this mission recalibrates what we believe is a risk worth taking for America."
As for the challenge of developing a manned flyby spaceraft in just five years, MacCallum said "American industry is up to this challenge."
"There are lots of options and ways to get this done," he said. "We have an amazing industrial base and it's about time America stood up and proved to the rest of the world we've got, bar none, the best industrial base in the world. Let's show it to them. Let's do this mission."
The proposed trip would take advantage of a relatively rare alignment between Earth and Mars, allowing a spacecraft to follow a fast "free-return" trajectory.
Assuming a launch on January 5, 2018, the spacecraft could reach Mars in 228 days and simply loop around the planet, using gravity to fling it back toward Earth. The return trip would take 273 days and end with re-entry on May 21, 2019, at a record velocity of 31,000 mph.
The crew would rely on a closed-loop life-support system, recycling water, urine, and sweat using technology similar to that aboard the International Space Station.
While a specific mission architecture has not been established, the two-person crew likely will live and work in an inflatable habitat module attached to the capsule used for launch and entry. The idea is to utilize current technology with a minimum of automation, relying strongly on the crew's ability to operate the spacecraft and make repairs as needed.
Tito said a variety of launch vehicles should be available, including a proposed heavy-lift booster planned by Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX. The company also is working on a manned version of its Dragon cargo capsule, a variant of which might be suitable for the Mars trip.
Once on the way to Mars, the crew would not be able to abort and make a quick return to Earth if something went wrong. They would be committed to the full-duration 501-day mission.
MacCallum said mission planners are considering a 1,200-cubic-foot spacecraft, half of which would be filled with food, water, life-support equipment, and spare parts. The crew would have about 600 cubic feet of living space.
Tito did not have a realistic cost estimate, but he said he expected it to be in the range of a robotic Mars mission. NASA's twin Mars Exploration Rovers cost about $400 million each, while the more sophisticated Curiosity rover currently at work on the Red Planet cost some $2.5 billion.
"It uses low-Earth orbit architecture and we're just adapting it, in effect, to a very large Earth orbit that...just happens to go out pretty far," Tito said. "But you're really flying this mission without a propulsion system on the spacecraft, it's in the most simple form.
"Compared to, say, the landing missions, even if you could contemplate what an overall landing mission to Mars might cost or even in today's dollars what the Apollo missions cost, you're talking a factor of a hundred (less). This is really chump change."
Whatever the final price tag of the proposed manned flyby mission, Tito said he welcomed the opportunity to raise money, joking that media rights alone would be worth a fortune.
"Dr. Phil solving their marital problems, it will be great," Tito quipped.


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|月野 Tsukino
|Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3
|Appears in
|Voice Actors
Tsukino (月野, Tsukino), also known as the Masked Kunoichi (仮面のくノ一, Kamen no Kunoichi), is a kunoichi as well as the current head of Tsukigakure who appears in the story mode of Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 and was controlled by Shinga.
Naruto explains his relationship with Tsukino to Kakashi Hatake, Sakura Haruno, and Sai when Sai remarks that Sakura acts like a sister to him. During Naruto's training with Jiraiya, he was left in the care of Tsukino for a period of time, in which they grew closer. When Tsukino took him to the fields of moon flowers, Naruto learns that her father is the head of Tsukigakure and that Tsukino would succeed him in this position following his death. She then tells him that she feels chained by this fate. Naruto knew those traditions are important and convinced her on changing the rules, if they aren't working. Tsukino understood him and then promised him not to change, no matter how much time passed, and follow his heart, live freely, and never lose the strong will he have, even for her sake. She asked Naruto to make promise after she told him not to change and he promised her. When Jiraiya and Naruto were about to leave, Tsukino gave Naruto a perfume made with flower petals from the moon flower fields. After her father's death, she took over as the village head.
She has long white hair tied in a ponytail with a hair accessory of yellow crescent moons, brown skin, and green eyes. She also has a yellow jewel on her forehead. She wears a light blue medium kimono with a black armour with twin yellow crescent moons, an orange sash around her waist, a black arm guard on her right arm, and black open-toed boots. She also has two tantō around her waist.
