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__label__wiki	0.701197	0.701197	Graphics and Design Software Lifestyle Software News Software Windows 10 search bar phones home to Microsoft, even with Bing disabled Disabling Bing in the Windows 10 taskbar apparently doesn't disable the Internet connection for desktop searches. By Jared Newman By searching from the Windows 10 taskbar, users are making a connection to Microsoft whether they want to or not. A report by Ars Technica found that even when users disable Cortana and Bing, taskbar searches still phone home to Microsoft and request a file from bing.com. The file apparently contains some Cortana information, and includes a random ID number that’s tied to the machine. When confronted with this information, Microsoft told Ars that it’s not receiving any query or search usage data. “As part of delivering Windows 10 as a service, updates may be delivered to provide ongoing new features to Bing search, such as new visual layouts, styles and search code,” the company said. Still, it’s unclear why Microsoft is providing those updates to users who’ve specifically asked to exclude Bing search from the taskbar, which can otherwise be used to find local files and apps. As Ars points out, it seems Microsoft is using these requests to download Live Tile information even if the user doesn’t have any tiles in the Start menu. And even when collection of telemetry data is disabled, some of the transmitted information appears to reference telemetry settings. Microsoft was also receiving some traffic whose purpose Ars couldn’t identify at all. In lieu of any clear explanation from Microsoft, or any way to disable these extra transmissions, users who are spooked by the prospect of more data collection will simply have to avoid using taskbar search. Fortunately, there are alternatives, such as Everything Search Engine. There’s also a free tool on Github that claims to disable some known methods of tracking in Windows 10, though we haven’t tested this ourselves. Why this matters: In recent years, Microsoft has tried to establish itself as a privacy leader that won’t cross the same creepiness lines as rival Google. It’s hard to say Windows 10 has advanced that goal, between the collection of typing data in the Technical Preview, the slightly unnerving Wi-Fi Sense feature, and the default collection of taskbar search data through Bing. The continued taskbar connection for people who disable Bing is a relatively minor offense, but it hardly instills trust at a time when Microsoft is trying to change the perception of Windows. Jared Newman covers personal technology from his remote Cincinnati outpost. He also publishes two newsletters, Advisorator for tech advice and Cord Cutter Weekly for help with ditching cable or satellite TV.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15273
__label__cc	0.726952	0.273048	Article: Asia Pacific HRM Congress Awards 2011 FRIDAY02SEP 2011 #Editor'sDesk Asia Pacific HRM Congress Awards 2011 The Asia Pacific HRM Congress Awards 2011 held on September 2, 2011 recognized and honored HR professionals and companies for their innovative and ground-breaking HR practices. The award category covered the entire HR spectrum from HR Leadership, Training & Development, Strategic Leadership, Institution Building, etc. The winners under all the categories included players across the industry verticals from both the public and the private sector. The Asia Pacific HRM Congress Awards 2011 held on September 2, 2011 recognized and honored HR professionals and companies for their innovative and ground-breaking HR practices. The award category covered the entire HR spectrum from HR Leadership, Training & Development, Strategic Leadership, Institution Building, etc. The winners under all the categories included players across the industry verticals from both the public and the private sector. While Nandita Gurjar, Senior VP & Group Head-HR, Infosys; Rita Verma, VP-Organization Development , Mudra Communications; Ajay Bhatt, Regional HR-Director, Abbott India; Jacob Jacob, Chief People Officer, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise; V M Kaul, Director-Personnel, Power Grid Corporation of India, amongst others were awarded with HR Leadership Award; Hari Menon, CEO, IndiaSkills was awarded the Training & Development Leadership Award. Pratik Roy, Chief Learning Officer, Group HR, Aditya Birla Management Corporation, was awarded the Chief Learning Officer of the Year; Sudakshina Bhattacharya, Head-HR, IL&FS Financial Services, was awarded the HR Professional of the Year while the 2nd Tarun Sheth Award for Innovative HR Leadership was given to Rajeev Dubey, President (HR, After-Market & Corporate Services) & Member of the Group Management Board, Mahindra & Mahindra. Likewise, amongst others Mudra Communications bagged the award for institution building and outstanding contribution to the cause of education. On the same lines, Aircel, Capegemini India, Punjab National Bank and others were awarded for their innovative HR practices. People Matters was awarded the best HR magazine at the event. Topics: #Editor'sDesk NEXT STORY: Editorial: The Times They Are A-Changin' Budget 2019: Top highlights you can’t afford to miss Navigating a new skills economy: Preparing for what's next Interim Budget 2019: Top highlights you can’t afford to miss Business mandates for HR Leaders in 2019	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15278
__label__cc	0.634494	0.365506	You are currently shopping in US dollars Continue Shopping Change region Classic Fit Duffle Coats Slim Fit Duffle Coats Monty Dogs Cart (0) Cart 0 Home ⁄ Classic Fit Duffle Coats Trends come and go, but the duffle coat has remained a winter wardrobe staple across the world. And for good reason – these coats keep you cosy in style. Here at Original Montgomery, our women’s Classic Fit duffle coats offer effortless style without compromising on comfort. Original Montgomery is one of the oldest duffle coat brands in the world, dating back to the 1890s when we made and supplied the very first duffle coats to the British Admiralty. We take pride in our rich history, which spans over a century of quality craftsmanship. The Classic Fit duffle coat is a timeless design, instantly identifiable by its fixed saddle shoulders and buffalo-horn toggle fastenings. 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__label__cc	0.734068	0.265932	Home > Open Source > Raymond: MS Makes it Hard to Be Treated Equally Raymond: MS Makes it Hard to Be Treated Equally Thom Holwerda 2007-09-02 Open Source 224 Comments Eric S. Raymond writes on his blog: “There’s been a lot of debate in the community about how OSI should properly handle Microsoft’s planned submission of some of its licenses for OSD certification. That debate has been been going on within OSI, too. OSI’s official position, from the beginning, which I helped formulate and have expressed to any number of reporters and analysts, is that OSI will treat any licenses submitted to Microsoft strictly on their merits, without fear or favor. That remains OSI’s position. But I find that my resolve is being sorely tested.” dylansmrjones I’ve been waiting for ESR to wake up. Nice to see it happening. Nah, he’s just softening up the ground so that the left side of the community doesn’t get furious when the OSI approves Microsoft’s licenses. This is politics. This is what politicians say when they’re about to vote against popular opinion. This is how they pander to the masses while siding with the few. It works really well. The OSI has to approve Microsoft’s licenses. Otherwise they wouldn’t be neutral, right? But hasn’t Microsoft lost the right to neutrality yet? Between years of anti-competitive behavior and their continued manipulation of oversight and standards organizations, you’d think they’d have worn out their welcome by now. They make unsubstantiated threats about patent infringement, scaring vendors and users into paying protection money, and they still deserve a neutral assessment and endorsement of their licenses? Man, are we suckers or what?! But two wrongs don’t make a right. The OSI can’t say that Microsoft’s licenses don’t comply with the OSD. That would be intellectually dishonest, and that’s not what we’re all about. We prefer to rise above the fray and take our lickings like a man, or at least like a brave little boy. No, what I’ve learned from politics is that you never allow a vote you know you can’t win. You never ask a question unless you already know the answer. You never accept the premise. You never accept the inevitable. Not if there’s any other option. It’s time to open up the old obstructionist playbook. Let’s stonewall the sons of bitches. Filibuster. Pocket veto. Executive privilege. Just don’t respond. When they ask about it, tell them these are complex issues, and we’re working on it. I’m sorry, it seems we can’t reach a consensus either way. No cloture. No up or down vote. It’s a procedural thing, bylaws and such. We’ve got a busy schedule, and we have to move on to more pressing issues. Thanks anyway! There. We come out with our dignity and most of our honesty. If the media wants to report that Microsoft was rejected, that’s fine. The OSI isn’t on the record saying anything about whether or not the licenses comply with the OSD. Microsoft can create their own standards body. That’s really what they want, isn’t it? Don’t get me wrong, when considered in a vacuum, these licenses are a sign of progress from Microsoft. But this is a little glimmer of progress amongst a massive display of sustained confrontationalism. If this was part of a general trend toward good behavior, then we should reward them. But it’s not. It really, really isn’t. “When they ask about it, tell them these are complex issues, and we’re working on it. I’m sorry, it seems we can’t reach a consensus either way. No cloture. No up or down vote. It’s a procedural thing, bylaws and such. We’ve got a busy schedule, and we have to move on to more pressing issues.” “Creative Inertia” – Sir Humphrey would be smiling marafaka Your score must have wrapped, it was 62 couple minutes ago backdoc I think you are a genius . SReilly Microsoft, in an attempt to preserve its Office monopoly, is making a determined effort to destroy that value. I don’t think I have ever heard a better argument against the standardization of OOXML. I’m glad Raymond is having second thoughts on OSI approving MS licenses. If they let MS paint itself friendly, they would be doing themselves more harm than good. I don’t really consider this as a matter of Eric having second thoughts. And I really don’t think that we can treat licenses differently based upon who presented them. Just the content, please. Just the facts, ma’am. I dislike Microsoft. It’s a secondary effect of them being in the way of what I have recognized, over the years, as superior solutions. But their licenses need to be given the same consideration as are any others which are presented. Raymond is still an arrogant ass. And I’ll tell you that whether I am agreeing or disagreeing with him. 😉 It was bound to happen one day, but I agree with you. I don’t care if Hannibal Lecter himself submitted the license – it ought not influence whether or not said license is approved by the OSI. Last time I checked, the OSI is not the Moral Police Corps. Just handle the license as it is presented to you, and disregard who submitted it. Let the moral judgement be done by users (developers, in this case). Thom, I’m pleased to be in agreement. But you are simply FUDing Hanible Lecter, and that is all there is to it. 😉 Seriously, though, I can’t believe that we FOSS advocates, who so often claim the moral high ground, even have to discuss the matter. Of course we need to treat each license that is offered in an objective fashion. If license proliferation is a concern, that concern needs to be applied equally to all licenses which are submitted. (I mention that since it seems to be a preferred rationalization for dismissing MS’s licenses.) Anyway. I don’t think that we actually disagree on all that much, Thom. We just make a bigger thing over it when we do. 😉 archiesteel Don’t get me wrong, I think from a strictly legal point of view, the OSI should look at the licenses purely on their own merit…but perhaps they should qualify them, i.e. “the license respects the letter of the OSD, however we must advise against using it considering the hostile nature of Microsoft against FOSS”, or something like that. I don’t know, I’m as conflicted as ESR is on this issue (and yes, I do believe he’s an arrogant SOB as well, but I agree with his sentiments here). MS undermining something as vital as the ISO should be of concern to everyone in the industry. ssa2204 “Don’t get me wrong, I think from a strictly legal point of view, the OSI should look at the licenses purely on their own merit…but perhaps they should qualify them, i.e. “the license respects the letter of the OSD, however we must advise against using it considering the hostile nature of Microsoft against FOSS” But by making this kind of statement, OSI no longer becomes an independent review board, but merely a PR agency for FOSS. Can you imagine what kind of media campaign to discredit OSS licenses could be used, and rightly so. The OSI’s job is to evaluate based on merit. They are not to make judgment’s based upon personal likes or dislikes of any company. In short, this should be evaluated just as if any OTHER company had submitted a proposal. Finally I would like to say something about license proliferation…so what. Since when did having more options and freedom of choice become a bad thing. Yes I am sure there is a line somewhere, but just not now. People should just have the freedom to chose the license they feel best works for them. They are not to make judgment’s based upon personal likes or dislikes of any company. It’s not a question of personal likes or dislikes, it’s about the dilemma of giving fair treatment to a company that clearly does not play fair. Again, I think the OSI should judge the licenses on their own merit, but at the same time I understand why ESR would feel conflicted. And while I don’t think the OSI should use license certification as a political tool, as an organism that promotes FOSS and open standards, it is legitimate for them to condemn Microsoft’s perversion of the ISO certification process. OSI may be independent, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t denounce those who would try to undermine FOSS. Finally I would like to say something about license proliferation…so what. ssa2004, The term “license proliferation” is a bit too generic. I should state, ahead of time, that I am a copyleft supporter. But I’m perfectly OK with permissive licenses, as well. So this is not a GPL vs BSD thing. (Isn’t it sad that I have to say that here?) License proliferation is a problem for more restrictive licenses. The more restrictive the license, the more of a problem such proliferation becomes. Permissive licenses play much better with each other. It’s an imperfect world we live in. I guess that’s a good thing, in a weird sort of way. 😉 Archie, I am now really getting concerned about this issue. Not because of what Microsoft is doing. But because of how we are responding. I would not have expected the response that I have seen. Microsoft has figured out our Achilles heel. I fear that “Divide and conquer” is the strategy that will work against our community. I spent months debating whether I should “hate” Novell regarding their patent deal. I finally decided, for what I considered to be good reasons, to become anti-Novell. But now, the very foundations of our community seem like they might be erroding under our feet. This is serious. Our original principles got us to where we are today. We need to stick to them. Even when they are inconvenient. And yes, the manipulation of ISO makes me nauseous. Actually, we’re not all that divided. I do agree that the OSI should judge the licenses based on their merit (and this is the third time I’ve stated it in this thread). On the other hand, I clearly understand why ESR is conflicted about it. As he says, his resolve is being tested, but he hasn’t given in to MS’ provocation. I hope he remains true to his original philosophy (i.e. not to let politics affect how a license is judged). However, that doesn’t mean that MS shouldn’t be decried for what it’s doing. That’s why an “approval with comments” could be considered, or at least a statement by the OSI released once the licenses are approved (if they are approved, that is). MS’ underhanded tactics here should not go unchallenged in the court of public opinion (nor in real courts, though it does seem that they haven’t done anything illegal – yet). The FOSS world needs to step up its campaign against OOXML, and bring pressure upon MS to stop perverting the ISO certification process. Actually, we’re not all that divided. We’re more divided than I expected to see. That’s scary enough. I’ve posted before that sometimes a defeat can be a victory in disguise. That when you make your opponent do something that they don’t want to do, you’ve actually achieved a victory, even if it is not as big a victory as we might have wanted. That works both ways. If we are forced to do something that we don’t want to do… maybe our “victory” could end up being their real one. Please understand that I am not necessarily disagreeing with your position. I’m just… uneasy. We’re a different kind of competitor than MS has faced before. But we are not invulnerable. History is replete with competitors who thought they were different, and that MS would not figure out a way to kill them. Yes, I understand your point, and I agree. That’s why I think this situation is really a wake-up call for the FOSS world to increase its denounciation of MS and the OOXML farce. The fact is, you lose some and you win some. Fortunately, it’s not just FOSS advocates alone against the software giant. There are enough large corporations who want a truly open file format standard out there that MS will have a real challenge on their hands. Okay, then what do you propose should be done about the unethical (if not technically illegal) behavior displayed by MS as it tries to stack the committees to push OOXML as an ISO standard? What happened in Sweden recently is a fine example of how you can bend the rules if you’ve got enough money and power. With its latest shenanigans involving OOXML, it’s clear that MS has not abandoned its shady practices of the past. This is not a purely technical discussion anymore; whether you like it or not, MS’s actions have made this a political issue, one that is starting to make waves too (witness India and Brazil’s rejection of OOXML). People may not want to take sides, saying that they are only interested in the technical aspect, but in this situation – as is so often the case – choosing to remain neutral is taking sides. What happened in Sweden recently is a fine example of how you can bend the rules if you’ve got enough money and power. I hope you are aware of the fact that IBM contacted the same companies and tried to make them vote against MS. And even before that, they made sure that others would join for the single purpose of voting against. You don’t see people complain about that. Because it happens to be in their own interest to prevent MS from doing anything at all. IBM turned it all into a political/economical issue before MS could start anything similar, and not as a reaction to anything MS did. If this is a “fact”, then you won’t have any problems providing some source for it, won’t you? Typical of MS apologists – always point the finger at IBM. Well, it’s not IBM who has kept a stranglehold on office file formats for a decade, and who now seeks to keep it, is it? Soulbender “Okay, then what do you propose should be done about the unethical (if not technically illegal) behavior displayed by MS as it tries to stack the committees to push OOXML as an ISO standard?” What has this got to do with their proposed OSS license? Nothing. Either their license is suitable or it isn’t. It has nothing to do with who MS are or how they otherwise behaves. It has to do with the fact that OSI members are apparently pissed off by MS’s behavior, and whether or not they will let that affect how they treat Microsoft’s submissions. Most people here agree that they shouldn’t let their judgment be clouded by it – however, that doesn’t mean that they can’t otherwise decry MS’s actions (or, as some people here have suggested, take their good time to “process” the submissions). OSI decides whether or not it can accept a license. The moral and legal judgement is solely OSI’s since the trademark belongs to OSI. The rest of us can then decide whether we agree with OSI or not. But OSI has EVERY moral and legal right to make moral and legal judgements on any license submitted. And ESR have seconds thoughts due to Microsofts possibly illegal actions in regard to ISO. OSI, OSI. If OSI is about community, ESR is refering to, then community rules. Just handle the license as it is presented to you, and disregard who submitted it. It doesn’t work like that. Collaborative organisations such as the ISO, OSI and others are based on track record, what you have given and most of all, how you have manage to get along with your peers. That’s the only way they can work effectively. You can’t just wander on to a mailing list or a committee that you’ve never given the time of day to before and say “Here’s our license, we believe it meets OSI’s criteria so approve it”. They owe you nothing, and the OSI should have that attitude with every vendor who wanders in out of nowhere on to the list with a new license. It’s not just Microsoft. Other vendors such as CA have done it to claim that they’re an open source company. porcel To disregard Microsoft’s past and ongoing behavior and to help them shoot the whole open source movement down by allowing them to claim that even OSI stands behind its license choices is foolhardy. Any organization needs to have strategic objectives and to assess those when it deals with other organizations such as Microsoft. Let Microsoft establish itself as a bona-fide partner of the open source community by submitting encumbered and really open networking protocols for file servers and office formats and then we’ll talk. As long as Microsoft continues to use lock-in as part of its business strategy, OSI should refuse this or any license submitted by Microsoft. You want OSI’s seal of approval. Meet both the printed letter of our licenses, but more importantly their spirit. I mean, one minute, they are talking about how Linux infringes on their patents and making “SCOesque” claims about intellectual property, the next minute you actually tell me that open source licenses are useful and that you want to join our club. Start by showing some respect and picking one of the existing licenses would be a good way to do it. Of course, I meant unencumbered file and wire protocols. But at the end of the day people do decide whether or not the licence is classed as opensource. It doesn’t matter how much the source of judgement protests, its going to be influenced by bias. That is what Raymond is pointing out, it is going to be incredibly hard to take a unbiased moral high ground given the current state of affairs. Bias appears everywhere, look in politics, for example – an election that might been seen as by the UN as absolutely flawed could be used by a certain super power as an example of progress. Same will occur here. Submitting to a standards body is as much to do about the facts as it is to do with the any possible relationship which Microsoft might have with those who are in the standardisation process. You will realize one day that the intellect is not consistent. If somebody is willing to spin you in a loop or two, you will surely loose every but the simplest of intellectual battles. It is the end result that matters. Closed software makes people criminals, takes away their rights to learn and cooperate. Yes, it is an ethical issue, it is a financial battle and I bet it looks like a religion to the uninitiated. MS have never been shy of breaking the rules to achieve their goals so why should we play ball with them the one time they work to our system? Personally I don’t trust users and/or developers to be the moral judges. Most users don’t give a toss what system they use so long as it’s packaged nicely and a lot (not all or even most – but a sizable number none-the-less) can be influenced by big bucks. So I’m all for an impartial 3rd party organisation taking the moral high ground. Principles are all very good and well, but you don’t win a war by principle alone. Just my 2c anyway. I don’t have much time for Raymond either and agree with your assessment of him being an arrogant ass. But I do think that the FLOSS community needs to make a stand when it comes to stuff like this. If MS wants to use they’re own license for they’re own projects, fine but trying to get OSI approval for these licenses is like getting slapped in the face. Furthermore, license proliferation is already an issue, we don’t need MS to muddy the water even more. I agree with Raymond on this one. Watching MS make a mockery of the ISO is already hard enough. Letting them off without some form of retribution would be far to hard to deal with. I should say right now that the “arrogant ass thing” is off-topic. I brought it into the thread. But I’d hate to have it dominate. I retract it now. Now, as to making a stand. I don’t think we can. And I don’t think we should. If we are a meritocracy, we cannot simply stop being a meritocracy when it seems convenient for us, or when someone whom we don’t like, or we distrust, offers up a license. Remember, this is a license. It can be used by others against MS as much as it could be used by MS against others. Now, if there is* a hidden land mine in the license, or licenses… let’s work hard to find that, expose it, and reject the license based upon that real reason. But if it meets the OS definition, it needs to be approved. Or that definition needs to be changed. Aaawwwhh… I didn’t even get a chance to defend him. Evil you I retract it now. Meh, why? It’s true I guess it’s like mentioning Theo deRaadt though, it gets the freaks out of the woodwork. “If MS wants to use they’re own license for they’re own projects, fine but trying to get OSI approval for these licenses is like getting slapped in the face” Funny how no-one complained when Sun and IBM got their licenses OSI approved. Of course, Sun and IBM is everyone’s darling these days and their dirty past easily forgotten. Of course, Sun and IBM is everyone’s darling these days and their dirty past easily forgotten. Maybe that’s because they’ve changed their ways, while MS hasn’t. You can’t deny that IBM and Sun have been particularly FOSS-friendly over the past couple of years. Also, they recognize the need for a truly open file format unencumbered with legacy cruft and patent issues. “Maybe that’s because they’ve changed their ways, while MS hasn’t. ” And if they change back tomorrow will OSI remove their licenses? “Also, they recognize the need for a truly open file format unencumbered with legacy cruft and patent issues.” Uh yeah, because that will benefit them. You don’t seriously think they’re being OSS friendly for some ethical reason, do you. I’m not interested in hypotheticals. Of course not. What exactly are you trying to say? Because it’s really not clear. MS is acting in a predatory manner towards FOSS. IBM and Sun are not. End of story. Well, you could argue that MS is being honest about their intentions while Sun and IBM are faking it in order to benefit from OSS and the community. Please, argue away. I’m curious to hear how exactly IBM and Sun are faking it. Damn! I thought I could get away. This website is worse than crack… 😛 He is the only one who really cares about open source. A loud voice indeed, but a brilliant mind. Oliver, If you care to, please elaborate. I’m interested. Almafeta The article in short: A license morally the equivalent to the BSD, and a license morally the equivalent to the GPL, are having a hard time being ‘legitimized’ by an arbitrary-selected committee (the OSI). The reason they’re having a hard time is because their author is Microsoft, who is finally succumbing to the open-source bandwagon. In defense for this hard time, the OSI state ‘monopolism,’ despite the fact that Microsoft is virtually handing their most profitable business (office suites) over to the open-source movement (in the form of OOXML). The article in short-short: Microsoft is holding out the requisite pound of flesh, the OSI is holding out for more. despite the fact that Microsoft is virtually handing their most profitable business (office suites) over to the open-source movement (in the form of OOXML). They are not. If MS was genuinely interested in open-source, they would have included ODF support into Office and wouldn’t be bending the rules in order to ram OOXML through the ISO certification process. If OOXML was really an honest effort to move to open file formats, do you think the FOSS world would be so hostile against it? Not only is the file format not truly open, it is not technically up to par with ODF. Check this blog for more info: http://ooxmlisdefectivebydesign.blogspot.com/ (Cue MollyC butting in with her pro-OOXML PR in 3…2…1…) If MS was genuinely interested in open-source, they would have included ODF support into Office and wouldn’t be bending the rules in order to ram OOXML through the ISO certification process. That’s like saying “If FreeBSD was genuinely interested in open-source, they’d be using Linux.” Don’t confuse the technology with the politics. This is Microsoft we’re talking about. Microsoft could save children from a burning building and the OSS community would be hostile to it. No, it’s not like saying that at all. Don’t confuse empty rhetoric with actual arguments. There is an open standard which was elaborated by OASIS, which has the support every FOSS-friendly organization and corporation out there. Microsoft, as a member of OASIS, even gave it tacit support. That file format is ODF. If MS was really interested in becoming open-source friendly, it would have included ODF support in its Office product. Now, can you actually offer a counter-argument for this, instead of an half-assed, inappropriate analogy? Again, that is not a logical argument, but rather an ad hominem attack against the OSS community, which in your view is incapable of rational thinking when dealing with MS. The fact of the matter is that OOXML is designed to further MS’s file format monopoly, and that is why the FOSS community is against it, especially since there is a truly open alternative, ODF, which already has been approved by the ISO. Stop trying to paint MS as the poor victim who is rejected by all even though it tries to make friends. It’s not true, and you know it. niemau microsoft is not saving children from a burning building. they’re trying to give the impression that they’re a-ok with OSS, and all the while undermining open standards. corporations don’t deserve second chance after second chance after second chance. there is a point at which they should just be ignored. and, as far as i’m concerned, OSI should reject any MS submissions and decline to comment. we’re at a point where we have to be biased against MS. history has shown time and time again that trying to treat them like everyone else has gotten us nowhere. and there’s a good reason for that. they’re NOT like everyone else. previous antitrust shenanigans have illustrated that beautifully. MollyC “If OOXML was really an honest effort to move to open file formats, do you think the FOSS world would be so hostile against it? “ The only reason MS wants OOXML to have the ISO impramature is to undercut IBM’s lobbying effort to governments that their document archives’ long term security depends on a publicly recognized file format specification, and ODF is the only way to do that, so all other formats must be banned for government use. And that’s why the FOSS community doesn’t like OOXML, because it undercuts that grand strategy to get governments to ban MS Office and/or codify into law a format that lacks certain MS Office features, thus making those extra features quasi-illegal to use by governments, making those extra features a dis-advantage, which makes it easier for alternatives to compete. That’s a long version of what I’ve said before. OO.o et al couldn’t compete with MS Office on features, so they said “Use us because we have a public format”. MS, to the OO.o group’s surprise, provided their own public spec, which brings the competition back to a features battle, which OO.o knows they can’t win, so IBM and the like are fighting tooth and nail to not let OOXML be an ISO standard (despite MS not raising a fuss over ODF being recognized as such, indeed voting for ISO an ANSI approval of ODF, and not lobbying governments to ban use of ODF or any other format). (I still find it amusing that people demand that every other app must jump through hoops (altering their code, forcefeeding their needs into ODF) to use a format built for an office suite with < 5% usage.) If I were running Microsoft, I would terminate the OOXML fast-track process and go through the long process. The main reason being that an MS guy in Sweden tried to bribe two companies to vote for OOXML approval there, which destroys credibility of the process. Supposedly MS proactively reported this infraction to SIS (Sweden’s organization that is considering OOXML approval) themselves, but the damage is still done, and MS should go the extra mile to restore credibility to the process by going through the long slow track rather than the fast track. (Although, technically, its up to ECMA, as they own OOXML, not MS, and ECMA was the group that submitted OOXML to ISO for fast-track approval.) They don’t want to do that for two reasons: 1.) ODF went through the fast-track process, in fact being virtually rubberstamped (largely because most governments didn’t pay attention as they didn’t care about ODF to begin with), despite huge shortcomings, so it doesn’t seem fair that other formats go through the high scrutiny that ODF was not subject to; 2.) It would give more time for IBM to argue that ODF is the only format that meets government needs, so governments should mandate exclusive use of ODF. There are some things that mitigate those two items, however. For example, ISO ODF 1.0 is no longer current. It’s already obsolete. ODF 1.1 is being made to address the many shortcomings, and it will have to go through ISO process itself. ODF 1.1 will undergo much higher scrutiny than did ODF 1.0 because people won’t want to rubberstamp another deficient version of ODF, and ODF has higher public awareness now, so governments will actually pay attention this time. Two, if OOXML goes through the slow rather than fast track, it’s shortcomings will be addressed and will have all the more credibility at the end. It will be better for it, and won’t need the 1.1 rush job the ODF is doing now. Yes, that’s a very cute attempt to pre-emptively dismiss my arguments (easier to do that than to address them directly), but you’re not in any position to call someone out for posting PR when you link to an obvious propaganda hit piece. I’m well aware of Stephen Rodriguez’ writings. He regularly trolls OOXML lead Brian Jones’ blog, using all kinds of personal insults against him. It’s said that he runs a business maintaining excel documents and OOXML threatens his business. Whatever. BTW, the main argument Stephen Rodriguez puts forth is that because a user changing a piece of the XML text of an Excel document, must make corresponding changes in other parts of the file in order for the file to remain consistent with itself, then its not true XML, and therefore OOXML is a “fraud” (this is his basic summary of his piece, which he posted to Brian Jones’ blog). That argument is one of the most absurd arguments ever. Even you would have to admit as much. Just because a format is stored as XML text doesn’t mean a user can blithely alter any portion of that XML text without regard to how it might affect the rest of the file. As for this and his other complaints that Stephen described in his blog, Miguel (of Mono fame) completely destroys nearly every one of his arguments here: http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=279895&cid=20363627 All this has nothing to do with OSI. OSI is a self-appointed group that takes it upon itself to decide what constitutes an open source license. They have no inherent credibility or authority; what credibility they do have depends on the perecption that they impartially weigh wether a license meets their criteria. If they want to start playing favorites or being moral police then they need to publicly change their mission statement accordingly. Well, Dansk Standard just voted no with comments to OOXML (despite some attempted cheating from Microsoft) because of the many unspecified elements in OOXML making it impossible for anyone but Microsoft to create a full implementation of OOXML. Dansk Standard is more credible to me than Slashdot. PlatformAgnostic They also included elements in their comments that are factually incorrect (OOXML does not specify the ZIP file formats that it uses… even though it does) and they include comments such as “OOXML must support such and such a feature merely because ODF does.” One gem is that “OOXML must not support OLE linking because it’s a Windows-dependent technology” (ODF supports OLE). Clearly their comments were not sufficiently vetted by the actual NB, so I don’t know why you need to have any trust in them. It doesn’t say that OOXML cannot support Windows OLE. Dansk Standard says that OOXML should contain support other OLE-techniques, like KParts and Bonobo. It does not say that OOXML cannot or must not support Windows OLE. Huh? Seems like weird reason to reject a format. Denmark had no problem with ODF lacking spreadsheet formulas, yet they do raise a fuss over OOXML lacking KParts and Bonobo? :p Or how about, “We reject ANSI-standardization of C standardization because C lacks closures and continuations”. BTW, Mac Office supports OLE, so it’s not like it’s impossible to grock the OLE formats on non-Windows platforms. Meaning, the the OLE file format isn’t “Windows OLE”, just “OLE”. Well, considering your poor denial of who you are, I consider your actions more important. You still work as a PR-consultant for Microsoft, right? Your statements about ODF and spreadsheet formulas are pure FUD. http://www.robweir.com/blog/2007/07/formula-for-failure.html Besides that ODF does support spreadsheet formulas through OLE. What Mac Office supports is irrelevant in this context. You still work as a PR-consultant for Microsoft, right? “ As Burt Reynolds said to Jackie Gleason in Smokey And The Bandit, “Sheriff, do the letters ‘F’ ‘O’ mean anything to you?” http://www.robweir.com/blog/2007/07/formula-for-failure.html “ Did you actually read what you linked to? Once you get past the attack against OOXML, Rob Weir admits that ODF does not support spreadsheet formulas: “So what is ODF doing about formulas? We’re continuing to work on them. Rather than rush, we’re doing careful, methodical work. We’re documenting the functions in great detail. …” And all I was pointing out was that Denmark and the other national bodies didn’t object to standardizing a format that purports to support spreadsheets yet can’t even support formulas. OO.o supports formulas, but it has to go outside of the ODF 1.0 spec to do so. Seems strange that Denmark wouldn’t object to the most basic aspects of spreadsheet functionality being absent, yet complaining about a format not supporting KParts and Bonobo. Please elaborate, if you will. It sounds like you’re saying that if you can embed an OLE object that happens to support spreadsheet formulas, then the format of the container app “supports” spreadsheet formulas. Please say that you mean something else. Otherwise, if I make an SVG OLE server dll, then OOXML supports SVG!! If I make an OLE KParts OLE dll, then OOXML supports KParts!! And on, and on. That is an absurd argument. One can make an OLE exe or dll to support any sort of functionality and therefore declare that any format that supports OLE supports that functionality. But we are talking of native support. Is there some way to use OLE to provide native support for spreadsheet formulas to ODF? I’ve not heard of this before, please educate me and the rest of the readers here. I was just pointing out that OLE’s file format is not Windows-specific since Mac Office also can read and write that format. So the term “Windows OLE” is incorrect. So what is ODF doing about formulas? We’re continuing to work on them. Rather than rush, we’re doing careful, methodical work. We’re documenting the functions in great detail. Which is, you know, the sensible thing to do. The thing to note, however, is that you do not deny Weir’s criticism of OOXML, continuing with your well-established tradition of deflection… What would be more sensible is to not “rush” ODF 1.0 through ISO with such a huge deficiency in functionality soley for the political purposes of being able to proclaim “We’re first!!”, and instead include basic spreadsheet functionality from the get-go. Huh? The subject was concerning ODF’s lack of spreadsheet formulas and Denmark not objecting to that yet objecting to OOXML not implementing KParts and Bonobo. Rob Weir’s anti-OOXML spiel isn’t relevant to the subject. And no, I don’t deny Weir’s criticism that OOXML spredsheet formulas aren’t spec’ed explicitly enough. So what? (I do take issue with his FUD regarding “loss of data, money, and life”, as Excel’s been in use for years without any incidents wrt someone using, for example, a trig function expecting degrees instead of radians.) But these types of things should be corrected in the OOXML spec. But adding sentences like “The unit used by the COS function is radians” isn’t a big deal. ECMA will add such language in the comment-resolution phase. Stuff like this doesn’t change the underlying format, though, and doesn’t change the fact that Denmark did not vote to reject ODF for lack of basic spreadsheet functionality. What would be more sensible is to not “rush” ODF 1.0 through ISO Considering that the ISO committee approved ODF, it must have been complete enough for them – although you’ll probably explain that away with yet another conspiracy theory against Microsoft… The problem with OOXML is the same that MS has with Vista: too much emphasis on backward compatibility, instead of trying to build something solid from the ground up. They only did this because they do not want to open up their legacy binary formats (which, if they were really interested in being open-source friendly, is what they would do); the reason behind this is that they want to keep the unfair advantage of controlling the Office file format, something which Bill Gates said was essential to keep Windows’ stranglehold on the desktop market. But it seems people like you have no problems with Microsoft’s monopoly continuing into the 21st century, despite the threats it poses to competition and innovation. Microsoft doesn’t want an even playing field. Fortunately, it can count on its faithful foot soldiers (whether they’re paid or voluntary) to continue muddying the waters and spreading FUD about the competition. Pathetic. Edit: I’ve wasted enough time on this subject. I swore to myself I would spend less time here (I’ve got some personal projects to work on)…fortunately, there are others brave souls such as sbergman and the gallant sreilly to continue reminding everyone of MS’s shenanigans. Carry on, boys, I’ll check back from time to time. lemur2 Please MollyC, don’t lie. ODF 1.0 contains full functionality for spreadsheets. There are literally tens of spreadsheet applications complaint with ODF 1.0 that contain a full set of formula functionality. The only problem with the lack of detail in ODF 1.0 with respect to formulas was interoperability between the various spreadsheet applications was not guaranteed. This is all fixed in ODF version 1.2, not undergoing ratification and approval. BTW, the first versions of OOXML contained no definition of formulas at all. Perhaps that is where you are getting confused. “and doesn’t change the fact that Denmark did not vote to reject ODF for lack of basic spreadsheet functionality” Once again, MollyC, don’t lie. ODF (at all versions) contains full spreadsheet functionality. This is self-evident from the fact that an number of spreadsheet programs using ODF 1.0 as the native file format have full (or near-full) support of .xls as well. The only improvement that version 1.2 of ODF (which includes OpenFormula) brings is that now the formula format is better defined, the spreadsheet programs will benefit from guaranteed interoperability. Did you actually read what you linked to? Once you get past the attack against OOXML, Rob Weir admits that ODF does not support spreadsheet formulas This statement is pure Microsoft PR spin. ODF, at any version, does support formulas. ODF version 1 and version 1.1 (the current approved version) both include a specification of formulas that is too open to allow precise unambiguous interoperability, however. Applications fully compliant with ODF 1.1 can have implementations of formulas but there is room for the possibility that two applications may not have the same interpretation, and hence lack interoperability. Hence ODF 1.1 formula specification is not good enough. It is NOT absent, it is just not detailed enough for interoperability purposes. Since unambiguous interoperability is a prime aim of ODF, this situation needed to be rectified, and it has been. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenFormula The Openformula specification that Rob Weir said was being worked on (started in 2004, first draft in Feb 2005) is now complete. The Openformula specification is part of ODF version 1.2. ODF version 1.2 is not yet approved. It is still going through the approval process. Here is where it is at: http://wiki.oasis-open.org/office/OpenDocument_v1.2_Action_Items Nevertheless, as stated in the article linked, for all of the various ODF-compliant applications: “Implementors are already implementing it. Implementors have already made changes to their applications due to the work of this body, such as changing how they handle signed values in MOD, the association of exponentiation, and even implementing new functions to conform to the draft standard.” Even though Openformula and ODF 1.2 is not yet formally approved, Openformula is itself compliant with ODF 1.1. Openformula is backward-compatible. All of the ODF applications that claim compliance with ODF 1.1 now effectively use Openformula, so that spreadsheets can be reliably interchanged. The real truth of the ODF formula sitation is miles and miles away from the Microsoft-PR claim that “ODF does not support spreadsheet formulas” MollyC you should be thouroughly ashamed of yourself for repeating out-and-out lies such as that. OO.o supports formulas, but it has to go outside of the ODF 1.0 spec to do so. Au contraire, the current version of OO.o supports OpenFormula. OpenFormula is not AFAIK “outside the ODF 1.0 spec”, but rather it is the case that the ODF 1.0 spec is not detailed enough to describe all of OpenFormula unambiguously. That’s very cute, but your not in any position to call someone out for posting PR when you link to an obvious propaganda hit piece. Well, Ms. Cieslinski, the difference is that I’m not employed by a PR company that counts MS as one of its clients. As far as “competing on features” goes, ODF is extensible, and new features can be added. There’s no reason to believe that it can’t compete. So there goes 90% of your argument. The Rodriguez piece is only one particular criticism of OOXML – there are others. But the crux of the matter is in fact something that you admit yourself: that governments want open standards for their archives. That is a legitimate issue, and nothing is preventing MS from making Office ODF-compatible. Therefore, it is a bold-faced lie (the staple of PR professionnals, might I add) that IBM wants government to “ban MS Office”. Rather, it is MS itself that is voluntarily excluding itself through its purely strategic refusal to support ODF and its anti-competitive push for OOXML, perverting the ISO certification standard in the process (something which you tacitly admit when you say that MS should abandon its fast-track efforts). The issue is really very simple. MS could have supported ODF, but it chose not to simply because it wants to keep the advantage as far as file formats go. After all, and even Bill Gates admitted this in past memos, file formats are the angular stone to Microsoft’s near-monopoly. Well, the difference is that I’m not employed by a PR company that counts MS as one of its clients. A personal attack in your first line… It’s not a personal attack. It’s a statement of fact (or at least MollyC has never denied that she is the same MollyC who words for Waggener Edstrom Worldwide). psychicist I have always found that there were some people here that unconditionally favoured Microsoft and their oftentimes inferior technologies. Your posts have given me a lot more insight into who these people are and what their motives may be. In the past there was also NotParker but I don’t know where he’s hiding nowadays. Now there is Ms MollyC who is employed as a PR person to put all things related to Microsoft in a positive light. This means I should be very wary of the positions that people take. These could very well be politically or monetarily influenced instead of technically. My allegiance is with technical matters and I also have a healthy interest in software freedom as defined by various OSI licenses. I won’t hide that I have a bias towards free operating systems and open standards and if you want to know my name you can send me a personal message. What I have a problem with is PR people wasting their time coming to forums such as these and holding positions regardless of technical merits. It has me guessing who is more pathetic, the persons coming here to post or their employers. “Now there is Ms MollyC who is employed as a PR person to put all things related to Microsoft in a positive light. This means I should be very wary of the positions that people take. “ Um, no. Sorry, but Archie has misinformed you. That’s exactly what I think! A real PR person would not waste time posting to this site. That’s what makes ArchieSteel’s accusations all the more ridiculous. Seriously people, THINK before making accusations like this. Besides, would a real PR person who wished to remain anonymous, user his/her real email address as a username? Come on, people, THINK!! This is way off topic, but for future reference, if anyone want to see my explicit denial of being “Molly Cielenski”, read the beginning and end of my post here: http://osnews.com/permalink.php?news_id=18555&comment_id=268004 Actually, I did ask you before if you were that person, and so have others. At last we have a response from you on the subject. That’s exactly what I think! A real PR person would not waste time posting to this site. Why not? This site is read by quite a lot of people, and posts don’t get as lost in huge threads as in other tech sites. The level of discourse here is also much higher (most of the time) than on sites such as Digg or Slashdot. Besides, would a real PR person who wished to remain anonymous, user his/her real email address as a username? Actually, in this case it would only have been the first part of the email address. I do admit that it would betray a certain level of incompetence, and while I disagree with you on many points I will not claim that you are incompetent. “It’s a statement of fact (or at least MollyC has never denied that she is the same MollyC who words for Waggener Edstrom Worldwide).” I’m sorry, I must’ve missed earlier posts where you were accusing me of being “Molly Cielsinski” (whatever). Anyway, see my above post regarding this matter. I find it hilarious that you actually tried to find out who I am. I mean, it never even occurred to me to find out who “Archie Steel” might be. I just know that he’s someone I enjoy arguing with. Someone with whom I enjoy the give and take of debate (despite your penchant to come at me on a personal level at times). I enjoy debating with you. But I don’t know, it seems that you may be obsessed with me. Anyway, please do see my previous post (both the beginning and the “Edit:” part I added at the end.) Again, I accept your statement that you are not that MollyC. There was only one way to find out, and that was confronting you about it. Sorry you missed it in the previous threads. Anyway, don’t construe this as anything personal against you – and it’s not too hard to find out who I am, there aren’t that many Archie Steels around… One of the nice things about this site… and one of the things that makes me prefer it to Linux-only sites, is the fact that we can have larger scoped disagreements, and get over it. Again. Thank you Molly. It was, perhaps, unfair of me to push the matter as I did. Since when has it been a personal attack to point out the fact that someone is employed by a PR company? I really, really wish that Molly would answer one way or the other on this. Either she is Molly Cieslinski, or she is not. I’ve asked directly. No response. Either her job, and the reason she receives paychecks, is to promote Microsoft… or it is not. Now I’m asking point blank. Is it? Or isn’t it. If I am in error, I apologize in advance. I’m serious. Are you. Or are you not? I’m serious. Are you. Or are you not? “ I’m sorry, sbergman27, I missed all of this “Molly Cielinski” stuff until today. I assume it was posted in threads that I had “quit”, or maybe I just missed it. See my denial here (both beginning and end of the post): But I might owe archiesteel an apology, as I’ve been having a bit of fun on this matter at his expense, as I assumed it was he who started this thing (it would fit with his pattern, as he has a long history of “shill” accusations, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he went so far as to try to prove such a thing). So can you tell me who begat the “Molly Cieslinski” accusations? Was it he, or was it you, or someone else? (Please say it was archiesteel! ) I’m sorry if I’m being too jocular and/or glib. I just find the whole thing tremendously funny! But that’s it! I don’t want to derail the thread any further. Good thing we don’t still have karma points, all of these off-topic posts would hurt me big-time! So can you tell me who begat the “Molly Cieslinski” accusations? Was it he, or was it you, or someone else? (Please say it was archiesteel! ) I made the allegation first, and I’ve been waiting for a denial ever since. Now that you’ve officially denied being that MollyC, I won’t make it again (though in my mind you still act like a pro-MS PR hack). Thank you Molly. I apologized in advance. But I’ll apologize again. Because I was apparently wrong. sbergman27, I accept your apology, but it’s no big deal. Even though we’ve been on opposite sides of issues at times, we’ve been on friendly terms. Seems you were just led astray by archie. Seems you were just led astray by archie. Perhaps, perhaps not, I guess we’ll never know. But at least we have your statement on it now. “‘Seems you were just led astray by archie.’ Um, just what the hell is that supposed to mean? Are you still on this? You claimed you weren’t going to make your allegation again. Did that only mean that you wouldn’t make the accusation explicitly but that you’d continue to make it implicitly via innuendo? I’m beginning to wonder why I bothered responding to your charge at all if you’re going to keep on with this regardless. Look, Molly Cieslinski’s email address and phone number are public. http://netzoomuniversal.com/about/index.php?mid=433 “For more information, press only: Molly Cieslinski, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 443-7000, mollyc@wagged.com Rapid Response Team, Waggener Edstrom, (503) 443 -7070, rrt@wagged.com“ Why don’t you email or call her and ask her directly, “Are you the MollyC that posts to osnews.com?” This is getting ridiculous. BTW, when did you first make this charge anyway, as I’m curious as to how long it’s been floating around. Also, how in the world did you come across the name “Molly Cieslinski”, anyway? Um, just what the hell is that supposed to mean? It means what it means, that you have stated that you are not that MollyC, but that of course that does not prove anything; considering how you like to bend the truth to defend Microsoft every time someone criticizes the company, that doesn’t give your claim much credibility. However, I’ll keep my word and not explicitly make that claim again. Are you still on this? You claimed you weren’t going to make your allegation again. Did that only mean that you wouldn’t make the accusation explicitly but that you’d continue to make it implicitly via innuendo? My, aren’t we a bit paranoid now? If you’re asking me if I still believe you might be a Microsoft shill, then the answer is yes. However, I won’t claim that you’re Molly Cieslinski again. Why don’t you email or call her and ask her directly, “Are you the MollyC that posts to osnews.com?” That’s a good idea. Maybe she’s hot. Seriously, if you two were the same person (something which I’m not claiming anymore), getting in touch with her would not prove anything, since she would deny it anyway. Come on, think this through a little. BTW, when did you first make this charge anyway You mean, when did I first ask you if you were Molly Cieslinski? I can’t remember. A couple of weeks ago. Something like that. Also, how in the world did you come across the name “Molly Cieslinski” I went to the website of the first company listed on Microsoft’s Public Relations page. Reading on the website, I spotted the address “mollyc@wagged.com”, and the name was next to it. That’s when I asked you if you were that person, and didn’t get a response. (whatever the spelling is) Don’t worry, you haven’t misspelled it yet. “My, aren’t we a bit paranoid now?” “Paranoid”? That’s an interesting word you chose, because it does seem that you were doing background checks on me, which seems kind of creepy, to tell you the truth. If that were indeed the case, I don’t know how far you’d go with that were you to actually find my real identity. What would be next, harassment? Violence? I don’t know what you might be capable of. “If you’re asking me if I still believe you might be a Microsoft shill, then the answer is yes. Tell me, what’s it like to be deluded 24/7? (* I elaborate on this at the end of this post.) “However, I won’t claim that you’re Molly Cieslinski again. “ You won’t “claim” it but you’ll “imply” it? Is that the game you’re playing now? I’m not asking if you believe I might be a Microsoft shill. Believe whatever you want. (Though it’s funny that you call me “paranoid” when you are deluded enough to believe that a company would pay someone to post here.) I’m asking if you are going to stop with this Cieslinski nonsense both explicitly and implicitly. It sounds like you’re not convinced that I’m not Cieslinski. Go ahead and call her. Her phone number is public. Ask her directly. Maybe you’ll believe an actual voice. Or email her, if you like. I’m sure she could use a good laugh. So you weren’t doing a background check? You weren’t doing what is known in politics as “op-research” (Opposition research)? Well, that’s reassuring, I guess. Hah. I think I did misspell it a few times earlier, and found I had to keep looking at earlier posts to see the spelling. I just did it from memory this time. Anyway, while you were responding to my post, I did check the spelling and removed the “(whatever the spelling is )” part. Just in case you’re trying to imply something with that. * I’ll say one more thing. You are completely deluded if you think that Microsoft or any other company is paying anonymous shills to post here. NOBODY posting here is being paid to do so, either anonymously or non-anonymously. First, you overestimate the importance of this site. Nothing said here has any significant influence on developments in the outside world, so it makes no sense to pay anonymous shills to post here. Same goes for 99% of tech sites. Do you really think anyone of importance really gives a damn about the content of anonymous posts here, slashdot, digg, engadget, neogaf, groklaw, et al, and would make policy decisions based on such anonymous posts? You can’t seriously believe that, can you? Second, Microsoft employees do post to various web sites, but they do so as Microsoft employees, not as anonymous shills. I know this because I frequent avsforum.com, where Microsoft guys like Ben Waggoner (VC-1 guru), AmirM (VP of MS multimedia), and others post very frequently, non-anonymously. And yes, they do provide the Microsoft talking points, as well as valuable technical information, but they don’t do it anonymously. I also frequent slashdot, and Microsoft employees occasionally post there as well, again non-anonymously (Ben Waggoner has an account there, for example). And I’ve seen many other tech sites where MS employees post; normally it’s their own point of view rather than official MS statements (though AmirM is so high up that his statements are virtually “official”), but whichever is the case, they do so in the open, not anonymously. Anonymous posts carry very little weight, and therefore don’t provide enough “oomph” to score “PR” points, so no company would pay anyone to do that. Non-anonymous posts are the best way to spread PR and/or technical information; paying anonymous shills is just plain stupid. Third: Microsoft has the largest corporate blogging community in the world, by far, with over 5000 public bloggers. They have multiple developers conferences per year. There’s simply no need to pay anonymous shills to post anything anywhere. You, quite unlike anyone else at this site, have a long history of “shill” accusations, both explicit and implicitly via innuendo. It’s some delusional fantasy that you’ve created in your head, that all these companies are paying anonymous shills to spread drivel. The truth is, companies don’t have time for that kind of crap, and it’s not worth the effort. OK, now I really am done with this. You can make whatever further accusations you want to, either explicitly or implicitly; I’ll be ignoring them anyway. As I said, paranoid. I didn’t do a “background check” on you. How could I possibly do such a thing based on only your OSNews nickname? Don’t be ridiculous. It was happenstance that I saw someone with your nickname in their e-mail address on the web site of Microsoft’s PR firm, this made me wonder if you were both the same person. You’ve claimed that you weren’t, and so we’ll leave it at that. I find your suggestion that I would resort to harassment or violence over this very insulting. Do you think I care that much about these issues to go against my personal principles? Not only that (though that’s the main reason), but do you also think I’d do something as stupid as this? I’m not a lawyer, but I know a thing or two about the law. Please, get over yourself. Though it’s funny that you call me “paranoid” when you are deluded enough to believe that a company would pay someone to post here. The argument hasn’t been made that it’s not worth it. I happen to believe it is – if you’ve got millions to spare in PR campaign. You may call me deluded without providing actual arguments if you like, it really doesn’t prove anything either way. I’m asking if you are going to stop with this Cieslinski nonsense both explicitly and implicitly. I’ve already told you I would not make the claim again. Whether I believe you or not is another matter, and I’ll keep that to myself. From here on, please interpret any doubt on my part as pertaining to whether or not you are a MS shill, and not whether or not your are Molly Cieslinski. First, you overestimate the importance of this site. Nothing said here has any significant influence on developments in the outside world, so it makes no sense to pay anonymous shills to post here. I disagree with this. This is exactly the type of mid-sized IT web site to target with “grassroots”-type of PR. Do you really think anyone of importance really gives a damn about the content of anonymous posts here, slashdot, digg, engadget, neogaf, groklaw, et al, and would make policy decisions based on such anonymous posts? That sentence underestimates the concept of “buzz.” How do you think mouth-to-ear advertising works? It’s not as if a big CTO will read a post and say “my, that’s a great argument, it will sway my decision.” It doesn’t work that way. You start with rumors, get the ball rolling, and then you gradually shift public opinion. Well, you try, anyway. The Internet actually makes this much more efficient than it would be using other forms of communication. Second, Microsoft employees do post to various web sites, but they do so as Microsoft employees, not as anonymous shills. Well, technically, in this case it wasn’t about being a Microsoft employee, but the employee of a PR firm working for MS. But you’ve already stated you are not that MollyC, so why even continue arguing? You’re welcome to your opinion, but it is you who is delusional if you honestly don’t think this happens. It does happen. Maybe it does happen here, maybe it doesn’t. But it does happen (as does astroturfing, as anyone who’s followed the MS anti-trust trials know), and it’s quite worth the effort if you do it right. Oh, and I don’t think it’s “all these companies”…it’s only the ones who can afford it, you know, those who have large cash reserves and much to lose by seeing their mind share drop. MS itself has acknowledge that one of the problems it’s facing is hostile buzz on tech web sites – it’s only natural that they should seek to balance that bad buzz with some “grassroots” advocacy. OK, now I really am done with this. So am I. And please abandon this ridiculous notion that I’m stalking you. I just happened to see a coincidence in names and tried to destabilize you with it in the context of the debates we have here. Since we cannot prove anything here about identities, I will record your assertion and not bring it up again. The question that faces us here is pretty simple: Do we, or do we not, want to engage in a witch hunt? Well said. I, for one, do not wish to see either archie, molly or anyone else engage in such a waste of time. I really enjoy both archie and molly having a good verbal brawl, but only when pertaining to the points discussed in the article. As for identity, who cares? Point of view isn’t any less relevant when money is involved. Frankly, the two need to chill out. 😉 I really enjoy both archie and molly having a good verbal brawl, I’m a big fan of Linux. But I migrated here, from Linux only sites, because I got tired of reading the choir preaching to other members of the choir. OSNews is a more mixed environment. Assertions which would pass, unquestioned, on sites like LXer, are challenged here. When I’m the one making the assertions, that can be quite annoying. 😉 But it is also beneficial to me. And I appreciate it. One odd thing that I note about mixed communities like this one is that some of us, who are, to a great degree, on the same side… sometimes fail to recognize the fact. Case in point: Cyclops genuinely feels that I have deep-seated emotional problems due to a disagreement on some point of ideology. And yet, when it comes to ideology, I think that he and I have more in common than I do with some others on this site… whom I consider to be friends. Let’s hear it for OSNews: Exploring the chaotic nature of human interactions. 😉 I’m a big Linux fan too! But that doesn’t mean I’m oblivious to any problems that there may be with the current user environment. I have in fact been building Linux systems over the past few years for many relatives tired of Windows problems and I routinely tell them to give any feedback, either positive or negative, so I can improve the systems. The thing is I hardly ever get any feedback at all because the systems just keep working indefinitely! A relative of mine who is really good at breaking systems doesn’t give much feedback either. And good he is, since he has managed to break all kinds of systems from the easiest ones (MS Windows) to the hard ones (VMS, Solaris, HP-UX). However none of them have managed to bork their systems even though I encourage them to break it. After reading about the Black Team at IBM I’m even more confident that my approach is the right one. (More info on the Black Team can be found here: http://www.t3y.com/tangledwebs/07/tw0706.html.) I have had some discussions with Kaiwai too but most of the time I tend to agree with what he says. The main topic on which I disagree with him is the instability and chaotic nature of Linux. When you run a highly structured and quality assured distribution such as Slackware or maybe Debian you get a stable system you can depend on as much as a true UNIX or BSD. I have ocassionally had more stable setups with Slackware than Solaris on the same hardware. Now I have a SPARC server and Slackware 12.0 runs better and installs easier than Solaris Nevada on Sun’s own hardware :-). I’m running slackware 12 as well and, after a few tweakings, managed to get it running quicker than windows and more stable than FreeBSD (untweaked). In fact, having tried numerous Linux distros, Slackware is the only one I ‘get along with’ I find that interesting. I started out with Slackware ’96 back in 1996. It was the most popular distro back them. And moved to RedHat 4.2 in spring of ’97. I don’t mean this in a confrontational way. But why, in the year 2007, might I want to use a distro which does not have dependency management? Yeah, I know I’ve just requested you to write a mini-essay, which is a tall order. But I would be interested in any thoughts that you would care to offer. 🙂 Agreed about dependancies. In fact that’s my only gripe about Slackware. However it’s not usually /that/ much trouble manually pulling dependent packages. Not enough for my to ditch Slack anyway. I really enjoy both archie and molly having a good verbal brawl, but only when pertaining to the points discussed in the article. As for identity, who cares? Point of view isn’t any less relevant when money is involved. ” I disagree – I’ve been witness to many occasions where money has influenced a point of view But agreed the whole witch hunt is a complete waste of time. For all we know, the guy “outing” MollyC might well be a representative for a pro-Linux organisation and his opinion might just as influenced by corporate policy. There’s no way of knowing so, for now, we just have accept peoples posts for what they are. As for MollyC’s comments – I’ve always enjoyed reading them. In fact, as pro-MS as he is on occations, the average Linux fanboy is 100x worse (though obviously from the reverse view point) In fact, as pro-MS as he is on occations, the average Linux fanboy is 100x worse (though obviously from the reverse view point) That would be “she”. It was her identity, not her gender, that was in question. 😉 Depending upon what you mean by “fanboy” though, I might disagree with you. You see, a lot of us Linux advocates tend to be a bit on the passionate side. But most of us try to be reasonable and fair, I think. Oh, I have my biases, like anyone else. But I try to be aware of them. We have more than our fair share of overly enthusiastic advocates… who tend to be quite vocal. But they are still in the minority, in my opinion. Please do not judge us based upon that. 😉 “That would be “she”. It was her identity, not her gender, that was in question. 😉 ” The internet is genderless “Oh, I have my biases, like anyone else. But I try to be aware of them. ” The point is you still have your biases. Please do not judge us based upon that. ;-)” I wasn’t judging you. I was talking about the minorety – hence the ‘fanboy’ reference as opposed to ‘Linux advocate’ “You see, a lot of us Linux advocates tend to be a bit on the passionate side. But most of us try to be reasonable and fair, I think.” I’m a Linux advocate myself, but half of the comments posted on here about Windows from Linux users is complete bullshit. I remember reading one comment where someone suggested that you can’t pipe commands in Windows CLI – despite being factually inacurrate he still recieved +5 votes. Considering how learned a lot of Linux users pride themselves on being, they do get it wrong as often as the pro-MS fans do. So I find it grossly assurd that a Linux user can call fawl play when someone happened to have a pro-MS stance I’ll respond to this bit because I think it is important to clarify. We all have our biases. Biases are neither good nor bad. They just are. The important thing is to recognize them, because then you you are not at their mercy… and you can change your biases based upon new information. I’m not arguing with you, there. Just clarifying a point which is important to me. That’s as I expected. People do not always use these kinds of terms accurately. The best that we can do is to set a good example. Because advocacy is far more effective than fanboyism. 🙂 I’m not so interested as to who a person is, as much as I am with what they say and write – and an awful lot of it seems to be things that have been said before, mostly by other people. Put two and two together ;-). I really enjoy both archie and molly having a good verbal brawl Molly can’t have a verbal brawl with me because he/she can’t. You don’t give him/her the pleasure of you trying to prove that they’re a MS shill (you should just read what they write) or something because you have to remember the final instruction in the defensive speaking handbook: When all else has failed, tell everyone that this is an anti-Microsoft tactic and that everyone hates us. OK, this is my second reply to your post, I know. But I just ran into this hilarious thing. Wonderwoman vs Superman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn7mQTE0VOI Frankly, the two need to chill out. I’ve already stated that I’m done with it. 🙂 Well, that’s nice to hear and all but seeming how you started the whole thing in the first place, it’s kinda hollow. So you don’t agree with what MollyC says. Calling her a shill, without any proof to back up your claim, then asking her if she works for a PR firm is all a bit over the top. Pretty rude actually. It’s not like she spends her time calling you names, is it? How so? I asked her if she was Molly Cieslinski before, and she didn’t respond. I assumend it was a tacit admission that she was. Now that she says she isn’t I’m not going to bring it up again. What else do you want me to do? I did not specifically call her a shill. I said that I suspected her of being one, due to her ceaseless (and well-documented) defense of MS every time someone dares to criticize the software giant. Again, I asked her if she was Molly Cieslinski. She told us she wasn’t. I’m not convinced, but I can’t prove either way, so I have to take her declaration at face value. End of story. I’m sorry if you find that I was rude. I guess that’s the risks of participating in online forums! I didn’t “call her names.” If she had indeed been Molly Cieslinski, don’t you think it would have been a good thing to know? I do: we can’t have functioning free and open forums for public discourse when paid PR people pollute them with their talking points. (Again, I’m not claiming that MollyC is such a person. I don’t have proof, therefore I will not make any accusations.) Now, can we please let the matter rest? I said I was done with it, she’s said she was done with it, but apparently you aren’t done with it… Just because you end up with egg on your face does not mean that you shouldn’t take responsibility for your actions. You did call her a shill, on several occasions and calling someone a shill is calling someone names. I have no issue with you being rude or not, just not to happy with you not wanting to take the rap. As you so fervently pointed out, the internet is a public medium. Coming across PR firms doing they’re jobs is just one of the risks of participating in online forum. You can throw a temper tantrum my way if it makes you feel better, I don’t really care. I just find it in bad taste. Who’s throwing a tantrum, here? The whole affair is already behind me. You’re the one who keeps bringing it up. As for calling her a shill, I have expressed my suspicions. It’s a free country, and expressing doubt at someone’s true nature is not the same as saying “she works for so-and-so, and I have proof of it.” If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and looks like a duck, it’s not out of line to state one’s suspicions that it might be a duck. People have wondered before if I wasn’t an IBM shill, on this very web site, and I’m fine with that. Again, I apologized if you thought I was rude. Maybe I was. Frankly, I don’t care that much – MollyC hasn’t been above making derogatory comments about FOSS advocates herself. I think you’re making too big a thing out of this. You may respond if you want, but personally that’s all I have to say about the matter. I’m gonna defend Archie on this one. His original post was a question. It did not get answered for some time. I got frustrated about that and forced the issue. My bad. Molly answered. And the only respectful thing that we can do is to accept that response. I believe that Archie also feels that way. Perhaps a bit grudgingly. If a PR agent paid by client did show up here, advocating their client, and did not disclose that fact , I would have reservations about his ethics. If he actively denied his true identity, and then was shown to be, in fact, a PR agent paid by a client to advocate that client, I would take a very dim view. We may disagree on that point. If he were simply a Microsoft employee advocating for Microsoft, I would say that it was his choice to disclose or not. But a paid PR agent engaging in astroturfing? Archie was right to bring up his suspicions. But in the absence of hard evidence, I think we are all pretty much in agreement that the matter should be dropped. sappyvcv In the absence of any real evidence, it shouldn’t be raised in the first place. All raising suspicions does, with no real evidence to back it up, is to serve to discredit the other person. That is a matter for debate. The question is… should we debate it or not? Shouldn’t have to, no To some extend I agree with the astroturfing argument, but archie never had a shred of evidence to support his claims and even admited to using the claims as a tool in his arguments. Both archie and molly have been posting on this site for a while and I consider that alone to be reason enough not to consider either a shill. In my experiance, shills don’t hang around. To try and discredit someone because you don’t agree with them is bad enough. To then act all blasÃ© about it and pretend like ‘it ain’t sht’ is pretty sad really. archie never had a shred of evidence to support his claims That’s not quite true. There was one “shred” of evidence: the e-mail address using the same name. It was weak evidence, which is why I challenged MollyC to tell us if, yes or no, she was the same person. She said no. End of story. It was a legitimate question, and the only reason I (and others) brought it up more than once is that we hadn’t gotten an answer until now. I get the feeling you won’t let this go until I’ve apologized to MollyC, so here goes: “MollyC, I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings by asking you if you were Molly Cieslinski, and by assuming that you were when you didn’t respond. I accept your assertion that you’re not her, and apologize for the anxiety this challenge of your identity might have caused you.” Now can we please put this matter to rest? Wow, pretty cool thing to do. 🙂 Yes. That’s Archie. I have a lot of respect for him. Edit: Molly includes him as one of her friends on this site, as well. We all have strong disagreements. And we consider each other friends… in both the virtual sense and the real world sense (I hope.) Ain’t that grand? 😉 I think that we’ve all said about enough. 