text stringlengths 59 1.12k |
|---|
one of the strands that hold society together. My dislike of the email ‘cc’ option comes from this viewpoint. Before explaining, here’s a bit of the history. The abbreviation ‘cc’ stands for carbon copy (of course you already knew that). |
It comes from a process developed about 1806 aimed at assisting blind people to read. You can find out more in this article, The Exciting History of Carbon Paper! The expression ‘carbon copy’ came about as ‘carbon paper’ was used |
to produce duplicate copies. The widespread use of carbon copies appears to have taken off from the 1870′s. This was linked to the use of typewriters and the desire to have duplicates of important documents such as; receipts, invoices, money |
orders, financial records or legal documents. The significant point here is that these were ‘important documents’. It took effort to produce these exact copies that were used for very specific purposes. The introduction of other methods of copying documents from |
the 1950s (photocopiers etc) led to the inevitable decline of ‘carbon paper’ methods, so why does the term and practice still exist? Here is an interesting suggestion from this Mental Floss article that, “perhaps in deference to a technology they |
replaced, most e-mail programs allow the author to send a carbon copy, or cc, to a secondary recipient.” This raises an interesting question. The process of sending an email ‘cc’ is instant and virtually effortless. There is little of the |
thinking process, physical activity or time delay that would have been required to produce a typewritten carbon copy. Is the email ‘cc’ option an example of technology solving one problem while creating another, the undermining of trust? Let me try |
and explain in terms the bad email ‘cc’ behaviours I think undermine trust. I mentioned in this previous post about email overload. Please note that these observations focus upon world of internal, colleague to colleague emails which seem to burden |
most large organisations (check out this Infographic for details). Bad ‘cc’ Behaviours that Undermine Trust: - Look how busy I am. Someone who copies everyone into low value or pointless emails, usually outside of office hours, or while on holidays. |
- Look how clever I am. This involves pointing out flaws or problems, and letting everyone know via ‘cc’. These can range from spelling or grammar errors or something more significant. - I’m Just Covering My Back. By using the |
‘cc’ option, with as many recipients as possible, some people think they have reduced a risk. More like ‘reduced the risk to themselves’ by trying to spread responsibility. - Your Boss Needs to Know You Have Messed Up. A bit |
like ‘look at how clever I am’, with a sinister twist. The recipient might (hopefully) get punished as a result, or at the minimum look bad in front of their boss. - I Don’t Trust You To Do Your Job. |
I am going to ‘cc’ your superiors to make sure you do what I’m telling you. This is coercion and threats in any other language, but sadly seems to be almost acceptable through email. All of these behaviours amount to |
an attack upon trust between people. The ‘cc’ option is a very easy way of eroding trust at the touch of a button. It’s a vicious circle. Start by sending that ‘cc’ to show everyone how hard you are working |
over weekend and before long it will be ‘cc’s colleague’s superiors to intimidate them into doing what you want. Where does that leave trust between colleagues, teams, organisations and society itself? It’s not just me who doesn’t like misuse of |
received an email……. So, what’s the PONT? - Sometimes technology can create as many problems as it solves. Carbon Copies are a 19th Century idea that has become enabled by 21st Century technology. - Behaviour is key. Emails cc’s don’t |
- Before You Start | Quick Guide Before you try to use Rocrail to control your layout, you must understand some basic principles and make sure your layout is ready for Digital Control. The purpose of Rocrail is to control a model railroad layout manually and/or automatically. Read this first: Track plan golden rules The track plan in Rocrail should |
be a logical extract of the real layout and not a copy of it; Rocrail is not a track-planning program. Extracting a model railroad layout is not done in a few minutes, but should be planned with sketches on paper to get the big picture before defining it in Rocrail. Also investigating in internet looking for CTC's could be of |
help to get an idea on how a real railroad is extracted for controlling purpose. Take notice that every object in the track plan will use resources from the underlying Operating System. Avoid adding objects without any functionality for controlling the layout for optimal performance. You cannot just connect a traditional analog layout to a computer. If you have an |
