text:
PSN, slow patches, and mandatory installs. All of these seriously get in the way of PS3's potential - and that's putting it gently.
IMO PSN on the PS3 may not be the best, but it is damn right amazing. Yes there are mandatory installs and at times patches, but these usually make the games better as they decrease loading times in game and they make the game run smoother. While I do agree with the writer that slow downloads are a pain, just do something else while it is downloading or just download it at night when sleeping.
PS+ is really awesome, free games and amazing deals, but the thing is that while this may be subscription based, it is not as important as playing online for free, which MS make you pay for. It may have its small faults, but in the big picture is is a really fantastic system.
the downloads and installs are sometimes frustratingly long. if u don't think that, your blind.
The PSN now downloads as fast as Steam. It's even faster than the 360. I've been doing speed tests since the PS3 came out. It's SO much faster now. Go try it.
I said the same thing until last month when I did a test connection on my PS3 and realized that my Internet speed was garbage. Ended up switching to Time Warner's 30MB download/5 upload service. It used to take me nearly a day to DL one full game, now I can do it in an hour TOPS. The issue my friend is your Internet service.
i have 4mb connection
those updates and download don't take more than 1 or 2 minutes
and if i download a big game from psn+ i took me about an hour or 2 max
so i don't know WTF are you talking about ?!!
you connection must suck
it's on you
Or maybe you're just patient. When I was raised, patience was a virtue.
For the people commenting over me: game patches are provided by game publishers, not Sony and downloaded from their servers (unless it's a Sony game, of course).
But that's the fault of your internet speed not Sony! People with fast internet download them in minutes!!
That's actually not true. I work in game development and patches are on Sony's servers. We do not host them. They're going through similiar certification process as games and we're paying for it.
I don't know how long it takes me to download stuff. I set them all to download overnight and they're there when I get up in the morning, installed and ready to go.
Only 4mb? That's slow. Your at getting like 200-300kbps or less download speed.
I have 20mbps connection and i download games from Steam at 2.5mbps. My PSN downloads are the same. 15gb took about 2 hours.
In the 5 years that I've had my ps3 I don't think I've ever had to wait over 45 minutes for a PSN download. I have no idea how anyone could think that that is long for a sometimes 5-10gig sized game...
Albeit I have around 35mbps.. None the less with a connection at around 10mbps it'd still be acceptable to wait a couple of hours.
You just need to upgrade from 24kb broseph.
PS+ is the same business model as buying a membership at Sam's Club. They lock you in; you're forced to use their proprietary system and if you don't, you wasted your money. You could say the same about Live.
That being said, I like Sam's Club and PS3 exclusives. PS+ discounts are for either old games, Sony games(that I've already bought,) or crappy games. I prefer neither Live or PS+.
I think you are forgetting PS Plus is optional so I fail to see the point you make when you say that "they lock you in". You can unsubscribe whenever you want.
The one thing I don't make perfectly clear and someone has to find it. "Lock" meant lure in and become obsessed with.
Reply to below(no bubbles left.)
I'm talking from a marketing perspective. Screw the consumer for just 5 seconds. Notice how I said business model in the first sentence.
If you become obsessed with it, does it not mean that you enjoy what it offers? It's your money and you aren't forced to pay for PS Plus but if you see it's a good service then there shouldn't be a problem with being "locked" into it.
how do they lock you in? I can stop paying for ps+ any time I want.
as for only crappy games. Uh bioshock 2 Infamous 2, uncharted golden abyss, gravity rush, and gotham city imposters just to name a few games I have gotten for free with my subscription. Just right there is 300 USD worth of games I've played for just 50 usd a year subscription.
And they discount all kinds of games all the time new and old for plus subscribers.
and for that matter you site sams club as an example. How are you "locked in" to shopping there? How are you using some proprietary system shopping for bulk food items? Do they have their own monopoly money for sams club or something?
PS Plus doesn't give you free games. You pay for the RIGHT to play rented games that you don't own for the duration of your subscription period. It's a damn good value, but it ain't free. Nothing is FREE in life. There's always a cost, monetary or otherwise.
Four disagrees already? Facts are like leprosy around here lol.
Is there a word for "at no additional cost?" As long as you are subscribed to PS+ you get games at no additional cost. How's that? Or is there nothing in life that comes in at no additional cost?
I mean, no duh it isn't absolutely free. I don't get why people insist on stating the obvious. I really wonder if you guys constantly point out how the second item in "buy one get one free" deals isn't really free.
Whatever floats your boat I guess.
"As long as you subscribed to PS+ you get games at no additional cost."
But there was an initial cost. Because I paid that initial cost, I'm a Plus member for a year. I WILL be paying the additional cost when I renew my sub in a year.
"I mean, no duh it isn't absolutely free. I don't get why people insist on stating the obvious."
And I don't get why people insist on stating the erroneous. The games aren't "free". Why does saying that bother people?
This argument is so played out.
It's not quite this simple, but let's say you buy Plus for $50, and get ten games valued at $100 total(an average of $10 a game). That's $50 worth of games you DIDN'T pay for.
Next year, you again pay $50 for Plus, and again get ten games that would normally cost $100. You've now spent $100 for $200 worth of games.
And so on, and so on. Ten years of consecutive Plus-subscribed has cost you $500 and netted you $1000 in games. Simple math says half of what you got, you didn't pay for. In other words: FREE.
And that's with nice, easy numbers to use. In reality, you get more than ten games, and the value is far above $100 for them.
And, as usual, that's excluding any and all other services that are included when you pay for Plus. Including these things further cuts down the average cost of each game.
When people talk about the games on Plus being free, we all know they don't mean you don't pay a thing for them.
Just... I mean, it's such common sense. Nobody complains when there's a sale that says "Buy 1, Get 1 Free." They understand that you have to PAY SOMETHING in order to pay nothing for the other thing.
Come on, man...
How about Free-to-play games on Steam? the only charge is to give a shit about free to play games isn't it?
With that reasoning almost anything on discount can be considered free lol.
If on Christmas holidays i bought a suit that normally costs 1000usd for 500usd since it was on discount? would i consider the suit free?
Of course not. I can consider it at a discounted rate but not free.
Funny to what level some of you will go just to label the games free rofl.
You need to pay the 50usd to get those games. If you dont you wont get em. Let us know when u can get those games without paying for the subscription.
lol You are seriously going to debate this?
***"But there was an initial cost. Because I paid that initial cost, I'm a Plus member for a year. I WILL be paying the additional cost when I renew my sub in a year."***
The initial cost was for the *subscription* not the games... You are paying an additional cost to maintain the *subscription* not the games...
***"The games aren't "free". Why does saying that bother people?"***
Because one, it isn't incorrect to say it's free... You aren't paying for the games itself. Therefore the games are free. Businesses and the like have been doing this for YEARS. Two, as I said earlier we all know it isn't purely free if you really want to get to the technicality of it. You are just stating the obvious meaning we ALREADY KNOW. You are just reiterating what we know and yes it can be a bother to some people. Not everyone is the same.
-- Edit --
More like funny to what level some of you will go to label something as not free.
***"You need to pay the 50usd to get those games. If you dont you wont get em. Let us know when u can get those games without paying for the subscription."***
PS+ is a premium service. The fr-- err(I dare not say free...) I mean getting games at no additional cost are incentives to become a member and stay one.
Hicken, your not factoring in the MAIN reason why PS Plus is so cheap. Plus members don't choose what games they get. The value of what I get for "free" drops considerably when you factor in that many of the games that are offered are dead weight, as in games that people wouldn't even pay $5 to have such as Chronovolt/Rochard etc. You aren't GUARANTEED the full value of every game offered because not every game offered will interest you.
"The initial cost was for the *subscription* not the games."
I've come to the conclusion that only fanboys rate the comments. Edit: 3 votes already. Need I say more?
If you say anything that is Informative, Insightful, Interesting, or Funny you should check out Slashdot game articles because N4G is neither of these.
"Nothing is FREE in life"...Except that I'm not being charged to play with my friends on PSN. You're also talking about a technicality, which (in a way) you're correct. But regardless you don't receive this kind of deal with XBOX LIVE which some consider superior. You can try to knock PS plus all you want but the fact remains is you simply get a greater value as opposed to LIVE. Even if you don't choose to subscribe, you're still able to enjoy PSN. You're not treated like a second class citizen like you are with XBOX LIVE SILVER. I'm both a PS plus member and LIVE subscriber.