😉 “It means what it means, that you have stated that you are not that MollyC, but that of course that does not prove anything;” Uh, you mean like how you can’t prove you’re not, say, ESR? Or how I can’t prove that I am who my information say I am. This is silly. Yes, that is what I’m saying. What’s your point? Oh, right, you don’t have one. I’m beginning to wonder why I bothered responding to your charge at all if you’re going to keep on with this regardless. Molly Cieslinski’s email address is public. Why don’t you email her and ask, “Are you the MollyC that posts to osnews.com?” This is getting ridiculous. You can’t be serious. If Molly Cieslinski and MollyC that posts to osnews.com are in fact one and the same person, and the MollyC that posts to osnews.com has denied it to be so, then how is an e-mail sent to Molly Cieslinski’s email address ever going to get any reply other than “Who are you and what are you talking about?” … and if pressed a further denial. You are indeed getting ridiculous. Archisteel is correct … we will never know. Face it Molly … the one and only thing the world really wants here is an open document format. By “open” the world means vendor-neutral, platform-neutral, no trade secrets, no dependencies, anyone can implement it without encumberances or royalties due. Microsoft have decalred themselves utterly unwilling to provide such. Given that unwillingness to provide what is wanted, why should anyone even consider Microsoft’s products? Wrawrat Face it Molly … the one and only thing the world really wants here is an open document format I’m pretty sure the average person isn’t concerned about this. They just want something that works. The struggle between OOXML and ODF doesn’t matter for them as long as they can continue to read and produce documents. Combine this with mass inertia and you’ll understand why people are still considering Microsoft’s products. The outcome of the document format war won’t really matter unless something is done to disrupt conservatism among the mass. It’ll definitely need more than catching up with Microsoft’s products or government intervention. After all, document formats are pretty much anything but “sexy” and “interesting”… Huh? Who’s Ms. Cieslinksi? I don’t know who Cieslinski is, but if you think it’s me, you’re barking up the wrong tree. LOL Anyway, I’m not employed by a PR company, I don’t know why you continue to imply such, other than that it’s a cheap way to dismiss my arguments, or you’re hopelessly confused that I’m this “Cieleniski” character. I’m literally laughing out loud right now. LOL Wait, it just occurred to me. Have I gotten under your skin so much, that you decided to try to do a background check on me? That’s hilarious!! And you concluded that I’m “Cielsinski”? You’ll never get work as a detective. I’ll ignore your personal attack. It seems to be a common trait amongst your ilk, but “what can you do”. “The Rodriguez piece is only one particular criticism of OOXML – there are others. “ Hey, you cited Rodriguez piece, so you can either stand by it or not. But if you do decide to stand by it, make sure that you first read Miguel’s slashdot post that completely destroys it. MS could have supported ODF, … But WHY? I posted about this in the iWork Pages thread too, where your ilk are up in arms that Apple’s not supporting ODF. ODF is based on OO.o XML 1.0. It is built for OO.o. For an app to adopt ODF as its native format is for that app to adopt as its native format, a format of an office suite with < 5% share. There is no logical reason to do that. Microsoft didn’t participate in development of ODF because they never intended to use it. It doesn’t meet their needs, and forcing their needs into OO.o’s format makes less sense than simply opening up their own format. Same goes for Pages. Also, check out this blog: http://blogs.msdn.com/brian_jones/archive/2007/07/09/open-xml-timel… It’s main point is that it shows that OOXML was under development concurrently with ODF, but it includes a reference to a blog by Gary Edwards, one of the ODF 1.0 leads (one of the two members of the OASIS committee that attended 75% of the meetings), where Edwards himself admits that Sun blocked attempts to include features in ODF that would make it more compatible with MS Office. BTW, Sun actively blocked attempts to include features in ODF to make it more compatible with MS Office. “Everyone on that first TC group supported full interoperability with Microsoft applications and documents, except for one company – Sun. There are three areas of “interoperability” that Sun opposed then, and continues to oppose today. The only difference being that after their 2004 deal with Microsoft, Sun has been uncompromisingly determined to block the interoperability the marketplace demands. If Micrsoft were to join the OASIS ODF TC today, seeking to adapt ODF to meet the legacy document-MSOffice features-line of business integration needs of their monopoly base, the TC would have to deal with the exact same issues as they have summarily rejected with current compatibility-interoeprability-convergence disussions! There is no possible way anyone can claim that today’s OASIS ODF TC would welcome Microsoft and make accomodating changes to the specification! No way! And the proof of this hostility can be seen in the actual disussions and rejections of Micrsoft specific interoperability proposals. “ Edit: OK, I did a Google for “Molly Cieslinksi”, and found two references: http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/E/B/6EB7AE64-FA6D-4CCA-8EC… I didn’t read the second link (it’s a Word document that appears to talk about Visio’s file format), but I skimmed the first, and Molly Cielinski does seem to be employed by a PR firm that does work for Microsoft, and here email is, get this, “mollyc@wagged.com”. LOL That’s just too funny. I can see where people might jump to conclusions, but that ain’t me! But what’s more funny is that people tried to find out who I am (I guess for the purpose of discreditting my arguments, but maybe there’s some other reason). Actually, the funniest thing about this is that someone would think that a real PR person would spend time posting here at all. I enjoy this site for entertainment value (and even the occassional technical insight), but were I a PR person, I’d think this site would not be worth spending any of my “PR” time on. I guess I should feel flattered that some have mistaken me for a real life PR person. All right, I’ll accept your statement that you are not the MollyC that works for a PR firm having Microsoft as one of its client. That doesn’t mean I necessarily believe you, but at least we have you on record as denying it. As for the rest of your argument, it’s more of the same. MS, with all its expertise, couldn’t possibly add the missing features to ODF (a file format which it had tacitly approved as part of OASIS), so it just decided to develop an entirely new* file format instead. Yes, that makes lots of sense. Hogwash. Sun opposed attempts to make ODF more compatible with legacy Office document. From the link you gave: “Gary Edwards, who played a big role in the ODF 1.0 standard and was one of only two people who participated in more than 75% of the meetings leading up to the completion of ODF 1.0 explains how interoperability with the legacy base of Office documents was actually blocked during ODF’s development.” That is actually a very sensible decision by Sun: you don’t want to introduce a new file format that includes all types of legacy exceptions – that is what MS tried to do with OOXML, and the reason why the document is such a labyrinthine mess of 6000 pages. What you do is that you make import filters for applications so they can convert legacy formats into new, streamlined and portable formats. Brian Jones is being incredibly biased towards MS in his interpretation (probably following some strategic memo about this issue), and you are being disningenuous for misrepresenting not supporting legacy Office formats as “blocking MS Office”, when in reality this would not have prevented MS from offering ODF support in Office at all (at most, it makes import filters for legacy documents a bit more complicated). You may claim not to be a PR hack, but you certainly distort the truth like one. ODF is based on OO.o XML 1.0. It is built for OO.o. NO IT ISN’T! How many more times are we going to get this utter crap repeated without any backup whatsoever? KOffice implements ODF. Lotus Workspace implements ODF. Corel implements ODF. Open Office and Star Office implement ODF. GoogleDocs implements it. Stop trying to paint Open Office as IBM’s evil proprietary application or something, with ODF as it’s evil proprietary format (which is ironic, since that’s what Microsoft Office and OOXML actually are for Microsoft ;-)). Despite what Microsoft may have told you, it doesn’t gain any more truth the more times you repeat it. Microsoft didn’t participate in development of ODF because they never intended to use it. It doesn’t meet their needs, and forcing their needs into OO.o’s format… No one else has any trouble with it, and it is not Open Office’s format. I’m wondering when you and Microsoft are going to stop with this stupidity where you try and claim that Open Office is a closed source application where ODF is it’s own proprietary format. It’s absolutely ludicrous. NO THEY DIDN’T. Making ODF more compatible with OOXML would have meant either crippling ODF or adding more to OOXML – which is Microsoft’s responsibility. I’d already explained this: http://www.osnews.com/permalink.php?news_id=18483&comment_id=264743 Which you didn’t reply to. There. I even went and damn well found it for you. Repeating the same stuff over and over isn’t going to work. LOL That’s just too funny. I can see where people might jump to conclusions, but that ain’t me! I don’t really care who you are. Your credibility is still less than zero. Repeating the same stuff over, and over, and over is a well worked tactic that people like Rick Jelliffe and others have used consistently and it simply doesn’t work. There seems to be a really bizarre belief that repeating the same things over and over and not reading or responding to people who have pointed out why it is crap is going to somehow make it all magically come true, and make all the ‘zealots’ go away and make everyone believe it. Alas, it only makes you look like idiots. NO IT ISN’T! “ YES IT IS!!! It’s sad that you keep making me drag out the proof that ODF is based on OO.o XML 1.0, but as long as you deny it (and imply that I’m lying about this), I’ll keep doing it. First, here’s what wikipedia has to say: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenDocument “[ODF] is based upon the XML format originally created and implemented by the OpenOffice.org office suite.” And this is straight from OO.o’s own site as of December 2006: http://xml.openoffice.org/“ rel=”nofollow”>http://web.archive.org/web/20061205013726/http://blogs.msdn.com/brian_jones/archive/2007/07/09/open-xml-timel… Now, you listed a bunch of implementations of ODF. I never said that there weren’t multiple implementations. I have said that since the format is based on OO.o’s featureset and code structure, and is even based on OO.o 1.0 XML, that OO.o had the least amount of work to do to comply with ODF. Are you going to deny that? OOXML is no better in this regard, in that Microsoft has the least work to do to comply with OOXML. Neither format is an uber-format or app-neutral. But ODF-advocates like to pretend otherwise. And the level of compliance of those various ODF implementations is not 100%, nor are they fully compatible with each other, but I’m sure that will improver over time. http://develop.opendocumentfellowship.org/testsuite/summary.html As for “nobody else had trouble with [implementing ODF]”, those others had incentive to do so, Microsoft did not. Those others are trying to use ODF implementation as an argument to displace use of MS Office. And those others don’t have nearly as many documents in the field, so they don’t mind as much about adopting a format that’s not fully compatible with their old formats. Anyway, Apple imlemented OOXML support in their latest iWork apps, not ODF. Guess they suck too, right? ODF has lots of implementations, but OOXML is getting there too. Here’s a list of 15 or so implementations, including some of the apps you mentioned as supporting ODF, such as WordPerfect. http://blogs.msdn.com/brian_jones/archive/2007/08/07/iwork-08-suppo… Are these implementations “perfect”? No. But neither are ODF’s. Just like hardly any browser has 100% perfect support for the various web standards, etc, etc. “I don’t really care who you are.” Believe me, the feeling is mutual. “Your credibility is still less than zero. “ While your word is to be taken as Gospel, right? As for not responding to your posts, I normally just skip over them, because I find your posts to be among the most insulting on this site. Just a lot of adhominen attacks and yelling. Maybe if you stop with all the name-calling and cyber-yelling, I’d read your posts thoroughly enough to care to respond to them. As it is, I usually just skim your posts if I read them at all. I’ve yet to see a credible answer as to why Microsoft should do that or be expected to do it, rather than make their own public spec. I’ve yet to see a credible answer as to why Microsoft could not simply take the consensus ODF specification as developed by OASIS and write a filter that would read and write that format to disk directly from MS Office internal mmemory. The end-user should be able to make such a filter as the default files save format if they so wish. Microsoft’s own engineers off the record are reported to have estimated that this would take Microsoft no more than two weeks effort. There is absolutely no credible technical reason why Microsoft would not make MS Office have a highly-desirable extra feature (from an end-user perspective) as full support for ODF. This feature would provide MS Office with “future proofing”, it would make MS Office suitable as a tool for generating electronic records that are meant to have a long storage lifetime, it would provide MS Office with a true interoperability capability, it would make MS Office the ideal tool for converting legacy documents into an acceptable modern open XML format and it would remove any question if MS Office was suitable or not for government use. Rather than provide all of those highly-desirable extra capabilities for MS Office, Microsoft instead choose to pretend that there is some sort of deficiency of ODF (that Microsoft are somehow never able to actually describe) and also “make their own spec” which “regretably” ends up being dependent on Windows. Microsoft would rather extend their lock-in than provide a feature that end-users really want. That says it all. Don’t use OOXML (and especially docx) for your documents … you will later regret it immensely. As for “nobody else had trouble with [implementing ODF]”, those others had incentive to do so, Microsoft did not. Microsoft were making a transition form legacy binary documents to an XML format. Opdendocument was well along and it was specifically designed to deliver the main benefit of going to an XML format … interoperability and platform-independence. Going with Opendocument (and simply saying what features Microsoft wanted in the format) would have saved Microsoft a huge amount of effort. Microsoft could have had their modern XML format in just two weeks worth of coding, and other parties would have done all the work specifying it and documenting it for them. It would have saved a fortune in development costs, and in PR costs and in lobbying costs if Microsoft had just gone with the industry consensus. It is still not too late. I am absolutely positive Microsoft has in fact done that two weeks worth of work, and it already has the ability to supply a patch for Office 2007 that would provide full native support for ODF. If Microsoft would just drop the OOXML charade, and just simply properly support ODF … I’m absolutely sure Microsoft’s Office 2007 product would take off and become a roaring success. It’s sad that you keep making me drag out the proof that ODF is based on OO.o XML 1.0 Nice bit of sleight of hand with the word ‘based’, but we’ll get to that later. NO IT ISN’T because you haven’t the faintest idea what you’re talking about. You’re trying to make it sound as if ODF is Open Office’s format, and Open Office alone. The original ODF was based on Open Office’s (that open source application) XML format about six years ago, and since then it has evolved in a committee called OASIS, which Microsoft is a part of, into a completely different format for the purposes of different applications. You do know what originally and based means, right? So what if it is originally based on this format? WHAT IS YOUR POINT HERE? The OASIS OpenDocument file format is the native file format of OpenOffice.org 2.0. Yer, and? ODF is also the native file format of KOffice and presumably apps like Lotus Workspace as well. So what? Sorry to break it to you, but ODF is based on OO.o 1.0’s XML format, just as OOXML is based on previous MS Office XML formats. Ahhhhh, now the warped, twisted and quite frankly, Alice in Wonderland, logic comes out. You think that you can claim that a format that was originally based on the format of that of an open source application, which was then developed within the OASIS committee for about four or five years and submitted to ISO where it is now the native format of many different applications, is somehow the same as a closed format derived from a closed source application, shoved through ECMA in matter of months and where no one has contributed anything to it apart from Microsoft? This whole ‘ODF is really just Open Office’s format’ tac that you see on dozens of MSDN blogs all over seems to have many angles, but the above seems to be the most prevalent one. It’s usually used as a justification for OOXML being entirely based on Microsoft Office’s previous formats (where they previously tried to claim that it wasn’t), or it’s usually used in some bizarre attempt to claim that an open format used by lots of applications is really tied to Open Office, which isn’t an open source application at all but is really closed and part of some evil IBM master plot. I hope you like that fast spin sweetheart, because you’re being taken to the cleaners again. Besides which, OOXML was already underdevelopment concurrently with ODF Nope. ODF has been developed and mapped out within OASIS since 2001/2002, years before it was ISO ratified and years before OOXML appeared at the ECMA, and no amount of creative history and stretching out Microsoft’s closed formats as open ones back to 1998 on a MSDN blog is going to change that. My, we do seem to be able to wheel out the MSDN blogs and Slashdot comments on tap, don’t we? 🙂 There must be some nice private coordination mailing list for this stuff. Now, you listed a bunch of implementations of ODF. I never said that there weren’t multiple implementations. I have said that since the format is based on OO.o’s featureset and code structure, and is even based on OO.o 1.0 XML, that OO.o had the least amount of work to do to comply with ODF. Are you going to deny that? So what (and no, ODF has now become something altogether different since that first base format all those years ago)? I’m most curious about this knife-twisting tac that you’re applying on Open Office. Can you tell me what the exact point of it is? I’m sure it will. Most of them are quite compatible and are reporting no problems or roadblocks in getting there. That’s how open source applications are developed. And those others don’t have nearly as many documents in the field, so they don’t mind as much about adopting a format that’s not fully compatible with their old formats. Sorry, but you don’t get away with that ‘billions of documents’ crap that Microsoft comes out with on a consistent basis. I debunked this with Rick Jelliffe once. When you create a new format, converting to the new format is a job for the converter and the application, not the new format itself. How can a new and incompatible format be backwards compatible with an old one? Anyway, Apple imlemented OOXML support in their latest iWork apps, not ODF. Guess they suck too, right? Can you verify the completeness with which Apple has implemented OOXML and its compatibility, and can you point us to a nice graphic which tells us Apple’s progress on this as you have quoted regarding Open Office and KOffice? Can Apple’s iWorks apps deal with embedded VML converted via Microsoft Office to OOXML from older MS Office documents, will it know what to do with tags like autoSpaceLikeWord95 converted via Microsoft to OOXML from older MS documents, will it know what to do with encrypted OOXML files stored as OLE and will it know what to do with embedded ActiveX and will it know that values stored in OOXML spreadsheets cannot be taken as-is and have to be shoved through an execution environment? What? Was that a no? Is there no chance at all? Well, not unless we get complete documentation on implementing VML and various other undocumented tags, and until they are dropped from the spec and Microsoft drops them themselves. Are these implementations “perfect”? No. But neither are ODF’s. Yer, but what chance have Apple got of getting complete compatibility given what cannot be implemented? Not a chance in hell. Given that you’re quoting the Microsoft party line right from the handbook, with a stunning ability to wheel out the MSDN blogs, Slashdot comments and exactly the same arguments that others have used on a consistent basis, and that you haven’t responded when I’ve debunked quotes such as those by Gary Edwards that you don’t understand anywa, sorry, but I feel compelled to question your credibility. As for not responding to your posts, I normally just skip over them, because I find your posts to be among the most insulting on this site. Sorry sweetheart, but it’s because you haven’t got the faintest idea how to reply to them when you’ve been debunked, and it tends to be the same with people like Rick Jelliffe either. There can only be so much drivel one person can regurgitate it seems. Maybe if you stop with all the name-calling and cyber-yelling People like Rick Jelliffe use the same argument. Oh, you’re all being so nasty and calling me names! Would this be the name calling where I debunked your Gary Edwards reference, debunked your reference to Miguel’s comment on Slashdot and debunked all your other feeble arguments? Along these lines, are you aware of a test suite to verify OOXML compatibility, other than Office 2007, as ODF has? Or is everyone just resigned to sucking their index finger, sticking it in the air and seeing if it opens in Office 2007? If you know something to be true and people keep saying things that are untrue repeatedly, the response will seem a little repetitive, no? If people keep saying stupid things about OOXML (always with the attached tagline that Office should support ODF) when ODF suffers from flaws that are identical or worse, then what response do you expect? I’m going to come out and say it: some sections of ODF are over-simplified and not well-designed for making a high performance Office suite (cf. the proposed standards for spreadsheet formulae). Too many things are left out of the base standard (e.g. line formatting rules) and included in app-specific configuration tags. ODF as standardized by the ISO is not sufficient to implement MSOffice’s functionality and extending it to support the necessary functions would just break the format and make it into an under-specified form of OOXML (why do you suspect that Microsoft would have to document their extensions to ODF… the doc is “ISO-ODF” as long as it supports the base format… even if all the really useful data is stored in extension fields). Watching anti-Microsoft commentators attack is really frustrating because they show that internet culture has brought us once again to the days of Witch Hunting based on irrational beliefs. People ascribe all sorts of actions and motives to Microsoft as if they are some gigantic monolith that acts with the sole purpose of doing something evil. If something positive towards Open Source comes out of Redmond (e.g. the open-source code which they produce) it is mocked and derided as just more “platform lock-in.” If they produce an exciting product, it is automatically either useless or “done before.” If Microsoft decides to keep their formats as a hard-to-parse binary that is strongly related to OLE structured storage, they are evil for “binary lock-in.” If they try to open up and document their formats and, at the encouragement of the European Commission, try to get it ISO standardized, they are evil for “making a standard just to continue their lock-in.” And, of course, “OOXML is riddled with technical flaws and is completely unimplementable,” is a really often-spouted talking point. This is invariably stated by a person who hasn’t implemented any significant piece of software and who has no deep (or even shallow) understanding of the particular techincal flaws which they cite. For example, the bitmasks used in the font signatures are actually part of a unicode standard for resolving which font to use for runs of text in multiple languages (i.e. the current font does not support some character that’s right next to it). Much raging has occurred due to the 1900 date fiasco, though few people actually investigate enough to realize that there’s a pretty easy work around for someone producing a spreadsheet (there’s a date1904 function that gives the correct behavior). Fewer people still realize that this is only an issue when doing calculations involving the first 60 days of 1900 (not any time before or after that). Please, people, stick to the facts and to reasonable interpretations. I know it’s the cool thing to do on campus to flame Microsoft from your dorm rooms for any and every flaw you find in their software or public outlook. But it really is pretty meaningless and I, for one, don’t have any respect for those people who are so unbalanced, even as they have have yet to do anything significant with their own lives. That’s about the size of it, yer ;-). If people keep saying stupid things about OOXML (always with the attached tagline that Office should support ODF) when ODF suffers from flaws that are identical or worse… Have you got a list so we can have a sensible adult discussion, or is this just something undefinable that you’ve come up with proving your first sentence above true? Watching anti-Microsoft commentators attack is really frustrating because they show that internet culture has brought us once again to the days of Witch Hunting based on irrational beliefs. People ascribe all sorts of actions and motives to Microsoft…. What has this got to do with the specifics of what I wrote? If you have an issue with them, by all means itemise them and let’s have an adult discussion. If Microsoft decides to keep their formats as a hard-to-parse binary that is strongly related to OLE structured storage…….If they try to open up and document their formats and, at the encouragement of the European Commission, try to get it ISO standardized, they are evil for “making a standard just to continue their lock-in.” Errr, they aren’t opening anything, because if you’d cared to read anything quoted, including Stephane Rodriguez’s article, you’d realise that the BIFF format is still very much a part of OOXML if you want to do anything with it. Trying to get it ISO standardised is not symptomatic of anything. What’s in the format and how it works is far more important than the act of getting it standardised. For example, the bitmasks used in the font signatures are actually part of a unicode standard for resolving which font to use for runs of text in multiple languages They’re actually used for more than that, but Rick Jelliffe came up with a similar sort of feeble argument. The simple fact is that is is not correct XML because a XML parser will have to do something extra to discern its meaning. Bitmasks have no place in XML (it’s hard enough as it is). Although you could conceivably do something with them, that misses the entire point of using XML. Extra processing and code is required that shouldn’t be necessary. Much raging has occurred due to the 1900 date fiasco, though few people actually investigate enough to realize that there’s a pretty easy work around You miss the point. In a new format there is no place for application specific bugs, and no one should have to handle them. Is Microsoft going to do anything to fix this as a result of the ISO comments? Fewer people still realize that this is only an issue when doing calculations involving the first 60 days of 1900 (not any time before or after that). Oh, well that’s a relief when handling documents with historical dates, isn’t it? At least this behaviour is so completely logical that it can be easily handled, and won’t be prone to bugs ;-). Please, people, stick to the facts and to reasonable interpretations. Have a read of what people have written, quote parts of it and say why it is wrong. I think I read that in a manual somewhere. What you’ve written here is simply laughable. I know it’s the cool thing to do on campus to flame Microsoft from your dorm rooms for any and every flaw you find in their software or public outlook. But it really is pretty meaningless… Memo from Microsoft when handling OOXML criticism: When all else has failed, tell everyone that this is an anti-Microsoft tactic and that everyone hates us. It’s really all we have left. And, of course, “OOXML is riddled with technical flaws and is completely unimplementable,” is a really often-spouted talking point. This is invariably stated by a person who hasn’t implemented any significant piece of software Eric S. Raymond has not implemented any significant piece of software? Then again, what nonsense should we expect from someone called “PlatformAgnostic”, but who invariably takes Microsoft’s side. “People who keep saying things that are untrue repeatedly” indeed…except they’re OOXML’s supporters, not ODF’s. There’s no reason to believe that it can’t compete. Ok, then do it. Compete on features. When it comes to file formats compete is the wrong word because the whole point of a standard format (and any kind of standard in any industry) is that applications can compete on features and price. When it comes to that, the free one will nearly always win though, and Microsoft probably knows that. Microsoft really wants to perpetuate the myth (and it has been really trying) that competition means competition between formats rather than applications, and that mandating one format means a lack of competition. It is the exact opposite however, because we can’t get any less competition between office suites and applications than we have now. That’s what I mean. Compete on features. Compete at the application level. Actually, you misunderstood me: it should be up to Microsoft to compete using ODF. Should be according to… what? Law? FOSS advocates? They should be doing that because it’s the right thing to do. Or perhaps you don’t believe that open standards that don’t give an unfair advantage to one of the parties is a good thing? I believe they have the right to choice. I believe that the FOSS is trying to define all the rules and trying to force Microsoft to play by them to give themselves an unfair advantage. I believed that they compromised by even developing OOXML in the first place. As for your question please rephrase it w/o as many negatives so I can answer it being sure what you are asking. I believe that the FOSS is trying to define all the rules and trying to force Microsoft to play by them to give themselves an unfair advantage. Not quite. Instead, they’re trying to remove the unfair advantages MS has enjoyed for the past decade. As for my question: is a truly open format that doesn’t give an unfair advantage to one of the parties a good thing or not? We’ll just have to disagree there. Sure it’s a good thing. That the format exists. But you can’t and shouldn’t expect everyone that makes Office software to use that format, especially when: 1) It lacks many features existing software already has implemented and used by many people around the world 2) Is controlled by an open committee which tends to result in a slow bureaucratic-like process for requesting new capabilities being added to this specification 3) Many of the authors and proponents of this format quite clearly have a bias against authors of existing software and may make it difficult for them to get which “features” that require to properly implement this format in their own software. I’m not saying there is anything wrong with ODF or OASIS, but there are valid reasons why someone would choose not to implement ODF and that should be respected. Such as? Again, was it really more efficient to design an entirely new file format rather than try to expand the one that existed already? It’s an open standard. Open standards are ruled by committees. This is just a random rant against “bureaucracy” (nevermind that MS is so big itself that it also has these types of problems), and is not based on any concrete evidence that OASIS is slow to respond to change requests (as long as those change requests are reasonable). Another baseless allegation. What about the bias shown by MS against truly open standards, and the fact that they made it difficult for others to implement their format (say, in GPLed applications)? Again, was it really more efficient to design an entirely new file format rather than try to expand the one that existed already? Quite possibly, in terms of time and resources, for Microsoft yes. I’m not saying they are “slow to respond to change requests”. But all requests must go through them and are not even guaranteed to be approved. Push so many requests through and they will become a bottleneck. It’s not a rant against them, it’s a reality. That’s a separate argument. True, but that’s no different from what you just tried to do with your question about the GPLv3. I guess that’s about it then. “was it really more efficient to design an entirely new file format rather than try to expand the one that existed already? “ You mean, expand ODF rather than make OOXML? OOXML was in development concurrently with ODF. And in fact, both OOXML and ODF are the result of “expanding a format that existed already”. No it wasn’t. As I’d explained in an earlier comment you’d ignored, you can’t simply link to a MSDN blog that has a timeline on it that has extrapolated out Microsoft’s closed formats until 1998 in an effort to try and make the whole thing look like a whole grand-plan process for OOXML. ODF was in existence and being worked on around 2001/2002, before OOXML was even a glint in the ECMA’s eye. And all I was pointing out was that Denmark and the other national bodies didn’t object to standardizing a format that purports to support spreadsheets yet can’t even support formulas. And yet, all the spreasheets implementing ODF do have formulas implemented. There was just no formal spec for it, which we now have. How much more proof do you need that the process with which ODF has been has been developed, and is being developed, actually works sweetheart? We’ve had this ODF formulas stuff wheeled out on every MSDN blog in existence, and it’s crap because it doesn’t match up to real world implementations of ODF. What would be more sensible is to not “rush” ODF 1.0 through ISO with such a huge deficiency in functionality soley for the political purposes of being able to proclaim “We’re first!!” This is another nugget wheeled out regularly on MSDN blogs. Apparently, a format cannot be submitted to the ISO and then iteratively improved (which is actually happening, hence version 1.0, 1.1, 1.2 etc). You ain’t seen very many ISO standards, eh? It’s all a massive conspiracy to get ODF to be first ahead of OOXML, which wasn’t even in existence for very long before ODF’s ISO approval. I don’t know why this seems to bother you, but it does. Because there has been no attempt to create a process to improve it, as with ODF? Molly’s arguments at this point seem to take an altogether different tac, for reasons that should be obvious ;-). I’ll deal with them in my next post. wirespot Are you serious? This is a bunch of nonsense. Nobody is trying to ban Microsoft Office or require governments to legalise ways of throwing it out of the competition. Not that we don’t want to. God, if only it were that easy for little people to get the gov’s of the world to do something. The only thing we want is a document format that is completely open. Complete openness has multiple advantages. Among them, gives all software products a level playing ground, allowing them to compete on fair criteria, such as price and features. It also makes it impossible for documents to become unusable if the software they were created with dissapears. The OpenOffice team invented such a format. OASIS took it and refined it. ISO and IEC accepted it as a standard (for real). Why didn’t Microsoft get up first and invented such a format? Because they don’t want to, that’s why. They like people and governments having to buy MS Office and depend on it. And now, since there’s already an established open format, the logical thing to do would be to add full support for it into MS Office. But nooo. Can’t have that, can we? That would allow people to convert all their MS Office documents and escape. Instead, let’s create a mockery of a spec, call it a confusing name (Office Open XML) and play ISO into saying it’s also a standard. Once that happens, those fools in the governments won’t know the difference anyway. Well, excuse us if we want to fight against that. Ad-hominem attacks on those you disagree with (OSI is a self-appointed group), vagaries, empty words, promoting a point time and time again in the face of all evidence and disregarding any evidence that doesn’t support your point and you expect us to believe that you have no vested interest in the positions you take. You just happen to love OOXML and Microsoft. What a joke! By the way, the fact that Gnumeric, Koffice, Abiword, Lotus, GoogleDocs and more are all able to add support for ODF should tell you a lot about how hard it is for any office suite to support it. What’s also striking about these code bases adding support for ODF is that they have very different origins, are written in different languages and yet they are all making great strides in reaching full support for ODF. And you have the gall to tell me that Microsoft wants to compete on features. Most people are more than happy with Openoffice, the only occasional complain is about dealing with their legacy documents and it’s been literally over a year since I have heard that. Well, ODF is after all designed from the ground up to be platform-independent and OS-independent. It shouldn’t take Microsoft barely any effort at all to support ODF fully and natively in MS Office. Microsoft engineers (ie not MS managers and not MS PR people) have apparently been quoted off the record (in discussions with Massachusetts officials) as assesing that the task of adding full native support for ODF in MS Office would take about two weeks of effort. And you have the gall to tell me that Microsoft wants to compete on features. Precisely. Where is Microsoft’s effort to compete on the “native support for ODF” feature? We (the public, the end-users) have been waiting for quite a while now for that feature. It doesn’t make sense that Microsoft can’t compete on that much-desired feature … so the only conclusion to reach is that Microsoft has made a political (not technical) decision to forbid full support of ODF by MS Office. It would seem that the feature Microsoft is keenest to support in its products are the plentiful “lock-in” features, the “requires a Windows platform” features and the “screw the customer” features. One finds these features at their greatest concentration in MS Office. The only reason MS wants OOXML to have the ISO impramature is to undercut IBM’s lobbying effort… Is this the lobbying effort that is flooding ISO’s international committees with new members in order to get its format approved come what may? Oh sorry, that’s Microsoft…………. And that’s why the FOSS community doesn’t like OOXML, because it undercuts that grand strategy to get governments to ban MS Office and/or codify into law a format that lacks certain MS Office features… No one needs to ban Microsoft Office (which created this unfair trade, monopoly situation in the first place). If it conforms to an internationally recognised standard that everybody can implement, no problem! That’s Microsoft’s problem, no one elses’. Many standards are mandated worldwide that companies in many industries have to conform to, and they all can equally. I know of no company that has whined at an internationally recognised and implementable standard, there to promote equality and fair trade that everyone can implement, because they couldn’t go off and invent their own. The childishness and foot stamping is beyond belief. They don’t want to do that for two reasons: 1.) ODF went through the fast-track process, in fact being virtually rubberstamped… ODF was around within the OASIS committee for four years before it got near the ISO. Track record is everything, and OOXML just doesn’t have that. Two, if OOXML goes through the slow rather than fast track, it’s shortcomings will be addressed and will have all the more credibility at the end. Wishful thinking. Microsoft will not address any concerns with OOXML because: 1. It is out in the world as part of Office 2007. 2. Microsoft is flooding ISO committees all over the world in order to make sure that the comments are glossed over, giving it an apparent air of credibility. 3. Technically, many of the shortcomings cannot be solved unless large parts of the standard are junked and started again. Yes, that’s a very cute attempt to pre-emptively dismiss my arguments (easier to do that than to address them directly) I have done, and you’ve never addressed mine because you’ve been taken to the cleaners every time. So has Rick Jelliffe, but I admire you both for soldiering on – no matter how much you’ve been paid. Can’t be easy ;-). I’m well aware of Stephen Rodriguez’ writings. He regularly trolls OOXML lead Brian Jones’ blog, using all kinds of personal insults against him. Rick Jelliffe uses the same tactic. When you have no arguments left, wheel out the personal insults and attacks card. Can Microsoft’s strategy department not give you anything better? Just because a format is stored as XML text doesn’t mean a user can blithely alter any portion of that XML text without regard to how it might affect the rest of the file. Sweetheart, the whole point of XML (supposedly) is that it is human readable and editable text. It should be editable and parsable by other applications. If Microsoft Office throws a wobbler because you’ve put in what should be a valid element then you’ve got a problem. Miguel (of Mono fame) completely destroys nearly every one of his arguments here Ahhhh, Miguel. His credibility just keeps diving through the floor. First of all he dismisses the exploding spreadsheets point by saying that Stephane hasn’t read the schema. However, all he has done is insert a value in a cell that is consistent with all the other XML for doing the same thing. They are not indexes to other parts, just regular data consistent with other XML elements in the same block. He then tells us that entered versus stored values are different because of double format precision. That’s great, apart from the fact that this is supposed to be a human readable format and shouldn’t need to be shoved through an application to get the right value without the execution environment being described. What is a dumb XML parser supposed to do with this? It will take it as-is. Microsoft, and Miguel, just don’t get this it seems. Miguel then helpfully tells us that VML is deprecated, just as Rick Jelliffe tells us that the word95 elements are deprecated. Well thanks very much, but quite what deprecated elements are doing in a completely new format, I really have no idea. Presumably all those old Microsoft Office documents that get converted will be continuing to use these deprecated extensions, so Miguel is wrong, VML is very much still in use – which is kind of the point ;-). OSI is a self-appointed group that takes it upon itself to decide what constitutes an open source license. They have no inherent credibility or authority Microsoft doesn’t seem to agree with you. If they want to start playing favorites or being moral police then they need to publicly change their mission statement accordingly. They are no different to any other collaborative group. You get along with your peers and contribute. If you don’t then they owe you nothing Don’t pull the moral or equality arguments, because they mean nothing in such organisations. It’s about building your reputation within the group. Microsoft, who is finally succumbing to the open-source bandwagon Microsoft isn’t “succumbing to the open-source bandwagon”. They’re attempting to expand the definition of what “open-source” means. Which is fine. Open source means different things to different people, and it would be the height of hypocrisy for OSI to exclude MS simply because (a) it doesn’t like MS or (b) MS’s licensing model is different. Microsoft is virtually handing their most profitable business (office suites) over to the open-source movement (in the form of OOXML). Nonsense. I don’t see many organizations moving away the binary formats. Microsoft is only doing this because certain customers (ie. governments) now require “open” file formats. But even the ones who called for these formats (ie. Massachusetts) are still using binary formats. systyrant Although I don’t really have a position on this I think that if Microsoft is trying to overly influence the committee then anything they have submitted should be thrown out until it can be fairly addressed. A standard should be free for all to use and unencumbered by patents and copyrights. To me that means if something is submitted for standardization and the submitter owns a patent on the submitted technology then the patent holder should relinquish control of that patent. I’m sure I’m missing much of the finer details, but over all I think that if Microsoft isn’t stacking the odds in it’s favor and it’s submissions are valid and pass then all is good. That would go for any company. However, if they are known or suspicioned to be stacking the odds then what they submit should be rejected. It’s worth noting that ESR is a genocidal maniac who, via his blog and other publications, actively advocates the extermination of non-whites and non-Christians. He’s probably not the right man to be defining what constitutes equal treatment. But I suppose that’s par for the course when it comes to “free” software zealots. Either you’re one of them or you’re not worthy of life. Are you really suggesting that FOSS advocates support the extermination of those who disagree with them? See, that’s a tricky question. I guess it’s like ESR said: I know I have to grit my teeth, remain a professional, not stoop to their level, not become something I hate and so on. But boy are they trying our patience. So I can’t help thinking how unbelievably sweet it would be to forget all that and kick Microsoft in the mouth, if only once. PS: I know you were replying to something completely different, it just got me thinking I’d like to do some extermination myself sometimes. Some of them, yes. ESR is one such example, although so far he’s only full-out supported genocide on the basis of race and religion. RMS, on the other hand, has proclaimed that those who “charge for software” (his words, not mine) are commiting “a crime against humanity” (again, his words, not mine). These people are insane demagogues. (And I’m not “chastened” by being voted down. The fasco-commies have always been quick always quick to silence truth.) If by “truth” you mean “off-the-wall rants”, then you might have a point. Can you please give the source for RMS’ comment, please? You know, so we can see the context? By the way, “fasco-commies” is an oxymoron. Fascism and communism are at opposing poles of the political spectrum. I think you’re mostly being dugg down because you do not respect OSNews’ terms or participating in these forums (and for Godwinning threads). But perhaps you just enjoy wasting time writing stuff that nobody will read… “Can you please give the source for RMS’ comment, please? You know, so we can see the context? “ From doing a web search, the articles regardign RMS’s “crime against humanity” statement, seemed to be in response to a dev putting “timebombs” in his code to prevent it from being used by pirates: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stallman “When Brian Reid in 1979 placed “time bombs” in Scribe to restrict unlicensed access to the software, Stallman proclaimed that “the prospect of charging money for software was a crime against humanity.”[11]” http://www.oreilly.com/openbook/freedom/ch06.html “Brian Reid’s 1979 decision to embed “time bombs” in Scribe, making it possible for Unilogic to limit unpaid user access to the software, was a dark omen to Stallman. “He considered it the most Nazi thing he ever saw in his life,” recalls Reid. Despite going on to later Internet fame as the cocreator of the Usenet alt heirarchy, Reid says he still has yet to live down that 1979 decision, at least in Stallman’s eyes. “He said that all software should be free and the prospect of charging money for software was a crime against humanity.”8 “ From doing a web search, the articles regardign RMS’s “crime against humanity” statement, seemed to be in response to a dev putting “timebombs” in his code to prevent it from being used by pirate Right, however one has to realize that these are words ascribed to him by Reid. In any case, if accurate this was almost 30 years ago, in private conversation, and I don’t see how this makes him particularly dangerous – or perhaps you subscribe to egghead’s over-the-top mischaracterization of FOSS advocates? Please enlighten us. “Right, however one has to realize that these are words ascribed to him by Reid. But they are well-known and RMS hasn’t seen fit to deny them over the last 30-years. In any case, if accurate this was almost 30 years ago, in private conversation, and I don’t see how this makes him particularly dangerous – or perhaps you subscribe to egghead’s over-the-top mischaracterization of FOSS advocates? Please enlighten us.” Enlighten you about what? I don’t speak for eggman, I merely answered a question you posed to him, for the benefit of the other readers. But looking at what he’s posted, I don’t see any supporting evidence of ESR supporting “genocide” or that ESR and RMS are “insane demagogues” (although, if you remove the “insane” part, I might agree with him. ) I do think that RMS is a utopianist, and utopians rarely work in the long term. But that doesn’t make him “insane”. OK, I take that back, wrt ESR. I just did a search for “ESR genocide” and found that he advocates “cultural genocide” (his words) against Muslims. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_S._Raymond Raymond is a prolific writer of political and technical opinion pieces through his website and blog. Raymond is an avowed anarcho-capitalist and a supporter of the Libertarian Party. However, he supported the War on Iraq, and criticized the Libertarian party for perceived isolationism in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks;[20] he said that the Western world should embark on an “imperialist” military campaign to “civilize” the Muslim world. He acknowledged that some might call this plan “deliberate cultural genocide.”[21] Seems that he’s a white-supremicist and homophobe, to boot: “Other controversial opinions he has proffered include that African-Americans are responsible for a disproportionate percentage of crimes because they have lower IQs,[22], and that “pederasty has never been a marked or unusual behavior among homosexuals, and even advocates of outright pedophilia are not shunned in the homosexual-activist community”.[23]” This guy is one of your leaders??? Bill Gates, the most prolific philanthropist in history, is demonized by OSS advocates as “evil”, but they hold up this racist, homophobe, and cultural-genocidist (if that’s a word) as an icon of virtue? Wow. To answer your question, “Do I subscribe to eggman’s over-the-top mischaracterization of FOSS advocates?” No. Here’s a question to you: Do you subscribe to RMS’s statement that charging for software is a “crime against humanity”? Or that closed source software is “unethical” by defintion? Because I think those are “over-the-top” remarks regarding closed-source commercial software makers. And no I don’t ascribe the wacky social theories of ESR to OSS advocates, but I’m very disappointed that they have not denounced his social theories and that they continue to pay heed to what this guy spouts. It’s like giving a rip what David Duke’s thoughts are on any particular matter. And I’m sorry, but egghead is right with regard to ESR’s “credibility”. I dismissed eggman’s “genocide” comment as empty rhetoric, and supported his being modded down on that basis. But I am literally shocked to see that it’s true. This entire thread was started to discuss comments made by ESR, but after finding out what he’s really about, I just have to shake my head and wonder why we’ve spent so much time discussing what this guy has to say. About anything. Okay, I’m popping back in just for a quick one. No, he’s not. I’ve known about ESR’s over-the-top ways for a long time, and in my book he’s more than a little nutty (he even threatened to shoot Bruce Perens, if memory serves right). His libertarian views can be quite extreme, so at least we agree on that. 🙂 My beef with eggman’s comment was that he insinuated that all FOSS advocates were like ESR, which is obviously very far from the truth. Do you subscribe to RMS’s statement that charging for software is a “crime against humanity”? Or that closed source software is “unethical” by defintion? I do not share these views. As I’ve previously mentioned, I produced closed-source software products for a living (well, not right now – I’m on sabbatical leave). I do think that FOSS and proprietary software can coexist, though I do also believe that FOSS will keep increasing in popularity, and that one day proprietary code will be highly marginalized. Note that this is not something I want (necessarily), but rather something that I think is likely to happen. I dismissed eggman’s “genocide” comment as empty rhetoric, and supported his being modded down on that basis. But I am literally shocked to see that it’s true. The issue wasn’t ESR’s comment (his off-the-wall rants are well-known), but rather eggman’s insulting insinuations that ESR is somehow representative of FOSS advocates. I’m happy to learn that you do not, in fact, share this ridiculous notion. tpaws What the h*l are you going on about. I was enjoying most of this thread until you showed up. Is this the writing of a racist? http://catb.org/~esr/writings/racism.html Reads a lot like something Bill Cosby would write. You also have not read anything by ESR, after all, how could you equate his discussions about “cultural-genocide” to actual genocide. You are in idiot. Reads a lot like something Bill Cosby would write. You also have not read anything by ESR, after all, how could you equate his discussions about “cultural-genocide” to actual genocide. You are in idiot. “ tpaws, I hate to say this, but it while it is something that a “personal-responsibility” African-American might write, it also sounds like something David Duke would write, in attempt to present his rasicm in a socially-acceptable manner. Now, taken on its own, I don’t have much problem with that article (other than the patronizing of African-Americans by the all-knowing “white man” tone). But couple that with what I read in wikipedia, which I cited in my previous post, and it does not paint a pretty picture for ESR. In terms of racism there is no reason to claim ESR is a racist. A racist is a person who believes his/her own race is superior to other races on a genetic foundation. The left tend to use the word “racist” whenever they need to shut down opposition, and cannot do that through logically correct argumentation. Please, oh please, let’s not turn this thread into a “right vs. left” thread. Let’s just keep it a “FOSS vs. MS” one. 🙂 What about the middle against the two extremes “Left” and “Right” ? If you want to keep this about MS and FOSS then stop your attacks on ESR on his personal views. Apparently stooping to such low levels as personal attacks are the only thing you and MollyC can agree on. What what what what? I didn’t attack ESR. I simply stated that some of his views are quite extreme (from a mainstream point of view). Yes, that is what “off-the-wall” means… I agree with some* of ESR’s political view (being a Libertarian Leftist myself, I sympathinze with some aspects of “Right” Libertarianism), but his obsession with guns and his ideas on how the west should embark on military campaigns to civilize muslims I completely disagree with. Don’t say I’m attacking him because I’m saying that these are extreme viewpoints, please. A racist is a person who believes his/her own race is superior to other races on a genetic foundation. “ You’re describing race-supremicism more than racism, and first word I used to describe ESR was “white-supremicist”, based on his “African Americans … have lower IQ” statement. He clearly believes he is of a superior race, so he fits the definition of a race-supremicist. Later, I did use the word “racist” rather than white-supremicist, simply because it was shorter to write. But that was sloppy language, because “racism” isn’t just “bigotry”, “race-supremicism”, “predjudice”, etc, it’s rather, the act or policy of discriminating against someone on the basis of those things. I’ve not seen explicit examples of ESR advocating discrimination on the basis of his bigotry (though advocating an “imperialist military campaign to civilize the Muslim world” is close enough, as it smacks of “white man’s burden” philosophy used to justify the European colonial empires of old; but “Muslim” isn’t a “race”, so the term “racism” wouldn’t be accurate, but the underlying attitude is the same). But colloquially, people do use the term “racism” as shorthand to describe prejudice, bigotry, supremicism, hatred, etc, as well as the advocation of enacting policy based on those things. I’m sorry Molly. I was wrong about the last resort in the Microsoft PR handbook. It’s not to tell everyone that they’re anti-Microsoft, it’s to go off on a massive tangent and insinuate that people involved with open source software are communists and racists. This is for when you really have to scrape the barrel. Is there some mailing list I can get on for this stuff, where you all sort of, congregate? If indeed you are a Microsoft PR shill (and it’s getting more likely with every comment), do you really think that’s going to help Microsoft and the OSI get along?! ROTFL As for the content of this supposed argument, I suggest you put yourself back through childhood, puberty and education if you don’t know what you’re writing about. I don’t think you can be a PR shill really, because how can you be when this is just not good PR? I would recommend people NOT reply to this drivel, because it’s just another attempt to get a racist and communist thread going because she’s been taken to the cleaners on everything else. The list of quotes and tacs to use in discussions obviously isn’t complete enough. Do you know what the letters F and O stand for Molly? There’s another phrase used in that film that I’m sure you know, but I won’t use ;-). You’ve gone as far off any topic as it’s possible to get, you’re talking about a ton of things you know nothing about and you have nothing left to write about that’s remotely on topic. This little exercise has been a PR disaster because you’re as transparent as air. What did you seriously hope to achieve here, because no one here is listening, and you’ve also been taken through the car wash more times than I can count? Well MollyC, you have lost a lot of credibility with me. You continue our attempt to discredit ESR and OSI by passing judgement on your perceptions of ESR’s political views based on simple quotes from Widipedia. It is apparent that you do not read beyond your simplistic references. Saying that he is a “racist” or “white-supremicist”, or an “imperialist” is intelectually dishonest and completely untrue. If you want to think of him as “wacky” after actually reading his material you’ll get no argument from me. Lemur2 earlier in this thread threw down the gauntlet when you accused him of not reading his reference material discussing ODF, OOXML and formulas. Obviously he did read while you didn’t, and apparently you are attempting to hide from the challenge your bomb throwing produced. “Well MollyC, you have lost a lot of credibility with me. You continue our attempt to discredit ESR and OSI by passing judgement on your perceptions of ESR’s political views based on simple quotes from Widipedia. It is apparent that you do not read beyond your simplistic references. Saying that he is a “racist” or “white-supremicist”, or an “imperialist” is intelectually dishonest and completely untrue. If you want to think of him as “wacky” after actually reading his material you’ll get no argument from me. “ Whoa, whoa, whoa! Hold your horses. I did not attempt to discredit OSI at all. ESR is a wacko, but I don’t associate his social ideas with OSI in my mind. So that’s your first error. You show me even ONE instance of where I tried to discredit OSI on the basis of ESR’s social theories. Before you accuse me of trying to discredit someone, make sure you have your own facts straight first. Second, no I DON’T care to listen to the opinion of someone whom I consider to be racist, white-supremicist, or whatever, on any subject. Sorry if that offends you. Eggman brought this up in attempt to discredit ESR, well guess what, it worked in my case because I was previously unaware of his social theories. I used to hold ESR in much higher regard than RMS, as I considered ESR to represent the pragmatic side of the OSS movement, while RMS the more fanatical/religious side. But now I hold ESR way below RMS. RMS is like Nelson Mandella or MLK to me compared to what I feel regarding ESR now. I don’t care what he has to say on anything, regardless of whether he agrees or disagrees with me on a particular issue. I am extremely offended that this guy presumes to have a higher IQ than I, based on his having lighter skin than I. To hell with him. There are better people in the world than this guy, and frankly, the OSS movement should NOT let this guy represent it or be its public face. As for Lemur2, I don’t have time to read every reference. I skimmed his post, and it appeared his references were meant to show that apps that implement ODF 1.0 support spreadsheet formulas. But I had already stated that OO.o goes outside of the ISO ODF 1.0 spec in order to store spreadsheet formulas. I had also previously referenced Rob Weir saying that ODF spreadsheet formulas are still being worked on for ODF 1.1 and that ISO ODF 1.0 lacked such functionality. I had also already stated that ISO ODF 1.0 is already obsolete with ODF 1.1’s presence (which does, or will, include spreadsheet formulas), but that has yet to go through ISO certification. I didn’t feel like repeating myself, for once. Now, there are times when I do go ahead repeat my arguments to counter other repeated arguments. Most of the debates around here involve going round and round in circles anyway, with people repeating what they’ve said before, and almost never anyone convincing anyone else to budge from their previously held position. But I got tired of it on this occasion and didn’t feel like repeating myself again. It’s not like I’m the only one that takes a break from responding to each and every challenge around here, and with me it’s like always twenty against one, so I’m not going to take time to respond to each and every challenge and read each and every reference. It’s not like every one of my points is responded to by the opposition, either, but I don’t raise a hissy fit over it, accuse people of hiding, and whatnot. If I make an argument that isn’t responded to then I assume that my argument stands unopposed (not necessarily agreed to, simply unopposed), and that’s it. Look, there were far more interesting and refreshing posts I was responding to (in this thread and others), not yet another ODF-post. I didn’t feel like responding to Lemur2, so please feel free to let his argument stand unopposed. BTW, I when skimming Lemur2’s post I also saw him calling me a liar and whatnot, which gives me even less incentive to respond. If he had said, “MollyC, your mistaken, you don’t know what you’re talking about, read these references”, that’s one thing. But when he says “Stop lying”, do you think I’m going to take time out of my day to read his references? Well, I might, but I’d be less inclined to do it, is all. Thank you for making my point(s). I am sorry. But I had already stated that OO.o goes outside of the ISO ODF 1.0 spec in order to store spreadsheet formulas. I had also previously referenced Rob Weir saying that ODF spreadsheet formulas are still being worked on for ODF 1.1 and that ISO ODF 1.0 lacked such functionality. When can we expect iterative improvements to be made to OOXML, and when can we expect OOXML 1.1, 1.2 etc. in order to address peoples’ criticisms about it? When can we expect the BIFF format to be documented so that people can handle OOXML files that contain it? http://www.codeproject.com/cs/library/office2007bin.asp Shockingly, that’s how things are developed and improved in the real world, and it’s important that a standard doesn’t just sit still and become in immovable object. If he had said, “MollyC, your mistaken, you don’t know what you’re talking about, read these references”, that’s one thing. It’s happening quite a lot, isn’t it? Your references seem to point to an awful lot of MSDN blogs that talk about an awful lot of oft repeated things that have been widely discredited here and in other places. Repeating them over and over is not going to make them magically become true. he’s also a witch http://catb.org/~esr/writings/dancing.html, and incredably pro guns http://catb.org/~esr/geeks-with-guns/. I don’t even remotely agree with his personal beliefs either, and he probably shouldn’t be the public face of open source. But that doesn’t change the fact that he is a very smart (if misguided) guy, and the the whole Cathedral and the Bazaar papers make a hell of alot more sense then the stuff coming out of the FSF I’m sorry, MollyC, but you have been harping on about formulas being a shortcoming in ODF in this thread and others before it many, many times. You repeated this false FUD over and over. Many times in rebuttal I have referred you to the actual facts. Each time you ignored it … and then just repeated your shown-to-be-false assertions later on. Calling you a liar was not only entirely justified … it appears to be the only way to get your attention. MollyC the racist. You have repeatedly made your racist stereotypes of Christians and Muslims well known. I’m using your shorthand to describe you again as a racist. I use this quote from you. http://www.osnews.com/read_thread.php?news_id=18566&comment_id=2688… “I see that smear tactics and character assassination are now the weapon of choice. That’s a shame. ” Well if this isn’t something being pulled out your @$$ I don’t what is! Where in the hell do you get off calling someone a racist, simply because you do not agree with them. Nowhere in your supposed “evidence” can one conclude she is racist. MollyC is absolutely 110% correct to have labeled this loser ESR a racist. But he is much more than that, he is quite frankly one dumb@$$ nutjob. Frankly ESR should be a complete embarrassment to the OSS community, and I think it speaks volumes that so many losers embrace this fool. He is quite simply the last person the OSS community needs to be the face. And someone who draws simplistic and ignorant conclusions to complex problems is not “smart” as some of you fools have described him. This is the classic definition of someone lacking intelligence. “Well if this isn’t something being pulled out your @$$ I don’t what is! ” You should check one topic down although Molly the racist has been spreading her hatred for some time. In many topics. Its 100% on topic, she’s making accusations she is guilty of herself. How you draw a conclusion that this individual is racist is beyond me: From this quote, it does aptly apply to you, but where in the world you get this idea I have no clue. Maybe a better idea would be for you to think about WHO you are defending. Why anyone would bother to spend their time defending this loser ESR is well beyond me, that is if you truly share his ideas? Maybe instead you should consider that all you are doing is attacking someone personally with baseless and idiotic claims, something someone did rightly point out. ESR is a racist, if you can NOT see that, then I am sorry you lack the ability to see something that is clear as day. And yes, it is pertinent as it goes to the credibility of those piece of trash You should re-read my post. MollyC is a racist People like her should learn not to throw stones in glass houses. Doesn’t matter how many times I re-read your post, you quite simply are either clueless to what the definition of a racist is, or just feel like calling her a racists will distract attention from the fact that your idol is in fact a stone cold racist. Instead of just repeating over and over, why don’t you bother to show some evidence? I really have yet to see where you draw your conclusion, which at this point is quite obvious as to why? Seriously whats so hard about that. Its not like its a secret. If you cannot click on another thread then I can’t help you its trivial. If you cannot be given information, and act on it yourself I cannot help you. I have given you all the information you need, and more. Do I need to hold your hand and do the trivial mouse clicks myself. Maybe you need your hand held in pulling some more baseless “evidence” out your @$$, as you STILL have you to show a single tiny little bit of proof. Yet you do seem quite able to provide a link that was more that useless, and in fact was actually insightful to your character. But then again your credibility goes down the drain when you chose to defend someone like ESR. And it drops lower and lower each time you continue with this dribble without backing up your claim. So come one, show your evidence, otherwise time to move along and let the adults converse. I will explain carefully so that you can understand. My original comment referred to MollC’s Dual hipocracy The first being that of character assassination which she uses here, and the fact she is a racist accusing another of being one. I have never defended Raymond. I’ve read very little of his stuff. He says nothing here that isn’t obvious. Although its well written apart from the last paragraph. The only other thing I can remember reading by him is “world domination 101” which is excellent. It would not surprise me that people within the Linux/GNU/Open-Source/Microsoft/Sun/… world have skeletons in there closets. The best example of it is the inventor of the Microchip, who was definitely racist. I did know he was a witch, which personally I think is “great”. It doesn’t add to his credibility but I think its wonderful how many different people are brought to together worldwide. Defend him, I wouldn’t even bother. Although in this instance its simply not relevant. How to look at the thread below. 1) left-click(thats the left button) on the logo(OSnews with exploring the future underneath) top left hand corner with your mouse(the small thing connected to your computer with three buttons) 2) When the page has loaded(all the stuff has appeared) scroll down to the bottom by using the scroll bar on the right it should be just under a center meter across and should have part of it that looks like its above the rest., left-click(thats the left button again) and drag(keep it held down) it all the way to the bottom 3) you can let go of your mouse button now!? 4) You will see on the page “Read news posted the last seven days. for a complete news archive check here.” you will notice that the words “last seven days” is underlined that does not mean that it a title but can take you to another page. left-click(thats the left button) on the text thats underlined. 5) Take a deep breath…your doing really well. You can now say your “surfing the internet” 6) Before you you should see several topics listed one will be labeled “OpenBSD: Stealing vs. Sharing Code” if you move your cursor(the little arrow) over the this text you will see an underline left-click(thats the left button) on the text thats now underlined. 7) Repeat Step 2 8) you are now checking “one topic down although Molly the racist has been spreading her hatred for some time. In many topics.” 9) 3) you can let go of your mouse button now or move your mouse up and down to read the text above and below what is written on the screen. If you have any problems ask an adult. Seriously never reply to my posts again, you are not ready for discussions about Operating Systems(programs that are always loaded into memory). I would suggest asking at your local job center about a “clait” or a “European computer driving license” Remember computing CAN be fun. It just takes a little time. You waste your time writing all this garbage, yet still can not back up your claim. Did you just never learn in school to use citations? Same thing applies here. You needed to specifically point out what exactly is fact that this person is a racist. Yet you have now replied several times, and each time have failed to give one example. Just one friggin example is all that was needed to at least show that you were not just being a troll. Yet you can not cite one instance? How hard is that? Well, I guess you can take solace in that you have succedded at being a supreme troll of the day..kudos. Now haven’t you embarrassed yourself enough already? Best maybe to just let this one go before. p.s. Here is a HUGE F**KING HINT…if you even bother to reply, at least cite a SPECIFIC example to back up your claim, otherwise you are just going to make an @SS out of yourself more. It was a good post. It is as just as good a reply to this post as the last. MollyC is a racist. I thank you, for the possibility to talk about it for so long and to the place where it was discussed for everyone to see. I will be repeating this often, so you get further opportunities to highlight MollyC’s racism. Relating to the article that spawned this thread, ESR struggling over the ethical complexity of his conundrum. This is an interesting intellectual point of discussion. This thread got way off track, but that too has been rather interesting. What is really unfortunate is the presence of so much intellectual dishonesty. Attempting to discredit ESR by pointing to a couple of Wikipedia references is extremely weak. I doubt that “eggman” didn’t even read those. ESR is a Libertarian neopagan. There is nothing about his rants that is racist. He is definitely off the wall, hard to read, but certainly thought provoking. His diatribe “What good is IQ?” could be an excellent discussion topic in an appropriate pholosophical and/or scientific forum. It is interesting that while ESR attempts to build a premise for the banishment of racism, David Duke uses the same “studies” to support his undisguised racism. I do not agree with much of ESR’s political rants, but he does raise interesting points. I respect his positions on Freedom and Individual Responsibility. I respect his writing openly about his conundrum in the article of this thread, although I personally feel the decision is easy: Judge the license on its merits. Any link to such a statement from ESR? He has never supported any kind of genocide! He’s clearly anti-Left as all libertarians are, but he is equally anti-Right. IMHO, there isn’t a single controversial post in his blog, apart from clear support for software patents. Apart from that it’s pretty uncontroversial (unless one belongs to the militant Left). Well, I have to say, reading the link below certainly doesn’t look good: http://armedndangerous.blogspot.com/2002_09_15_armedndangerous_arch… that’s what we’re going to have to do — civilize the barbarians at the point of a gun. That’s not a call for genocide. That just means that ESR suggests using military means to implement democracy. That just means that ESR suggests using military means to implement democracy. Good grief. “If they won’t vote for our ideas, we should shoot them” … is a means to “implement democracy”? My irony meter is off the scale! Does this “implementing democracy” scheme by any chance work like the old jokes? “the whippings will continue until morale improves” “hang him high, it will teach him a lesson” Now now… I never said I supported the idea. Besides that, you are misrepresenting the statement. It doesn’t mean that one should kill the opponents of your opinion. It means we are to fight the undemocratic forces, just like we fought nazism and fascism during 2nd World War. It does not mean that people should be shot if they disagree. It means fighting for the right for them to disagree. …which is an incredibly misguided idea. You can’t impose democracy at the barrel of a gun. It doesn’t work. Democracy has to be desired, fought for, and won by the people themselves. And, yes, this is terribly off-topic. Actually it does work – on occasion. It doesn’t always work, and a military solution shouldn’t be given cartÃ© blanche. But democracy was implemented that way in modern Germany. At the barrel of a gun. And it (mostly) works (given the flaws inherit in any system). But yes. Very OT. Thanks to those hiding under the nick “eggman”. And those quick to attack ESR for this and that. Incl. a certain steel But democracy was implemented that way in modern Germany. At the barrel of a gun. Actually, it wasn’t implemented at the barrel of a gun – it was restored. That’s quite different. Germany already had a long history of being a democratic nation. In fact, the Weimar Republic was perhaps a bit too democratic, because it allowed the people to elect a dictator. In effect, it contained a self-destruct clause. Even Japan was toying with democracy between WWI and WWII. There are, as far as I know, no successful examples of forcefully imposing democracy from the outside, when the target country didn’t already have some sort of democratic history. One thing’s for sure, it’s not working that well in Iraq and Afghanistan… Anyway, no hard feelings, dylansmrjones, you know you’re my favorite pro-FOSS capitalist. 😉 Crap, this is so off-topic … you are in need of a history lesson, but this isn’t the place. Gee, thx there isn’t a single controversial post in his blog “think he is also right to say that our long-term objective must be to break, crush and eventually destroy this culture” That’s certainly offensive. Not to mention there’s a lot of inaccurate bullshit (the majority of Muslims does not practice FGC, for example) in that post but that’s pretty much par for the ESR course. Now, that’ s lie. He does not actively advocate such a thing. Nor does he passive advocate it. I thought you were gone for good. I thought Thom had banned you for your comments back in 2006. http://www4.osnews.com/permalink?177278 Now, that’ s lie. If you think such a thing, you haven’t read his secondary blog on ibiblio. Or are you going to pretend that’s a “different” Eric S. Raymond? And why should I be banned? I’m not the one spewing racist propoganda. I know his secondary blog and there is no racism on that. Considering your claim that scandinavian governments are controlled by neo-nazi parties, I don’t give much for your opinion. I must admit I’m not surprised that you would deny it, given your previous “political” statements. Besides, they’re inferior, less than human, right? KenJackson This issue reminds me so much of a Star Trek TNG episode which I think was “The Ensigns of Command”. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0708796/ Microsoft is playing the role of the Sheliac. The treaty in this case it the OSI’s published rules for what constitutes an acceptable license. And they aren’t trying to shoo away settlers, but are trying to get a license accepted so they can replay the same episode with their own license as the treaty. What ESR and OSI need to do is play Picard. Picard asked for a third party to negotiate that couldn’t participate for six months–which gave them a tactical victory. It may be impossible with such a small set of rules, but ESR and OSI need to find some way to end-run Microsoft without violating their own position. You mean deliberately delay the OSI approval? Actually that’s not such a bad idea. They are not saying the license is valid or not, they simply move it down their (understandably busy) calendar. Meanwhile, they can criticize MS for their abuse of the ISO certification process, in essence suggesting that as long as MS aggressively push OOXML, they will passively push the approval… People keep throwing the words neutral and independent around to justify their willingness to let this one slide in favor of Microsoft. Licenses are not neutral and open source is not “neutral”. Open source uses a set of licenses as tools to create a credo and ethos of sharing with the idea that software development and society itself improves by creating a culture of sharing. This idea that one should not make value judgments is inane and ridiculous. Judges themselves do it all the time and it is a hugely important part of the legal process. In criminal and civil matters, “intent” is hugely important. How do judges determine intent? They do so by looking at an actor’s pattern of behavior over time. No sane judge makes determinations based strictly on the letter of the law, but also on its spirit, the legislative context in which it was written and the goals it sought to achieve. In the same vein, if the goal of OSI and its licenses is to create a healthy opensource ecosystem, it should reject these licenses until Microsoft proves that it really has changed its stripes. Well, get this, the open source community cannot da_Chicken what good is it to conform to the letter of OSD if you’re raping its spirit? What’s this “spirit of OSD” that ESR is referring to? Is it the Debian Free Software Guidelines, according to which the Open Source Definition was shaped, or is it the “spirit of GPL”, which can be read from the preamble of the GPL? So where can I read what this “spirit of OSD” consists of? Is the “spirit of OSD” explained somewhere in ESR’s writings? A bit of clarification to my previous post: The general idea behind the Open Source ideology seems to be that ethical ideals, like the users’ control of their own computers, should be irrelevant in software development. The Open Source ideal, as conceived by ESR, emphasizes an efficient method of developing software and it dismisses all ethical concerns. But now ESR suddenly seems to take an ethical stand against Microsoft’s practices. And that prompts me to ask where this sudden ethical “spirit of OSD”, that ESR talks about, comes from. whartung This has nothing to do with OSI. OSI’s job is basically to approve whether the Microsoft license is “Open Source” or not. It is up to OSI whether the letters of the license meet the spririt of OSS, even if the company behind the license may not. OSI needs to ensure that it too is not exploited or taken advantage of by an “unfair” player such as Microsoft, like the ISO is being now. In the end, if the proposed licenses from MS pass OSI’s muster, and they turn out to be strong and legitimate licenses, then everyone gains. Any blood we can squeeze from the MS stone is a good thing. The issue with the ISO and OOXML is a seperate matter. We don’t need evidence from this event to convince us one way or the other as too MS’s sense of good will, it’s “spirit vs letter”, etc. There are volumes of evidence pointing to how MS plays in bad faith with the community, both historicially and currently. OSI stands in the way of making sure that any license proposed by MS is a strong and binding license, regardless of MS’s bad faith for spirit. The ISO problem is the ISO’s problem. MS is gaming the ISO, and the ISO is letting them. You can look at the ISO as SMTP circa 1990, and MS as a new conniving spammer, looking for holes and mechanisms to exploit a long standing, well understood, and community based process. MS and the ISO is the Tragedy of the Commons in action. If the ISO is unhappy how they’re being played by MS, then the directors need to figure out some procedural way to end run around MS and cut them off before its too late. It’s obvious that MS won’t let OOXML stand on it own merit (it’s obvious that OOXML can’t stand on it anyway), but they have a strong motivation to get it approved. This should be obvious to the ISO, and it should be clear the ramifications of this. And it’s up to the ISO to stop it. Not OSI. ISO has real problems. I’ve had the pain of working on the 3rd version of an ISO “standard” that was effectively impossible to implement, because it had in fact never been implemented, and the folks proposing the standard had no background in the technical aspects that the standard called for. Yet, that standard had survived three seperate revisions. So, the ISO stamp doesn’t mean a whole lot to me. I understand it means a lot to MS because they can head to court and say “See, it’s a public standard by a public standard committee”. They’re looking for the ISO stamp simply as a legislative tool to get their software back in to government. I’ve seen good and bad standards come out of ISO, so the fact that they might actually endorse a piece of junk like this doesn’t surprise me. But, again, this has nothing to do with OSI. OSI can do good work here, even when MS is party to it. meandean MS is simply looking for something to use as marketing material and court arguments – to allow it to do so would be foolish IMO. I think MS also just wants to make a mockery out of the term “open source”! I am not a fan of ESR due to his ‘compromise’ attitude and in relation to that I figured he would happily compromise on this as well. Glad to see him taking a half-hearted stand at least. happycamper I sometimes don’t agree with ESR but on this I do. I’m for OSS and i don’t like the idea of having a format that depends on vendor’s patents. I sometimes don’t agree with ESR but on this I do. I’m for OSS and i don’t like the idea of having a format that depends on vendor’s patents. For governments, this in fact should be a purchasing requirement. Everyone wants a truly open format … everyone but Microsoft. This leads one to the very strong suspicion that anyone supporting Microsoft’s lock-in formats must be a Microsoft proxy. Moulinneuf The problem is that now they realized the they have left the door open for all the traitor license to get accepted. What they would need to do first is admit that they where wrong in accepting most other license as Open Source when they are not. They already said that the process as let people make tons of license that are not needed due to there similarity. The problem is they haven’t yet resolved and fixed that situation by getting rid of the license like BSD that are not Open Source all the time , but got accepted because they passed the political acceptance of certain people in the OSI and the criteria needed in the original. What does OSI stand for ? does it stand for Open Source certification or it stand to make Open Source a reality in the futur and to gelp those who make it today , protect it and have it also available in the futur ? OSI stands for Open Source initiative , the goal was/is to make sure that Open Source is as relevant today as it was when it was created , the problem is simple to fix , if the license allow for the closing of the code and make it proprietary or allow for license switching by usage in there original or derivatives , then it’s not an Open Source license. Open Source is not there to protect commercialization or to make a more tolerated or accepted competitor to Free Software , it’s there to make sure that the code is accessible at the source code by certifying that the license allow access to the source code at all time. Open Source don’t work , if it did it would have worked in the UNIX days , but it don’t work because Open Source let itself be corrupted and made meaningless. People are starting to realize that Microsoft is the king of Open Source and of sharing code internally , they have some system that make Open Source and Free Software collaboration look like new born child internally. The only problem is that Open Source is suppose to mean everyone as access to the source code not just certain group for some reasons. Eric S. Raymond just came to the realistic and only conclusion that what he made is a failure and is corrupted at the core by is own doing and compromise and political favor. But he is a traitor so he wont be the one saying : “we where wrong and we need to look at the core problem and fix it.” OSI is at a crossroad , instead of doing what is right and what’s needed to go forward they will do the easy thing , because that’s what they always do. trenchsol Is OSI moral judge ? Do they say Right from Wrong, Good from Evil ? If OSI plans to remain relevant in IT, they should proceed according to their own rules, no matter what Microsoft does elsewhere, which is not their concern. If they judge according to moral criteria, which heavily depend on persons viewpoint, then OSI will become a sectarian organization and a political instrument. No one in IT industry will care about them, except those whose interests are they serving. I see many people getting themselves into a tizzy over morals, judging things on their merits and what the OSI should or shouldn’t do. It’s all totally irrelevant. The fact is, in any collaborative organisation like the OSI there are Ps and Qs to be minded, you have to have a track record and a reputation that carries weight with that organisation. That’s how collaborative forums like the OSI, and more academic circles, actually work. You can’t just wander on to a mailing list, or wander into a committee meeting, and say “We have this license that we think meets the criteria. Ratify it.” when you have had no previous contact with that organisation, and have not supported what they do in any way shape or form. What do you think the OS in OSI stands for? It is up to Microsoft to build that reputation to the point where they are accepted, and constructive dialogue can follow, as countless others have had to do with such organisations before them. As you say, the OSI are not moral police, they do not police the gateway to the open source world and they are merely one organisation that sets criteria on open source licenses. They can’t force any open source project to use a particular license. From that point of view, the OSI owes Microsoft, or any other company who wanders in out of the cold, absolutely nothing. Personally, I believe that an awful lot of licenses submitted by an awful lot of companies should not have been OSI certified, mainly because they just duplicate things and also because a lot of those companies who’ve submitted have done very little, if anything, for open source software: Licenses from companies such as Computer Associates, Sybase and Ricoh simply shouldn’t be in there because they are just not companies that contribute anything much at all to open source software, and various licenses by IBM, Sun and Intel shouldn’t be either. Even though those companies have contributed varying amounts to the wider open source world, their licenses just muddy the waters and add to confusion. License proliferation is not good for anyone, especially if most are variations on a theme. It is not that OSI owes anything to anybody else, but they owe to themselves. If they don’t act according to their own criteria, they are hurting their reputation in the first place. And, yes, even I can submit a license to OSI, no matter that I had no previous contact with them. Check http://www.opensource.org/approval particularly point 8. There are defined criteria, and no one has to “earn” approval based on “good behavior”, “being distinguished member of X or Y” or “being faithful”. If they don’t act according to their own criteria, they are hurting their reputation in the first place. And, yes, even I can submit a license to OSI, no matter that I had no previous contact with them. That’s just not the point. Many standards organisations, academic bodies and committees have such criteria, but if you haven’t supported them previously and cannot get along with your peers then they simply aren’t going to give you too much time in the day. Fact of life. Waving a committee’s process procedure in their face as the only thing that matters is a sure fire way to get you thrown out, but by all means, read point 8: Once we are assured that the license conforms to the Open Source Definition and has received thorough discussion on license-discuss or by other reviewers, and there are no remaining issues that we judge significant, we will notify you that the license has been approved, copy it to our website, and add it to the list below. I would judge your attitude to the open source concept, the OSI as an organisation and the attitude to your fellow peers on the mailing list to be pretty significant, and so would any other collaborative organisation. Sounds like you (and Raymond) think they are doing a favor to somebody. As I understand issues are supposed to be related to a license, not to a general behavior of submitters. However, if you are right, then OSI is just a political instrument of some activist group. In that case I don’t know why would Microsoft, or anyone else, bother with them. You seem to suggest that Microsoft isn’t engagin in politics by introducing these new licenses (when there were perfectly good licences for them to choose from)? BrandonTurner “when there were perfectly good licences for them to choose from” So prefectly good the FSF had to make the GPLv3 to make more ‘freedoms’ and so good that kernel developers(BSD and Linux) can’t even pick one because their ‘freedoms’ aren’t the same type of ‘freedoms’? So prefectly good the FSF had to make the GPLv3 to make more ‘freedoms’ See my response above. The FSF is not the OSI. Well GPLv3 was submitted already, why aren’t raising the same issue? Do you think the issue should be raised? That is completely irrelevant from the issue at hand. You’re just trying to pick a fight. No it is relevant. One of the issues raised here is there are already enough good licenses, according to you, so the MS ones are not necessary. We are simply trying to find out if this holds true for GPL3 as well. So, by your own admission, you are trying to change the subject, a typical rhetorical device in which one side tries to deflect criticism and re-orient the debate. No, I just explained why it is relevant. Don’t try and put words in my mouth or try to assume my goals. Either address it or ignore it. I don’t think it is in fact relevant, and so I won’t respond to it. And I don’t think grass exists, so I won’t mow it. Well their licenses have some copyright and patent provisions, which is uncommon for other OS licenses. Those features might appeal to someone. Those licenses might invite developers from outside of FSF dominated and influenced circles, and those who generally distrust FSF, to share their code. I don’t see anything wrong with that. I think that motive is more commercial than political. MS server software (Sharepoint, Exchange) can be customized and scripted in a way that conforms to open standards, using SOAP and (Web)DAV. Having open source people developing useful additional features would increase value of their server software and their sales. Something similar to SugarCRM community. Yes, I think that Microsoft is much less political then most of the people think. Steve Ballmer is a businessman in the first place. He has a simple goal: make more money. Well their licenses have some copyright and patent provisions, which is uncommon for other OS licenses. All FOSS licenses are based on copyright law. As far as patents go, I know the GPL is against it (as are others), but I don’t know how the BSD license treats the issue. Those licenses might invite developers from outside of FSF dominated and influenced circles, and those who generally distrust FSF, to share their code. You don’t seem to realize that the OSI has nothing to do with the FSF. ESR and RMS apparently can’t stand each other (well, that’s what the story tells, anyway). You also don’t seem to understand how politics and money are deeply entertwined. Politics pertains to power. One of the forms power takes is money. Therefore money and politics are deeply linked, and have been since the beginning of civilization. MS trying to pervert the ISO certification process to fast-track OOXML is inherently political in nature, and they’re using money to influence the outcome. OSI has nothing in common with FSF, but the majority of OS developers today are heavily influenced by FSF. That is why I say that Open Source is dominated by FSF, and I see nothing wrong about changing that. I understand that money and politics are related. Sometimes one needs to resolve political issues to make more money, and sometimes money can buy you political influence. No one can choose to stay entirely out of politics. However, I still think that Steve Ballmer’s first concern are Microsoft shareholders. He gets political only as much as it serves the main goal, which is making money. I think that Bill Gates was much more about politics and ego. AS far as OOXML is concerned, it seems that OOXML and MSOffice file formats are not identically equal. Office files conform to OOXML, but they have extensions to it. Microsoft is, far as I understand, not submitting Office file formats, but OOXML, as standard. I don’t think that is a big issue, because accessing data is one thing and rendering them in application like word processor or spreadsheet is another. Check some peculiar Word documents in OpenOffice, you will see how both of them interpret them in different, but still sensible way. Although in essence i don’t allways necessarily disagree with Eric S Raymond. I do feel a rather naiv undertone coming to the surface. I doubt Mr Raymond is aware of where the real power of society lives. The targeted dream world of Mr Raymond where everything is by the book doesn’t exist. His blog contradicts with his earlier expressions about hackers, coding in generall. Why should you trust institutes which are run by human beings if you don’t trust the same people running whatever peace of code? Mr. Raymond is libertarian, so what do you expect of him ? He is trying to be pro capitalistic, and in the same time feels offended when being told that. walterbyrd singling out one specific vendor for different treatment. There are other, much more sensible options, that can be taken to help eliminate such gaming. Ignoring the Mollyc debate (for which I have no opinion) and the ESR (whom I value for his contributions but not his political stance) I thought I might chime in on OOXML. I find Microsoft’s push to get OOXML approved through ISO to be disturbing and somewhat ill thought out. The point of a standard is to ensure interoperability and foster use. By review of many knowledgeable people in the field OOXML has a number of issues that should be resolved prior to its adoption as an ISO standard. MS, rather than taking this criticism and attempting to resolve the issues, seems to be using their influence and market share to push OOXML though as a standard. MollyC accuses IBM of stuffing the ballot against MS. Being familiar with IBM I would not be surprised if this were true. It does not change the fact that it is fairly obvious that MS has attempted with great vigour to push this through based on political and economic influence rather than merit. I know only a limited amount about OOXML but the following things strike me as incorrect for a new standard: 1) Incorporation of “legacy tags” to connect the standard to a older, proprietary standard. This is a problem whether it is Word, Word Perfect, or OO.o. ODF, despite its own problems, does not tie the implementer to compatibility with OO.o specific features. 2) Date tags. This is a minor issue I grant but the is an ISO standard for date formatting. It seems only reasonable that it be used. I only know only a little on the proposed standard (what I have read/researched in the last 3 days) but I do think any standard that get tens of thousands of comments on the responses for deficiencies should not have been put forth for a standard at all. It instead should have been refined and streamlined before being put forth. But my main concern is less the deficiencies in the proposal than the fact that MS has made a not too subtle attempt at bypassing the ISO standardization procedure using their political and economic influence. Bill Gates calling influential members of the U.S. government, who are not technical experts in the subject, is an example. The debacle in Switzerland is another. Finally there seem to be a number of other countries where MS partners have joined at the last minute to “stuff the ballot.” These actions speak of a company who has no respect for developing and getting a standard approved on merit. I agree. But I think that the guilty party was Sweden, not Switzerland. 😉 Oops, well if that and spelling are the only two problems people point out I guess it could be worse. 😉 gavin.mccord I’d like to invoke Godwin’s law as this discussion seems to becoming increasingly irrelevant. I’m too lazy to read all the posts, so if comparisons to Nazi’s haven’t already been made, I’m sure they will soon. So, let’s get back to OSNews and leave the flaming to Slashdotters. Choosing Between Portability and Innovation March 11, 2011 • 121 Comments Open Source: Architecture or Goodwill? August 8, 2006 • 16 Comments A reflection on the departure of RMS September 18, 2019 • 62 Comments Open-source honchos trash software patents Java fallout: OpenOffice.org 2.0 and the FOSS community March 28, 2005 • 84 Comments	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15282
__label__wiki	0.862857	0.862857	Send Us Your Scripts! Player Playwrights amlm 14 IEDactprstwo wp89d3ff03_05_06 wpca394392_05_06 wp9613c2dc_05_06 wp412385ad_05_06 Player Playwrights meet every Monday North London Tavern, 375 Kilburn High Rd, Kilburn, NW6 7QB Play Readings, Workshops, Guest Talks, and more from 7.30pm Monday 20 January Anubis by Neil Weatherall Anubis is a short, darkly twisted psychological comedy set in a dystopian near-future in which Artificial Intelligence threatens humanity, not with Terminator style killer robots but with the extinction of fundamental religious beliefs that underpin the values that separate us from animals. Neil is an actor, director and writer whose first three plays explored real 20th century figures - Rupert Murdoch, Patrick Pearse, W. B. Yeats, Sigmund Freud - whose influence on how to perceive the world around us is felt today. This is his first work of pure fiction. AT A GLANCE diary of play readings and events for the spring season Get your entries in for the first PP short play contest of 2020. Click here for details When Player Playwrights was founded in 1948 its aim was laid down as follows: “To encourage the writing of plays by its members, by providing an opportunity for such plays to be presented and criticized by the Society; to widen the knowledge of all aspects of playwriting, by inviting to its meetings Speakers and Lecturers; to explore all avenues whereby members’ work may be presented to the public.” Player Playwrights, which is still run by its actor and playwright members, continues to bring together professional actors and writers with weekly play readings, actor and writer workshops, plus guest speaker events for its members. We are always open to new Members. You could be an experienced or an aspiring playwright. You might be an actor excited about working with new writers and on new plays. Or maybe you’re just someone who loves theatre and gets excited being among the first to see new work. You're all very welcome. The best way to get involved is simply come to one of our Monday evening events in the upstairs room at the North London Tavern. Anyone can come to any of our events. Simply pay £4 on the door. If you like what you see, you become a Member (it’s £12 a year). You can then attend events, from new play readings and contest nights to seminars with theatre experts, at reduced admission (£2.50). More importantly you can put your own work forward for one of our play reading evenings; you can become part of the rota of actors we need to stage plays; you can enter our regular short play contest nights. You can become a Member on the door or by post. For more details contact Tony Diggle on tonydiggle@cainct.co.uk Laurence Marks & Maurice Gran Bafta-winning writers of numerous ITV and BBC series' including Birds of A Feather, Goodnight Sweetheart and The New Statesman. Theatre Includes Save The Last Dance For Me, Dreamboats and Petticoats and Love Me Do. Marks & Gran were crowned 'Living Legends' by The Comedy Society in September 2015. "In 1973 we had the good fortune to stumble upon Player Playwrights. Over the subsequent months, in a semi–derelict theatre in Fitzroy Square, we were exposed to short plays, long plays, good plays and bad plays, written and performed by members of the club, professional and amateur. Although by then Laurence was a journalist, and Maurice was selling the occasional short story to top shelf magazines, neither of us even fantasised about a career as a playwright, although we were both enthusiastic fans of radio and television comedy. But after a few months hearing other members’ scripts, we decided separately to take the plunge, and enter the regular sketch–writing competition." send us your scripts At its heart Player Playwright is a collective of writers and actors who are supportive of each others work. We schedule readings of new works, drama and comedy, created by our Members. The work is then critiqued by fellow Members. The aim of our criticism is always to guide and aid the writer to improve their work. Many plays that get their first outing at Player Playwrights go on to full professional productions on the London stage, often with actors from Player Playwrights appearing in them. To find out more about how Members can put their work forward for a reading click here AT A GLANCE diary of play readings and events for the spring season All events Monday, 7.30pm, North London Tavern, 375 Kilburn High Rd, London, NW6 7QB Created by Caleb Estes Other Player members who wish to be featured send us your details	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15291
__label__wiki	0.716751	0.716751	How Filipino moms endure a maternity ward that's like 'a blaring supermarket deli counter' April 01, 2015 · 1:00 PM EDT By Anne Bailey and Sonia Narang A new mom and baby at Fabella Hospital's crowded maternity ward Sonia Narang Multimedia journalist Sonia Narang recently returned from reporting on reproductive rights in the Philippines for Across Women's Lives. We sat down to talk about her experience. Anne Bailey: Was this your first time in the Philippines? Sonia Narang: Yes. I've reported in other parts of Asia before, including Japan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and China, but never in the Philippines. Interestingly, all my neighbors were Filipino and Filipino American on the street where I grew up in southern California, but I never thought then that I would go to the Philippines myself. Mothers sit on benches at the maternity ward at Fabella Hospital in Manila to breastfeed and calm their newborns. AB: What drew you to cover issues of reproductive rights in the Philippines? SN: I was very interested in covering the role religion plays when it comes to women's bodies. When I was researching story ideas, I happened to be at the Partners' Forum for the Partnership on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health in Johannesburg. There I met a UNICEF official, who was formerly based in the Philippines. She told me about all the births happening everyday at Fabella Hospital. I had also read about a documentary in the works by filmmaker Ramona Diaz, who had filmed extensively at Fabella Hospital. Her images from inside the hospital were so powerful, and I wanted to see for myself what was going on there. I also began to find out more about the wide reach of the Catholic Church across the Philippines, and how the Church has been able to influence such major legislation as the Reproductive Health Bill, effectively stalling the bill's passage until 2014. I knew I wanted to cover this story, especially at this critical time when the new law is rolling out across the Philippines. The law is designed to make contraception widely accessible for free at public health clinics nationwide. Fathers line up outside the maternity ward during visiting hours. Hospital rules don't allow men inside the ward, so new moms meet with them in the hallway. AB: In Manila, you visited one of the most crowded maternity wards in the world. What was that experience like for you? SN: The minute I walked inside, I was completely overwhelmed. I'd seen photos before, but this was something else. The cacophony inside the ward was also quite a surprise. The nurses were constantly yelling out patients’ numbers on a microphone during visiting hours. This made the whole place sound like a blaring supermarket deli counter or auction house. When I walked in for the first time I didn't know where to start, so I just moved around the ward and observed for a bit. I started filming, and then saw one woman who was smiling at me and the camera. I asked her for an interview and she agreed. She'd just delivered her third child, and she was much more relaxed than some of the first-timers. I was so moved to see women helping one another in the beds and watching over other babies when their mothers stepped out into the hallway. I couldn't believe how cramped it was in this ward, but tragically many of these women live in similarly tight, crowded quarters in and around Manila. In fact, a major fire recently hit a section of Manila's largest slum, and many families were forced into evacuation centers or the streets until they could go back home. Women listen intently at a workshop on birth control at a Likhaan clinic in Manila. AB: As a foreigner who didn't speak the language, how did you gain the trust of the mothers at Fabella hospital? Or did you? SN: The mothers at Fabella Hospital were very open to talking about their experience, even to a non-Filipino. The younger women were a bit shy about sharing their stories — especially the teenage moms — but the older ones who already had a few children didn't spare words. Since I don't speak Tagalog, my translator helped me ask questions. Some of the mothers I interviewed could understand English, but couldn't speak it, so they answered in Tagalog. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to talk to women who had gone through an abortion, since it's illegal in the Philippines. However, the Fabella Hospital staff allowed me into the post-abortion care unit, and introduced me to Maribeth Endoso. In the beginning, Maribeth didn't acknowledge that she felt any pain or difficulty, but later in the interview she began to reveal things slowly and really opened up to me. I think she saw the entire interview as cathartic, or even a confession of sorts. My translator and I were the first people to sit down with her in the hospital and actually listen to her in a place where everyone seems to be rushing about. Lina Bacalando addresses folk myths about artificial birth control to a packed room of men and women at a Likhaan clinic. AB: How does being a woman affect the way you approach women's issues like the ones you covered in the Philippines? SN: I think men and women journalists approach these stories in similar ways. In my case, I felt so connected to the women I interviewed in the Philippines because earlier generations of women in my family from India also suffered during childbirth and pregnancy, had little or no power in their large extended families and gave birth to many children. As a woman, I sympathize with their situations, and perhaps that comes through in my stories. Although I've never come close to experiencing what these women have been through, I feel this bond with them. Analesa Paluga with her husband and young son. Paluga says they've had two unintended pregnancies, since they didn't know about contraceptives until they heard about Likhaan. AB: What's up next for you? SN: I'm producing stories I reported in India, also for Across Women's Lives. After my reporting trip to the Philippines, I spent two months in India, where I talked extensively to women who are bringing change to their patriarchal communities in the north. Those stories will be coming soon. Multimedia journalist Sonia Narang on assignment in the Philippines Support for Sonia Narang's reporting came in part from the International Reporting Project. Alyona Alyona breathes new life into Ukrainian rap scene Haitian American musician Nathalie Joachim pays tribute to underrepresented women of Haiti What should a first lady do? The ‘forgotten victims’ of femicide in France: Women over 65 Health & MedicineHealthArts, Culture & MediaSeeing The NewsWomen & GirlsBody Politics: The struggle for access to reproductive rightsAcross Women's Lives ManilaAsiaPhilippinesSE Asiabirth controlPhilippinesreproductive rightsAcross Women's LivesChildbirth	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15294
__label__cc	0.747393	0.252607	HBG Corporate Social Responsibility Hachette Book Group, a leader in the publishing industry, believes strongly in the importance of engaging in sustainable business practices. We have created standards of operation and put policies in place to help ensure the long-term wellbeing of the natural world and its resources, the continued growth of a literate community, and the strength of our company. To that end, we are pleased to share the details of our environmental policy and our philanthropic efforts, which you may read below. Our Environmental Policy: Hachette Book Group’s environmental policy demonstrates our commitment to the environment, to the responsible use of natural resources, and to sustainable business practice. The company’s comprehensive environmental policy, launched in November 2009, includes progressive goals on recycled fiber use, greenhouse gas emissions, responsible paper sourcing, and a wide range of other initiatives. Policy Documents: HBG’s current Environmental Policy, announced in December 2016 (covering goals from 2017-2020). HBG’s Vendor Compliance Manual HBG’s Standards of Business Conduct Progress Reports: 2017-18 HBG Green Progress Report Our Philanthropic Programs: Hachette Book Group supports organizations dedicated to promoting literacy and a love of books and reading. We are wholeheartedly devoted to fostering a robust publishing industry, while also attending to the serious issue of illiteracy in this country. At HBG, we focus our philanthropic efforts primarily on the following areas: Trade organizations, which keep the book business healthy and reading central to our lives. Literacy organizations, which help teach an invaluable skill. Author assistance groups, giving authors in need the support to practice their craft. First Amendment rights groups, which help protect free speech and expression here and around the world. HBG authors’ causes and those championed by HBG staff are very important to us – this can range from a local library’s fundraiser to an author’s favorite worthy organization. Cultural organizations that help spread the word about books and reading. Book Donations — we donate more than 100,000 copies annually, from a single signed copy for a fundraiser to large quantities for a struggling school district or library system. All requests for financial and book donations are handled by HBG’s Communications department. If you feel that your organization or cause is in line with our goals of supporting literacy and a love of reading, please send all requests to donation.requests@hbgusa.com	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15299
__label__wiki	0.943071	0.943071	Dora Erickson Elementary School 850 Cleveland Street www.d91.k12.id.us Dora Erickson Elementary School serves 459 students in grades Prekindergarten-6. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in Math is 23% (which is lower than the Idaho state average of 42%) for the 2016-17 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in Reading/Language Arts is 32% (which is lower than the Idaho state average of 52%) for the 2016-17 school year. The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is equal to the Idaho state level of 19:1. Minority enrollment is 45% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Idaho state average of 24%. Dora Erickson Elementary School places among the top 20% of public schools in Idaho for: Percent Eligible For Free Lunch Largest percent of students eligible for free lunch (Top 5%) Dora Erickson Elementary School's student population of 459 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years. Dora Erickson Elementary School's student:teacher ratio of 19:1 has decreased from 20:1 over five school years. The diversity score of Dora Erickson Elementary School is 0.53, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.39. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years. The nearest high school to Dora Erickson Elementary School is Compass Academy (0.2 miles away) The nearest middle school is Emerson High School (0.7 miles away) The nearest elementary school is Linden Park Elementary School (0.8 miles away) Idaho Falls Compass Academy Grades: 9-12 \| 508 students 955 Garfield Street (208)525-7720 0.2 9-12 508 Idaho Falls Eastern Id Prof-tech High School Vocational School 690 John Adams Parkway (208)525-7513 0.4 10-12 n/a Idaho Falls Idaho Falls Senior High School 601 South Holmes Avenue Idaho Falls Emerson High School Alternative School Idaho Falls Linden Park Elementary School See more public schools near to Dora Erickson Elementary School Review Dora Erickson Elementary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on: 692 GARFIELD ST 975 E ELVA ST realtor.com™View Homes Near Dora Erickson Elementary School Diversity Score: 0.53% (Top 10% in ID) The Pros and Cons of Tracking in Schools	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15300
__label__wiki	0.930517	0.930517	2500 South Higbee Avenue longfellow.d91.k12.id.us Longfellow Elementary School serves 525 students in grades Prekindergarten-6. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in Math is 43% (which is higher than the Idaho state average of 42%) for the 2016-17 school year. The percentage of students achieving proficiency in Reading/Language Arts is 55% (which is higher than the Idaho state average of 52%) for the 2016-17 school year. The student:teacher ratio of 24:1 is higher than the Idaho state level of 19:1. Minority enrollment is 17% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Idaho state average of 24%. Longfellow Elementary School's student population of 525 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years. Longfellow Elementary School's student:teacher ratio of 24:1 has increased from 23:1 over five school years. The diversity score of Longfellow Elementary School is 0.30, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.39. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years. The nearest high school to Longfellow Elementary School is Taylorview Middle School (1.0 miles away) The nearest middle school is Taylorview Middle School (1.0 miles away) The nearest elementary school is Hawthorne Elementary School (0.7 miles away) Idaho Falls Hawthorne Elementary School 1520 South Boulevard Avenue Idaho Falls Edgemont Gardens Elementary School 1240 Azalea Drive Idaho Falls Sunnyside Elementary School 165 Cobblestone Lane Idaho Falls Taylorview Middle School 350 Castlerock Lane Idaho Falls Theresa Bunker Elementary School See more public schools near to Longfellow Elementary School Review Longfellow Elementary School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on: 385 LARIAT LN realtor.com™View Homes Near Longfellow Elementary School Diversity Score: 0.30% (Btm 50% in ID) A Relevant History of Public Education in the United States	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15301
__label__wiki	0.90805	0.90805	Machinery & Components Conferences/Shows Equipment & Systems Software & Networking Pulp, Paper & Bioeconomy Map Features Innovation Technology What’s New… (May 01, 2004) By Pulp & Paper Canada SALE... G-P SELLS ARACRUZ INTERESTS ATLANTA, GA — Georgia-Pacific has agreed to sell all of its interests in three Brazilian companies, which own a minority, non-voting interest in Brazilian pulp company Aracruz Celulose S.A. The undisclosed purchaser is reportedly paying approximately $75 million US for the deal. After-tax proceeds from the sale are expected to be approximately $56 million US and the company expects to record a $10 million US gain upon closing. The transaction is expected to close during second quarter 2004. The company expects to use the proceeds from the transaction to further reduce its debt. DOMTAR ACCOMMODATES ECO-FRIENDLY CUSTOMERS MONTREAL, QC — Domtar has upgraded its coated lightweight paper for magazines, catalogs and book publishers seeking to satisfy eco-conscious customers. The Domtar Schooner product is the latest to achieve Forest Stewardship Council certification, making it the only North American publication paper whose raw materials can be traced through a Chain of Custody to environmentally sustainable forests. Other Domtar products available in FSC-certified varieties include Domtar Cornwall Coated Cover and Domtar Opaque – Plainfield. In addition to the FSC certification, Domtar Schooner has been improved to 84 Brightness. It is available in matte and gloss finishes and features an enhanced blue-white shade for sharper colors and more vibrant flesh tones. The paper is elemental chlorine free and it comes in basis weights from 38 to 60lbs. U.S. NEWSPRINT CONSUMPTION INCREASES MONTREAL, QC — Newsprint consumption by U.S. dailies increased 0.8%, according to the Pulp and Paper Products Council. Total consumption, however, fell 2.4% after two months and 2% year-over-year. Shipments from North American mills rose 0.5% compared to February of last year, due to a 9.8% increase in North American exports. Sales to the domestic market fell 1.3% year-over-year due to a flat North American demand — the drop in Canadian demand offset the growth in the U.S. By the end of February, North American mill inventories had increased by 22,000 tonnes from the preceding month, closing at 358,000 tonnes. SMURFIT-STONE WINS 2 AWARDS CHICAGO, IL — Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation earned the top two awards in the 61st annual National Paperboard Packaging Competition presented by the Paperboard Packaging Council, becoming only the second company to win both honors with a single package design. Competing against more than 240 entries in total, the “Family Time Snacks Perfect Popper” popcorn box, created and manufactured by Smurfit-Stone, won the President’s Award and the Innovation Award. NORAMPAC ACQUIRES JOHNSON MONTREAL, QC — Norampac Inc. acquired shares of Johnson Corrugated Products Corp., a corrugated products plant in Thompson, CT. This facility has an annual capacity of more than 750 million square feet and employs 100 people. Founded in 1964, this independent corrugated plant specializes in the production manufacture of all kinds of corrugated boxes: from the traditional, multi-purpose regular slotted box, to the die-cut box or extra large box. G-P ACQUIRES INLAND ATLANTA, GA — Georgia-Pacific Corp announced the completion of the acquisition of the Inland Paperboard and Packaging, Inc. assets located in Ontario, Calif., and Harrington, Del. The Harrington packaging facility produces high-end litho-laminated corrugated packaging for beverage, consumer goods and telecommunications customers. The plant employs approximately 120 people. The Ontario packaging facility also produces high-end litho-laminated packaging and serves customers in the toy, electronics, produce and consumer goods industries. The plant employs approximately 60 people. The facilities will be managed by Color-Box, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Georgia-Pacific. ABITIBI PLEADS GUILTY ST. JOHN’S, NF — Abitibi-Consolidated pleaded guilty on March 30 to charges under the federal Fisheries Act and was fined $10,000 and was sentenced to pay for all work needed to ensure that its Grand Falls Windsor paper mill meets the Fisheries Act requirements. A provincial court judge also ordered the company to contribute $100,000 to Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund. The required upgrades could cost as much as $7 million. Ecolog Weekly reports that a compliance order issued by the court details the work that must be done, lays out a strict timetable and calls for penalties if deadlines are not met. All the upgrades must be completed by November 2004. TEMBEC SUPPORTS GASPESIA INQUIRY TEMISCAMING, QC — Tembec said it will cooperate with the Quebec government’s independent commission of enquiry into the cost overruns at the Papiers Gaspsia construction site. Tembec’s management has been pressing the provincial government to launch an inquiry into the failure of Papiers Gaspsia, as well as into the operation of large construction sites in Quebec. Tembec management said in a statement that holding an independent inquiry will bring about a critical review of the framework governing the construction industry in Quebec. The company said the results of this enquiry will help the government to determine the changes required to create a climate conducive to the effective management of large construction sites in Quebec. WTO DISMISSES CANADIAN LUMBER COMPLAINTS GENEVA, SWITZERLAND — The World Trade Organization (WTO) rejected almost all of Canada’s complaints against U.S. anti-dumping duties on softwood lumber, but ruled that the U.S. was wrong to exclude highly priced Canadian lumber when deciding whether there was dumping. The WTO ruled that the U.S. was within its rights to launch the anti-dumping investigations that lead to the imposing of punitive duties on imports of Canadian lumber. The ruling will force the U.S. to review how it calculates the price of imports and hence the amount of duty it can apply. A day after the ruling, Tembec announced it has received notice from the U.S. Department of Commerce that it intends to reduce Tembec’s anti-dumping duty deposit rate on softwood lumber exports to 6.28%. Since May 22, 2002 Tembec has been depositing anti-dumping duties of 10.21% on softwood lumber exports to the U.S. The announcement represents almost a 4% reduction in tariffs. PAPER SNOWBOARDING Paper is not what comes to mind when thinking of snowboarding. But five students from Miami University in Ohio won the 2004 Energy Challenge as their paper snowboard proved its worth and durability, speeding downhill around flags, over rollers, and clearing a six-foot rail slide. Thirteen teams took to the slopes at Winter Park Resort to test how well they did since the start of the school year in designing and constructing a snowboard made exclusively from paper materials. “When we saw Mike (the team’s snowboarder) clear the slope in 18.3 seconds on such a smooth ride, we were extremely pleased and felt good about how we constructed the board,” said team member Margaret Huseman. Rules required the snowboards to be made of at least 80 percent paper fibre. The students designed and engineered their snowboards using paper materials such as chemical wood fibre, corrugated board and liner board. Commonly used paper chemicals were allowed in the finishing and bonding of the board. The team scored 88.8 overall points and its board measured 83 percent paper fibre. Other members included Ben Van Lear, Colleen O’Donnell, Michael Loufman and Joel Hahn. CANADA’S FORESTS GET PROTECTED OTTAWA, ON — The third Canada Forest Accord was signed by the Minister of Natural Resources Canada, R. John Efford, as a formal commitment supported by forest ministers, heads of industry and non-governmental organizations, to work together toward the long-term health of Canada’s forests. The Accord complements the National Forest Strategy 2003-2008, which aims to improve forest practi ces and policies over the next five years, and strengthen the competitiveness of Canada’s forest sector. CANFOR & SLOCAN TEAM UP VANCOUVER, BC — Canfor Corp. and Slocan Forest Products Ltd. have completed the combination of their businesses pursuant to a plan of arrangement. The combined business will have approximately 13 million cubic meters of annual harvesting rights under its forest tenures. Under the arrangement, Canfor acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Slocan in exchange for the issuance to Slocan shareholders of 1.3147 Canfor shares for each Slocan share held by them, representing approximately 49.3 million Canfor shares. Canfor and Slocan believe that the combination creates a world class, integrated forest products company with the production capability, competitive cost structure, product diversification and supply chain management necessary to succeed and grow in the highly competitive global forest products industry. With production facilities in British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and the United States, Canfor now has an annual production capacity of over 5.2 billion board feet of lumber, 950 million square feet of plywood and oriented strand board (OSB), 1.2 million tonnes of high quality NBSK pulp and 142,000 tonnes of kraft paper. Forests as alternative fuel Trends & Fads: Could These Affect Your Business? Pacifica raises the roof Conference Report: Quebec’s pulp and paper industry needs a game plan A.S.A.P.! Top 10 Pulp & Paper Canada stories of 2019 Northern Pulp to close after N.S. premier says ‘no extension’ [UPDATED] Closing the loop: why sustainability is critical to the paper industry Taking control of variability in the pulp mill Nominations open for Pulp & Paper Canada’s inaugural Top 10 Under 40 program Unifort signs agreement Severn gets Queen’s award Wood Business Canadian Biomass Operations Forestieres Resolute’s Fort Frances mill won’t be restarted, according to sale documents Welcome to the new Pulp & Paper Canada website! Fortress Global reports disappointing Q2 and an uncertain future Canfor Corporation receives buyout offer from Great Pacific Fortress Global forms committee to consider financing alternatives Report: Specialty papers market to grow from packaging segment AF&PA lends support to U.S. request to enforce duties on uncoated paper imports AF&PA: U.S. paper shipments down in all categories in July Sonoco completes acquisition of paperboard maker Corenso Holdings America Andritz acquires Swedish chemical pulping company Kempulp Pulp & Paper Canada@pulppapercanada· Report: Pulpwood, pulp prices down in most regions in Q3 2019, says Wood Resources International. https://t.co/43eSX1wciM #pulpandpaper Corner Brook Pulp and Paper to eliminate 22 permanent jobs ahead of two-week shutdown: https://t.co/dI1ibpz9RK #pulpandpaper Do you know a prodigy of the #pulpandpaper sector? A standout process engineer, shift supervisor, administrator or equipment supplier? Nominate them for our Top 10 Under 40 contest by April 15! Details: https://t.co/NEv9bdiWf1 #forestry #leadership #top10under40 Missed our newsletter this week? The top stories in #pulpandpaper are here, from a delayed federal decision on Northern Pulp, to top honours for @resolutefp and @CascadesSD, to new appointments at @MillarWestern, and more: https://t.co/7ceQO2snir Acquisition news: @voithgroup has completed its takeover of BTG for EUR 319 million. https://t.co/17dRVEcIMo #pulpandpaper	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15303
__label__cc	0.581209	0.418791	Canister for macOS: the lingua-franca of LTO tape-drive data storage Tape continues to be one of the best mediums to backup your data, as it is both reliable and affordable. A software like Canister makes it easier to use, works with all LTO drives and prevents vendor lock-in. Jose Antunes September 18, 2018 Developed by Hedge, Canister is a Mac app that fully supports LTFS, guarantees data on the tape is accessible for everyone at any time in the future and even protects tapes from wear. Linear Tape-Open Technology (LTO) is a magnetic tape-based data storage solution designed in an “open” format technology that allows manufacturing by any vendor that wishes to license the technology. The “open” nature of LTO technology enables compatibility between different vendors’ offerings and multiple sources of product and media. Developed in the late 1990s, LTO Technology is controlled by the LTO Consortium, formed by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, IBM, and Quantum, which directs development and manages licensing and certification of media and mechanism manufacturers. The standard form-factor now in use is named Ultrium. It was released in 2000, offering 100GB of data capacity. The LTO Ultrium has moved through different generations, with the eighth, from 2017, able to hold 12TB in a cartridge of the same size. According to the LTO Consortium, the Ultrium format uses a single-reel tape cartridge to maximize capacity, and is ideally suited for backup, restore and archive applications. The format is user-agnostic, meaning that it addresses a wide variety of needs from a single-server user to complex multiple server enterprise environments. To allow users to view and access tape files just like disk or any other removable media files, the team behind the technology developed LTFS or Linear Tape File System, which allows users, according to the LTO Consortium, “to access files through any operating system, sort and save data easily.” “Only, it didn’t work out that way, as many LTO users will confirm,” says Paul Matthijs Lombert, CEO of Hedge. “Using LTFS with Finder wears out tapes and using LTFS with the command line interface is too complicated for users who rely on the GUI of their Mac to drag and drop files to tape. Filmmakers and photographers don’t want to work with the Terminal – they usually don’t know where to begin – or wonder which drivers to install and learn how tape drives write and read back data. This is where Canister comes in.” “The main issue with Terminal,” Lombert told ProVideo Coalition “is that you don’t gain any muscle memory; you need to remember the exact commands. Knobs are just easier to remember, whether it’s on a camera, in your car or inside an app. If you’re not working on the command line on a daily basis, it’s hard to maintain that knowledge. A GUI simply makes more sense when 99% of the work is repeatable.” Canister, a friendly, universal interface LTFS expects users to master a command line interface and to find the right drivers for their system out of multiple options. It presumes users know that formatting a tape requires carefully selecting options, with wrong formatting decisions potentially leading to data loss. In addition, with different software vendors managing tapes differently, tapes are hard to share between users with different workflows. Canister handles all of this behind the scenes, exposing users only to a helpful GUI. For example, Canister detects when correct drivers cannot be found and tell users which ones to install, while the tape drive panel will show users a customized icon for their drive. Canister is a Mac app that fully supports LTFS and guarantees data on the tape is accessible for everyone at any time in the future. All necessary tasks like formatting, erasing, mounting, ejecting and even recovery are available. The software works around LTO shortcomings such as the strict naming rules users must comply with. Instead of locking users in by enforcing permitted names through a proprietary system, Canister uses URL encoding. If Canister encounters illegal characters in a name, it will convert them to legal alternatives. Upon data retrieval, Canister will decode them to the originals. For each transfer to and from tape, a detailed log is created, alongside a Media Hash List. MHL, an open XML standard, allows for easy integration with, for example, a MAM. Canister and ShoeShine to protect your tapes The app not only gives you a user-friendly interface to control the whole operation, it also ensures tapes are taxed as little as possible. Canister presents users with a panel containing mounted LTO drives —up to three of them by default. A user selects the files and folders that should be archived and selects the LTO drive(s) to archive to. New folders can be created on the tape to organize data. The latter avoids the drive to be triggered by Finder’s automatic preview generation. Likewise, access to tape only happens when the actual writing starts. The retrieval process is equally tape-friendly: browsing the tape or selecting the files starts the actual reading process. Only after a user begins a transfer will the tape be read. “We aimed to ensure tape longevity can be maximized in more ways,” says Lombert. “LTO is getting faster with every new generation, so source media can quickly become a bottleneck. A source that is too slow for the LTO drive will shorten tape lifespan considerably. That’s why we built a management feature into Canister, which we call Shoeshine Protection.” A shoeshine prolongs the life of your shoes; here, although different, it is used to prolong the life of your tapes and data. Shoeshine Protection actively manages supply and demand behind the scene, resulting in a steady and continuous data stream. It avoids unnecessary tape start-and-stops and works with existing tape archives as with ones created by Canister. LTO for Dummies Canister is born because of continuous feedback and requests by users. In fact, requests for LTO support were quite common, but as Lombert told us, “To us, it seemed an archaic medium. Then one day Roger Mabon, CEO of mLogic,” he continues “reached out to us, convincing us LTO was alive and kicking. He noticed how natural Hedge was to use for backups, and wondered if we would be able to apply our vision onto LTO. Through discussions with him, our partners, and a few key Hedge users we came up with a workflow that works for tape. Whereas Hedge is designed to be parallel, to do everything at the same time, LTO demands a serial workflow, and cracking that nut was key to getting it to work.” With their roots in live audio, film, and broadcast, Hedge, located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands was founded by Paul Matthijs Lombert and Roelof de Koning. Initially conceived for a Dutch TV show, its first product, Hedge, was released for the Mac in early 2016 and for Windows late 2017. In the years since Hedge has become a vital part of the data workflow from video professionals all across the globe. Now the company introduces Canister, a clever macOS app that works across all LTO vendors’ products, fully supports LTFS, protects tapes from wear and prevents vendor lock-in, through a user interface that makes simplicity of use a key feature of the product. Lombert believes that Canister “is LTO for Dummies. With Hedge, we learned that not only the not-so-experienced users love the ease of use, but the super professionals do as well. The simplicity takes a lot of things off your mind, and you can educate an assistant in one minute. Whether it’s a bad practice or not, in the end, many ACs and PAs end up doing data and backups. Better to give them tools they can understand. LTO veterans, already familiar with LTO’s intricacies, might not care too much about the interface, but Canister’s Shoeshine Protection could be a game changer for them.” A glimpse of the future and some suggestions Canister also puts an end to issues related to vendor lock-ins. “Imagine you create a tape archive today, and need to retrieve it 15 years from now.” says Lombert, adding that “Chances are that the software you created the tape with is no longer available. So you either need to keep a working legacy system around to access those tapes or migrate your tapes every X years. That’s a waste and a risk. We feel each tape that Canister creates should be fully retrievable, at all times, with every piece of software that supports LTFS. Not just the data, but the entire namespace too. It’s the workarounds for LTFS’ namespace limitations that make that are being stored in proprietary, non-open, databases. From a developer’s perspective that makes sense: it solves a lot of potential headaches for software vendors, but it’s just not in the users’ best interest.” Using an LTO magnetic tape-based data storage solution is not the first option for many users, but Lombert believes that “Everyone that struggles with a stack of hard drives catching dust in a closet should at least have a look into it. The amount of data being offloaded per project is growing faster than the typical size of a destination drive. Because of that, storage will continue to eat up larger chunks of your budget. That is not sustainable, we think. With LTO’s price per GB, it’s a no-brainer. When you look at the roadmap for LTO, the speed of LTO-7 and 8 is already good enough to replace regular HDDs and go straight to tape. I’m not saying one should ditch all spinning disks, but LTO is becoming an alternative where before it wasn’t even on the radar. If you have data to keep safe for longer than a year, put it on tape.” For those afraid of what the introduction of LTO may mean for their workflow, Hedge’s CEO has an answer “The software isn’t a hurdle anymore – Canister manages all drivers for you, and its price point is lower than ever before for LTO. It’s the hardware that’s the hurdle. Make your life easy, and get an LTO drive with Thunderbolt. It’s worth it. If budgets are tight, check out LTO-7 drives. It will be cheaper than that stack of disks you have accumulated the last 10 years – which are all dying by now.” I think the ideal setup for the coming decade is to work on a RAID or DAS, use LTO for all things you don’t immediately need, and maybe keep one or two portable SSDs around. It’s easier to handle than replacing all your project drives every few years or so.” Canister is available now. A 10-day unlimited trial is included, while a full license costs $199, or $149 for a short period after launch. A Canister license is permanent and includes a full year of updates. Additional updates cost $99 per year. Site licenses are available from $1999. Was This Post Helpful: Tags: CanisterdamHewlett PackardIBMLTOLTO ConsortiumMac appPaul Matthijs LombertQuantumThe Sync FactoryUltrium Teradek’s Bolt DSMC2 module for RED cameras is shipping Fall 2018 Supersphere partners with Oculus to live stream esports tournaments Journalist, writer and photographer since 1979, both print and online, with a vast experience in the fields of photography, software, hardware, web, aviation, History, video games, technology, having published content in almost all Portuguese newspapers… PVC’s 2018 Black Friday deals: Day Four The big day is tomorrow, but we’ve had some special promotions before and will... HDDs reach 14TB, glass platters will be the future Designed for different needs, the new hard drives from Seagate and Western Digital confirm...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15309
__label__cc	0.574576	0.425424	Why Pomerene About Pomerene Provider Recruitment Diabetic Education Chronic Care Management Pomerene Kinetics Cardiovascular Tests Our HCCS Physicians Cardiology Locations Outreach Screenings Services For Our Visitors Corporate Wellness Team Pomerene Medical Group Pomerene Internal Medicine Pomerene Women's Health Services Pomerene Surgical Services Pomerene Family Care Visitors & Patients Insurance Networks Rights of the Patient Medication Lists Pomerene Foundation Our Auxiliary What Your Gift Supports Contact Our Foundation At Pomerene, we strive to create an environment where employees feel appreciated and supported. We are committed to providing opportunities for growth, through training and career advancement. Here are some things our employees are saying about Pomerene: "I like the variation my job offers. Every day I get to do something different which challenges me to adapt. These challenges are fun to complete and it's rewarding to know that i am contributing to patient care. -Caleb Baker "My peers are more like family to me since i have worked here for 28 years. Although new employees are becoming more evident as my work years increase, I still feel like everyone working here is part of a community who work together for the good health and care of our patients. I consider my co-workers also as my friends." -Deb Burch "The most rewarding experience I will ever have, whether that is today, or at the end of my career, will always be caring for those patients and their families that are passing away. I feel that I was guided into my career as a nurse to be the anchor and solid rock at these most vulnerable times in a family's life and have a great sense of accomplishment each time I can comfort them." -Renee Conkle "My peers at Pomerene are the reason I love my job. We strive to work together as a team to provide excellent care for our patients. Having this "I've got your back" relationship makes us feel like family." -Layla Gause "Pomerene is tight-knit and family-like. Everyone knows each other and when our CEO knows our names and starts small talk with us in the hallways and cafeteria that embodies our culture. We all work as a team and share our accomplishments through so many venues which radiates our culture of positivity and our dedication to our mission as an organization." -Jason Hoxworth "I feel like my ideas really matter. I came to Pomerene as a new nurse, and I really felt like the hospital and its leadership took the time not only to get to know me, but to invest in my future. I have had opportunities here that I don't believe I would have gotten at a larger hospital. In a large hospital it is easy to become one of the nameless masses, but at Pomerene I really feel like I matter." -Heather Martell "Pomerene goes above and beyond your typical health care facility. Each department plays a vital role in caring for our communities needs while demonstrating understanding and compassion." -Melissa McElroy "Helping others and people in an unfamiliar atmosphere has been a rewarding job to me. Often times patients and/or family come in unsure of where to go, greeting them with a friendly smile and helping make their day a little easier is always rewarding." -Robert Porter "My favorite aspect of my job is helping others reduce pain and return to their full potential and activities that they love. Most times, my clients come to their first day of therapy with the fear of pain; but almost always leave feeling confident and full of hope that therapy is going to get them back to enjoying their life again." -Karli Stroud Financial Assistance Application Insurance Network Providers 981 Wooster Road Millersburg, Ohio 44654 Subscribe to: Email Newsletter Website Design and Development by Bluefoot ©2020 Pomerene Hospital. All rights reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15311
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__label__wiki	0.73316	0.73316	Part of the Railway Gazette Group Metro Report Transport & mobility projects Planning & Policy Data & Digital Arlington to trial driverless shuttles USA: The city council of Arlington, Texas, approved a one-year leasing agreement with EasyMile on March 28 for the use of two EZ10 driverless shuttles. These will be used in a pilot project in the city’s Entertainment District, which could start as early as June. ‘The city seeks to position itself at the forefront of the connected and autonomous vehicle technology movement’, said Community Development & Planning Director John Dugan. ‘The pilot project will allow us to see how this driverless vehicle system really works and to look at the overall picture of how these vehicles could enhance the city’s transportation options.’ The pilot will offer free rides between the car park and Entertainment District venues, including the baseball stadium, when events are on. The shuttles will travel at up to 30 km/h on designated routes. Each shuttle can carry up to 12 passengers and has an on-board assistant. The city’s Transportation Advisory Committee is examining the use of driverless shuttles as part of a ‘large-scale’ transport plan covering 10 to 20 years. It is expected to present its recommendations to the city council later this year. Driverless shuttles link Paris stations FRANCE: The city of Paris and transport authorities RATP and STIF have launched a experimental driverless electric shuttle service carrying passengers between the capital’s Austerlitz and Lyon stations. Alstom moves into smart mobility MOBILITY: Alstom is investing €14m to buy a minority stake in EasyMile, a start-up that has developed an electric driverless shuttle. The two companies have also signed a commercial partnership agreement. New York MTA awards 8th Avenue corridor CBTC contract Source: Joseph Calisi USA: New York MTA has awarded LK Comstock Co a $245·8m contract to install Siemens Mobility Communications-Based Train Control, and undertake other equipment enhancements on the 8th Avenue subway corridor. The contract announced on January 13 covers the local ... More Data & Digital Free wi-fi goes live on Delhi airport metro line INDIA: Delhi Metro Rail Corp has launched passenger wi-fi on the Airport Express Line, providing ‘seamless and free internet connectivity’. The operator said it was now one of a small number worldwide to offer free wi-fi connectivity on underground metro trains. The technology was provided ... Boston revises fare collection modernisation plan USA: Following ‘critical feedback from riders, advocates and policymakers’, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has announced a revised Fare Transformation programme which it said would combine ‘meaningful improvements’ to existing payment systems with a phased approach to the deployment of a new system ‘that better represents the needs ... Cubic and Moovit announce Mobility-as-a-Service co-operation TECHNOLOGY: Fare collection technology company Cubic Transportation Systems and travel software developer Moovit have signed a strategic agreement for further collaboration in the Mobility-as-a-Service market, including integration of Moovit’s multimodal trip planning with Cubic’s mobile payment and ticketing capabilities. This will provide a platform offering service alerts, ... © 2019 DVV Media International	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15318