analog layout you will first have to convert it to digital operation before you can use Rocrail to control it. This is usually more time and expense than simply building a new layout. With an analog layout, all devices (locomotives, turnouts, signals, etc.) are powered by raw voltage. Nothing happens until you change the transformer knobs or press the buttons |
that are connected to your layout. Turning the transformer knob puts power on the track, and so the locomotives start moving. Pressing a button on a switch box sends power to a turnout, and so it switches from one position to another. This means that when the layout is doing nothing, there is no power flowing to the rails. With |
a digital layout, each device has a computer chip in between the rail power and the actual device. Voltage is always at a maximum, because it is used to send information to the chips as well as power any devices. Devices get their power through the chip, and the chip turns the power on and off when it receives a |
command. This means that when the layout is doing nothing, the power is still flowing at maximum to the rails. Even if no locomotives are moving or turnouts are being switched, the rails are at full power. An Analog Layout has simple transformers that supply the power, usually with a controller knob built in to let you vary the voltage. |
It also uses simple switches to send the power to stationary devices like switches and signals. A Digital Layout needs a Central Station (CS) to create the complex commands sent to the chips in the layout. It needs a Booster and a Transformer to combine the commands with power for the track. A Digital Layout requires at least one connection |
from a Central Station (CS) to your track. The CS uses this connection to send commands to the layout. Rocrail needs a connection from your computer to your CS, so that Rocrail can control the layout through your CS. Finally, an optional feedback connection is required from the track to your CS to tell your CS where your trains are, |
if you want to have automatic operation of your trains. There are various combinations of these connections, and each layout is slightly different. For example, some layouts connect the feedback portion directly to the computer, because the CS is not capable of understanding the information coming back from the layout. |
I found this cool video which explains and provides an overview of translation, using machine translation to do so. Here is a more detailed explanation, written by the video producers: A short piece that I put together with Scott Scharf and Scott Jaegar for Jay Yim’s “content” class at Northwestern. |
The text comes from the wikipedia definition of translation. This text is spoken by the AT&T speech synthesizer and then “translated” by some of the electronic translators available on the web. Translation was originally presented in quadraphonic surround sound with each of the four “voices” in its own audio speaker |
The native Red Squirrel of the UK has had a tough time. Not only has it been pushed northwards and in to isolated pockets since the introduction in 1876 of its more aggressive grey relative from the USA, but these invaders have also helped spread the deadly Squirrel Pox Virus with tragic results. The introduction of the grey squirrel in |
to the UK was not one of the smartest moves by our predecessors. As with many introductions of 'alien' species the effects on the native fauna and flora can be devastating. There are many such examples of such harmful animal and plant introductions from different countries around the planet. Close to where I live there is a small colony of |
Red Squirrels that inhabit the pine woods at the back of the sand dunes on the coast at Formby. This is a well known site where it has always been easy for the visitor to have a close encounter with the squirrels. I believe the red squirrels were actually introduced there many years ago where they flourished until 2008 when |
the dreaded Squirrel Pox Virus struck and virtually wiped out the population. The National Trust that manages the site have been working tirelessly ever since the outbreak and their efforts have been rewarded with eradication of the virus and the numbers of red squirrels bouncing back. The crash in the population is one of the reasons why I have not |
visited the site in such a long time. However, with numbers of squirrels returning I thought I was due a revisit, especially as looking through my library I don't appear to have that many photographs of them. I think on my previous visits, which will be back around 2006 when I first started photography, I tended to be sidetracked by |
a fox that commonly visited or various woodland birds. The site has changed a little since my last visit with noticeably lower numbers of slightly more wary squirrels and the construction of a number of feeding platforms on a number of trees around the woodland. I had to wait quite a long time for some squirrels to appear in front |