Damn Logic, do you have any other life than coming in to every single PS thread and doing your level best to find something negative, some detraction about Sony? In a remark above, you acted amazed that you had four disagrees already. Don't you understand people do not read your comments? They aren't debating you? They're just tired of the constant attacks. Personally I think you know very well why you had those disagrees and they fake wounded attitude makes you entire routine even more loathsome. You are worse than the Sony doom and gloom bits because even in the positive articles you are right there with the "let's find the downside". It's tiresome and it's played itself out. I really really wouldn't want to be a person with such a sole reason for existence. No one here, no one believes you are an objective gamer. Even you name is dripping with irony. I was hoping in the new year you would, like so many other trolls just move on with your life. But that apparently isn't going to be the case. Nobody in their right mind thinks for a second you have a PS3 nor have anything for the PS3 except contempt.
It's obvious you are a 360 supporter. There is nothing wrong with that. But did you ever consider spending as much time praising it as you do attacking Sony? Oh wait, that's one of your other accounts.
@reynod, if you paid a dollar for a scratchy and won $1000 from it, do you consider the $999 to be free?
It's like a glass half-full thing i guess, i see it as being $999 that i didn't have before but all you see is the initial value you spent.
I got a Playstation 3. I don't have any free games because I won't PAY MONEY for playstion +. If you think them free you're deluded. It's as free as Netflix... or a magazine subscription :/
(a slight lie on my part, I do have 2 free games compliments of my details being lost by Sony).
Does anyone of you consider Netflix as providing free content (outside of the trial periode)?
If not, then why would PS+ offer free games?
I play online on XBL for free, after I paid MS!
It says Buy 1, Get 1 Free, it is literally that. You get to OWN that game. Does PS+ do that? Do I get to play those games after PS+ "subscription" end?
"The initial cost was for the *subscription* not the games... You are paying an additional cost to maintain the *subscription* not the games."
I pay the initial and additional cost to maintain my account SO I CAN play online. Does that mean, I'm not playing for online play?
If I'm not paying for the games, then can I access the games without a subscription?
As LOGICWINS says, it ain't free, but it is damn good value if you like and haven't played those games.
Ummm.. shouldn't it also be said that if you sub for PS+ for 10 years you get to play ALL THE GAMES THAT EVER BECAME FREE during that time.
I enjoy going back to games. I finished GTA 4 like a week ago and I hadn't played it for YEARS. OK GTA4 is not in PS+ as a free game but you do get the point from this right? I got LBP 2 from PS+. I sold my retail copy of said game and got back 15€ when I sold it for example. So my 1 year subscription only cost 25.5€ with that game alone. I also sold Infamous 2 for 9€ etc. etc.
Anyway I get to play all the games I've ever gotten free with PS+ so the annual value of PS+ actually GROWS every year along with the accumulated free games. I'm sure this math is lost on many people though.....sigh..
@kurt russel
Unlike Netflix games aren't the ONLY thing PS+ offers so your logic if flawed.
Logicwins, the Plus service is a lot like Netflix. They offer you content within your subscription and the content they offer that is included is much like the sell-through stuff Netflix offers you. Meaning games that have already gone through their cycle of demand. Most are older titles people no longer buy in large numbers. What they have offered for Vita games seem to be more desired as they are newer and some AAA games like Uncharted.
What people like about Plus over other paid services like Xbox Live is it gives consumers more flexibility and choice. Xbox 360 owners don't really have a choice when it comes to online play. Which I think in todays times doesn't make much sense given how many games almost require online to get the value out of the software. Software you already bought.
The article does bring up some points though and the weaknesses within the Playstation Network. The patches and system updates are more cumbersome to work with, getting friends together and accepting invites is not as friendly as it is on Live. Being able to talk with your friends and constantly staying connected has its benefits. I can play with friends and be within the service and stay within Xbox Live and it feels much more integrated than Playstation Network. Is that worth paying for? That depends on who you ask. The Plus service is becoming the focus for Sony by bringing in features like cloud saves and automatic updates. So in a sense it's a bit like Live Gold and Live silver where they are bridging themselves from free to a paid model. Thankfully Sony still offers online play for free but you can see the growth of services will be thrown at the Plus model.
Microsoft excels in this area because they specialize in operating systems. They keep the gamer playing because they make sure it is still a console like experience. They make sure the patches are small and that everything just flows within it. Look at Playstation Home. It would be so much better if they actually made it work within the xmb. Instead it's a slow connection that breaks the experience with long loads and feels isolated from the start screen. I don't use Home anymore because it just doesn't work the way I want it to. Miiverse looks to be in the right direction where it's all part of the experience.
The other point they bring up is the mandatory installs. So now we are getting away from the console experience and becoming a sub-par PC experience. People who buy consoles want to be able to just turn the thing on and plug in a game and start playing. They don't want to have to face a 15-minute update or wait for a 4GB game to install.
So as we can see we can pick out faults while still saying the PS3 is a great system with great games. You don't have to be a fanatic and make it appear like it has no issues. You also don't need to just highlight its faults and make it appear that the system is terrible. These topic headers will stay like this because of the reaction. We are already over 100 comments which goes to show how passionate some people are about these things. Just keep one thing in mind, it's only a entertainment device. So don't get all emotional about the media or people picking on it.
MY POINT is that it is not incorrect to say that you get free games for being member of PS+. I've said yes technically it isn't absolutely and purely free, but so what? Am I not allowed to say that I can watch videos on youtube for free because I have pay for the internet? Maybe so not unless I'm getting free wifi right? But even then watching videos on youtube isn't technically free because I have to pay for a device such as a laptop in order to use the free wifi. See how silly this is lol?
At the end of the day I guess it's all about how you yourself perceive it. In buy one get one free deals you can either see it as you getting something free after you paid for the first item OR you can see it as paying half price for both items. Both are correct pick whichever makes you happy.
BitbyDeath made another perfect example: "if you paid a dollar for a scratchy and won $1000 from it, do you consider the $999 to be free?"
I'd personally see it as getting a $1000 for free as I paid the $1 for the scratchy and gained the $1000 after I've met the conditions of wining. Others may see it as getting $999 free. Others may see it as paying a $1 to get $999. All are correct in some sense, whatever makes you happy at the end of the day.
i have ps+, i agree with you i get free rentals with my subscription, i dont pay for plus for the instant game collection, i pay for it because of the auto-updating, and the 40%/50% off price disounts. the free rentals are just a bonus as i would be paying anyways.
on topic, i understand where the writer was coming from, with the installs and updates. but the same could be said about the xbox, as i turned it on at xmas as i got halo 4, and i spent over hour going through updates and then had to install the game.
granted both systems have to wait and install and update, but which ever 1 is your primary, is going to be the one that is going to take less time as its already up to date because you update it more often
@nukeitall: So I take it you think that online play is something you should have to pay twice for? I mean you bought the game for $60, it was developed with an online portion that 3 of 4 platforms let you play for free, and yet you have to pay to play a game online. So PC, Wii U, and PS3 are getting free online, and you're paying $120 base for one game and that's not including your ISP. Where is the value in that? "well I also get party chat." So does the PC for free, so does the Vita for free. Anyone with common sense should see the common denominator is the word free. Cool, you get to play Xbox Live games whenever you want even after unsubbing to Live. Try playing them online without subbing to Live Gold. You can't. PC users, Wii U users, PSN + Subscribers don't have to pay to play any game online. And the discounted games are theirs to keep forever and they don't have to be subbed to Steam, or PSN + or whatever to play those games. When's the last time you got a free game from MS on Live, or even one that was worth playing? When's the last time you played an online only game on Live without paying for it? Never? Yeah I thought so.
"It says Buy 1, Get 1 Free, it is literally that. You get to OWN that game. Does PS+ do that? Do I get to play those games after PS+ "subscription" end?"
Want to get technical on ownership? Let's get technical.
