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Magic DVD Copier 10 is a very easy and powerful DVD copy software, which can copy any DVD movie to blank DVD without any loss of quality, or compress a DVD9 movie to fit on a 4.7 GB DVD. You need only insert your DVD movie and a blank DVD then press Go, everything will happen automatically and complete within 20-60 minutes. You can then enjoy the new DVD on any PC or Home DVD Player.
Magic DVD Copier can also copy DVD movies to hard drive without any loss of quality. You can then enjoy them anytime without DVD discs. Magic DVD Copier will remove all UOPs. So you can do any operation (such as skip to next/previous chapter, fast/back forward, etc.) when playing any section of the copied DVD.
Magic DVD Copier includes two internal burning engines and it can also use Nero burning engine if you have Nero installed. If a burning engine isn't compatible with your DVD burner, you can choose another burning engine. It will let you choose the burning speed before burning.
What's the difference between Magic DVD Ripper and Magic DVD Copier?
- Magic DVD Ripper can convert DVD to VCD, SVCD, AVI (DivX), WMV, iPod, and PSP formats, Magic DVD Copier can't.
- Magic DVD Copier has a burning function, it can copy DVD movie to blank DVD disc directly. Magic DVD Ripper can only copy DVD to the hard drive. You need burning software like Nero to burn it.
Key Features of Magic DVD Copier:
- Copy DVD movie to blank DVD in 1:1 mode
- Compress a DVD9 movie to a 4.7 GB blank DVD
- Split a DVD9 movie to two 4.7 GB blank DVDs without any loss of quality
- Copy main movie or specified titles only
- Copy DVD movie to the hard drive and burn DVD movie from hard drive
- Remove all the restrictions of DVD (CSS, Region, RCE, Sony ARccOS, PuppetLock)
- High speed, copy a full DVD disc in 1:1 mode within 20-40 minutes
- Very easy to use, just by one click
- Support almost all DVD Writers and blank DVDs (DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL)
Supported Systems: Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10.
Changes in Magic DVD Copier 10.0.1
- fix the pink screen problem when playing the main movie of the copied <…> DVDs.
- fix the crash problem for copying the protected DVDs like ENTEBBE, I_TONYA, EATH_OF_STALIN, etc.
- fix the failure when copying the new protection DVDs like FREE_SOLO, THE_TALE, SABOTAGE, etc. whose UDF file data is empty.
Size: 9.63 MB
DOWNLOAD Magic DVD Copier 10.0.1
RapidGator NitroFlare


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Just like the Jedi, Cam Newton is going to return to the Super Bowl. He can pull off a Mace Windu impression along the way if he wants, but mark my words, Cam Newton will be back in the Super Bowl.
I won't say when, but I will say that it's going to happen and the sooner the better because Cam Newton is approaching Tony Romo level when it comes to unjust criticism by the critics, by the biased media, and by the American public. A great deal of whom make a person ashamed to be a fellow human after reading some of the baseless insults attributed to Cam Newton.
Not only will it be a delight to see him come back, it'll be a delight for those people to shut up after they see him win. They should be worried about him if they truly hate him the way they come across.
Let's put this into perspective. The reigning MVP got this far with middle of the pack linemen, a good running game, and his top wide receiver on the shelf with a torn ACL. He did have a great defense, but a quarterback controls what happens on the offense and Newton displayed amazing command over inferior parts and won an MVP in the process.
Newton will be 27 in May. There is no reason to think that he won't become smarter, make better decisions, or pass the ball better with better weapons (hint hint Panthers front office). Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson have officially been challenged and beaten for the status of the best young quarterback in the league (not sorry folks; he's the MVP).
Newton said in pre-Super Bowl press conferences that there wasn't anyone in the history of the game who he could compare to. Well, there isn't an exact comparison athletically because there aren't any 6'6, 260lb quarterbacks that have run for double-digit touchdowns, but there are comparisons in terms of what he did this season historically.
There was a 6'3 215lb big armed quarterback in the late 80s who went to not one, not two, but three Super Bowls, lost all three, and still manage to retire a two-time champion in the 90s. He's the President of the team that just beat Newton's Panthers (John Elway).
Elway in 1987 had a similar year to Newton's 2015. Both had no-name weapons for the most part and did not lead the league in any basic passing statistic, but they were the MVPs because the voters knew that their athletic ability and presence changed how games were played and that statistics can be fudged by garbage time/coaching decision/other game changing factors.
Newton played with the Panthers in 2015 like he did with Auburn in 2010. He carried the offense on his back and made all the other pieces more dangerous because defenses were so concerned about him. Like a human magnet, he attracts attention away from his cast members and that leads to defenses being taken advantage of by those said cast members. Special quarterbacks do that. That hasn't changed for Newton. He's going to be great and even better if the offense improves.
Plus there is that great defense Newton has supporting him. Wait, not great; that's an understatement. It is a fantastic defense that's worthy of comparison to Denver's. Let's put this defense into perspective.
1. Carolina's defense was not the reason the Panthers lost the Super Bowl. One of the things that Peyton Manning did quite well in that game was limiting turnovers (two in Panther territory) and 18 of the 24 points scored by Denver revolved around Newton's turnovers and a 61-yard punt return. The Broncos total offensive yardage was under 250 yards at the end of the day.
2. MLB Luke Kuechly has been the only other Defensive Player of the Award in the last four years beyond JJ Watt.
3. CB Josh Norman is expect to re-sign, and other free agent SS Roman Harper could stick around. CBs Charles Tillman and Cortland Finnegan may stay too though Tillman will probably consider retirement.
4. The rest of the guys are still under contract, many on cap-friendly deals.
Beyond contracts, there is the locker room that the Panthers have to or rather don't have to worry about.
The locker room after the Super Bowl beyond Cam Newton was upbeat despite losing according to reports. Newton understandably was upset especially having committed three turnovers and not surgically disecting the Broncos. But many Panthers spoke to the media about how they are disappointed, but they believe they will be back.
But I think the Panthers defeat the Patriots and the Panther crush the Steelers/Bengals/Chiefs. This Broncos defense is the best defense we've seen in a Super Bowl since the 2000 Ravens. There is no reason to think the Panthers will just melt away.
Granted as a Cowboys fan, I'd be ok with that as I hope the team I'm rooting for can put together a run at the trophy. But I fully expect the biggest roadblock to that will be the Carolina Panthers.
The NFC South is far from a tight race. Drew Brees in New Orleans is only going downhill, the Saints needs to reboot after having a season with a historically bad defense. The Falcons started hot then melted down. The Buccaneers have promise around Jameis Winston at quarterback, but he'll have to have a sophomore surge over a slump if he wants to challenge Newton for king of the hill there. The Panthers with some small improvements should secure the NFC South next year without too much difficulty.
So while Newton has gone home to his newborn son and stews in this one failure, know that that failure can make a man only try even harder the next time and with these athletes, that's often the result. A bitter monster is in the works to be unleashed and he's already the reigning MVP. What else can he do?
Well for one, he can get back to the Super Bowl and I think he will.

subset: commoncrawl


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Professionals such as attorneys, accountants, and stockbrokers owe their clients a duty of care to adhere to certain professional standards of conduct established both by their industries and by other regulatory measures. When a professional's conduct falls below those standards of care — whether intentionally or unintentionally — and a client suffers harm as a result, the client might be able to recover his/her/its losses in a lawsuit alleging professional malpractice (also known as "professional negligence").
Among the areas in which our lawyers have litigated malpractice actions are:
We have handled such cases in state court, in federal court, and in arbitration before numerous arbitral bodies.
Although professional malpractice cases are typically very document-intensive, we do not charge our clients on an hourly basis, as many law firms do, to review large document productions. We handle virtually all of our professional malpractice cases on a contingency-fee basis, which means that we only charge clients for our services if we are able to secure for them a recovery. Additionally, our experience in this field allows us to analyze large document compilations quickly, efficiently, and with a keen eye toward swiftly resolving each case.
If you fear you might be the victim of professional malpractice, collect all documents (including billing statements, e-mails, and all professional work papers) related to your claim and contact us to discuss your legal rights. Because legal malpractice claims are time-sensitive matters, victims are encouraged to contact us as soon as they can to preserve their rights.


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Ground Rates for Hardgoods, Softgoods and Apparel
Current Shipping Promotion: Free Standard Shipping on Orders Over $50
Standard and Premium Shipping is not available for residents of Alaska & Hawaii.
Expedited Rates:
Premium Shipping Rate to the contiguous 48 States: Flat Rate of $7,95
Express Shipping Rate to all 50 States: Flat Rate of $19,95
Rush Shipping Rate to All 50 States: Flat Rate of $32,95
Handling Fees for Boards, Boots, Bindings and Luggage for Express and Rush Shipping
$7,50 per board
$7,50 per piece of luggage
$2,00 per pair of boots
$2,00 per pair of bindings
When will my order ship?
All Orders typically ship within 48 hours once the order has been placed. Orders ship Monday through Friday excluding Holidays. You will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking number once the order has shipped from the warehouse.
Do you ship to my country?
We currently ship online orders only to locations inside the United States. If you are interested in purchasing product outside of the US, please visit one of our following online stores or visit your local dealer. We cannot ship orders to a freight forwarding company.
For customers in Canada, Europe or Japan please use the region chooser in the site navigation to find your country.
*Note: Sorry, we cannot ship to post office boxes or APO/FPO addresses.
Payment & Billing:
Accepted Forms of Payment:
We accept all major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Burton Flagship Store Gift Cards, PayPal, AmazonPay and Klarna Pay It in 4. No coins please. We are also unable to process Visa or MasterCard Prepaid Gift Cards
Timing of Billing:
Your credit card will only be charged once your order has shipped. If your order ships from different warehouses, you may see multiple charges on your credit card. These multiple charges will total the original value of your order.
Out of Stock Items:
If an item ordered becomes out of stock, you will receive an email detailing the item in question. You will not be charged for the item.