__label__cc	0.62834	0.37166	Reflections Cleaning Services Ltd Our Professional Cleaning Services Data Centre Cleaning Office & Floor Clean After Builders Cleaning Service Data Protection Policy Statement The following is a statement of the Business’s health and safety policy in accordance with Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. It is the policy of Reflections Cleaning Services Ltd to ensure so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees working for the company and other persons who may be affected by our undertakings. Reflections Cleaning Services Ltd acknowledges that the key to successful health and safety management require an effective policy, organisation and arangements, which reflect the commitment of senior management. To maintain that commitment, we will conUnually measure, monitor, improve and revise where necessary, our OH&S management system to ensure that health and safety standards are adequately maintained. The Directors will implement the health and safety polacy and recommend any changes to meet new circumstances. Reflections Cleaning Services Ltd recognises that successful health and safety management contributes to successfi.rl business performance and will allocate adequate finances and resources to meet these needs. The management of Reflections Cleaning Services Ltd looks upon the promotion of health and safety measures as a rnutual objective for themselves and employees. It is therefore, the policy of management to do all tfiat is reasonably practicable to prevent personal injury and damage to property. Also, the organisation aims to protect everyone, including visitors and members of the public, insofar as they come into contact with our adivities, from any foreseeable hazard or danger. All employes have duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and are informed of their personal responsibilities to take due care of the health and safety of themselves and to ensure that they do not endanger other persons by their acts or omissions. Employees are also infomed that they must co-operate with the organisation in order that it can comply with the legal requirements placed upon it and in the implementation of this policy. Reflections Cleaning Services Ltd will ensure continued consultation with the workforce to enable all viewpoints and recommendations to be discussed at regular intervals. The organisation will ensure a systematic approach to identifying hazards, assessing the risks, determining suitable and sufficient control measures and informing employees of the correct procedures needed to maintain a safe working environment. We will provide, so far as is reasonably practicable, safe places and systems of work, safe plant and machinery, safe handling of materials and substances, the provision of adequate safety equipment and ensure that appropriate information, instruction, training and supervision is given. We regard all health and safety legislation as the minimum standard and expect management to achieve their targets without compromising health and safety- A signed copy of this statement is available on request. Citation Approved Health & Safety Management Systems (Click image to enlarge) For a free quote and more information, please call (01628) 635737 or visit our contact page. View the main areas we cover Commercial Cleaning Quote: Please contact us for a free quote or to discuss your Cleaning needs: We offer a range of services from daily cleaning, weekly cleaning or somewhere in between. You tell us what you need and we will work to suit you: Free Deep Clean For New Office Clients Freedom From Lengthy Contracts A Bespoke Service To Accommodate Your Needs For a free quote and more information, please call (01628) 635737 or visit our contact page. Copyright © Reflections Cleaning Services Ltd 2020, Registered in England & Wales No. 7870831 Office Address: 58 Trenchard Road, Holyport, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL62LR Registered Address: Unit 3, Denmark Street, Maidenhead, SL6 7BN, VAT Reg. No. GB126860409	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15322
__label__cc	0.638386	0.361614	Association of Registered Graphic Designers What is RGD RGD News DesignThinkers DesignThinkers 2020 VAN DesignThinkers 2019 TO DesignThinkers Archive In-House Conference Ottawa 2020 Future By Design Design Directory Designer Roles Why Hire an RGD Choosing a Designer RFIs & RFPs What Designers Charge Agreement Guidelines DT of the Year SoGood Awards Entry Info Why Enter In-House Awards 2016 InHouse Design Awards SoGood Designer-Driven Winners SoGood For-Profit Winners SoGood Government Winners SoGood Non-Profit Winners SoGood Student Winners RGD Handbook Salaries & Billings Archive by Event Situational Examples No Spec Free, Fee, Flee Competitions & Contests Students/Grads Student RGD Provisional RGD Junior Affiliate Mentorship for Students Past RGD Mentors Past Prov RGD Mentors DT Scholarships Designathon Why RGD Volunteer as a Student Member Apply for Student Membership Apply for Provisional Membership Apply for Affiliate Membership Apply for Junior Affiliate Membership RGD Certification Reich+Petch creates accessible exhibit for the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History Case Study by Edmund Li RGD, Reich+Petch Design International Mounting evidence and extensive research at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) linked human adaptation to the earth's environmental changes. In 2007, NMNH decided that it was time to share this knowledge and engaged our team to design a new exhibit. The Hall of Human Origins is a 15,000 sq ft (1,400 m2) permanent exhibit about Human Evolution and was completed in 2010. Accessibility is particularly important to the Smithsonian because their target audiences are families, school groups and tourists from all over the world. Visitors to the Smithsonian are extremely varied in their physical, visual and cognitive abilities. The exhibit design therefore needed to be rigorous in striving to meet different people’s specific needs, so each visitor can have an enjoyable and equal experience of the exhibit, content and key messages. The Smithsonian is keenly aware of the importance of universal accessibility and has developed its own accessibility standards for their galleries. RPDI's designs have been guided by that standard since our first project with the Smithsonian in 2000. Accessibility Considerations When people think about accessibility they tend to only think about type sizes, visual contrast and wheelchair access. We believe those features are a baseline requirement that must be followed on every project. In this project, we adhered to all the dimensional requirements noted in the Smithsonian’s own accessibility guidelines. The more complicated aspects of accessibility are the ones that people don’t usually think about but that are also critical to the philosophy of universal accessibility. These include: the specific details of how physical components are created delivering content in a variety of methods, some less tangible than others, so that it is accessible and understandable to a wide range of visitors' abilities how the message / content is organized within the exhibit hall to make navigation intuitive and understandable regardless of the direction from which it is being accessed In this project some of the specific details used to deliver the physical components of the exhibit include: the use of non-glare information carriers placing information in accordance with different viewing angles and eye levels providing content in a variety of media including print, physical interactive exhibits, touchable artifacts, visual icons, images, video, subtitles and descriptive audio Some of the less tangible techniques used to deliver the content include the distillation of the storyline, the placement of artifacts in a contextual setting and simplified graphics to help communicate the most complex aspects of the exhibit. To distill the storyline, we worked closely with an interpretive planner and curator to carefully craft the messages to ensure that key ideas would be just as clear to a child as they would be to an adult, considering how it would be perceived by people with a range of cognitive abilities. Small artifacts like bone fragments are hard for people to understand without the right context. A multi-layered graphic approach was created to place fossilized bone fragments on a body form within an outline of the bone structure, emphasizing the fact that most of the evolutionary evidence that exists lies right inside the human body. The placement of each fragment within the body outline helps clearly define what is a jaw bone versus a knee bone, without the need for additional descriptive text. Simplified illustrated timelines were developed to visually describe the critical evolutionary milestones of humans, spanning a period of over six million years. The visual nature of the timeline translates numeric years into a physical span of time, making it easier for viewers to interpret. While English is the main language of the exhibit, the use of graphic visualizations helps visitors who do not speak or read English to understand key messages. The layout of the exhibit hall provided multiple access points for the content. Our challenge was to organize the narrative so that it could be easily understood whether a visitor entered from one end of the Gallery or the other. From our observation of visitors we found that they often tend to take unpredictable paths within exhibits and ‘ping pong’ between areas. To address this, the introduction for the exhibit with clear definition for the different zones was provided at both ends of the gallery. We then used large sculptural iconic graphics to draw people instinctively to the different areas of the exhibit. The narrative of the exhibit did not depend on visitors following a specific order, as each area illustrated the key qualities shared amongst the human species and could be understood alone or in the context of the rest of the space. The result has been a successful, popular, award-winning exhibition which is always packed with visitors of all ages and abilities. Accessibility often falls under signage, print or web. Exhibition design is different because it combines all of the above together with artifact, objects and multimedia presentations. Accessibility standards often focus on specific elements of design (i.e. environmental graphics, signage, etc.), and must be combined with additional resources when thinking about designing a fully accessible experience. Exhibits are like a book where signage is the catalogue system. The book/exhibit should be expressive, content-driven and subject-specific, interesting enough to create a sense of surprise. The catalogue/signage system needs to be regimented and easily understood. For a gallery as large as this one, we did not have any large iconic artifacts to build the exhibit around. A dinosaur gallery for example is impactful even without exhibit elements just because of the sheer size of the skeletons. Human fossils however are much less dramatic. The challenge was to give the small specimens context and make them understandable and relatable. Similar to other environmental graphics disciplines, our design process follows the architectural design model which divides a project into concept design, design development, documentation, pre-production and fabrication. Accessibility needs to be addressed at all stages, both in the design of the physical components and in the development of the interpretive plan and content layout. Before the design began we worked closely with the client and curators to organize the content and craft the key messages upon which the design would be built. During each phase, we reviewed the design of both the physical and the graphic elements of the exhibit with the client to confirm assumptions, review options and gain an in-depth understanding of the facility, visitors and operations. During the design development stage of the project, we created full-size mock-ups of key elements and, along with the museum, conducted visitor evaluations to test their success before finalizing details. Understand that accessibility is not just about the physical space, font size, contrast and wheelchair access, but also about delivering content and messages clearly to resonate with a variety of people who have a variety of abilities. Interested in submitting a case study to appear on the RGD website? Download 'Guidelines for Contributing Content' and email . < Previous Back Next > EBS Geostructural Reich+Petch © 2012 the Association of Registered Graphic Designers \| Sitemap Developed by Smallbox	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15323
__label__wiki	0.820801	0.820801	Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images Hilary Duff Opens Up About Working Mom Struggles While Filming 'Lizzie McGuire' By Jen McGuire Knowing that Lizzie, Gordo, and more will soon be hanging out once again in the Lizzie McGuire reboot on Disney+ is certainly exciting for all involved, but the star of the show has admitted that balancing it all has been, well, tough. In a candid video on her Instagram Story, Hilary Duff opened up about working mom struggles and feeling torn about missing her kids while she's on set. Duff and her fiancé, singer Matthew Koma, are parents to 1-year-old daughter Banks, while the actress also shares 7-year-old son Luca with ex-husband Mike Comrie. Any of Duff's social media followers know the actress really enjoys her time with her two kids, whether she's trying to figure out her son's math homework with him or going for a swim with baby Banks in her pool. These days, however, she is spending some time away from her kids to follow her other passion: acting. So many working moms know how this story goes: You love being with your kids and you love being at work, and so you spend a lot of your time feeling torn. And as Duff explained on her Instagram Story on Wednesday, it was watching her daughter Banks lie down for a nap on her phone that really got to her. "I just watched her go down for a nap, and it’s so amazing that we have these monitors that we can watch our babies [on] when they’re in their rooms, but it also, like, crushes me that I’m not the one there doing that for her," Duff shared with her Instagram followers. "Shout out to all the working moms out there, hustling and doing what you can for your family and showing your kids what hard work and strength is." Hilary Duff/Instagram The Younger star also acknowledged the nannies who make it possible, "for taking care of our babies when we cannot, for showing them all the love that you do." And while Duff said she is "appreciative to have work," that doesn't mean it's always an easy choice for her. "My heart’s hurting a little bit because of my babies and working such long hours," she said. The last time Duff worked on the Lizzie McGuire set was 15 years ago. The Disney show ended in 2004 with Lizzie, Gordo, and Miranda graduating from junior high school. And now, Duff is returning to her Lizzie McGuire character for the Disney+ reboot as a grown woman and a mother. It will be interesting to find out whether or not her character's life will mirror her own. Because I, for one, would love to see Lizzie McGuire navigate the complicated life of a working mom.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15336
__label__wiki	0.558839	0.558839	Where to go in Tokyo Planning your trip Explore Essentials Book your trip Books Features One way to ease yourself into the many places to visit in Tokyo is by taking a relatively crowd-free turn around the Imperial Palace – the inviolate home of the emperor and a tangible link to the past. From here it’s a quick hop to Marunouchi which has been busily restyling itself as a chic shopping and dining destination to rival glitzy Ginza. High on your sightseeing agenda should also be the evocative Shitamachi area, Tokyo’s northeast quarter, where the Edo-era spirit of the city remains. Asakusa’s primary focus is the major Buddhist temple of Sensō-ji, surrounded by a plethora of traditional craft shops. The leafy precincts of Ueno Park contain several major museums, including the Tokyo National Museum. From here it’s an easy stroll to the charming and tranquil districts of Nezu, Sendagi and Yanaka, packed with small temples, shrines and shops. In Kanda you’ll find the Kanda Myōjin, one of Tokyo’s oldest shrines and home to one of the city’s top three festivals, the Kanda Matsuri; and across the Sumida-gawa is Ryōguku, home to the colossal Edo-Tokyo Museum and the National Sumo Stadium. You can even visit Tokyo in January, May or September to catch a sumo tournament. Cross back over the river again to drop into the weird, wired and wonderful world of Akihabara, the one-time “electric town” rebooted as the focus of Tokyo’s dynamic manga and anime scene. Roppongi’s nightlife can exhaust the most committed hedonist, but save some energy to return by day to explore the art triangle formed by the National Art Center, housed in one of the city’s most dazzling architectural spaces; the various art and design institutes of the mammoth Tokyo Midtown development; and the excellent Mori Art Museum, atop the Roppongi Hills complex. Fashionistas should head towards on-trend Shibuya and Harajuku, and the super-chic, boutique-lined boulevards of Aoyama. When you’ve reached consumer saturation point, retreat to the wooded grounds of nearby Meiji-jingū, the city’s most venerable Shinto shrine, or peruse the delicate woodblock prints and crafts and artworks in the Nezu Museum, the Ōta Memorial Museum of Art or the Japan Folk Crafts Museum. On the west side of the city lies Shinjuku, bursting with towering skyscrapers, endless amounts of neon, TV screens several storeys tall, and arguably the world’s most complicated railway station. The attractions include the monumental Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the beautiful gardens of Shinjuku Gyoen, and the lively and raffish Kabukichō entertainment area. In the north of Tokyo offbeat pleasures include the rickety Toden-Arakawa Line, the city centre’s last tramway; the Frank Lloyd Wright designed Myonichi-kan in Ikebukuro; and a trio of pretty Japanese gardens: Rikugi-en, Chinzan-sō and the Kyū Furukawa Gardens. It costs nothing (other than a few hours’ sleep) to experience the frenetic early-morning fish market at Tsukiji, on the edge of Tokyo Bay. Hama Rikyū Onshi Teien, one of the city’s loveliest traditional gardens, lies close by. Across the bay from here, and linked to the main city by the impressive Rainbow Bridge, is Odaiba, a futuristic man-made island, where you’ll find the Miraikan, Tokyo’s most fascinating science museum, and the touristy, fun public bathhouse Ōedo Onsen Monogatari. High-speed trains put several important places to visit within day-trip range of Tokyo, including the ancient temple and shrine towns of Kamakura to the south and Nikkō to the north. A day tour to Nikkō can be easily booked. Mount Fuji, 100km southwest of the capital, can be climbed between June and September, while the adjoining national park area of Hakone offers relaxed hiking amid beautiful lakeland scenery and the chance to take a dip in an onsen – a Japanese mineral bath. If you’re looking for a quick and convenient trip to the countryside, sacred Mount Takao, just an hour west of the capital, provides a verdant escape. Last, but not least, there’s Yokohama, a whole other city – Japan’s second largest, in fact – right on Tokyo’s doorstep and well worth visiting for its vibrant Chinatown and breezy waterfront districts. It's important to consider the feel of each area, and where landmarks are located, before deciding where to stay in Tokyo. This page contains affiliate links; all recommendations are editorially independent. wb_sunnyBest time to visitchevron_right placePlaces to visitchevron_right Explore Tokyo Your comprehensive guide to Tokyo. Tokyochevron_right Around Tokyochevron_right Northern Honshūchevron_right Hokkaidōchevron_right Central Honshūchevron_right Kyoto & Narachevron_right Kansaichevron_right Western Honshūchevron_right Shikokuchevron_right Kyūshūchevron_right Okinawachevron_right Book Your Trip To Japan The Rough Guide to Tokyo The Rough Guide to Japan Rough Guide Audio Phrasebook and Dictionary – Japanese The Rough Guide to Singapore Tokyo features What you need to know about the bars of Golden Gai, Tokyo The hotel breathing new life into one of Tokyo's oldest neighbourhoods	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15338
__label__wiki	0.692103	0.692103	Loch Lomond Founders All change at RSPB Loch Lomond Emma Wilcock, Community Engagement Officer, reports on two major projects that are helping us to manage the reserve for wildlife and people. News from Loch Lomond "New cattle handling facilities and two new bridges were top of our list of projects for this year. Shore Wood is where we bring animals on and off the sites at the start and end of each season, and where we handle any lame animals. This area of the site does not flood, so it's a key access area. The animals will now be loaded and unloaded in this area using a Land Rover with a trailer, and a small float. A massive difference We've also created a turning area next to the animal pens, to allow the trailer to turn. After several years of deliberation and consultation, we received the funds, a contractor and permissions required to replace two problematic bridges on site. The work was completed in September, and it has already made a massive difference for staff and volunteers working on site. It was also in September that we began managing the vegetation in the Aber Bog, where we've started the process of restoring the fen area to a better condition for locally scarce plants as well as spotted crakes and other wading birds. With a very wet September, the cutting was a much easier job than the burning, but a drier October meant we could complete a section of the fen we'd planned for this year. We'll continue this process of rotational cutting in future years to benefit the variety of wildlife found here. New Visitor Hub Our new Visitor Hub opened in April 2016, and will reopen at Easter for the new season, seven days a week, along with a new circular path from the Hub." - Emma Wilcock, Community Engagement Officer Bird guide: spotted crake RSPB Loch Lomond Help us continue our work at Loch Lomond With your help we'll be able to protect this amazing place for the threatened wildlife that depends upon it, and transform this area into an unforgettable day out for visitors. New Loch Lomond visitor centre 2016 has been RSPB Loch Lomond reserve's biggest year so far. Staff at RSPB Loch Lomond have been hard at work improving the site to make it more accessible to visitors. To transform Loch Lomond into an exciting nature reserve for birds, wildlife and people there is still work to be done.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15342
__label__cc	0.682581	0.317419	The Voyage of S/V Estelle Cruising the British Columbia Coast Estelle Profile Who: Jeannie & Jim Lea Port: Charlottetown, PEI Sailing Again! Sockeye Fever Heading South Pierre's Echo Bay Marine Resort Broughtns Part 3 Cruising the Broughtons, Part 2 Broughtons Cruising Part 1 Charlottetown Yacht Club Chris Parker Weather John Williams Boatyard Madcap's Blog Skipper Bob Strathspey's Blog 30 September 2018 \| Vancouver Rowing Club 10 September 2018 \| The Laughing Oyster, Okeover Landing 08 September 2018 \| Von Donop Inlet, Desolation Sound 08 September 2018 \| Port McNeill, BC 16 August 2018 \| Turnbull Cove, BC 15 August 2018 \| Pierre's Echo Bay Resort 15 August 2018 \| Kwatsi Bay Marina, The Broughtons 15 August 2018 \| Potts Lagoon, West Cracroft Island, BC 05 August 2018 \| Kwatsi Bay Travelling the Back Route 01 August 2018 \| Big Bay Cruising Desolation Sound Part 2 01 August 2018 \| Von Donop Inlet Desolation Sound Cruising, Part 1 27 July 2018 \| Lancelot Inlet, Desolation Sound Marine Park Cruising Desolation Sound... getting there is half the fun! 09 July 2018 \| Vancouver Rowing Club Spring Cruising the Gulf Islands 04 June 2018 \| Whistler BC Test one 08 February 2018 \| Whistler, BC Fall Cruising Part 2 19 November 2017 \| Vancouver, BC Fall Cruising in BC Part 1 04 August 2017 \| Van Isle Marina San Juan Islands Part 2 25 July 2017 \| San Juan Islands, Wa USA San Juan Islands 2017 Part 1 Seafood Buffet at The Laughing Oyster This is the final set of blog entries for our summer cruise to Desolation Sound and the Broughton Island Group. From Okeover Inlet, we headed out Malispina Inlet, rounded Sarah Point and began the trip south. In a light NW wind, we quietly sailed down through the Copeland Islands, past Lund, Savary Island, Harwood Island and Powell River into Sturt Bay on Texeda Island, where we tied up to the very accommodating docks of the Texeda Island Yacht Club. Since our first stop here, we have not passed without visiting. Ashore, we walked the quiet streets of the village of Van Anda up to a store for some supplies, then to the village Inn for cash from the only ATM in the area. Then back to the boat. Jeannie and chef/owner of The Laughing Oyster The excellent Buffet Mary Mary Cafe, Van Anda, Texeda Island In the morning, we were in no hurry, so walked up to the Mary Mary Cafe for breakfast. Then we were off south again, still enjoying the nice NW breeze. Our destination was Jedediah Island off the southern tip of Texeda Island. But by late afternoon, with a forecast for uncertain winds, we decided to divert into the excellent shelter of Secret Cove for the night. It also gave us a chance to refill the dinghy gas tank again. From our anchorage in Secret Cove, we set out for Jedediah Island, just 9 miles away. Jedediah Island is part of the Lasqueti Island group. Although the islands are not far from Nanaimo and Powell River, we expected it to be remote and quiet... we were wrong! Every anchorage was filled, so we found another deep (65') anchorage. It was fine for the day, but we would need to find better protection for the night. In the dinghy we soon found a trail head. Ashore we crossed the island, passing a few abandoned buildings and kayak campsites (Jedediah Island is a provincial park). The island has a colourful and fascinating history. Abandoned home on Jedediah Island By late afternoon we decided that a return to Secret Cove was the best alternative, so we motored back. And we motored slowly! The boat bottom has a healthy marine garden on it, slowing us down significantly. So much so that I called to arrange a haul-out and cleaning in Sidney. Back in Secret Cove we settled in just as the first rain in 8 weeks started. And it was here in Secret Cove that we last had rain! In the morning the sun had returned and we set out across the Strait of Georgia for Newcastle Island (another provincial marine park) in Nanaimo harbour. Down through Welcome Passage and out into the Strait, we set sail, crossing area WG, the naval weapons testing area (inactive today) and enjoyed yet another beautiful sail until the winds died as we approached the harbour. Safely anchored, we went ashore for a short walk, then over to the Dinghy Dock Pub for dinner. Dinghy Dock Pub, Protection Island... it is actually floating. Good news!!! The smoke is gone, blown away by the recent NW winds! With the now clear air, we have decided to head down to Victoria for the long weekend to visit our daughter Sarah and family. So today, the first order of business was to get through Dodd Narrows. The currents in Dodd Narrows (over 8 knots is not unusual) are not the strongest in BC, but add the heavy traffic, and it can be quite an experience. Our calculations showed us leaving the anchorage at 11 am to arrive at slack, But at 9:30, we watched other boats begin to stream out in the direction of the narrows. We checked the calculations and waited... more boats streaming out. Finally at 10:30, we could not resist the "herd mentality" any longer and got underway... arriving 1/2 hour early. But we made it through and sailed down in the quiet airs to yet another provincial marine park and Montague Harbour. Our scheduled haulout was two days away, and just 30 miles, so we headed over to nearby Ganges Harbour. Rather than head into our yacht club outstation dock, we decided to anchor for the night. We called Mike and Paula from Verstovia, who we met in Desolation Sound and had kept in touch with. They live on Saltspring Island just a few miles from Ganges, so we met for lunch. They took us to the Saltspring Island Cheese Factory, just a few miles outside Ganges, where we had an excellent lunch, followed by a tour of the cheese-making and some purchases in their shop. Then a stop at the Ganges Farmers Market, always fun. A great afternoon! Ganges Farmers Market This morning, we began hoisting the anchor as usual. But as the anchor was coming over the bow roller, the chain swivel snapped, sending the anchor (a 20 kg Rocna) to the bottom!! Jeannie hit the MOB button to get our coordinates, and we set off wondering how to retrieve it. A call to Paula and she had us in touch with a local diver. His fee was $250 if he found the anchor, $150 if he didn't. Well, I paid him $150... no anchor. We motored into fresh southerlies over to Canoe Cove Marina, where we tied up for two nights. In addition to the haul-out, I had called a marine contractor on the site to arrange to have some work done on the engine. Since it was new, 4 years ago we have had an intermittent starting problem that I finally traced to a faulty pre-heat solenoid. When we arrived at the marina I walked up to the shop (Raven Marine) and also ordered a new swivel. Since I had to have them cut off the remains of the old one, I asked them to install the new one. Nelson (my contact at Raven) asked me about how I had installed the previous one and suggested a modification to prevent a recurrence. Haulout at Canoe Cove Marina Next morning, the solenoid was installed, haulout, cleaning and new prop zinc installed at noon and new anchor swivel installed in the afternoon, along with our back-up anchor, a Fortress FX-37 In the evening, we met Sarah and family and went to dinner at the Stonehouse Pub, just a short walk from the boatyard. In the morning, we cast off for the Royal Victoria Yacht Club for three nights. With our very active grand-sons, we enjoyed two days of fun, fishing, kite-flying and play. With a boost from the current, but in flat calm ait, we motored back up the shore and back into Montague Harbour where we picked up a mooring for the last night of our cruise. We had it on good authority that the restaurant at the marina was worth visiting, so we took the dinghy over for dinner, their last evening dinner of the summer. The Crane and Robin has a small but excellent menu, highly recommended. The fish tacos are delicious. We found a seat in the restaurant overlooking the harbour and had a great meal. After dinner, we walked back to the shore to watch the sunset, a perfect last night for our cruise. With slack currents in the cuts not due until noon, we had a leisurely start to our last morning. Evenings are getting chilly, but with the sun on our cockpit enclosure in the mornings, we were still able to have breakfast in the warmth of the sun. Heading out, we decided to motor north 16 miles to Gabriola Passage to give us a better sailing angle across the Strait of Georgia back to Vancouver. Slightly late for slack, we still pushed through with 2.5 knots of opposing current. Safely through, we bore off for Point Grey, 20 miles across. In another beautiful afternoon, pushed by a 15 knot NW breeze, we finished our cruise with a perfect sail. Furling the sails as we approached Lions Gate Bridge, we were back in our berth at the Vancouver Rowing Club in early evening, cruise over. Smoky, warm, light winds Smoke at Manson's Landing Getting to the Broughtons is more difficult than getting back. From Port McNeill to Desolation Sound was three great sailing days, with a bit of motoring through the rapids. But as we entered the Desolation Sound area, we were ready to stop. We decided to spend two nights in beautiful quiet Von Donop Inlet. Although just a few miles off the beaten path to the favourite anchorages in Desolation Sound, it gets far fewer boats. Here too we saw far fewer boats that when we left in mid-July. Anchor down and set, we headed ashore for a short hike to stretch our legs. We had not really done any walking since Port McNeill, four days ago. Then back to the boat for dinner. We are still working our way through the freezer where we stocked up hurriedly on our way north. We still have four big steaks from Big Bay and tonight, we split one. With fresh veggies from Port McNeill and a BC Cab Sauvignon, a nice dinner. In the morning, we did the reverse hike we did a few weeks earlier... we hiked from Von Donop to Squirrel Cove, where we counted just 14 boats. Although we could not see the full anchorage, there were far fewer boats in the inner anchorage that we could see. Clearly the season is winding down here. Back in Von Donop, we did a dinghy tour of the area, a few boat jobs and the day was over. When we came through the rapids into Desolation Sound, we noticed a change... smoke. With the wildfires raging in the interior of the province, the smoke has been slowly working its way to the coast. We noticed signs of it when heading north, but today it was noticeably heavier, with warnings about health concerns and not exerting yourself. Next morning (August 20th), we raised anchor and rounded the west side of Cortes Island and headed for Manson's Landing. We arrived to find a crowded anchorage, typically very deep everywhere but some very small areas between deep water and drying flats. Rather than anchor in 70', we crept up to a nice 20' and set the anchor. Not a spot for low tide as we would be just a few feet from grounding, but fine for a few hours around high tide. We clearly need more anchor rode. We carry 200' of chain on our main rode. That means safe anchorage in about 40'. But many of the anchorages in the areas we have been cruising are significantly deeper. So we will have to decide whether to replace the entire chain with 300', or add to the existing with 150' of rope. A project for next winter. But for now, we were well set for a few hours, so we set off ashore. We walked up the road about one kilometre to the commercial centre of Cortes Island. It contained a couple of cafes, grocery store and a few other shops. We decided on a small cafe for lunch and were not disappointed... excellent. Then a few groceries in the attached co-op and we headed back to the dinghy. We took the dinghy into a lagoon, accessible only for a few hours around high tide, found a path up to Hague Lake where we stuck our toes into the warm water. But time to catch the tide and avoid finding ourselves trapped inside the lagoon. Back aboard, we hoisted the anchor and rounded Sutil Point and dropped the anchor in Cortes Bay in better anchoring depths. The smoke is getting worse, causing us to re-think the remainder of our stay here. We have some areas we would like to see, but with the smoke, little of the spectacular scenery is visible, not to mention the effect of breathing the smoky air. Our eyes are sore and we are doing little that requires exertion. But we had one stop we were not going to miss... dinner at The Laughing Oyster. We had a delicious lunch there on our way north and wanted to try dinner. And we learned that Wednesday was Seafood Buffet night. So we made reservations and headed down. Leaving Cortes Bay (August 21), we motored in light air across the Sound down into Malispina Inlet and up Lancelot Inlet to the Susan Islets for the night. Next morning, we dug clams at low tide, only to find the area closed due to shellfish poisoning, so back they went. In the afternoon, we headed down Lancelot Inlet and into Okeover Inlet. By now the smoke was at its worst. With less than 1/2 mile visibility, we watched the radar screen all the way down. But we met little traffic. Boats were just staying put in the dense smoke. But the meal was worth the trip. As usual, sunny, hot with smoke in the air Next morning we were ready to cast off and enjoy the nice north west wind, our objective, Port Harvey. But we were warned.. the sockeye season had opened the previous night! No wonder the fuel dock was empty. And with the fog, we were warned that it would be a real problem working our way down through the fleet. The fishery is a gill net fishery, streaming their nets 1/4 to 1/2 mile behind the boats. And the challenge was to figure out whose net was attached to which boat. But in the end, we had no problems. We worked our way down the western shore, closer to our destination, while the fishermen seemed to prefer the eastern shore. Not only that, we watched boat after boat streaming back to Port McNeill after filling their quota after just 12 hours. So, maybe it will be a big season, just like Billy told me it would be. Johnstone Strait has a reputation for some serious weather. When the winds on Queen Charlotte Strait, a few miles north, are mild, Johnstone Strait can see gale force winds. Not only does the water narrow, but the mountains funnel the winds into the narrow waters, so that gale force winds are not uncommon when the weather a few miles away is benign. But sailing down, we enjoyed a 15 knot following breeze as we worked our way down the strait to Port Harvey, where we began our trip into the Broughtons. Great to be sailing again! We knew our arrival at the Port Harvey Marine Resort would be far different than our arrival last month. We had word that just days after our departure, George Cambridge, who owned and operated it with his wife Gail, died suddenly a few days after we were there. When we were there, I had asked Gail how they could possibly operate the place with just two people. She said that one of them had to always be there. Two people were needed. But now there was only one. Gail has left, and the marina is closed, but boaters are free to tie up. Not only do we feel the loss of George, but the timing just adds to the feeling of loss. They had just been rebuilding the marina and buildings, restaurant and store, after a tragic sinking two years ago. The new docks and buildings pointed to a great future. But this is a remote spot, and it will take a special type to continue here. When we arrived, we found the docks were just about full, so we had willing hands to help with our lines. In the evening we gathered on the dock and remembered George. Although we only met him for the first time a few weeks ago, we quickly learned to enjoy his dry humour. Sitting on the docks we speculated on the marina's future and toasted George, wishing him fair winds. On the dock that night, we met Peter and Marsala on Northern Light, a Bennetau 50 from Victoria BC. The discussion about weather (all were heading back south) was, as usual, full of varying opinions. To us, the next day seemed the best to head south. Nice following winds and a following current. All agreed that heading off early would be best. Next morning, we dropped our lines at 0730, early for us, with not a sign of others. We had a great downwind sail through Johnstone Strait, past Fanny Island and its Environment Canada weather station (I check it regularly) into Sunderland Channel. Two miles into the channel, the winds dropped from 20 knots to calm, leaving us motoring into Forward Harbour where we waited for the change of the currents. We dropped anchor waiting for slack in the Whirlpool rapids, just outside the harbour entrance. As we waited (wondering where our dockmates were), in came Northern Lights. They told us that everyone else had decided to stay another day. At 1500 hrs, we headed out into the slack Whirlpool Rapids and down into Cordero Channel. Here we faced a following 20 kt wind bucking the yet to change current... a rough ride. But by the time we reached Green Point Rapids, all was well... calm winds and waters. We considered an anchorage just off the rapids, but too many boats! So we carried on to Shoal Bay where, after some anchor dancing, we pulled into the wharf. We have begun to see smoke from the many forest fires far inland. Like so many areas up and down the northern coast of BC, Shoal Bay once was a complete town, at one time boasting a population larger than the newly founded Vancouver. But today all that is left is the wharf, maintained, for some reason, by the federal government. The one remaining structure is a small pub/home. Again we met up with Peter and Marsala from Northern Lights, and went ashore to the pub. A bit of a disappointment, ($9.00 for a beer). So back to the boat for the night. In the morning, we were off early, wanting to time our trip through the rapids, Dent, Gillard and Yucultas. All within a distance of 5 miles. As we set off we watched a flotilla develop around us, all jockeying speed to arrive at the rapids at slack. And we all did. Through into Calm Channel, we hoisted the main, shut the engine down and pulled out the spinnaker! I don't think it has been used since 2007 in the Bahamas. But today it flew beautifully. We had a couple of gybes, working our way down past Raza Passage, Deer Passage and into Sutyl Passage where the wind died and we motored into Von Donop Inlet, fast becoming a favourite anchorage. Still sunny, light NW winds, hot Tug setting up a log boom for towing south. Billy Proctor told me about sockeye fever. And in Port McNeill, we experienced it. I have learned a lot about salmon fishing on the west coast. Some from Billy directly, some from fellow cruisers, some from fishermen and some from Billy's book. I doubt I have it all correct, but, from what I have learned, this is how it goes. The sockeye fishery is the biggest salmon fishery on the west coast. And the biggest river is the Fraser River, emptying into the Strait of Georgia through two main branches in Vancouver. The main body of the run comes in south of Vancouver Island through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. About 30% of the run come in north of the island down through Queen Charlotte Strait and into the narrows of Johnstone Strait.. just where we were headed. The sockeye fishery is a 36 hour fishery, beginning at 1800 hrs. But what day is a well guarded secret by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. They monitor the run and determine when it is at its maximum, and the season is on. Because of the narrow waters, forcing all the fish into a few narrow channels, fishermen from as far away as Bella Coola come south, burning over $1,000 in fuel to participate. Each fisherman has a quota, and there is an overall quota. The sockeye run goes in cycles. Every fourth year is the biggest, and this was year four. We motored across Queen Charlotte Strait in flat calm waters, with about 1/2 mile visibility in fog. As we were on our first leg heading south, we were disappointed to not be sailing. All the way north we motored into headwinds, so we are looking forward to some nice sailing as we head south, but today, our first southern day, no luck. Port McNeill has two marinas, one municipal and the other private. We had arranged a slip at North Island Marina, the private one. It has the only fuel dock in town and we wanted to fill up. We got into our slip with no trouble and asked about fuel... “well, maybe tomorrow.” After registering, we watched as boat after boat pulled into the fuel dock, all fishing boats taking on 1,000 gallons each. Later we finally figured out that they were filling up in preparation for the opening, only days away. We had booked our slip for two nights... even all the slips for recreational boaters are fully booked... a busy spot. Next morning, we took a ferry to nearby Malcomb Island, and its main community of Sointula. A very interesting history. Early in the 20th century, a group of Finnish settlers who were employed in coal mining on Vancouver Island decided to establish an egalitarian community where all were equal . They settled on Malcomb Island and named there community Sointula, meaning “harmony” in Finnish. After a few years, to no ones surprise, it petered out. But a few settlers remained and today it is a combination of the original settlers, fishermen, summer residents and aging hippies. We had an excellent lunch at Coho Joe's. Then we borrowed bikes from the tourist bureau and biked a few miles down the shore. Back in Port McNeill (a 20 minute ferry ride, free for BC seniors) we headed for Port McNeill's finest restaurant, Northern Light. It took a few minutes to convince our waitress that we wanted to see the wine list (You have to order the whole bottle!), but the expense was worth it, with the Halibut Neptune, a Bearnaise sauce with shrimp and crab... delicious!! Sunny, hot. Blunden Harbour Well, true to recent form, the morning dawned foggy in Napier Bay. We wanted an early start to beat the wind and current. But before we left, we took some extra time to watch a bear wandering on the shore just off our stern. Our objective, Blunden Harbour, was just 12 miles up Queen Charlotte Strait, but in this area, the winds build from the north-west in the afternoon, creating an uncomfortable ride. So we set out in the fog, using the AIS reception and radar to feel our way down Wells Passage into Queen Charlotte Strait. We saw lots of small boats fishing along the shore, but only met a few out in the strait. Approaching Blunden Harbour, we watched three radar targets leaving, and wondered if we would be anchoring in another crowd. But, safely into the harbour, we dropped anchor in a cove with just one other boat in sight. Blunden Harbour has a long history, recently as a logging camp, but for years before as a native village. The middens (remains of shellfish) are huge. Now there is nothing left of either the village or the logging camps. We walked the shore thinking about its past. We set the crab trap and went off on an exploration of the area. It is an intricate maze of islands with the incoming tidal current sweeping water into a large lagoon. We poked our noses into the lagoon but decided to turn around for two reasons. First, we were running out of fuel. Second, the entry is a tidal rapid. So once in, you are in until the current changes in your favour. So we retreated to the boat for the night. This morning, we hauled our crab trap with no success. The neighbouring boat told us that they had been thee a few weeks before and watched as commercial crab fishermen covered the area with traps, wiping out the stock. New plan... Port McNeill for supplies, as always, running low. We delayed our departure until late morning, hoping for the fog to lift and the wind to rise... we are now heading downwind... in a southerly direction. No luck. We motored in fog and flat waters 23 miles to Port McNeill where we tied up at the North Coast Marina. Port McNeill is a small town on the north coast of Vancouver Island that owes its living to fishing, logging and mining. But it has everything the cruising sailor needs. Sullivan Bay "Floating Village" We woke in Turnbull Cove to another morning of light fog that quickly burned off leaving another cloudless day. After breakfast, we took the dinghy ashore for a short but steep a 3/4 mile hike up to Huaskin Lake. BC Forestry has built a large raft that you walk out to on a ramp. Jeannie swam in the (to her) warm water, but it was just below my threshold, so I just dipped my feet in and watched. Back aboard we prepared to get underway, and watched in astonishment as boat after boat streamed into the cove. By the time we left the numbers had swelled to ten. Time to seek out even more remote anchorages! So we set off for Drury Inlet. I thought I had timed our travel to arrive at Stuart Narrows at slack (our last set of rapids), but our speed wasn't what I planned. But we chugged on. According to the current tables, slack was at 1;55 pm. But by the time we arrived at 2:30, we slid through at slack! Inside the narrows, we headed for a small anchorage, Davis Bay, just a few miles into the inlet. We have three cruising guides. One said this was the best anchorage in the inlet, another said it was a navigation horror, and open to the winds. The third didn't mention it at all. But we settled in. It is a small anchorage, so that once we were anchored, there wasn't room for any other boats. Settled in, we took our prawn trap out and set it in 120' of water. We had been assured that Davis Inlet was excellent for prawning. Then a kayak expedition to explore the area. In the evening we checked the trap... nothing. So we relocated it and left it for the night. In the evening we watched a black bear prowl the beach off our stern in search for food. He finally settled on some berries and sat on his haunches munching. Next morning, out to the trap and... success!!! We had one red rock crab, too small, so back he went, and three tiny prawns! These we kept as we are sure we will catch more and will add them to the haul for a dinner. Then we were off to Sutherland Bay at the western end of the inlet. This is as far west as we can go in the Broughtons. We anchored and set the prawn trap, then off exploring. We have one trap, using it for either prawns or crab, depending on depth. We wanted prawns, so found the deepest spot in our area and dropped the trap. Then off on a dinghy tour.We took the dinghy into some long arms through areas too tight for big boats, the only sign of life was the logging activity. There has been extensive logging all through the Broughtons. Areas that have been re-planted grow green and lush while recently cut areas show the scars of the slash left behind. We landed at the dock of a logging camp, empty on the weekend and hiked up the logging road to stretch our legs. Not too much of interest, but lots of "evidence" of bears, so we decided to head back to the boat. Another quiet night with three prawns for an appetizer. We are close to Queen Charlotte Strait now, and in the month of "Fogust" mornings are now foggy. Usually it burns off before eleven. We were in no particular hurry to leave as the slack at the Stuart Narrows was not until 3:30 pm. So we waited out the fog, went for another walk and picked up our trap. No prawns, four rock crabs. Three crabs were female, so we released them. The fourth was soon dispatched on the foredeck and in the pot. We need a couple more to make crab cakes. Around noon we got underway and slowly ran down the inlet. At the narrows, we found ourselves early, but slogged through, reduced at times to just two knots. Through, we headed for nearby Napier Bay for the night. Not an anchorage of any real significance, it was close to Queen Charlotte Strait. Plans have changed. From here we planned to head for Sointula, on Malcolm Island, just off the Vancouver Island coast. But we decided to push just one anchorage further, to Blunden Harbour, home to an abandoned native village. From there, we'll start to work our way back south. Hopefully that will bean more sailing! With the prevailing north-west summer winds, we have had a motoring trip so far, and look forward to the change. Sunny and hot (still) Billy Proctor When we were in Port Harvey, we decided to take advantage of the internet and make a couple of reservations, one at Lagoon Cove and one at Pierre's Echo Bay Marine Resort. Pierre's is famous for its dinners. They serve prime rib on Tuesdays and Thursdays, Roasted pig on Monday and Saturday and Halibut fish and chips on Wednesday. So we booked in for Wednesday along with Paula and Mike from Verstovia who we have been travelling with on and off. Lately we have had fog in the mornings, burning off by around 10am, and today was no exception. So we just enjoyed a leisurely morning in the cockpit, getting underway after the fog lifted. Our route was just seven miles, so we took a few scenic diversions, arriving at Pierre's in early afternoon. After lunch and signing in, buying a few supplies, we were off on a short hike across to Billy Proctor's. After 15 minutes on a very up-and-down trail, we came out at Billy's museum, with Billy sitting quietly on a bench out front. Billy is a widely known local character, now in his early 80's. He has spent his entire life in the Broughtons, except when away fishing. Except for one fishing trip to Alaska, he has not been outside British Columbia. He has two daughters, both with university degrees. A man of contrasts. He still holds a commercial licence and has a boat, but hasn't fished for years. He cleaned off a space on the bench and invited me to sit down. His museum consists of things he has found on the beaches or dug up in the area. It contains, among lots of other things, old arrowheads, glass Japanese fishing floats, old bottles of all sizes, colours and shapes, an early two man chain saw, and lots more. When asked what's inside, he replied "Just some old junk." Sitting in the warm afternoon sun, we talked for over an hour on topics ranging from the area history, the current state of the fishery, politics and much more. But it was time to head back for Pierre's fish and chips. Before we left, we went into his tiny bookstore where he sells books relating to the area, including a couple he has written, one of which we bought. He rang in the sale on an enormous ancient cash register, still in perfect working order. A very enjoyable afternoon. Back at Pierre's, we sat down with Paula and Mike and two other couples, both from Seattle. In the marina there were about 25 boats (one other sailboat), only three of which were Canadian. The rest were from the US. And that has been typical here, at least 80% of the boats from the US. Dinner was buffet style with halibut, home cut fries and cole slaw. Dessert was key lime pie. And it lived up to its reputation! Everyone waddled away happy. Next morning we said good by to Paula and Mike. They were starting back south to Saltspring Island where they live and we headed off north-west for more exploration. Our destination was Turnbull Cove where we could hike up to a lake for a swim. Up Sutlej Channel, we passed , Tribune Channel, Kingscomb Inlet and pulled in to Sullivan Bay Marina. We topped off our fuel (lots of motoring here) and bought more supplies, including wine and beer which had run out. Up Dunsany Passage, into Grappler Sound, through a couple of narrows with swirling currents slowing us to just two knots, and we turned into beautiful Turnbull Cove. A large anchorage, there were only four other boats, so lots of room to anchor. Another beautiful evening after another hot and sunny day. Since we began sailing in late June we have had just one day of rain. Great for cruising, but all the marinas are running out of water, and the forests are tinder dry! The forecast shows showers and cooler weather the day after tomorrow. I guess we should hope for it. Sunny, Hot, light winds Kwatsi Bay Marina In the quiet morning air of Kwatsi Bay, we waited for the fog to lift. Not a Down-easter pea soup fog, but a light cloud clinging to the water until the sun burnt it off, (an August feature here). After lots of good-bu's to Anka (Max had left for supplies in Sointulla) we were off down Tribune Strait to Siboon Sound where we tucked into beautiful MacIntosh Cove. In the entire sound, we had only three other boats. Out in the kayak to explore the area, we quietly drifted back to the boat when we spied three bears, a mother and two cubs, on the shore. In our quiet approach they did not hear us until we were quite close. But when they saw us, they just quietly ambled up into the woods and disappeared. Emboldened by our success in Potts Lagoon, we set the crab trap, confident of a nice haul in the morning. Back aboard, we thawed another steak. We're getting a bit tired of frozen meat, but the plan is to re-stock in Pierre's Echo Bay Marina on Wednesday when we will spend a night and enjoy his famous cuisine. In the morning we checked the trap and our haul was: one sea urchin (tiny), one rock cod (undersized) and one tiny spider crab (no meat and no season), so all were released. Then off to new destinations. Plan A was Waddington Harbour, a small harbour about 15 miles away, through two straightforward channels into a small group of islands. Arriving, we were a bit surprised at the crowd, making for tight quarters. We tried anchoring in one open area, but found only kelp and soupy mud. Not good for the nightly winds that blow through. We tried a couple of other spots, either too deep ( a common problem on the west coast) or too crowded. Off to Plan B. Up Blunden Passage, past the four way intersection with Misty Passage and Old Passage, and through the very tight narrows, where we turned down int Lady Boot Cove. Its name derives from its shape, a long leg down to where there is a small branch off (the heel) and the main branch into the toe. With just two other boats there, we anchored in the toe and went ashore to stretch our legs. Lady Boot Cove is on Eden Island, part of the Broughton Islands Marine Park. But it is a wilderness park, meaning nothing has been done to create anything ashore. So we landed at a tiny beach, stumbled over a bunch of rocks for an hour or so until the tide forced us off. Vessel Name: Estelle Vessel Make/Model: Bristol 41.1 Hailing Port: Charlottetown, PEI Crew: Jeannie & Jim Lea Extra: After cruising the east coast of North America for 10 years, from Nova Scotia to Panama, it's time for a change. Estelle will be cruising the coast of British Columbia and Alaska beginning in 2017. Estelle's Photos - Peru, Days 1 to 3 Photo 1 of 70 \| Back To Album Added 1 March 2012	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15347
__label__cc	0.68872	0.31128	Save with SPP Why did you join SPP? Tag Archives: Canadian Pension Plan Dec 16: Best from the blogosphere December 16, 2019 saskpension Leave a comment First wave of retiring boomers finding retirement disappointing Retirement has always seemed like the light at the end of the tunnel for hard-working Canucks. But new research suggests that retiring boomers are finding it a little disappointing. Writing in the Ottawa Citizen, noted financial journalist Jonathan Chevreau reports that new research from Sun Life finds “almost three in four retirees – 72 per cent – say retirement is not what they were expecting, and not in a good way.” The 2019 Sun Life Barometer, he notes, found 23 per cent of retirees reported life after work was a tight money environment, where they were “following a strict budget and refraining from spending money on non-essential items.” And those not yet retired are delaying their plans, Chevreau notes. A whopping 44 per cent of Canadians “expect they’ll still be employed full time at age 66,” and it’s because they “need to work for the money, rather than because they enjoy it.” Why the strict budgeting? Chevreau notes that about half – 47 per cent – of those still working believe “there’s a serious risk they could outlive their retirement savings.” The article says the lack of defined benefit pensions – the type where the retiree receives a pension equal to a percentage of what they were making at work – is one of the reasons for these concerns. Everyone without such plans is either saving in RRSPs or in defined contribution plans. In both these types of savings plans, you save as much as you can, and then turn that lump sum into retirement income, normally on your own. This tendency for retirement plans to be savings plans designed to build a lump sum is, the article says “devolving responsibility onto the shoulders of individuals,” making the RRSP unit holder or DC plan member the person handling the risk of outliving the savings, known as longevity risk in the industry. The article offers a couple of ways people can improve their retirement security. Be sure, the article warns, that you are fully taking part in any retirement program your work offers. “Canadians are leaving up to $4 billion on the table,” the article notes, by not taking full advantage of plans where the employer matches some or all of any extra money they put in. There’s also a worryingly large group of people who don’t have a workplace pension and aren’t saving on their own via RRSPs or TFSAs, the article reports. That group, the article says, will probably have to work well beyond age 65, but at least they will get more income from CPP and OAS if they take them at a later age. The article concludes by noting that running day-to-day finances is “hard enough” for Canadians, which may explain the savings shortfall. If you have a pension plan or retirement savings benefit through your work, consider yourself lucky, and be sure you are getting the most you can out of it. Can you consolidate pension benefits from other workplaces into the plan you’re in now, rather than retiring with several small chunks of savings? Are you eligible for a match, and if so, are you signed up for it? If you are saving on your own, the Saskatchewan Pension Plan may be of help. You can save on your own through SPP, much like an RRSP, except SPP has the added advantage of offering a variety of annuity products when you retire – these turn your savings into a lifetime income stream that never runs out. As well, you can often transfer pension funds from past periods of employment into your SPP account – contact SPP to find out how. Written by Martin Biefer Martin Biefer is Senior Pension Writer at Avery & Kerr Communications in Nepean, Ontario. A veteran reporter, editor and pension communicator, he’s now a freelancer. Interests include golf, line dancing, classic rock, and darts. You can follow him on Twitter – his handle is @AveryKerr22 Canadian Pension PlanCPPDC plandefined contribution planJonathan ChevreauOASOld Age SecurityOttawa CitizenRegistered Retirement Savings PlanRRSPSun Life BarometerTax Free Savings AccountsTFSA Why people aren’t saving – an interview with Doug Hoyes August 1, 2019 saskpension Leave a comment As co-founder of Hoyes and Michalos, a debt relief firm, and a commentator on personal finance, Doug Hoyes has seen it all when it comes to debt. And he has a straightforward view on why Canadians aren’t saving much for retirement, telling Save with SPP that these days, “people don’t save for anything.” The savings rate, he notes, was as high as 15 per cent in 1980 and has plunged to “less than one per cent” today. In other words, people are saving less than a penny of every dollar they earn. “People don’t save anything; it’s just not a thing we do anymore,” he explains. “I think the cost of living is high and job security is low.” The old “job for life” days are long gone, and people now expect to have multiple jobs through their working career, he explains. “You are seeing sporadic employment, contract work – it is hard for people to put down roots and save. And house prices are rising sharply, and everything costs more. We’re not able to save, and we are seeing more people using debt to make ends meet,” he says. Those who do try to save tend to be punished for their efforts – savings account and GICs pay interest in the low single digits, and if savers look to invest in mutual funds “there are high fees, and they take on risk,” he explains. Since low-interest lines of credit are so prevalent, for many people, debt has replaced savings, a practice that Hoyes says just isn’t sustainable in the long term. Save with SPP asked how this lack of saving affects retirement plans. “It’s become uncommon to have a pension plan (a traditional defined benefit plan) at work,” he says, “unless you work for the government. It’s just not a thing newer companies offer.” He says that from an employer’s point of view, “it is a hassle to set them up, and there is a potential for liabilities that need to be funded, and more money needing to be put in.” Sears and Nortel show the potential downside for employees and DB pensioners if the parent company runs into financial trouble, he notes. So traditional pension plans in the private sector have generally been replaced with things “like a group RRSP, where there is zero risk (for the employer).” Employees are satisfied with a group RRSP because they “know they are not going to be there, at the same employer, for 50 years,” and a group RRSP is portable and easy to transfer, Hoyes explains. With more and more working people dealing with debt, it’s not surprising to Hoyes that more seniors are retiring with debt, a situation he says can lead to disaster. “In retirement, your income goes down, and while some of your expenses that were related to work go down, others will go up,” he explains. “Your rent doesn’t go down when you retire, so your cost of living is about the same.” Retired seniors, living on less and still paying down debt, face other problems, he says. It’s more common for retirees to divert savings to “helping their adult kids.” Examples of this might include a divorced child moving home, or college and university graduates, unable to find work, staying home instead of moving out. So the seniors may use up their savings or borrow to help the children, “as any parent might,” but that drives them into a financial crisis, he explains. With debt to pay and possibly little to no workplace pension, many seniors are heading back to work. Others, Hoyes notes, are starting to have to file for insolvency. “Maybe you only have CPP and OAS coming in, and you have a $50,000 debt that you can’t service – you may need to file for bankruptcy and make payments through a trustee,” he explains. We thank Doug Hoyes for speaking to Save with SPP. If you don’t have a pension plan at work, consider opening a Saskatchewan Pension Plan account. It’s like setting up a personal pension plan. The money you set aside is invested for you at a low fee, and when you are ready to collect it, it’s available as a lifetime pension with several survivor benefit options. Martin Biefer is Senior Pension Writer at Avery & Kerr Communications in Nepean, Ontario. A veteran reporter, editor and pension communicator, he’s now a freelancer. Interests include golf, line dancing and classic rock. He and his wife live with their Shelties, Duncan and Phoebe, and cat, Toobins. You can follow him on Twitter – his handle is @AveryKerr22 Canadian Pension PlanCPPDoug HoyesGICGuaranteed Investment CertificatesHoyes and MichalosOASOld Age SecurityRegistered Retirement Savings PlanRRSP It’s getting close to the end of the year and the holiday season is upon us. Here are some examples of subjects personal finance bloggers havw been writing about recently. Marie Engen (Boomer & Echo) offers tips on How To Leverage Technology Into Good Financial Habits. She notes that most banks have a budgeting app that tracks your spending so you get a better idea of where your money is going. If all your accounts don’t reside with just one financial institution, there are lots of mobile apps and budgeting software available, such as the popular Mint.com, GoodBudget and You Need a Budget. Chris Nicola on the Financial Independence Hub tackles the perennial question, Should you take early CPP benefits or defer as long as possible? Using Statistics Canada figures, he calculates that a woman maximizes her total CPP payout by waiting until age 70, resulting in an average of $75k (36%) more than if she took it at age 60. A man maximizes his total CPP a little earlier, at age 68, receiving an average of $50k (27%) more than at age 60. Maple Money’s Tom Drake addresses the question: Should You Invest in Group RESPs? He concludes that the risk with group plans comes if you drop out early. Many of these types of RESPs have high enrollment fees. It’s not uncommon to pay up to $1,200 in fees. With Group RESPs, you don’t pay that amount up front. Instead, it is deducted from your returns when you close the plan early. Therefore if you withdraw from the plan before it matures, you could face big penalties — and even have your contributions eaten up by the fees. And getting back to how to save money and still enjoy holiday entertaining and gift giving….. Holiday décor hacks for having a dinner party by personal finance writer, on-air personality, speaker and bestselling author Melissa Leong suggests that you create your own decor very cheaply, whether by gathering some greens or acorns from outside and dumping them in a vase or using wrapping paper to wrap empty boxes, make napkin rings or use as a table runner. What If This Christmas… You Didn’t Have to Worry About Money? by Chris Enns on From Rags to Reasonable offers the following suggestions: Figure out how much you want to spend. Figure out how much you can afford to spend. Buy a prepaid credit card and use it as the ONLY way you pay for Christmas-related materials. Do you follow blogs with terrific ideas for saving money that haven’t been mentioned in our weekly “Best from the blogosphere?” Share the information on http://wp.me/P1YR2T-JR and your name will be entered in a quarterly draw for a gift card. Written by Sheryl Smolkin Sheryl Smolkin LLB., LLM is a retired pension lawyer and President of Sheryl Smolkin & Associates Ltd. For over a decade, she has enjoyed a successful encore career as a freelance writer specializing in retirement, employee benefits and workplace issues. Sheryl and her husband Joel are empty-nesters, residing in Toronto with their cockapoo Rufus. Boomer & EchoCanadian Pension PlanChris EnnsChris NicolaCPPFinancial Independence HubFrom Rags to ReasonableGoodBudgetMaple MoneyMarie EngenMelissa Leongmint.comRegistered Educational Savings PlanRESPTom DrakeYou Need a Budget Should the age of CPP/OAS eligibility be raised? June 1, 2017 saskpension 1 Comment Results from the 2016 census show that there are now 5.9 million Canadian seniors, compared to 5.8 million Canadians age 14 and under. This is due to the historic increase in the number of people over 65 — a jump of 20% since 2011 and a significantly greater increase than the five percent growth experienced by the population as a whole. This rapid pace of aging carries profound implications for everything from pension plans to health care, the labour market and social services. “The reason is basically that the population has been aging in Canada for a number of years now and the fertility level is fairly low, below replacement levels,” Andre Lebel, a demographer with Statistics Canada told Global News. Lebel also projects that because over the next 16 years, the rest of the baby boom will become senior citizens, the proportion of seniors will rise to 23 per cent. Therefore, it is not surprising that a new study from the C.D. Howe Institute proposes that the age of eligibility (AOE) for CPP/QPP, Old Age Security (OAS) and Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) benefits should be re-visited. The AOE is the earliest age at which an individual is permitted to receive a full (unreduced) pension from the government. Other countries with aging populations are raising the AOE for social security benefits. These include Finland, Sweden, Norway, Poland and the United Kingdom. In 2012, then Prime Minister Steven Harper announced plans to increase the AOE for OAS and GIS from 65 to 67 between 2023 and 2029. However, Trudeau reversed this very unpopular legislation (leaving the AOE at 65) in the 2016 budget. In their report Greener Pastures: Resetting the age of eligibility for Social Security based on actuarial science, authors Robert Brown and Shantel Aris say their goal is to introduce an “evidence-based” analysis that can be used impartially to adjust the AOE for Canada’s social security system based on actuarial logic, not political whims. However, they do not argue that current systems and reform plans are unsustainable. In fact, increasing life expectancy and increasing aged-dependency ratios are consistent with the assumptions behind CPP/QPP actuarial valuations. However, they suggest that if there are relatively painless ways to manage increasing costs to the programs, then they are worthy of public debate. Their calculations assume that Canadians will spend up to 34% of their life in retirement, resulting in recommendations for a new AOE of 66 (phased-in beginning in 2013 and achieved by 2025) that would then be constant until 2048 when the AOE would shift to age 67 over two years. Brown and Avis believe these shifts would soften the rate of increase in the Old Age Dependency Ratio, bring lower OAS/GIS costs and lower required contribution rates for the CPP (both in tier 1 and the new tier 2). This, in turn, would result in equity in financing retirement across generations and a higher probability of sustainability of these systems. However they do acknowledge that there are some important issues that would arise if the proposed AOE framework is adopted. One of these issues is the fact that raising the AOE is regressive. For example, if your life expectancy at retirement is five years, and the AOE is raised by one year, then that is a 20% loss in benefits. If your life expectancy at retirement is 20 years, then the one year shift in the AOE is only a five percent benefit reduction. People with higher income and wealth tend to live longer, so the impact of raising the AOE will be greater on lower-income workers than on higher-income workers. Access to social assistance benefits would be needed to mitigate this loss. The study suggests that it would be easy to mitigate the small regressive element in the shift of AOS by reforming the OAS/GIS clawback as the AOE starts to rise. The report concludes that having partial immunization of the OAS/GIS and CPP/QPP from increases in life expectancy is and logical and would help Canada to achieve five attractive goals with respect to our social security system: Increase the probability of it’s sustainability. Increase the credibility of this sustainability with the Canadian public. Enhance inter-generational equity. Lower the overall costs of social security; and Create a nudge for workers to stay in the labour force for a little longer . It remains to be seen if or when the C.D. Howe proposals regarding changes to the AOE for public pension plans will make it on to the “To Do” list of the current or future federal governments. 2016 censusage of eligibilityAndre LebelAOEC.D. Howe InstituteCanadian Pension PlanCPPGISGlobal newsGreener Pasturesguaranteed income supplementOASOld Age SecurityQPPQuebec Pension PlanRobert BrownShantel ArisStatistics Canada April 17: Best from the blogosphere April 17, 2017 saskpension Leave a comment By Sheryl Smolkin In a guest post for the Financial Independence Hub, Certified Financial Planner Gennaro De Luca writes that based on his experience, men and women approach taxes and investing differently. For example, he says nine times out of 10 it is the woman who takes the bull by the horns to get the family’s taxes done. Women tend to be more involved and are much more apt to ask questions of their accountant or tax preparer about tax credits and government benefits the family may be eligible for. Robb Engen on Boomer & Echo discusses which accounts to tap first in retirement with Jason Heath, a fee-only financial planner. Heath says it may make sense for people who retire early to withdraw funds from their RRSPs first and defer CPP and OAS until age 70. Retire Happy veteran blogger Jim Yih outlines the top 5 new retirement trends and how they will affect your retirement. For example: retirement is not about stopping work; many people are “phasing into retirement.” Furthermore, long term care is an essential component in a retirement plan. 10 simple ways to save money at the gas pump was recently posted by Tom Drake on the Canadian Finance Blog. Who knew that avoiding unnecessary weight in your car; using cruise control on highways and driving under 100 km/hour could save you money? And Sean Cooper recounts the story of his unexpected $1,300 furnace repair bill in the depths of a Canadian winter. Luckily, he is mortgage-free, so he had the necessary money sitting in his savings account. But his experience shines a spotlight on the importance of saving up an emergency fund in advance. Boomer & EchoCanadian Finance BlogCanadian Pension PlanCPPFinancial Independence HubGennaro De LucaJason HeathOASOld Age SecurityRegistered Retirement Savings PlanRetire HappyRobb EngenRRSPSean CooperTom Drake Pension-income splitting rules can reduce total tax bill I retired from my corporate job with a defined benefit pension before I turned 55 and I opted to begin receiving my CPP at age 60. And by starting my own business as a workplace journalist I also created another significant income stream. In contrast, when my husband retired at age 65 he did not have a pension and he elected to defer receipt of CPP and OAS for a year. He also decided not to convert his RRSP into a RRIF until he is required to do so at age 71. Therefore, other than withdrawing funds from our unregistered investment account, he had no source of income. As a result, when it came to filing subsequent income tax returns, the disparity in our income made us ideal candidates to benefit from pension-income splitting which has been available since 2007. The way it works is that if you are receiving income that qualifies for the pension income tax credit you’ll be able to allocate up to half of that income to your spouse or common-law partner (and vice versa) each year. You don’t actually have to write a cheque because pension income-splitting is merely a paper transaction done via your tax return. The type of pension income that qualifies for the pension income tax credit of up to $2.000/year and that is eligible for pension splitting differs depending on whether you were 65 or older in the year. If you were under 65 as of December 31, 2016, “qualifying pension income” includes life annuity payments out of a defined benefit or defined contribution pension plan and certain payments received as a result of the death of your spouse or common-law partner. If you were 65 or older in 2016, other defined payments such as lifetime annuity payments out of your RRSP, DPSP or RRIF also qualify for the pension credit. Qualifying pension income doesn’t include CPP, OAS or GIS payments. It is worthwhile noting that pension payments from SPP qualify for the pension income tax credit. The extent to which pension income-splitting will be beneficial will depend on the marginal tax bracket of you and your spouse or common-law partner, as well as the amount of qualifying income that can be split. In many cases, the optimal allocation will be less than the allowable 50% maximum. If you opt to pension split, a special election form (Form T1032) must be signed by the parties affected and filed with the CRA. If you file your return electronically, you should keep the election form on file in case the CRA asks for it. Another result of pension splitting is that the income tax withheld from your pension income will be reported on your spouse or common-law partner’s return, proportional to the amount of income being split. Pension income splitting may also reduce the Old Age Security claw back while transferring income to your spouse who is taxed at a lower tax rate. In addition, your spouse can access the pension income credit of up to $2,000 for federal tax purposes and $1,000 for BC tax purposes, which would otherwise be unavailable without pension income. The pension income splitting rules do not make spousal RRSPs obsolete, since spousal plans still have income splitting benefits for the years before you turn 65 or if you have not yet converted your RRSP to a RRIF or annuity. In addition, taking advantage of spousal RRSPs can increase your potential for withdrawals under the Home Buyers’ Plan and the Lifelong Learning Plan. In 2014 and 2015 the Family Tax Cut credit provided a version of income splitting that allowed an individual to notionally transfer up to $50,000 of income to his or her lower-income spouse or partner, provided they have a child who was under 18 at the end of the year. The credit was capped at $2,000 annually. However, that form of income-splitting was abolished by the new Liberal government for 2016. Other permitted forms of income splitting with family members are described here. Canadian Pension PlanCPPDeferred Profit Sharing PlanDPSPFamily Tax Cut creditForm T1032GISguaranteed income supplementHBPHome Buyers’ PlanLifelong Learning PlanLLPOASOld Age SecurityRegistered Retirement Income FundRegistered Retirement Savings PlanRRIFRRSP Jan 9: Best from the blogosphere January 9, 2017 saskpension 2 Comments Fireworks on Parliament Hill and across the country ushered in Canada’s sesquicentennial or 150th birthday. I’ll never forget babysitting on New Year’s Eve in 1967 and hearing Gordon Lightfoot’s Canadian Railroad Trilogy for the first time. It’s still one of my favourites! As our contribution to Canada’s big birthday, in this space we will continue to direct you to the best from Canadian personal finance bloggers from coast to coast with an occasional foray south of the border. We hope you will let us know what you like and what we may have missed. Recently Ed Rempel addressed the perennial question, Should I Delay CPP & OAS Until Age 70? and included some real life examples. While he illustrates that many Canadians can benefit from waiting until age 70 to start their government benefits, he agrees that if you are retired at 65 and have little income other than these two government pensions, you may have no option. Barry Choi on “Money We Have Have” explores 5 differences between cheap and frugal people. He thinks calling a frugal person cheap is pretty insulting. “Frugal people understand the value of money and are willing to pay when it counts,” Choi says. “On the other hand, cheap people are only looking for ways to save money regardless of how it’s done.” With credit card bills that reflect holiday excesses hitting mailboxes this month, many of us are looking for ways to save money. Canadian Finance Blog’s Tom Drake breaks down ways to save money both monthly and annually. Think about your energy use and your water use to figure out ways to save money on your electricity bill, gas bill and water bill. Two other services that have many opportunities to cut back include the cable bill and cell phone bill. “Reducing these five bills could easily save you over $100 a month, or more than $1,000 in a year. That’s not too shabby at all,” he notes. For Alyssa Davies at “Mixed Up Money” an emergency fund (which she calls money to protect your other money) of three months pay is not enough. She has another account called her “comfy couch” for the months she overspends or under-saves. When Davies wrote the blog she only had $583 in her comfy couch account but that small amount was all it took to make her feel comfortable. She says, “Whenever I need to use some of that money, I simply take it out, and replace the amount the next time I have available funds to do so. If you’re anything like me, you will want to find a magic number that allows you to breath without feeling like a giant horse is sitting on your chest.” And finally, Retireby40 says he had a terrific 2016 and achieved 9 out of 11 goals. His approach for setting New Years goals is to set achievable objectives; make the goals specific and measurable; and, write them down so he can track his progress. Several of his goals for 2017 include increasing blog income to $36k, redesigning the blog and save $50,000 in tax-advantaged accounts. Alyssa DaviesBarry ChoiCanadian Finance BlogCanadian Pension PlanCPPEd Rempelemergency fundMixed Up MoneyMoney We Have HaveOASOld Age SecurityRetireby40Tom Drake Oct 12: Best from the blogosphere October 12, 2015 saskpension Leave a comment I recently returned from travelling in Europe to glorious fall colours, shorter days and a chill in the air. Although we saw beautiful things in wonderful places, as we landed I couldn’t help thinking that we have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, right here at home. Whoever is elected as the next Prime Minister, Canadians will continue to enjoy considerable peace and prosperity. There are poverty and income inequality issues we definitely need to address, but unlike refugees from war-torn countries, most of us have a roof over our head and food on the table. Here are a few interesting blogs and media stories that appeared in my absence you may find informative when you’ve had enough turkey and pumpkin pie. If you have been putting off joining SPP or increasing your RRSP contributions, take a look at Create a Money Machine: The Effect of Compounding by Billy Kadeli from RetireEarly.com on the Financial Independence Hub. He tells young people how they can create their own “personal money machine” by investing early and taking advantage of compounding. Blonde on a Budget’s Cait Flanders suggests you can Choose Your Own Financial Adventure. When faced with financial options at a key milestone or crossroads in your life, pick the smarter choice to protect your financial future instead of ending up in debt or even bankrupt. In July, Sean Cooper wrote Take Car Insurance into Consideration When Buying Vehicles. Car insurance costs vary depending on the type of vehicle you choose. Before test driving vehicles and falling in love with one, he recommends that you get car insurance quotes for each model. By making car insurance part of your new car decision, it will give you a clearer idea about the total cost of ownership. And on the election front…. Adam Mayers at the Toronto Star writes that Your Vote Gets a Better CPP or a bigger TFSA, but not both. Conservative Leader Stephen Harper and his Conservatives support a $10,000 TFSA limit. NDP Leader Tom Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau do not. But the quid pro quo is that the parties vying to defeat Harper agree on an expanded CPP. If you or a family member have student debt, you will be interested to know that Liberal platform includes student debt relief. If elected, Trudeau would increase the Canada Student Grant for low-income students by 50% to $3,000 a year for full-time students and $1,800 for part-time students. As well, graduates would be required to start paying their debts only after they’re earning at least $25,000 a year. Do you follow blogs with terrific ideas for saving money that haven’t been mentioned in our weekly “Best from the blogosphere?” Share the information with us on http://wp.me/P1YR2T-JR and your name will be entered in a quarterly draw for a gift card. Adam MayersBilly KadeliBlonde on a BudgetCait FlandersCanada Student GrantCanadian Pension PlanConservativesCPPFinancial Independence HubJustin TrudeauLiberalNDPPrime MinisterRegistered Retirement Savings PlanRetireEarly.comRRSPSean CooperSPPStephen HarperTax Free Savings AccountsTFSATom MulcairToronto Star How will the ORPP affect Saskatchewan? September 24, 2015 saskpension Leave a comment At this point it is not clear how the Ontario Registered Pension Plan (ORPP) that will come into effect in 2017 will affect Saskatchewan says Katherine Strutt, General Manager of the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. “I don’t believe the provincial government is interested in a mandatory pension plan,” she says. The ORPP is a plan that will require employer and employee contributions to generate additional government benefits in excess of monthly Canada Pension Plan benefits. The average amount of CPP for new beneficiaries in January 2015 was $618.59/month. The maximum monthly CPP benefit in 2015 is $1,065. Key features of the ORPP as set out in the consultation paper Ontario Retirement Pension Plan: Key Design Questions are as follows: The plan would be phased in beginning in 2017 with the largest employers. Contribution rates would be phased in over two years. Employees and employers would contribute an equal amount, capped at 1.9% each on an employee’s annual earnings up to $90,000. Earnings above $90,000 would be exempt from ORPP contributions. Earnings below a certain threshold would be exempted to reduce the burden on lower income workers. Contributions would be invested at arm’s length from the government. ORPP would pool investment and longevity risk and aim to replace 15% of an individual’s earnings. Participation would be mandatory, but workers who already participate in a “comparable workplace pension plan” would not be enrolled in ORPP. The government says its preferred definition of a comparable plan includes defined benefit and target benefit multi-employer pension plans. Additional conversations will be held on the best way to assist the self-employed. An article on the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans website aptly summarizes some of the controversy that still surrounds the new program: “The ORPP proposal has raised concerns among many plan sponsors of defined contribution (DC) plans because the government is proposing that they may not be considered comparable workplace pension plans. Many DC plan sponsors say they already provide adequate contributions. If those plans are not considered comparable, some question whether employers will continue them and/or lower their contributions in order to fund both ORPP and a DC plan. Another concern is that mandatory contributions will reduce take-home pay and may result in the reduction of other workplace benefits. In the paper, the government said “ . . . some employers may take stock of their current approaches and make decisions about the right compensation mix going forward . . .’” Both the federal Liberals and NDP parties have publicly supported a CPP enhancement. If either of these parties forms the newly-elected federal government in October, Ontario might opt to hold off on ORPP implementation until a similar national program can be adopted. Canadian Pension PlanCPPDCdefined contributionInternational Foundation of Employee Benefits PlansKatherine StruttOntario Registered Pension PlanORPPSaskatchewan Pension Plan Mar 16: Best from the blogosphere March 16, 2015 saskpension 1 Comment After two weeks away in the sun at a resort with flakey WIFI, I have lots of catching up to do! However, I managed to download the replica edition of several newspapers every day, so I wasn’t completely out of touch. I was particularly interested in a series of editorials in the Globe and Mail articulating the newspaper’s vision as to how the retirement savings system should be reformed. The editorial team views higher TFSA contributions as an unwarranted future drain on the economy and advocates increasing RRSP contribution limits instead. They also support ramping up CPP and eliminating RRIF withdrawal rules. You can read the whole series by clicking on the links below. Reforming Retirement (1): How the TFSA turned into Godzilla Reforming Retirement (2): Getting Ottawa’s mitts off your RRIF Reforming Retirement (3): More RRSP, not more TFSA, please Reforming Retirement (4): Canada needs to ramp up CPP, ASAP Cait Flanders who writes Blonde on a Budget is in the 8th month of a year-long shopping ban. She says she has never been happier and shares 3 truths she discovered about her minimalist lifestyle plus information about her next minimalist challenge for 2015. On Money We Have, Barry Choi writes about 10 Signs You’re Living Beyond Your Means. Several of my favourites are: when you have zero savings; low monthly payments are your only option; and, you buy only name brands. Banking on Your Mobile Phone by Tom Drake on Balance Junkie reminds us that there are smart phone apps for business finance, budgeting, bank accounts and mobile payments. Paypal and Google Wallet are probably the most popular mobile payment apps. Most banks also allow to you pay by mobile with their own apps as well. And finally, on Canadian Dream: Free at 45 Tim Stobbs writes about how a job in customer service that he was overqualified for in 2002 was a valuable experience because he had great co-workers, the company promoted from within and it had a defined benefit pension plan. Balance JunkieBarry ChoiCait FlandersCanadian Dream: Free at 45Canadian Pension PlanCPPGlobe and MailGoogle WalletMoney We HavePaypalRegistered Retirement Income FundRegistered Retirement Savings PlanRRIFRRSPSheryl SmolkinTax Free Savings AccountsTFSATim StobbsTom Drake Jan 20: Best from the blogosphere Can you start saving for retirement later in life? Slim, fact-packed book puts you in the know about stock trading SPP Links Saskatchewan Pension Plan SPP’s Plan for Businesses Wealth Calculator Stay in-the-know View SaskatchewanPensionPlan’s profile on Facebook View SPPvblog’s profile on YouTube Save with SPP disclaimer Save with SPP disclaimer Proudly powered by WordPress	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15351
__label__cc	0.525375	0.474625	Dance Club – S.C.A.D. 4:00 - 5:00pm / 6-9 4:00 - 9:00pm / 9+ Salmon Tigers Football Team 4:30 - 6:00pm / 10-13 5:00 - 6:00pm / 10+ Art Club – SC:art Music 14+ Five-a-side Football Girls Fitness 7:30 - 10:00pm / 14+ 8:15 - 10:00pm / 14-19 Full Programme Sign up to receive the latest news from Salmon straight into your inbox! A place for you! Home > News > Salmon Celebration 2017 – An Evening to Remember Salmon Celebration 2017 – An Evening to Remember Salmon Celebration was truly a night to remember, an evening of awards, accolades and five star performances. Have a read of what went down at Salmon Celebration, written by one of our Young Leaders Raf: Salmon Celebration is an event where young members of Salmon present all the work they have been doing in their clubs over the past six months to friends and family, and receiving certificates for their efforts. The event was hosted on Tuesday 20th June and the night included dance and music performances, video highlights, as well as fun and games for all to enjoy. The audience got to witness the singing and musical talents of Rebecca, which blew the audience away with her singing and piano playing. She was met with a loud round of applause for her dedication to her craft. The penultimate part of the evening was where all the fantastic artwork created by all the young people who attended art club that which left everyone in the audience in awe. All different drawings and crafted objects were shown on the big screen and it was obvious that even the young artists were proud of their work. Salmon Celebration ended with a little awards show for the Salmon Tigers players for winning the U14 London Youth Tournament in May. The Salmon Tigers coaches Derrick and Naod handed out the awards to all those who participated. Certificates were also handed out to young people for their improvement in Trampoline, Member of the Month sponsored by Jack Petchey and Adult Volunteer Award, which was awarded to Vicky Razzell for her outstanding contribution to Salmon. Thank you to all of those who came and congrats to everyone that won an award and keep working hard even if you didn’t win an award. Watch out for the next Salmon Celebration later this year! Raf – 15 RT @UnitedStSaviour: Summer activities for young people in Southwark https://t.co/5hXoyUuMRq @cosouthwark @SouthwarkCAN @SouthwarkEvents @… 22 July 2019 @salmonyouth Born and bred in #Bermondsey, Vicky first found out about Salmon as a #youngperson through her local school. Now 33… https://t.co/c6ylbEwbDf RT @WISE16: #Youth #Work #Apprentices to join the Salmon family from the end of September Ages 18-24; deadline to apply: 31st Aug. Pleas… We’re recruiting for a new intake of Youth Work Apprentices to join the Salmon family from the end of September. Ag… https://t.co/qKk37grRU0 Join our community of supporters Sign up to receive the latest news from Salmon straight to your inbox! 