"Through PSN, you may participate in SCEA's online community, play games online, and PURCHASE ACCESS to content and services, such as new levels for your favorite games, movies, television shows or original programs such as Qore™."
Sorry. You don't own the games. You are only paying for permanent access rights.
Plus or not, you don't own the games. You have access. The only difference is the conditions of access. In one scenario, you pay a one-time fee upfront. In the other scenario, you must maintain an active Plus subscription. And both scenarios require adhering to the TOS, so even then "permanent" is still under specific conditions.
Unfortunately for your argument, the only real difference is the permanency of access rights. Google the word "free". You won't find any definition that involves permanency, which means your argument doesn't hold any water.
If you want to call playing online free using your XBL Gold account or watching a movie through Netflix free to make yourself feel better, go right ahead.
People (and businesses for that matter) only use "free" as a simple alternative to "at no additional cost" when something additional transaction-wise needs to be done to obtain a specific item, like "buying" that second "free" bag of chips in a Buy 1 Get 1 deal, or getting "free" two-day shipping through Amazon Prime, or going back to the PS Store to "buy" the "free" games in Plus. If it bothers you enough that certain Plus games are referred to as free, and you need to compensate by calling your online play through XBL Gold free, even though no additional transactions are required and their is no "paid" online play after buying Gold to distinguish it from, go right ahead. It's awfully redundant, but whatever floats your boat.
" Even you name is dripping with irony."
Been saying this for years. What's more amazing is the amount of bubbles he has considering all the trolling he does. He's quite frankly a clever troll.
"Why I kick at dead horses that have been beaten to death years ago and use flamebait headlines to start fanboy wars in the comments section so I can get more hits on my website."
Are people still coming out with crap like this? Why do people have to keep telling us why the like X over Y. Its simple buy the things you like and don't buy the things you don't like.
I am a gamer and I own more all games consoles on the market at the moment because I want to play games like Zelda, Mario, Halo, Forza, GT, UC ect and the only way to do this is to own them all.
Gaming is not about who has which console or whos has more power or if its free to play on line. Its about what fits you best its as simple as that.
"PS+ is really awesome, free games"
I've said it and i will say it again. PS+ does not offer free games. You pay for PS+ so those games are not free... those games are a loan while you have PS+. When your subscription of PS+ finishes, or you update your subscription (€€€€), or you can't play those "free" games. The main objective of PS+ is to lure you and lock you in. If you leave all those "free" games are dead weight in your hard drive.
Is PS+ is a good deal?
Don't know. Everybody have different opinions about PS+.
I think you need to re-emphasize it so people here understand.
PS+ is free for you but not for your parents who pay the monthly fee.
Is it really debatable? Something you pay for isn't free. Not questioning the value of PS+ in any way but come on, let's not throw all logic out the window.
Coming from someone with no bias towards any system. This is where the 360 shines, yes overall the system is faster than ps3..There's no ifs or ans about that. It's faster with everything, the wireless N card they put in the 360 improves dl speeds, the games you download from the market don't need to be installed..Once you download that's it, you can click and play, patches dl faster, the games usually have less load time over ps3 (when installed) now the ps3 actually has exclusives and free online..If you can only get one it's better functionality 360 vs better content ps3
Is this guy SERIOUS??? article about "why i hate ps3"
how about "how i hate getting up each morning"
do this guy realize those MANDATORY installs for our protection from hackers!!!! what a block-head.
Would not be any patches if developers would get off they're arse and produce a full unglitched game. there for Sony not the blame for half arse work.
I don't see how Someones opinion on a console is actually news worthy? All articles like this do, is just spark debate amongst fanboys...
There is something to be said for analytical review on a systems features, benefits, downsides, etc. Sometimes that information can be invaluable to someone buying the system, as some of the points brought up may be important to them. This is particularly true early in a consoles life...like the Wii U recently.
They should however remain unbiased, and note the points of interest, both negative and positive, without offering commentary, which many of these articles fail to do.
Oh the butthurt by Sony fanboys is just DELICIOUS! get both consoles and stop being a fan boy.
It's the best : free, not always p2P
psn+ also, with free games (yes free, if you consider subscription for beta, lower prices, etc and the price you have to pay on xbox just for playing the gamle you have bought !)
"why i hate... " : because you are a stupid fanboy, not a gamer..give them the best games, the best hardware, free games, etc and they are talking about "mandatory install" and other stupid stuff XD
i dont hate my ps3, i just hate the militants who cant criticize their platform of choice. like lemmings they believe Sony does no wrong. it's a really good proprietary system, i pray my 60gb launch fatboy never dies. i like my backwards compatibility.
other than UC2, the ps3 doesnt have the killer IP's the ps2 had.
funny coming from a 360 fanboy.
"other than UC2, the ps3 doesnt have the killer IP's the ps2 had."
whatever floats your boat buddy.
sure is funny slow updates i have 50mb internet only take secs for me also it depends on ur internet connection speed isnt p2p servers like 360
These type of articles should not get approved. The PlayStation 3 is fine. Every system has its issues, and no system is perfect. Not even Xbox Live. Nobody would even pay for the service if you could play games online for free. All the apps and crap they shove in your face are free online.
But whatever, this is a troll article, from a author looking for hits.
but but but.... the ps triple has no games, thats what experts told me on the internet.
There are legitimate reasons to have experiences that make you HATE any of the platforms, even if it's just a temporary, isolated hate that's centered on a specific feature or set of features or set of setbacks. (i.e., Wii's lack of a centralized online network, 3DS's lack of a built-in second stick, etc.), even while the platform has some terrific strengths otherwise. That's really the spirit of this piece.
Really? Hate an inanimate object? The obvious overstatements lend themselves better to drama queen hit seeking than intelligent discourse.
Don't like that? Ok, how about this?
Mental health professionals tell us that hate arises from fear. Why not lay back down on the couch and tell us why you fear the PS3? (or any platform you hate for that matter)
You'll feel better once you face your fear and get it off your chest, and just hearing yourself say these things aloud may give you a different perspective.
If you hate ps3 then you dont like good games.
or they are just an "anti PS3", brainless and bored, typical internet troll and hate the PS3 because they do not have one and/or cannot afford one.
I hate ps3, and I love good games, so your point has been invalidated. Good day, sir.
Edit: I really can't stand the mushy dualshock.
I actually think the ps3 is the worst console ever made and I hate the console for the same reasons as the author. Yet, I'd own it over any other console this gen because of the exclusive games and free online. Though if MGS4 was on xbox I'd kiss playstation goodbye.
Okay, after 475 other times,previously, this kind of article should now be considered duplicate.
and they say this site is over run by ps3 fanboys
if this site is overrun by them
we wouldn't have those kind of blogs who made by fanboys live in a basement
Have you read the comments on this article. They are all pro PS3.
Why I Hate The PlayStation 3 : PSN, slow patches, and mandatory installs. LOL PS Store has day 1 digital downloads stupid. Patches make ur console stronger and reliable and as i remember the system patches are not more than 115Mb, you must have worst internet connection, so u afraid to download these patches. Even XBox has same dear. Free vs Paid online.... ohh wow.. let me remember my Black ops 2 multiplayer sessions.. Ha ha ha I paid for gold Live and shi* I have Lag, where should I complain fanboy? Wanna proof watch my video on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watc...
Best console this gen. Most supported console this gen. ps4 is an automatic buy for me. Only company that put core gamers first even in hard times. Hats off to them.
Can't wait for ps4!
I have both console but my primary is PS3, All XBox fanboy only argue abot 2 things. 1. Party Chat and 2. Paid online. Party chat I never used it cause my computer and cell phone can do this, why I stop and start a chat in a middle of game. Online I have only one word, just play BO2 multiplayer on XBox once and then argue about Paid and free....
I totally agree. I currently own all of the current gen consoles, not the Wii U tough. However, out of the 3 my first favourite is the PS3, the second is the Wii, and the last is my PC. Xbox 360 doesn't even come close to being a good system. Games like Alan Wake, and maybe Gears of War 2 are worth buying the system, however Gears of War 1 is something that is far too overrated for my own sake. While the Ps3 and PC has a better community, better exclusives, in particular: MGS, GOW, White Knight, and even Katamari Forever. And for some odd reason whenever there is an exclusive on the Xbox 360, it always shows up on Steam, besides the Gears title.