of me and my patient waiting, whilst sat leaning against a tree trunk, was eventually rewarded. One thing I particularly noticed was the high number of squirrels that were quite dark in colouration which is more typical of the red squirrels that you see in continental Europe. Given that this population was, I believe, originally introduced from squirrels brought in |
from Europe it may be some of these dark fur genes are now being expressed as the population recovers from a limited number of breeding adults. It was great to the red squirrels doing so well after their numbers were so severely impacted by the pox. Red squirrels are very endearing animals and it always good to watching scampering across |
branches and around tree trunks and basically going about their daily 'squirrely' business. I enjoyed my brief session there in late November last year, as they are great fun to photograph and intend to hopefully return in the near future so that I can add to my collection of images. |
Movement Disorders More than 30 different diseases, affecting almost 40 million Americans, are identified as neurological movement disorders. These disorders, which include Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, myokymia, and restless leg syndrome, range from mild to severe, are usually chronic, sometimes |
progressive, and seldom curable. Although many movement disorders are not life threatening, they can significantly impair patients' ability to function well and independently. Depression and other mental problems are often associated with movement disorders. Doctors On Call: Movement Disorders At |
WVU, patients with movement disorders receive treatment aimed at improving quality of life. Our neurologists who specialize in movement disorders work together with experts from all related fields including neurosurgery, neuropsychology, neuropsychiatry, physical and occupational therapy, and otolaryngology to help |
patients regain optimal motor control of their bodies. WVU neurologists perform the initial assessment of patients who present with difficulties related to muscle movement, and, in some cases, may be the only specialists that patients need to see. When surgical |
intervention is indicated, patients are referred to WVU's staff of skilled neurosurgeons, who work closely with our neurologists to develop appropriate treatment plans. Most patients can find significant relief with modern treatments, including medications, surgery, injections, physical therapy, and implantable |
devices. Movement disorders originate deep in the brain. They affect both children and adults. The symptoms vary widely, making diagnosis sometimes difficult. Causes are often unknown but may include genetic and environmental factors, injury to the brain such as stroke, |
Patching Your Computers Last Updated: Fri, 22 Apr 2011 > Related Articles Learn how and why to patch your computers. Software is always being updated, so patching your computer on a regular basis has become standard practice for IT managers. |
New patches fix flaws, performance or security holes in software. It is important to check your software manufacturer's web site every week for new updates. Note: Do not forget to check for firmware updates that apply to your hardware firewalls, |
routers, etc. There are a couple of things to remember when patching your software or hardware: - Setup a test lab. Create a lab that is separate from your production network. This could be as few as 2 machines or |
as many as 10. Test the new patches on these computers. This method will avoid downtime for your production machines if there is a conflict with other software on the computer. - Check your software vendor’s website for any conflicts |
that have been discovered during testing. When a patch is released by an operating system maker, they usually have tested the new ‘fix’ with many software vendors in advance. Any conflicts that were discovered should be posted on their web |
site. - All operating systems and software have flaws. The myth is that only Windows has security flaws. This is untrue. All software has the potential to have security flaws and many patches have been released for the Apple OS, |
Red Hat OS, etc. If you run an operating system other than Windows, you should check at regular intervals for new patches or fixes. - Create a central distribution for patches. Using a centralized distribution center for new patches can |
make patching your network easier then physically updating each machine. - Patch at night. You do not want to disrupt the daily work with downtime due to a new patch. Apply new ones at night when everyone has gone home |
unless waiting until after-hours possesses a huge risk to your network. - Formulate a back out plan. Make sure all critical files have been backed up before you proceed with new updates and have a plan to restore or ‘roll-back’ |
Significant loss of original wooded savanna habitats has occurred in this ecoregion, but large blocks of relatively intact habitat remain even outside protected areas. Threats include seasonal shifting cultivation, over-grazing by livestock, logging , burning for charcoal, uncontrolled wild fires |