When she was controlled by Shinga's Jibakugan, she wore a dark grey mask with red markings.
As the village head, Tsukino is presumed to be a powerful kunoichi. She is talented at fūinjutsu, able to use abilities that allow her to seal her opponent's chakra, dispel seals, and set sealing traps. She has also shown to have some skill in genjutsu, performing the Temple of Nirvana Technique while being possessed. She is also able to make medicine and perfume out of the moon flowers she and Naruto collected on a hill.
Plot Overview
Following Naruto's story, Kakashi mentions that Tsukino actually succeeded her father recently. However, none of them knew that Shinga had taken over Tsukigakure and Tsukino with his group, as well as his Jibakugan. She was seen with the defeated Konoha-nin when Team Kakashi encountered her. She used her fūinjutsu to seal Team Kakashi's chakra and commanded her henchmen to attack them. After her fūinjutsu was dispelled, Tsukino left with Shinga and his group.
Later, she, Shinga, and Hakui found the sealed hall in Konoha where the kinjutsu was sealed away and she dispels the seals on the stone. After she dispelled the seal, she was later guarding the sealed hall while Shinga and Hakui are collecting kinjutsu. When Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi arrived, Tsukino sealed their chakra again and fought them. After her defeat, her mask was broken and her face was revealed which caused Naruto shocked as he knows her. As Naruto tries to talk to her, she didn't respond to him because of the Jibakugan. When Shinga performed his Jibakugan on Kotetsu and Izumo while Jiraiya saved Tsunade, Naruto, and his team, Tsukino left with Shinga and Hakui after finding the kinjutsu, the Demon Shinki and Naruto chased after them.
After Naruto chased after Tsukino, Shinga commanded her to attack Naruto. As Shinga left with Dōshin and Hakui, Tsukino sealed the chakra from Naruto along with Neji and Tenten and attacked them. Naruto breaks the spell by using the perfume she gave it to him when the Jibakugan reacted to the scent after he can't defeat her. After she's back to normal, Tsukino guides Naruto and his team to Tsukigakure.
While Kakashi and Sai are fighting against Dōshin, and Sakura is healing a boy Tsukino knows him, she breaks down into tears, realising that it was her fault because of Shinga. Naruto tells her about bonds he have his friends, experiences, and farewells and keeps them as strong, allowing him to keep going forward. It also states that Tsukino told Naruto about forging a friendship to make it to become stronger, which made her better.
Tsukino uses her fūinjutsu on Shinga to seal his chakra from recovering himself from the roots, allowing Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha to defeat him. After Shinga's demise, Tsukino returns as the leader of Tsukigakure with no more regrets due to being inspired by Naruto. In the end, she believes he is the hero in the legend.
- Tsukino also makes a cameo appearance in Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2. In the story mode of Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, after Naruto purchases a book based on when he saved Tsukigakure, he would receive letters from Tsukino.
- (Reciting the Tsukigakure's legend) "In a time of war, a wanderer from afar did happen upon Tsukigakure. Great were the trials he endured to drive off the destruction that placed the moon in such peril. He had a noble heart and a spirit bound by none. So was revealed our heroic saviour. His name rang with the pureness of his soul. Like unto a gentle breeze."


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This June legions of Battlefield fans, quite frankly, won't be surprised in the least with the release of Battlefield 3: Close Quarters. The DLC title says it all. And the trailer released several weeks ago reveals everything you need to know.
But a lack of surprise doesn't mean you won't love it. (And, hey, we've got a new trailer to look at.)
Ditching the large-scale, vehicle-trodden landscapes filled with tanks and jeeps and jet planes and helicopters thrashing about dusty roads and sunny skies, developer DICE has decided to make everything, shall we say, intimate. In Close Quarters—due in June for PC and Xbox 360 for $14.99, with PS3 players it one week earlier—they'll experience a popcorn festival of tightly-knit maps designed for face stabs, shotguns blasts to the chest, and obliterating missile strikes in narrow corridors.
In short, it's a powder keg of claustrophobic fun.