text:
Reality of Rebranding
Customer bonds are critical for a smooth switch in fuel brands.
Chevron gave J.H. Reaben Oil Co. and its 10 stores six months to remove its Texaco flag and rebrand, after announcing its pullout from North Carolina late last year.
"We were Texaco for 80 years," says Beau Waddell, vice president of the Hendersonville, N.C., chain, citing how San Ramon, Calif.-based Chevron had purchased the name a decade ago. "We had an emotional attachment to the Texaco brand."
That said, Waddell thinks the transition to Houston-based Marathon Oil Corp. was successful. "We were pleasantly surprised that there has not been a great decrease in gallons going from one to the other," he says. "And it has not affected inside sales."
For Reaben Oil and other chains rebranding because of a major-oil retrenchment or from an internal business decision, the process involves foresight and patience. From obtaining contractor estimates to educating customers, rebranding is a project with many moving parts.
Some points to consider:
- Contractor decisions. Operators have to bid out the work, finding local contractors with enough experience specific to gasoline stations to do a good job at a competitive price.
- Think inside the box.Rebranding often means switching credit-card networks, creating the need to upgrade software and possibly hardware.
- Oil-company incentives. Each brand has its own package of incentives that may ease the financial burden of the switch.
- Educate customers. A big concern is how customers will respond to the change. A retailer may want to invest in local media campaigns to deliver consistent messages about the continuity of the business and upsides to the change.
What added to the stress of the Reaben Oil rebrand was time. "Some [marketers] switch on their own," he says. "This wasn't on our terms. We had to figure out what we were going to do, get the bids out … and a lot of [Chevron operators] were wanting the same resources."
Nostalgia for the old brand aside, what concerns most retailers making the switch is the customers' reaction. For Reaben Oil, that response overall has been positive. The company's switch to the Marathon brand elicited favorable comments from customers.
"The Marathon colors are red, white and blue," Waddell says. "It's a patriotic look, so we had comments on that."
Losing customers was a big fear for Maximo Alvarez, president of Sunshine Gasoline Distributors Inc., Doral, Fla. Five years ago, the Miami-area retailer made a business decision to switch to Chevron, which has named Florida as one of the states in which it intends to focus its retail efforts.
Alvarez relied on his company's local roots to weather the change. In business since 1987, he says Sunshine Gasoline is well-known and involved in the community. "A lot of our customers [see us as] neighbors," he says. "They get to know the people who run the stations and establish relationships. It's neighbors serving neighbors."
In his experience, volumes don't have peaks and valleys. People get used to going to a particular location, he says, "As long as you continue maintaining retail fundamentals—you're open the right hours, you've got competitive pricing and good service, a good image. … We were really not affected [by the brand change]."
In a few short years, Alvarez has grown his Chevron-branded business to about 150 sites that he owns and operates, along with another 200 that he supplies. "It's the power of a major brand that has a tremendous customer base with its credit card," he says. "That helps a lot and brings [us] an edge."
Does Alvarez have any concerns about Chevron shifting gears and pulling out of Florida? "None whatsoever," he says, citing how Chevron was "extremely good" at communicating its intentions during its last announced pullout. "They sat down and made tough decisions, but they made the right decisions. They want to continue where it makes sense. By being down here, we're strategic and important to the Chevron people. It gives us a tremendous amount of confidence."
For Waddell and Reaben Oil, Chevron's decision threw a seven-month timetable into the equation. The company used the first two months to evaluate its options, examining supply availability, contract terms and which brand made the most sense in a corner- by-corner analysis. Execs decided on Marathon.
Once past the brand, the company had to bid out the physical conversion of canopies, pumps and signs, everything exterior. It also opted to bid the entire forecourt to a single company vs. bidding out parts, such as the canopy to one company and the pumps to another. It caused less confusion and was simply easier for Waddell. He found three companies to undergo the bidding process and eventually chose a South Carolina firm that had experience in such conversions.
The larger challenge was inside the store, having to switch point-of-sale (POS) software to go from Chevron to Marathon. The stores' POS device needed a new program written to allow for the Marathon hookup. Waddell says the company was lucky in that there was enough demand for the software upgrade from other operators to justify the supplier's efforts.
The whole rebranding process took about a week per store and did not require a store shut-down.
As for customer education, stores advertised to let the public know that the same company was operating the locations. "It's the same people in the stores, the same employees," Waddell says. Reaben Oil invested in billboard, radio and newspaper advertising, using an outside firm to come up with the overall package.
Looking back, he says more time would have helped. "The more time you have, the better," he says. "If you're thinking of switching on your own, take your time and talk to as many people as possible. Then once you make that decision, there are so many people looking for work [that you'll have options]."
Waddell would certainly not wish such a sudden and drastic change on others, but his situation and the scale with which it occurred appear unusual. By far the most significant oil-company pullout in recent months—possibly years—has been the Chevron move, which affected 13 states and 1,100 locations. The decision came after an internal study of the oil company's operations worldwide, resulting in an effort to better align its vertical operations.
"We're always looking at our business," said a spokesperson back in December when Chevron first made the announcement. "Globally, we've made divestments in certain areas and acquisitions in others. It depends on how it plays to our strengths."
To fill the void, brands such as Shell and Gulf have stepped up. In Elkins, W.Va., Woodford Oil Co. signed on with Houston-based Shell Oil Products to rebrand its 74 Chevron and Texaco stations. Officials with Framingham, Mass.- based Gulf say the brand-expansion effort has skyrocketed from about 100 annually to a projected 400 for 2010.
Chevron's pullout sparked Gulf's growth spurt on two levels, one with distributors and retailers needing to rebrand and the other with territory and branduse rights, says Rick Dery, senior vice president of branded sales and chief marketing officer for Gulf Oil. Gulf had the rights to use its brand in only an 11-state marketing area; that was until last January, when it lobbied for and attained the rights to push the name nationally.
The Chevron pullout kept Gulf focused on affected markets, from Maryland down to South Carolina and west into Tennessee and Kentucky. But by the end of the year, it will have gone from 11 states to 22. In addition, Gulf is making moves in eight more states, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Texas. "[Distributors and retailers] like to see people supporting the brand and not pulling out of markets, cutting back on staff or changing strategies, as far as the brand goes," Dery says. Yet another factor fueling its rebranding efforts are the misfortunes of London-based BP. The catastrophic oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico this past spring has created a significant public outcry against the brand, which has had its effect on volumes, retailers say. Dery says that despite BP being able to eventually stop the leak, he fields multiple calls a day from folks inquiring about rebranding.
Rebranding a location's fuel is no small feat, so the reasons for switching must be compelling.
Vera Haskins, president of the nonprofit Petroleum Marketers Oil Co., which operates the fuel brand Spirit out of New Hope, Pa., says beyond being forced to rebrand, people do so typically because they're unhappy with their supplier, be it for financial or image-related reasons.
"But the most common reason we hear is that they're looking for a change," Haskins says, pointing out that a rebrand sometimes works to improve the curb appeal of a site. "Then, in some cases, the biggest consideration is profitability."
For those hunting for a new brand, different suppliers have different requirements, having to do with volume and image. Waddell of Reaben Oil says some brands require items such as back-lit canopies or digital signs. Unfortunately, he says, some locations don't warrant the added expense.
Gulf places volume requirements of 10 million gallons a year. Taken another way, it's supplying 14 to 15 sites, with each needing to generate at least 60,000 to 65,000 gallons a month, Dery says. For marketers who don't have those volumes, he points to the company's Wave brand, Gulf's "value" option. It debuted in 2008 and has about 100 sites in the field.
Contract specifics also vary. Dery says Gulf offers both a rack price with the appropriate discount as well as "index deals," wherein prices are tied to services such as Platts or Argus. Gulf can even offer a "fusion" program, he says, by which a distributor can have a little of both.
Different companies also offer different incentives and financial-assistance packages. These range from nothing to covering all upfront expenses. Typically, incentives come in the form of rebates or loans amortized over time.
"It's a given that we have to spend 'X' amount," Alvarez of Sunshine Oil says. "But the oil companies have different programs to help us with branding."
What's left after the dollars and cents of a rebrand? The intangible: those unique, emotional ties to a particular name. Jan Vineyard, president of the West Virginia Oil Marketers and Grocers Association (OMEGA), Charleston, Va., says the initial reaction to Chevron pulling out of her state was shock. "I had lunch with a member whose company had been with Chevron for 60 years," she says.
Haskins of the Spirit brand agrees. "I had a gentleman from western Pennsylvania whose father had never gotten over Mobil pulling out of his area," she says. "It's because the brand [representative] would come over for Sunday dinner."
Both Vineyard and Haskins agree that the days of Sunday dinners are gone. Fewer reps in the field mean relationships happen over the phone, and the end of the era of the oneflag marketer. Operators today either carry multiple brands or go unbranded, promoting the name of their c-store chain. Still, all nostalgia aside, Dery of Gulf believes the future of fuel brands lies in taking a step back. Establishing relationships and building face-to-face ties directly with distributors will become the differentiator. "Branding decisions will begin and end with the people behind the company marketing the brand," he says.
Recent Pullouts
Typically for reasons of supply efficiency, major brands periodically decide to pull out of certain markets and regions. Here's a list of recent activity.
Chevron, Texaco: San Ramon, Calif.- based Chevron, which also owns the Texaco brand, announced a pullout late last year that included Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, New Jersey, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and parts of Tennessee. Approximately 1,100 independently owned and operated retail stations were earmarked for removal of the brands.
BP: Prior to the catastrophic oil spill off the Gulf of Mexico last spring, BP had announced plans to stop branded-fuel supply in central Pennsylvania, including Altoona, Harrisburg, Mechanicsburg, Northumberland, Sinking Spring and Wilkes-Barre.
Rebranding Numbers
Major-oil pullouts and other market conditions are forcing many fuel distributors and retailers to rebrand. Here are a few numbers to consider:
$20,000 to $75,000 Cost range for an image changeover, factoring in canopy, pump and signage requirement 1,100 The number of stations affected by Chevron's pullout from 12 states and parts of Tennessee
100 Number of stores Gulf Oil has signed on annually since 2005
400 Number of stores Gulf projects to convert in 2010, after attaining brand rights and taking advantage of Chevron's recent pullouts