43 Old Jamaica Road London SE16 4TE info@salmonyouthcentre.org ©2020 Salmon Youth Centre. \| Web design by Tessellate. Registered Charity 278979 \| Company Limited by Guarantee \| Registered in England 00958986 \| Privacy Statement	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15355
__label__wiki	0.705913	0.705913	Report: Antonio Brown sent texts to Mark Davis… Report: Antonio Brown sent texts to Mark Davis asking Raiders to release him Antonio Brown's grievance to recover $29 million from Raiders takes hit with Sunday's report Oakland Raiders’ Antonio Brown (84) wipes down his helmet during practice at the team’s facility in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2019. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots celebrates after scoring a 20 yard touchdown thrown by Tom Brady #12 against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown (17) scores a touchdown as Miami Dolphins cornerback Jomal Wiltz (33) attempts to defend, during the first half at an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 15: Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots celebrates with Tom Brady #12 after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the second quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) New England Patriots wide receiver Antonio Brown (17) warms up before an NFL football game Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson) Wide Receiver Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots celebrates after a catch against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 15: Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots runs the ball after a catch thrown by Tom Brady #12 against the Miami Dolphins during the first quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Antonio Brown #17 of the New England Patriots gets tackled by Minkah Fitzpatrick #29 of the Miami Dolphins after a catch during the first quarter in the game at Hard Rock Stadium on September 15, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown participates in an NFL football minicamp in Alameda, Calif. on June 11, 2019. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg) The Oakland Raiders new wide receiver Antonio Brown and general manager Mike Mayock, from left, attend a news conference to introduce Brown from the team’s headquarters in Alameda, Calif., on Wednesday, March 13, 2019. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown talks with the media after a practice session on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, in Alameda, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group) Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown, left, talks with quarter back Derek Carr, right, after a practice session on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, in Alameda, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group) Oakland Raiders’ Antonio Brown (84) laughs while attending the Oakland Raiders training camp in Napa, Calif. on Saturday, July 27, 2019. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group) Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown shows up at the De La Salle versus St. Thomas game at De La Salle High School in Concord, Calif., on Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. (Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group) Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) takes part in a practice session on Monday, Aug. 26, 2019, in Alameda, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group) By Jon Becker \| jbecker@bayareanewsgroup.com \| Bay Area News Group PUBLISHED: October 20, 2019 at 10:18 am \| UPDATED: October 20, 2019 at 12:58 pm Antonio Brown’s chances of recouping $29 million in contract guarantees from the Raiders via grievance weren’t helped by a report Sunday of texts he sent to owner Mark Davis before Oakland released him almost two months ago. The Raiders recently submitted proof in the grievance’s discovery phase showing Brown sent multiple texts to Davis asking to be released, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported. The Raiders released him on Sept. 7, triggering a memorable reaction by the mercurial wide receiver, who couldn’t contain his joy over being let go. Brown, who was signed by the Patriots shortly after leaving Oakland before also getting released by New England a week later, is seeking nearly $40 million from both teams through a grievance with the NFL. There is a sense among many that Brown’s grievances may not be settled until after the season. Meanwhile, another report Sunday suggests Brown could eventually be signed by another team this season. With so many teams hurting for quality wide receivers this season, CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora reported “Brown’s name has come up in internal discussions” for several teams who are exploring options as the Oct. 29 trade deadline approaches. If Brown does wind up signing with his third team this season, there’s no guarantee when or if he’d be allowed to play. Brown, who is facing accusations of sexual assault against one woman and sexual misconduct against another, would likely be placed on the commissioner’s exempt list while those investigations continued. Tom Brady, Raiders owner Mark Davis attend UFC fight in Las Vegas, igniting wild conjecture Roger Craig, Cliff Branch miss cut for Hall of Fame centennial class Raiders D-line switch: Rod Marinelli is in, Brentson Buckner is out 49ers’ Nick Bosa, Raiders’ Josh Jacobs win PFWA’s top rookie honors Distinctive roof on Raiders’ Las Vegas stadium is behind schedule: Report As for the discovery of texts between Brown and the Raiders owner, those won’t help Brown as he looks to recoup $29 million in guarantees from Oakland for this season and next season as part of his two-year contract. Because of Brown’s behavior at training camp, including unexcused absences from practices and a confrontation with general manager Mike Mayock, he appears to have triggered language that allowed the Raiders to release him without owing the guaranteed $29 million. Brown’s best chance to recover money from the Raiders probably lies in the $215,000 in fines incurred here and $860,294 from Week 1 money. NFL rules say players on the roster as of Tuesday afternoon before the team’s upcoming game are rightfully owed that week’s game check. Brown wasn’t released by the Raiders until the Friday before their Monday night opener against Denver. SEASON PASS DIGITAL OFFER If you have not already, we strongly encourage you to sign up for a digital subscription, which gives you access to all content on the Mercury News and East Bay Times websites. With your support, we can continue bringing these stories — and much more — to your screens. Here’s where to sign up for the season pass: Mercury News, East Bay Times. Jon Becker Jon Becker is a digital producer for the Bay Area News Group. Follow Jon Becker @JonBecker28 More in Oakland Raiders	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15358
__label__wiki	0.901573	0.901573	FREEDOMMAG.ORG arrow drop search cross Inside a Church Locate a Church Ideal Churches of Scientology Advanced Organizations Flag Land Base David Miscavige—Scientology's Ecclesiastical Leader How We Help News The Truth About Drugs More than 6,000 Scientologists and guests gathered to celebrate the dedication and opening of the new Church of Scientology of Rome in the Casalotti de Boccea district on October 24, 2009. Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, presided over the dedication and opening of the new Church of Scientology of Rome. Mr. David Miscavige led the ribbon cutting to open the new Church of Scientology of Rome, joined by the Church’s Executive Director and dignitaries, marking the greatest expansion in 30 years of Scientology in Italy. Mr. Dino De Pasquale, Disaster Manager of Italian Civil Defense: “I have seen and experienced your effectiveness, your superior organization skills, your ability to get any job done, no matter what that job entails.” Professor Silvio Calzolari, Theological Faculty, Vatican University, Florence: “Ron Hubbard left a heritage of wisdom and knowledge and you can now spread it in Rome and across the rest of the Mediterranean world.” Professor Luigi Berzano, Professor of Sociology of Culture and Religion, University of Turin: “This is a historical moment, not only for you, friends of the Church of Scientology, but for those who still believe in a better world and work to achieve it.” Ms. Laura Guercio, President Legal Aid Worldwide: “I had the chance to become familiar with the great work you have done to take a stand for human rights and the freedom of all.” The new Church of Scientology of Rome stands in the Casalotti di Boccea District, surrounded by 28 acres of parkland. The interior spaces of the 70,000-square-foot contemporary structure were re-designed to accommodate all parishioner services and activities. All are welcome to visit the new Church of Scientology of Rome, which is open seven days a week. Counseling and training services and community activities are available to anyone of any religious creed or belief. The Public Information Center, with self-guided tours of interactive multimedia displays, presents Scientology beliefs and practices, the life and legacy of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard and global social betterment programs. The chapel in the new Church of Scientology of Rome is the setting for Sunday Services, Weddings, Naming Ceremonies, Graduations and other Scientology ceremonies. It is also available to the community for special occasions, workshops and meetings. The auditorium serves the parishioners of the Church of Scientology of Rome as well as the community for events, conventions and meetings. It may also be reconfigured for banquets, receptions and other special functions. The courtyard with its gardens for parishioners of the Church of Scientology of Rome and guests to enjoy. CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY ROMA IN THE ETERNAL CITY, A NEW CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY On October 24, 2009, the new Church of Scientology of Rome opened in the Casalotti di Boccea district of the Eternal City. More than 6,000 Scientologists and their guests came from across Italy and beyond to celebrate the dedication of this magnificent new Church in its 70,000-square-foot home on 28 acres of parkland. The new Church marks the largest expansion to date for Scientology in its 30-year history in Italy and will serve parishioners of Central Italy and other regions of the Mediterranean. Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, welcomed parishioners to their new home in the historical crossroads of Western civilization. His presence signifying the stature and prominence of this Church, Mr. Miscavige spoke of what inspired every Scientologist to make the new Church possible: “How on Earth can one possibly speak of history without a nod to Rome? This City of God, this City of Man, this center of the Western World for at least a thousand years—if ever a place was destined for an Ideal Church of Scientology, it’s here. For what better arena to show what Scientology can do than this age-old religious empire?” Among those participating in the dedication of the new Scientology Church were Mr. Dino De Pasquale, Disaster Manager of the Civil Protection Agency; Professor Silvio Calzolari of the Theological Faculty at the Vatican University in Florence; Professor Luigi Berzano, Professor of Sociology of Religions at the University of Turin; and Ms. Laura Guercio, President of Legal Aid Worldwide. The new Church home is a contemporary building that has undergone extensive remodeling to accommodate all Scientology religious services, the many community activities of Church members, and introductory services for visitors. An expansive Public Information Center houses a permanent audiovisual exhibit containing more than 230 films covering the Church’s beliefs, practices and activities. Along with incisive descriptions of Scientology principles and information on the life and accomplishments of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, here is the definite introduction to all Church-sponsored social betterment programs to combat drug abuse, illiteracy, criminality, immorality and human rights violations. Central to the building is the 300-seat auditorium for Church and community events. The Church of Scientology of Rome will coordinate the social betterment programs of the Church in Central Italy. With two decades of experience in drug prevention, its “Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life” program provides proven, effective solutions to one of the most pressing problems in Italian society. In closing the dedication ceremony, Mr. Miscavige emphasized the importance of the Church’s social mission and underscored the vital necessity of Scientologists taking responsibility for the community in which they live: “You owe [Rome] our salvage campaigns to eradicate drug abuse, instill a respect for human rights and provide basic technology for living through The Way to Happiness. “You owe her our learning and literacy programs. “You owe her a system of criminal reform based not on punishment, but the restoration of self-respect. “You owe every addict a drug-free life and every lost and hopeless soul the chance to discover Something Can Be Done About It. “But most of all, you owe every Roman citizen an opportunity to discover Dianetics and Scientology.” IDEAL CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY Columbus, Central Ohio Silicon Valley, California Joburg North, South Africa Birmingham, England End of a Decade, Beginning of Forever: New Year’s Celebration Caps History-Defining Ten Years for Scientology A Monumental Decade in Review LOCATE YOUR NEAREST SCIENTOLOGY ORGANIZATION David Miscavige Church of Scientology Rome Rome, Italy Italy Thousands Celebrate New Scientology Church in Renowned Historic Villa A Mega Ideal Org for Milan Greets the World New Ideal Church of Scientology for the Mile-High City Get Scientology News in your inbox The free email newsletter covering our latest news and updates By signing up, you agree to our privacy policy. You can opt out anytime. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. What is Scientology? What is Scientology? Founder L. Ron Hubbard Scientology Beliefs What is Dianetics? Backgrounds & Origins Codes & Creeds Spiritual Technology Tools for Life Online Courses Problems of Work Fundamentals of Thought A New Slant on Life Introductory Films Scientology Today Scientology Today Scientology Around the World Scientology Around the World Scientology Ecclesiastical Leader How We Help How We Help Criminal Reform Mental Health Watchdog ENGLISH (US/International) ENGLISH (Australia) ENGLISH (Canada) ENGLISH (United Kingdom) ENGLISH (Ireland) ENGLISH (Nepal) ENGLISH (Philippines) ENGLISH (Rwanda) ENGLISH (South Africa) DANSK FRANÇAIS עברית 日本語 РУССКИЙ 繁體中文 NEDERLANDS DEUTSCH MAGYAR NORSK SVENSKA ESPAÑOL (LATINO) ESPAÑOL (CASTELLANO) ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚA ITALIANO PORTUGUÊS	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15359
__label__wiki	0.807959	0.807959	Report suggests progress, but worst-off need urgency Wednesday, 20 November 2019, 5:12 pm Press Release: Child Poverty Action Group Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) says that the Government’s Families Package Monitoring Report shows strong commitment to the intentions outlined in the Child Poverty Reduction Act, specifically with regard to reporting on progressing towards the Act’s targets. "The Families Package was a start, but while on some level it’s had successes, it was nowhere near enough to lift the worst-off children out of poverty - and this really should be acknowledged," says Associate Professor Susan St John, CPAG’s Economics advisor. "The Welfare Expert Advisory Group’s report, Whakamana Tāngata , that the Government itself commissioned, discussed the ‘broken’ welfare state and the need for additional annual spending of $5.2 billion. We are not hearing yet what will be done about the recommendations of this report." After years of erosion in the real value of Working for Families, a substantial boost was needed - and delivered - with the Families Package. "But to prevent problems further along, Working for Families should be regularly adjusted in precisely the same way that New Zealand Super is adjusted, and in the future, it should not be presented as a major budgetary package," says St John. CPAG says that putting the building blocks in place to clean up an inherited mess is a very important part of the process to achieve the targets set for poverty reduction. But what’s most important now is the urgent next steps toward ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive and to reach their potential by ensuring all families are properly resourced. CPAG recognises that housing is a key issue for families in poverty. "We are pleased to hear the Government is intending to ramp up efforts in this area," says St John. "As we have learned from the Ministry of Social Development’s 2019 Household incomes report, half of all Accommodation Supplement recipients are spending more than half their incomes on housing, and it means they have to continuously cut costs in other areas - such as for food. "As we heard at our Summit on Monday, there is a good argument for changing the structure of housing-related support so that it doesn’t contribute to increasing housing costs." CPAG welcomes the new Best Start payment for all families with newborns. "Best Start is much better than the old Parental Tax Credit which was tied to work hours and excluded parents on benefits," says St John. "And it is being extended to the second and third year of a child’s life for families earning under the income threshold. This is a marked improvement on previous discriminatory policy for new parents." But most children in families who are receiving a benefit, both sole-parent and two-parent families, have not had enough of a boost to put them over - or even nearly close to - the 50% after housing costs (AHC) poverty line. Their core incomes look more like 25-28% of the after housing costs median - well below the lowest supplementary measure of 40% AHC in the Child Poverty Reduction Act. "Many families try to supplement their meagre benefits with paid work but their efforts are harshly penalised with the earned income abatement threshold set so low," says St John. "The fact that costs continue to outstrip low wages and benefits is a legacy of decades of poor policy around minimum wages and a lack of proper indexation of benefits and child-related tax credits. "We need to see a plan around addressing the recommendations of the WEAG's report, Whakamana Tāngata , which is missing from the Families Package Monitoring report. There are some tangible changes the Government can make in the short term that are not only effective but affordable." CPAG says that there are steps the Government can take immediately to achieve a real change for families while being consistent with future welfare reforms: - Reinstating the Winter Energy Payment so that it is a permanent increase to benefits. - Joining up the In-Work Tax Credit to the main Family Tax Credit, so this payment of at least $72.50 per week per family which is currently and unfairly considered to be a ‘work-incentive’, can benefit all of our most struggling families at annual cost of $0.5b. - Assisting the transition to work by immediately increasing the benefit threshold for earned income to $177 per week, equivalent to 10 hours of work on the minimum wage. In 1986 the threshold was set to allow for 15 hours of work on the minimum wage before benefit payments reduced, today it is roughly just over 4, and the recent changes will increase it to only roughly 5 by 2021. - Individualising benefit payments and not penalising couples with reduced payments and placing extraordinary expectations on new couples. The Government’s Whakamana Tāngata and the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy have stressed the importance of adequate income and standard of living. These changes above are the next income steps needed towards the vision of Aotearoa-New Zealand being the best place to be a child and young person. Find more from Child Poverty Action Group on InfoPages.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15363
__label__cc	0.66125	0.33875	Detroit 44-30-36 Join For Movie Updates https://www.sexmovies24.com/view/detroit-44-30-36/ Big Boobs Movies Big Tits Janet Jade is just like any healthy, young, super-stacked girl. She roller-blades, watches movies, and likes to have fun. “I love R&B music,” Janet said. “I love to dance to R&B. Shake my titties.” Janet used to be an exotic dancer before she moved to Las Vegas from Detroit. A very quiet, charming girl who moves gracefully and quickly picked up the basics of photo modeling, Janet is one of the most physically versatile models we’ve ever met. When they are newcomers, some models find that holding a pose for a still picture is more strenuous than they realized. Not Janet. She was physically fit from playing sports in high school. She was also a cheerleader. Imagine that. She keeps in shape with her roller-blading and gym visits. Janet didn’t like her boobs when she was growing up. When she started dancing at 19 at a club in a suburb near Detroit, she realized how much guys liked them and her attitude softened. Hot Premium Offers Grisha Petrov: Pint-sized Pleaser Brittany Elizabeth: Hottie From Hawaii’s Huge Pineapples Lucy Laistner: Making Gardens Sexy Cheryl Blossom’s Bounce Room 8 Bosom Buddies & Sexy Shower Time Rubbed Out Ass Up, Cock In Aly Guzman: Busty Babe In Toyland Fucking Around On The Job Roxi & The Peeper	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15376
__label__cc	0.727724	0.272276	News Center \| 2015 \| February \| Brunswick and Camden Campus Auxiliaries Announce Uniform Sales Brunswick and Camden Campus Auxiliaries Announce Uniform Sales Feb. 27, 2015– The Southeast Georgia Health System Brunswick and Camden Campus Auxiliaries will host Uniform Sales featuring scrubs, slip resistant shoes and much more March 9-11. The sales are open to the public. The Brunswick Campus Auxiliary Uniform Sale will take place on Monday, March 9, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. and Tuesday, March 10, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., in the Linda S. Pinson Conference Center on the Brunswick Campus, 2415 Parkwood Drive. The Camden Campus Auxiliary will host a similar sale on Wednesday, March 11, 7 a.m.-6 p.m., in the Cafeteria Conference Room on the Camden Campus, 2000 Dan Proctor Drive, St. Marys. Cash and most major credit cards are accepted. As with all Auxiliary fundraising events, proceeds from the sale are donated to the Health System. For more information, contact Kristin Doll, director, Volunteer Services, at 912-466-1071 or kdoll@sghs.org.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15378
__label__wiki	0.60747	0.60747	Master of Philosophy in Botany [M.Phil.] CourseMaster of Philosophy in Botany LevelMaster/Post Graduate (a) The performance in the entrance test conducted by the university (75 %) and (b) The performance of the candi date at the Master Degree (25 %). While preparing the merit list, 75% of the ma rks obtained in entrance test and 25 % of the marks obtained in respective PG courses will be considered. While consolidating the marks obtained in entrance test and PG courses, resu lted fractions will be rounded off to the next integer. Grade B according to the U.G.C. Norms of grading system in relevant/relat ed subjects for open categories Eligibility Requirement 55% marks at Master’s Degree in relevant subject or Grade B according to the U.G.C. Norms of grading system in relevant/relat ed subjects for open categories and 50% marks for reserved categories.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15380
__label__cc	0.665034	0.334966	Enter Keyphrase Exeter Time Trail My scrapbook Plaster ceiling at 38 North Street Back to Time Period The ceiling illustrates the developments in plasterwork in the early 17th century, and is datable to c. 1620-40. The simple rib patterns of Elizabeth's reign have been much enriched with the addition of animal motifs and more complex foliage. The craftsman who created the ceiling is unknown, but some of the motifs match those in ceilings in the Totnes-Dartmouth area by the same workshop. The ceiling was salvaged in fragments when 38 North Street was demolished in 1972. Acknowledgments: Exeter Archaeology My Object Scrapbook Your Scrapbook Is currently empty © 2020 Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery, Exeter City Council	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15386
__label__wiki	0.953892	0.953892	football Network My Football FFA.com.au Inside Camp FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Young Socceroos Joeys Socceroos Squad FIFA World Cup 2022 Hub Donate to the Pararoos Official Tour Partner My Account My Registration Sign Out Australia on show for 2015 AFC Asian Cup bid A delegation from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) arrives in Australia today for an inspection tour of facilities and infrastructure for Australia's bid for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. The delegation will visit key stadiums, training sites and hotels around the country as part of a week long inspection tour. The AFC Asian Cup is the pre-eminent national team tournament played in the Asian region. The tournament was first played in 1956, and has never been hosted by Australia which only joined the Asian Football Confederation in 2006. "We welcome the AFC Asian Cup bid delegation to Australia," said FFA CEO, Ben Buckley. "This is our opportunity to show the bid delegation what we have to offer as a sporting nation and further position Australia as a potential host for significant football tournaments. The inspection provides a chance for delegates to visit potential host cities, prior to the submission of our bid book next February . The delegation will attend a Hyundai A-League match in Round 6, during their time in Australia. A decision on the hosts for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup is anticipated in November this year. Australia is also bidding for the right to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup with a decision to be made on the successful bidders for both tournaments in December 2010. Aussies Abroad: Mooy scores in Brighton’s costly Premier League defeat Aaron Mooy scored a late consolation goal as Brighton and Hove Albion slumped to a 3-1 Premier League defeat against Bournemouth on Wednesday morning (AEDT). With his side trailing 3-0, the Socceroos midfielder scored his second goal for the Seagulls nine minutes from time but ‘We have a lot of belief’: Arnold’s troops ready for anything in massive semi-final clash Graham Arnold says Australia is "physically and mentally" ready to handle anything in Thursday morning's (AEDT) AFC U-23 Championship semi-final against Korea Republic. The young Aussies are on the cusp of not only reaching the final of this tournament for the first time with Socceroos defender Wright joins Sunderland Socceroos defender Bailey Wright has moved to League One powerhouses Sunderland on loan for the rest of the season. Wright has joined the Black Cats from parent club Bristol City. "I'm delighted to be here and I'm looking forward to getting to work," Wright told Sunderland' Get to know the Australia U-23 squad Australia's U-23 squad are on the verge of a major achievement when they head into Thursday morning's (AEDT) AFC U-23 Championship semi-final against Korea Republic. If Graham Arnold's squad can emerge with a victory over Korea, they will not only advance to the tournament's f ‘Bring the energy!’: Deng reveals key to Australia’s success against Korea Australia U-23 skipper Thomas Deng believes the key to beating Korea Republic in Thursday morning's (AEDT) AFC U-23 Championship semi-final will be to play a 'fast and direct' game. Graham Arnold's squad are on the cusp of a massive achievement if they can topple the highly-fa Al Hassan Toure on scoring the winner vs Syria CHANCE: D'Agostino - The forward almost doubles advantage GOAL: Toure - Olyroos break deadlock in extra time CHANCE: Toure - Substitute inches away from the opener CHANCE: Piscopo - A rocket from the in-form Official Partners of the Socceroos Locked Bag A4071 Sydney South, My Football Live app © 2019 Football Federation Australia ABN 28 106 478 068 \| All Rights Reserved	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15395
__label__wiki	0.703043	0.703043	Asda and Waitrose among supermarkets urgently recalling these products Other supermarkets are also selling items affected by the recalls Tomas MalloyReporter If you shop at Asda or Waitrose, you could be entitled to a refund this week. Somerset shoppers are being told to return certain items affected by this week's product recalls. The Walmart-owned supermarket giant is withdrawing items from sale. And the posh chain is also recalling products and giving you the chance to get your money back. Other supermarkets are also selling items affected by the recalls. So, here's what you need to know: Asda - Venison burgers Yorkshire Game 17 Ltd is recalling Wild Venison Burgers because they contain soya, sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites, and wheat (gluten), which are not emphasised correctly on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to wheat or gluten, an allergy to soya, or a sensitivity to sulphur dioxide and/or sulphites. The product was sold in Asda stores. Pack size 227g. No other Yorkshire Game 17 products are known to be affected. What is a product recall? Watch the video below to find out Waitrose - Gelato Remeo Gelato is recalling a batch of its Stracciatella Di Bergamo Gelato due to a packing error. The product may contain Pistachio ice-cream in error which contains pistachio that is not mentioned on the label. This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy to nuts. This particular batch of product has only been sold in Waitrose. Pack size 500ml. No other Remeo Gelato products are known to be affected. Remeo Gelato is recalling the above product from customers and has been advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. The company has also issued a recall notice to its customers. These notices explain to customers why the product is being recalled and tell them what to do if they have bought the product. BMW is recalling more than 300,000 of its cars amid concerns they could cut out while driving Sainsbury's, Tesco, Asda, Morrisons and more - Salad dressing If you've bought Mary Berry's salad dressing recently, you may be entitled to a refund. The ex-Great British Bake Off presenter's foodstuffs are sold in major supermarkets. But the salad dressing has been removed from supermarket shelves because of a packaging error. Thousands of the £3 bottles of dressing, featuring the 83-year-old TV cook on the label, have been recalled after it was found to contain egg which is not mentioned on the label. An Food Standards Agency spokesman said: "The supplier of Mary Berry's Salad Dressing 235 ml with the batch code 7361 has identified that another product with egg as an ingredient has been filled and labelled as the above product that does not declare the presence of egg. "This means the product is a possible health risk for anyone with an allergy or intolerance to egg." Customers are advised to contact the relevant allergy support organisations, which will tell their members about the recall. Alternatively, customers can return the affected product to their local store where the product was purchased from where a full refund will be provided or call 01494 895507 to arrange a replacement sample to be sent out. Want news straight to your phone?Somerset Live has launched a WhatsApp group to help you keep up to date with the latest news from across the county. If you'd like to receive breaking news alerts, text NEWS to 07834 893492. Then add the number to your phone contacts book as 'Somerset Live’. We will send you a maximum of four messages a day. Your phone number won't be shared with other members of the group or be used for any other purpose. Bath Live runs a WhatsApp group to help you keep up to date with the latest news. If you'd like to receive news alerts, save the number 07939 497390 to your phone - we recommend saving the contact as 'Bath Live News' - then send the word NEWS to us via WhatsApp. We will send you a maximum of four messages a day and your phone number won't be shared with other members of the group or used for any other purpose.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15398
__label__wiki	0.766627	0.766627	Total of 80 people treated by ambulance staff on first two days of Glastonbury Festival The South Western Ambulance Service issued heatwave advice earlier in the week Daniel MumbyLocal Democracy Reporter Revelers enjoy the sunset at Glastonbury Festival on Wednesday (Image: SWNS.com) A total of 80 people have been treated by paramedics on the first two days of the Glastonbury Festival . The South Western Ambulance Service service treated 59 people on the first full day of the Pilton event, with nine being taken to hospital. The service has now confirmed that a further 21 people were treated yesterday (June 22), bringing the total to 80. A spokesman said: "We dealt with 21 incidents yesterday. Six people taken to hospital for further treatment." Glastonbury: Kris Kristofferson plays Pyramid stage and here are seven facts about him that may surprise you The service was not able to confirm how many of these incidents were wholly or partially the result of the heat, with temperatures soaring across the site on the first day. The service issued advice yesterday for festival-goers struggling to cope with the heat, advising them to drink plenty of water, cover up to avoid sunburn and sunstroke, and to keep a close eye on friends and relatives. Glastonbury: Boy Better Know closes Other Stage on Sunday - who are they and has grime come of age? Chief executive Ken Wenman said: "If you are going out for the day, please make sure you take any regular medications you may need, sun cream, a hat and plenty of water with you and try to avoid sitting out in the sun for long periods, especially during the early afternoon when the sun is at its hottest. "Our contingency plans ensure we can cope with these surges in demand, but we would ask that the public choose well, and remember, if you don’t think it is an emergency call 111 instead." Somerset1.68kg of matted fur cut from dog cruelly dumped in SomersetMarley was so matted he was unable to move	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15399
__label__wiki	0.708718	0.708718	Movies Quiz Random Movies or Movie Titles Quiz Who's Watching the Children II Quiz Stats by katesutton Plays Quiz Updated Oct 14, 2016 Also try: Who's Watching the Children? Score 0/30 Timer 10:00 0 Plays Today Anna travels to Siam to teach the children of the king. The King and I No one is watching Kevin except a pair of robbers. Home Alone Rooster is hired by a girl who wants him to help her find the man who killed her father. True Grit A magical nanny comes to control 7 misbehaving children. Nanny McPhee Merlin and his companion, Archimedes, become unconventional teachers to a young boy. The Sword in the Stone A cyborg is sent back in time to protect a future leader from being assassinated as a teenager. Terminator 2 Polly Harrington takes in her overly cheerful orphaned niece. Pollyanna Joanna is tricked into being a mother to 4 boys while she has amnesia. Overboard Brand is supposed to keep his younger brother out of trouble, but he runs into some problems when his brother's friends decide to go on an adventure. The Goonies Jack is 'purchased' as an amusement for a wealthy businessman's son. The Toy Molly's manager steals all of her money, and she is forced to grow up and get a job as a nanny for a girl who doesn't know how to be a kid. Uptown Girls Melanie and Jack take turns watching each other's children when both kids miss a school field trip. One Fine Day Kate is a busy chef who becomes guardian of her late sister's daugher. No Reservations Charles (and his friends) take in children who have had to leave home because they are different. X-Men Susan takes in her nephew while his father is out of town, but it's her own son she should really worry about. The Good Son Jason (while driving his Winnebago) helps two mysterious siblings get away from a nefarious millionaire. Escape to Witch Mountain An African-American housekeeper is hired to care for a girl who has stopped speaking after her mother's death. Corrina, Corrina Grace announces to the grandparents of a child she babysits that she wants to lose her virginity to her boyfriend. Valentine's Day Janine and Louis are babysitting until the baby is kidnapped out the window of a NYC high-rise. Ghostbusters II Debbie is hired as a nanny for a family's new baby, but instead she decides to marry the uncle and murder him for his money. Addams Family Values J.C. thinks her cousin left her a large inheritance, but instead, she gets Elizabeth. Baby Boom Becky Sharp works as a governess as she begins her life of social climbing. Vanity Fair Bad Blake loses track of his girlfriend's son when he stops for a drink in a bar. Crazy Heart Starr and Claire (at different times) are foster parents to the daughter of a woman in prison. White Oleander Sean is a pro wrestler who is hired as a bodyguard for the children of an inventor. Mr. Nanny Eric, after he is murdered, convinces a girl's mother to stop taking drugs. The Crow Erin and Terrence take in 2 orphaned siblings, but they have an ulterior motive. The Glass House Priests hide a Jewish boy at a Catholic boarding school in Nazi-occupied France. Au revoir les enfants Amy, an American in London, quits her job as a waitress and becomes a nanny for a widower. Jack and Sarah Michael adopts the daughter of a drug addict who died in the snow outside his house. A Simple Twist of Fate Who's Watching the Children? Famous Movie Children Finish the Children's Game Movie Characters by Younger Self II Featured Jul 31, 2011 Tags:Movie Titles Quiz, Baby, Babysitter, child, children, Nanny Top Quizzes Today in Movies Clickable Sporcle Quiz Show: Movies557 Tom Hanks Movies365 Whom Did Tom Hanks Play?357 Finish the Children's Game4 What Movie? Siblings in Movies3 Disney Kids2 Boy or Girl Logic Puzzle2 Top User Quizzes in Movies Complete the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Movies (2010s)215 Complete the 'A'-Word Movies (2010s)131 Complete the 'B'-Word Movies (2010s)95 Complete the 'C'-Word Movies (2010s)92	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15402
__label__wiki	0.994539	0.994539	England's T20 progress 'exciting' Eoin Morgan (AFP) Ashwin looks to compound SA agony Oz turn to Coulter-Nile, Pattinson Ian Botham to walk SA for charity Sharjah - England Twenty20 captain Eoin Morgan on Tuesday described his team's progress in the shortest form of the game as "pretty exciting" but refused to get carried away despite sweeping Pakistan 3-0. England won the third and final match in a thrilling Super Over finish after the regulation match was tied in Sharjah on Monday. The victory lifted England from a pre-series eighth position to fourth in the world Twenty20 rankings. "I think we're still in the development stage," said Morgan. "But it's pretty exciting, the acceleration of our learning curve is happening quite quickly because we're winning, we're growing in confidence, building momentum. "We're learning as much as we can from each other as opposed to back-tracking and learning from opposition the whole time." England had a miserable World Twenty20 competition in 2014 - losing three of their four games - and were also ousted in the first round of the 50-over World Cup this year. But since then there have been signs of a transformation, said Morgan, who is also England's one-day international captain. "Not to get too carried away, I think this is the start of something. We've built a great base to start on, guys are contributing to performances all the time and it's not easy to do when you've such a young side," he said. "When we started at the beginning of the summer, I reckon we had five guys who'd played less than ten games. Hopefully this time next year they'll have played 30. "It's important we keep these 17-20 players together and get as much experience together as we can." Morgan said his team would stand a good chance in next year's World Twenty20 in India if they do well on their tour of South Africa starting later this month. "If we can take this form into South Africa and on from there, who knows? We're in the best position we could be at the moment. "We're a very new side, we've only played five games together as a squad, but we're in the best position we can be with our side," said Morgan whose team have now won their last six Twenty20 matches. "I think collectively as a group we're quite exciting. We have 15 athletes, fitness is a priority of ours, we're always striving to improve our fielding. "I suppose the toughest thing we were going to encounter was the conditions, playing Pakistan on home soil is a very difficult task. We've countered that to a certain extent, but we haven't played a complete performance throughout both series." Read more on: england \| eoin morgan \| cricket De Kock replaces Du Plessis as Proteas ODI captain Bacher: Are ICC match referees really necessary? Sharks backline: As potent as ANY in 2020? Jacques Nienaber set to be Springbok head coach Dave Callaghan named skipper of SA Over-50 side Stehan Sharkie70 Alleenloper70	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15403
__label__cc	0.744014	0.255986	CUFF Docs: We Are X CUFF Docs is back from November 17 - 20, 2016! We're excited to be a community partner for WE ARE X, a transcendent rock & roll story about X Japan, the world’s biggest and most successful band you haven't heard of...yet. Globe Cinema (617 8th Ave. SW) Oct 31, 2016 Permalink Sled Island 2017 Submissions Open Sled Island returns from June 21 - 25, 2017! If you're as excited as we are, why not get your application in early? Submissions for music, comedy, film and art are now open at SledIsland.com/Apply. The deadline for all submissions is February 12, 2017 at 11:59pm MST. Sled Island Rock Lotto What do you get when you throw 30 of Calgary's best-loved musicians in a room, have them draw names from a hat to form new bands on the spot, and give them less than 12 hours to write and perform new material? Find out at the next Sled Island Rock Lotto! Lineup coming soon. Doors at 9pm The Palomino Smokehouse & Social Club (109 7th Ave. SW) $10 at the door (all proceeds go to Sled Island) \| RSVP on Facebook Sponsored by Big Rock Brewery.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15409
__label__wiki	0.962921	0.962921	Utah Jazz heat up in Minnesota, knock off Timberwolves 127-116 Utah Jazz's Joe Ingles shoots the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Stacy Bengs) By Andy Larsen · Published: December 11, 2019 Minneapolis • The Jazz were cold. Minnesota is colder. On a night when wind chills hit minus-4 degrees in Minneapolis, the Jazz found some heat in the Target Center, giving the Timberwolves their sixth straight loss, 127-116. And the warmth came from some unlikely sources, too. In the opening minutes, the Jazz went to Joe Ingles time and time again. Ingles, playing point guard in Mike Conley’s fourth consecutive absence due to hamstring tightness, ran pick and roll and found the Wolves doubling Rudy Gobert, which meant he was open. Ingles shot the ball more than he has at any time this year, with 14 shots in the game — relatedly, he had a season-high with points with 23. Oh, and then the Jazz’s beleaguered bench found a way to impact the game. In Monday’s loss against OKC, the Jazz broadcast’s Subway Sub of the Game was Georges Niang with an uninspiring five-point, one-rebound performance. The pickings were easier on Wednesday: Emmanuel Mudiay played efficient, solid basketball, scoring 13 points and adding a couple of assists next to only one turnover. He also finished with a game-high plus-15. He wasn’t alone with his success off the bench, either. Jeff Green scored 10 points and spent significant time against Andrew Wiggins, doing a nice job on the Minnesota scorer. Georges Niang hit three 3s, and his contribution was punctuated by his celebratory yells. And Ed Davis quietly did his job, too: Sure, he had two blocks, but the Minnesota bench couldn’t find a way to score consistently at the rim. “I thought they competed, as much as anything,” Jazz coach Quin Snyder said. “There was a lot of emotion.” Perhaps the other ballhandlers finding success allowed Donovan Mitchell to keep his energy levels high. For the game, he finished with 30 points, shooting an efficient 13 of 20 from the field. Tied at 59-59 at halftime, the game could have gone either way. The Jazz had come out of the break stagnant before. This time, though, they came out firing. The Jazz hit 8 of 13 3-point shots in the quarter, moving the ball and reigniting “the blender.” While the Jazz during their recent struggles have been relatively stagnant, everything looked crisper than usual: more passes, more players touching the ball. Utah drove, touched the paint, and then found open shooters everywhere on the floor. “We moved the ball, and we made the shots,” Gobert said. “I don’t know how many passes we had every possession, but that was the best game we had moving the ball like that. It’s tough to guard.” Moving the ball has other benefits, too: “You saw the guys on the bench screaming and yelling during the game,” Mitchell pointed out. “It’s a lot of fun when we play that way.” Gobert won the matchup against Minnesota star big man Karl-Anthony Towns. While Towns still scored 21 and had 11 rebounds, Gobert forced five turnovers. And Gobert scored 20 of his own, adding 16 rebounds, including seven offensive ones. He also added two steals and two blocks. Among Jazz starters, only Bojan Bogdanovic struggled, scoring only 14, while adding six turnovers as he struggled to hold onto the ball. For the Timberwolves, Jeff Teague led the Timberwolves with 32 points off the bench; he caught fire from deep late in the first half. But in the end, the game felt like a proof of concept, albeit against poor defensive opposition. When the Jazz play at their best, everyone can contribute, and the offense can really hum. Now, it’s about doing it consistently. “We trusted one another. That was nice to see, but it’s one game,” Mitchell said. “Now we have to do it on a consistent basis. It’s a good start.” alarsen@sltrib.com twitter Follow @andyblarsen Donate to the newsroom now. Real Salt Lake signs a veteran free agent to compete for time at left back By Alex Vejar • 13h ago BYU men’s volleyball team looks like a national title contender By Norma Gonzalez • 14h ago Utah Utes coach Larry Krystkowiak reprimanded by Pac-12 for criticizing officials By Josh Newman • 14h ago	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15410
__label__cc	0.631838	0.368162	Who Benefits from Global Violence and War: Uncovering a Destructive System (Contemporary Psychology) by Marc Pilisuk Military, economic, and environmental violence in the era of globalization cause immense suffering and may ultimately threaten the existence of life as... Read more we know it, but author Pilisuk explains that the future can change if we understand and act upon the roots of violence. A professor emeritus of psychology and human and community development, Pilisuk explains how most violence is the product of a human-built social order in which some people and institutions control most of the resources, make the decisions that necessitate violence, and operate with minimal accountability. The common root of war, poverty, environmental destruction, and other forms of violence is spotlighted. Such violence, says Pilisuk, is a natural consequence of a system inordinately influenced by a relatively small, interconnected group of corporate, military, and government leaders with the power to instill fear, to increase their excessive fortunes, and to restrict information, particularly about their own clandestine dealings.This text includes scholarship hailing from across disciplines, combined with information from investigative journalism, and insights from nonprofit watchdog groups, all shedding light on centralized power and its effects. Pilisuk presents material including the range of tactics used to manipulate and destroy adversaries, the human capacity to kill as a challenge, and how media is used by powerful groups to manipulate fear and maintain their power. Here, readers find solid social science to support what whistleblowers and social critics are observing about a system that needs change. Storytelling for Social Justice: Connecting Narrative and... Forensic and Medico-legal Aspects of Sexual Crimes and... Publisher: CRC Press The Little Book of Restorative Justice (The Little Books... Edition: Original Publisher: Good Books	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15411
__label__cc	0.714763	0.285237	/ Jeff Bezos How Bernie Sanders And Elizabeth Warren Are Channeling Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez Democrat politicians and their cultural and academic allies were singing the praises of Hugo Chávez and his “economic miracle” in Venezuela… Amazon Caught Selling All Sorts Of Expired Products, Including Beef Jerky And Baby Food If you’re a regular Amazon customer, you might want to pay close attention to the expiration dates on the foods you buy… Amazon, Which Provides Computing Services For CIA, Will Run The Code That Powers U.S. Elections If ever there was a legitimate threat to our republic, it’s not coming from outside the country, it’s coming from inside… Whole Foods (Amazon) Goes Full Mark Of The Beast With Hand Scan Payment System “…allowing them to simply scan their hands and have all of their Prime information immediately link up…” Amazon Workers Forced To Use Pee Bottles Out Of Fear Of Being Punished For Going To The Restroom “targets were “increased dramatically” and that taking personal breaks to go to the bathroom or even just drink water could end up…” Fund Manager: Amazon & Tesla Reflect Deep Fraud Throughout The Financial System Dave Kranzler says “Amazon is emblematic of a fiat currency system that has gone off the rails combined with Government-enabled fraud of…” Fund Manager: Amazon’s Shock-And-Awe Earnings Dave Kranzler says “here’s the funny thing about AMZN’s earnings that Wall Street’s finest will never report, if they even know the truth. Embedded in AMZN’s…” Fund Manager Shares The Truth Behind Amazon’s Reported Earnings Dave Kranzler says that “AMZN’s financials are highly misleading. AMZN is not what it appears to be…” Here’s the details… AGXIIK: Could Amazon Be Given Dictatorial Powers In Times Of National Emergency? “Amazon becomes so intricately woven in the fabric of the government that it could…” Stock Jockeys Return To Their Ponzi Stocks Like A Dog Returns To Its Vomit – Fund Manager Dave Kranzler says go ahead and pick your bubble, 1929, 1987, 2000, or 2007. this one is in a world of danger unto its own… Fund Manager on Amazon: The Devil Is In The Details Amazon may be smashing every MSM propagandist’s expectations, but Dave Kranzler says not so fast. The devil is in the details…	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15418
__label__cc	0.628098	0.371902	Apprentice Signmaker of the Year Awards Nomination The HTAE Awards is an awards ceremony set up by Hull Training & Adult Education and feature a range of categories that highlight the recognition of each industry, their nominees and of course, their winner. This year we are proud to announce that we will be sponsoring the category of ‘Apprentice Signmaker of the Year Award’ and that our very own apprentice, Didzis Gutmantis has been nominated for the award. Why we feel Didzis should win: Managing Director Iain McKenzie says that "In his time at Sovereign Signs, Didzis has shown a great understanding for the process of signmaking and has learned various skills such as cutting & folding Dibond, Wall saw, applying vinyl graphics with our Rolls Roller, populating /wiring LEDs into built up letters to the manufacturers recommendations, as well as working on the new Bonus Arena signage in Hull". Operations Manager, Des Faulkner had this to say about Didzis "Since arriving at Sovereign Signs, he has been the model apprentice. Always attentive and willing to learn, his attitude has been nothing short of exemplary. His attendance has been unblemished. I would describe him as a credit to the generation that he represents". Didzis has grown from strength to strength here at Sovereign Signs. He’s shown a huge interest in everything we offer to our clients, from design to build and installation. He arrives at work with a smile on his face and is ready to take on any challenge set before him. Here at the Strata Group, we feel that Didzis deserves recognition for his hard work and achievements and wish him good luck with the HTAE Awards.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15424
__label__wiki	0.984053	0.984053	Spalding singer-songwriter Meg McPartlin has released her debut album, Confidence By Winston Brown winston.brown@iliffepublishing.co.uk Published: 15:31, 04 November 2019 \| Updated: 16:56, 04 November 2019 Could south Lincolnshire be about to see its next musical trailblazer after West Pinchbeck folk favourite Miranda Sykes and Boston-born, Grantham-raised Americana favourite (Georgina) Callaghan? Spalding acoustic singer Meg McPartlin has so far built her fanbase with performances at the Spalding Music Festival, Music in the Market Place and Celebrate Surfleet and a host of pubs in the area. But McPartlin has finally graduated from her Youth Takeover days at South Holland Centre after releasing her debut album, Confidence. Meg McPartlin performs at Celebrate Surfleet 2018.Photo by Tim Wilson.SG-090918-5 In a music market already swollen with young "wannabe" pop stars, Confidence showcases the one thing that will stand McPartlin in good stead more than anything else, her strong, fearless and unrestrained vocals. However, for the few seconds of opening track Taking the Road, a thought emerges that Confidence might be a more disciplined, less spontaneous version of bluegrass and folk-inspired singer who has entertained regulars at Spalding venues like The Punchbowl, Mulberry's Bar and even Spalding Rugby Club. But as soon as the radiant instrumental support for McPartlin arrives, backing vocalist, guitarist and the album's producer, Tom Wright, bass guitarist Philip Mann, percussionist James Pepper and drummer Mikey Ciancio, Confidence sees its singer catapulted to a higher level. Spalding singer-songwriter Meg McPartlin has self-released her debut album, Confidence. (20813581) The spirit of Elvis Presley runs right through the album, most notably on the tracks Mama Watch Me Dance and I Hate You But I Love You, while Nashville Blues draws on the examples set by Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette and Emmylou Harris. McPartlin also reveals other, more contemporary influences on tracks, such as Good Life and You, On Board, 1940s' Dancer and closing track You. Reminders of the 1980s and the music of Alison Moyet, Hazel O'Connor and Kim Wilde come through loud and clear as McPartlin temporarily shelves her bluegrass vocals and sings from her Spalding heart. Where McPartlin shines best is on the tracks that feature a variety of musical genres, bluegrass, jazz, roots and soul, including Not Sorry, On Board, Try Again and Save Your Goodbyes, the latter song having a sound not too different to late sixties Beatles' music. If Confidence is meant to be Meg McPartlin's introduction to a wider audience, then it represents a real coming of age - with the promise of even more exciting things ahead. . Confidence is available on iTunes (http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1469139150?ls=1&app=itunes), Apple Music (http://itunes.apple.com/album/id/1469139150), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/album/27QWAJbCFqrrikhKBjjxVy),Amazon music unlimited or go to https://www.megmcpartlin.com/ Review by Winston Brown Miranda Sykes - from Spalding Folk Club to Show of Hands Callaghan, making her fans’ day with a cut-glass voice Winston Brown	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15425
__label__wiki	0.562757	0.562757	StampsFans.com - THE Calgary Stampeders Fan Site Forums > Canadian Football League > Calgary Stampeders Talk > Calgary Stampeders News Roundup for May 10, 2016 Discussion in 'Calgary Stampeders Talk' started by Madman, May 10, 2016. Madman Administrator FEELING A DRAFT Months of preparation have led to this moment. The consequences will be felt for years to come. On Tuesday, Canadian Football League clubs will translate countless hours of scouting, film review, interviews, list-making and discussion into selections at the 2016 draft. Calgary goes into the 2016 season with 24 products of the CFL draft including 18 of their own picks. http://www.stampeders.com/2016/05/09/feeling-a-draft/ READY TO PICK SIX Barring a last-minute trade, the Calgary Stampeders will choose sixth overall in the 2016 Canadian Football League draft. Draft order is determined by the previous season’s results and the Stamps get to pick one spot sooner in the opening round because Winnipeg forfeited its top pick after selecting Garrett Waggoner in last year’s supplemental draft. This is the fifth time in the modern era of the draft — i.e. since territorial exemptions were eliminated in 1985 — Calgary will draft sixth overall. http://www.stampeders.com/2016/05/10/ready-to-pick-six/ Stampeders GM John Hufnagel playing waiting game ahead of Tuesday’s CFL Draft All off-season long, the CFL’s hot-stove has been crackling in Regina. That hasn’t changed one bit with the new season approaching. Heading into Tuesday’s 2016 CFL Draft (5 p.m., TSN), the Saskatchewan Roughriders are once again the talk of the league, as they dangle the No. 1 overall pick in hopes of finding a trade partner and a haul of goodies. Intimately familiar with the two men leading the Riders these days — GM/head coach Chris Jones and assistant vice-president of football operations and player personnel John Murphy — Calgary Stampeders GM John Hufnagel has a pretty good idea of what’s going on next door in the Wheat Province in the hours leading up to the draft, and it doesn’t involve him. http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/05/0...ying-waiting-game-ahead-of-tuesdays-cfl-draft Pressure comes with the territory for Calgary Stampeders scouts With former assistant GM John Murphy now trying to help rebuild the rival Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Calgary Stampeders will head into Tuesday’s 2016 CFL Draft with a couple of different voices having a whole lot of war room influence. Of course, GM John Hufnagel is still leading the draft-day charge, but his son, Cole, hired as the director of U.S. scouting in the wake of Murphy’s December departure for greener pastures, and director of Canadian scouting Brendan Mahoney are important pieces to a personnel puzzle that extends far beyond just draft day. With added responsibility comes added pressure, especially when trying to live up to a drafting and developing standard that has helped the Stampeders run up a combined 43-11 record over the past three regular seasons. http://www.calgarysun.com/2016/05/09/pressure-comes-with-the-territory-for-calgary-stampeders-scouts CUPS/STAMPEDERS KICKOFF BREAKFAST IS ON WEDNESDAY The 24th annual CUPS/Stampeders Kickoff Breakfast, presented by Apache Canada Ltd., will be held on Wednesday, May 11 at the Imperial Ballroom of Calgary’s Hyatt Regency hotel (700 Centre St. SE). The breakfast — which goes from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. — brings together Calgary’s corporate community to help raise money and awareness for CUPS, a not-for-profit organization that remains on the forefront of helping the most vulnerable individuals and families in our city. http://www.stampeders.com/2016/05/09/cupsstampeders-kickoff-breakfast-is-on-wednesday/ #1 Madman, May 10, 2016 StampsFans Cloud allheartstamps ben d’aguilar bo levi mitchell brad sinopoli brett jones cfl draft charlie power corey mace dan federkeil dave dickenson drew tate john hufnagel jon cornish juwan simpson keon raymond kevin glenn maurice price mcmahon stadium nik lewis pat steinberg randy chevrier redblacks riders suck ryan perrilloux shawn lemon stampeders stampsgettingrilled tim hawthorne	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15428
__label__wiki	0.62472	0.62472	Star Media Group Berhad Star Foundation Star Foundation – Overview Supporting Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs) Medical Fund Programme Wheelchair Programme Star Golden Hearts Award Life with Us StarTrack 4.0 Nazir ready to walk the… Nazir ready to walk the talk Banker keen on celebrating diversity for a more peaceful Malaysia One nation: Nazir holding the Malaysian flag. The banker feels unity and diversity are themes important to the country. KUALA LUMPUR: Prominent banker Datuk Seri Nazir Razak is looking forward to taking part in the Anak-Anak Malaysia Walk on Aug 14, saying he is ready to walk the talk for a richer, more peaceful and united Malaysia. This is his vision for a better Malaysia. “It is a Malaysia that is prosperous, peaceful and united and, of course, those three elements are interlaced. It is a place where everyone must feel that it is for them,” he told The Star. A moderate Malaysia is very dear to Nazir, hence his eagerness to join the upcoming Anak-Anak Malaysia Walk, meant to celebrate Malaysia’s diversity and to promote unity and understanding. Asked what Anak-Anak Malaysia meant to him, the CIMB Group chairman said it was about being Malaysian first and foremost, as well as recognising the need for unity in diversity. “Whatever our differences, at the end of the day we are one nation. We must strive for the betterment of this country and all its people, regardless of ethnicity, gender or religion. “Obviously at a time when you get a relatively toxic political atmosphere, it is comforting to go back to themes that speak strongly about unity and multiculturalism that are so important to the nation,” he said. Nazir also observed that the younger generation was struggling to identify itself with elements of the current national administration system, and these frustrations must be addressed. “For instance, education issues have to be looked at in the context of the social contract – what we agreed on at the time of independence, and what was reformed at the time of the New Economic Policy. “Many among the new generation cannot identify with the NEP and the other elements of the system. “It is time for a holistic look at all this,” he said. The Anak-Anak Malaysia Walk 2016, to be held ahead of the National Day celebrations, will kick off at the Bukit Bintang City Centre on Aug 14. The 3.4km walk, starting from the junction of Jalan Imbi and Jalan Pudu at the site of the former Pudu Prison, will be flagged off by Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Mhd Amin Nordin Abd Aziz. #AnakAnakMalaysia Walk is organised by Star Media Group, in collaboration with Ecoworld. Other sponsors for the event include car sponsor Proton, gold sponsor Panasonic and silver sponsors Tenaga Nasional and YES. Visit http://sites.thestar.com.my/aamwalk/ to register. The first 3,000 participants to register will receive a Golden Screen Cinemas movie ticket. For details, call 03-7967 1388 ext 1432/1529/1243 on Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. PreviousPrevious post:Helping welfare bodiesNextNext post:A big ‘aye’ for moderation #StandTogether chat bot wins gold at Asian Digital Media Awards Celebrities inspired by national blind football team Big win for automakers at the CarSifu Editors’ Choice Awards 2019 Suria’s DJ Lin bags top prize again When caring unites Malaysians Star Media Group and the National Union of Journalist sign new Collective Agreement Star Media Group Berhad (ROC 10894-D) © 2019 \| All Rights Reserved	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15430
__label__cc	0.725636	0.274364	STAURINO COOKIES POLICY: Cookies are automated means through which we collect information on our website and by which we can sometimes track information about your use of our website. We use cookies to optimize your user experience, the functionality of our website and our service to you. When you visit our site, our web server sends a cookie to your computer, which allows us to recognize your computer to perform a variety of functions. By proceeding to navigate beyond this page, you consent to our cookie settings and agree that you understand this Cookies Policy and our Privacy Policy. Please note that you may restrict cookies by changing your browser settings, but that such restrictions will potentially degrade and impact your user experience and functionality of our website. WHAT PURPOSES DO COOKIES 1. Cookies Support Basic Website Functionality: Some cookies are functional and necessary cookies that support essential features of our website, such as storing your shopping cart selections while you continue to shop and navigate to different pages of our website. 2. Cookies Can Help Improve the Quality of Our Website and Services: Cookies collect information (including sometimes IP address) to assess how you use our website, so that we can improve the navigability of our site and provide you with better service. We use this information to:- Provide aggregate and anonymous statistics on how our site is used; - See how effective our advertisements are by identifying where you click and from which website you arrived; - Provide feedback to carefully selected third party partners that one of our visitors also visited their website; - Help us improve the site by capturing errors in your browsing experience. - Provide you with improved site functionality by allowing access to additional services or restoring your shopping bag if you wish to return on a subsequent browsing session.3. Cookies May Share Information With Our Carefully Chosen Third-Party Partners: Third-party cookies may share information with partners to provide services on our site. The information shared is only to be used to provide the service or function (such as social media “like” and “share” buttons). Certain third-party cookies can be used to offer a customized user experience, by providing you with interest-based services (see “Internet Based Advertising”) both on this site and on some other websites as well. Some of these customized browsing experiences may be linked to services provided by third parties which provide these services to recognize that you have visited our site. This information is used to inform you of Staurino products and services which may be of interest to you. These cookies may also link to social media networks such as Facebook or provide advertising agencies with information about your visit so that they can present you with advertisements for Staurino products and services which may be of interest to you. MANAGING YOUR COOKIE PREFERENCES: To manage the third-party cookies served on our site, please visit the relevant websites listed here: - Google Analytics: http://www.google.com/analytics/learn/privacy.html - Adobe Analytics: http://www.adobe.com/privacy/analytics.html#1 - Sizmek: http://www.sizmek.com/about-us/privacy To manage all cookies on our site, including those that are served by us, you can change your browser settings. For additional information on how to manage all cookies please visit http://www.allaboutcookies.org/. Please note that disabling, blocking or deleting cookies in your browser settings may impact your ability to fully use our website.