During EA's event held in San Francisco, Ca. last week (where Crysis 3 was also demoed), I sat down and played several dozen games on the PlayStation 3 and experienced a different kind of Battlefield; one that made me shout, talk crap to my opponents, and laugh. (Normally, I just shout and talk crap.)
The laughter was due to the power of the first unlockable weapon, the shotgun. Once I held it in my virtual hands, I ran screaming across the map, blasting the heck out of everything that moved. The result was hilarious and rewarding. Inside the myriad hallways, the shotgun blew opponents backward, decisively, to their death; the sound was powerful and ear-splitting. The physical impact was very satisfying. I admit, the first few folks playing weren't very good, but after weeks of going online and finding just how talented ordinary players are, the pleasure was all mine.
EA revealed the first Close Quarters map in March, a skyscraper level called Zeba Towers. That map focuses on a mixture of outdoor skyscraper environments, with close knit hallways and lobbies. I played the second revealed map, Donya Fortress. And for this map, EA revealed the new gameplay mode, Conquest Domination, which is essentially a micro-scale, accelerated version of Conquest. The goal is for one team to hold three key points for the longest time. Because the maps are smaller, the time it takes to secure a flag and the play period are both shorter, condensing the experience. It's worth noting that the flag points are always in the same places.
There are immediate similarities between the Zeba Towers and Donya Fortress, including the fact that they literally contain close quarters. Both levels feature vertical design and the dozens of interlocking rooms play a part in the experience. Apart, these elements don't seem terribly exciting, but together they create a densely-packed, highly-concentrated feel.
The differences are slight but discernible. Donya Fortress is a Southern-style military establishment. Large water fountains key the centerpieces of the white, stone courtyards. Third-story balconies offer a small amount of protection from opposing second-story walkways, and both look down on additional ground-level courts and gardens. The open nature here forces players not only to be aware of activity from the front and sides but also from above. And for some unknown reason that doesn't really matter, blown-out tunnels run underground, providing additional paths through which to move.
The game's close-knit nature immediately makes you feel like Han Solo sprinting through the Death Star chasing a bunch of Storm Troopers while screaming at the top of your lungs
But, really, the first thing you'll find yourself doing is literally running—everywhere. The game's close-knit nature immediately makes you feel like Han Solo sprinting through the Death Star chasing a bunch of Storm Troopers while screaming at the top of your lungs. You'll hear your boots clomping through the environment, but you'll also hear the reverberation of everyone else's, too. Everyone else in the game—that's 15 others—is also sprinting.
The audio effects are an interesting element all their own. The sounds of airplanes and helicopters flying by comprise a kind of occasional white noise, but what really intensifies the game is the constant, heavy sounds of shelling. While there are 10 new weapons offered in this DLC, from the MTAR, SPAZ 12, and LSAT to name a few, it's the C4 and missile launchers that create the unrelenting cacophony of blasts.
The "Destruction HD" feature—EA's marketing term for the already-available destructible environment—means that everyone can tear the place to pieces. This map sounded like a war was going on in someone's living room.
When the level was full of players, the walls were exploding left and right, and sizable chunks of plaster bits and glass would fly across my face. The wall structures—the heavy beams and framework—remained in place, but everything else turns to powder. In the same way that Infinity Ward upped the level of audio production and quality in the Call of Duty series, DICE has ramped up the sound production here, but compounds the intensity by being indoors.
And so, when one gets into a killing spree, an uninterrupted rhythm of successful kills, the otherwise distracting chaos of echoing footsteps and death screams and exploding walls feels strangely serene, even soothing. Wow, taken out of context, I guess that sounds pretty messed up. But in context all of the game's elements—the pace, sound, and intensity—it can come together just short of genius.
Douglass C Perry, former EIC at IGN, is a freelance writer and journalist. You can tweet him @douginsano.


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Indicative Rate * AU$180 to AU$325
Greenlee Cottages are four contemporary cottages with rustic charm set in the Scenic Rim, with a backdrop of Greenlee Farm macadamia orchard.
Soak up the great views of the Canungra Valley from the deck. Listen to the Canungra Creek flowing by. Relax with a good book. Immerse yourself in nature with native wildlife and birdlife on your doorstep.