subset: commoncrawl


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The European Banking Authority presented the outlines of this year's stress test for the European Union's biggest banks, but said it would be for national supervisory authorities to guarantee the reliability and credibility of the exercise.
Although the stress test is an EU-wide exercise, it will be most notable for its place in the European Central Bank's preparations to take over responsibility for supervising the euro zone's largest banks. The ECB is conducting an in-depth Asset Quality Review across the euro zone to check that banks have properly reported any weaknesses they may have on their balance sheet. It aims to start supervising in November this year, on the assumption that the stress test's results will show in October how much capital banks still need to raise.
The test will consist of two scenarios running through three years, 2014-2016: the baseline scenario will be drawn from the European Commission's forecasts, while the adverse scenario will be designed by the European Systemic Risk Board, the EU's "macroprudential" supervisor.
To "pass" the test, banks will have to show a ratio of 8% in core Tier 1 capital relative to their risk-adjusted assets in the baseline scenario, and 5.5% in the adverse scenario. The exercise will take as its definition of capital the EU's latest Capital Requirements Directive, which came into force at the start of this year. That directive is the EU's implementation of the globally agreed "Basel III" accords on banking capital and liquidity. One of its characteristics is that some capital instruments common to European banks are being phased out in a transitional period that runs through 2018. As such, banks will have to show in the test that they are migrating to newer, more recognized forms of capital at the desired speed.
The test will examine 124 banks across the EU, covering at least 50% of banking assets in each country. For banks operating in multiple countries, only the parent bank will be scrutinized.
An extended version of this report appears on WSJ.com
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CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian authorities shut down four Islamist TV stations, banned the Muslim Brotherhood's newspaper and raided the office of Al-Jazeera's Egypt affiliate in crackdown on media considered sympathetic to ousted President Mohammed Morsi, bringing an outcry Thursday from rights groups.
Rights groups said the moves appeared to be an attempt to intimidate pro-Morsi media and shut off their viewpoints.
Among the shuttered stations was the Misr25 channel, run by the Brotherhood. It went off the air Wednesday night just as it was airing pro-Morsi protesters chanting "Down with military rule" after Egypt's military chief announced that Morsi had been removed.
The military's move came after four days of massive anti-Morsi protests demanding the country's first freely elected president step down.
In a statement, the Brotherhood said the shutdowns were a return to the "repressive" policies of Egypt's "dark ... ages."
The London-based Amnesty International called the shutdowns a "blow to freedom of expression."
A security official said the stations were shut down over suspicions of incitement, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the press. He did not elaborate.
Notably, no Egyptian stations are currently airing live footage from the main pro-Morsi rally in Cairo, where thousands have been holding a sit-in since Friday.
Also targeted was Al-Jazeera Live Egypt, or Mubasher Misr, an affiliate of the Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV network. Late Wednesday night, police raided the station's offices, detaining 28 staffers, Al-Jazeera said in a statement Thursday. All have since been released, except the managing director and the broadcast engineer, it said.
The station broadcasts from Qatar, so its signals were not taken off the air, but it has stopped airing live events and its office in Cairo remained shut Thursday. Al-Jazeera said Associated Press Television News was ordered to deny Al-Jazeera channels access to their live services. A local media service company, Cairo News Company, has also been told to withhold access to broadcast equipment.
The Associated Press strongly protested the order to police and government officials. It said it followed the directive because it is bound by local law.
"Our longstanding position is that we cover the news for all of our clients. What is happening in Egypt is a fluid situation, and we are working to satisfy the needs of all of them," Erin Madigan, the news cooperative's senior media relations manager, said in a statement.
A video posted on YouTube recorded the moment security agents entered the studio as it was broadcasting live from Tahrir Square, where hundreds of thousands were celebrating Morsi's ouster. An agent can be heard in the background saying: "Please come with us" as the guests and staff asked what was going on.
The other stations shut down were Al-Nas, Al-Rahma and Al-Hafez, all connected to the ultraconservative Salafi movement. Over the past year, they have put on the air talk show guests, including hard-line clerics, who have made threats against opposition figures or depicted them as anti-Islam, including one cleric who called for their death. Other talk show hosts and guests have painted Morsi's opponents as dominated by Coptic Chrisitans, hiking sectarian tensions. Their shows were regularly taken to task by prominent satirist Bassem Youssef.
Al-Jazeera, owned by close Brotherhood ally Qatar, has been harassed by the state in the past. Al-Jazeera Egypt Live, set up in March 2011, was raided twice by security forces in September 2011, when the military ruled Egypt directly after the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Authorities said it was operating without permits.
Al-Jazeera's acting director Mostefa Souag on Thursday appealed for the immediate release of the staff.
"Media offices should not be subject to raids and intimidation," he said. "Regardless of political views, the Egyptian people expect media freedoms to be respected and upheld."
The New-York based Committee to Protect Journalists said the crackdown was part of "a worrying series of moves that seemed designed to cut off coverage of pro-Morsi events."
The Arab Network for Human Rights Information called the moves "a clear violation of the law and stifling freedom of expression." The group, based in Cairo, said while some programs aired on these stations carried at times "hate speech" and incited Morsi supporters to violence, that does not justify shutting the stations down.
Amnesty said Egypt's armed forces and the police have a well-documented record of human rights violations that must not be repeated.
"In this time of great tension and with the constitution suspended, it is more important than ever that the military comply with Egypt's obligations under international human rights law," said Salil Shetty, General Secretary of Amnesty International.
Munir Fakhri Abdel-Nur, a member of the National Salvation Front which led the opposition against Morsi, said his group objected to exceptional measures against such stations.
"We must respect due process of law," Abdel-Nur said.
The protesters and opposition parties have accused Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, of mismanaging the country during his one year in office and seeking to monopolize power for his group.