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In the days after the referenfum on EU membership, the lack of confidence on markets was very clearly visible. The British share index FTSE 30, the German DAX 30 and the Eurostoxx 50 each lost around 5% in value. By October 2016, all indexes have once more recovered and are higher than the values before the referendum. Following the initial volatility, stock exchanges have reacted to the fact that the outcome is not so far a formal exit in accordance with article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty. This step will be initiated in March 2017, as Prime Minister May confirmed on 2 October 2016.
The British pound slid in value ahead of 23 June 2016
Sterling suffered a massive devaluation as soon as the referendum was announced. From the end of 2015 until the vote, the British currency lost around 10% of its value against the Euro. Immediately after the referendum, there was a further sharp correction of around 5 percentage points. By October 2016, the value has slipped a further 5 percentage points so that the pound is worth just under 20% less. However, the weak pound only helps British exports in the short term and has somewhat cushioned the negative economic influences on the United Kingdom in the first months. The other EU Member States are likely to experience a slight dampening of their exports. In 2015 Germany exported goods worth around 89 billion Euro and services worth more than 24 billion Euro to Great Britain. Even if German exports are competitive more on quality than on price, there are likely to be weak declines.
Increased uncertainty is causing lower investments in the medium term
The lack of clarity about the future status of the United Kingdom is causing investments to be delayed or cancelled. This effect continues to be weak in 2016 but is likely to lead to a softening of British growth in 2017. In July 2016 the European Commission forecast a decline from 1.9 to 1.1% (mild scenario) or even minus 0.3% (hard scenario). In September 2016, OECD forecast British growth of 1% in 2017, down from an earlier forecast of around 2%.
Growth prospects for Germany and the Eurozone decrease slightly
The generally increased uncertainty and falls in exports have prompted the above-mentioned institutions to revise 2017 growth forecasts for Germany and the Eurozone. In our view, GDP growth in Germany in 2017 probably needs to be corrected down slightly.
In the long term, the consequences depend on the shape of economic relations
A wide range of models between the EU and Great Britain is possible. In this regard, participation in the single market is decisive for the effects on the economic situation. Quantitative estimates on this point are hedged around with great uncertainty. Important policy decisions still need to be taken. It will be crucial for the investment climate that this political uncertainty is reduced and clear framework conditions for cooperation with the United Kingdom prevail.
The British referendum shows its first effects on the economic situation
The referendum in June 2016 has thrown European markets off track. In the short to medium term, the increased uncertainty places a brake on investments. The long-term consequences will depend on the practical arrangements for future trade relations.


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Click here for half price tickets to see Justin Townes Earle.
Singer-songwriter Justin Townes Earle will perform his original songs in the context of the continuing legacy of Woody Guthrie for this two-concert series entitled In the Spirit of Woody Guthrie. Justin, son of the great American troubadour Steve Earle, won the coveted Song of the Year award at the Americana Music Awards in 2011, and his latest CD, Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now has garnered critical acclaim. These two exceptional nights will feature special guests invited by Justin including John McCauley of Deer Tick, The Low Anthem and Joe Pug.
Click here for more New York City deals.
Affiliate post


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Artist Profile - Quentin Jones
|Sound Bites
|QUENTIN JONES - 20s-30s - confident, fresh, cool
|Click to listen
|Right click to download
|QUENTIN JONES - Documentary/Narrative
|Click to listen
|Right click to download
London/Cockney, Standard English/RP
Age Ranges
Voice Types
Quentin recently returned from the USA after being the network voice of FX UK for over two years. He also featured as one of the voices in CALL OF DUTY 4.
Film roles include 'Eddie' in the short film MIRROR IMAGE, and 'Jake' in DEAD AND GONE. Prior to these, he played the lead role, 'Jason' in FIGHT NIGHT.
On UK television Quentin has played 'Gary Flemming' in Sky's IS HARRY ON THE BOAT and was series regular 'Declan' in Fremantle Media's FAMILY AFFAIRS.
Theatre work includes playing 'Greg' in Theatre 40 Productions' THE MANOR in Los Angeles.


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While you were out at the grocery store buying the last-minute trimmings, a Federal judge in Texas issued a temporary injunction stopping the implementation of the "Overtime Rule."
(If you've been living under a rock for the past six months, the Fair Labor Standards Act changed in the spring. The regulatory change doubled (to $47,476) the salary threshold under which nearly all employees are entitled to overtime. That rule was supposed to go into effect on December 1. You can find out more here.)
In a 20-page order, U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant (an Obama appointee) issued the temporary injunction, writing:
"Due to the approaching effective date of the Final Rule, the Court's ability to render a meaningful decision on the merits is in jeopardy. A preliminary injunction preserves the status quo while the Court determines the department's authority to make the Final Rule as well as the Final Rule's validity."
Legal analysts spent the weekend looking for clues in the ruling, and while the ruling is officially temporary, Judge Mazzant suggested his injunction could become permanent writing: "the Final Rule exceeds the Department's authority" and "ignores Congress's intent."
So, what's next for the rule and your business?
First, let us be clear that you need to work with your legal and/or human resources team to plot your own direction. Here are some potential scenarios that you should consider:
- The injunction is temporary. However, Judge Mazzant could issue a final ruling at any time. The injunction only said that he thought he needed more time than the initial December 1st
- If the Texas judge vacates the rules and his ruling gets overturned, it may be possible that the overtime rules could be enforced retroactively to December 1st, according to experts at Ogletree Deakins.
- The Department of Labor could appeal, but has given no direction as of when I write this. This ruling could be appealed to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, but that court hasn't been friendly to Federal regulations in the past. (The Fifth Circuit placed an injunction on President Obama's executive orders on immigration in 2015.)
- A new Secretary of Labor or Attorney General could drop the defense of the rule or not enforce the rule, both of which would effectively kill it.
- The next Congress could act to amend or roll-back the rule.
- President-elect Trump could take action to try to amend or roll-back the rule. The President cannot act unilaterally. His administration could start a new notice-and-comment rulemaking which may take some time. There could be other possible avenues, such as an emergency regulation, to change it but the administration will need to comply with the Administrative Procedure Act.
OK, what does President-elect Trump say?
That's a bit more complicated. In August, then-candidate Trump told the website Circa:
"We have to address the issues of over-taxation and over-regulation and the lack of access to credit markets to get our small business owners thriving again. Rolling back the overtime regulation is just one example of the many regulations that need to be addressed to do that. We would love to see a delay or a carve-out of sorts for our small business owners."
Later in the campaign, Trump cited the overtime rule as an example of regulatory over-reach that he would reverse. In his "100 Day Plan" issued in October, he did not specifically mention FLSA or the Overtime Rule, but did write that he would "cancel every unconstitutional executive action, memorandum and order issued by President Obama." As with his
The Greenville Chamber, and Upstate Chamber Coalition's position has been that such a wide-ranging rule should go through Congress before being implemented. That was also the basic position taken by business groups, the U.S. Chamber, and the 21 states (including South Carolina) that filed the lawsuit.
When the lawsuit was filed in September, Attorney General Alan Wilson said the change was akin to "allowing unelected bureaucrats to circumvent congress and make up the rules as they go."
Again, we urge all businesses to meet with their legal and/or human resources teams to plot your individual response.
About the Author
Jason Zacher is the Greenville Chamber's
Vice President of Business Advocacy and
Executive Director of the Upstate Chamber Coalition.