, trophy hunting and climatic desiccation. Hunting has depleted populations of large mammals. For example, rhinos once thrived here, but have disappeared due to poaching. WWF’s aim in Central and Southern Africa is the conservation of species through working with |
local stakeholders to preserve natural resources and biodiversity. One ongoing project focuses on the Northern Sudanian Savanna network of protected areas. The project aims to ensure the use of natural resources is sustainable and of benefit to the local community. |
Chapel of St. Helen, Church of The Holy Sepulchre - - Jerusalem Chapel of St. Helena, is owned by the Armenians and known to them as the Chapel of St. |
Gregory. On the stairway walls are many small crosses carved by medieval pilgrims. The chapel has three aisles and two apses: the north apse is dedicated to the penitent thief; |
the south apse to St. Helena, mother of Constantine. A seat in the southeast corner of the chapel is said to have been occupied by Helena as she searched for |
the True Cross, a story first mentioned around 351. Modern civilization began right here in the Tigris-Euphrates river valley. Also known as the Fertile Crescent or Mesopotamia, this is the |
place where, six thousand years ago, agriculture, writing and mathematics were brought into widespread use. The term "Middle East" comes from the British navy, which used it to describe the |
countries on the trade route from Europe to India and China. Everything from Afghanistan to Morocco may possibly be classified as "middle eastern", depending on whom you ask -- and |
when. Only a partial list of past Empires in the middle eastern territory includes Sumeria, Babylonia, Persia, the Ottoman Empire and the Roman Empire! When northern Europe was still lurking |
about in slimy cold stone castles playing chess, the Middle East was enjoying the flowers of poetry, luxurious craftsmanship, music and literature. In fact, the Renaissance in Europe was partly |
inspired by stories brought back from the middle east by travelers along the trade route. Strategic location, religious history and the world's largest supply of crude oil have kept the |
A quick way to estimate the sum of two numbers is to round each number and then add the rounded numbers. This probably won't be the exact answer but it |
may be close enough for some purposes. How to Estimate a sum by rounding. - Round each term that will be added - Add the rounded numbers Some uses of |
Flies taste bitter-sweet, just like us A fly's sense of taste might be much like ours, with the difference that the insect perceives bitter tastes much more accurately, genetic research suggests. A study of the drosophila fruit fly's labial palps, the fly's main taste organ, has revealed that the organ's specialised cells respond to sweet and bitter taste much like the human tongue. "A |
remarkable convergence of anatomical as well as molecular features of gustatory [taste] systems between mammals and insects appear to emerge from our studies," the researchers wrote. In mammals taste receptors, the protein switches that trigger nerve cells to send signals to the brain in response to food or other chemicals, are limited to the tongue. But in flies they are mounted on bristles found |
all over the body, including the legs and wings. The drosophila genome was sequenced in early 2000 to reveal genes for 68 taste receptors. Many of these genes are expressed in the labial palps, mouthparts, legs and wings, in agreement with their proposed role as taste receptors. Amrein and colleagues mapped the location of eight taste receptors in the labial palps and found their |
genes fell into two distinct groups. In one group were seven genes that coded for gustatory receptors involved in tasting bitter compounds. The other group had one gene, Gr5a, which coded for a receptor for the sugar trehalose, a metabolic component of yeast and thus a major food component of drosophila. "Discrimination between two taste modalities, sweet and bitter, requires specific sets of gustatory |
receptor neurones that express different gustatory receptors genes," the researchers concluded. A range of taste sensations Amrein's team also found that the seven bitter receptors were not all alike, but featured distinct combination of taste receptors. This suggested that flies have a unique ability to pick among unpalatable compounds and to eat food less likely to harm them. The discovery could lead to the |
development of repellents for human and agricultural uses, Amrein said. Indeed, the drosophila fruit fly, like many other insects, prefers food that include sugars and amino acids, but avoids feeding on bitter foods. A genetic study of the drosophila's taste receptors published in the current issue of the journal Cell supports and extends Amrein's findings. Assistant Professor Kristin Scott, a neuroscientist from the University |