The cottages accommodate between two and four people. Woodcutters cottage is accessible friendly so all guests can enjoy the beauty of the surrounds.
Enjoy the comfortable queen beds and the rustic touches in the bathrooms. Each cottage has its own welcoming feel. Wi-fi is available.
Indulge in a breakfast basket full of food sourced from the Scenic Rim that you can cook in your kitchenette.
A barbecue and pizza oven gazebo is available for your use at any time. Barbecue packs can be arranged with notice. A firepit stocked with wood can be used by guests when no fire bans.
Make time to taste the many wines of the area, or go bushwalking at close locations like O'Reillys, Binna Burra or Tamborine Mountain.
Only one hour from Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
Silky Oak Cottage has an overriding feel of timber. Accents throughout the cottage are various timbers - bedside floating shelves, horse bit toilet roll holders, recycled timber vanity, log side table. Colourings in this cottage are beige tonings.
French doors open on to the deck. Relax with a glass of local wine or a steaming cup of plunger coffee in comfortable outdoor chairs while soaking up the views of the Canungra Valley.
Comfortable beige wing back chairs allow you to sink into them and read one of the many books available.
The kitchenette has a microwave, kettle, toaster, electric frying pan and fridge for your use.
Callistemon Cottage has a feminine feel in pastel blue tonings. The tasteful cushions accent the colourings of the cottage.
The magic is in the bathroom where you step back in time. An old Singer sewing machine table converted into a vanity. Black and white diamond tiles are reminiscent of a bygone era. Touches of recycled timber for towelrails and toilet roll holders.
Open the French doors to soak up the view of the Canungra Valley from your own deck. Or listen to the sound of Canungra Creek flowing by.
Sink into comfortable lounge chairs and absorb yourself in one of the many books on offer.
A kitchenette with microwave, kettle, toaster, electric frying pan and fridge is yours to make breakfast using your Breakfast Basket goodies.
Woodcutters cottage has a definite feeling of history. The walls are adorned with old woodcutter saws and historical photos of a bygone era. But there is a warm friendly feeling about this cottage.
This cottage has two bedrooms and has a disable friendly bathroom which means everyone can enjoy the magnificent area of the Canungra Valley. Wider doorways and open spaces make this cottage ideal for wheelchair guests.
Access French doors onto the deck to soak up the views of the Canungra Valley. Listen to the Canungra Creek flowing nearby and the many native birds of the area.
Take the time to read one of the many books that are available to guests.
The kitchenette has a microwave, kettle, toaster, electric frying pan and fridge for your use. Make yourself a tasty breakfast each morning using the ingredients from your Breakfast Basket.
Casuarina Cottage has soft green tonings and light timber throughout the décor. This cottage is probably the most private of Greenlee Cottages.
Stepping through the French doors onto the deck opens a view of Canungra Valley and a view to the Canungra Creek that flows below. Recycled timber accents are found in the bathroom with a generous size shower.
Enjoy reading one of the many books found in your room while relaxing in a wing back chair with a marbletop side table.
A kitchenette with microwave, kettle, toaster, electric frying pan and fridge is yours to make breakfast using your Breakfast Basket of local food.
Note: Information on listed products and services are provided by the operator and were correct at the time of publishing. Rates are indicative based on the minimum and maximum available prices of products and services. Please visit the operator's website for further information. All prices quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD).


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Greeno is a company committed to a greener way of life. Based in pristine Greenough, Montana, Greeno was born out of the need to battle the local pine beetle infestation. By logging the beetle-killed trees and protecting the survivors in PEFC-certified forests, Greeno promotes forest health and safety in Montana.
In an odd twist of fate, the Mountain Pine Beetle leaves an attractive footprint: a unique silvery blue stain. Greeno is taking the pine beetle's blue-stained calling card and turning it into beautifully designed flooring, paneling, crown molding, baseboards and window and door casings. Just as strong as non-stained lumber, harvested trees can now live on in new construction, re-models, community building projects, furniture and more. Blue is the new green.