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The Polytechnic campus houses the Professional Master of Technology program. This personalized program is designed for graduates from technology backgrounds to expand upon their skills, develop new techniques, and advance their careers.
Application process
The online application process includes four steps:
- Select admission category
- Create an account
- Submit required supplemental documents
- Pay application fee
1. Select admission category
2. Create an account
Create an account to start your online application. Please fill out all sections of the application. Your application will be considered active once submitted.
3. Submit required supplemental documents
All supplemental documents required by the program (e.g., statement of objectives, scanned copy of transcripts, resume or curriculum vitae, letters or recommendation, GRE and TOEFL scores) will be requested as you fill out the application.
- Transcripts
- You must upload an electronic copy (PDF preferred) of transcript(s) from each college or university where you received your bachelor's degree(s) and completed any post-baccalaureate course work or degrees. Transcripts become part of your records at Kansas State University and cannot be returned.
- Students whose transcripts are not in English must furnish a translation by an appropriate authority.
- If you are admitted, you will be required to submit an official transcript for GPA and degree conferral verification from the institution(s) where you received your degree(s) and completed any post-baccalaureate credits.
- Failure to list any colleges or universities attended may result in dismissal from the university.
- Letters of recommendation
- Recommenders will upload their letters of recommendation directly to your application.
- Letters of recommendation can be tracked by students online.
- Click Review Your Activity to display the names of your recommenders. You can edit recommenders, send reminders and see where each recommender is in the process. Please remember to hit "submit recommendation request" on the application so your recommenders are notified.
- Affidavit of financial support
- International students will be required to download and submit a completed affidavit of financial support form within the application.
4. Pay application fee
- $65 for degree-seeking U.S. citizens and permanent residents*
- $50 for non-degree or certificate U.S. citizens and permanent residents
- $75 for international applicants*
Application fees are non-refundable.
Check your application status
Initial review and admission recommendation are completed by the program to which you applied. The application process is described below:
- Apply to a graduate program online and pay the application fee.
- The graduate program to which you applied reviews the application and forwards the decision to the Graduate School.
- The Graduate School reviews the application and sends the official recommendation to the applicant. Applicants receive an official decision letter.
Primary language
To demonstrate competence in the English language, an official report of scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System-academic exam (IELTS) or Pearson Test of English (PTE) must be sent to Kansas State University for all applicants whose primary language is not English.
Learn more about English proficiency requirements.


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HT - Michael W Travels
AAdvantage portal is offering up to 3,500 bonus American Airlines bonus miles for using their shopping portal
The "Back to School" promotion works as follows:
AAdvantage portal is offering up to 3,500 bonus American Airlines bonus miles for using their shopping portal
The "Back to School" promotion works as follows:
- Spend $125 and earn 500 bonus miles
- Spend $500 and earn 1,250 bonus miles
- Spend $1,000 and earn 3,500 bonus miles
Shopping must be done between 7/14 and 8/16
You will still earn your regular miles for shopping through the portal and your credit card points/miles for the purchases.
Terms and Conditions:
Terms: *During the "Back to School" bonus campaign, which runs from 7/14/15 through 8/16/15 at 11:59:59 pm ET (the "Bonus Period"), Member will earn a one-time bonus of up to 3,500 AAdvantage® bonus miles on qualifying purchases, in addition to the standard AAdvantage miles earned from shopping online through AAdvantage eShoppingSM mall. Bonus miles will be issued based on Member's cumulative qualifying purchases made during the Bonus Period: 500 bonus miles for qualifying purchases of at least $125; 1,250 bonus miles for qualifying purchases of at least $500; or 3,500 bonus miles for qualifying purchases of $1,000 or more. Returns, cancellations, shipping and handling, taxes, gift card or other cash equivalent purchases, and certain products are not included in the bonus miles eligibility calculation; please see the AAdvantage eShoppingSM mall site for details on product eligibility and/or any coupon code details or other usage restrictions. Please allow 8-10 weeks after the Bonus Period for bonus miles to post to your AAdvantage eShoppingSM mall account. The maximum number of bonus miles that will be awarded to an eligible AAdvantage eShoppingSM mall account through the Back to School bonus campaign is 3,500 bonus miles. This offer cannot be combined with other offers or promotions. Please check the AAdvantage eShoppingSM mall site daily for updates to increased earning opportunities. Void where prohibited by law.


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« A Daughter's Facebook Post Costs an Educator $80,000 | Main | Appeals Court Rejects Latest Challenge to Corporal Punishment »
Supreme Court Declines District's Appeal in 'Boobies' Student-Speech Case
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to take up a Pennsylvania school district's appeal of a lower-court ruling that upheld the right of students to wear "I ♥ Boobies" breast-cancer-awareness bracelets.
The Easton Area School District had been joined by school groups in urging the justices to review a case that they said had serious implications for discipline of what the schools view as vulgar and inappropriate student speech.
But lawyers for the middle school students who were suspended for wearing the "I ♥ Boobies (KEEP A BREAST)" bracelets told the justices in a brief that the case would make a poor vehicle for a major decision on student speech viewed by administrators as lewd.
The justices declined without comment on March 10 to hear the district's appeal in Easton Area School District v. B.H. (Case No. 13-672). The court's action is not a decision on the merits, but it means the justices will not be delving back into thorny issues of student free speech in a case that attracted nationwide attention.
Brianna Hawk and Kayla Martinez, who are now in high school, wore the wristbands for two months during the fall of 2010 before administrators at Easton Area Middle School raised concerns. The bracelets, sponsored by the Keep a Breast Foundation of Carlsbad, Calif., are designed to promote a breast-cancer-awareness campaign in language that resonates with young people.
Administrators at the middle school reported that some boys reacted immaturely to the bracelets, chanting "I love boobies" and "boobies, boobies." They barred the bracelets as containing a sexual and lewd message inappropriate for middle school students.
The girls and their parents sued under the First Amendment, with the aid of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania. The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit, in Philadelphia, ruled 9-5 last August to uphold a lower-court injunction barring the district from enforcing the ban on the bracelets.
"A school's leeway to categorically restrict ambiguously lewd speech ... ends when that speech could also plausibly be interpreted as expressing a view on a political or social issue," the 3rd Circuit majority said.
School administrators would have a stronger hand in regulating student speech that more directly referred to sex or sexual organs, the appeals court said.
In its Supreme Court appeal, the school district argued that the 3rd Circuit ruling undermines the high court's 1986 decision in Bethel School District v. Fraser, which upheld a school's discipline of a high school student's lewd speech before a student assembly.
"The 3rd Circuit's decision undermines Fraser's basic premise that vulgar, lewd, profane, or obscene expression can be constitutionally prohibited in the public school environment, even if the same expression by adults might be protected by the First Amendment," said the district's appeal.
The National School Boards Association and its Pennsylvania affiliate, along with National Association of Secondary School Principals and AASA, the School Superintendents Association, had filed a friend-of-the-court brief on the side of the Easton district.
The brief voiced concerns that under the 3rd Circuit court's ruling, administrators would be powerless to regulate "ambiguously lewd, plausibly political/social messaging" on subjects such as testicular-cancer awareness.
The ACLU, in its brief for the students, said the school district and the school groups present "a prophecy of doom" that harkens back to unfounded fears that the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in favor of student speech, in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District, would lead to students' constantly defiance of their teachers.
"Although the school district and its amici express concern that cause-related apparel will lead to more students 'testing' school rules on lewdness, in reality students have always 'tested' these limits and the schools have proven equal to that challenge for more than 40 years," the students' brief says.
Photo: Brianna Hawk, left, and Kayla Martinez speak to reporters outside the U.S. Courthouse in Philadelphia in February, 2013, when their "I ♥ Boobies" bracelets case was being heard by an appeals court.—Matt Rourke/AP-File


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Import Shapefile
Professionals often use digital mapping software called "geographic information systems" (GIS) to manage and analyze mapped data. These data, often in the form of "shapefiles" can be imported from other sources into Ortelius, with some limitations.
Importing shapefiles is an advanced topic for users familiar with GIS. Ortelius is not a GIS, it is a graphic design program with extended capabilities for mapping. Users should become familiar with its limitations and best practices before working with shapefiles.
What are Shapefiles?
Shapefiles are map data built and maintained by GIS professionals. Shapefiles provide vector map graphics and contain attribute information in a database structure. For example, a shapefile of a state with its counties may contain attribute information including the county names, population, and size of area. Ortelius map templates are created from shapefile map data, consisting of the graphic map objects and the attribute information "behind the map." Attributes are object oriented, not stored in a database table as is done in a GIS.
Required Files
A shapefile is actually a collection of at least three files with ".shp" ".shx" and ".dbf" file extensions. At a minimum, all three files are required to actually use a basic shapefile, and they must be identically named (except the file extension) and stored in the same folder. The ".shp" file is the shapefile that gets opened in Ortelius, the other files are referenced. A handful of other files may also be included, such as ".prj" for the projection information. All shapefiles must use the same map projection.
Most GIS data providers will zip the shapefile files for download.
To Import a Shapefile
Choose 'File > Import Shapefile…' from the main menu. Select the shapefile for import.
- Click the button labeled 'Options' at the bottom left of the window to expand the import dialog.
- Optionally, 'Simplify' can be chosen to simplify the vector line work on import using the Douglas-Peucker formula. 'Auto colour' may be used to randomly color fill imported polygons. Choose a color palette available from your custom palettes.
Aligning Multiple Shapefiles
Ortelius uses a "first-in" rule. The first shapefile imported to your drawing will set the document projection/CRS information. Subsequent shapefile imports will align to this map projection.
Best Practices
Ortelius isn't a GIS. It renders imported data as individual vector drawing objects. Performance will be impacted by large and/or highly detailed shapefiles.
See the Ortelius 2 Shapefiles Guide for more information.