of California, Berkeley, noted that flies, like mammals, probably also have receptors for sour and salty tasts. "Our studies prove there is a map of taste location and taste category in the fly brain," she said. |
AUSTRALIA'S ENVIRONMENTAL INTERESTS Australia attaches high priority to the protection, conservation and ecologically sustainable use of the environment. In international environment negotiations Australia pursues outcomes that advance its environmental and trade interests in a mutually reinforcing way. During 2009, Australia continued to play a leading role in promoting global action |
to address the adverse effects of climate change in a range of international and regional forums, including the UN, G8, G20, APEC and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). In negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Government called on all major emitters to commit to |
mitigation action in a post-Kyoto global agreement. Australia also continued to pursue action on climate change through bilateral partnerships. As part of Australia’s International Forest Carbon Initiative, the Government provided significant assistance to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Australia is a global |
leader in whale conservation and is an active member of the International Whaling Commission (IWC). Australia has been firm in advocating reform of the IWC into a modern, conservation-focused organisation and an end to so-called ‘scientific’ whaling. At the 61st annual IWC meeting in 2009, Australia’s concept of conservation management |
plans for endangered whale species was adopted. The Australia-led non-lethal Southern Ocean Research Partnership was endorsed by many countries, and Australia obtained commitments for financial and in-kind support from the United States, France and Argentina. A report on whale watching prepared jointly by Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa |
was also widely welcomed, at the IWC meeting, entrenching whale watching as part of the normal business of the Commission. Discussions are ongoing on the future of the IWC. Australia is a member of both the Support Group and the Small Working Group, whose deliberations will assist the IWC Chair |
in preparing a submission which will ultimately be put before the full IWC membership for consideration at the next annual meeting. Marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction Australia is a recognised world leader in marine conservation and management, and is concerned about the impact of a range of fishing |
activities on vulnerable high seas ecosystems. In 2006, Australia successfully led major efforts in the UN General Assembly to achieve international agreement on the regulation of bottom fisheries so as to prevent significant adverse impacts on vulnerable marine ecosystems, including seamounts, hydrothermal vents and cold water corals, in areas beyond |
national jurisdiction. In May 2009, Australia reported to the United Nations the progress of its implementations on the agreed measures, both as a flag state through domestic legal requirements and in cooperation with other countries through regional fisheries management organisations (Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, South Indian Ocean Fisheries |
Agreement and the proposed South Pacific Regional Fisheries Management Organisation). Australia will continue to be actively engaged in further negotiations in the United Nations on efforts to enhance the protection of the world’s marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. Tsunami warning mechanisms The Indian Ocean tsunami of 26 December |
2004 had a devastating impact on a number of Australia’s neighbouring countries. Following the tsunami, Australia has played a leading role in establishing an Indian Ocean tsunami warning system and is continuing to develop a comprehensive national warning system. As part of the Indian Ocean system, Australia’s increased monitoring capacity |
off the west and north coast will provide vital regional coverage and early warning. Australia is also assisting to strengthen the Pacific Tsunami Warning System. The Government has signed Australian Tsunami Warning System Memorandums of Understanding with eight Pacific island countries. This page last updated 21 January 2013 |
THE NATIONAL GAME OF AFGHANIS Exclusively Afghan, Buzkashi as it is played today, reflects the boldness and fierce competitive spirit of the Afghan people. The origins of the game, however, are obscure. What is certain is that the great equestrian tradition out of which Buzkashi developed and without which it should fade, goes back as far as the time of |
Alexander the Great. Expert horsemen, the nomads of northern Afghanistan fought Alexander's triumphant army to a standstill. When the ancient Greeks first saw these formidable and accomplished horsemen of Central Asia, they believed the legend of the centaur (half horse, half man) had materialized. For any witness of modern Buzkashi, this reaction is easily understood. Before moving on to India, |