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Valhalla, N.Y., July 7, 2016 – As a leader in advanced digital camera technology and outstanding image quality, FUJIFILM North America Corporation today announced the new FUJIFILM X-T2, a splash-resistant premium interchangeable lens camera with a large OLED electronic viewfinder (EVF). The X-T2 houses the latest generation 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III with an APS-C sensor with no low-pass filter, boasting the highest performance in the history of X Series. The new X-T2 produces crisp image resolution comparable to that of cameras equipped with larger sensors and higher pixel counts, all in a more compact and classically-designed body.
And for the first time, the new FUJIFILM X-T2 now supports 4K video recording that can use each available Film Simulation mode, including ACROS, to easily produce premium-quality footage that is as unique as the photographer behind the viewfinder.
Dramatic improvement to auto focus system The FUJIFILM X-T2 receives a dramatically improved auto focus system (AF) that increases the overall single AF points to 325, and the number of Zone focusing points to 91 (expanded from 49 in previous models). Approximately 40% of the imaging area (center area containing 49 focusing points) is covered with phase detection auto focus pixels to form a fast and precise phase detection auto focus area that can be used in a variety of scenes.
With the high-speed X-Processor Pro and the use of improved algorithms, the X-T2 now refocuses more frequently, enabling predictive AF of advanced accuracy.
The X-T2 also has an enhanced ability to autofocus on small points of light, low-contrast objects and subjects with fine and delicate textures such as bird feathers and animal fur.
The X-T2's performance of contrast detection AF, enabled for approximately 65% of the imaging area, has also been improved. The data read speed has been doubled compared to previous models to achieve AF performance of higher speed and precision. Photographers will enjoy accurate focusing is all shooting situations, even in low light with a -3EV.
Another area of improvement is the AF-C algorithm that has been significantly enhanced for even higher accuracy when focus-tracking moving subjects in the AF-C mode. According to the type of movement, users can choose individual settings for Subject Retention Characteristic, Acceleration / Deceleration Tracking Characteristic and Focus Zone Characteristic, or select one of five presets or customize specific settings for these three elements.
Image Quality
Fujifilm's commitment to superior image quality remains a guiding principle, and the FUJIFILM X-T2 is the latest effort to deliver outstanding picture resolution, all from a compact and sophisticated body that is both weather-sealed and easy to travel with in any location. With Fujifilm's proprietary image design technology, produced through the development of photographic films, the X-T2 reproduces warm skin tones, bright blue skies and rich green foliage in beautiful colors, just as you remember seeing in real life. The X-T2 includes the ACROS Film Simulation for smooth gradation, deep blacks and beautiful textures to create monochrome images that far outperform even the most demanding expectations.
The X-T2 also has the Grain Effect function for reproducing distinctive graininess seen in photographs taken with film cameras. The function is available in Strong and Weak options, and can be combined with any of the Film Simulation modes. You can easily obtain the effect of film-based photos, notable especially when the image is printed out.
Speedy throughout
Basic response specifications, such as startup time, shooting interval and shutter release time lag, have all been improved to the extreme in pursuit of a camera that operates exactly as the photographer demands. The high-speed processing power and the use of improved algorithms have significantly improved the basic autofocus performance, and X-T2 now gives users AF-C Custom Settings for even higher accuracy in focus-tracking moving subjects.
The X-T2's electronic viewfinder, which is used to continuously track a moving subject, is capable of displaying up to 100 frames per second, while also maintaining the magnification ratio of 0.77x and the display time lag of 0.005 seconds. The duration of the viewfinder blackout, in which the evf blacks out temporarily while the camera reads picture data, has been reduced by more than half, enabling continuous shooting to ensure tracking subject movements
Specs leaked
More and better photos added to top topic post.
They live in a situation where they can not design good LSI. :-) Same as Pentax.
As some people properly commented - we can expect Samsung NX1 level features only around X-T4 or even X-T5.
Fuji X-T2 vs Nikon D810
Lab and usual samples
Why did you choose to include 4K video in the X-T2?