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GenDR Dietary Restriction Gene Manipulation: foxo
Gene Information (Entrez Gene ID: 41709)
- Symbol
- foxo
- Aliases
- 3143 Afx anon-WO0118547.374 cg3143 CG3143 dfoxo dFoxo dFoxO dFOXO Dfoxo Dmel\CG3143 DmQ95V5 fd88A FKHR foxO Foxo FoxO FOXO foxo|dFOXO Q95V55
- Name
- Forkhead box, sub-group O
- Organism
- Drosophila melanogaster (AnAge)
- Entrez Gene ID
- 41709
Potential relevance to dietary restriction and ageing
- Observations
foxo overexpression extends lifespan. Activation of foxo in the adult pericerebral fat body is sufficient for lifespan extension. Limited activation of foxo reduces the expression of Drosophila insulin-like peptide dilp-2 synthesised in neurons and, represses endogenous insulin-dependent signalling in peripheral fat body [1091]. foxo is not required for DR, but its activity modulates the response. foxo null mutants are shorter-lived than wild-type on all food dilutions apart from 0.1 SY and under starvation. foxo overexpression in adult fat body under normal nutrition leads to extension of lifespan of females and causes an attenuated lifespan response to DR [2578].
- References
In other databases
- GenAge model organism genes
- This gene is present as foxo
- GenAge human genes
- A homolog of this gene for Homo sapiens is present as FOXO4
- GenDR gene manipulations
- A homolog of this gene for Mus musculus is present as Foxo3
- LongevityMap
- A homolog of this gene for Homo sapiens is present as FOXO4
- Caenorhabditis elegans
- let-381
- Danio rerio
- si:ch211-206a7.2
- Homo sapiens
- Mus musculus
- Foxo3
- Rattus norvegicus
- Foxo3
External links
- FlyBase
- Search
- Ensembl
- Search
- Entrez Gene
- Homologues
- Search HomoloGene
- UniProt
- Search
- Internet
- Search Google or Search Google Scholar


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Boyne USA Resorts Announces Coast-to-Coast Expansion
BOYNE FALLS, MI - (News Release - September 19, 2007) — Backed by nearly 60 years of family run resort experience, Boyne USA Resorts is excited to announce its nationwide expansion reinforcing the Michigan-based corporation's position as the largest family owned four-season resort company in North America and owner/operator of more ski resorts than any other in the United States. Aided by a partnership with CNL Income Properties, Inc., Boyne USA's ski resort portfolio will become the third largest in North America and boasts 10 resort locations operating in Maine, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, Utah, Washington and British Columbia with a combined skier count of approximately 3.6 million.
The expansion allows Boyne USA to further its existing geographic and economic diversity in the winter sports industry, starting in the '50s when the company built the Gatlinburg Sky Lift in Tennessee and in earnest with the 1976 purchase of Big Sky Resort in Montana.
With today's announcement of the pending addition of Booth Creek Ski Holdings, Inc.'s ("Booth Creek) Loon Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie resorts to its network, Boyne USA Resorts is building upon its inaugural entry into the long contemplated New England market that began last month with the addition of American Skiing Company's Sunday River and Sugarloaf resorts in Maine. Boyne USA has signed a contract with Booth Creek which at closing will transfer the management of Loon Mountain and The Summit at Snoqualmie to Boyne USA. In addition to furthering entry into the New England market, this transaction will reinforce Boyne USA's commitment in the Pacific Northwest, with three resorts in that region.
The Boyne USA Resorts team, headed by the Kircher family, is proud of its record as longest running management within the mountain resort industry and believes that with its experienced team of over 7,000 passionate individuals, the organization is in a strong position to take on these new properties.
"By bringing almost 60 years of experience in resort and ski area management and building upon the best of American Skiing Company's and Booth Creek's accomplishments, we are confident that we will continue to be a very positive force in this industry, said Stephen Kircher, president of Boyne USA Resorts' eastern operations. "These are exciting times to be part of this team.
Boyne USA executives and their resort-based management teams have already begun mapping the endless possibilities related to resort facility and amenity improvements as well as value creation programs for the many loyal customers of these resorts.
"Boyne USA's history of innovation as well as making continuous improvements at our resorts will continue with these newly acquired facilities, said John Kircher, president of Boyne USA Resorts' western operations and based in the Seattle area since 1996. "Our experience has proven that a long-term vision and financial commitment to a resort is needed, which we are confident CNL and Boyne USA provide. Our understanding and love of the sport, which in our case, goes back to 1947, is one significant factor that drives us to make the facilities we own or manage even better. Keeping our customers happy means reinvesting in the property and creating the expectation of something new each season, added John Kircher.
"From our proprietary Boyne low-e snowmaking technologies, commitment to superior guest satisfaction, passion to build innovative new facilities and amenities, offerings like our BoyneRewards loyalty program, and our unique coast-to-coast season passes, we anticipate making a very positive impact on the entire resort network, its customers and its communities, said Stephen Kircher. "These additions are a continuation of our strategy reinforcing Boyne USA's overall goal of becoming the best four-season resort company in the world by 2015.