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15434
__label__cc	0.695239	0.304761	March 13, 2019 February 17, 2019 by James Quinn Best MIDI Keyboard Controllers for 2018 The best MIDI keyboard controllers are making home music production unbelievably easy and fast. These units offer an element of tactility that makes interfacing with your music software more intuitive than hitting icons. Today, you can replicate a whole team’s work all by yourself. What’s more is that unlike a few years back, you no longer need a second mortgage to express your ideas through music. A fully functional midi controller like the Arturia MiniLab MkII costs way below 150 dollars. It still offers the basic features that you’d require from a midi controller. Whether you want to upgrade to an advanced model or you’re looking for the best MIDI controller for beginners, the list below has something for everyone. Just read on! in this review, our featured products are a mix of price, type and brand. This is to ensure that whether you are looking for the best midi controller for beginners, for ableton fl studio, or a small and portable MIDI keyboard we have something for you. 10. Nektar IMPACT LX25+- Best MIDI Controller Bigwig 9. Arturia Minilab Mkii 25- Best MIDI Keyboard for beginners 8. IK Multimedia Irig IP-IRIG-KEYSLGT-IN- The Best Midi Controller for iPad and iPhone 7. M-Audio Oxygen 49 MKIV \| 49-Key for Ableton, Logic, FL Studio, Cubase, GarageBand 5. Novation Impulse 49 Keys- Best 49 Key Midi Controller 2017 4. Alesis V Mini- Best Cheap Midi Controller 3. Novation Launchkey 49- Best MIDI Keyboard for Ableton 2. M-Audio Keystation 49 II- Affordable 49 Key Midi Controllers 1. Akai Professional MPK MINI MKII- Compact Professional MIDI Controller MIDI Keyboard Buying Guide Best MIDI Keyboard Controllers 2018 Nektar Impact LX25 is one of the most compact midi controllers in 2017. At its price- around 99 bucks- this model competes directly with the Arturia Minilab MKii and Alesis V Mini. Its size makes it the best midi controller for a small studio that wants something compact but versatile. It also fits in most luggage bags. You should, therefore, consider it if you want a small ad portable MIDI controller keyboard that you can frequently travel with. Despite its small size, LX25 packs everything that a budding musician would be looking for. Firstly, it gives you a 25-keybed that is quite enough for your musical riffs. The keys are synth action and full-size. They also have a medium-level tension that gives them a great feel and are super responsive. The control panel is a fully integrated one too. It’s quite impressive that you can find a cheap midi controller like this one with a 30-mm fader and 8 pads. What’s more appealing is that the controls are customizable. So they can send any Midi CC message you assign to them depending on what you do. About compatibility, Nektar Impact LX25+ works well with iOS, Mac, and Windows systems. Again, it’s designed to support several DAWs including Cubase, Bigwig, Digital Performer, Garageband, Logic, FL Studio, Nuendo, Reaper, Sonar, and others. Pros thumbs-o-up Works with most DAWs Compact and inexpensive Super responsive, customizable controls Cons thumbs-o-down At around the same price mark as Nektar Impact LX25+, the Arturia Minilab MkII is another highly recommendable unit on this list. This is a budget midi controller with just the basic controls that a beginner would require. To begin with, this Midi Controller measures 14 x 9 x 1.5 inches and weighs 1.8lbs only. These dimensions make it a great option for artists who travel a lot while working on their projects. It also fits easily in small studios and can also be placed on your laps. Besides being compact, Arturia MkII is also rugged and safe to carry to and from gigs. Amazingly, Arturia has not compromised this controller’s functionality in a bid to deliver something small. This model packs 25 slim keys, 8 pads, and 16 knobs for easy tweaking of your music sounds. You also get access to hundreds of musical instruments. The good news is that this Midi controller for starters comes fitted with the critically acclaimed Ableton’s Live Lite platform- real value for your money here! It also comes with other essential musical software including Analog Lab Lite and Grand Piano. Compact and versatile Numerous sounds and instruments embedded Mac and Pc compatible Best for beginners As a music producer, there are times when you’ll want to record your music as soon as it hits your mind. You'll require a MIDI controller that allows you to do that wherever you are at no matter what time. IP-IRIG-KEYSLGT-IN is one of IK Multimedia’s most recommendable model in this category. The major reason why IK Multimedia Irig deserves to be mentioned in this list of the best MIDI controllers 2017 is its great compatibility. This controller supports Android, Mac, Pac, iPhones, and iPads. So you can work on your projects wherever any of these devices go. It’s a 37-key Midi controller with velocity-sensitive keys that make composing songs and performing with the MIDI controller unbelievably easy. It also has mod wheels and a pitch bend to make its playability more expressive. Notably, Irig also has an input for your sustain and expression pedals (for those who use them). To sum it up, this model comes with backlit buttons so you can still use it in the dark. The package also includes SampleTank 3-SE (which can be downloaded from IK’s user area) for your PC and Mac, The Grid, and 5 collections from Electronika and The Beats series for iPhones and iPads. Supports iPhones, Mac, Android, iPad, Mac, and PCs Simple but functional Great pricing Easy use and recording Some sustain jacks have flaws M-Audio is breathing new life into computer music production with their new series; Oxygen. This series has 25-key, 49-key, and 61-key MIDIs depending on every musician’s needs. The 49-key model offers more control and deep software integration in a reliable build that makes it possible to record music on the go. This controller has a mind-blowing set of controls that have been streamlined and divided neatly into sections to make them reachable and easy to use. Mind you, you’ll never reach for the mouse with this controller. Its assignable knobs, faders, and pads offers superb control over your DAW by keeping you engaged throughout the process of recording or mixing your music. Its 49 keys are semi-weighted. They are velocity-sensitive and, therefore, great for playing bass lines, melodies, and chords. It also has 8 assignable knobs that you can use to tweak your virtual instruments and plug-ins. Oxygen 49 also boasts a set of 8 velocity-sensitive pads for drumming and triggering samples, and 9 faders (assignable too) for mixing tracks. LCD screen shows what you are doing Has Sonivox and Ableton Live Lite Connects with ios devices too Straightforward controls No manual guide for newbies 6. Akai Professional MPK249- Best Midi Controller Below 500 Akai’s MPK249 is a flagship Midi controller made with professional artists in mind. It’s an inspirational performance pad and keyboard controller offering an integration of MPC’s iconic music production technologies and enhanced workflow. The MPK249 is a bit more advanced than the models we’ve reviewed thus far. So let not its price tag steer you away. Like most Midi controllers from Akai Pro’s MPK series, the MPK249 is a jam-packed unit. It features a fully integrated interface made purposely for manipulating virtual instruments, DAWs, and effect plug-ins. This device is designed to offer you plug-and-play connectivity with Mac and PC. As the name suggests, it has 49 full-size semi-weighted keys all which have pressure sensitivity for after-touch. It also comes armed with 8 assignable knobs, switches, faders, and 16 pads with RGB feedback. It also has 3 banks that boost the number of assignable knobs, switches, and faders all the way to 24 each. There are also other 4 pad banks that up to the number of pads to 64 depending on how versatile you want the midi controller to be. Has an arpeggiator Extremely responsive pads Expandable knobs, faders, and switches Solid and compact Has unlit encoders Novation Impulse is Novation’s latest addition in the world of Midi Controllers. These keyboards are available in 25, 49, and 61 keys. For those who want to enjoy from both worlds, the 49-key controller is the way to go. Professional music producers and DJs are raving about this Midi controller. If you are just upgrading from a smaller unit and don’t want to spend a huge chunk of money on a high-end model, this one should top your list. It has an excellent solid build and several top notch features at almost half the price of what its competitors cost. Similar to its other siblings, this midi controller features a precision keyboard. The keys are semi-weighted and have assignable aftertouch. One thing that makes this best midi controller in 2017 is its accuracy and effectiveness. It reflects your actions and performance accurately using whichever software instrument or synth you trigger. It also has a full control surface that gives you an easy time when using the DAW and plug-ins. Like other Midi controllers in this series, Novation Impulse 49 includes Automap control software that makes it easy to control faders, buttons, and knobs. Its 8 knobs are always linked to any software instrument or effect. You can control other things instantly by pressing LEARN followed by the control button. Automap makes controlling easy and fast Works well with major DAWs Has intuitive controls Keys feel great Has no power button Alesis V is even simpler to use than the Nektar Impact LX25+ and Arturia Minilab MKII that we’ve reviewed earlier. One thing that stands out with the Alesis V is the tons of features that have been tucked in it and its unbelievable price tag. At below 50 bucks, we didn’t expect this midi controller to offer much. However, Alesis V brings you 25 velocity sensitive keys, pitch bend, modulation, and sustain buttons, and octave controls all that are found on bigger keyboards. These buttons expand your expressive performance capabilities. This midi controller also has 4 assignable knobs that you can use to manipulate your virtual instruments and musical effects. You can use these knobs to open and close filters, activate effects, and adjust volume levels among other things. i 4 backlit pads that you can use to launch your clips. The pads are velocity-sensitive and, therefore, perfect for finger drumming. To make the deal even sweeter for you, Alesis have worked closely with Air Music Tech to include Xpand!2 into this controller. This is a powerful and intuitive DAW that comes with 3000+ fully editable presets for beginner musicians. Alesis V also offers free V mini Editor that allows you to download and manage your own presets. Fits in bags for travelling musicians Has great feeling pads Has programmable inputs Touch screen LCD Drum pads aren’t the best Is Ableton Live your favorite music production DAW? Are you looking for the best MIDI controller for it? Look no further than Novation’s Launchkey 49. This midi controller has been designed to work directly with this software. This controller has velocity-sensitive RGB pads, faders, and knobs that give you the freedom to shape your music as you’d like it. You can launch clips, play beats, and control FX via its 16 pads. To make it more like your Ableton Live session view, Novation has laid out the 16 pads in 2 rows of 8 pads. One row is used to launch clips while the other row stops them. Amazingly, these pads have full-color RGB LEDs that make it easy to note the clip that you’ve employed at a glance. Novation Launchkey 49 Midi controller isn’t the most compact model. However, it's not so huge to travel around with. It has a solid and tank-like construction so you can use it anywhere. Its sweetspot is that it does not require power cables or drivers to function. It’s class compliant and relies USB bus-powering from either a Mac or PC. Supports Mac and PC systems No software installation required Works seamlessly with Ableton Live Has easy setup M-Audio Keystation 49 II is hands down, the cheapest 49 key midi controller in our reviews. M-Audio brings you a keyboard with more playability than the 25-key units in a unit with a small footprint. This instrument is lightweight and durable. To give a portable setup, this Midi controller is class-complaint, USB-powered, and also supports iOS connectivity. This allows you to use it with iPad and iPhone devices provided you have compatible audio apps installed. As such, it’s a great option for professional traveling musicians who want to record their hits wherever the inspiration hits you. True to its name, Keystation 49 II brings 49 velocity-sensitive, synth-action keys that have a smooth feel for expressive playability. These keybed has a natural feel and lets you command the Digital Audio Workstation expressively when recording hits or performing live. This MIDI controller features a versatile slider that can be assigned to work as a data up/down, music platform transport controls, volume control, and modulation and pitch-bend wheels. These controls expand your expressive capabilities and playable notes without the need of using a trackpad or mouse. What’s more, this MIDI controller comes with a ¼’’ sustain pedal input for those who would like to add genuine piano sustain into the equation. Bundled with Sonivox Has Ableton Live Lite Supports iOS devices Has a small delay between key press and sound Akai MPK Mini MKII is one of the best midi controllers below 100 on the market today. It’s also one of the most compact computer keyboards that we came across. So if you consider portability a MUST on the ideal midi controller, this one needs to top your list. Almost everything has been scaled down for optimum portability. By this, I don’t mean its entire size only; I also mean the keys. They are way smaller (the size of a penny) and have almost no weight. Professional players who are used to full-sized pianos and those with big hands may find it a bit hard to deal with this one. Fortunately, the keys are velocity-sensitive which means that their velocity depends on how soft or hard you hit them. This super compact Midi controller also brings you awesome pads. These pads have had a great improvement from those of the previous model. These one are made of thick rubber. Their matte-like surface and excellent build-quality make it easy to trigger drum sounds. Akai Mini MKII doesn’t have pitch and mod wheels. In their place (and for compact reasons), these 2 have been replaced by a 4-way joystick that works the same as the wheels. This midi controller also boasts an arpeggiator, 8 assignable rotary knobs, and 3 software: MPC Essentials Sonivox wobble Air Music Tech’s Hybrid 3 It’s compact Can’t adjust velocity key settings Though most professional studio experts still do without them, midi controllers have an important role in music production. Importantly, you need not be a piano expert to make use of their versatility. You can use them to make anything from simple music patterns to virtuoso records. What matters is choosing the best midi controller for your needs. What does a MIDI stand for? and What is a MIDI MIDI is abbreviation of Musical Instrument Digital Interface Like any other studio equipment, don’t think that you can just grab any MIDI controller off the shelf and expect it to work as you would wish. There are several considerations and decisions to make as you’ll soon find out. How many keys do you need? It all begins here. Different MIDI controllers have a varying number of keys depending on your needs. A real keyboard controller has 88 keys while the most compact offers 25. You can also get anything in between- 32, 37, 49, 61, and 76. If you want to play full piano arrangements, a controller with 61, 76, or all the 88 keys is what you need. If your budget allows, it’s always advisable to go with full-size keyboards with 61, 76, or all the 88 keys. However, for one-handed synth leads and basses, a compact controller with 25 keys is just enough. Midi controllers with 49 keys are the most common. This is because they allow 2-handed playing and have a small footprint for your studio desks and on-the-road use. Key-make: After determining the number of keys you require for your midi keyboard, the second consideration is to choose how the keys respond to your touch. Here you’ll have to choose between fully weighted, semi-weighted and unweighted/synth action keys. Fully weighted keys- these keys are most common with expensive midi controllers. They emulate the feel of an acoustic keyboard given their heavy feel. Therefore, they require some amount of force and finger independence to drive the key all the way down. Midi keyboards with fully-weighted keys also tend to be heavy. Semi-weighted keys- True to their name, these keys offer mid-level resistance. These keys are your best bet if you want a keyboard with light keys that require some amount of pressure (a little higher than that required in unweighted keys). These keys are common with professional midi controllers. Unweighted/synth action keys- these keys require the least amount of pressure to cause action. Unlike the other 2 models, these keys don’t use actual weights. They employ springs to push the keys up after being pressed down. As such, they are lighter and fast. They are found on most entry-level keyboards and can be used in most music genres. Performance pads Thanks to technology, the latest midi controllers have pads that allow you to play drum beats and other repercussion sounds. You’ll find keyboards with 8, 12, and 16 performance pads for launching loops and beats. This is an easy way of consolidating more of your studio tools into one unit. What additional features are you looking for? The best midi controllers with additional functions like faders, arpeggiators, pitch bend wheels, and buttons add a punch to your playability. You need not kill yourself for these add-ons, but they are awesome to have onboard. If you don’t have one already, you may also consider whether the controller comes bundled with a Digital Audio Workstation or not. If not, consider going for a controller that works great with your music software. Wrap up; Though most professional studio experts still do without them, midi controllers have an important role in music production. Importantly, you need not be a piano expert to make use of their versatility. You can use them to make anything from simple music patterns to virtuoso records. What matters is choosing the best midi controller for your needs Best Studio Headphones for Music Production from $50 up to $200 (2019 Review) 1 thought on “10 Best MIDI Keyboard Controllers (2019 Reviews)” DjLayLine I would probably pick the exact same models for the best midi keyboard controllers in the market. High rated almost all of them, big sales and credibility by big names of the music industry. I have the Axiom 49 at home and i’m extremely satisfied. I previously had the MPK by AKAI and i was happy with it. Just the Axiom fits better with the way i play the keys. I like to try new things, and i want to invest on a new midi keyboard.Would anyone recommend the Arturia Lab? 10 Best Earplugs for Concerts and Live Music – 2019 Update Best Mics for Kick Drums and Bass Guitars – 2019 Update! Best Studio Monitor Speakers for Home Studios – The Best 10 for 2019 Best Overhead Drum Mic Best Soprano Saxophone – 2019 Update! Best Laptop for Music Production – 10 of the Best in 2019	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15436
__label__cc	0.708201	0.291799	IB Chemistry Change Subjects Factors affecting rate of reaction Basic Concepts: Intro Lesson: c Intro Lesson: d In this lesson, we will learn: To know and describe the effects of basic factors that affect the rate of reaction. To explain the effect of a catalyst on the rate of a chemical reaction. To apply ideas of surface area to explain the importance of catalysts and solutions to reaction rate. Once scientists started measuring the rate of reactions; new areas of study developed that measured the factors that affected the rate of reaction. These are normally to do with the conditions the reaction is happening under. There are many factors that affect the rate of reaction, which have been determined by experiment. Some are: 1: Temperature: The higher the temperature of a reaction, the faster the reaction happens because the time taken for the reaction to happen decreases. 2: Concentration: As concentration of reactants increases, time taken for the reaction decreases therefore the rate increases. 3: Pressure: Pressure is like concentration for gaseous reactants – greater pressure forces gas particles together like in a high concentration solution. Therefore the higher the pressure, the quicker the rate of reaction. 4: Surface area and catalysts: The greater surface area where particles can collide, the more particles will collide. Any way you can increase surface area for reactants to collide will decrease the time taken for the reaction to occur, and increase the reaction rate – the phase the reactants are in and catalysts both affect this. The above four factors can affect any chemical reaction, but the rate will also depend on what chemical bonds need breaking (the reactant properties) in the reaction! Stronger bonds will require more energy to be overcome and so the reaction rates are naturally lower than chemical reactions where weak bonds are broken, or where very stable products are formed. Catalysts affect the rate of reaction by providing an alternative reaction pathway of lower activation energy than the original uncatalyzed route. The catalyst itself remains unchanged in the reaction. Think of a catalyst's effect like trying to climb a high wall without any help. Only the strongest and best climbers can do it! If there was a ledge to climb onto first (the catalyst), climbing over the wall is a lot easier (the activation energy becomes lower) than before. The ledge itself doesn't climb over and it doesn't change from being in the process – it just gets a little worn from it. The reason that catalysts increase rate of reaction is that catalysts provide more surface area for reactant particles to collide and form the products. This is the same for why phase is important to reaction rate. Below is a summary of the importance of how phases affect reaction rate: Chemical substances in the solid state have particles that are tightly packed and unable to move freely, so reactions between/involving solids are very slow. In the liquid state, particles have more energy, are able to move and are close together so the reaction rate is increased. In the gas state particles are highly energetic and a higher proportion of the collisions between reactant particles are successful collisions. Reaction rates between or involving gases are much higher than solids. We saw in solution chemistry (C11.8.1) that solutions are important to use in chemical reactions and they behave as if they are their own state. This is because solutions: Allow free movement of reactant particles throughout a liquid medium. Allow reactants close proximity to each other. Allows reactants to form aqueous ions. Enables the positive/negative attractive forces to occur between reactant particles. For these reasons reactions taking place in solutions are generally faster than in any other phase. To summarize above: the relationship between rate of reaction and phase of reactants is as follows, fastest to slowest: Solution (aqueous) > Gases and liquids > Solids. This is observed by experiment and explainable by particle theory – the states where particles will collide with sufficient energy most frequently are the states with the fastest reaction rates. There are two definitions given for reactions depending on which states are being used: Heterogeneous reactions are reactions where the reactants are in different phases. Homogeneous reactions are reactions where the reactants are all in the same phase. This includes all reactants dissolved in a solvent (even if the reactants were different phases before being dissolved!) and two liquids which completely dissolve in the other. Because it is easier to control and manipulate the reaction vessel, homogeneous reactions are generally an advantage but aren't always an option. Controlling rate of reaction What affects the rate? What is a catalyst? Why are catalysts and solutions important? How phase affects reaction rate. Apply knowledge of factors affecting reaction rate to chemical reactions. The reaction between sodium hydroxide, NaOH, and hydrogen chloride, HCl, is shown below: 2NaOH+2HCL→2NaCltoH2O\mathrm{2NaOH + 2 HCL \to 2 NaCl to H_2O}2NaOH+2HCL→2NaCltoH2O Hydrogen chloride has a boiling point of -85°C and sodium hydroxide has a melting point of 318°C. Give a reason why this reaction is very slow with the reactants in their neutral state at room temperature. What change could a chemist make to increase the rate of this reaction? Explain why this change increases the rate of reaction. The decomposition of aqueous hydrogen peroxide is shown in the equation below. This reaction occurs at room temperature by itself but is slow: 2H2O2(aq)→2H2O(l)+O2(g) \mathrm{ 2 H_2 O_{2(aq)} \to 2H_2O_{(l)} + O_{2(g)} } 2H2O2(aq)→2H2O(l)+O2(g) The rate of this reaction is increased dramatically by adding potassium iodide, KI, to the reaction vessel. Potassium iodide is not used in the reaction. What is the role of potassium iodide? Explain, in terms of activation energy, why adding potassium iodide speeds the reaction up. i)Explain, in terms of activation energy, why adding potassium iodide speeds the reaction up. ii)What else in the equation suggests a generally quicker rate of reaction? From the reactions listed below, identify which are homogeneous and compare their relative rates of reaction. i) Na(s)+Cl(g)→NaCl(s) \mathrm{Na_{(s)} + Cl_{(g)} \to NaCl_{(s)} } Na(s)+Cl(g)→NaCl(s) ii) CH3COOH(aq)+H2O(l)→CH3COO(aq)−+H3O(aq)+ \mathrm{ CH_3COOH_{(aq)} + H_2O_{(l)} \to CH_3COO^-_{(aq)} + H_3O^+_{(aq)}} CH3COOH(aq)+H2O(l)→CH3COO(aq)−+H3O(aq)+ iii) Mg(s)+H2O(l)→MgOH(aq)+H2(g) \mathrm{ Mg_{(s)} + H_2O_{(l)} \to MgOH_{(aq)} + H_{2(g)}} Mg(s)+H2O(l)→MgOH(aq)+H2(g) Introduction to kinetics Reaction mechanisms	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15439
__label__wiki	0.8697	0.8697	Teamwork matters in reducing damages from disasters By By Doreen Hemlock and Sun Sentinel When disaster strikes, from hurricanes to floods or data breaches, businesses can't manage alone. Authorities may cut off access to their workplace, relief groups may need speedy supplies or insurers may delay their claims. That's why a group of business leaders is building an organization to strengthen ties among companies and between business, nonprofits and government before a crisis, aiming to ease problems afterward. The South Florida Disaster Resiliency Coalition is a private-public partnership that works with emergency management and other entities across Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Its executive committee includes leaders from Tropical Shipping in Riviera Beach, insurance company NCCI Holdings in Boca Raton and Restoration Contractors Group of Pompano Beach. [More business] Lucky’s Market closing all but one Florida store » So far, the nearly 2-year-old group has about 45 members, including such large enterprises as Citrix and Florida East Coast Railway, smaller ones like RGF Environmental Group and nonprofits including the Community Advocacy Network, said Rick Berman, who serves as the group's executive director. "Government is great at planning, but 85 percent of the assets are in the private sector,'' Berman said. "The real money after a disaster comes through insurance companies and banks. The issue is connecting the dots to build a more resilient business community, so any recovery costs much less." The business-focused coalition has organized about a half dozen forums on disaster preparedness to date, focusing on such costly woes as hurricanes, computer data breaches and even the chikungunya virus that has hit some Caribbean islands and entered South Florida. It also recently joined two dozen similar organizations nationwide to learn and share best practices for disaster preparedness and recovery, Berman said. Cooperation matters, because disasters can devastate companies. Roughly 40 percent of businesses never reopen after a disaster, and at least 25 percent of those remaining typically close within two years, according to U.S. Labor Department estimates. [More business] Electric scooters thrive in Florida as they vanish from some other parts of U.S. » GardaWorld, the cash delivery company with U.S. headquarters in Boca Raton, joined the South Florida coalition to share its international expertise and help reduce those odds. Garda knows, for instance, that banks typically need extra cash deliveries before a hurricane. And pre-planning with government agencies can help cash trucks enter disaster zones more quickly — often right after first responders get in, said Christine Burris, a business continuity manager at the company. "The more prepared we are," said Burris, "the quicker we can come back as a community." Emergency management offices are teaming with the coalition too, recognizing the importance of business to any recovery, said Bill Johnson, who runs emergency management for Palm Beach County. It makes sense to have strong communications networks with hotels, for example, so visiting teams of electricity and telecom workers can find places to stay after a storm. Electric scooters thrive in Florida as they vanish from some other parts of U.S. Furniture rentals aimed at those who move frequently and aren’t interested in lugging a giant couch around Plus, it pays to have communications in place with hardware stores and major retailers, so businesses can drop off water, wood and other basics at distribution sites where they are needed. That works much better than leaving goods to pile up at a central emergency management office, said Johnson. "The more collaboration," Johnson said, "the more resiliency." For more information on the coalition, visit www.sfdrc.org. dhemlock@sunsentinel.com, 305-810-5009 All Aboard Florida	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15440
__label__wiki	0.988983	0.988983	Driver, 18, dies in early morning wreck on I-95 near Sample Road ASK IRA: Does the Heat’s success have legs? Kelly: Dolphins should use Senior Bowl week to come up with backup plan in case Tua’s medical report scares them off \| Commentary Sun Sentinel to print Miami Herald starting in April Pentagram, Trump 'Festivus Pole' spark seasonal debate By Anne Geggis Preston Smith shines a pentagram he set up in Boca Raton's Sanborn Square on Tuesday. Smith is a member of the Freedom From Religion Foundation and, with their partnership, he and his father build and erected the pentagram. Catholic pastors are protesting the pentagram erected between a menorah and a nativity scene. (Maria Lorenzino/Sun Sentinel) A Donald Trump hat sits atop a "Festivus Pole" in Deerfield, next to a nativity scene. A few miles away in Boca Raton, a pentagram was erected Tuesday next to nativity scene and a menorah. The seasonal battle over religious symbols in public places has begun. For years, a menorah and a life-sized scene of Jesus' nativity have stood in Boca's Sanborn Park without remark. But this year, Preston Smith, a schoolteacher for Palm Beach County Schools, decided he's had enough. He put up the 300-pound, 10-foot pentagram. "This monument to Satan … serves as a sacred memorial for the countless freethinking heretics, heroic heathens and brave blasphemers brutally burned alive at the stake in city squares by righteous believers not long ago," Smith said. "Love trumps hate." After giving Smith the permit to put the pentagram up, the city of Boca Raton declined to guard Smith's display as requested. And local religious leaders applied for a banner to counter Smith's counter display. The banner is going up before Wednesday's planned Christmas parade in Boca Raton. "The use of satanic symbols is offensive and harmful to our community's well-being," the banner will say, according to city records. "We find it a shameful and hypocritical way to advocate for freedom from religion." The Rev. Andrew Sherman, rector of St. Gregory's Episcopal Church, and Rabbi David Steinhardt, senior rabbi at the B'nai Torah Congregation, put together the effort to counter the satanic symbol as co-convenors of the Boca Raton Interfaith Clergy Association. Sherman said it's the first time in his 11 years in Boca that he's seen anything like this display to counter the Jewish and Christian symbols. He said he doesn't think satanic symbols are something to take lightly. "I want the community to hear that I consider that [satanic imagery] harmful and want to offer a warning and a statement to the community as such," he said. Smith said there's nothing harmful about his message. "Atheistic satanists stand for everything that Satan loves: life, liberty and love." The Festivus pole erected this year by activist Chaz Stevens will be taken down. (Photo courtesy of Chaz Stevens) Meanwhile, Chaz Stevens' fourth year erecting a Festivus Pole in Deerfield's area for public seasonal displays has upset city officials, he said. Festivus was a fake holiday popularized by the TV comedy "Seinfeld" as an alternative to the commercialism of Christmas. Stevens said officials told him the city is taking the pole down — because they think it crosses a line into politics that isn't appropriate next to a menorah and a creche. He put up the the same display in Delray Beach. "This is egregious. This is preposterous and a clear violation of my constitutional rights," said Stevens, whose first Festivus Pole went viral and received national exposure. "It shall not stand." Deerfield city officials did not provide official comment Tuesday other than to confirm that the pole will come down. Stevens said someone cut the extension cord that lit his pole. His is the only symbol that is in the dark when night falls, he said. Latest South Florida News He pointed out that last year's pole, with a disco ball and a gay pride flag on the pole, elicited no problems like this year's, even though it was a comment on the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in favor of gay marriage. This year, he's calling it a Distrestivus Pole, to symbolize what he considers a nation in distress after a majority of voters picked a president who did not win. "How is this year's pole about politics and not last year's?" he asked. "They are enforcing a viewpoint." Sherman, the clergyman, Boca Raton, said he'd trade the pentagram for the Donald Trump display. "Something like that is maybe a little more comical and ludicrous," he said. "I wouldn't find that spiritually harmful to the community." ageggis@sunsentinel.com, 561-243-6624 or @AnneBoca FGCU secures volleyball championship with dramatic comeback	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15441
__label__wiki	0.744721	0.744721	TOOLS MISSING FROM CONSTRUCTION SITE Tools and other items valued at about $9,400 were stolen Tuesday night from a construction site in the 2200 block of West Glades Road, police said. The tools were stored in three locked sheds on the construction site, police said. The thieves apparently used heavy-duty bolt cutters to cut chains locking the doors. The stolen items included pneumatic chippers, drills, saws and a radio, police said. FURNISHINGS TAKEN FROM CONDO LOBBY A coffee table and a potted plant were stolen Tuesday night from the lobby of Boca Teeca Condominium No. 7, police said. The coffee table was valued at $500, the plant at $125, police said.A man walking from Delray Lanes near the corner of Southwest Sixth Avenue and First Street was robbed and beaten Wednesday night. Police said the man was jumped from behind by two men who wrestled him to the ground. One man punched the victim in the face several times while the other bandit took his wallet, which contained about $400. Police said the man received several facial cuts and bruises. THIEF ENTERS HOME THROUGH UNLOCKED WINDOW About $80 in cash was taken from a home on the 100 block of Northwest Sixth Avenue Wednesday night. Police said the thief entered the home through an unlocked bathroom window. The cash was taken from a bedroom in the home.A man attempting to break into Cater's Furniture, 1640 N. Federal Highway, in an unincorporated area of Delray Beach, was scared away when he saw someone watching him, according to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office report. The witness said a man broke the glass in the door to the shop Wednesday night, but then got in his car when he realized he was being watched and drove south on Dixie Highway with his lights off, the report said.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15442
__label__wiki	0.500142	0.500142	Home > Reviews reviewed paper: Many, M.C., Denef, J.F., Hamudi, S. and S. Haumont (1986) Increased follicular heterogeneity in experimental colloid goiter produced by refeeding iodine excess after thyroid hyperplasia. Endocrinology, Feb;118(2):637-44. The authors of this manuscript (Many et al., 1986) used unbiased stereology along with autoradiography to look at microscopic changes in the hyperplastic thyroid gland of the mouse. Morphological parameters examined were percent by volume of colloid, percent by volume of the cuboidal epithelium that surrounds the colloid, number of follicles, radius of the follicular lumen, and height of the cuboidal epithelial cells. After low iodine diet, the morphology of a hyperplastic goiter was present (Many et al., table 1). Thyroid weight went up. The percent of the thyroid volume made up of colloid went down while the volume fraction and height of the cuboidal epithelium increased. Morphology returned to normal when moderate levels of iodine were reintroduced to the diet. But when rich levels of iodine were reintroduced instead, the morphology came to resemble a colloid goiter. Thyroid weight remained high, but for different reasons. The volume fraction of the colloid went up even beyond control levels and the mean number of follicles increased, while the epithelial volume fraction and height decreased. The percent of follicles that showed decreased uptake of radioactive iodine also increased as compared to control groups when the mice were reintroduced to rich levels of iodine. The methods section (Many et al., 1986, p. 638, Stereological procedure) records that all techniques were as described before in a paper from five years earlier (Denef, et al., 1981, p. 2353, Morphology and morphometric analysis, second paragraph). Point counting is used to estimate the volume fraction (percent by volume) of the colloid and epithelium (Area Fraction Fractionator). This probe is a well-established, good choice to use to estimate volume fraction. There is no explanation of how follicle number is estimated in either paper. Most likely, cross sections of follicles were counted. This technique, carried out on single thin (one micron) sections, is biased; a leading edge must be identified in order to count particles without bias, and therefore a three dimensional situation is required, meaning a disector must be used. To estimate the number of follicles using unbiased stereology, the physical fractionator could be used (Fig. 1). Thin contiguous sections are compared and if a cross-section of a follicle is present in the first (reference) and also in the second (lookup section; blue arrow shows direction of counting) section the follicle is not counted (two examples are shown in Fig. 1). But if the follicle is present in the first but not the second cross-section, the leading edge of the follicle has been found and it is counted (see follicle labeled ‘counted’ in Fig. 1). A problem that may arise is that there may be no way to know if the second cross section is part of the follicle detected in the first cross section or if it is part of another follicle. This is because the follicles are packed in so tightly together. Therefore it may be better to use the optical fractionator (Fig. 2). Instead of two thin sections as for the physical fractionator, a thick section is used. If estimating the number of cells a section about thirty microns thick and an oil lens that can resolve very thin optical planes are used. For these larger particles that are much bigger than cells, a 40x air objective used on a thicker section will give a thicker focal plane (Fig. 2), appropriate for finding the tops of follicles but too thick to resolve the tops of cells. There is also no mention in either paper of how cross sections were picked for the measurement of their radii. This assay could be replaced by the nucleator that we recommend for estimating the volume of the individual follicles. The probe requires isotropic sections unless it could be shown that the follicles themselves are arranged isotropically. It needs to be used in conjunction with a disector and it can be carried out locally while the optical or physical fractionator is being used globally. Systematic random sampling is used as it usually is with all unbiased stereology probes. For a description of the technique used to estimate the height or thickness of the cuboidal cell layer, the referenced paper (Denef, et al., 1981, p. 2353, Morphology and morphometric analysis, second paragraph) refers us to a third paper (Weibel and Knight, 1964). However, Weibel and Knight give two methods in their paper; a technique for estimating the arithmetic mean thickness (Weibel and Knight, equation 13, Fig. 8, and p. 373, PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE MEASURING PRINCIPLES: second paragraph) and a technique for estimating the harmonic mean barrier thickness (Weibel and Knight, equation 23, Fig. 7 and p. 373, PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF THE MEASURING PRINCIPLES: third paragraph)**. The authors of the manuscript being reviewed here (Many et al.) do not indicate what method was used. We recommend using another newer method that has been used to determine membrane thickness in lung and placenta called Orthogonal Intercepts. This paper (Many et al.) demonstrates a difference between the microscopic morphology and metabolism of the thyroid gland when a low iodine diet that causes a hyperplastic goiter is changed to either a moderate or rich iodine diet. The qualitative conclusions regarding volume fraction are evident from the photomicrographs and the quantitative conclusions regarding volume fraction can be trusted to be free of bias based on the point-counting technique used (Area Fraction Fractionator). Statements regarding quantitative changes in the height of the epithelium however would be stronger if the unbiased stereological probe used was better identified. Qualitative and quantitative results regarding the number of follicles are subject to bias here, specifically over-counting, as a disector was not used (Physical Fractionator, Optical Fractionator). Denef, J.F., Haumont, S., Cornette, C. and C. Beckers (1981) Correlated functional and morphometric study of thyroid hyperplasia induced by iodine deficiency. Endocrinology, Jun;108(6):2352-8. Many, M.C., Denef, J.F., Hamudi, S. and S. Haumont (1986) Increased follicular heterogeneity in experimental colloid goiter produced by refeeding iodine excess after thyroid hyperplasia. Endocrinology, Feb;118(2):637-44. Weibel, E.R. and B.W. Knight (1964) A morphometric study on the thickness of the pulmonary air-blood barrier. J. Cell Biol., 21, 367-96. (after Many et al., Fig. 8) In this diagram the membrane or slab of tissue whose thickness we are estimating is green. Measuring line segments (shown in red, note that their endpoints form a hexagonal point network) are superimposed on the tissue to estimate the arithmetic mean thickness: arithmetic mean thickness = [z p] \ 2n (Many et al., equation 13) z = length of measuring line segments (red) p = number of line segment ends that fall on the membrane (black circles) n = number of intersections of the (red) measuring lines with the membrane (black arrows) In the same lattice, dotted lines are superimposed on the tissue (dotted lines are horizontal and black) to be used in estimating the harmonic mean barrier thickness: the number of dots that traverse each membrane thickness is used to estimate the length of each transverse (for one example, see the yellow rectangle): harmonic mean barrier thickness = 2/3 * lh (Many et al., equation 23) lh = harmonic mean of all the estimated lengths of dotted lines that cut across the membrane (see rectangle) For a more modern probe that has been used to estimate membrane thickness in placenta and lung, please see Orthogonal Intercepts.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15445
__label__wiki	0.990729	0.990729	Thanks for reading. Subscribe or log in to continue. Support local journalism for 99¢ Log in or Activate your account. Thanks for being a regular reader! Subscribe now to keep reading Full access to STLtoday.com and the award-winning journalism Faster-loading pages with no more surveys Exclusive subscriber-only newsletters Access to the daily e-Edition Cancel your subscription at any time. Subscribe for 99¢ 2019 Pulitzer Prize STL by the numbers Go! Entertainment Brand Ave. Studios Stories of Honor BenFred: Read his chat Q-&-A on Cardinals' concerns, Blues' issues, other STL sports topics Everything announced at Apple's big event By Heather Kelly, CNN Business Apple is making movies, TV shows and ... a credit card. CEO Tim Cook and a roster of big-name celebrities, including Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey, announced the company's much-anticipated entrance into the crowded video-streaming market at a press event Monday afternoon inside the underground Steve Jobs theatre at its Cupertino, California, headquarters. The company is producing its own lineup of films and TV shows that will be available via an updated version of the company's TV app on Apple devices. It is working with a number of existing streaming services, such as HBO, Starz and Showtime, to flesh out what's available there, in addition to its own streaming subscription. The company also announced its own mostly-digital credit card and a subscription magazine option for its news app. As expected, Apple is launching a streaming service called Apple TV+. It announced a number of original shows for the ad-free original-video subscription service coming this fall, but it did not reveal a price. The company had former Sony executives Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg, whom Apple hired away two years ago, on stage to announce the company's original content investment. Then the stars showed up after a dramatic black and white video featuring Ron Howard, Octavia Spencer, Reese Witherspoon, J.J. Abrams, M. Night Shyamalan, Sofia Coppola, Steven Spielberg and Hailee Steinfeld discussed the process of making movies and TV. Spielberg first appeared on stage, followed by Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell and Jennifer Aniston who were promoting their new Apple series, "The Morning Show." (Full disclosure: CNN's Brian Stelter is a consultant on "The Morning Show.") Meanwhile, actors Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard announced a show called See about a world where everyone is blind after an apocalypse. "The Apple platform allows me to do what I do in a whole new way," said Oprah, who is working on two documentaries for the service. Apple is reportedly spending $1 billion a year on shows and movies from the Hollywood heavyweights. Apple TV Channels That original content is one flashy part of Apple's overall video strategy. The company is updating its TV app and adding access to various cable and streaming subscription services, which will live in one place. The Apple TV app has been redesigned to look similar to other popular streaming services like Netflix with vertical carousels of content and recommended things to watch next. There are tabs on the top for Watch Now, Movies, TV shows, Sports, Family and Library. Shows from each service you subscribe to — including Hulu and Prime Video, but notably not Netflix — will appear as if they're all part of the same service, side by side. The new version will roll out as a software update in May and as a new app on Macs in the fall. Peter Stern, vice president of Services at Apple, speaks during a company product launch event on March 25, 2019, in Cupertino, Calif. Michael Short/Getty Images Apple also announced it was overhauling its news app, which Cook said is the number one news app in the world. He did not clarify if that number relates to readers or downloads. Now called Apple News+, the app is adding more than 300 magazine subscriptions for a monthly subscription price of $9.99. Cook touted the news app's human editors and tightly-controlled selection of news outlets as something that sets it apart from other online news sources — a pointed comment during a time when other tech companies have been criticized for helping spread misinformation. Apple also said the app would not allow advertisers to track readers. Apple is partnering with Goldman Sachs to make its own credit card due out this summer — no plastic required. Apple Card will be available on all iOS devices in the Wallet app. It has a rewards system that adds 2 percent of any Apple Pay purchase amount directly back to the Apple wallet as cash. The deposits are made daily, and the reward goes up to 3 percent for purchases of Apple products and down to 1 percent for purchases made with the physical card. Every purchase needs a fingerprint or face-identification confirmation. For privacy reasons, Apple said it doesn't track where payments are made or for how much. The budgeting features are done on device, and Apple said it will not sell user information to third-parties. An optional physical card is available, but in typical Apple fashion, it's a laser-etched titanium rectangle. Apple likes to be minimalistic when it comes to design, so there is no expiration date, card number or security code on the card — only in the app. Cook said he believed the card would be "the most significant change in the credit card experience in 50 years." Apple will offer a new ad-free subscription gaming service called Apple Arcade, which lets users access more than 100 games exclusive or new to Apple. The service will be available this fall in 150 countries. The company did not announce any pricing. The games will need to be downloaded, but users will be able to stop a game on one device and pick it up at the same spot on another. Weekday updates on the latest news in the St. Louis business community. Error: Please try again later Thanks! * Today's Newspaper Ads Ladue News St. Louis Best Bridal STL High School Sports National Breaking News	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15450
__label__wiki	0.563179	0.563179	El Dorado County hashes out plan to confront pot concerns Local \| December 8, 2014 Griffin Rogers griffin@tahoedailytribune.com SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — A little more than a year after passing a county ordinance allowing outdoor medical marijuana grows under certain restrictions, El Dorado County Supervisors on Tuesday discussed whether or not to repeal the law and possibly issue a ban. The majority of supervisors seemingly opposed the immediate revocation of the ordinance since the board voted unanimously to organize a committee to discuss the situation further, instead of nixing what they currently have. However, Supervisor Ron Briggs, who originally helped form County Ordinance 5000, said without a repeal, he doesn’t know how the county will turn around its escalating pot problem. “In affect, politically speaking, we stuck a sign out on our borders of El Dorado County and we said ‘we’re open for business,’ that we are a ‘pot-friendly’ county,” he said of the ordinance’s passage last year. “And I don’t believe that’s really what this board intended to do.” El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini presented a video at the meeting that laid out exactly what he and Briggs believed to be the problem, which is that the ordinance informally labels the county as “weed-friendly” to outsiders. Because of this, many people come from outside of the area to start illegal grows, D’Agostini said. In fact, about seven out of 10 marijuana-related arrests are out-of-county residents. There has also been a rise in marijuana reports at schools since the ordinance passed, he said, as well as other concerning indicators in the county. However, many of the community members who stood in the packed meeting room Tuesday claimed that while some cultivators are operating outside of legal means, many are not. And many, like Joyce Carter, said they need marijuana for medical purposes and would have a hard time getting it without the ordinance. “You take that right away from me to grow my own medicine and you will kill me,” Carter told the supervisors, “in a very horrible, painful way. At least (with marijuana) I have some relief.” But not everyone in the audience was in support of the ordinance. Others spoke about the effects outdoor cultivation has had on county neighborhoods, including the smell pot grows can emit and the difficulty selling a house in a pot-centric location. All in all, there was more than two and a half hours of public testimony. In the end, though, all five supervisors agreed that a committee should be formed to evaluate the ordinance further, with Board Chairwoman Norma Santiago calling the vote. “I personally think a repeal of this ordinance is way, way too premature,” Santiago said before the decision. “We obviously have a problem, and I’m not sure the problem we’re experiencing is totally as a result of the existing ordinance.” In other county business, supervisors heard public concerns earlier in the board meeting about the county’s looming financial crisis and reports of layoffs, which Auditor-Controller Joe Harn explained were possible in an October interview regarding the budget gap. After comments concluded, county supervisors and staff addressed some of those concerns. Interim CAO Pamela Knorr said the county is working on the budget and “getting to a model where there is more stability or certainty.” “I imagine there’ll probably be a little pinch point, a little pain along the way, as we make that adjustment,” she said. “But the CAO staff and the auditor are working to come up with figures to provide to the board in the near future.” Supervisor Ron Briggs also commented on the matter, saying the board has never uttered the words “layoffs” or “budget cuts” so any employees concerned can “assuage their fears.” “I don’t know who’s saying what, but whoever’s saying it should shut their mouth because they’re not speaking for this board,” he said. “This board speaks out here, the five of us, on a vote, and anything short of what we say here is not county policy.” Santiago also briefly discussed the Draft Meyers Area plan, letting people know it is still on supervisors’ minds. “The board is very cognizant of the desires that came out, and the action that was taken out, on Oct. 28 with regards to having a board workshop on the Draft Meyers Area Plan,” she said. However, transitions in the board and county, time restrictions with the staff, and an “unwillingness of some part of some groups to actually come to the table once again” led to the decision to continue the item off calendar.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15461
__label__cc	0.66262	0.33738	Tag - News Newspaper makes stupid typo on Julia Roberts Headline Often typos cause a lot of embarrassment. Typos are mostly caused during the day to day commute... News • Social Networks • Tech Facebook Founder Mark’s New AI Project – Jarvis... Everyone has different new year resolutions. Ever wondered? What are the resolutions of... iPhone 7 Plus release date, leaked pictures and features to be... iPhone 7 a much anticipated product of this year. A lot of eyes want to see that what Apple had... Android • News Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge has been announced – Nicer... Samsung has just announced its new flagship phones. The previous one Galaxy S5 had boring looks and... Tech • Windows Not Well Known Windows 10 Features which are Amazing It has been a few days that the unveiling of the major components contained with in Windows 10 has... New Version of Android 5.0 Lollipop Features It has been a while that the new version of Android 5.0 Lollipop has rolled out, although more then...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15463
__label__wiki	0.975371	0.975371	Wedlock breaks gridlock in NY By Michael Gormley THE ASSOCIATED PRESS How did New York lawmakers, long known for their decades of late budgets and partisan gridlock, manage to pull off a generational milestone such as legalizing gay marriage? Friday night�s victory for gay marriage advocates was the product of changing public attitudes, and a political campaign that was more sophisticated, better funded and armed with more tenacious muscle � in the person of Gov. Andrew Cuomo � than a similar push that failed just two years ago. Advocates spent more than $1 million trying to persuade legislators, much of it in the last two months. They targeted their publicity campaign at a dozen vulnerable or fence-sitting senators. Most of the cash came from what one lobbyist called an �unlimited� source: wealthy contributors in Manhattan and nationwide. The Human Rights Campaign, part of a coalition of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender groups, delivered more than 53,000 post cards and made more than 11,000 phone calls from constituents to their senators. Phone banks ran twice a week, one featuring former first daughter Chelsea Clinton. She was just one of a string of celebrities, from Lady Gaga to former New York Giants great Michael Strahan, who peppered the public with gay-marriage messages. Gay marriage advocates hired 30 full-time field organizers to press their case. Other critical hires were lobbying firms that specialized in Republican politics, a mix that opened doors in the Republican-controlled Senate. The opponents of gay marriage weren�t unarmed, just less so. For example, while groups opposed to gay marriage spent less than $100,000 on a TV ad buy in June, the gay marriage coalition spent more than $400,000, according to the Human Rights Campaign. A $1 million commitment from a national group opposed to gay marriage just didn�t seem to register as loudly in Albany. �Marriage equality prevailed in New York because of the governor�s decisive leadership, the bipartisan support of New Yorkers, and an aggressive ground game, which ensured senators heard loud and clear, on a daily basis and in very personal ways, from constituents,� said Kevin Nix of the Human Rights Campaign. Cuomo resurrected the gay marriage push. It crashed in 2009 in what was then a Democrat-controlled Senate, taking the national momentum with it, and couldn�t get off the ground a year later even after then-Gov. David Paterson defined gay marriage as a civil right. Cuomo had directed his skilled top aide, Steven Cohen, to bring the usually disparate groups together and plot the kind of strategy that won Cuomo the governor�s office while rolling up political wins in his first months in office. �He�s a shrewd politician, and I have to say with a certain amount of envy and admiration,� said New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan. �But you talk about twisting arms, you talk about using every political trick in the book; he�s doing it effectively.� A lack of resources is part of the lament of the Baptists, ultra-orthodox Jewish leaders, Christians and Catholics who led much of the opposition. They were unable to hire the lobbyists who are the fiber of Albany. They lacked the support of a statewide elected official willing to use his or her position as a bully pulpit. They seemed to have little but their strong voices carrying hymns through the Senate hallways every day to counter one of the most powerful forces Albany has seen. But it wasn�t just a political fight. New Yorkers changed, and the money and politics followed. The June Quinnipiac University poll found 58 percent of New York voters supported the legalization of same-sex marriage. It�s been a fast-growing position since 2004, when 66 percent of New Yorkers opposed gay marriage.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15473
__label__cc	0.5609	0.4391	Copenhagen: Søren Kierkegaard's legacy lives on Joggers trotted around the graveyard, cyclists whizzed by; fairy tales, fit urbanites, foodie fads â€“ the Danish capital is always in danger of slipping into tweeness Chris Moss, Destination expert 3 May 2013 • 12:00am It was a misty, struggling spring day when I landed for a weekend break in Copenhagen. There was something distinctly Kierkegaardian about the atmosphere. Søren Kierkegaard, whose bicentennial the city is celebrating from May 5, is known as the father of existentialism, the philosopher of anxiety and the scourge of the church. A man who preferred the shade to sunshine, in the popular imagination he was gloomy and hard to please. But even in his darkest moments, he found that a good walk could do wonders. "Every day, I walk myself into a state of well-being," he wrote. "I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it." With this in mind, I joined Christian Holm Donatzky, a tour guide, for a walk around the sights associated with the city's gloomiest philosopher. Setting off from the statue of Absalon, the 12th-century founder of Copenhagen, we passed the Rosenborg Palace chapel, the royal stables and the Court Theatre and made our way to the beautiful garden of the Royal Library. Christian managed to combine history and biography with summaries of Kierkegaard's ideas. In the mid-Eighties I studied the philosopher as part of a theology degree, and had often wondered about the life that lay behind his radical views on faith, despair, sin and the self. Now I learnt that young Søren had lost his mother and five of his brothers and sisters by the time he reached university; books with titles like The Sickness unto Death, and Fear and Trembling suddenly made more sense. The statue in the library garden shows Kierkegaard sitting awkwardly on a chair, with a book in his hand and several more cluttered about his feet. He looks like a handsome but troubled young man. Famously, he broke off his engagement with a local girl, Regine Ølsen, and this, compounded with persistent attacks from a local satirical periodical, The Corsair, must have almost broken him. He moved house with alarming frequency; Christian showed us several of the apartments he rented, including one he particularly disliked because it was too bright and airy. Gastronomic Copenhagen, which sometimes seems like the sort of secular religion Kierkegaard would have derided, has co-opted his legacy in the shape of Søren K, an ultra-smart restaurant inside the Black Diamond library complex. Next door is a surprisingly funky room where you can see his handwriting in a diary and a manuscript of one of his books. For many of us, short city breaks are largely about eating, drinking and perhaps a bit of window-shopping. Kierkegaard would not have been amused. He condemned the "contemptible order of things where one lives in order to eat and drink instead of eating and drinking in order to live". While I toured the coffee shops and sampled the New Danish Cuisine (some of it delicious, much of it overpriced and pretentious), and the reassuringly expensive artisanal beers, it was the Kierkegaard theme that provided a focus and some brain food. Rasmus Quistgaard, the director of the bicentennial events, has thought about this. "You have on the one hand the clichéd Copenhagen of the blonde girl on her bicycle having a beer on the Nyhavn," he says. "At the other extreme you have Borgen and The Killing and a dark, gothic city. I think Kierkegaard offers a range of characters that fill the gap between these opposites." When you wander the streets of the royal quarter and off the Strøget with the voices of Kierkegaard and his many pseudonyms in your mind, the city comes alive. In the National Gallery I stuck to the rooms dedicated to 19th-century Danish and Norwegian art, imagining Copenhagen as Kierkegaard might have experienced it. He rarely travelled, and loved his city: "It is the most favourable habitat I could wish for," he wrote. "Big enough to be a major city, small enough that there is no market price on human beings." (Photo by C Moss/K Miller) On the morning of my departure, I visited the Assistens cemetery. Kierkegaard's name was engraved on a plain tomb alongside those of his family. Five minutes' walk away was the rather more ostentatious headstone of Copenhagen's other A-list author, Hans Christian Andersen. Joggers trotted around the graveyard, cyclists whizzed by; fairy tales, fit urbanites, foodie fads – the Danish capital is always in danger of slipping into tweeness. But I never did like that Danny Kaye song and was glad I'd spent a weekend in the company of Kierkegaard's ghosts. I made my way towards the metro station, on foot, just as he might have done, though I stayed on the sunny side of the street. EasyJet (easyjet.com) flies to Copenhagen from Bristol, Stansted, Gatwick and Edinburgh. Ibsens Hotel (Vendersgade 23, Norreport; 0045 3395 7744; brochner-hotels.dk). Arty hotel with a good gin bar, and free wine tastings at 5pm. Doubles from £122 per night, room only. Where to eat and drink Søren K (Søren Kierkegaards Plads 1; 3347 4949; soerenk.dk). Try cured veal tongue or Norwegian lobster and the Snickers cake at the Black Diamond library's in-house restaurant. Aamanns (Øster Farimagsgade 12; 3555 3310; aamanns.dk). One of the best new-style places for herring smørrebrød (open sandwiches) and schnapps. Det lille Apotek (Store Kannikestræde 15; 3312 5606; detlilleapotek.dk). Open since 1720 – and almost certainly a place where Kierkegaard dined – this cosy restaurant serves delicious hash, cured meats, herrings and shrimps. Kierkegaard walk Do a guided walk with Christian Holm Donatzky at History Tours (2849 4435; historytours.dk); Kierkegaard walks every Saturday at 10am from August 3 to September 28 and private tours all year round. See kierkegaard2013.dk for this year's events and visitcopenhagen.com and visitdenmark.co.uk for general information. The Best Hotels In Copenhagen 9 Telegraph expert rating A Copenhagen landmark, the d’Angleterre is an historic grande dame hotel brought bang up to date ... Read expert review From £ 356 inc. tax Nimb Hotel Nimb impresses on all fronts, from its fairy-tale façade and amusement park location to the impec... Read expert review Rates provided by Hotel Herman K This striking five-star hotel is a welcome addition to the Copenhagen hotel scene, combining a ce... Read expert review The best hostels in Copenhagen, including shuffleboard, beer pong and tattoo parlours The best budget hotels in Copenhagen, from hip locations to secret courtyards Is this the future of eco-friendly skiing? Chemmy Alcott takes to the slopes on the roof of a green power plant 48 hours in . . . Brussels, an insider guide to the comic capital of Europe 27 Dec 2019, 10:00am The 50 best boutique hotels in Europe Copenhagen City Breaks Escorted tours Explore great destinations with inspiring itineraries and knowledgeable guides See Europe with Telegraph Travel Book via Telegraph Travel Last-minute hotel and restaurant deals from Telegraph Travel Exclusive Offers. Check Telegraph-recommended flights & hotels partnered with lastminute.com Book flight + hotel Use our interactive tool to search more than 6,500 tried, tested and recommended hotels. Denmark latest 15 Sep 2016, 11:30am Move over Melbourne – this is really the world’s most ‘liveable’ city Faroe Islands appeals to Google with launch of 'Sheep View' 31 May 2016, 10:30am Battle of Jutland: The North Sea reveals its secrets 16 Mar 2016, 10:16am Denmark regains title of 'world's happiest country' 29 Nov 2015, 12:00am Aarhus: Denmark's new culinary capital 14 Oct 2015, 11:17am Århus: cruise port guide Copenhagen: cruise port guide 04 Aug 2015, 12:00am Viking Star cancels cruise following engine problems Sofie Gråbøl's Copenhagen: My Kind of Town Copenhagen: a guide to the best shops, hotels and restaurants Copenhagen traffic wardens to become tour guides Copenhagen by the owner of Noma, the world's best restaurant 15 Apr 2014, 12:00am Shakespeare's Danish links Denmark: a fairy-tale land where the Vikings once wandered Denmark: Bornholm, a Danish paradise Don Warrington's Copenhagen: My Kind of Town Copenhagen's trendy Nørrebro district: a tour Aarhus, Denmark: a cultural city guide Cruises: a classic clipper to Copenhagen Skagen, Denmark: away from it all	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15474
__label__wiki	0.715973	0.715973	Funes Mori into Copa America final with Albiceleste Omar Torres/AFP/Getty Images Everton will have a representative in the final of the Copa America Centenario after Ramiro Funes Mori's Argentina thrashed the United States 4-0 in Houston. The under-strength Americans were facing a Herculean task against the free-scoring Albiceleste and a fully-recovered Lionel Messi from the outset and they fell behind as early as the third minute when the world's best player was left in acres of space at a corner to dink the ball over for Ezequiel Levezzi to loop a header past Brad Guzan. Messi himself then doubled the advantage when he swept an unstoppable, "postage stamp" free kick into the top corner that grazed the underside of the bar to make it 2-0 at half-time. In doing so, he surpassed Gabriel Bastituta as Argentina's leading all-time goalscorer with 55. Two became three as many minutes into the second half when Gonzalo Higuain stole in behind the offside trap to collect a cross and convert at the second attempt after Guzan and parried his initial shot. And Messi unselfishly served a second on a plate for the Napoli striker later in the half, cutting the ball across for Higuain to fire home and make it 4-0. Largely untroubled by Jurgen Klinsmann's team who struggled to mount anything meaningful going forward for most of the game, Funes Mori looked comfortable in a back three alongside Nicolas Otemendi and Marcos Rojo and he almost got in on the scoring action himself at the other end but couldn't connect with a corner in the second half. Argentina will face either Colombia or Chile in the final in New Jersey while the US will play the loser of the other semi-final in Arizona on Saturday in the third-place match. Darren Hind Fair play to him. A massive feather in his cap if they win it. On another note; what is it with the Yanks? They were shocking. It seems every time they look like taking their game to another level, they produce a generation of second raters. You would think a country with sport so ingrained into its DNA, would want to take the global game by the scruff of the neck. I know a lot of them are passionate about the beautiful game, but it seems the overwhelming majority are never going to give a shit. Well done Ramiro. Great to think Everton will be represented in the Copa America final. Let's hope he comes back with a winner's medal. It can only be good for our international profile to have him in our team. Not many clubs around the world can boast a Copa America winner as one of their own. Of course they still have to win it, but their attack is on fire, Messi in particular and they must be favourites to pick up the trophy. The Copa has certainly been more exciting to watch than the Euros and can't see England going much further. I doubt any of the England squad would get anywhere near the Argentinian squad, so perhaps those who continue to belittle Funes Mori will give him a break and maybe realise that some of his less than perfect displays last season were to a great extent caused like those of all our defenders, by the hapless coaching methods and tactics of our joke of a former manager. Under a properly coached regime it's fair to say he has flourished at the Copa. Paul Conway Even if they don't win the cup, Funes Mori has gained increible (Spanish for incredible!) experience. I would not be surprised if he becomes our future Captain. That's the problem though Darren, because you can't get anymore global, than "THE WORLD SERIES" Anthony Dwyer Great news, im expecting big things from Mori this season. I bet you every defender on Everton's books, can't wait to get back to work this summer Anthony. It's summer time, so I don't really think about the footy as much now, but it's when you realise, that this team, is going to go back to defending as a unit, then next season could bring real hope. I like Mori, because he plays like he wants to win. He's done some stupid things, but haven't all our defenders in the last 12 months? But its hard not to, when it seems like it's been, every man for themselves at times. This is why I'm warming to Koeman's appointment right now. David Pearl Hmm so sell lukaku for 60m, and buy that new kid Messi for 150m. And still have 10 spare! Andy Mack A footballing lesson to Team USA who were lucky not to have Guzan and Dempsey sent off. Argentina are really on fire and there was just no answer. Thankful it isn't a world cup year as I think they'd walk it. Lavezzi took a tumble over the advertising boards that our own Dickie Wright would have been proud. Hope Chile get through that would set up a cracking final. Olalekan Taofik Good for Funes Mori and Good for Everton too. You always walk head-high telling people that your players are in a medal-winning team and we are proud of his achievement and others in Euro 2016. Wishing Funes Mori the very best in the finals. Join me in singing: "Everton, Everton, Everton. Everton is the best football club in the world......" Sing it to the high heaven. Tony(#4); The name "World Series" actually came about as that was the name of the newspaper that either sponsored or came up with the name for that Baseball competition. Dennis Ng Andy 9, based on form, it will be Chile vs Argentina. Good for our lad Mori. Brian 2, Tony 7, I like his attitude too. He seems like he owned that CB position in Argentina so far, so he will be in the WC 2 years from now barring injury and dramatic loss of form. Hopefully he will be a replicate his international form with us over the next few years. Clarence Yurcan Darren #1, it will happen albeit slowly. Think about the fact we didn't even qualify for a World Cup between 1950-1990; getting to a Copa America semi is a good feat for us. The weird thing is, for decades, soccer has been a hugely popular youth sport here; I read somewhere it was the second most played youth sport in the US after American-style football. And this isn't a new development, growing up in the 80s I was a (very poor) goalkeeper and youth soccer was huge, many many kids played, and this was an era when we didn't even have a domestic league to watch. I guess the thing is many don't keep up with it into their teens. I think its something the USSF is trying to change. Our centre backs are Funes Mori and John Stones, surely Ronald will get a tune out of them. The future is bright, the future is blue. Take your pick Alan J. I was going to call them insular, but how could they be, with such a dramatic name! Julian Wait Argentina were a class apart and they're probably ruing the fact it's not a World Cup this year. They're almost unplayable. Paul Andrews This lad will develop into a top class defender. After acclimatising to the pace and 100 mph of the Premier League he will be a better player. All defenders who come to play in the Premier League from overseas take a while to settle in. I remember watching Desailly, one of the best defenders of all time, making his debut. If I recall, it was against Coventry (Dion Dublin?); he was all over the place, looked like he had never kicked a ball. Mick Davies Giving Everton a higher profile in Argentina. May be able to persuade any new Messi to try Finch Farm and the great Everton FC Kim Vivian Alan - that would probably be "World" series then. Go Mori. Go Argentina. Bring it home for EFC! I'm pleased for the lad, just can't help thinking one of the European "Giants" will be in for him this summer. Vamos Chile! - the final should be a cracking watch.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15480
__label__wiki	0.920728	0.920728	September movie releases in Japan: The Wolverine, Unforgiven and more by MatthewEditor In recent years summer schedules have been dominated by comic book heroes and sequels to established franchises, but 2013 has seen an explosion in stand alone sci-fi. We’ve already had the likes of Oblivion, Pacific Rim, After Earth and World War Z and there’s no slowing down this September with a fresh blast of original titles. by Christopher O’Keeffe \| Above image: Tao Okamoto and Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine The Wolverine – out Sept 13 Arguably the most popular X-man, Wolverine benefitted from a strong screen presence in the form of Hugh Jackman up until his first solo outing, the disappointing X-men Origins: Wolverine. This latest effort, The Wolverine, hasn’t had the easiest time in development, the original director Darren Aronofsky dropped out after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, causing delays, but Wolverine’s finally back – claws sharpened and ready. Based on a popular 1982 storyline, the film sees the feral Wolverine come right here to Japan to face off against old friends and enemies and inevitably battle a few samurai and ninja along the way. The film has an abundance of Japanese talent in the cast, headed by love interest Mariko, played by popular model Tao Okamoto (who we met earlier in the year), and deadly assassin Yukio (fellow model and actress Rira Fukushima). James Mangold – the prolific filmmaker behind such hits as Knight and Day, 3:10 to Yuma and Walk the Line – was the man to take over in the director’s chair. Elysium – out Sept 20 Elysium is the long awaited second feature from District 9 director Neill Blomkamp. In the year 2054, the overpopulated and ravaged Earth is orbited by the space station Elysium, home to the super wealthy that can afford to leave Earth behind. Matt Damon in Elysium Matt Damon stars as Max, a man belonging to the lower classes who takes on a mission that will take him to the space station and possibly bring it down. To do this he’ll be up against Jodie Foster’s Elysium minister, Delacourt, and District 9 breakthrough star Sharlto Copley, an immigrant hunting mercenary. Blomkamp scored a huge hit with his politically conscious, apartheid-referencing debut feature and Elysium promises to tread similar ground. With its themes of class and immigration, this could be the thinking-man’s hit of the summer. Upside Down – out Sept 7 Exploring similar themes to Elysium, though in a slightly different context, Upside Down sees the rich and poor separated onto two opposite planets with gravities that pull in opposing directions. Living on the lower, poor world is Adam, who as a youth falls in love with Eden despite their living a world apart. Their love is doomed to fail, but years later, when Adam catches a glimpse of Eden on television, he promises to do the impossible and enter the affluent upper world to find his love. This romantic science fiction was written and directed by Argentinian Juan Salanos. Upside Down offers a softer, romantic alternative to the explosive action of Elysium. Unforgiven – out Sept 13 There’s a history of Japanese and American cinema inspiring and borrowing from each other dating back to Kurosawa’s John Ford homages and the subsequent remakes they inspired. This grand tradition is continuing today, as this month sees the release of the Japanese remake of Clint Eastwood’s classic Western, Unforgiven (Japanese title Yurusarezaru mono). The original saw aging former outlaw Clint drawn out of retirement and a peaceful farming life to take on one more job. Ken Watanabe in Unforgiven (C) 2013 Warner Entertainment Japan Inc. In this new version, the action is transplanted from the old West to feudal Japan where, in northern Hokkaido, Ken Watanabe’s reclusive swordsman is forced by poverty to once again take to action. Eastwood has given his blessing to the project, the man having worked with Watanabe before, in Second World War drama Letters to Iwo Jima. Unforgiven is a remarkable film and if history is anything to go by this could become a classic in its own right. Strutter – out Sept 14 Strutter made an appearance the Tokyo International Film Festival nearly a year ago, and if you didn’t catch it back then it’s well worth a look now it has arrived on general release. The film completes a trilogy from writer-directors Alison Anders and Kurt Voss that started back in 1987 with a film called Border Radio. Strutter is a film of two halves; in the first we meet musician Brett as he slides into despair when his girlfriend leaves him and his band disintegrates. The second becomes something of a road movie, as Brett travels across California with his former love rival, local hero Damon, and free spirited sometime-stepfather Frank. This is a very hip tour of the bars, record shops and desert areas of California – shot in stark monochrome it’s a very cool journey, channeling the spirit of Graham Parsons along the way. Byzantium – out Sept 20 Byzantium is the latest from Academy Award winner Neil Jordan and is set in a run down coastal town, where two mysterious women take shelter in an old guesthouse. The women are 200-year-old vampire-like creatures who come to reveal their complicated past. The film stars excellent up and coming actress Saoirse Ronan, who first impressed in 2009’s The Lovely Bones and former Bond girl Gemma Arteton. The director is not a complete stranger when it comes to the bloodsucking undead: he was the man behind Interview With a Vampire. Travel Japan: A Luxury Stay on the Shima Peninsula Kansai Travel: Where to View Plum Blossoms Near Kyoto and Nara August movie releases in Japan: epics lead the way July Movie Releases Japan’s October movie releases: a mixed bag of tricks and treats Movies in June	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15481
__label__cc	0.676286	0.323714	Backgrounders & Other Resources Backgrounder: SmartTrack Project Update, November 21, 2017 The report EX29.1 “SmartTrack Project Update & Next Steps” will be considered at the November 29, 2017 Executive Committee Meeting. This report provides an update on three components of the SmartTrack Project. The three components are: SmartTrack/Regional Express Rail (RER) Integration Eglinton West LRT Extension “Toronto Segment” and “Airport Segment” Metrolinx’s Regional Express Rail (RER) Program This report also includes the City’s response to Metrolinx’s Draft 2041 Regional Transportation Plan for the GTHA for Council consideration. Updates on SmartTrack Project components This report seeks Council’s approval to authorize the City to act as a co-proponent with Metrolinx in the Transit Project Assessment Project (TPAP) based on the concepts for the six SmartTrack and two GO RER stations. If approved, the TPAP process will commence in Q1 2018. The next staff report to Council in Q2 2018 will include refined cost estimates based on preliminary design, an updated funding and financing strategy for the stations and ask for authority to seek procurement and construction of the new stations. Acting as co-proponents in the TPAP process ensures that the perspectives of both the City and Metrolinx will continue to be brought to the design of the stations and public consultation efforts as well as Environmental Project Reports (EPRs) which look at the natural, socio-economic and cultural environment of study areas. Station designs as presented with this report consider connectivity with TTC transit network, locations for accessible transit pick up and drop off, pedestrian and cyclist access and the need to coordinate with related infrastructure projects. Public and stakeholder consultations regarding station concepts were held in the fall of 2017. That input was factored into the proposed designs. The next round of public engagement is planned for Q1 2018 to review environmental studies and updated station designs. Eglinton West LRT Extension This report seeks Council’s approval of recommendations for the “Toronto Segment” of the Eglinton West LRT as it is currently further advanced than the “Airport Segment.” If approved, City staff will provide a report in Q2 2018 which will include recommendations to Council on the alignment of the LRT from Mount Dennis Station to Pearson Airport and an updated business case. “Toronto Segment” – this extension would run from Mount Dennis Station to Renforth Station. At the request of Council, staff have further reviewed potential stop locations and possible grade separations which would allow different modes of transportation to be separated by overpasses or underpasses. Staff are recommending 10 at-grade stops. City and Metrolinx staff have determined that there are low benefits and high costs of creating grade separations and recommend no further consideration of them. In order to minimize the traffic impacts of an LRT in this corridor, staff are examining alternative opportunities to mitigate traffic impacts, including signal optimization and changes to traffic operations. The City has initiated a comprehensive traffic modelling study in the Martin Grove Road area. Further public and stakeholder consultation will be undertaken as this work develops. All of this data will be considered in the recommendation of the final alignment of the LRT to City Council in Q2 2018. “Airport Segment” – the City is supporting Metrolinx in its study of a potential extension of the LRT from Renforth Station to Pearson Airport in partnership with the City of Mississauga and the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA). In November 2016, City Council requested that the City of Mississauga and GTAA confirm their interest in this project between Renforth Station at Commerce and Pearson Airport, including a commitment of resources of the planning, design, construction and delivery of the project. There has been no confirmation of funding commitment received from the City of Mississauga or GTAA to date. Regional Express Rail (RER) RER is a program to substantially expand GO service by 2024/25 which includes electrification of five GO corridors and enhancements to Union Station. This program requires significant coordination and partnership between City and Metrolinx. This report seeks Council approval to allow City officials to work with Metrolinx to fund additional City resources. City’s Response to Metrolinx’s Draft 2041 Regional Transportation Plan for the GTHA for Council Consideration The Draft Plan is a high level document outlining Metrolinx’s proposed vision and goals to transform the transportation network in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. The City and TTC agree that the Draft Plan is largely compatible with the City’s 2031 Transit Network Plan considered by City Council in July 2016. The City’s response is primarily supportive of the Draft Plan and illustrates alignments with the City’s plans and opportunities for the City to provide support and/or leadership to help make the Plan a reality. The City’s response highlights for Metrolinx’s consideration: Including the Relief Line West and Bloor-Danforth West Extension within the Final Plan, as well as explicitly naming SmartTrack as part of the broader RER program. Factoring in the crucial role that local transit systems play in achieving regional transit objectives. For instance, TTC streetcars move a high-volume of commuters each day. Addressing City Council’s request to Metrolinx and the TTC to accelerate a single fare for rides with the City of Toronto. Reconsidering the need for a Transportation Planning Policy Statement which may potentially conflict with the recently revised Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Overall, the City requests that the Final Regional Transportation Plan provide key details related to implementation such as governance and decision-making, roles and responsibilities, funding, and the process for prioritizing transit expansion projects. Financial Implications This report does not have any financial implications. In November 2016, Council approved the costs associated with the planning, design property acquisition, enabling works, Alternative Financing Procurement and TPAP preparation. An updated SmartTrack funding and financing strategy will be provided to Council for its consideration in Q2 2018 for the SmartTrack/RER integration concept once Class 3 estimates are available. Class 3 cost estimates for the full Eglinton West LRT extension are anticipated for Q1 2019. Class 3 estimates are based on completed preliminary design documentation and form the basis for budget authorization and set initial control estimates against which project deliverables are measured. Media contact: Wynna Brown, Manager, Media Relations & Issues Management, 416- 416-392-8937 (office), 416-919-6503 (mobile), Wynna.Brown@toronto.ca Backgrounder: Cleaning up our waterways – Coxwell Bypass Tunnel and the Don River and Central Waterfront project Backgrounder: Ravine Strategy Implementation	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15486
__label__wiki	0.650185	0.650185	Paperback Vigilante Film, Documentaries Howard Hunt was a crook. His biggest job was the break-in at the Democratic Party headquarters in the Watergate building, a crime which eventually toppled a President. He was also a prolific writer of spy stories in which the agents of Western capitalism blackmail and subvert - and don't get caught. Paperback Vigilante is a documentary which exploits this paradox, tracing Hunt's life from university to White House against the fantasy backdrop of his novels. The film isn't just biography, though. Hunt's career in the CIA, through the Guatemala coup ('a clean and surgical-like operation'), the ill-fated Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba, to his plucking from retirement to join Nixon's 'plumber's unit', is shown as a classic example of a son of the American ruling class being heavily financed to subvert 'international communism'. 