The movie function is one of the most important functions of digital cameras. Many of our competitors had offered 4K, but we didn't. Fujifilm is a popular company in the broadcast industry, because we've developed so many lenses for broadcast cameras. So we are familiar with the industry, we just been able to utilize that knowledge [until now].
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Wishes make life better for kids with critical illnesses. This simple, but powerful belief inspired the founding of Make-A-Wish® and drives everything we do.
Chris, 7, was diagnosed with leukemia. More than anything else, he wished to be a police officer. Caring people in his community granted his wish ... and set in motion a phenomenon that would create an unprecedented kind of charity.
Make-A-Wish serves a unique, and vital, role in helping strengthen and empower children battling critical illnesses.
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520 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
Location Tip: Inside Customer Service Desk
Hours of operation
Mon-Sat: 10am-9pm, Sun: 11am-7pm CST
Holidays can affect branch operating hours, please call the branch directly to confirm holiday hours.
View CXI - The Shops At North Bridge at Illinois, IL in Google Maps.
Call us today for rates, currency availability or general inquiries at 312-755-9200.
Our Best Rate Guarantee ensures you receive a competitive foreign currency exchange rate every day. CXI will match or beat any local bank or airport for the same product and service on the same day and time of the exchange.
*If you find a better exchange rate within the same city and on the same day as the CXI branch you plan to exchange with, notify the CXI branch. Our branch will confirm that the rate you present is for the same amount and currency as you plan to exchange with CXI. Once confirmed with the bank or airport, CXI will match or beat the given rate. This is only valid prior to an exchange and is not valid after an exchange has already been completed.
Currency Exchange International aims to create a worry free foreign currency service for all of Chicago area's foreign currency exchange needs. CXI's courteous, knowledgeable staff offers exchange rates that are better than local banks and much better than the airport exchange's rates. Don't wait in line at the airport or deal with banking hours just to receive higher rates.
As an international traveler you should know, not all currency exchange companies are created the same. CXI is a specialist in the foreign currency exchange industry operating branches in convenient, safe locations ready to convert your money, as well as being one of the largest wholesale banknote exchange in North America. This allows us to leverage our bulk foreign banknote exchange to give you the international traveler better rates.
To back this up, CXI boasts its Best Rate Guarantee* that it will match or beat any local bank for the same product and service on same day and time of the exchange. This way travelers in the Chicago area know they are always getting a great exchange value along with the added convenience of seven days a week service.
CXI now also is able to exchange limited foreign coins: 1 & 2 EUR, 1 & 2 CAD, 1 & 2 GBP, 10 & 20 MXN. No other foreign coins are exchanged. To help reduce lines and wait times for all customers, all foreign coins must be sorted prior to them coming to the branch to exchange them. Please note that CXI buys and sells foreign coins at a lesser rate compared to banknotes.
Accepted Payment Types
Cash, Debit Cards, and Credit Cards* are accepted when paying US dollars. Valid government identification is required for all credit and debit card transactions. Additional cost for credit card transactions apply. Credit card transaction limit: $500. Debit card transaction limit: $5,000. Payments can be split between multiple payment types. Call your local CXI branch for more details.
Note: Your credit card company may categorize this transaction as a Cash Advance and apply their own fees. CXI has no control over how a credit card company categorizes this transaction. Contact your credit card company for more information.
Take the Red Line to Grand Ave and State Street. The Shops at North Bridge will be two blocks east toward N. Michigan Ave.
Location Tip: Inside the Mall's Customer Service Desk


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In 1997, a kid living in the Los Angeles area named Jim Falschlehner pulled a '34 Ford truck cab and bed out of a friend's back yard with an idea for a hot rod pickup. The pieces weren't much to look at –– they'd spent the previous thirty years or so in one of those southern California river beds that only get water running through them at certain times of the year. But no matter: the kid grew up working on cars and wasn't afraid to dig into this thing.
Jimmy Shine ended up turning that cab and bed into one of the first major 'bare metal' hot rods that also bridged the Rat Rod movement with the opposite end of the custom car spectrum: the high-end custom shop. When he was hired on at the fabled So-Cal Speedshop in Pomona, CA as a fabricator, he walked his Rat Rod tendencies right into the fab shop behind the showroom and got to work.