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Contour Test Strips - Box of 50
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Evolving Nib Preference...
Posted 23 December 2013 - 22:34
I think larger nibs can be more demanding to use, but also help in maintaining a clear hand. Any thoughts?
Sponsored Content
Posted 31 December 2013 - 02:03
After 45 years or more, still want the finest nib I can write with. I suspect it won't change at this point. I can tolerate slightly wider than I used to, but my favorites pens are still those with accountant nibs.
Posted 31 December 2013 - 04:40
At the moment I'm sort of going the opposite direction (well, mostly -- but the pendulum keeps swinging). I started out with medium nibs being the way to go, but found that I got more mileage out of F nibs as far as ink usage.
OTOH, a really light colored ink did much better in a fine italic, which is broader than I'm used to. But I recently picked up a Sheaffer Snorkel with an EF nib, and finding it, well, interesting....
Okay, I'm a Libra. And you're asking me to make a *decision*. Yeah, right, good luck with that....
Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth
Posted 31 December 2013 - 11:41
For me it has always been a medium nib. Sometimes I need to write in Chinese so I have got one Lamy Safari in EF but most of my many pens still have F and M nibs. One of them is of a B nib because it is very clear to correct papers (i am a teacher).
Posted 31 December 2013 - 11:50
Posted 31 December 2013 - 13:52
I used a Parker 95 with medium nib for many years. I was pretty wet and smooth, easy to write with. But it also got knocked around a bit during the college years and at some point it started to leak ink, just a little. That didn't look so good at the office.
Next, I bought a Waterman Expert II with a fine nib. What a difference! Much neater, tighter and yet pretty easy to use. This was it. Definitely.
Then I discovered Fountain Pen Network, saw pictures of pens and handwriting. Neat handwriting. Bold handwriting. Flourished handwriting. Italic. Looped. Print. ALL CAPS. tiny. Line variation because of nib shape, or created by varying pressure. And ink. Oh dear... Well, I suppose you know how that story ends: nibs from Japanese XF to German OBB. Most of them used, some of them from the 1950s, 40s or 20s. A great variety.
Here are some of my current favourites:
- neat writing, small, "modern business" or Palmer: Pilot Metal Falcon with soft EF nib, or Montblanc 136 EF steel nib.
- bit bigger, bolder, adding line variation: Montblanc 244G flexible EF nib or Waterman 52 flex F nib.
- notes at work: anything sturdy, fine-to-medium, like Parker Duofold Intl. F nib or Montblanc 149 F or M nib.
- captions, cards etc.: Montblanc 146 OBB nib or TWSBI 580 1.1 stub italic.
- big cards: Pilot Parallel 1.5 and up.
Edited by pmhudepo, 31 December 2013 - 13:55.
journaling / tinkering with pens / sailing / photography / software development
Posted 31 December 2013 - 16:08
(For simplicity's sake, I'm gonna go with Western nib standards, so a Western Fine = Japanese XF, etc.)
Started out with what could be considered a <M-F> nib, but then quickly shifted to a <EF> nib and despite brief forays into <F>, <M>, and some stubs/italics, I seem to inevitably end up back using <EF> nibs. It mainly has to do with my smallish handwriting and how I hold my pens. For all the times I've tried to tweak it, 20 odd years of practice using my atypical grip makes it my default preference for both comfort and speed no matter how long I practice otherwise. At this point, I'm just about ready to concede to it fully, although when I do have the luxury of time, I will use some of my wider-nibbed pens and utilize a "proper" pen grip to write.
Posted 31 December 2013 - 21:35
It really depends on what handwriting style I am using - I like a cursive italic or medium to broad standard nib for writing cursive italic or italic, and a Japanese fine for writing monoline Spencerian (Business hand). I used to like wider nibs until I started the Spencerian thing - it just seems to require a fine nib to look right. Were it not for that, I don't think I'd have much use for a fie nib, I like to see more ink on the page.
Posted 31 December 2013 - 22:57
I used the old Parker Fine nibs for MANY years, and still do.
I just started being comfortable with the Medium nib, because I am writing in a journal with WIDE ruled paper. The Medium nib forces me to write larger to fill the space in the wide ruled paper. So while I still am primarily a Fine nib writer, I will use a Medium nib where I have the additional space for it.
I have been playing around with italic nibs, and used a Lamy 1.1 for my Christmas cards.
I like the effect of an italic nib, that makes my handwriting look more interesting with virtually no additional work on my part.
End result is I am still a Fine nib writer, but I have additional nibs in my tool box to use as appropriate.
One nib size does not fit all uses.
San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California
Posted 01 January 2014 - 02:13
For me it so depends on the writing I'm doing - if I were to use a pen to take notes or do homework, I need either an EF or EEF, which is why I usually prefer a ballpoint or pencil for that. But for my "everyday" stuff I am starting to become more fond of broader nibs, especially my Lamy 1.1 which just makes writing fun. :-)
Fountain pen blog | Personal blog
Current collection: Pilot Vanishing Point, TWSBI Vac 700, Kaweco Al Sport, Lamy Safari, Nemosine Singularity
Posted 01 January 2014 - 08:18
Posted 01 January 2014 - 12:16
I have tried, and still own most nibsizes, except BB and obliques. I can adapt my script to them, but I get troubles with the broader nibs because of excess ink causing feathering, bleeding and smudging. The finer nibs make my script look a bit scrawny unless I go into micrographia-mode which is not handy for normal writing.
And I try to get an Italic or stub nib where available. And if not available that is sometimes the reason not to buy a pen unless I really really want it...
Freedom exists by virtue of self limitation.
Posted 01 January 2014 - 12:22
I have started writing with medium nibs. Today I use either a medium stub or an extra fine nib.
Yet another hobby that is completely out of control...
Posted 01 January 2014 - 13:57
When i first got into fountain pens, I only wanted the very fine nibs. I loved the precision feel of a very fine fountain pen. While I still love these fountain pens, I have evolved to really enjoy medium nibs and stubs. You can really get more interesting looks out of your inks that way. No broads yet though!
Posted 01 January 2014 - 14:00
Most of my pens have Medium nibs. However, I buy Medium non-Italic, Cursive Italic, Stubs, and I'm about to pick up some Broad Stubs and CI's as well. I don't care for Extra Fine, and as far as Fines, I usually just use an Eastern Medium which generally is finer than a Western Medium. However, I must say, the Pilot Falcon (formerly the Namiki Falcon) has me interested in the Fine nib due to the great line variation.
Franklin-Christoph, Italix, and Pilot pens are the best!
Iroshizuku, Diamine, and Waterman inks are my favorites!
Apica, Rhodia, and Clairefontaine make great paper!
Posted 01 January 2014 - 14:16
I have always tended to use medium nibs. But a curious thing has happened since I started hanging out at this forum.
When I was at primary school in the early 60s I used a Platignum cartridge pen. Then when I went on to grammar school my parents bought me a new FP (think it was a green Parker 45). I have only recently remembered that I struggled initially with that pen because it was a medium blob and it was so different from the italic style of the Platignum.
Eventually, of course, I did get used to it and forgot about the Platignum until very recently I tried out a medium stub on a Parker Flighter. It was like a Proustian moment - the feel of the nib and the effect on my writing reminded me instantly of my old Platignum. It was a very happy reunion. Now I'm looking to have a Pelikan M215 I bought on eBay turned into a medium cursive stub.
So it's never too late to discover new nib loves, or as in my case, re-discovering old ones.
Posted 01 January 2014 - 14:37
At first I thought that I'd always want fine or extra fine nibs, as they are practical for writing on any size of paper. I still make sure that I always have a fine nib available, my Vanishing Point fine is right for just about anything.
I do like, however, to let my handwriting spread out when I can, writing on larger unlined paper. For that, I've come to appreciate some medium and broad nibs. Never really gotten into Italics, although I have a few, but one left oblique that I have, an Esterbrook 2442, is very nice.
Edited by ISW_Kaputnik, 01 January 2014 - 14:38.
Posted 01 January 2014 - 14:52
For fine, extra fine, medium fine, I only use vintage Sheaffer because they are true to their size.
Other I use medium, large and stub nibs.
Posted 02 January 2014 - 15:27
I had M when I started 'collecting', I went broad....Fines were only because I needed that pen.
Soon I had more Fines than all the rest....so I started using them.
I find regular flex Fines and Mediums give more shading in some inks than wetter Semi-flex or Broads.
Some inks do better with broad nibs.
I don't have a pure favorite...if editing, then a F....if I'm going to be writing on the back of the page, then OB or OBB with some flex.
The problem with editing, is I'm using copy paper that didn't make the cut, even if it is 100g (Avery Zweckform).....It is not the paper for a OBB flexi Pelikan 500, or an English Sheaffer Snorkel flexi stub BB.
They are different patterns.
Leopard vs Cheetah.
Flexi OF in a 400NN is not bad either.
Got three nice springy '90s Pelikan nibs inked, one M and two Celebries F in both gold and steel.
I only got 14 pens inked instead of the normal 17.
There is always going to be a few grand nibs of this or that width not in rotation, and a few good ones....the ok ones...must be rooted out....another new years and again nothing done....Smoking was given up in the year, but nothing difficult like selling a pen.
German vintage '50-70 semi-flex stubs and those in oblique give the real thing in On Demand line variation. Modern Oblique is a waste of money for a shadow of line variation. Being too lazy to Hunt for affordable vintage oblique pens, lets you 'hunt' for line variation instead of having it.
www.nibs.com/blog/nibster-writes/nibs-germany & https://www.peter-bo...cts/nib-systems,
The cheapest lessons are from those who learned expensive lessons. Ignorance is best for learning expensive lessons.
Posted 02 January 2014 - 19:21
As many others, I started using M nibs (which is the only nib available in non specialized stores). At the beginning, 30 years ago, I was looking for a smooth pen, it was enough.
Until that expensive day that I discovered the chance to buy FP out of Chile, with customization. After that, I have going from M to B, sometimes to BB, and from round to stub and to italic nibs. At the moment, my "eccentricities" are: 1,1 stub (TWSBI Vac 700 and 580), a B (also TWSBI, Micasa), a BB (Pelikan 600, customized by J Mottishaw), and a 1,1 stub (FC 29 Bellus, by R Masuyama), and a Music (Platinum 3776). About 8 years ago 1 bought a Pelikan B (M800, customized by Sam Fiorella, from Pendemonium), it was my first cursive italic,and certainly one of my favorites.
I also have a left oblique nib in a Lamy Safari which a delight.
The remaining 30 are regular nibs (Oh God, the OCD is going out of control!!!!!)
Since I do not have to write long notes, and my hand writing is big enough, I have no problem with broad nibs. As you already noticed, I love them.
Also tagged with one or more of these keywords: nib, broad, double broad, nib size, width, nibs, oblique, medium, fine, extra
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I am the founder and owner of a social media marketing and events agency in Northern New Jersey. I met Simone at a BIG networking event and after we met to discuss my business, I knew Simone was the right coach to help me grow my agency to its full potential. Simone helped me expand my business by helping me examine what road blocks were in front of me and helping me to remove them.
Through exercises, discussion, analysis and constant support, Simone gently guided me and made suggestions that let me reach my goals, which included increasing my number of clients and my revenue as well as assembling metric reports to send to my clients. She has also shown me my value as an entrepreneur and that is now my guiding light.
My work with Simone has proven invaluable and I highly recommend her to any entrepreneur looking to grow their business.


text:
« the first root children make their appearance | Main | what an amazing accomplishment »
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
beautiful thoughts
and beautiful photos!
love that first photo and the sweet expression on lilith's face
what a blessing indeed
he is such an amazing man
(makes me think I miss you & B poetry/photo collaborations so much)
Happy Birthday Ben !
Sending you my best wishes
What a lovely familly !
What a beautiful way to begin the day (after Lady Grey tea and a hot cross bun!). I love the picture of you with your boy when he was much smaller than he is now, to see him holding his daughter with such love must make you so happy. xxx
gorgeous picture of you
have a lovely weekend before the very exciting trip!!!
How beautiful! Happy Birthday to the proud new papa.
margie! you haven't changed a bit! really lovely photo of you and your little guy.
You find the most beautiful words to convey your sentiments. Happy, happy birthday to your son.
love the blessing. happy days and wishes for your son.
What great photos, they made me nostalgic and brought tears to my eyes!AriadnefromGreece!
So beautiful (all of you)!
Oh how I know how you are feeling today :) Love and Hugs to all. Happy Birthday wishes for your son.
It must be amazing!
Feliz cumpleaños Benjamin!!! It was such a privilege to meet you & your lovely family last summer. Big hugs for all of you with lotsa love xoxo May the Lord bless you abundantly.
Can't wait to give you a great big hug Oma M! Only three more sleeps! yay!
You are such a beatiful Mother...and OMA:) What a lovely glimpse into the past..where do the years go...Happy Birthday to your son. You must be so proud...
I remember wondering when my children were born if one day I would watch them hold their own newborns ... such lovely images and sentiments here Margie :D
how beautiful- all three of you.
That's lovely, very touched and you are so lucky. I hope I live long enough to see my daughter's children.
me hizo llorar!!!, que bellas palabras!
un abrazo!
My gosh, you look so much the same now as you did then!
So lovely, you are so lucky to have them.
Cosas que es la atracción en tu blog, lo que escribes y el estilo y probada. Gracias. Mis mejores deseos para ti.
The comments to this entry are closed.