'If you cut off the head of a chicken, you can do with the body what you will' says Hunt about his own plan to assassinate Castro (the interview which interlaces the film is excellent). Peter Davis, Steffan Lam Howard Hunt	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15490
__label__wiki	0.775661	0.775661	Area teams' last district title All over my social media feeds, I see that right now is the perfect time for vacations and weekend getaways. Area teams' last district title All over my social media feeds, I see that right now is the perfect time for vacations and weekend getaways. Check out this story on timesrecordnews.com: http://wtrne.ws/2ey76e8 Wichita Falls Published 10:26 a.m. CT July 8, 2015 All over my social media feeds, I see that right now is the perfect time for vacations and weekend getaways. Looks like everyone is having plenty of fun. Well, this is also the perfect time for sports writers to begin prep work for our high school football magazine previews. That’s what I’ve been doing the past couple weeks as today marks 50 days until the 2015 high school football season begins (don’t worry, my vacation starts soon). Part of my research led me to discovering when the last time each area football team won a district title. While playoff spots are easier to clinch nowadays with more teams making it, finishing first in a district is just as difficult as it once was. So here’s a full breakdown of most recent district titles. One quick rule – It only affected a couple teams, but I don’t consider a two-way tie for first place where you lost to the team you’re tied with a district title. Now if there’s a three-way tie for first, then a split title makes sense (this helped Bowie break a long drought a few years ago). Chillicothe – Eagles beat Harrold in season finale to grab 11-A Division II title Crowell – Wildcats were never challenged last season, whether it be in district or playoffs Graham – Owns streak of six straight district titles (split in 2011, 2009), but it almost ended last season as Steers needed crazy comeback vs. Decatur. Newcastle – Bobcats have won past five six-man district titles heading into this season. Notre Dame – It was a three-team district and the Knights had to barely squeeze by Wichita Christian. Throckmorton – The Greyhounds won their third state title in four years last fall. Vernon – The Lions benefitted from the splitting of 4A (old 3A) divisions and had a pretty dominant run, beating Iowa Park in the finale to clinch. The fact that we only had two area 11-man teams – Graham and Vernon – clinch is pretty surprising. You can mainly chalk it up to more difficult districts (Cisco, Stamford entering fold), and I think we’ll a couple more this year. Jacksboro – I’ll always remember this Tigers’ run because D.J. Thomas came out of nowhere and broke off four straight 200-yard games in district. Northside – Indians won eight games not that long ago in Blake Kinney’s final season. Seymour – The second of two years where Panthers won a district title, then had a bye, then a playoff bye, then an area-round loss after a 21-day break. Munday – Moguls’ dominant state title team outscored district opposition 329-16. That is not a typo. The 67-0 win over Petrolia in which Moguls didn’t allow a first down was only third-biggest district win (also had 82-0, 73-0). They were good at football. Nocona – The Indians’ best season in school history included a trip to the state quarterfinals, a 12-1 record and finally a win over Holliday which put the Indians in good position for district title. Bowie – Ended about a 30-year drought by finishing in three-way tie with Graham, Burkburnett. Also, this Bowie team is last to beat Graham in district game. Burkburnett – See Bowie above; Bulldogs beat Jackrabbits in final week to create tie. Bryson – Not hating on the Cowboys, but this was a district with three teams (Forestburg, Harrold) after Byers shut down. Holliday – This was the group of Eagles that did something I’ve never seen or heard of before – shutting out all five district opponents. Eagles lost in state quarterfinals to Cisco. Windthorst – Bill Green’s final season included a takedown of Munday to win district, but the Moguls has the final laugh with a win in the state quarterfinals. Henrietta – Seth Crumpton and the Bearcats ran the table in the regular season, including a memorable win at Holliday, and didn’t lose until their 13th game to Bushland. Archer City – Wildcats went undefeated in regular season and lost to Albany in regional finals. Rider – You’d think it would be sooner for the Raiders, but remember, Denton Guyer and Denton Ryan have been in their district most of the time. Rider had good chance last year, losing to Azle in overtime. Quanah – They came close a couple times under Jason Sims (losing to Seymour in overtime in 2012), but the Indians never won district under the guy who rejuvenated the program. Iowa Park – Led by QB Justin Swenson, the Hawks went 9-1 that regular season (losing to Vernon in district) before winning at Graham to clinch 5-3A title. Knox City – The Greyhounds’ last district title happened when they were playing 11-man and coached by a guy who won a pair of state titles in Wayne Hutchinson. They went 11-2 and lost to Petrolia in state quarterfinals. Petrolia – Ross Harrison was the best player on this team, which won state. The Pirates also had a future NFL receiver in David Nelson and a pretty good Class A QB in Justin Creech. WFHS – The Coyotes ran the 5-4A table rather easily but then Denton beat WFHS 38-7 in bi-district. The next year they tied for first with Rider, but the Raiders won the head-to-head meeting. Olney – This was the Cubs’ best team in quite a while and the Cubs won their first 12 games before losing to Sonora in the third round of the playoffs. Hirschi – The Huskies tied with WFHS and Denton for the 7-4A lead at 4-1, then won a playoff game before falling to Stephenville. Electra – This one surprised me because of its long gap. The Tigers’ best teams in the past 8-10 years finished behind Windthorst and Henrietta/Childress. 1986 or 1988 Harrold – Full disclosure here. In 1988, Harrold and Jayton both made the playoffs from their six-man district. But I could never find out who won that game. If Jayton won, then Harrold’s last district title came in 1986, when it tied Guthrie 36-36 to tie for the district title. Benjamin – The Mustangs won their first 11 games before losing to Marathon in the six-man state semifinals, 36-6. City View – Mustangs have made playoffs three times (2002, 2013-14) and on all three, earned district’s final berth Gold-Burg – The Bears, entering their 12th season, haven’t had a winning record since they started playing, either. Forestburg – They haven’t been playing that long, but the closest the Longhorns came was in 2011 when they lost to Bryson 39-33 in a game that decided first place. Wichita Christian – Closest Stars came was a six-point loss to Notre Dame last season. Read or Share this story: http://wtrne.ws/2ey76e8	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15491
__label__cc	0.617327	0.382673	The Oasis Samui by Prime Samui Co.,Ltd. Surat Thani, Ko Samui, Bo Phut Bo Phut The Oasis Samui By Prime Samui Co.,Ltd. A SIGNATURE COLLECTION OF LUXURY POOL VILLAS Start Price 17,850,000 MB All Villas are directly accessible by car with exclusive parking areas. Generous land plots ensure privacy and the site masterplan and topography ensures sea views from all villas. Minimal running costs due to access to the public power grid, rainwater storage tanks and high quality construction. Full villa rental management provided. Price / SQ.M About The Oasis Samui The Oasis Samui villas are crafted with a bold modern design by a top international architect and a location carefully chosen for its outstanding natural beauty. The villas provide the perfect blend of “contemporary tropical living”. The name “Oasis Samui” is derived from the spectacular, lush hill site, offering peace and quiet whilst being only minutes from the hustle and bustle of Lamai. Each villa offers a private inﬁnity pool with stunning south / south-east facing sea views. The decor inspiration has come from all over the world and a great deal of attention and experience has gone into the design of living spaces and in selecting materials. White sand-wash terraces ensure coolness under-foot even in Samui’s bright sunshine; unpolished marble provides a non-slip ﬁnish to the pool surround; Jacuzzis are incorporated into the swimming pool (if chosen as an option), sleek high end bathroom ﬁttings and accessories ensure style and low maintenance; open-style stairs help to maintain a sense of “lightness”. Even the plot of land has been specially chosen because of its perfect balance of beautiful blue sea views against the backdrop of the stunning Overlap Stone mountain and its sweeping green hills. The location of Oasis Samui in the South East of the island is just minutes from Lamai Beach, one of the island’s most popular beaches - 2.5km long with its characteristic stone boulders and waves that roll gently onto the soft sand. Also very close by is the Silver Beach with it’s beautiful beachside restaurants. Right below the Oasis Samui site is another small and quiet Beach. The location is ideal for water sports enthusiasts with one of Koh Samui’s leading water sports facilities just 800 metres away. It is also within easy reach of Hua Thanon’s quaint ﬁsherman’s village and the island’s most impressive Chinese temples. - International Airport 35min - Chaweng Beach 25min - Nathon Ferry Terminal 20min High end property developments are still rare in this Area, giving investors in Oasis Samui a clear advantage in the market. We expect Lamai to take off as a premium property location, resulting in higher than average returns on the project. Reveal number Send an email enquiry This lisitng provided by Prime Samui Co.,Ltd. The information contained in this listing froms a property advertisement of which thailand-property.com has no control over content contained within furthermore, thailand-property.com, cannot guarantee the accuracy of listing information, linked content or associated resources provided by agencies or developers for the purpose of advertising	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15495
__label__cc	0.687032	0.312968	An atheist reads "True Reason": Chapter 5 (part 2) (Read part one here) Gilson opens his critiques of Harris' responses to Craig by arguing that Harris is "incompetent": Harris stated, “I hope it’ll be clear to you, at the end of this hour, that religion is not an answer to this problem. Belief in God is not only unnecessary for a universal morality, it is itself a source of moral blindness.” Craig had not argued that either religion or belief could supply the grounding necessary for morality. He said that only God himself could. Therefore religion and belief were strictly irrelevant to Craig’s argument. If he thought Craig had erred in pointing to God, rather than belief in God, as the relevant issue, he never took the opportunity to say so. Perhaps in Craig's imaginary universe of "possible worlds", it makes sense to talk about what God is versus what people claim God is; but here on Earth, you run into a bit of a hurdle with God as the objective moral lawgiver: there has to be a way for people to objectively know what the objective moral law actually is, and one doesn't exist. Instead, we have seers, sages, mystics, prophets, contradictory claims of 'divine revelation', divine books open to an endless array of interpretations, and claims of 'miracles' that can never be independently verified. In other words, the existence of an objective moral law is useless unless there is a way to communicate it objectively. But rather than ramble on about this personally, there's a fantastic critique on the matter done by Youtuber NonStampCollector in an uncharacteristically serious video that, in my estimation, eviscerates Craig's argument: Gilson continues: Harris assumed the existence of objective moral values and duties, and used that assumption as a question-begging basis for his argument that science must provide a foundation for these objective moral facts. This shows why definitions are important, because Craig (and Gilson) is relying on an equivocation fallacy to make his point. Harris begged the question again when he assumed there is no God behind the existence of human minds: Questions of right and wrong, and good and evil, depend upon mind. They depend upon the possibility of experience. Minds are natural phenomena. They depend upon the laws of nature in some way. Harris doesn't assume there is a God behind the existence of human minds because there is absolutely no scientific reason whatsoever to do so. Everything we know about the mind, we know from studying it purely as the product of the brain. But again, an important distinction: there is a difference between not making the assumption God is behind the mind, and assuming that God is behind the mind. Harris, as a neuroscientist, does the former because that is what produces independently verifiable evidence about the workings of the mind. Gilson then erroneously accuses Harris of poisoning the well with this statement: Water is two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. This seems as value-free an utterance as human beings ever make. But what do we do when someone doubts the truth of this proposition? Ok, all we can do is appeal to scientific values. The value of understanding the world. The value of evidence. The value of logical consistency. What if someone says, “Well, that’s not how I choose to think about water. Ok, I’m Biblical chemist, and I read in Genesis 1 that God created water before he created light. So I take that to mean that there were no stars. So there were no stars to fuse hydrogen and helium into heavier elements like oxygen; therefore there was no oxygen to put in the water, so either God created, either water has no oxygen, or God created special oxygen to put in the water— but I don’t think he would do that, because that would be Biblically inelegant.” His characterizations of a “biblical chemist” and “biblically inelegant” are deeply disconnected from reality. No thinking Bible-believer thinks the Bible leads science to such conclusions. Thus he poisoned the well against both Craig and Christianity. "Poisoning the well" happens when you preemptively ridicule and/or straw-man your opponents' position before they speak. It's not a fallacy unless you're presenting definitions or terms that you will subsequently dismiss unless your opponent agrees to your terminology, or attempt to use the personal ridicule of your opponent as the basis for dismissing their arguments. What Harris was doing was making a legitimate point about the basis for a rational understanding of human behavior. Gilson's comment regarding "no thinking Bible-believer" is irrelevant. In this passage he was attempting to support his claim that ethical values can be derived from facts of nature. In favor of that conclusion, he offered the evidence that those who study nature do so under the guidance of certain “scientific values.” The conclusion unfortunately has no logical connection to the evidence: that which guides a field of study does not thereby become a conclusion to be drawn from that field of study. This was a non sequitur, a clearly identifiable flaw in his reasoning. What actually happened is that Sam had gone on to say that those who do not value evidence and logic (what he called "scientific value") and instead appeal to religious dogma as the basis for rationalizing their behavior have removed themselves from the conversation about how we determine what is moral human behavior. Gilson apparently agree with this, since he's spending this section of the chapter criticizing Harris for supposedly not valuing evidence or logic. Harris confused denying a negative claim (for example, “I’m not sure this is false”) with asserting a positive one (“ I’m sure this is true”). Echoing language he used twice in his book The Moral Landscape: How Science Can Determine Human Values (pp. 37 and 91), he told Craig, “It is not unscientific to say that the Taliban are wrong about morality.” It seemed that he wanted us to conclude from this that it is scientific— it is a conclusion that can be derived from science— to say that the Taliban are wrong about morality, and that it is scientific for science to place value assumptions at its core. But this is confused. To say something is not unscientific is not the same as to say it is scientific. That's sometimes true, but in the case Harris mentioned, "not unscientific" indeed meant "scientific. Harris was careless with his terminology, tripping over a logical fallacy known as equivocation (using the same word twice as if it means the same thing in both contexts, when in fact it does not). Craig carefully identified a specific case of Harris doing so, saying, Now here Dr. Harris, I think, is guilty of misusing terms like “good” and “bad,” “right” and “wrong,” in equivocal ways. He will often use them in non-moral senses. For example, he’ll say there are objectively good and bad moves in chess. Now that’s clearly not a moral use of the terms “good” and “bad.” You just mean they’re not apt to win or produce a winning strategy. Harris gave no response to that. He probably didn't respond to it because it ought to be plainly obvious that he was using chess as an analogy for using science to determine moral values, not asserting that chess moves are im/moral. Gilson rounds out the section with more masturbatory rambling about how wrong Harris was before turning his attention to the print edition of The Moral Landscape, quoting Harris: By comparison the “combativeness” of the “New Atheists” seems quite collegial. We are merely guilty of assuming that our fellow Homo sapiens possess the requisite intelligence and emotional maturity to respond to rational argument, satire, and ridicule on the subject of religion— just as they respond to these discursive pressures on all other subjects. Of course we could be wrong. Here he seems to defend, rather than deny, New Atheist incivility. Yes, apparently it is uncivil to assume that other people will treat religion with the same dispassionate objectivity they apply to virtually every other topic ever. Gilson goes on, eliciting some major facepalms: On one page, Francis Collins is guilty of “intellectual suicide.” A few pages later, he is “a paragon of sophisticated faith.” Let’s remember: Dr. Collins successfully led the Human Genome Project, was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom by George W. Bush, and was appointed as the Director of the National Institute of Health by President Obama. By what rational criterion can Sam Harris describe him as brain dead? For Harris to slander Francis Collins’ intellect and then deny that the New Atheists caricature religion is clearly false. Gilson made the same mistake in his opening chapter. He apparently does not understand the difference between criticizing an idea and criticizing a person. He apparently does not understand that smart people can be, and often are, wrong. Harris at no point "slandered" Collins' intellect. He criticized his arguments, period. And Gilson's reactionary response proves Harris' allegedly uncivil point above. As if that weren't facepalm-worthy enough, Gilson has another whopper, this time criticizing Letter to a Christian Nation, again quoting Harris: Consider: every devout Muslim has the same reasons for being a Muslim that you have for being a Christian. And yet you do not find their reasons compelling. Do Muslims really believe in Allah because of the historical evidence for Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection? I think they would be most surprised to learn that! I mean, just... wow. Wow. Do I need to respond to something that stupid? Yes Tom, because that's exactly what Sam meant. Good job. In the same book (p. 16) he writes, The only real restraint God counsels on the subject of slavery is that we not beat our slaves so severely that we injure their eyes or their teeth (Exodus 21). And on page 17, It should be clear from these passages [of Scripture] that, while the abolitionists were morally right, they were on the losing side of a theological argument. For a picture of how desperately distorted this is, see Glenn Sunshine’s essay in this book (chapter fifteen) on Christianity and slavery. Is Harris ignorant of these relevant facts, or does he twist them intentionally? It’s hard to say. Ah, the old "you're taking the Bible out of context!" canard. We've already been down that road in this book. And it's one thing to add references or mention related material in your argument (as I do often), but just saying that someone else addressed it in a book is not a rebuttal. In The End of Faith (p. 19), he writes, In fact, every religion preaches the truth of propositions for which no evidence is even conceivable. That’s an odd position for him to take, considering all the historical and philosophical evidences that have been put forth in favor of Christianity. Harris is right, though. What is the evidence for the Trinity? For the Host Sacrament? For divine reward for suicide bombers? For cows being possessed by human souls? Pick your religion, and you can find plenty of beliefs that in principle can never be supported with independently verifiable evidence. And it may be that Gilson has a different standard of evidence than Harris. Holy books, miracles, feelings, and revelation aren't evidence. Gilson closes with another take on determinism: If our felt authorship of our thoughts is illusory, if we have no control over our intentions and reasoning, and if we cannot choose what we choose, then certainly it does mean that we have no mental freedom whatsoever. Again, if we cannot choose what we choose, then we cannot “choose to focus . . .” Harris’s claim that we have some mental freedom seems like a futile grasping for something that he wants to be real, though he denies its possibility. Whether that’s the case or not, the contradiction remains unresolved, another instance of illogic in print. Again, he's just missing the distinction of levels of description, which I talk about previously. But just for a refresher, here's that fantastic article by Sean Carroll. Free Will is as Real as Baseball This wasn't nearly as bad a chapter as the previous ones. It's full of fallacies, sure. But in this case, there were at least some halfway decent talking points raised. As for the debate, I'm of a mixed opinion regarding Harris' performance. On the one hand, I think he did the right thing by sticking to his thesis and not indulging Craig's sophistry and dishonest doublespeak. On the other hand, I feel that there were several opportunities where Harris could have made his own position more clear. If anything, this simply reinforces to me why this format of debate, in which each speaker basically has a series of monologues, is not particularly productive. I much prefer a format like Craig had with Shelly Kagan, and it's quite telling to watch Craig struggle when he's out of his element (tellingly, he was absolutely insistent on the monologue format for his "Reasonable Faith Tour" in the UK last year). To finish, I'll leave you with the full debate between Craig and Harris. Watch it and decide for yourself. An atheist reads "True Reason": Chapter 11 Sean Carroll responds to William Lane Craig Attack of the Jack A new Hubble deep field If I were a theist... DADT – one year later Tulsa church administrators allegedly covered up a... More in the pipe Did Jesus have a wife? Sacrum Profanum An atheist reads "True Reason": Chapter 9 Yahweh's Amazing Test Apologies if blogging is kind of slow, but.... Scott Fraser on why eyewitnesses get it wrong Humans suck at critical thinking I know that miracles occur, because I say so Model-dependent realism vs. metaphysics William Lane Craig vs. Stephen Law... now on video... An atheist reads "True Reason": Chapter 5 (part 2)...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15497
__label__cc	0.608475	0.391525	A Concert Tour Itinerary Template Being a Musician Gigs & Touring Being a Musician Gigs & Touring ••• Jeremy Woodhouse / Getty Images By Heather McDonald So you're planning a concert tour for your band. You might not realize it, but whether you have a tour manager or are going it alone, a concert tour itinerary is your life-on-the-road BFF. The tour itinerary should have all of the information you need about your shows, accommodations and more — all in one handy place. But what if you're not sure how to put one together? This template can help. First, a few caveats: you can write your itinerary anyway you see fit. This is simply a guide to the kind of information you should include. Also, the bigger the tour, in terms of budget, length, and personnel, the more complex the tour itinerary get. This example has the most relevance to smaller, indie/DIY tours. Template for Your Concert Tour Itinerary Okay, then. Here is your tour itinerary template: Date and city: At the top of the page, put the date and the city you will be in for that day. Venue name, address and phone number: These are self-explanatory, but this is the logical place to keep this information. Promoter/venue contact person: Who is promoting the show? Include the name, phone number and email address for later reference. Contact info for other acts: If you can, include contacts for all the other acts on the bill. Press obligations: Are you expected to be available for any interviews/radio sessions? Are there any phone/online interviews planned? Include the time, location, and contacts, and any other information that may apply. Show details: List the Load-in, sound check, doors, stage and finish times. Also, include what position you are scheduled to play in on the bill and the name of the other acts. Fee for the show: What is the agreed fee for the show? Who made the agreement? Is there a contract? Include all of that information. Accommodation info: Where will you be staying? Include the name, address, phone number, web site and reservation number (assuming you do not couch-crash). Also include directions from the venue, room rate, number of rooms and/or information on whether the room was provided by the promoter. Additional info: Here, put any special details specific to this show. Are you sharing a drum kit with the openers? Is the promoter providing a meal? Is there a venue fee for selling merch? How many guest lists spots do you have? Any important people expect to be at the show? Who is posting clips or photos onto social media? Make sure all of these relevant little details go here. What's up next?: Where are you heading tomorrow? How long will it take to get there and what time does everyone need to be in the van? Don't forget to account for any press obligations you need to roll into town early for. Now You're Ready to Rock On It's a good idea for everyone on the tour to have a copy of the tour itinerary and for there to be a main page that includes cell phones for everyone else on the tour, plus information about any per-diems everyone should expect to get. You should also map out the whole tour, with complete driving directions. You can decide if everyone needs a copy of all of the directions (or links to online maps), or if it is okay for just the driver to have that information. Regardless, you should probably include traveling times on everyone's itinerary. How to Survive Your Band's First Tour How to Land a Deal With Concert Tour Sponsors Learn What a Music Agent Does and How Having One Helps a Band Here Are Some Tips on Booking and Etiquette of Being an Opening Band Learn How to Plan and Book a Concert Tour On Your Own What Does a Tour Manager Do? Find out What to Expect With Merchandise Deals and Contracts How to Get a Great Music Gig in 6 Simple Steps Booking and Promoting Music Concerts Learn What the Term Backline Means in the Music Business What Should Your Concert Promoter Pay For? What Should You Do if Your Gig Was a Flop? Learn What It Takes to be a Music Promoter and What the Duties Are These Tips Can Help You Get a Booking Agent for Your Band Terms You Need to Know in the Music Business Use This Checklist to Help Promote Your Next Concert	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15498
__label__wiki	0.878739	0.878739	Will open banking replace mergers? Brian Caplen \| 31/08/2018 1:24 pm Merger talk is on the rise again in Europe. But with resistance from national regulators, Brian Caplen asks whether open banking, partnerships or digital routes are better ways to serve overseas markets and boost returns. Deutsche Bank’s CEO Christian Sewing says: “The emergence of true European champions hinges on a unified regulation in Europe, a single financial market.” UniCredit’s CEO Jean-Pierre Mustier has called for “more pan-European banks” of a larger scale. UniCredit has been cited as a possible merger partner for Société Générale and a tie-up between Deutsche and Commerzbank is regarded by many analysts as a matter of 'when' not 'if'. With most major banks struggling to deliver decent returns on equity for shareholders, the thirst for mergers from CEOs and their shareholders is hardly surprising. European Central Bank officials are also supportive of bank mergers as a necessary step towards banking union. But so far there has been little in the way of action, and a report in The Banker finds that a key barrier is, as Mr Sewing maintains, differences in the national regulations and tax codes of individual EU countries. In addition, there is push back from national regulators (under the influence of politicians) who insist on high liquidity and capital requirements for banking subsidiaries in their jurisdictions, mindful of the need for strong local capital in times of stress. But could the whole debate get overtaken by the advent of open banking under the EU’s Payment Services Directive 2 and the march of digital in general? Do banks really need to have a presence in lots of different countries to do business there in a way that both satisfies the client and the regulator? Can fintechs and banks provide platforms and APIs that can pull services together and be accessed from anywhere? And how should regulators deal with this? Cross-border M&A is high risk and has a poor track record. Maybe bankers, the European Central Bank and national regulators should be completely rethinking their approach to take account of the technological changes. Brian Caplen is the editor of The Banker. Follow him on Twitter @BrianCaplen Register to receive my blog and in-depth coverage from the banking industry through the weekly e-newsletter. More stories from this section Will corporate debt cause the next meltdown? Fighting climate change the circular way What will Boris Johnson do for the City of London? Goldman Sachs' quest for normality The risks of getting green finance wrong Zombie banks are hard to kill Top 1000 World Banks ranking Request a demonstration to The Banker Database Top 1000 World Banks 2019 - Press releases Top 1000 World Banks 2019 - The Banker UK Press Release – for immediate release The Banker Top 1000 World Banks 2019 rankings - Press release - International Top 1000 World Banks 2019 - The Banker China Press Release – for immediate release Top 1000 World Banks 2019 - The Banker China Press Release (Mandarin) – for immediate release	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15499
__label__cc	0.67262	0.32738	Day two at the 2018 Labour Party annual conference Monday marked the Policy team speaking and engaging with MPs and delegates for the second day of the 2018 Labour Party annual conference. Kielan Arblaster reports Monday marked the Policy team speaking and engaging with MPs and delegates for the second day of the 2018 Labour Party annual conference. Keilan Arblaster reports We spoke with Helen Hayes MP about continuing Tessa Jowell's relentless campaigning, agreeing to honour her legacy to bring about better conditions and outcomes for brain tumour patients all over the country. Ronnie Campbell MP chatted whilst disclosing his own personal struggle following a stomach cancer diagnosis two years ago. Neil Findlay MSP, Gareth Thomas MP, Neil Thomas Symonds MP and Dianne Abbott MP also showed their support for our cause. Bambos Charalambous MP, engaged with the work of The Charity, was keen to find out more about our pioneering BRIAN project. Lastly, Toby Perkins MP (pictured) took top spot for our 'crack the code' game, gleefully knocking off his office-share, Kevin Brennan MP. At fringe events throughout the day, we heard from Dr Paul Williams MP who spoke of the necessity to instil an early intervention, as opposed to reactive, healthcare system, particularly when it comes to drugs and treatments. More importantly, Luciana Berger MP advocated a healthcare system that works smarter and more efficiently to ensure patient choice is at the forefront of drug and medicines policy. We also attended an event held by the NHS Confederation about the NHS workforce. Of course, lots of people in the room were worried about the numbers and coping with ever increasing demand, a large part of why we have started funding our own CNS posts within the NHS as we work with them to try and find more long term solutions. They also discussed how the working environment is not conducive to retaining staff, who are desperate to do a good job. One nurse gave an example of having to go into work 30 minutes early to boot up the computer, as that is how long it takes and she cannot see patients until it has finished. This mirrors our own experiences of nurses wanting to give out our information but are prevented by antiquated IT systems. Clearly this must change. Our final event focused on a discussion around the priorities for investment in the healthcare system. We heard Jon Ashworth MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Health, emphasising the importance of investment in children's health in their early years. Throughout the conference he has been vocal about a person's birthplace having a negative impact on health and access to treatment and care. He made clear eradicating health inequality would be a priority of a Labour government. As we look forward to the next full day at the conference, we are determined to put the issue of free data high up on MPs agendas in order to make BRIAN a success and accelerate us closer to a cure. The Scotland Steering Committee at the Scottish Parliament	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15502
__label__wiki	0.676618	0.676618	Italy, Veneto UAE, Abu Dhabi UAE, Dubai UAE, Ras Al Khaimah UAE, Sharjah TBY events AN INFRASTRUCTURE REVOLUTION Colombia 2016 \| INFRASTRUCTURE & CONSTRUCTION \| INTERVIEW TBY talks to Juan Martin Caicedo Ferrer, Executive President of the Colombian Chamber of Infrastructure (CCI), on the future of infrastructure in the country, challenges, and the role of SMEs. Juan Martin Caicedo Ferrer is the Executive President of the Colombian Chamber of Infrastructure (CCI). He studied law and economics at the Javeriana University in Bogotá, with specializations in the state universities of Louvain and Antwerp in Belgium. Caicedo has served in several public posts, such as Mayor of Bogotá and President of the National Federation of Municipalities, and served as a senator from 1994-2002. He is a member of several boards of directors in the public and private sectors and has been twice honored as Executive of the Year in the House Junior. How much do you expect the construction sector to contribute to the Colombian economy in 2016? The average share of the infrastructure sector in GDP has been around 3% for the past five years. I do not expect this figure to change dramatically in 2016, because of the huge investments in the road concession program that will commence late this year. However, taking into account that the oil and gas sector will lose its share in the economy, other sectors, such as ours, will increase in relevance. What are the main challenges that Colombia faces in developing its infrastructure projects? In the short term, the main challenges are mainly related to managing financing and environmental licensing. Our main goal is to overcome these issues in order to start the execution of the construction phase of these infrastructure projects. Once this happens, our next efforts will be to focus on land acquisition for the first units. What steps is CCI taking to ensure that SMEs play a role in infrastructure development? Last year CCI was part of a roundtable lead by the Vice President's office, which aimed to outline the obstacles that SMEs are facing in the sector, and to identify exactly what is standing in the way of them finding new and different business opportunities. The main conclusions of this exercise suggested that an assessment of the incentives that Colombia's Procurement Act offers in terms of access to tenders and bidding processes must be carried out. Figures show that the majority of the processes offered by national and regional governments end with just one player, which means that there is no real competition. Corruption is also still a major problem in the procurement process, and this issue illustrates the need for public policy to be oriented toward building capacity and creating a standardized system for applications. Thankfully, the OECD commission that is assessing Colombia's admission to the organization has shared its concern over the lack of standardized forms with us, and I hope that its recommendations and the results contribute to convincing the government about the importance of this matter for the strengthening and development of SMEs. Has the Colombian PPP law made the country more attractive as an investment destination? Our PPP law was introduced for understandable reasons. However, our competitive advantage in the region is not the law itself, but the economic guarantees that Colombia offers to investors. The country has long had effective rule of law and tight fiscal discipline, both of which help investors feel more comfortable. The challenge we have now is to maintain this positive image abroad, while working to overcome the threat of Dutch Disease and the challenges presented by the drop in global oil prices in 2015. What will the infrastructure of Colombia look like in 2020? By 2020 we will have a modern and service-oriented road system. This implies a revolution in comparison with what we have now. The construction of more than 140 viaducts and 150 tunnels will change the experience of traveling by road, and will increase the country's competitiveness dramatically. Colombia has a spring in its step. The signing, in August 2016, of a peace deal with the FARC sent the strongest message yet that the country is open for business. Review: Diplomacy Peace in our Time? The US has long supported Colombia in the war on drugs, but a new phase of its relationship is about to come forward, one of peace and not war through the initiative Paz Colombia. Inside Perspective Juan Manuel Santos, President, Colombia President Juan Manuel Santos on the new progressive changes that Congress has enacted to propel Colombia to the future. Focus: Peace Agreement The armed conflict between the Colombian government and several rebel groups that has spanned more than five decades and claimed the lives of thousands is moving toward a peaceful conclusion. Enrique Peña Nieto, President, Mexico TBY talks to Enrique Peña Nieto, President of Mexico, on the role trade agreements will play in strengthening bilateral trade as well as specific sectors which will be at the forefront of that growth. Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado, President, Republic of Honduras TBY talks to Juan Orlando Hernández Alvarado, President of the Republic of Honduras, on the importance of the culture of collaboration and partnership between the two countries. Focus: PAZ From Plan Colombia to Peace Colombia International partnerships have allowed the Colombian government to consolidate control and move the state towards unity and functionality. Barack Obama, President, United States Barack Obama, President of the United States, on the history of shared values and how they have come to shape a very special relationship. Review: Economy Colombia's economy was hit hard by recent downturns around the world, but years of effective planning have the country still moving in a forward direction. Bruce Mac Master, President, National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI) TBY talks to Bruce Mac Master, President of the National Business Association of Colombia (ANDI), on tackling obstacles to competitiveness in the economy, participating in the global value chain, and the impact of the currency devaluation. Focus: Bogotá At the heart of one of Latin America's most thriving economies shines Bogotá, a bustling center of urban social and economic development. Guillermo Botero Nieto, President, Fenalco TBY talks to Guillermo Botero Nieto, President of Fenalco, on the company's contributions, the effects of FTAs on Colombian commerce, and his expectations for the economy. Focus: Pacific Trade The development of new FTAs in the Pacific region has positive long-term implications for the economy and trade on Colombia's west coast. Review: Banking Sector of Interest Colombia's banking system has never been a sideline observer of domestic politics and the global headwinds that determine the broader economy. Mauricio Cárdenas, Minister, Finance and Public Credit TBY talks to Mauricio Cárdenas, Minister of Finance and Public Credit, on budget cuts, Colombia's competitiveness, and joint strategies within the Pacific Alliance. Francisco Solano Mendoza, President, Banco Agrario de Colombia TBY talks to Francisco Solano Mendoza, President of Banco Agrario de Colombia, on the importance of online banking, increasing financial inclusion, and the outlook for Colombian agriculture in 2016. Focus: Bank Expansion Abroad Colombian banks have greatly expanded their operations in Central America in the last decade. The dramatic growth of the middle class and the internationalization of the Colombian economy has propelled growth. The market has shaken the shackles of the large players who used to dominate the market, with smaller institutions expanding and widening their coverage across the region. Review: Capital Markets Bonus In the Offing? The COLCAP index had a fairly good run over the first half of 2016, bucking the more docile trend seen among many of its emerging market peers. The index managed to climb some 13.8% in YtD terms to 1,313.18 points by the end of 2Q16. Juan Pablo Córdoba, President, Colombian Stock Exchange TBY talks to Juan Pablo Córdoba, President of the Colombian Stock Exchange, on the rise in market indices, the outlook for securities in 2016, and the significance of MILA. Focus: Fiduciary Trusts Trust This One of the fastest-growing forms of financial services entities, fiduciary trusts in Colombia are playing a growing role in financing the country's ongoing development. Review: Insurance All to Play For Colombia's insurance sector, like those of many other EMs, tells a familiar story of low penetration, bags of investment potential, and increasing reserve requirements pushing consolidation. Héctor Martinez, CEO, Willis Colombia TBY talks to Héctor Martinez, CEO of Willis Colombia, on recent developments, applying its global expertise in Colombia, and the upcoming merger with Towers Watson. Juan Pablo Lozano, President, Afiancol TBY talks to Juan Pablo Lozano, President of Afiancol, on the evolution of the company, developing market trends, and opportunities for greater economic equality. Enrique Sistiva Vargas, General Manager, Proquimsa TBY talks to Enrique Sistiva Vargas, General Manager of Proquimsa, on the energy sector. Rubén Darío Lizarralde, President, Campetrol TBY talks to Rubén Darío Lizarralde, President of Campetrol, on production rates, what oil and gas contributes to the economy, and competition in the sector. Mauricio De La Mora Rodríguez, Former President, National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) TBY talks to Mauricio De La Mora Rodríguez, Former President of National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), on promoting investment, gaining knowledge of offshore activities, and the short-term outlook. Manuel Fermin, Director, Confervio Agregados TBY talks to Manuel Fermin, Director of Confervio Agregados, on transferring knowledge into the country, the devaluation of the peso, and factors of success. Focus: Refinery Refined Tastes The Refinery of Cartagena (Reficar), which was modernized and opened in late 2015 after nearly 10 years of work, will strengthen Colombia's downstream muscle and boost the national oil industry. Reyes Reinoso, President, Reficar TBY talks to Reyes Reinoso, President of Reficar, on staying competitive, expansion plans, and direct investment in Colombia. Guillermo J. Gamez, CEO, CTAC TBY talks to Guillermo J. Gamez, CEO of CTAC, on R&D, the company's portfolio, and doing business in Colombia. William Ariza F., CEO & General Manager , Galqui-Tececor TBY talks to William Ariza F., CEO & General Manager of Galqui-Tececor, on the company's specializations, innovation, and the outlook for the future. Federico Echavarria, Country Manager, AES Chivo TBY talks to Federico Echavarria, Country Manager of AES Chivor, on diversification, the effects of El Niño, and the legal framework in Colombia. Focus: Renewables Cleaning Colombia For Colombia, clean energy is the lynchpin of its efforts to offset El Niño and meet its environmental goals. Review: Mining Tunnel on Coal mining represents a significant portion of the country's mining sector, with coal and gold being the major players in the sector. Oliver Hoelzer, General Manager, Liebherr Colombia TBY talks to Oliver Hoelzer, General Manager of Liebherr Colombia, on working in Barranquilla, foreign players, and the significance of the country for the group. Eduardo Jaramillo Cuervo, President & CEO, General Electric (GE) TBY talks to Eduardo Jaramillo Cuervo, President & CEO of General Electric (GE), on the role GE intends to play in developing Colombia's energy value chain and creating a diversified matrix to support the country's energy needs for years to come. Daniella Souza, President Colombia & LATAM Andean Region, Dow Chemical TBY talks to Daniella Souza, President Colombia & LATAM Andean Region of Dow Chemical, on the new export landscape and building foundations to support long-term growth. José Luis Mora, General Manager, Litoplas TBY talks to José Luis Mora, General Manager of Litoplas, on how the packaging sector has weathered recent macroeconomic storms and how it is leveraging technology to better serve customers. Diana Pabón Morales, General Manager, Quimica Cosmos TBY talks to Diana Pabón Morales, General Manager of Quimica Cosmos, on the factors behind the company's growth in 2015, upcoming projects, and why Colombia remains an attractive destination for investors. Focus: Exporters Send It Elsewhere Colombia's industrial sector has shown its resilience in the face of a turbulent macroeconomic environment, registering a solid performance in 1H2016 by taking advantages of unique opportunities. After a trying period with the devaluation of the peso, textile manufacturers and companies are getting ready for better times ahead. Col. Juan Manuel Padilla Cepeda, General Manager, Indumil TBY talks to Col. Juan Manuel Padilla Cepeda, General Manager of Indumil, on the affects of the exchange rate, innovation, and prospects for the future. Focus: The Regions Spread the load Colombia's economy is not just centered on its capital city; its regions play a vital part in the livelihood of many of its citizens as well as its industry. Germán Forero, President, Gerfor TBY talks to Germán Forero, President of Gerfor, on the company's recent performance, the potential impact of the peace process on Colombian industry, and the outlook for the future Manufacturers in Colombia are taking advantage of the opportunities presented by recent changes in the global economic landscape and the increase in technical knowledge in the country to enhance the competitiveness of their operations. David Luna Sánchez, Minister, ICT TBY talks to David Luna Sánchez, Minister of ICT, on the ambitious plan to strengthen the quality of education via technology, his plans for mobile broadband communications, and connecting the entire country to the internet. Xiong Yihui, President, Huawei Colombia TBY talks to Xiong Yihui, President of Huawei Colombia, on deploying the 4.5G network in the country, the factors behind Huawei's success, and its upcoming projects. Andrés Ríos, General Manager, Siscoax TBY talks to Andrés Ríos, General Manager of Siscoax, on the factors driving the company's growth, opportunities in the country and region, and the company's plans for the future. Focus: Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) Contact centers and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies are an important part of Colombia's service sector and link the country with international markets and investment in a unique way. Erick H. Cepeda, General Manager, SoftwareONE TBY talks to Erick H. Cepeda, General Manager of SoftwareONE, on the company's investments in the past year, the importance of its Colombia operations, and the opportunities available in the local IT sector. Adriana Lucia Falla, General Manager, SoftManagement S.A TBY talks to Adriana Lucia Falla, General Manager of SoftManagement S.A., on the important elements of the company's business, its key strengths compared to its competitors, and the significance of the IT sector in Colombia. Oswaldo Medrano, General Manager, Ikonosoft TBY talks to Oswaldo Medrano, General Manager of Ikonosoft, on the company's transformation process, the sectors with the greatest potential, and how the company distinguishes itself from its competitors. Ricardo Ávila, Editor-in-Chief, Portafolio TBY talks to Ricardo Ávila, Editor-in-Chief of Portafolio, on the factors behind Colombia's steady growth, the need to adapt to the web, and his predictions for the paper. Natalia Abello Vives, Former Minister, Transport TBY talks to Natalia Abello Vives, Former Minister of Transport, on government investment plans, new upgrades to the national transport network, and integrating innovations in the transport sector. Juan Camilo Samacá, President, Almaviva TBY talks to Juan Camilo Samacá, President of Almaviva, on the company's global reach, the importance of ongoing government infrastructure projects, and creating a diversified offering. Major General Pedro Ignacio Lozan, President, Satena TBY talks to Major General Pedro Ignacio Lozano, President of Satena, on the company's evolution, increasing its passenger count in 2016, and differentiating the company's strategy. Focus: Railway After decades of disuse, Colombia is rehabilitating thousands of kilometers of railways, a cost effective alternative to starting from scratch. Miguel Centanaro, President, Cenconsas and Ferropetrol TBY talks to Miguel Centanaro, President of Cenconsas and Ferropetrol, on the new rail project, the state of rail lines in Colombia, and the role of PPPs in developing the country's transportation network. Increasing support from the government for infrastructure projects has put a renewed focus on Colombia's ports, a key node in the country's transport and logistics network. The Magdalena River hopes to become a vital route for trade and passage once again. INFRASTRUCTURE & CONSTRUCTION Carlos Jacks, CEO, Cemex Latam Holdings TBY talks to CARLOS JACKs, CEO of Cemex Latam Holdings, on the sector. Juan Martin Caicedo Ferrer, Executive President , Colombian Chamber of Infrastructure (CCI) Pedro José Collado Gómez, President, FCC Colombia TBY talks to Pedro José Collado Gómez, President of FCC Colombia, on current projects, challenges in developing the country's infrastructure, and the future of Colombia. Eleuberto Antonio Martorelli, President, Odebrecht Colombia TBY talks to Eleuberto Antonio Martorelli, President of Odebrecht Colombia, on current projects, the most lucrative sectors, and goals for the coming year. Luciano Gómez, General Manager, Latco TBY talks to Luciano Gómez, General Manager of Latco, on the company's recent achievements, expectations for the economy, and expansion plans. Luis Eduardo Barrios López, General Manager, A Construir TBY talks to Luis Eduardo Barrios López, General Manager of A Construir, on the company's evolution, investment trends, and expectations for the year ahead. Fabio A. Méndez Pinilla, President, MPI Asfaltos TBY talks to Fabio A. Méndez Pinilla, President of MPI Asfaltos, on asphalt demand and the product line. Focus: 4G Generation Motoring Toward Development Colombia is looking toward the future and improving its transportation network by renewing road infrastructure, putting an end to the nation's underdevelopment in roads and highways. The government estimates that in the next four years the 4G program will dramatically enhance the Colombian economy, shortening traveling time between cities and, consequently, reducing transportation costs. José Joaquín Ortiz García, CEO, JOYCO TBY talks to José Joaquín Ortiz García, CEO of JOYCO, on the company's strategy, factors of success, and the impact of the government's efforts on the 4G project. Review: Construction Build It Bigger One of the main drivers of economic growth in Colombia over the last decade, construction continues to power on, supported in large part by public housing projects and transportation infrastructure. Elsa Noguera, Minister, Housing, City, and Territory TBY talks to Elsa Noguera, Minister of Housing, City, and Territory, on the My House Now program, foreign investment, and plans for the future. Fernando Marín Valencia, President, Grama Construcciones TBY talks to Fernando Marín Valencia, President of Grama Construcciones, on making the right investments, predictions for the construction sector, and current projects. Focus: Skyscrapers Felipe Otoya Domínguez, President, Forsa TBY talks to Felipe Otoya Domínguez, President of Forsa, on the company's early days, Forsa's unique methodology, and the importance of being located in the Cauca Free Trade Zone. Miguel F. Rangel Galvis, General Manager, Knauf TBY talks to Miguel F. Rangel Galvis, General Manager of Knauf, on new investments in Colombia, the advantages of Latin America, and construction sector trends. Aurelio Iragorri Valencia, Minister, Agriculture TBY talks to Aurelio Iragorri Valencia, Minister of Agriculture, on the key role the agriculture industry will play in securing lasting peace in the country's rural areas. Alberto Zuñiga, General Director, BASF Colombia TBY talks to Alberto Zuñiga, General Director of BASF Colombia, on expansion and opportunities for business in Colombia's agriculture sector. Gustavo Edmundo Vergara, General Manager, Gelco TBY talks to Gustavo Edmundo Vergara, General Manager of Gelco, on the challenges facing the gelatin industry and the growth of Barranquilla. Focus: Colombia Siembra Sowing Colombia The Agriculture Minister has announced a new plan to develop the agricultural sector and reduce the quantity of imported foods into the country. Focus: Coffee Colombian coffee has an incredible reputation for its aroma, taste, and purity, which is why it is considered one of the best quality coffees in the world. This belief has not changed despite the entrance of huge producing countries such as Ethiopia, Brazil, and Vietnam into the market. Focus: Health tourism Offering medical services on par with hospitals in Europe and the US, Colombia's doctors are welcoming an increasingly international roster of patients. Review: Education Gold Star For You In recent decades, Colombia made changes to nearly every level and aspect of its education system and has been exceeding the expected results, putting the country on the right track to achieve the president's goal of becoming the best educated country in the region. Gina Parody, Minister, Education TBY talks to Gina Parody, Minister of Education, on strategies to improve English-language education, the challenges the ministry has faced, and its programs to enhance the education system. Focus: Pact for Education The Power of the Pen Government officials and the general public alike are looking to education reform as the key tool for fostering an inclusive and lasting transition toward long-term peace and prosperity for all of Colombian society. Review: Tourism It's Not Magic A reputation for violence had for many years stunted the growth of Colombia's tourism sector. But now that the country has enormously improved its image abroad, there is little to prevent it from becoming one of the most ideal destinations in Latin America. Sandra Howard Taylor, Vice Minister, Tourism TBY talks to Sandra Howard Taylor, Vice Minister of Tourism, on key areas for promoting local tourism, the changing perceptions of Colombia, and strategies for increasing tourist arrivals from abroad. Jean-Claude Bessudo, President, Aviatu TBY talks to Jean-Claude Bessudo, President of Aviatur, on the impact of macroeconomic changes on the tourism sector, identifying new opportunities, and measures to boost tourist arrivals. Photo Essay: Tayrona National Natural Park Meet Me in the Park Among Colombia's many world-class attractions, the Tayrona National Natural Park stands out as a perfect way to experience the country at its all-natural best. EXECUTIVE GUIDE Review: Doing Business Good At Business A short yet vital overview of key information to consider before setting to work in Colombia. Review: Legal Legal Trends and Outlook The Colombian government has made a number of changes to make it easier for companies to establish a base of operations and invest in the country. Mauricio Zagarra, Managing Partner, Norton Rose Fulbright Colombia TBY talks to Mauricio Zagarra, Managing Partner of Norton Rose Fulbright Colombia, on local regulations, rule of law, and FDI in 2016. Up next ... Increasing diversification No more articles to show. The key players and their stories are all in The Business Year Partnered Events Work For TBY Copyright © 2011-2020 \| Partnered Events \| Privacy Center \| About Us \| Contact Us \| Work For TBY Forgot your registered email? Enter your email address below. Click the "Continue" button Email address: Please enter a valid email address. 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__label__wiki	0.790119	0.790119	TOP 10 RIGHT NOW Audio Cheat Sheet Press Play, Get Smarter Senate Splits on Party Lines to Approve Trump Trial Plan Republican lawmakers rejected efforts by Democrats to obtain evidence and ensure witnesses are heard during the trial. Email Shows Officials Prepared Aid Freeze Before Trump Call LAYING THE GROUNDWORK Newly released emails show officials shared a “Ukraine Prep Memo” the night before Trump’s notorious phone call to Volodymyr Zelensky. SHOP WITH SCOUTED The Fossil Gen 5 Is the Smartest of the Smartwatches SUPER SMARTWATCH The Fossil Gen 5 smartwatch is so smart it even has a flashlight mode and can report back on how healthy your heart is during the day. Coronavirus Death Toll in China Rises to Nine GETTING WORSE? The number of cases also grew to 440, according to Chinese health authorities. Hannity to Devin Nunes: ‘You’ve Been Vindicated’ ‘NEFARIOUS THINGS’ Nunes said that while Democrats “don’t like” that his aides are communicating with Lev Parnas, they’re “going to continue to do it.” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries Appears to Quote Biggie on Senate Floor THAT IS WHY “And if you don't know, now you know,” he said after responding to a member of Trump’s legal team. Hillary Clinton Says She’ll Support Democratic Nominee The former Democratic presidential nominee says “the number one priority for our country and world is retiring Trump.” Earth’s Oldest Asteroid Impact Discovered in Australia 2.2 MILLION YEARS AGO The area is 200 million years older than the previous record-holder, the Vredefort Dome in South Africa. Safety Agency Reviews Tesla Spontaneous Acceleration Claims Over 100 claims have been filed claiming that Teslas can suddenly accelerate on their own. MI State Senator Backs Journo’s Claims Against Male Lawmaker ‘PATTERN OF BEHAVIOR’ Sen. Mallory McMorrow also said she was the target of a degrading comment from Sen. Peter Lucido. R. Kelly’s Girlfriend Joycelyn Savage Speaks Out on Patreon After Two-Year Hiatus: I Am a ‘Victim’ Pilar Melendez Updated Nov. 26, 2019 4:40PM ET / Published Nov. 23, 2019 11:37AM ET Editors Note: The Patreon account allegedly belonging to Joycelyn Savage was removed on Tuesday after the membership platform made “multiple unsuccessful attempts to verify the identity of the account holder.” “We closed the Patreon page allegedly associated with Joycelyn Savage due to potential impersonation,” a Patreon spokesperson told The Daily Beast. Jocelyn Savage, one of R.Kelly’s girlfriends, who has been living with the disgraced singer since she was 19, allegedly spoke out for the first time on her relationship to say she’s “a victim.” After a tw0-year hiatus from social media, the 24-year-old wrote on Instagram allegedly belonging to her that she would post every day on Patreon about her daily life with R. Kelly and is “risking my life” to do so. In the first post Saturday allegedly written by Savage, she said she met Kelly in 2015 at one of his concerts—when she was 17. Savage admits the it was a “fun experience but very mixed emotions.” She says Kelly, who is currently facing sex crime charges in two states, promised to jumpstart her music career and often told her “Baby girl you are going to be the next Aaliyah.” She soon dropped out of college and moved into Kelly's home, where she said things took a sinister turn. “After these couple of months Robert started giving me commands, and making sure I call him by certain names. Like ‘Master’ or ‘Daddy’ which I didn’t really care for at the time, ” Savage wrote in her Saturday post. “If I wasn’t getting paid or pursuing my dream I would’ve went home, but all of that didn’t stop just yet. But It started getting worse by day by day, he would raise his voice at me if I didn’t call him by those two names. If Robert called me I would have to reply with ‘Yes, daddy’ or ‘Please daddy’ he was so controlling.” Savage added the Kelly, who is currently incarcerated in a Chicago jail, threatened her any prospects she had of a music career if she expressed her concerns about leaving or wanting to speak to her parents in private.“He would always would say ‘All this can stop today, you want a career? Or do you want to live a normal life’ basically trying to make me do what he wants,” she wrote.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15505
__label__wiki	0.707973	0.707973	Trump backs away from census citizenship question President Donald Trump issued an executive order Thursday directing the Commerce Department to obtain citizenship data through means other than the US census , dropping a controversial plan to include a citizenship question on the 2020 census after the Supreme Court blocked it. Trump repeatedly said in Rose Garden remarks that he's not backing away from attempting a count of US citizens, but acknowledged legal setbacks in inserting a citizenship question on the nationwide population survey. "We are not backing down on our effort to determine the citizenship status of the US population," Trump said in laying out a plan to issue an executive order asking US departments and agencies to find ways to determine a head-count of citizens. Trump said agencies would be required to provide the Commerce Department with documents and records of citizens and non-citizens, which he said would help provide an accurate picture of US citizenship. After a week of uncertainty about his next move. Trump tweeted Thursday morning he would be holding a press conference in the Rose Garden in the afternoon about "the census and citizenship." The Supreme Court late last month blocked a citizenship question from being added to the 2020 census. The bitter controversy centers around whether the administration can ask all recipients a citizenship question on the 2020 census for the first time since 1950 -- a move that could impact the balance of power in states and the House of Representatives, which are based on total population. Adding the question, critics say, could result in minorities being undercounted by scaring off even legal residents or naturalized citizens from completing the decennial questionnaire, which is also used to determine funding for an array of government programs. The expected decision to back off the census fight was first reported by ABC News . The Census Bureau, which falls under the Commerce Department, has long favored using administrative records -- including data from the Social Security Administration, IRS, US Citizenship and Immigration Services and the State Department -- to gather citizenship data, rather than asking individuals to self-report their status on the census itself. Key Republican senators said early Thursday they had not been briefed by the White House on the contours of Trump's action. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, a Republican from Mississippi who has oversight of the Census Bureau, said he has not had discussions with the White House. Democrats made clear they were prepared to fight any new effort to add a citizenship question. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that the House of Representatives will vote next week on criminal contempt for Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross over their refusal to answer questions about internal discussions surrounding the citizenship question. "Next week the full house will vote on a resolution of criminal contempt for Attorney General Barr and Secretary Ross so we can enforce our subpoenas and get the facts," Pelosi said. This comes after the House Oversight Committee voted last month to hold Barr and Ross in contempt over the dispute. The vote has been scheduled for Tuesday, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer tweeted later on Thursday. Pelosi, when asked if Trump could still add the citizenship question by executive action, replied: "I don't know." Some type of direct action by Trump had been one of several avenues explored by the administration to place the question on the decennial population survey following the late June Supreme Court ruling. The Trump administration initially announced printing would go forward without the citizenship question. Government attorneys had asserted to the courts that the printing process -- either with or without the question -- needed to begin on July 1 to avoid extra costs. That approach was thrown into disarray when Trump abruptly changed course last week , ordering officials to find another way to add the question -- something the Supreme Court left the door open to in its ruling. White House and Justice Department officials spent the Independence Day holiday considering ways to include the question. One unanswered question was how the administration would implement the addition of the question to the census forms after printing had begun. Options included reprinting the forms that have been printed without the question, or printing a supplemental page. Civil rights groups pledged to take swift legal action against any efforts to go ahead with adding a question. "The Supreme Court has spoken. The Trump administration's effort to add a citizenship question to the 2020 census is unlawful," Dale Ho, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Voting Rights Project, said on Thursday. "If President Trump takes executive action, we will take legal action." Even though it is not in session, the Supreme Court would be able to respond to any pressing litigation related to a citizenship question on the 2020 census. The nine justices often handle emergency requests, such as motions from prisoners facing execution, while on recess and out of their columned building across from the Capitol. The justices conduct business through telephone conversations and emails, as well as through information relayed to their law clerks and other court personnel. Some justices, however, had public plans to travel overseas later this month. Through George Mason University law school programs, Brett Kavanaugh is scheduled to be in England and Neil Gorsuch in Italy. Chief Justice John Roberts, who would oversee the handling of any requests for immediate court action, usually spends some weeks each summer at his vacation home in Maine. The issue still faces ongoing action in the lower courts. There is already a motion asking federal Judge Jesse Furman in New York to totally prohibit the administration changing the census or adding the question in any way. A Census Bureau official said during a trial last year that the form could be finalized after June, and as late as October, but only if "exceptional resources" were provided. He did not specify a dollar figure. Legal maneuvering is expected to stretch through the summer in two federal trial courts. The New York court is set to hear arguments from critics of the question that the government should be sanctioned. In Maryland, a judge recently reopened the trial after an ACLU-led group presented what they say is new evidence the question was proposed with discriminatory motives. A hearing on the evidence is scheduled for after the Labor Day weekend.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15506
__label__wiki	0.623791	0.623791	Elevation Mammoth Gay Ski Week 2017 United States California Andrew Collins Andrew is an experienced writer and editor of guidebooks and articles on LGBT travel including "Fodor's Gay Guide to the USA." photo courtesy of Elevation Mammoth Gay Ski Week The legendary West Hollywood-based GLBT event promoter Tom Whitman Presents organizes one of the most glamorous gay ski parties in the country, Elevation Mammoth Gay Ski Week, which takes place in mid-March - this year's dates are March 15 to March 19, 2017. The event has been so successful that they now operate a sister event in mid- to late February (which takes place Feb. 23–26, 2017), Elevation Utah - Park City Gay Ski Week. Elevation Mammoth at Mammoth Lakes Resort Elevation Mammoth is especially popular with skiers from Southern California. The resort, Mammoth Lakes, is about three hours south of Lake Tahoe (and thus six to seven hours from San Francisco, depending on the weather). From Los Angeles, the drive is about 5.5 to 6 hours (assuming you don't hit super-snowy roads and lots of weekend traffic). Of course, you can also just fly into the region's small and handy Mammoth/Yosemite Airport, which has regularly scheduled service from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Burbank, and San Diego. The four-day weekend consists of a series of parties, beginning with a Welcome Event (which will take place this year at Lakanuki) on Wednesday. Then on Thursday through Saturday (plus a Sunday Apres-Ski party), the festivities continue with more fun starting after skiing in the late afternoon, and then continuing with late-night parties each evening. Top DJs are on hand hosting various parties, including, typically, a comedy night. You can buy tickets for Elevation Mammoth online, with several different packages available. Of course, there's also skiing each day at the exceptional Mammoth Mountain Ski Area, one of the West's snowiest locales (the average annual snowfall is more than 400 inches, and the mountain comprises some 3,500 acres of rugged and beautiful skiable terrain). Elevation is offering lodging deals at a number of local host hotels. These include Village at Mammoth, Westin Monache, Juniper Springs Resort, and Mammoth Mountain Inn. February in California: Weather and Event Guide January in California: Weather and Event Guide Visiting California in the Winter: What to Expect The Best Time to Visit Lake Tahoe The 10 Best Ski Resorts in Montana 6 Snowiest Major Cities in the World Skiing and Snowboarding Near Las Vegas Skiing and Snowboarding in Southern California Elevation Utah Gay Ski Weekend in Park City set for Feb. 21-24, 2019 The Weather and Climate in Lake Tahoe The Best Ski Resorts in Lake Tahoe The Essential Guide to Squaw Valley Ski Resort December in California: Weather and Event Guide Best California Destinations: How to Pick the Best One for You San Francisco's Best Gay Bars, Cafes, Cabarets, Eateries, and Hangouts What to Expect for January Weather Across the United States	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15510
__label__cc	0.613348	0.386652	The 5 Best Winter Hikes in Massachusetts Your Northeast Winter Vacation SEE FULL GUIDE Best Massachusetts Hotels Massachusetts Après-Ski Bars Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort Hunter Mountain Ski Resort Lake Placid Winter Activities New York Winter Hikes Best New York Hotels New York Après-Ski Bars Camelback Mountain Ski Resort Cross-Country Skiing Near Pittsburgh Pennsylvania Winter Hikes Best Pennsylvania Hotels Pennsylvania Après-Ski Bars Killington Ski Resort Stowe Ski Resort Okemo Mountain Ski Resort Cross-Country & Snowshoe Vermont Vermont Winter Hikes Best Vermont Hotels Vermont Après-Ski Bars Bretton Woods Ski Resort Loon Mountain Ski Resort Extreme Skiing in New Hampshire Cross-Country & Snowshoe New Hampshire New Hampshire Winter Hikes New Hampshire Winter Activities Best New Hampshire Hotels New Hampshire Après-Ski Bars Sunday River Ski Resort Sugarloaf Ski Resort Maine Winter Hikes Best Maine Hotels Maine Après-Ski Bars Jiminy Peak Ski Resort Massachusetts Winter Hikes Kraig Becker Kraig Becker is a writer based out of Nashville, Tennessee who has covered adventure travel and product reviews for TripSavvy since 2013. indigojt/Getty Just because there is a little snow on the ground doesn't mean you have to hang up your hiking boots for the winter. On the contrary, winter is a great time of year to hit the trail and Massachusetts has plenty of excellent options for hikers who don't mind braving the colder temperatures. Whether you're looking for a leisurely stroll through lush woods or a strenuous workout with a scenic payoff, we have some suggestions on where to go for a great winter trek. As always, don't forget to pack a few extra layers, bring some trail snacks, and watch the weather closely. Here are our picks for the five best winter trails that Massachusetts has to offer, giving you an array of options to choose from. Savoy Mountain State Forest: Berkshires Doug Kerr (CC BY-SA 2.0)/Flickr If solitude is what you're looking for, the Savoy Mountain State Forest will have plenty to offer, particularly during the winter. Located in a remote corner of the state, the park spreads out across more than a thousand acres directly in the shadow of the Hoosac Mountain Range of the Berkshires. The forest has more than 50 miles of trail to explore on foot, snowshoes, or cross-country skis, making it perfect for winter adventures. We recommend taking the Busby Trail up Spruce Hill for some especially scenic views or alternatively hike to Tannery Falls, which becomes a 50-foot glistening frozen wall during the winter months. Blue Hills Reservation: Boston Eric Moreno (CC BY 2.0)/Flickr Located not far from bustling downtown Boston, Blue Hills Reservation is a great reminder that you don't have to wander far from the city to enjoy a terrific hike. Covering more than 7000 acres, the nature reserve has over 125 miles of trails to explore, many of which wander up, across, and around the 22 bluffs that make up the Blue Hills chain. The 4.4-mile Ponkapoag Pond Trail is a good choice in any season, but during the winter the fresh snow brings a sense of quiet solitude that can be difficult to find during other times of the year. Visitors can also climb to the very top of the Great Blue Hill, which at 635-feet in height is the tallest point in the park. From the summit, you'll find wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, including Boston itself. Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary: Easthampton Neil Beckerman/Getty Iamges What the 723-acre Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary lacks in size, it more than makes up for in its diversity of landscapes. The preserve has just 5 miles of trail in total, but those routes wander through lush forests, open meadows, dense grasslands, and wild marshes all within a relatively small area. Arcadia also happens to be home to an array of wildlife, including great blue herons, bald eagles, and several species of ducks. During the winter months adventurous travelers can take part in regular nature programs with options for both young and old hikers alike. Mohawk Trail State Forest: Charlemont Jt Botka/Getty Images For a truly spectacular winter trek, head to the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts to spend some time exploring the Mohawk Trail State Forest. This 6000-acre preserve becomes a winter-wonderland when covered in snow, with its rivers, ponds, and streams turning to icy sculptures for the season. Seclusion is part of the appeal, as the forest is located far from any urban areas, providing plenty of peace and quiet out on the trail. More adventurous travelers can even elect to stay the night in one of several cabins that are located within the park's boundaries. Heated by wood-burning stoves, these quaint — but cozy — cabins make for a wonderful winter getaway. Wachusett Mountain State Reservation (Princeton) Joshua Herzig-Marx (CC BY-SA 2.0)/Flickr The 3000-acre Wachusett Mountain State Reservation is a popular destination for skiers and snowboarders during the winter, but the park also has a number of hiking trails that are open year-round as well. There are more than 17 miles of trail criss-crossing the Wachusett landscapes, including several that climb up to the mountain's summit. Standing more than 2000 feet above the surrounding area, the payoff for a trek to the top is epic views of the region. On a clear day, you can see for miles, with the landscape blanketed nicely in a fine white powder. Whether you're looking for an easy ascent to the top, or a more aerobic workout, you'll find something that fits your needs. Pine Hill Trail is the shortest and steepest route up the hill, making it a popular choice for those looking to get their heart pumping. Meanwhile, the popular Loop Trail is a bit easier, although you'll have to keep your eyes peeled for skiers, as the route does cross through an active ski area, That challenge aside however, the trail really is a fantastic winter walk. The 8 Best Massachusetts Ski Hotels of 2020 The 12 Best State Parks in Massachusetts The Top 10 Hikes Near Philadelphia These are the five best winter hikes in Maine! The Best Hikes in Belize 8 Adventurous Things to Do Around Banff National Park's Lake Louise Hit the trail in Vermont this winter with these 5 great hikes! Hit the trail this winter with these great hikes in New York state! Your Ultimate Northeast Winter Vacation These are some of the bucket-list hikes found inside America's National Parks Find your adventure in New York's Adirondack Mountains 7 Great Hikes to Take in the Caribbean We have 10 reasons why you should visit Yellowstone in winter! Top 10 Road Trip Routes in the Northeastern US The Best 8 Hikes in Scotland The 10 Best Hikes in Colorado Hit the trail in Mexico on any one of these fantastic hikes!	