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i would like to get in contact with people that are driving to south america.
i am planning to do my trip from california to patagonia,driving a bmw dual sport motorcycle.
Tips and good advice will be highly appreciated.
thank you............................alejandro.(sorry my english it is not to good )
i wll start in november 2006 !!!!


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Around the world, so many children are growing up without families to love them and nurture their growth. And so many families are waiting with love to give. It is our mission to bring you together. We work with families in all 50 states.
As a Christian organization committed to expressing God's compassion for children, we seek a world where every child has the support and resources to reach their full potential — a world where every child has a loving and secure home. Around the world, we work toward our vision by providing individualized, child-focused services in three main program areas:
We believe that children should grow up in the loving care of their families. That's why our first priority is always to strengthen and preserve struggling families, whenever possible. Through nutritional, financial, health, education and counseling services, we provide the tools and resources families need to grow stable and self-reliant — addressing the root causes of child abandonment, and creating a safe, supportive environment for children to grow and thrive.
Through our global network of on-the-ground experts and partnerships, we ensure that children who have been orphaned, abandoned or separated from their families receive the highest quality care while we work to reunite them with their families or unite them with a loving adoptive family. We do this through a holistic program of medical, nutritional, educational and psychosocial services tailored to fit their individual needs and carried out in a nurturing environment.
When adoption is the best option for a child, we first strive to find a domestic adoptive family in the country of the child's birth. When international adoption is the best route to a stable, loving family, our expert team of adoption professionals works across the U.S. to find the family best suited to care for each child's unique needs. And through pre- and post-adoption support and resources, we work to ensure lifelong success for both children and their families.
There are so many ways to advocate for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children. Join forces with us to make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families.


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Fuzz Foundation award deadline nears
The Fuzz Foundation for Dedicated Athletes, a nonprofit volunteer organization, was created in memory of Donald "Fuzzy" Andreozzi by his daughters Megan and Rachel Andreozzi. Their mission is to continue supporting Jamestown athletes whose dedication to their teams and respect for their peers and coaches make them worthy of Fuzzy's accolades.
The Fuzz Foundation for Dedicated Athletes was created as an embodiment of the support Donald "Fuzzy" Andreozzi had for local athletes. For over 30 years, Fuzzy supported youth groups and athletics as a mentor, coach, and fan. Fuzzy was a true role model for all athletes and always emphasized the importance of teamwork and dedication. What mattered to him was how athletes put their heart into what they did, win or lose.
The 2009 awards will be presented to two high school seniors from Jamestown, one male and one female, in recognition of their extraordinary team leadership and dedication to their sports. Each winner will be chosen by a selection committee, and will receive a $500 award to be used towards expenses during their first year of college. The winners will be presented with their awards during the summer at an upcoming event to be announced.
Applications must be postmarked no later than Tuesday, June 30. More information can be found at: www.thefuzzfoundationfordedicatedathletes. blogspot.com.


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Press Releases
Miller Statement on VA Reform Bill Becoming Law
Before President Obama signed the Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act of 2014 into law, Chairman Jeff Miller released the following statement:
"I am pleased President Obama has finally recognized what we have been telling administration officials for years: that VA's widespread and systemic lack of accountability is jeopardizing the health of veterans and contributing to all of the department's most pressing problems. I am unable to attend today's signing ceremony due to a pair of previously scheduled oversight trips, including a visit to the William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, with fellow House Committee on Veterans' Affairs member Rep. Beto O'Rourke. But I sincerely hope the president views this event as more than just a photo-op or speaking engagement. Instead, it should serve as a wakeup call. VA's problems festered because administration officials ignored or denied the department's challenges at every turn. In order to prevent history from repeating itself, President Obama must become personally involved in solving VA's many problems. A good place for him to start would be to meet with family members and veterans who have been struck by the VA scandal, order the department to cooperate with the congressional committees investigating VA and force DoD and VA to work together to establish a joint electronic health record integrated across all DoD and VA components." – Rep. Jeff Miller, Chairman, House Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Chairman Miller letter to President Obama
May, 21, 2013


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Our Congress at work: Unanimously unread billsEDITORIAL
October 21. 2017 6:39PM
A bill influenced by the pharmaceutical industry was passed unanimously by the U.S. Congress last year and signed into law by President Barack Obama.
With that overwhelming, bipartisan support, the bill certainly must have been an immensely popular and needed reform, yes?
Not exactly. In fact, some officials within the Drug Enforcement Agency were saying in 2016 and are still saying that the law harms their ability to go after companies that supply millions of opioids to drive-by, fast-buck pharmacies, doctors and others.
Their claim was prominently reported in a Washington Post-60 Minutes series last week. It has its doubters, who saw the new report's timing as an attempt to scuttle a Trump nomination, which it did. The congressman who co-sponsored the 2016 legislation withdrew his name to be national drug czar.
But the pluses and minuses of the bill aside, the discouraging part of this story is that the entire Congress, including New Hampshire's delegation, knew absolutely nothing about a bill involving an already raging opioid crisis.
U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, then-Sen. Kelly Ayotte, U.S. Rep. Ann Kuster, and then-Rep. Frank Guinta were on board with this. In a procedure called "unanimous consent," the bill was not subject to debate, roll call vote or even a casual read.
Remember when Democratic House boss Nancy Pelosi was ridiculed for saying of the original Obamacare bill that the House would just have to pass it and then read it?
Seems like the same was true of the DEA bill. Are our officials elected and paid to represent the people or the lobbyists, left and right, who go through the revolving door from government to private business and back?
To ask the question is to answer it.