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What is the PTA?
FOSP is a charity registered in England and Wales (registered charity number: 1030922) and our aim is to advance the education and experience of pupils in the school by organising activities or providing facilities or equipment which support the school.
While all parents / carers and staff are considered members of FOSP, the FOSP committee is a group of parents and staff who give their time on a voluntary basis to organise and run fundraising activities for those in our school community. FOSP meet approximately every six weeks (once a half term). We welcome all parents and carers at the school to join in.
The funds we raise provide 'extras' for the school. Each year, the school gives us a 'wish list' of items they feel would be of benefit. For example, we've contributed towards the refurbishment of the swimming pool, iPads for each class as well as musical instruments and outdoor play equipment. Our target for this year is to raise £3,000 for the 'reading for pleasure' library.
For more information, or if you'd like to join in with PTA in some way, contact the school office.
FOSP Events
Our main fundraising events are four school discos – Hallowe'en, Christmas, Easter and Summer. We also hold events for parents and the wider community such as quiz nights, copper contests, drawing competitions and Bags4School (clothing recycling). If you have ideas for any other events, please speak to the FOSP Chair, leave a message at the school office or on our Facebook page, 'Friends of Scholes Primary', or come along to our next meeting!
Other ways to fundraise
Please spread the word among your family and friends about these easy ways to raise money for FOSP.
Matched funding
Many organisations offer matched funding schemes where money raised for charity by employees is matched by the organisation (usually up to a certain amount). If you work for such an organisation and are willing to help out at one of the FOSP events, we can double the amount we raise. If you can help with matched funding, please email [email protected]
Do you shop online? Did you know that every time you shop you could be raising money for FOSP? Shop with any of over 3000 well-known retailers listed on easyfundraising.org.uk and a percentage of what you spend is passed to Friends of Scholes Primary. Retailers include Amazon, M&S, Vodafone, eBay, Tesco, Boden, Waitrose, House of Fraser, Viking and many more. It's like nectar but instead of earning points, each purchase generates a donation. So, instead of going directly to a retailer's website, go to easyfundraising first and choose the retailer you want to shop with – then everything you spend with that retailer earns a free donation for FOSP. It's free to use and your shopping won't cost you a penny more. On average, each retailer will donate 5% of the cost of your shopping – and those donations soon mount up. Please register to support us when you shop online!
Supermarket vouchers
We always collect supermarket vouchers, such as those from Sainsbury's Active Kids, Tesco Schools and Clubs and Morrisons Let's Grow (and tokens like Nestle Box Tops from cereal packets, too!). The school uses vouchers like these to buy new equipment for the playgrounds at lunchtime – a new parachute, some skipping ropes, new balancing equipment…
Join in
If you'd like to find out more about what we do, or become involved in FOSP, either as a committee member or volunteer at events, you're welcome to come along to one of the meetings. You'd be very welcome and it's a great way to be part of school life!


text: Glad to read you are well and you had no damages to your home during the hurricane. Also great new that you had such low fish losses and your angel is doing well, my sis loves angels and was worried about yours. I have half a dozen of the battery backup air pumps for that reason when DR F&S were around (crap customer service but miss their selection and prices). The only issue by me would be the temp change. Fish will do better going up in tem than down, at least 97% of the fish I have. The Dojos would be fine, as would the golden barbs...but my other fish are tropical and would not take well to a week of the basement temp. Lol if they survived I would probably get rampant ich in the fishroom.


text: I have done some searching, but unfortunately have been unable to find an answer to this question. I have situations where I used weldnuts on certain parts that are created. Currently I have some excess files in my catalogue because using an assembly is the only way to call out the weldnut that I have found. What I'd like to know is if i can insert the weldnut into the part to create the resulting part, and in a drawing be able to use a note to call out that weldnut's file name (part number). Any information on this would be greatly appreciated. The way I do it now within an assembly works, but I'd like it to essentially be a "weldment" instead.


text:
Action this day!
Yup originally attempted around September last year and failed... its now back and its going to be one of the pin points of my life for quite a while. Its not every day that people get chance to organise a special "invite only" exhibition of something that you love to do. The added extra to this exhibition is that i'll have friends, family and aquaintances from the past 5 year or more! Infact the confirmed count of people going is 60+ with another possible 10. I can't believe i even know 70 people lol!
As the day tick down to the 25th i'm getting more and more nervous, so many things are starting to plague my mind as i sleep. "Will people like my Photos?", "Will all my friends get on with each other?", "Will i actually raise ANY money for charity?" to name a few things... But i've been told by several people to relax and things will go ok. Which is NOT easy since there are so many factors which could go wrong. Not to mention a speech i have to do before unleashing the horde onto my photos :P The ammusing thing is, if i do collapse due to a panic attack or whatever atleast there will be plenty of medical staff to deal with the situation XD
I'll be pleased when the day is finally over and i can say to myself "I've made it!" meaning that i can say with ease i've achieved something pretty substantial... much more than other who won't be named. The problem is what will my next goal be in life? Find a girl and settle down? Very unlikely to happen to me... seems i've been bread for the single life... but i don't care that means i can wave my singleness around at everyone :P
But seriously though... i really don't know what i want to do. Maybe make my website really fancy and professional looking ^_^ I guess i'll need to talk to my friends and compile a "100 things to do" list of some sort.


text:
The Things I Love About Me
There are so many things to love about being you. From your fingers and your toes and your smile to your dreams for the future. This book in The Things I Love series by Trace Moroney celebrates the everyday situations that form the basis of our children's experiences. Spending time with your children and giving them love and care helps them to celebrate who they are, building resilience and self-esteem.


text:
As Afghanistan goes to the polls, the US' permanent representative to Nato joins the show.
Rare manned pursuit of suspected fighters across the border from Afghanistan leads forces into Pakistani soil.
|Despite the presence of almost 150,000 foreign troops, violence continues to rise in Afghanistan [EPA]
Two Nato helicopters have killed several fighters on Pakistani soil after a pursuit across the border from Afghanistan, Nato forces say.
The death toll could as high as 30, the Reuters news agency reported, citing Nato officials.
The two Apache attack helicopters from the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) crossed the border from eastern Afghanistan on Friday after the fighters attacked a remote Afghan security outpost in Khost province.
Sergeant Matt Summers, an Isaf spokesman, confirmed on Sunday that the helicopters had crossed into Pakistan in pursuit of fighters. He did not say which countries' forces were involved, but the United States is the only coalition member that uses Apaches.
Isaf also said in a statement issued late on Sunday that the helicopters were following its rules of engagement when they crossed into Pakistan. Two Kiowa helicopters returned to the area on Saturday and killed at least four more fighters, the statement said.
But the Pakistani government sharply criticised the raids: In a statement released on Monday, the ministry of foreign affairs said that Isaf "finishes at the border," and threatened to "consider response options" unless Isaf takes "corrective measures".
Piloted strikes rare
The United States regularly uses pilotless drone aircraft for missile strikes in Pakistan's borderlands, known to be a haven for groups including the Afghan Taliban who launch cross-border attacks from Pakistan's northwest.
However, manned military flights across the border are extremely rare.
US forces make up the majority of Isaf troops in Afghanistan's east. The drone flights have caused resentment in Pakistan, attributed to a rise in civilian casualties.
According to US officials, the pilotless drones are one of the most effective weapons against fighters, as air raids have killed senior Taliban and al-Qaeda figures.
Despite the presence of almost 150,000 foreign troops, violence is at its worst across Afghanistan since US-backed Afghan forces ousted the Taliban in late 2001.
The Taliban movement has spread out of traditional strongholds in the south and east into once relatively stable areas in the north and west.
Apart from the Afghan Taliban, the Haqqani network also operates extensively in Afghanistan's east and has launched a series of bold attacks against foreign forces and Afghan government targets in the past year.
'Operation Dragon Strike'
Afghan and Nato forces have also launched a new offensive in Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan, Isaf said on Sunday.
The offensive, called "Operation Dragon Strike," began with air strikes and ground combat on Saturday. Isaf did not say how many troops are involved, but a spokesman did say that Afghan troops outnumber those from Nato. Roughly 30,000 Nato troops are stationed in Kandahar.
Much of the fighting is south and west of Kandahar city, in Zhari, Panjwai and Arghandab districts. Zahir Azimi, a spokesman for the Afghan defence ministry, called it a "small operation".
Commanders have been talking for months about a major offensive in Kandahar, which was originally supposed to start over the summer.
But it was delayed because of opposition from local officials, and because it has taken far longer than anticipated to secure Marja, the district in neighbouring Helmand province where Nato launched a major offensive in February.