Alexander replenished his cavalry with this sturdy breed of horse. Many people associate Buzkashi with the infamous Genghis Khan. The Mongol horsemen were adept at advancing swiftly on enemy campsites and, without dismounting, swooping up sheep, goats, and other pillage at a full gallop. One theory is that in retaliation, the inhabitants of northern Afghanistan established a mounted defence against |
the raids and this practice might be the direct forbearer of today's Buzkashi. As speculative as this story on the origins of Buzkashi might be, it seems a plausible re-enactment of the campaigns of the great Mongol and his Golden Horde in Asia Minor. THE CHAPANDAZ AND HIS HORSE: Buzkashi produces many of Afghanistan's sports heroes. "Chapandaz" (master players) are |
legendary figures. Joseph Kessel romanticized them to an international level in his novel, "The Horseman." However, Buzkashi demands the highest degree of horsemanship, courage, physical strength, and competitive spirit from its participants. Experience is vital, and many enthusiasts of the game maintain the better chapandaz must be at least forty years old. Aspiring neophytes begin playing Buzkashi as boys. Years |
of arduous practice are required before one can wear the vaunted Buzkashi cap. During a game these future chapandaz ride the fringes of the main action, observing all they can. Eventually, the most skilled will participate in the major contests, such as those played on the Daht-i-Shadian (Desert of Happiness) near Mazar-i-Sharif and in the Kunduz Stadium. But the Chapandaz |
is only half of Buzkashi. In fact, his mount is the more vital element. An Afghan saying that "better a poor rider on a good horse than a good rider on a poor horse" is heard at every Buzkashi contest. As it has for centuries, northern Afghanistan breeds horses of exceptional endurance and speed, both crucial to Buzkashi. Two types |
of breeds are used for today's game. One called Tartar comes primarily from the provinces of Baghlan, Kunduz, Samanga, Takhar, and Badakhaahan. Small, but very swift and sturdy, these are the horses that so impressed Alexander the Great. Marco Polo, one of the first "tourists" to visit Central Asia, had nothing but praise for the horses of this area. The |
second breed of horse used for Buzkashi is Habash, the great stallion of the Turkistan plains. This vast expanse of arid steppes and low foothills, stretching from Mazar-i-Sharif to Maimana, nurtures this breed. In the spring, large herds of these horses can be seen roaming freely over the grass-covered slopes of northern Afghanistan. In addition to these two breeds, there |
are the Borta, Waziri, Arabi, and the Tazi types, some of which find themselves a place in the games of Buzkashi. The Waziri horses are most often used for Tent Pegging. Horses are also classified for the purpose of Buzkashi from the stand point of colour. There are nine types of colours commonly referred to by "Chapandaz" and Sayez (trainer). |
These are: Jerand (red), Toroq (dark red), Mushki (black), Kahar (yellowish), Gul Badam (dotted), Ablaq (Mixed) and Kabood (gray). But not every horse enters Buzkashi a novice. Several years of patient instruction are needed to prepare a mount for the big matches, and only stallions are used. A "Chapandaz" or "mehtar" or "Sayez" (trainer) teaches a prospective horse never to |
trample a fallen rider and to swerve away from collisions without a gesture from their rider. To enable the chapandaz to pick the calf from the ground, the best Buzkashi horses will push and ram their opponents, forcing their way into the middle of the fray around the starting circle. But when a rider makes the perilous reach down to |
grab the calf, his horse will stand perfectly still, waiting for the real action to begin. Buzkashi is traditionally played during the winter and early spring. During the late spring and summer, when the weather is too hot for play, the horses are allowed to graze quietly. Their diet consists of barley twice a day, melons in season, and occasionally |
a meal of barley enriched with raw eggs and butter. A family will sometimes spend half of its savings to purchases a Buzkashi horse. The wealthier often sponsor a team, providing salaries for the chapandaz and offering cash bonuses for goals scored in a match In addition, many chapandaz own their mounts. Good Buzkashi horses play for as long as |
twenty years. RULES OF BUZKASHI: The Afghan Olympic Federation has established official rules for Buzkashi. They are strictly observed, however, only for contests in Kabul. In the Northern provinces, Buzkashi is seldom played according to "official" rules. There is no limitation on the size or type of the field and as many as 500 riders may participate in one game. |
Subsets and Splits
No community queries yet
The top public SQL queries from the community will appear here once available.