Working on his truck after hours and, some nights, just sleeping beside it before work the next day, Jimmy toiled away on his project and just naturally employed the aesthetics of the Rat Rod movement he'd been drawn to. He'd grown up with the Orange County Hardcore music scene, surfed southern California beaches since he was a kid and brought the tenets of Ratrodding to Alex Xydias' venerable old speed shop with his '34 truck project. And in the typical style of those early days of the movement, it was built with the highest quality materials, best vintage parts and every ounce of Jimmy's expanding set of skills.
The truck's metalwork was never compromised and was brazenly exposed when it first saw sunlight in its bare metal. With no paint and a constant sunscreen-lotion-application of WD40 and Scotchbrite pads to keep the metal clean, Jimmy also let the world know that his truck –– though built by hand in the back shop at So-Cal –– was going to be driven. And driven like he stole it.
Hand-made custom 'artillery' wheels, perfect metalwork, hand-formed steering arms, perfect stance/channel/chop and a host of rare, vintage parts doesn't stop Jimmy from tear-assing around on the dry lakes, running to the taco truck in it at lunch time and even taking us for a ride in it back in 2002. We can say with certainty that the guy built it to drive it. Matter of fact, when he finally exhibited the truck at the Grand National Roadster Show, his display was made of a few hundred pounds of dry lake dirt, a few tumbleweeds and the truck itself was caked with the dust he had kicked up in it from tearing up the 'lakes just a few days prior. The stunt brought the venerable old show entrants to their knees: this was the venue for outspending each other on cars and displays and typically reserved for the Old Guard…So-Cal Speedshop's biggest customers, in some ways. Jimmy had single-handedly brought the Rat Rod movement right through the front doors of the Big Show and won first place in doing so.
Jimmy Shine's '34 was one of the first Rat Rods to come out of a shop like So-Cal. Sure, it was Jimmy's own car and yes, he had the juice of Pete Chapouris behind him as an employee of the place. But it was 100% Jimmy and it totally embodied the spirit of the original Rat Rod movement: envision it, build it yourself, drive the hell out of it as soon as it can move under its own power. And most importantly, never claim it's really ever finished.
The truck launched a thousand good ideas from a thousand backyards and home garages all across the hot rod land. It's gotten a blower and some other neat additions over the years, but all in all, it's still the same mindblower it was when Jimmy first rolled it out into the sunshine. It's a testament to good design, good taste and a healthy reverence for the past while ignoring its unwritten rules. That's what the original Rat Rod was all about.


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Percy Bysshe Shelley#49 on top 500 poets
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Song From The Wandering Jew
See yon opening flower
Spreads its fragrance to the blast;
It fades within an hour,
Its decay is pale--is fast.
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In preparation from the upcoming analog-to-digital DTV transition, any device manufactured since 2007 and equipped with a standard analog NTSC tuner has been federally mandated to also include a digital ATSC tuner. For manufacturers of DVD recorders, that leaves two options: include a digital tuner, which increases the price a bit, or opt to exclude tuners completely. Cheaper, tunerless models are perfectly sufficient for most buyers, since an over-the-air ATSC tuner is largely unnecessary for cable and satellite subscribers.
The Panasonic DMR-EA18K may not include an ATSC tuner, but it does outdo your basic DVD recorder with some step-up features, such as a USB port and SDHC card slot for playing MP3s and viewing JPEG picture files. More important is the DMR-EA18K's top-notch performance, which gives crisp recordings even in 4-hour LP mode. The unit also includes our favorite feature, flexible recording, which automatically optimizes the video quality of the content to fill a DVD. Panasonic has delivered a sleek-looking unit that's an excellent DVD recording solution for the majority of us that don't need a digital tuner.