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Tuesday, April 05, 2011
"The Caillebotte Brothers"
23 comments:
Who knew? I never heard of the Caillbotte brothers, but I'm glad that you showed them to me.ReplyDelete
A nice little history lesson.
I love that painting from the balcony - I've seen that one before, but never knew about the painter.
A great post, CG! Lovely to look at.
Your paintings are great, too! And the pastries.....
That sounds like it must have been a great exhibit, Carol! Thanks for taking us along. Love your delicate washes in these watercolors here. Beautiful!ReplyDelete
This is so amazing. Just last night my husband and I were discussing seeing Callibotte's works (in Paris herself and in Los Angeles for an exhibition on loan from Paris). and how gorgeous they were. How lucky we felt to see them in person.ReplyDelete
Now these photos today , its such a treat to see them!
Can't wait to show the mister.
Oh what a wonderful post today. I was lucky enough to see Gustave Caillebotte's paintings in person in LA several years ago, and To see the Big huge Paris Street, Rainy day painting. I was enthralled. Fun to see them here and to learn more about them.ReplyDelete
I must get to that museum I have wanted to go for awhile now and what a wonderful time you had. I loved the photograph of the family eating-mid slurp- as you put it! I am glad you had another productive and fun visit to your favorite place.ReplyDelete
what lovely paintings! i have seen 'Paris Street, Rainy Day' @ the Art Institute of Chicago...and so much more! it is incredible.ReplyDelete
I also saw a whole exhibit of Toulouse Lautrec in milwaukee a while back...rather depressing after an hour in "his world"
thanks for sharing your trip...on rainy days there are always museums!!even on sunny days!
Jennifer aka Gigi
Such a great exhibit!ReplyDelete
- Anonymous12:12 AM
I am very fortunate to live in Chicago and visit the Institute often. I love love love the Rainy Day painting. It's just tremendous, and the Art Institute treats it like a masterpiece, which it is. I also love in the Musee D'Orsay The Floor Planers paintings--really incredible. the Caillebotte brothers have been an interest for years. I wish I were in Paris to see this exhibit.ReplyDelete
Funny! I was just trying to decide whether I could fit this into my two full days in Paris at the end of the month (the rest of the two weeks will be spent with a friend in Amsterdam/Leiden and with my friend who lives near Blois). Your post has pretty much made the decision for me. So, April 28: Musée du quai Branly for "L'Orient des femmes vu par Christian Lecroix"; April 29: Caillebotte. Merci bien!ReplyDelete
Even the French 'slurp' Marie!!ReplyDelete
Who knew?
Now it's recorded on film for posterity.
Wow, those are absolutely lovely! I really like the photograph of the little girl licking the jam pot (I know that I did similar things with cake batter bowls as a little girl) and the glass covers in the dark room in the Déjeuner painting.ReplyDelete
Also, your champagne glasses are amazing! I love the pink!
Carol, I just LOVE your paintings of the pink Champagne, rose macaron and the green boxes. Such CLASS! I'd forgotten about the Caillbotte exhibition. Must get there during the hols with the kids next wk. I hope the famous painting of the rowers are also there.ReplyDelete
Beautiful, Carol!
Love the pictures, but your painting is ADORABLE!!!ReplyDelete
And it is incredible that the picture that you take from the museum it looks so similar to the paintings, that's what I love about Paris, the people still dress nicely and enjoy talking long walks with elegance!!!
Thanks for sharing!!!
Yes , there is a clear link between some of the paintings and some of the photos. However, it seems that it was rather Martial who got inspired by Gustave's paintings than the other way round. Obiviously anyhow, they really worked together.ReplyDelete
(Hapyy to see that you managed to get some champagne and nice desserts into your post! I made a slightly different post on the same event; a really nice exhibition!)


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Food, water and energy systems are inextricably linked, and as recent events like droughts, oil spills and increasing food prices make clear, the United States can no longer view these systems in isolation. Our new paper, Food, Water and Energy: Know the Nexus, explains that when the food, water and energy nexus becomes unbalanced, there are clear consequences for public health, our economy and the environment (See our Press Release from January 14, 2013). The paper describes how and where these systems intersect, how they rely upon each other to function and how they can have a significant impact on each other.
For example:
- Nearly half of all water withdrawals – both freshwater and ocean water – in the US are used for cooling at thermoelectric power plants.
- Water-related energy use in California consumes approximately 20 percent of the state's electricity.
- 25 percent of all freshwater consumed in the US is associated with discarded food; about as much as the volume of Lake Erie.
- In 2010 nearly 40 percent of US corn was converted into ethanol.
"Know the Nexus" provides three case studies that illustrate these interdependencies:
- Food Waste in the US: Discarding food means squandering the water and energy required to grow crops and raise livestock.
- Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta: The competing demands for food, water and energy are growing, and the complex mix of agencies and regulations that govern them need to be better coordinated.
- Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant: The current energy system is overly dependent upon water resources and vulnerable to extreme weather shifts and climate change.
While the paper provides examples of individuals, businesses and local governments already benefiting from a "nexus approach," the US government has largely ignored the nexus, as indicated by legislation and policies that rarely account for interconnections in any combination among food, water or energy. In areas such as hydraulic fracturing, the farm bill G and energy subsidies, it is clear that the nation is not effectively monitoring the condition or coordinating the management of food, water and energy systems.
"Know the Nexus" urges individuals, businesses and government to take a nexus approach, which requires a strong understanding of the relationships among these three systems. As the paper concludes, the US needs policies that address the complexity of the nexus at all levels of government, factoring in unique regional characteristics in order to ensure food, water and energy security for an ever-growing population.
See our Press Release from January 14, 2013.


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Each year, in early spring, Institute scientists throw open the doors and invite everyone (schoolchildren, families, the general public) to come see, interact, touch, and experience the wonder of our state's diverse natural and cultural resources and cutting edge sustainable technologies.
Please come join us and experience approximately fifty exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities of interest to the public, teachers, and students of all levels. Interact with scientists who work on cutting-edge research and solutions to water, energy, ecosystem, mineral resource, natural hazards, climate, cultural resource, and technology issues.