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What We Do
A Community Movement
TCCC is a collaborative made up of a broad cross-section of community partners, each with a stake in improving educational outcomes, committed to using data to align resources, focusing our efforts around common goals, and helping to build and implement strategies to facilitate widespread systemic change. Our partners include the four public school districts and eight institutions of higher education serving the tri-county area, as well as local businesses, nonprofits, faith based organizations, philanthropic, economic development, civic, health and human service agencies, students, parents and other community stakeholders.
Rather than execute programs directly, TCCC operates as backbone support for these partners as they work in collaboration, providing research and logistic support, facilitating program development and expansion within and among existing institutions, helping to build capacity and align resources, and advocating to the broader community in support of common goals.
Driven by Data
The use of data to guide decision-making and make continuous improvements is a key element of the collective impact approach. "Core indicators" that mark milestones along a student's educational path from birth to workforce readiness were selected based on national research and broad community input. These core indicators are expressed for the region as a whole, with a preliminary look at where we are and where we have been. Their exclusive purpose is to guide our collaborations and serve as the primary measures of our community's progress.
Guided by Process
Core indicators provide the starting point. The Tri-County Region Improvement Process, also known as TRIP!, is a nationally recognized continuous improvement approach tailored to fit our purpose. It guides community groups in identifying leading indicators and root causes that impede progress. These groups, which we call networks (Kindergarten Readiness Network and Future Ready Network), then identify program gaps and opportunities for improvement across the cradle-to-career continuum.
Each TCCC network is supported by facilitators and other partners trained in TRIP!, who use the cycle continuously to provide structure to the groups' work at all levels. Core components in the "process wheel" include:
- Identification of a core indicator
- Identifying the right people who want to address the issue
- Establishing and building trusting relationships
- Gathering and understanding the data
- Creating a current and future state picture
- Identifying and prioritizing catalytic projects
- Conducting a project with deliverables and measures
- Engaging in disciplined continuous improvement
"Our teachers and administrators rely heavily on test scores and other data to shape our curriculum and improve instruction, making sure we meet the needs of each and every student in our district. More than just numbers and mandates, data is an invaluable tool for helping our students reach their fullest potential – after all, that's what these tests are intended to do."
Dr. Morris Ravenell
Dorchester School District Four
TRIP! Training Video
Training Slides


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Forum: The Situation Room > Quotes on character intros
I'm starting to get worried about the use (or misuse) of the quotes added to the introduction paragraphs of character pages. As cool as I think they are, I think a broad guideline needs to be established for the quotes that should and will be used. Plus, a certain control (perhaps as the one applied to pictures in sidebars) should be enforced to avoid the constant changes from quote to quote just for the sake of it or just because this user or that user thought this quote was cooler or that quote was more appropriate. Just bringing it up to see what we can decide. Thief12 00:34, April 22, 2010 (UTC)
- I agree. I also think the quotes shouldn't be, for the most part, spoken by that particular person, rather about that person. David Palmer's page is a great example. Though a good exception is Chloe's page --Noahcs 01:56, April 22, 2010 (UTC)
- Sounds great to me. I'd like to add the idea that we include the guideline about this over in Wiki 24:Consensus and precedent, it really is the only logical place for a thing like this. (Also I created the page just for situations like this one, a flexible policy page for new issues that crop up.)
- What about the guideline that, by simple yay/nay voting process on the article Talk page (no explanations needed), old quotes can be changed or new ones added to pages currently without them? Something like: it shall take 3 votes from 3 different registered users each with 2 weeks of at least 20 significant content edits to accept a proposed change in an introductory quote. Blue Rook talk contribs 05:14, April 22, 2010 (UTC)
- Also what characters "deserve" such a quote. I don't think this is something that should be automatically added to any character that appears in a handful of episodes. Thief12 03:26, April 29, 2010 (UTC)
- I like the idea about the voting. If that's what we decide, that's what should be specified in the Wiki 24:Consensus and precedent page? I also would like a specification that only main characters should receive quotes. Thief12 17:42, May 8, 2010 (UTC)
- So Sandra Palmer gets one but if somebody thinks there's a badass quote from Aaron Pierce that would go nicely on his page, we'll have to delete it? --Pyramidhead 20:09, May 8, 2010 (UTC)
- ... Only if the policy stated that "first-billed" characters can only get quotes, which for obvious reasons doesn't sound reasonable. It would have to include main cast, special guest, and recurring guest stars with roles of importance and perhaps X appearances. Also, I strongly think the characters could be made eligible for quotes, not necessarily that they must now get them. Last thing we need is everyone running around tagging haggard quotes to every single first-billed character and thinking they will stick. Anyone can still pull them down if they feel it isn't adequate. Adding a new one over a preexisting quote would be the thing we'd vote on. Blue Rook talk contribs 21:36, May 8, 2010 (UTC)
- Ok, when I wrote main characters I wasn't referring to main cast. I should've rephrased that, but my idea was more along the lines of what Blue Rook stated; main cast, recurring guest stars, etc. The important thing for me is to set a parameter that would avoid people putting quotes to "meaningless" character, just like he said, which is what I said from the beginning. Thief12 22:26, May 8, 2010 (UTC)
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.


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Hi ladies! I just got myself a beautiful present: Miss Dior! Some years ago I used to wear Miss Dior Chérie, but I finished the bottle and I wanted to go back to wear this amazing perfume. When I went to the shop I found out that Miss Dior Chérie is now Miss Dior. The main difference between those two perfumes is that this fragrance has an intense essence of Patchouli, while Miss Dior Chérie had a Citrus essence which made it fresher.
Now there is also a new fragrance in the shops: "Le Parfum". It's a stronger version of Miss Dior. The very first fragrance created by Christian Dior is the Miss Dior that we now find in the shops, and the Chérie was created in the 2005 for the 100st anniversary of the stylist's birth. This month Vogue Beauty came out with the regular magazine Vogue, and there is an article about this amazing perfume. Christian Dior got the idea of the name of it's perfume from his sister Catherine Dior. Miss Dior was created in 1947, it was the first perfume released by this successful company.


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Facebook fielded requests from 74 countries for data on at least 38,000 users in the first half of 2013, the company said in its first report detailing the scale and scope of data requests it receives from governments around the world.
The report, released Tuesday, covers every request the company has received from every government from January through June 30. Facebook said the report includes requests made for security reasons and for criminal cases. In the latter, the company may be asked, for example, to supply information to help authorities in robbery or kidnapping cases. In those requests, the company said, officials often seek data on users' names or length of service and sometimes users' IP address or "actual account content."
The United States, by far, has sought the most user information from Facebook — from 11,000 to 12,000 requests for access to more than 20,000 accounts. Facebook said that it supplied data in roughly 79 percent of those cases.
The United States allows companies to release only the ranges of the number of requests the government makes. Facebook, among other technology firms that collect user data, has asked to be allowed to list the actual number of requests it has received from the U.S. government and to say what kind of information it's asked to reveal.
Britain filed the second-most requests for data from Facebook: 1,975 requests from 2,337 user accounts. Facebook said it complied 68 percent of the time. France, Germany, India and Italy also made more than 1,000 requests during the first half of 2013.
Facebook said on its Web site that it plans to release the data reports regularly. Several technology firms, including Google and Twitter, have released regular reports in past years. Others, such as Yahoo, have recently started sharing information on government requests in the wake of revelations about data surveillance by the National Security Agency through the PRISM program.
Several of these reports have shown an increase in the number of information requests received by tech firms from world governments over the years.
The Center for Democracy and Technology, a Washington-based nonprofit group, said in a statement that while it congratulates Facebook for releasing the data request report, it wants the Obama administration to allow technology firms to be more specific about the number and scope of requests issued by the U.S. government.
"[We] hope that the Obama administration and Congress will work together to ensure that companies like Facebook can soon engage in meaningful transparency reporting about the full range of government surveillance of Internet users," said Kevin Bankston, the group's free expression director.
Related stories:
Tech companies urge U.S. to ease secrecy rules on national security probes
Facebook, Microsoft release number of data requests from government
Follow The Post's new tech blog, The Switch, where technology and policy connect.


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In collaboration with our partners, Cybertech Asia paves the way for B2B networking opportunities with a wide range of renowned representatives from the global cyber arena. Setting the stage for discussions by top executives and leading decision-makers from the world of cyber to representation by delegates from international governments and embassies, and participation by academics and investors from the region—the event offers a great opportunity for companies, startups, and entrepreneurs to come and meet all the key players from the industry!
Stay tuned for more information on the 2020 event!