Unlike chunkier DVD recorder/VCR combo players, the DMR-EA18K has a slick, slim profile. Sporting an all-black design, the unit has a minimalist touch, with a bright LCD screen that can be dimmed and a silver horizontal crescent accenting the Panasonic logo. Two buttons exist on the top--Power and Eject--while the bottom has a fold-down door that reveals an S-Video, component, SDHC card slot, a FireWire port, and a USB flash input. Keys for Stop, Play, Record, and Fast-forward come in handy when the remote goes missing. The only problem we found--and this is nitpicking--was with the placement of the Eject button, which we often confused with the Power key.
The well-designed remote is identical to that of previous models. Most of the buttons are large enough to differentiate, including the most important: Direct Navigator, Schedule, and Functions. There's a prominent directional pad in the center, and above that are large, blue playback buttons such as Play and Pause. We're still baffled by the fact that the remote lacks an Open/Close button, which we like to use to open the tray before walking up to switch a disc.
User interface
The simplest way to make a recording on the DMR-EA18K is to pop in a disc, select an input, press Record, and hit Stop when you're done. To schedule a recording or edit it, you'll need to plunge more deeply into the interface, which requires a bit of a learning curve, but offers more functionality. Scheduling works easily enough, but you'll need to remember to turn off the DVD recorder before your scheduled program comes on--a minor annoyance if you want to use your recorder in the meantime.
The Direct Navigator is the main interface that you'll use to access your recordings. The main screen displays six recordings at a time, represented by thumbnail images that start to play back when you hover the cursor over them. You can enter title information through this interface and, if you're using DVD-RAM discs, erase and rerecord titles and perform simple editing to remove commercials, for example. The Direct Navigator also acts as a media browser for your MP3 music and JPEG images. You can also begin a slide show through this menu with your images--off a thumb drive, an SDHC card, or a CD--and play your MP3 music to accompany it. We found the overall experience to be intuitive enough if you're familiar with using the interface of a satellite receiver or cable set-top box.
As we mentioned before, the DMR-EA18K's does not have a built-in tuner, so any recordings will need to be made from an external video source, and connected to the unit's S-Video or composite video inputs. Like nearly every DVD recorder, the Panasonic cannot record via component-video or HDMI and can't record high-def.
This unit includes the standard four recording modes: highest-quality XP fits 1 hour of video on a DVD; SP fits 2 hours; LP fits 4 hours; and EP, the worst video quality, fits about 8 hours of video. The trade-offs in video quality vs. capacity can be drastic--XP is nearly indistinguishable from the source, while EP is barely watchable. As we'll explain below, however, 4-hour LP mode looks very good. The DMR-EA18K also supports dual-layer DVD-R and DVD+R discs, doubling the video capacity to 2 hours for XP mode and 16 hours for EP.
Sometimes what you want to record doesn't fit well with the available recording modes. For instance, say you want to record a movie that's 2 hours and 5 minutes long, but don't want to drop down to LP mode. Panasonic has a solution for this, and it's one of our favorite features: flexible recording, which allows you to completely fill a DVD with content and optimize the video quality. Unfortunately you'll need to schedule a recording at a specific start and end time, which may not be a doable option, for example if you're recording a Yankees game that slips into extra innings.
We liked that Panasonic included chasing playback again on DVD-RAM discs, which means you can watch a program from the beginning, even while it's in the process of recording. Additionally, you can watch a different program recorded on the disc, while it's in the process of recording. Think of chasing playback as a limited, DVD-RAM based DVR, which may be adequate if you don't plan on recording much. On the other hand, it's not as DVR-like as you might expect; you can't pause or rewind live TV, and the capacity of a single disc is pretty limited. We did appreciate the inclusion of the "CM Skip" button, which allows you to blast by commercials a minute at a time.


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Percy Bysshe Shelley#42 on top 500 poets
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Alastor: Or, The Spirit Of Solitude
Earth, Ocean, Air, belovèd brotherhood!
If our great Mother has imbued my soul
With aught of natural piety to feel
Your love, and recompense the boon with mine;
read more >>
- Hits: Number of visitors who read the poem on the given date.
- Posts: Number of visitors who posted the poem to a friend (via e-mail) on the given date.
- Dates that have "0" hits may not be shown on the list.
- Dates, poems and poets that have "0" hits may not be shown on the list. Statistics are generated daily.