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|Print Page Close Window
|Charter Announces Second Quarter 2014 Results
Key highlights:
"Our strategic initiatives to reposition Charter in the marketplace are gaining momentum and having their intended impact, attracting customers and driving faster revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth," said
1 All customer data and results, unless otherwise noted, are pro forma for the
2 Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are defined in the "Use of Non-GAAP Financial Metrics" section and are reconciled to net loss and net cash flows from operating activities, respectively, in the addendum of this news release.
During the second quarter of 2014, Charter's residential customer relationship and PSU growth improved year-over-year. Residential customer relationships grew by 27,000, up from 2,000 in the second quarter of 2013, with triple play sell-in improving year-over-year, to 58% of total residential video sales. Commercial customer relationships grew by 6,000 in the second quarter of 2014, compared to a gain of 7,000 customers in the prior-year period.
Residential PSUs increased by 55,000 versus 28,000 in the year-ago quarter, while commercial PSUs increased 19,000 during the second quarter versus a gain of 18,000 in the year-ago quarter.
As of the end of the second quarter of 2014, Charter had completed 60% of its all-digital initiative. All-digital allows Charter to offer more advanced products and services, and provides residential customers with two-way digital set-tops, which offer higher picture quality, an interactive programming guide and video on demand on all TV outlets in the home. Charter expects to complete its all-digital initiative by year-end 2014.
During the second quarter, Charter continued to introduce its new product suite, Charter Spectrum, in markets that were recently converted to all-digital, including
Residential video customers decreased by 29,000 in the second quarter of 2014, versus a loss of 55,000 in the year-ago period. The improvement in video customer performance was driven by Charter's increasingly competitive video product, including more HD channels and video on demand offerings, attractive packaging of advanced services, improved selling methods, and enhanced service quality.
Charter added 49,000 residential Internet customers in the second quarter of 2014, compared to 38,000 a year ago. As of June 30, 2014, over 80% of Charter's residential Internet customers subscribed to tiers that provided speeds of 30 Mbps or more. The Company continues to see strong demand for its Internet service as consumers value the speed and reliability of Charter's Internet offering.
During the second quarter, the Company added 35,000 residential voice customers, versus a gain of 45,000 during the second quarter of 2013, reflecting continued triple play sell-in.
First quarter residential revenue per customer relationship totaled
Second quarter 2014 revenues rose to
Video revenues totaled
Internet revenues grew 15.2% on a pro forma basis compared to the year-ago quarter to
Voice revenues totaled
Commercial revenues rose to
Second quarter advertising sales revenues of
Operating Costs and Expenses
Second quarter total operating costs and expenses increased 7.0% on a pro forma basis compared to the year-ago period, reflecting increases in programming costs, costs to service customers, and other expenses. Second quarter total operating costs include
Second quarter programming expense increased by
Adjusted EBITDA
Second quarter Adjusted EBITDA of
Net Loss
Net loss totaled
Capital Expenditures
Property, plant and equipment expenditures were
Excluding 2014 potential expenditures specifically related to the transactions announced with
Cash Flow
During the second quarter of 2014, net cash flows from operating activities totaled
Free cash flow for the second quarter of 2014 was
Total principal amount of debt was approximately
Conference Call
Charter will host a conference call on Thursday, July 31, 2014 at
The conference call will be webcast live via the Company's investor relations website at ir.charter.com. The call will be archived under the "Financial Information" section two hours after completion of the call. Participants should go to the webcast link no later than 10 minutes prior to the start time to register.
Those participating via telephone should dial 866-919-0894 no later than 10 minutes prior to the call. International participants should dial 706-679-9379. The conference ID code for the call is 65807322.
A replay of the call will be available at 855-859-2056 or 404-537-3406 beginning two hours after the completion of the call through the end of business on
Additional Information Available on Website
The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in the Company's Form 10-Q for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 available on the "Financial Information" section of our investor relations website at ir.charter.com. A slide presentation to accompany the conference call and a trending schedule containing historical customer and financial data can also be found in the "Financial Information" section.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Metrics
The Company uses certain measures that are not defined by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") to evaluate various aspects of its business. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net loss or cash flows from operating activities reported in accordance with GAAP. These terms, as defined by Charter, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA is reconciled to net loss and free cash flow is reconciled to net cash flows from operating activities in the addendum of this news release.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net loss plus net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock compensation expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, (gain) loss on derivative instruments, net and other operating expenses, such as special charges and (gain) loss on sale or retirement of assets. As such, it eliminates the significant non-cash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital-intensive nature of the Company's businesses as well as other non-cash or special items, and is unaffected by the Company's capital structure or investment activities. However, this measure is limited in that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues and the cash cost of financing. These costs are evaluated through other financial measures.
Free cash flow is defined as net cash flows from operating activities, less purchases of property, plant and equipment and changes in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures.
Management and the Company's board of directors use Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow to assess Charter's performance and its ability to service its debt, fund operations and make additional investments with internally generated funds. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA generally correlates to the leverage ratio calculation under the Company's credit facilities or outstanding notes to determine compliance with the covenants contained in the credit facilities and notes (all such documents have been previously filed with the
In addition to the actual results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 and 2013, we have provided pro forma results in this release for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013. We believe these pro forma results facilitate meaningful analysis of the results of operations. Pro forma results in this release reflect certain acquisitions of cable systems in 2013 as if they occurred as of
About Charter
This communication includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, without limitation, the factors described under "Risk Factors" from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this presentation may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "should", "planned", "will", "may", "intend", "estimated", "aim", "on track", "target", "opportunity", "tentative", "positioning", "designed", "create", "predict", "project", "seek", "would", "could", "potential", "continue", "ongoing", "upside", "increases" and "potential", among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this presentation are set forth in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the
Risks Related to
Risks Related to Business
All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We are under no duty or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this release.


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400+ successful ecommerce sites
Vaimo is positioned as one of the top Magento solution partners. We have developed and launched more than 400, both B2C and B2B eCommerce sites on the Magento eCommerce platform since 2008. Below you can find some of our best work for inspiration.
If you want to find out why several of the well-known global and local brands have chosen Vaimo as their eCommerce solution provider, then visit our 'Why Vaimo?' page.
If you want know why several of the well-known global and local brands, who are Vaimo's clients, have chosen Magento as their eCommerce platform, then visit our 'Why Magento?' page.


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Police Check Possible Wyoming Link to Missing Girl
WESTMINSTER, Colo. (AP) - Authorities investigating the disappearance of a 10-year-old Colorado girl are looking into whether it could be linked to the abduction of a girl in Wyoming.
Police in the Denver suburb of Westminster say they're aware of the case in Cody, Wyo., and were working with investigators there on Wednesday.
A man lured an 11-year-old Cody girl into a sport utility vehicle on Monday saying he needed help finding his dog. She was released about four hours later and found by hunters.
Jessica Ridgeway of Westminster has been missing since Friday, when she left home to meet friends at a park for the walk to school. The fifth-grader never turned up at school.
Two days later, her backpack was found on a sidewalk in a neighborhood about six miles away.
Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. Material may not be redistributed.


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Please Take a Seat Gala
Patrons of the Twenty-Five Club of Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC were invited to "Please Take a Seat" for neonatology. The gala, featuring cocktails, dinner, and live entertainment, was highlighted by the silent and live auctions of uniquely decorated chairs. Live auctioneer Jim Roddey encouraged the 270 guests to bid on the decorative seating, signed by Pittsburgh sports heroes — including the 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl XL team, Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, and Arnold Palmer — and painted by prominent local artists. The event was a victory for the club, bringing their total funds raised to $1 million, a figure that will be generously matched by Magee-Womens Hospital.Read More
Photography by David Bachman.
Photography by David Bachman.


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I recently received a letter from my young friend, Guadalupe. I first met her only a couple of months after she was conceived. Her mom Helene was in the waiting room of an abortion mill in Orlando, Florida, and Guadalupe was about to become one of the 4000 children who are put to death each day in America by abortion.
This was Helene's third child, and though she did not want an abortion, her boyfriend and her friends told her she could not keep the baby. (This is par for the course for how "freedom of choice" is exercised in regard to abortion.) When she walked into the abortion mill on November 12, 1994, the sidewalk counselors approached her, but she was not persuaded.
She describes, however, what happened while sitting in the waiting room. "Suddenly, I felt like I had to look out the window. I thought about the offer of help that the pro-lifers were making. I saw the priest out there, too, and it made me think. I finally asked myself, 'What am I doing in here? I have to get out!' I came out and went over to the pro-lifers
and accepted their offer of help. I felt so sorry for having even gone inside!"
Helene said that once she came out, sidewalk counselor Caroline Routson was like an angel, helping her get the assistance she needed. Helene and I talked and I told her that the main thing to think about now was how to be a good mother.
On August 6, 1995, I baptized baby Guadalupe before a full Sunday Mass congregation. Rev. Ed Martin of Rescue America, who was also present at the abortion mill, said, "It's important to emphasize why Helene came out of the abortion mill. It was because someone was there to help."
Thank God, these "saves" happen continuously. But we usually don't get letters from those who were saved. Guadalupe wrote this one, however, so that she could thank us all.
Dear Fr. Frank and Priests for Life:
I wanted to say thank you for all you have done. Because of Fr. Frank and Priest for Life for coming to Florida, they were able to save my Mom's life and mine. I feel that I'm glad you were there, because if you were not there I probably would have been aborted. Now I'm here in Poinciana living great and I wanted to say thank you! And that's why I wanted to add we need more priests out in every abortion clinic and on Television. Also we need more priests in action, and ready to save babies at an abortion clinic. So if you get up and do something about these women who don't want to do this but thinks she does. There are millions of babies killed by abortions. We should do some thing about abortions!
Guadalupe Aurora Lovera