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Skip to 0 minutes and 11 seconds Hello again and welcome to this video on Ebola from Lancaster University. In this video, we'll be following the story of the current outbreak as it unfolded from December 2013 onwards. It all began in a small village called Meliandou in southeastern Guinea where there were nine unexplained deaths from the beginning of December, 2013 to the beginning of February, 2014. We don't know exactly what happened, but an outline of the likely course of events was pieced together by a team from the Guinean Ministry of Health who arrived in the village on March 14, 2014 and then a medical team from Medecins Sans Frontieres, who got there four days later.
Skip to 0 minutes and 47 seconds They quickly tracked down 14 living cases and one recently dead case in the towns of Gueckedou, Macenta, Kissidougou, and Nzerekore, from which blood samples were taken. Sent for testing in Lyon in France and Humburg in Germany, the samples soon came back positive for the Zaire Ebola virus– the original and most dangerous of the five species in the genus. On the 23rd of March, 2014, the World Health Organisation issued a formal notification of the outbreak. Of that first group of 15 cases, 12 are known to have died. Investigation in surrounding areas revealed that the disease had by then already spread. The neighbouring villages of Dandu Pombo, Gbandou, and Dawa had already reported six, three, and eight deaths, respectively.
Skip to 1 minute and 34 seconds Slowly, the picture began to be pieced together. The first case– which in epidemiological investigations of this sort is known as the index case– was a two-year-old child in Meliandou village who became ill on the 2nd of December, 2013 and died four days later, showing symptoms of fever and vomiting and black faeces, indicating some internal bleeding. The next three victims were all in the immediate family– the child's mother, three-year-old sister, and grandmother. But it was the sixth case that was the one that led the virus to radiate out from Meliandou. The village midwife who'd been helping to care for the family was ill by the end of January.
Skip to 2 minutes and 15 seconds It was the midwife's sister, caring for her in turn, who carried the disease on to the village of Dandu Pombo from Meliandou. When the funerals of the first victims took place, many people came from neighbouring villages. Two of them took the disease back with them to Dawa village. The role of funerals in the spread of the virus is something we'll be looking into in more detail later. Another turning point was reached when the midwife from Meliandou? was taken to Gueckedou Hospital for treatment. Her symptoms were reported to be just fever, and there was no particular reason for her to be treated any differently to the numerous other fever cases that crowded the wards of the hospital.
Skip to 2 minutes and 55 seconds By the time the midwife died on the 2nd of February, 2014, a health care worker in the hospital was also infected. This member of medical staff was transferred, in turn, to another hospital in the nearby town of Macenta. A doctor in Macenta Hospital was the next victim, who died on the 24th of February, 2014. The body was taken to Kissidougou for the funeral, with consequent transmission to that town. Meanwhile, the disease had escaped the confines of Macenta Hospital via the family members of the dead doctor and was beginning to spread in the town and the neighbouring town of Nzerekore. This was a particularly difficult situation for the control of the disease.
Skip to 3 minutes and 34 seconds Gueckedou, in particular, is a town that's expanded rapidly in size in recent years and which has very little infrastructure. One Ebola had a foothold in Gueckedou's Baladu and Fariko shanty towns, it was very difficult to stop its spread. Contact tracing is difficult because of the unplanned nature of shantytowns, where there are no official maps or even necessarily street names. And physical prevention is also difficult because of the almost complete lack of running water. Any disease like Ebola, which transmits through close contact with body fluids, is sure to find such conditions ideal for its dissemination. A further factor in the initial spread was the vagueness of the symptoms which we looked at in the previous session.
Skip to 4 minutes and 17 seconds Of the first 15 cases determined on arrival by the special Guinean government and MSF teams, only four had hemorrhagic fever symptoms. And of a further earlier 17 cases going right back to Meliandou and other villages that were the initial epicentre, only seven exhibited bleeding. There was no particular reason in that case to suspect an outbreak of Ebola to occur in eastern Guinea since none had occurred before. Ebola was supposed to be a disease of Central Africa, not West Africa.
Skip to 4 minutes and 48 seconds And even if the cases with hemorrhagic symptoms had drawn attention earlier, there are other less dangerous viruses that could have been responsible, such as Lassa fever, which is endemic– which means regularly present in that part of West Africa– and can also cause a hemorrhagic fever. So the delay between the first case in December and the announcement of the outbreak in March is understandable. From there on, events moved increasingly quickly. A commercial traveller from the affected region soon made a trip northwards to the town of Dabola. There he became ill and died in a boarding house. The same boarding house had among its guests another traveller coming down from Watagala in the north of Guinea to visit Conakry, the capital city.
Skip to 5 minutes and 32 seconds This second man was the vector that took the disease into a city of 2.1 million people. He died there on the 17th of March, 2014 and within a month, there were over 50 cases in the shantytowns of Conakry. Meanwhile, his body was returned to Watagala, seeding the virus in the northern Dinguiraye province of Guinea. Just as the disease was spreading first north, then west, then north again, through Guinea, it was also spreading into the neighbouring countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone. The virus was taken into Liberia by a woman who had been visiting a market across the border in Guinea near Gueckedou and who died in the Liberian town of Foya in March.
Skip to 6 minutes and 13 seconds Her sister, who had been caring for her, also became ill and possibly realising she would die like her sister, decided to visit her husband who was working at the Firestone rubber plantation. She took an overnight ride on the 29th of March, 2014, down from Foya to the Liberian capital of Monrovia in a communal taxi and then hitched a lift on the back of a motorbike for the remaining journey to Firestone. Having succeeded in her plan to be reunited with her husband, she died here on the 2nd of April, 2014. However, this rather touching story had the possibly expected cruel aftermath.
Skip to 6 minutes and 50 seconds Almost everybody in the communal taxi that the women took subsequently died of Ebola and the motorbike rider who gave her a lift up to Firestone rubber plantation was never found, despite a nationwide manhunt. Monrovia, the capital, then became one of the worst hot spots in the current outbreak. A similar story can be told for Sierra Leone, where the virus entered by two routes. In May, 2014, the first of these was a traditional healer who had been working in Guinea and who had developed Ebola and died. And at her funeral, over a dozen other people are believed to have become infected, who then spread the virus on to several other areas of Sierra Leone.
Skip to 7 minutes and 28 seconds The second point of entry into Sierra Leone was a medical worker, also returning from Guinea, who hitched a lift on the highway with a lorry driver to the town of Jawi in central Sierra Leone. The lorry driver contracted Ebola from his passenger and subsequently took it on himself to his own final destination– the town of Mambolo, near Sierra Leone's capital, Freetown. Like the other two capitals– Conakry in Guinea and Monrovia in Liberia– Freetown is now the epicentre of an urban Ebola outbreak. Over the months of June and July, as West Africa's wet season intensified, Ebola became entrenched in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, accumulating just over 1,000 cases in total by that time.
Skip to 8 minutes and 9 seconds But on the 20th of July, 2014, something happened which underscored the potential of Ebola to spread more widely. A Liberian traveller arrived by air in Lagos, Nigeria, suffering from the disease. He had been ill throughout his flight from Monrovia, but as far as is known, didn't transmit the virus to anybody until he arrived in Nigeria. There, a government official who met him at the airport and a doctor and a nurse in the hospital where he was treated became the next links in the transmission chain.
Skip to 8 minutes and 38 seconds The Nigerian government imposed a strict quarantine regime or on who had contact with the index case, but the official who had met him at the airport broke quarantine and travelled to Port Harcourt– another large city in southern Nigeria. Having become ill there, he was treated in a hotel room by a doctor who by the 11th of August, 2014 was ill himself. Nevertheless, the doctor continued to practise, placing his other patients at risk and eventually infecting members of his own family. Despite these various problems, Nigeria managed to limit the outbreak to 20 cases, of whom eight died.
Skip to 9 minutes and 16 seconds This success story partly reflects the greater wealth of Nigeria, perhaps, compared to the other countries involved, but it also illustrates the advantages of preparedness. Senegal– a country to the north of Guinea, which also had an index case arrive at almost the same time as the Nigerian index case– also managed to avoid any secondary transmission. In contrast to this, the wet season in West Africa saw a marked deterioration in the situation in the three countries. In particular, there were sudden surges in caseloads in both Liberia and Sierra Leone. By the end of August, there were 3,707 total cases– a month later, 7,178.
Skip to 9 minutes and 56 seconds Around this time, it was calculated that if the disease was unchecked, there might be as many as 1 million cases by the middle of 2015, with consequent complete collapse of West African society and a high danger of the disease spreading to other continents. This alarming prospect served to escalate the international response to the outbreak, which moved from funding of local systems to direct governmental intervention. As the wet season ended, the situation began to relax slightly. The rate at which new cases appeared slackened, indicating that all the efforts at control, both local and international, might be starting to have an effect.
Skip to 10 minutes and 32 seconds As I speak to you in mid November, 2014, the outlook is cautiously optimistic compared to what it was six weeks ago, but we still cannot completely predict when the outbreak will end, and the prospect of resurgence remains very real.
On the trail of the West African Ebola virus
In this video you will learn about how Ebola caught the world unawares in West Africa.
Watch the video and read the notes below.
Make a note of some of the factors that allowed Ebola to spread so rapidly.
You can download additional support notes and follow links to optional materials below.
Our story begins in the last month of 2013, in the village of Meliandou in south-eastern Guinea.
Somehow a 2-year old boy, Emile Ouamouno, had contracted Ebola. We'll probably never know exactly how, but a team of biologists and anthropologists who visited Meliandou came to the conclusion that some children in the village may have been playing with the carcasses of dead bats found lying on the ground after a fire in a tree.
Whatever the exact origins of this first index case, the disease had soon spread to most of Emile's family. Village medical workers involved in caring for them also soon contracted Ebola and took the infection to nearby hospitals and other villages. By the time the Guinean and international medical agencies realised what was happening, there was already a disseminated outbreak, with cases in several locations in south-eastern Guinea, and the beginnings, via a long-distance traveller of what would become an outbreak in Guinea's capital Conakry.
Arguments about how it took so long - from the end of December 2013 to mid-March 2014 - to realise what was happening are sure to rage for a while, especially as more details of those crucial first weeks are revealed. However, one thing which is certain is that no clinical case of Ebola had been recorded before in West Africa, apart from one non-fatal case of the extremely rare Tai Forest ebolavirus species in Ivory Coast away back in 1994. The appearance of a lethal species of Ebola in such force in the countries west of Mount Nimba was completely unprecedented.
Before long the risks of transmission via international travel became apparent. Patrick Sawyer travelled from Liberia to Lagos in Nigeria and became the index case in that country. A traveller with Ebola also turned up in Senegal to the north-west of Guinea. A small outbreak occurred in Mali to the north. Returning medical workers took the disease back to the USA and UK, and an airlifted victim passed Ebola to a nurse in Spain.
The outbreak reached its peak in West Africa in October 2014 when there were over 7,000 new cases in that month alone. Since then, things have eased a little, but as long as there is one transmitting case remaining, the possibility of a resurgence of the disease remains very real, both within Africa and more widely.