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15511
__label__cc	0.683182	0.316818	What to Do When the Funds Dry Up Wed, Jul 22, 2015 @ 12:07 PM / by Roland Garton Our company is based in Illinois, a state whose budget woes are getting national attention. Many of our municipal contacts are faced with a disheartening situation: state funds that have been reliable sources of support for many years suddenly are no longer available. Although such funds are never guaranteed, they have in the past been steady enough to build budgets around them. Now those budgets are in jeopardy. As a result, our consultations and strategy sessions often revolve around replacement funding. The question is often phrased something like “How can we get the same money from another source?” I call this the replacement mentality, and it’s an obvious response. However, the replacement mentality places limitations on the kind of thinking and planning needed to meet shortfalls. Instead, we encourage our state-strapped clients (municipalities are the most common), to ask different types of questions. Thoughtful, well-considered responses to these questions can lead to improvements, born of necessity, in the organization’s grant strategy. In some cases, responding to the questions prompts an institution to develop an expressed grant strategy for the first time. That in itself is valuable. Here are some examples of questions whose responses can reveal sources of funding not immediately obvious at first blush—sources that a replacement mentality would likely obscure. What are our over-arching goals-our most critical objectives? Funding sources usually cannot be developed overnight, so the immediate timeframe may require reduction of activities. Sometimes state-funded programs are so vital it is more prudent to cut other areas and shift funds to the previously state-funded programs. In the longer term, keeping the mission and priorities at the forefront of planning can help determine which areas are worth the investment of proposal development. Which of our activities are the most fundable? Replacement funds may not be available for a particular program area, but there may be funds available for other areas not previously supported by grant funds. A replacement mentality could easily overlook such opportunities. How can we position our activities to be more fundable? Here is a terrific opportunity for thinking outside the box. Quite often, the project you have in mind can be adjusted to meet one or more funding trends. We get many consultation requests for Parks and Rec grants. Park districts tend think in terms of facilities. But funders tend to think in terms of programs and impacts. So, for example, to better attract grant funds, a park district might list “youth fitness” as a priority, rather than, say, “swimming pool.” As another example, public transportation could be funded by transportation programs, energy conservation programs, safety programs, emergency managment programs, economic development programs, assistance for older Americans, and more. Two important aspects of this approach are worth noting: 1) Planning requires a good sense of funding trends. Some organizations are aware of these; others need to build such awareness or find experts to work with. 2) Planning also requires thinking about grant funds earlier than often occurs, during strategy and planning cycles. It therefore entails a long turn-around time, but the odds of funding increase dramatically when you are positioned specifically for fundability. Who will benefit? Every type of beneficiary for an activity, program, or facility is a potential funding source. Community gardens are a great example of this. They can benefit students, and thus are eligible for education funding. They can benefit at-risk youth, attracting Department of Justice funding. Gardens can also help feed the hungry, an area that’s supported by many foundations. They can improve neighborhoods and retain residents, especially in rural and underserved populations which is of interest to the USDA, HUD, and others. If your project impacts youth, think about what corporations benefit from building a relationship with youth. Many foundations associated with corporations are actively trying to become the champion of tweens, in the hope of generating long-term loyalty. Seniors are also a sought-after audience. Pharmacies offer loads of services directed at older Americans, so would be a potential source of funding for a community project benefitting the older population. Consider your audience and ask “Who benefits from their loyalty?” Then search for funders with such an interest. What other opportunities are there? The trauma of funding lapses, while unpleasant, can prompt the kind of thinking that uncovers possibilities otherwise not considered. New partnerships, new sources of funding, and an improved vision are possible by moving from a “replacement mentality” to an “opportunity mentality.” Photo Credit: Chris Potter Topics: state of grant giving, ask these questions when writing a grant, best practices in grant writing, application tips, state of Illinois giving, state funding cuts, Illinois budget, state of Illinois budget, long-range planning Written by Roland Garton	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15515
__label__wiki	0.62426	0.62426	Breakfast for dinner, coming soon in festival style Shanti Lerner In this city, there’s so many brunch options, so little time. Columbus Underground’s All Things Brunch Festival is trying to solve just that. Back for its third year, the festival will gather the best of Columbus’ brunch restaurants all under one roof, but with a twist: it’s brunch at night. Leanne Moore, director of events for Columbus Underground, said the festival’s evening is part of the online publication’s initiative to promote small and local businesses in Columbus and Ohio. Most of the local and small businesses they work with are usually busiest during regular brunch hours. “It’s difficult for them to set aside a Saturday or Sunday morning when they would already be doing really well and really busy to come to an event,” she said. “So we do it at night so they are able to be at their best and able to prepare a bit better.” During the festival, brunch enthusiasts will experience flavors from 19 different eateries, meet local business owners, listen to live music and try a special cocktail menu that will include brunch cocktail classics. “Everybody loves breakfast for dinner so we kind of see it as a big breakfast for dinner type of party,” Moore said. The All Things Brunch Festival originated four years ago from Columbus Underground’s Best Bite Series — food tasting events and articles that promote local dining options in Columbus. Moore said the festival was added to the Columbus Underground food series after they realized they were missing a piece in the Columbus dining scene. “We realized that Columbus had a ton of great brunch places and it was something that people were really excited about,” she said. Festival-goers will have the chance to sample brunch offerings from eateries like Taste of Belgium, Grandview Cafe, Balboa, Forno Kitchen + Bar, Sunny Street Cafe and Dough Mama. “This will give people a lot of exposure to what’s out there for brunch and all the different places that they can go to and also it’s a really great way to be part of the Columbus community and be introduced to the people who are actually making their food,” Perrie Wilkof, owner of Dough Mama, said. “It’s a really fun way to be immersed in our city.” The All Things Brunch Festival will take place at 7 p.m. April 20 at The Valley Dale Ballroom, 1590 Sunbury Rd. Tickets start at $25 plus fees via Eventbrite. Part of the proceeds will go to Big Brothers Big Sisters and Camp Oty’Okwa. Ohio State issues safety notice after two similar assaults Student’s car stolen at gunpoint Columbus’ Own: Sol Spectrum runs the musical gamut Campus area crime map Dec. 30 – Jan. 5 Ways to spruce up winter break in Columbus	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15519
__label__cc	0.725778	0.274222	Home / Editorial Comment / Corruption cripples service delivery Corruption cripples service delivery By The Mast on August 16, 2018 Caritas Chipata governance unit programmes coordinator John Mthaziko Zulu says there is too much corruption in service delivery in Zambia. Zulu is right. No one can sensibly dispute this. Corruption has very serious negative consequences on the socio-economic development of this country. In Zambia today, corruption is visible in all sectors of the economy, the public service inclusive. It is a known fact in Zambia that corruption has negatively affected the ability of government to provide essential services in education, health, water, electricity and other infrastructure facilities. Corruption in the public service is a major impediment to effective service delivery to the Zambian populace. Due to the privileged position of the public servants to public resources and information, they tend to abuse these privileges to the detriment of the Zambian people. This, therefore, calls for, among other measures, a culture of relative openness, effective supervision and monitoring of programmes geared towards provision of essential public goods and services. Corruption is no doubt a national phenomenon that has threatened and still continues to threaten the developmental efforts in our country. In Zambia, eradicating corruption has been a major concern because of its negative impact on good governance and effective service delivery. Corruption exists in one form or the order in almost all aspects of our national life. And what is really worrying many Zambians of good will today is the extent of its pervasiveness and its implication for good governance, its value system and political culture in particular. An average Zambian seems to have accepted corruption as inevitable and uncontrollable, believing that the society as a whole is corrupt and beyond remedy. Additionally, many Zambians seem to believe that nothing meaningful will ever get done to correct or punish those perpetuating these crimes. Today corruption has reached an alarming rate and has eaten deep into every facet of Zambian society. It has indeed become an integral part of the administrative, political, socio-economic and cultural system as well as a way of life of the citizenry. The situation in the Zambian public service can succinctly be described as one in which government officials have become progressively indifferent to propriety of conduct and show little commitment to promoting the general welfare of the people and the public goods. Government and all its agencies have become thoroughly corrupt and reckless. Members of the public have to bribe their way through in ministries and parastatals to get attention. Despite the structures put in place to combat the malaise or at least reduce it to its barest minimum, corruption still continues to be endemic, particularly in the Zambian public service with its attendant implications for effective service delivery and welfare of the people. The effect of this is that the majority of Zambians are yet to enjoy the dividends of democracy and good governance. The question is what is the magnitude and dimension of corruption in Zambia, specifically in the Zambian public service? Does it have any implication for effective service delivery? The issue of corruption can be looked at from various perspectives, depending on how it is being perpetuated or practiced. Corruption or corrupt practices has to do with fraudulent activities, especially siphoning of funds that are meant for the general populace for ones aggrandisement only. Clearly, corruption is as an anti-social behaviour conferring improper benefits contrary to legal and moral norms and which undermines the authority’s ability to improve the living condition of the people. In this sense, corruption is the misuse of entrusted power for private gain. It is a selfish and dishonest act that deprives a vast majority, apart from the perpetrators and their cohorts, of desired benefits, that is social, economic, political and other legitimate benefits. We are looking at corruption here from the political and bureaucratic perspective. Political corruption occurs at the highest level of political authority amongst politicians and political decision makers, who are entitled to formulate, establish and implement the laws in the name of the people. These people thus make and formulate policies and legislate laws that are intended to benefit themselves. It is characterised by greed because it affects the manner in which decisions are made to manipulate political institutions, rules of procedure and distort the institutions of government. The bureaucratic corruption on the other hand, occurs in the public administration or the implementation end of politics. In Zambia, this type of corruption occurs daily in places like the hospitals, schools, licensing offices, police, and tax offices, and so on and so forth, where citizens must have to offer bribes to access what they are legally entitled to. The other variant is the outright embezzlement of public funds by public officials in their places of assignments. In Zambia, the embezzlement of public funds is one of the most common ways of economic accumulation, perhaps due to lack of strict regulatory systems. There is no doubt that the high rate of corruption in the public service has great implication for effective service delivery. This is because the public service is the major implementer of government policies and programmes geared towards providing essential services that impact on the well-being of the general citizenry. It is, however, unfortunate that the citizens that are supposed to enjoy the benefits of these services are rather subjected to all forms of ridicule and frustration. For example, public officials collect bribes from the citizens before accessing some of the services. They are equally ridiculed and frustrated should they refuse to give the bribes. Beside the skeletal nature of the services provided, they are also most times denied even services they pay for – electricity, water, health and other essential services. Thus there is a symbiotic relationship between corruption in the public service and effective service delivery. We therefore need a government that imbibe a strong political will to combating corruption in the public service and of necessity punish offenders regardless of who is involved. It’s impossible to have such a government if we have a corrupt president who is busy trying to enrich himself in the shortest possible time and in every way possible. And we the citizens of this country must be involved in the process of monitoring and evaluation of programmes and projects geared towards our wellbeing. We should start to insist on getting the right quality of services from government and other service providers. ‘The church should criticise politicians so that they do the right things’. Related Itemsbreakinghomepage ← Previous Story ‘There’s a serious desire for riches among elected leaders’ Next Story → ‘The church should criticise politicians so that they do the right things’ PF SHOULD REBRAND…to exonerate itself – Chilubanama I COULD HAVE BEEN A STAR…but parents never allowed me to play football – Minister GOD IS UPSET WITH US…with the way we’ve conducted politics – Nawakwi Like The Mast on Facebook By Masuzyo Chakwe UK wants to be investment partner of choice for Africa – Sharma WE want to see investment that builds self-sustaining economies, says British Secretary of State for International Development Alok Sharma. Closing the UK-Africa Investment Summit session on Monday, Sharma said... The Mast \| January 22, 2020 Unpacking M&E with Kanyamuna: Invest in strengthening government-wide M&E system – Part I Masuzyo Chakwe \| January 22, 2020 Growing policyholder debt worry PIA Edwin Mbulo in Livingstone \| January 22, 2020 PF full of failures, failed projects, says L/stone health workers Cashew nut is a major industry for wealth creation – Lungu Chambwa Moonga \| January 22, 2020 PF has completely lost it, says Kabimba FAZ calls for unity The MAST PDF Follow The Mast Contacting The Mast Letters: editorial@themastonline.com Advertising: advertising@themastonline.com General inquiries: info@themastonline.com Copyright © 2017 The Mast. All Rights Reserved.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15521
__label__wiki	0.676452	0.676452	bangladesh opens with a win The story of the Man who built the Tallest Cycle and his Journey towards Success! The Most Important Day In Your Life! Brain freeze, aka sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia by -Divya-Gavandi As you all know picture saved in Google Drive can be seen in the Google Photos, but from July 10 Google Photos will not sync to Drive,which means that photos, videos from user's drive will not be automatically shown in Photos and vice versa and even the same about deleting.If we delete Photos and videos from Google Drive it won't be deleted from the Photos and nor the media deleted from Photos will be deleted from the Drive. And that's the profit of unsyncing Google Drive and Photos. According to the report the user gives the feedback that it is bit confusing and leads to difficulty in handing Drive and Photos therefore Google here is making the changes to make it user friendly.In the post Google says that "User should note that the earlier media which is linked with the two services will remain unchanged and there's no need to worry about it." However the photos and videos which will be saved in the Drive after July 10 will be synced with Photos automatically.Now Google will enen add a new feature "Upload from Drive" so that using this feature users can manually upload photos and videos they want to be shown in Photos. If users deletes the media from either Photos and Drive then it will be deleted from any one of them i.e if media is deleted from Photos then it be onle celeted from Photos and not from Drive and vice versa. Tags: July 10 Google Photos will not sync to Drive	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15524
__label__wiki	0.925782	0.925782	Canonical to Windows XP cliff-clingers: Ubuntu safety net's ready... now jump Windows 8 concentrates the mind By Gavin Clarke 18 Oct 2012 at 13:49 The 25th of October is an auspicious date on the Microsoft calendar. It's not just the date Redmond intends to release Windows 8; it's also the same date that Microsoft released Windows XP, back in 2001. Here's another big date, only slightly more ominous: 8 April, 2014. That's when, if you're still running Windows XP, you had better have a good back-up plan or lots of money to give Microsoft if you want to keep secure. When that first week of April comes to a close, extended support for Windows XP will finally come to an end. What to do? This October has also seen the launch of another operating system, one which hopes to capitalise on the end of Windows XP and the uncertainty of Windows 8. That operating system is Ubuntu 12.10, and Canonical reckons it has been talking to some big customers about using Ubuntu as a desktop replacement for PCs on Windows XP before they migrate to Windows 7 – as many are doing now that Windows 8 is nearly here. "From our perspective, that [Windows 8] means a lot of users considering their desktop platforms," Canonical vice president of products and communications Steve George told The Reg just before Thursday's Ubuntu 12.10 release. "We are spending a lot of time talking to enterprise and corporate customers about their next platform." One of the biggest potential customers is the UK government. Canonical has been lobbying hard for Whitehall to use PCs running Ubuntu. But George won't specify who Canonical is talking to. "We are very supportive of the Cabinet Office's drive to open source," is all he would say. Microsoft partners with whom The Reg has spoken have told us that only now, three-plus years after the release of Windows 7, are they getting the massive demand for Windows 7 they had so long been anticipating. Walker White, chief technology officer of IT asset management specialist BDNA, reckons his company is now working on five of the seven largest Windows migrations in the US - which include a major government entity with 450,000 PCs and a well-known financial institution with 250,00 PC all currently on Windows XP. "We are just seeing a peak now, one-and-a-half years before the end-of-life of Windows XP," White tells The Reg. The UK government is among those finally jumping. NHS Scotland, not an BDNA customer, just announced 100,000 Windows XP machines are going Windows 7, and renewing the health giant's lapsed Enterprise Agreement with Microsoft. BDNA's financial customer, which is migrating to Windows 7, must replace or re-write 1,500 of 2,200 apps that have been written for Windows XP. One of the biggest sticking point for any mass operating system upgrade is the apps, and that's been one reason so many Windows XP users have been holding back - because their Window XP apps rely on Windows XP's browser - Internet Explorer 6 or 7. BDNA's financial customer, which is migrating to Windows 7, must replace or re-write 1,500 of 2,200 apps that have been written for Windows XP. The corporation is just two-and-a-half months into the migration. Such examples are common in the UK, especially in government, which is heavily dependent on Windows and locked into IE 6 and 7 from the top down. Moving from Windows to Windows is bad enough then, but Windows to Linux? On Linux, Canonical reckons it has the answer with that hoary old favorite, Windows Terminal Services. Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, released in April, introduced remote desktop protocol using Freerdp, the open-source implementation of the Windows RDP protocol released under an Apache license. Freerdp enables Ubuntu to work with desktop thin-client services from Citrix and VMware. 12.10 has also added a remote login option, so users connect to their RDP server from the greeter screen. Canonical says you can embed applications like Excel in the launcher and get straight to your app without needing to first log into terminal services. Canonical works with Microsoft on RDP with participating Linux devs and those working on Freerdp participating in Redmond developer events such as plug fests. Freerdp has been updated to work with Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. Meantime, Canonical has given the big shops, including those in government, extended support time – from the usual three years in an LTS to five with 12.10 LTS. Critical mass chicken and egg The idea is to keep refining terminal services and the hardware support, with government reaping the benefits, says Canonical. "Our developers are aimed at the enterprise - working on great hardware support, [and a] stable operating system," George said. "The more popular Ubuntu is, and the more OEMs we work with, the more features come in and the more polish we have." The challenge for Canonical and Ubuntu is to build the kind of groundswell that entices OEMs to work on Ubuntu, improving it and - in turn - convincing users currently wedded to Windows XP to move to Linux, which goes on to attract even more OEMs to the distro. It's often said that Microsoft's biggest competitor is itself, thanks to the inertia of users on existing versions of its software. Canonical would claim it now offers an alternative to the increasingly predestined Windows 8 get-out route of Windows 7. Canonical, as founder Mark Shuttleworth likes to tell us, sees itself as the choice for Windows converts looking for an alternative to Apple. But with big government sectors like NHS Scotland switching back to Microsoft, the Linux camp will have to make the most of its lobbying. It'll also need to convince people that terminal services, stuck with a reputation for delay because such systems must call remote servers, is the future for desktop apps too expensive or time-consuming to rewrite and which cannot be webified. ® Google touts managed Linux, gets cosy with Dell in Chromebook Enterprise push Security plus Linux application support – enough to tempt enterprises? OpenStack 2018: Mark Shuttleworth chats to The Reg about 10-year support plans, Linus Torvalds and Russian rockets Interview Like Ubuntu, hate upgrading? Canonical founder has good news. And a mighty, mighty beard Tricky VPN-busting bug lurks in iOS, Android, Linux distros, macOS, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, say university eggheads OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec also vulnerable to tampering flaw, we're told Microsoft's Teams goes to bat for the other team with preview on Linux There is no escape from collaboration Microsoft's only gone and published the exFAT spec, now supports popping it in the Linux kernel exFAT heading towards Open Invention Network's Linux System Definition Microsoft has made an Android phone. Repeat, Microsoft has made an Android phone. A dual-screen foldable mobe not due until late 2020 If at first you don't succeed, there's always Linux, eh? Windows giant cheered on by Linux Foundation as it seeks membership of private security-focused message board Microsoft enables phone calls from your Windows PC (as long as it's paired with an Android) Plus: Insiders yanked from their rings	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15528
__label__wiki	0.618537	0.618537	Author Amy Oestreicher to discusses memoir at Bernard’s Briana Leigh Kresic weds Isaac Homer Lassiter IV in Brooklyn Ridgefield student news: University of Connecticut, Baylor Sen. Chris Murphy recognizes Ridgefield freshman for MLK essay Defense leads Ridgefield past Ludlowe Knachel’s double-double helps Ridgefield upend Ludlowe Welsh scores hat trick in win over Westhill-Stamford Keppler wins weight class at Greater Hartford Open Editorial: King’s legacy for all Democratic View: Serving our district Letter: West Lane Deli owners taught us plenty Letter: Participation in town politics Dancing and screenings head to a town near you Figure skating drama ‘Spinning Out’ tackles mental health Gossip becomes deadly in ‘One of Us Is Next’ Trying to find a balanced breakfast that doesn’t taste like https://www.theridgefieldpress.com/past_obituaries/article/Obituary-Capt-William-R-Adams-14004672.php Obituary: Capt. William R. Adams Published 11:15 am EST, Wednesday, November 14, 2018 Capt. William R. Adams Bill passed peacefully at the age of 86 at home with family. He was born in New Orleans, LA and graduated from the University of Texas Austin. During college Bill joined the Navy ROTC and then went on to the marines where he was a jet fighter pilot and training instructor. Flying became his passion and he made this his career when he joined American Airlines in 1964. Captain Bill eventually settled in Ridgefield CT to raise his children. One of his early assignments at American was flying Robert Kennedy and his family during the 1968 presidential campaign. Later in his career Bill was one of the first crew members to fly the new Boeing 767 aircraft. When Bill was not flying he was very involved with his children’s sports teams and activities. Capt. Bill Adams relocated to Escondido, CA in the late 80s and he retired in 1992. His interests included golfing, traveling and riding motorcycles. He formed a motorcycle club called “The Romeo’s” (Retired Old Men Eating Out). Bill was survived by his wife Elizabeth & children Randy, Sally, Beth, Billy, Suzy, Mike and predeceased John and seven grandchildren Melissa, Jessica, Bill, Kaitlyn, Sarah, Emily and Max.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15529
__label__cc	0.680832	0.319168	Earth’s night lights as observed in 2016. (NASA ) Light pollution increasing around globe By Marcia Dunn Associated Press 730L 850L 1050L 1200L Assign to Google Classroom The world's nights are getting brighter. That's bad news for all sorts of creatures, humans included. A German-led team reported last Wednesday that light pollution is threatening darkness almost everywhere. Satellite observations during five Octobers show Earth's artificially lit outdoor area grew by 2 percent a year from 2012 to 2016. So did nighttime brightness. Light pollution is actually worse than that. That's according to the researchers. Their measurements coincide with a change in outdoor light. The switch is to energy-efficient and cost-saving light-emitting diodes, or LEDs. The imaging sensor on the polar-orbiting weather satellite can't detect the LED-generated color blue. That's why some light is missed. The observations, for example, indicate stable levels of night light in some places. These include the United States and the Netherlands. It also includes Spain and Italy. But light pollution is almost certainly on the rise in those countries given this elusive blue light. That's according to Christopher Kyba. He is part of the GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences. He is also the lead author of the study published in Science Advances. Also on the rise is the spread of light into the hinterlands and overall increased use. The findings shatter the long-held notion. The belief was that more energy efficient lighting would decrease usage on the global - or at least a national - scale. "Honestly, I had thought and assumed and hoped that with LEDs we were turning the corner. There's also a lot more awareness of light pollution." That's what he told reporters by phone from Potsdam. "It is quite disappointing." The biological impact from surging artificial light is also significant. That's according to the researchers. People's sleep can be marred. This can affect their health. The migration and reproduction of birds, fish, amphibians, insects and bats can be disrupted. Plants can have abnormally extended growing periods. And forget about seeing stars or the Milky Way. That's if the trend continues. About the only places with dramatic declines in night light were in areas of conflict like Syria and Yemen, the researchers found. Australia also reported a noticeable drop. But that's because wildfires were raging early in the study. Researchers were unable to filter out the bright burning light. For the most part, three places saw a surge in artificial night lighting. Those included Asia, Africa and South America. More and more places are installing outdoor lighting. That is due to its low cost and the overall growth in communities' wealth, the scientists noted. Urban sprawl is also moving towns farther out. The outskirts of major cities in developing nations are brightening quite rapidly. Other especially bright hot spots: sprawling greenhouses in the Netherlands and elsewhere. Photos taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station also illuminate the growing problem. Franz Holker is a co-author of the study. He says things are at the critical point. He is with the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries. It is in Berlin. "Many people are using light at night without really thinking about the cost," Holker said. Not just the economic cost, "but also the cost that you have to pay from an ecological, environmental perspective." Kyba and his colleagues recommend avoiding glaring lamps whenever possible. They recommend choosing amber over so-called white LEDs and using more efficient ways to illuminate places like parking lots or city streets. For example, dim, closely spaced lights tend to provide better visibility than bright lights that are more spread out. The International Dark-Sky Association is based in Tucson, Arizona. It has been highlighting the hazards of artificial night light for decades. "We hope that the results further sound the alarm about the many unintended consequences of the unchecked use of artificial light at night," Director J. Scott Feierabend said in a statement. An instrument on the 2011-launched U.S. weather satellite, Suomi, provided the observations for this study. A second such instrument was launched on a new satellite by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It is known as the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, or VIIRS. This latest VIIRS will join the continuing night light study. Filed Under: Science World news Assigned 390 times CRITICAL THINKING QUESTION Why is this a bigger issue in some places, but not all places? Write your answers in the comments section below joeyw-orv 12/05/2017 - 02:40 p.m. Light pollution is not god. Especially for me. I love sleep. It will effect my sleep. If it effects my sleep i will lose it. that's not good. ChloeR-del1 There are some issues in places because of the light pollution affecting countries or States. These places use lots of light which increases the risk of the pollution. kinniel-orv 12/06/2017 - 11:37 a.m. I don't like how nighttime is getting brighter. If you can walk at night without a flashlight and your not tripping over everything, that's how know its getting too light at night. If that's the case, what's the point of a flashlight unless your supposed to look for something your house that's dark, or somewhere else that's dark. ethanm-orv I hope Rockford doesn't add to light pollution jeremyj-orv It’s not good that light pollution is becoming more common, light pollution use to be n common. jackiek-orv is this a bigger issue in some places because they are bigger city's tbook-wim5 because the pollution is higher in the more highly populated areas or because in some place more leds are used which would cut back the pollution compared to a regular light bulb. druss-wim5 Why light pollution is a bigger issue in some places, but not all is that in certain areas the population is very much so increasing. There are many people and people need light. There are many buildings and skyscrapers that include lots of light. In these areas you can't even see any stars at night. In other areas, whereas there isn't as many people and less light, so they can see the stars. All of this light means more people. More people means that there is less room for animals. Also, there is global warming which is killing off these animals. jzirk-wim5 It gave me a lot of information on how this is affecting the human population. 24gjberg 1/02/2018 - 10:59 a.m. I don't like how nighttime is getting brighter.If you can walk at night without a flash light and your not tripping over everything. That's how know its getting too light at night. If that's the case. What's the point of a flashlight unless your supposed to look fir something your house that's dark or somewhere else that's dark. Page 1 of 5 Next » Take the Quiz Leave a comment Tweens in the news LEXILE LEVELS 500L-590L 1000L-1090L	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15534
__label__wiki	0.50626	0.50626	\|In Asia, Travel blog, Travel guides Welcome to our new series of budget travel guides, where we will cover countries we have visited recently aiming to share with you the best tips and insight on alternative activities, freebies and other must see attractions you should look for when visiting your desired holidays destinations. In this posts you’ll also be able to find great accommodation deals and look for the cheapest flight fares in your area. We will start our travel guide series with an exciting regional hub from Southeast Asia. Here’s our Singapore travel guide. We hope you enjoy it as much as we thrived in the city! Everything you see in Singapore has been built over the last 50 years, with few exceptions to the list. The progression of the city-state since its split from Malaysia in 1965 has been astonishing, and one many didn’t expect. The Malayan parted ways with Singapore just two years after merging in 1963, when the Singapore government expected huge benefits from an alliance to form a bigger country in the region. By that time, in the sixties, Singapore’s downtown was a large field of grass surrounded by brick houses, peasants and a general state of poverty. The agreement between the parts didn’t work out and a lot of political rifes –bloodshed included– led to the split, which at the time had Singapore’s PM in tears. The Malaysian leading party unanimously voted to expel Singapore from the federation. At that moment, the island was just another kampung –village– of the area that had gained independence from the British Crown in 1959, which had used its prime location to establish a trading port since the 19th century. How a field of grass turned into a modern metropolis, with state of the art skyscrapers and a world leading business environment in less than 50 years is still considered a miracle. Lee Kuan Yew, prime minister between 1965 and 1990, was the key political figure of the country. Experts claimed that the incredible evolution of Singapore resides in three key elements: unique placement, openness to trade and investment and a small and honest government. Like anywhere, there are relevant drawbacks to the formula: press control, authoritarian rules, harsh judiciary punishments and restrictions on freedom still take place today. Street view of Abdul Gafoor Mosque, Singapore. Credit: Guille Álvarez Sri Srinivasa Perumal Temple in Little India, Singapore. Credit: Guille Álvarez WHAT YOU MUST SEE When visiting Singapore, you should prepare to explore a wide potpourri of cultures, something you’ll do best when exploring the incredible variety of neighbourhoods the city has: from Chinatown to Little India, further into Marina Bay, Tiong Baru and Kampong Glam –the hipster and muslim quarter, all in one–; every step you take will reveal new contrasts in the huge metropolis. The city has a very efficient metro (MTR) and bus system, so you should use it if you’re in a rush, but be aware that walking here is never boring. As a melting pot of cultures, there’s nothing you cannot do or try in Singapore. You’ll also find it’s a place full of expats, so the Asian experience is deeply rooted to its inhabitants Western traditions. The result is a merging of Chinese, Malay, Indian and Arabic influences with European and American living standards, which is ideal to get a first taste of all Southeast Asia has to offer. Take in the varied assortment of temples, the commercial avenues, the green spaces and the street art. Even the airport is an attraction to pay attention at: Changi Airport has been one of the best ranked airports in the world for many years. Singapore's downtown from bird's eye view. Credit: Fahrul Azmi / Unsplash Singapore's downtown from bird's eye view. Credit: Shawn Ang / Unsplash ALTERNATIVE THINGS TO DO National Gallery Singapore Being a tropical destination, pouring rain can be expected without previous notice. Luckily, Singapore has great museums to offer. Our favourite is the National Gallery, which has great and varied exhibitions on the region and its artists. The building is beautiful and deserves a visit by itself, and the rooftop –bar and restaurant included– offers one of the most clear views on Marina Bay and the skyline. One thing that you will notice when landing in Singapore is that skyscrapers and contemporary architecture abound. Remember: the city was built in a rush over the last 50 years. This is, then, a great destination to look up and marvel at the concrete and glass wonders. An architecture tour here would be highly recommended. Pulau Ubin island Go further than most people and visit the last kampung in the area, Pulau Ubin, a tiny island opposite of Changi Airport. Few tourists flock there, and nature remains vivid for taking a nice bike ride, which you can conveniently rent after leaving the ferry. This is your best chance to explore the old preindustrial Singapore that quickly perished in hands of capitalism. Gardens by the bay at night, Singapore. Credit: Pascal Zwick / Unsplash DO IT FOR FREE Light shows in Marina Bay If the setting is spectacular, the result doesn’t fall short. Singapore markets its urban landscape by promoting two free light shows with music at Marina Bay Sands (Spectra) and Gardens by the Bay (Garden Rhapsody). These are a must and won’t scratch your pocket in a place where budget standards are as high, or even higher, than most Western cities. One of the most recent and spectacular additions to the city’s appeal, these gardens are a huge example of the merging of modernity and environment that Singapore aims to execute. A green city, the Gardens by the Bay provide for a unique walk or bike ride to escape the big skyscrapers of Downtown, which might engulf you after a few days. Singapore has some of the greater urban green spaces on the globe, and nobody will charge you a cent for properly enjoying them. The supertrees are a sight to behold, especially at dusk and night, when they light up. East Coast Park Same as the Gardens by the Bay, this is one of the last corners where you will feel free from the tall urban landscapes of the city. It’s a 15km beach that only sees crowds of locals during the weekends. Another great place to go for a bike ride, which you could combine with the Gardens since the facilities are connected by bike lanes. If We Dream Too Long, Goh Poh Seng Considered by many the first Singaporean novel, published in 1968 by Goh Poh Seng. If We Dream Too Long explains the life and dilemmas of a 18 year old student that tries to follow his aspirations and adhere to the demands of society and family. Corridor, Alfian Sa’at 12 short stories conform Corridor, a fiction work from the playwright and poet Alfian Sa’at that portrays life as a member of an ethnic minority in Singapore. Fistful of Colours, Suchen Christine Lim Fistful of Colours is an exploration of women’s rights during Singapore’s history, and a realistic account of what still prevails in plain sight: patriarchal society largely prevails and strips women of their fair rights. Suchen Christine Lim won the first ever Singapore Literature Prize in 1992. Balik Kampung series, edited by Verena Tay Explore the neighbourhoods of Singapore and its diversity through the eyes of different authors that have lived in them for more than 10 years. Singapore is not a cheap city, but the food courts, where the true local food is served, are delicious and good value. Credit: Guille Álvarez FOOD YOU SHOULD TRY In Singapore you can find really fancy dining options and rooftop cocktail lounges, but a lot of travellers will prefer to keep their pockets safe. For that, the city has a great food court scene in which you can enjoy dishes from all the surrounding regions. In Maxwell Food Center you’ll find Tian Tian Hainanese Chicken Rice, a renowned hawker stall with really long queues that serves the trademark dish of the city; if you mind the wait, just try any stall you find. They’re really tasty and great value. Leave space in your bellies to try the oyster omelettes. Nearby, in Chinatown, you could also venture to Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Sauce Chicken Rice & Noodle, the cheapest Michelin star restaurant in the world. When visiting Little India, find a place to enjoy murtabak (savoury stuffed pancakes) and roti prata (dough-flour pancake), ideally in Tekka Center. Another food court to note down is Telor Ayok Market in Downtown, and you shouldn’t leave the city without tasting one or two laksa dishes (noodle soup), since they’re all different depending on the influences of the cooks at the places you’re eating. Hostels and budget accomodation abound in Singapore, and there’s actually people living in hostels full time as the rent prices in the country are skyrocketing. Expect nothing fancy but fair prices for a big metropolis: the cheapest prices in Booking.com start at 7€ per night for one person in dorm rooms, which is pretty decent. We stayed in Rucksack Inn @ Lavender Street, conveniently located close to downtown through bus stations and MTR, although not a short walk to any of the main attractions in the city. Still, one of the best quality/price relations in the whole city, and a reasonable walking distance to Little India and Kampong Glam too. Singapore is one of the cheapest long-haul flights you can find around, either from Europe or the United States, with best fares rounding the 200-300€ mark. From Australia, you could fly for as little as 80€. Remember that Changi Airport if one of the main Asian hubs, so you’ll find lots of cheap flights to further explore the region in any direction. United Kingdom – 246€ (London) United States – 220€ – 280€ (San Francisco – New York) Europe – 180€ – 236€ (Berlín – Barcelona) Australia – 80€ – 107€ (Perth – Sydney) Content by Guille Álvarez Hungry for more Singapore travel related stories? Check our RTW blog entry on first connections while backpacking. What’s up, all is going sound here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts, that’s genuinely good, Diario de viaje a Cuba – Segunda semana	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15535
__label__wiki	0.84883	0.84883	Wait times for MRI are on the rise in Alberta Joe Scarpelli Tue, Mar 28: A new report into wait times across the country shows Alberta remains behind the pack when it comes to CT scans and MRI’s. Joe Scarpelli speaks with a Taber man who is avoiding the lineup, by using a private facility here in Lethbridge. http://globalnews.ca... New U3T MRI Centre open for business in southern Alberta Quinn Campbell Lethbridge’s new University 3T MRI Centre officially opened to the public for private bookings on Monday. Radiologist Dr. Michael Lane called it a unique addition to health care in the province. “For a third party to pay, or for a individual to pay out of their pocket, t... High Powered MRI To Serve In Research and Advanced Patient Care Sam Borsato LETHBRIDGE - Lethbridge and surrounding areas will soon have access to world-class MRI scanning out of the University. The 3 Tesla, otherwise known as the Siemens 3 Tesla Magnetom Skyra MRI System, runs a higher powered magnetic field than the machine available at Chi... New MRI Centre Coming to Lethbridge FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – The University of Lethbridge, in partnership with local radiologists, are excited to announce they will soon be opening the University 3 Tesla (U3T) MRI Centre, a world-class diagnostic and research imaging facility. This will provide the mos... University of Lethbridge to open U3T MRI Centre Trevor Kenney For Immediate Release — Monday, May 2, 2016 The University of Lethbridge, in partnership with local radiologists, will soon open the U3T MRI Centre, a world-class research and diagnostic imaging facility, providing sout... A Magnetic Presence: Siemens New MRI Systems Pulling More Patients Toward the Benefits of MR Imaging MALVERN, Pa., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Medical Solutions (www.usa.siemens.com/medical) is once again paving the way to increased access to essential imaging services with the introduction of two new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems. At a 1.5 Te... UNIVERSITY OF LETHBRIDGE ACHIEVES TOP-THREE POSITION IN 2013 MACLEAN’S UNIVERSITY RANKINGS The University of Lethbridge has claimed a top-three position in the Maclean's Magazine ranking of Canadian Universities, reflecting the U of L's confirmed strength in a number of other polls and rankings released earlier this year. The U of L achieved its highest rank... CANADIAN UNIVERSITY REPORT University profiles to help you choose Lethbridge (main), Edmonton and Calgary Students: 8,200 Despite its small size, U of L has carved out a niche with its strong neuroscience department and leading bioengineering research. Students gave mixed reviews on a national surv... “Top 5” Canadian University Ranking The University of Lethbridge is a world class research facility that is home to the first Department of Neuroscience in Canada, including the CCBN, a top-quality, state of the art, 60,000 square foot, standalone research facility, the CCBN. The CCBN houses a vibrant an... The University of Lethbridge has claimed a top-three position in the Maclean's Magazine ranking of Canadian Universities, reflecting the U of L's conf... The University of Lethbridge is a world class research facility that is home to the first Department of Neuroscience in Canada, including the CCBN, a... MALVERN, Pa., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Medical Solutions (www.usa.siemens.com/medical) is once again paving the way to increased acce...	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15536
__label__wiki	0.995588	0.995588	Oct. 18, 2018 / 12:36 PM Peter Dinklage helped Jamie Dornan learn 'Fifty Shades' lines Annie Martin Peter Dinklage attends the Primetime Emmy Awards on September 17. File Photo by Christine Chew/UPI \| License Photo Jamie Dornan attends the Academy Awards on February 26, 2017. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI \| License Photo Peter Dinklage attends the Primetime Emmy Awards on September 20, 2015. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI \| License Photo Jamie Dornan attends the EE British Academy Film Awards on February 12, 2017. File Photo by Paul Treadway/UPI \| License Photo Oct. 18 (UPI) -- Peter Dinklage says he helped Jamie Dornan prep for the final Fifty Shades movie. The 49-year-old actor said on Wednesday's episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert that he ran lines with Dornan prior to the star's reshoots for Fifty Shades Freed. Dinklage and Dornan co-star in the new HBO movie My Dinner with Hervé. The pair were on the film's set when they read as Fifty Shades characters Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, respectively. "I read some of the screenplay, though, in our dressing room," Dinklage recalled. "I went in, he had to do some reshoots for Fifty Shades and I would help him out learning lines." "I would read the Dakota Johnson parts," he added, referencing Dornan's co-star. "I was just helping a friend learn lines. I nailed it. I really did." My Dinner with Hervé explores the unlikely friendship between late actor Hervé Villechaize (Dinklage) and struggling journalist Danny Tate (Dornan). Tate interviewed Villechaize days before the actor's suicide in September 1993. "They realized they had so many things that paralleled," Dornan said of Villechaize and Tate's bond in an interview with USA Today. "They were both dealing with very similar things and destructive elements of their characters," he added. My Dinner with Hervé premieres Saturday. Dinklage is also known for playing Tyrion Lannister in the HBO series Game of Thrones, which will return for an eighth and final season in 2019. Jamie Dornan, wife Amelia expecting baby No. 3 Peter Dinklage defends casting after whitewashing claims Michael B. Jordan asks out Naomi Osaka on her birthday Kristen Bell questions message of 'Snow White' to daughters TV // 8 minutes ago Jonas Brothers, Seth Meyers go Day Drinking on 'Late Night' Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The Jonas Brothers and Seth Meyers spent the day drinking inside an empty bar on "Late Night." TV // 11 minutes ago J.J. Watt, RuPaul to host 'SNL' this winter Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt is set to guest host "Saturday Night Live" on Feb. 1. Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Last year's actor and actress winners are confirmed as presenters for next month's Oscars gala, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced. Entertainment News // 55 minutes ago Google honors actress Anna May Wong with new Doodle Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Google is celebrating actress Anna May Wong on the 97th anniversary of her film "The Toll of the Sea" which was her first leading role. '68 Whiskey' explores the pressures combat medics face LOS ANGELES, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- When CBS adapted "MASH" for television, the antics of a Korean War Army hospital captivated viewers for 11 seasons. Paramount Network's "68 Whiskey" hopes to do the same for combat medics. Entertainment News // 4 hours ago BTS announce new world tour to start in April SEOUL, Jan. 22 (UPI) -- K-pop superstars BTS announced a new world tour on Wednesday that will kick off in April in Seoul and will bring them to North America, Europe and Japan. Famous birthdays for Jan. 22: Steve Perry, Diane Lane Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Singer Steve Perry turns 71 and actor Diane Lane turns 55, among the famous birthdays for Jan. 22. Music // 17 hours ago GFriend shares tracklist for 'Labyrinth' album Jan. 21 (UPI) -- K-pop stars GFriend released a tracklist and the teaser video "A Tale of the Glass Bead: Previous Story" for their album "Labyrinth." Alice Cooper adds summer dates to North American tour Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Alice Cooper will perform with Tesla and Lita Ford on a new leg of his "Ol' Black Eyes is Back" tour. Bright Eyes reunites for new music, tour Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Bright Eyes signed with Dead Oceans and will record new music and perform its first shows in nine years. Joaquin Phoenix calls Heath Ledger his favorite actor in SAG acceptance speech 'The Conners' plans live episode to watch N.H. presidential primary Ozzy Osbourne shares Parkinson's disease diagnosis Courtney Stodden finalizes divorce 3 years after split Moments from the 26th annual SAG Awards	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15537
__label__wiki	0.774018	0.774018	Food around the world Usual family Destinations National Trust launches ‘Special Places’ campaign \| Travelbite written by admin March 19, 2016 National Trust launches ‘Special Places’ campaign Thursday, 28 March 2013 10:02 AM Do you have a 'special place'? The National Trust has teamed up with celebrities from the world of sport, film and TV to celebrate the importance of ‘special places’ in people’s lives. Actor Jude Law, chefs The Fabulous Baker Brothers, model David Gandy and England rugby ace Austin Healey are among those who have shared photographs of the places that mean the most to them as part of the nationwide initiative by the National Trust. The campaign follows research undertaken by the charity which found that 84 per cent of Brits have a favourite place they go to which positively affects their wellbeing and happiness. According to the National Trust study, four out of five people (81 per cent) said visiting their favourite place had a bigger impact on their wellbeing than shopping or going to the cinema. Nearly a third of those surveyed (31 per cent) said their favourite place was where they grew up, while 30 per cent chose a recent holiday spot and one in four (25 per cent) the location of a childhood family outing. One in ten romantically-minded Brits (10 per cent) admitted that their special place was where they were married and five per cent where they were proposed to. 87 per cent said their special place made them happy just thinking about it, with three quarters of those surveyed (75 per cent) revealing the place they love the most reminded them of their family. Photographs by the celebrities are being showcased on a new app created by the National Trust to encourage people to share their favourite place and why it means so much to them. The app will also feature places that are important to National Trust staff and volunteers and members of the public. David Gandy comments, “I wanted to share my favourite photograph of Melford Hall as I have such fond and affectionate memories here, from visiting the beautiful grounds and rooms on school trips with all my school friends to family outings. Lots of people have special places that evoke happy memories so I think it’s great that the National Trust is encouraging people to share their love and give these places the importance they deserve.” The National Trust is now galvanising the nation to discover or revisit their special place and share it with others this bank holiday, wherever it may be. To explore the National Trust places and find or discover new special places log onto www.nationaltrust.org.uk. The nation can also register their special place and tell everyone why they love it at www.facebook.com/nationaltrust and #specialplaces. Follow us @travelbite FCO launches road safety campaign The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has launched a road safety campaign to help British nationals drive safely abroad and stay on the right side of foreign road laws this Easter. National Trust outdoors campaign The National Trust has launched a campaign encouraging Britons to make the most of the outdoors and get closer to nature. National Trust joins British coast campaign The National Trust has joined a number of organisations in a campaign urging the government to guarantee protection for the UK's coast and seascapes. Celebrate the start of spring in the UK's best gardens Today, March 20th, marks the first official day of spring (hooray!) and there's no better way to celebrate the beginning of Mother Nature's most colourful season than by taking a stroll through some of the UK's best gardens. From vibrant azaleas to canary-yellow daffodils, here's our pick of the best spring gardens in the UK: Visit the Venetian islands on a boating trip to Italy 5 of the best things to see and do in San Diego A weekend in…Chicago Quirky travel deal: Stay in an eco property made from lava in Spain \| Travelbite Boating holidays in Ireland Black Tomato launches Caribbean holiday package to help people to detox from technology \| Travelbite.co.uk Top 10 inspirational travel books of all time \| Travelbite What to see and do on a Bodrum holiday CI Travel Archive Gambia: 7-night holiday for Â£399 Flight Centre First and Business Book luxurious Mauritius holidays with Beachcomber – travelbite.co.uk A Guide to Your First Trip Abroad with Friends Travel blogs: first-hand travel experiences from around the world Book Peru tours and visit the colonial city of Arequipa Airport parking – convenience vs cost The up-and-coming countries in the world worth visiting How many air miles does it take to get a free flight to America? There are a lot of travel blogs and websites The travel deals on the most significant The latest travel news on the most significant developments Best Places in Greece For Watersports Enthusiasts Top 5 Family Golf Holidays 5 incredible golf locations to add to your travel wish list Up-and-coming package holiday destinations for 2020 Top Destinations Around the World for a Horse Racing Holiday Travelbite.co.uk provides easy to find, useful information on destinations all over the world, so if you’re planning a holiday we can give you lots of ideas, tips, news and inspiration. @2016 - Copyright Travelbite.co.uk	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15542
__label__cc	0.714098	0.285902	HomeCareer PlanningCareer Planning by yearChoosing Your Program Common “major” myths: "Picking a major and a career is the same thing." "The major I pick now will determine my lifelong career." "Whatever major I pick I will be stuck with it." You’ve probably heard or thought about these statements before but it’s time to forget about the myths and focus on the facts. 20-50% of all students entering university are undecided about their major 50-70% of students change their major at least once during their studies Most individuals will change their positions and careers 6-7 times over a lifetime If you’re wondering how to choose your academic program, the following questions will help you to evaluate your values, interests and skills and ultimately help you make a decision you can feel confident about. 1. Start with exploring your values Examine your values as they relate to academia, work, career and lifestyle. What is it that you value in obtaining a degree and coming to university? What or who are the most important things in your life? What do you value most about who you are at this point in your life? What do you want to achieve during your time at university? (could include academic, extra-curricular, social and personal fulfillment) In what ways must you be challenged and rewarded in a job? Describe a successful university graduate. What is it that you value about them? 2. What are your interests? Your interests can help you understand the courses and programs where you would enjoy using your skills and abilities. In studying something that you enjoy, you will be able to achieve your potential. Do you prefer to work with people, data or things? Prioritize these things in order of importance. What subjects interested you in high school? What activities do you take part in? What do you learn about yourself when you’re engaged in these activities? What types of people do you find interesting and engaging? Can you describe environments that you have enjoyed being in? What section of the newspaper do you enjoy reading? When you go to a bookstore which sections do you find most intriguing? 3. What are your skills/abilities? When choosing a program it is important to evaluate the skills that you will develop by being a student in that department. When you graduate employers will ask you about the skills you have learned and developed throughout your education and work experience. What subjects have you excelled in? Have these been areas in which you always tend to do well? What accomplishments are you proud of? Ask anyone who knows you well to share with you what your best qualities and strengths are. Also ask about your weaknesses. What are your top three skills? What are the skills that you would develop in the program areas you are considering majoring in? (Check out our Careers By Major database for information on programs and skills) Employers emphasize that they look for students who are well-rounded. One, who has successfully completed a university degree, developed a diverse set of skills and has participated in activities such as extra-curricular involvements, part-time or summer jobs or volunteering. Employers expect that you have an understanding of how to learn, which is achieved through the completion of your degree. Tips for success: Choose a program which will enable you to develop a broad skill set Begin to explore career areas and industries in which you have interests The skills you develop in university are transferable You have the option to change and/or enroll in new programs	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15545
__label__wiki	0.740439	0.740439	Solar Industry Diversity Study A new report on diversity and inclusion in the American solar workforce To download this report, please complete the form below. Send me occasional updates on new research, programs & events. View the Infographic Diversity Best Practices Guide The U.S. Solar Industry Diversity Study 2019 is an in-depth look at diversity, inclusion, and equity in the solar industry. It includes new data on wages, advancement, and career pathways for women and people of color. This study was released by The Solar Foundation in partnership with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). It looks at diversity and inclusion strategies now in place at solar firms, and it identifies ways the industry can improve. Today, leaders in solar are making diversity and inclusion a priority. This rapidly growing industry now employs 242,000 Americans, and these job opportunities should be accessible to everyone. As a companion to this study, The Solar Foundation and SEIA are releasing a new best practices guide to help companies advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Get the Latest Updates on Workforce Diversity The Solar Foundation and its partners continue to be engaged on workforce diversity and inclusion, with more activities and events planned for 2020. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and stay up to date on the latest news and events. “Diversity and inclusion are essential to making the solar industry as accessible as possible. While the industry is working hard toward expanding into all communities, studies like this highlight where the gaps are so we can do a better job on filling them. Over time, we hope that our industry workforce will be as diverse as our world, and studies like this will help us get there.” — Scott Wiater, President and CEO of Standard Solar Overall, the study found there are some areas where the solar industry has made significant progress. A growing number of solar firms are now tracking metrics on employee diversity. The majority of employees say their company has a positive working environment based on equity and respect. However, as with many other industries, solar companies have a lot of work to do. Women and African Americans are both underrepresented in the solar workforce. There is a wide gender gap in pay, advancement, and job satisfaction. Much more can be done to change the hiring and recruitment process and foster a more inclusive workplace culture. This study also includes a chapter based on detailed interviews with women of color in the solar industry, recognizing they face unique challenges in career growth and advancement. It includes case studies on employees from diverse backgrounds and their experiences navigating the solar workforce. This study was released along with the new best practices guide at an event on May 6 at the National Press Club. At this event, we joined SEIA to issue a #DiversityChallenge, asking others in the energy sector to address diversity and inclusion at their companies and in their industries. The Solar Foundation is proud to join more than 600 other companies in making the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge and encouraging others to take action. Oregon and Washington Diversity Report Following up on the national study, The Solar Foundation has released the Oregon and Washington Solar Workforce Diversity Report with support from the Northwest Energy Coalition and the Energy Trust and Oregon. This report goes in-depth on challenges related to diversity and inclusion and solar workforce development in Oregon and Washington. 2017 U.S. Solar Diversity Study The 2019 U.S. Solar Industry Diversity Study is a followup to a previous report released by The Solar Foundation in 2017. This study was the first comprehensive research on diversity in the solar workforce, including the representation of women, minority groups, and veterans. In addition to its detailed survey findings, the study included five action items that solar companies can implement to improve diversity. They include creating company-wide diversity pledges, establishing a formal diversity tracking and measurement tool, broadening recruitment efforts, implementing a blind job application process, and establishing diversity training programs. The 2017 study was published by The Solar Foundation and was an initiative of the Women’s Empowerment Committee at the Solar Energy Industries Association. Read the 2017 Study The Solar Foundation extends its gratitude to the sponsors of the U.S. Solar Industry Diversity Study in 2019. Additional thanks to Gold Sponsor Melanie Santiago-Mosier of Vote Solar. “A more diverse solar industry will be a more successful solar industry. The Solar Foundation’s latest Solar Industry Diversity Study shows us that we have more work to do, and we encourage companies to share lessons, explore resources, and take steps to build a more inclusive solar industry. The solar industry is aiming to completely transform the way our economy is powered and avert a looming climate crisis, and it will take people of all genders, races, and life experiences working together to successfully build that brighter future for our children and grandchildren.” — Melanie Santiago-Mosier, Access & Equity Program Senior Director, Vote Solar “At McCarthy, we recognize that a diverse and inclusive workforce is vital to remain competitive and attract top talent to this growing industry. That’s why we prioritize diversity in hiring and support our employees through programs such as our Partnership for Women. These new resources will help the solar industry assess where it stands today and take actionable steps toward improvement.” — Scott Canada, Senior Vice President of the Renewable Energy and Storage Group, McCarthy Building Companies “The boom of solar jobs is a monumental and promising time for our economy and our environment. We have an opportunity to make equity and inclusion the foundation of a clean energy workforce. Now is the chance to implement policies and offer benefits — like paid family leave and equal pay — that make it possible for every worker in this field to succeed.” — A.Tianna Scozzaro, Director of the Sierra Club’s Gender Equity and Environment program “We stand with SEIA, The Solar Foundation, and partners in continued efforts to enrich our industry through diversification. Reports like this one play a vital role in opening up new opportunities for training, education and development of best practices to promote a stronger, more inclusive solar industry.” — George Hershman, President of Swinerton Renewable Energy “To achieve SEPA’s vision of a carbon-free energy system by 2050, our industry must tap a diverse set of skills, backgrounds, cultural beliefs, and experiences in much the same way we must utilize a diverse mix of energy technologies and solutions. SEPA is committed to leveraging diversity in our workforce to achieve the best outcomes for the clean energy industry.” — Julia Hamm, SEPA president and CEO “We are proud to support this important Solar Foundation initiative. In addition to insights about trends in diversity representation in our industry, guidance about best practices for hiring, training, retention and creating an inclusive culture will benefit our company and many others.” — Jodi White, CFO of BayWa r.e. Solar Systems “You can’t change what you can’t see. Accounting for gender and racial inequities within the solar industry with a study like this is the first step. I encourage all companies to go further and take concrete steps to assess and be transparent about equity, inclusion, and diversity in their workplaces.” — Erica Mackie, GRID Alternatives CEO and co-founder “The Solar Foundation’s diversity study provides vital insights into our industry. When we have access to high quality information, we can make informed decisions to foster more inclusive workforces. This new wealth of information can help us build stronger companies and a fairer, more effective energy future.” — Sunfolding founder and CTO Leila Madrone “At Sunrun, we believe that empowering people and valuing their differences is essential for our mission to create a planet run by the sun. That’s why we strive to make solar inclusive in our workforce, workplaces, and the industry as a whole. With the release of the Solar Foundation’s new comprehensive study, in partnership with SEIA, Sunrun is committed more than ever to advance diversity and inclusion. Women make up 50% of our senior executives, 27% of our organizational leadership, and people of color comprise 25% of our workforce. Signing both the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion and the Catalyst CEO Champions for Change pledges today are fantastic opportunities to solidify our commitments.” — Lynn Jurich, Chief Executive Officer, Sunrun Be part of the movement to expand solar energy use worldwide.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15553
__label__wiki	0.892035	0.892035	You have searched for "Asia Pacific" Stop discussing leadership transition openly, urges Anwar PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has urged all parties in Pakatan Harapan to not discuss the transition of power issue openly and to honour the consensus on the matter reached in January 2018. 22 Jan 2020 \| 3:19 AM Factbox: How a virus impacts the economy and markets (Reuters) - The outbreak of a new virus in China has sent shivers through world financial markets, with investors drawing comparisons to the 2003 SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) outbreak in order to assess its potential economic impact. China coronavirus claims sixth victim as holiday travel heightens infection risks BEIJING: The death toll from the coronavirus outbreak in China climbed to six on Tuesday (Jan 21) as authorities reported a surge in new cases, with fears that hundreds of millions of people travelling for the Lunar New Year holiday will accelerate the infection rate. Australia to screen arrivals from Wuhan for coronavirus SYDNEY: Australia will start screening arrivals from Wuhan for a new strain of coronavirus that's been infecting hundreds of people across the central Chinese metropolis, the nation's chief medical officer said on Tuesday (Jan 21). Vietnam's national carrier launches Da Nang-Shanghai route HANOI: Vietnam's national flag carrier has launched its first flight route from the country's central city of Da Nang to China's Shanghai, Vietnam News Agency reported Monday (Jan 20). Japan's leader vows to boost nation's role in US alliance TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pledged on Sunday (Jan 19) to bolster his country's role under its security pact with the US in "outer space and cyberspace,” as the allies marked the 60th anniversary of a treaty that has been the basis for their postwar defence alliance. Comment: Is the region safer 15 years after the Boxing Day tsunami? Rapid, unplanned urbanisation is increasing the number of people and economic assets exposed to storms, typhoons and, in some cases, earthquakes. US futures climb with stocks as bonds fluctuate: Markets wrap NEW YORK (Bloomberg): American equity futures climbed alongside European shares on Thursday (Jan 16) in the wake of the signing of the US-China trade deal, an event that helped drive global stocks to record highs. Bonds fluctuated and the dollar was steady. Saifuddin: Premiership transition will be discussed in due time PUTRAJAYA: The power transition issue will be discussed and finalised at a suitable time during a Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting, says PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Ball now in PH council’s court PETALING JAYA: The Pakatan Harapan presidential council should set a clear date for the transition of power for the prime minister’s post, says Klang DAP MP Charles Santiago.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15555
__label__wiki	0.568319	0.568319	Armin Strom Find A Timepiece My Finest Hour ALTIPLANO WATCH Men’s rose gold watch. Grey meteorite dial. Grey alligator-skin strap. By combining Piaget’s watchmaking know-how and craftsmanship, this luxury men’s watch enhances the iconic Altiplano with the stone’s unique texture. Crafted from grey meteorite, the dial is punctuated with thin rose gold hour-markers, donning the subtle shades and unique lined structure of this asteroid fragment. Water-resistant to 3 ATM, the 40 mm diameter rose gold case houses a Manufacture Piaget movement, legendary for its thinness: the 1203P ultra-thin self-winding calibre, which is only 3 mm thick. This grey meteorite watch is limited to 300 pieces. 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__label__wiki	0.974675	0.974675	PwC review criticises Tower Hamlets allocation of voluntary sector grants 04 November 2014 by Andy Ricketts The review says that about 11 per cent of awards given under the London council's mainstream grants programme for 2012 to 2015 went to organisations that were either ineligible or did not meet the minimum eligibility criteria A review of the allocation of grants to voluntary sector organisations in the east London borough of Tower Hamlets has found that elected members intervened to ensure that funds were given to groups that did not meet the minimum eligibility criteria. Eric Pickles, the communities secretary, asked the professional services firm PwC to carry out a review of procedures at Tower Hamlets Council after the BBC Panorama programme broadcast allegations that Lutfur Rahman, the elected mayor of Tower Hamlets, had doubled the grants awarded to Bengali-run charities in return for electoral support. In the programme, which was shown in March, opposition councillors claimed that Rahman, who has executive power over the allocation of some grants made by the local authority, awarded £3.6m to Bengali and Somali groups, despite recommendations by council officers that they should receive £1.5m. Police subsequently said there was "no credible evidence of criminality" to substantiate the allegations. Rahman has strongly denied any wrongdoing. Pickles told parliament this afternoon after the report was published that he had appointed commissioners to take over financial control of Tower Hamlets Council in various areas, including the making of grants. The PwC review, the report of which has been published today, does not directly address the issue of electoral support but focuses on the council's relevant procedures. It says that about 11 per cent of grants given under the council’s £8m mainstream grants programme for the period 2012 to 2015 were awarded to organisations that were either ineligible or did not meet the required evaluation score when assessed by officers applying the agreed applications evaluation methodology. It says that there was a lack of transparency over the rationale for decisions to grant awards and there were gaps in the performance monitoring processes for organisations that have received grants. The report says that the council is "failing to comply with its best value duty" on grant-making. "Overall, we do not see an effective system in place to ascertain whether or not the allocation of grant monies awarded is such as to obtain best value," it says. The report says that a Corporate Grants Programme Board was set up to provide recommendations to the mayor. This committee consisted of two elected members, five council officers, a council legal representative and Khadiru Mahdi, chief executive of Tower Hamlets Council for Voluntary Service. The report says that councillors Miah and Choudhury, the elected members on the panel, disagreed with recommendations from officers about the awarding of grants to some organisations. "Whilst officers made recommendations that four organisations that scored less than the minimum quality score of 40 received funding totalling £67,712, members, by making changes to officer recommendations, increased this to 34 applications totalling £637,700," the report says. "We were informed during interviews that no re-scoring of applications took place following input from members." The report says that Mahdi abstained from voting on grant award proposals at a meeting in September 2012 because he considered that insufficient information had been provided and there was not enough time to review the proposals. He also wrote a note on the same day that was forwarded to the council setting out his concerns about the grant-making process, including meetings being cancelled at short notice because of a review of the recommended awards, papers not being released in advance or being released late and no explanation of "how the published criteria were used to arrive at different recommendations". Mahdi’s note said he believed he was "an observer rather than an effective contributor to the panel", the report says. Rahman said in a statement: "In April 2014, Eric Pickles announced that he was concerned about potential fraud and the London Evening Standard ran these claims on its front page. These allegations have been rejected by PwC. "The report highlights flaws in processes. These are regrettable. We will learn from this report and strengthen our procedures accordingly. I was always confident wild claims about fraud would not be substantiated. Both my officers and I want to get on with our jobs serving all residents in Tower Hamlets." A council spokesman said: "While the PwC report identifies some process and governance issues that needed to be improved, the council notes that no evidence of criminality or fraud has been identified by the government-appointed forensic auditors. "In our view, there is no evidence that these flaws of process are regular or endemic, meaning that there is no failure to comply with our best value duty. "We await the government’s reaction to the report but we urge the Secretary of State to act proportionately and to acknowledge the steps we have already taken to tighten up processes as well as the high performing nature of the council’s services." Finance Policy and Politics News Registered metered content 'No credible evidence of criminality' by Lutfur Rahman, say police Government appoints PwC to look into Lutfur Rahman allegations Tower Hamlets mayor accused of doubling grants to Bengali-run charities £100m available from foundation established by investment billionaire Terrence Higgins Trust reports £10m increase in income Priest 'put charity at risk' by fundraising to pay Islamic State hostage ransoms, regulator finds UK replacement for EU funding 'should be worth £4bn a year', report recommends Latest Policy Jobs	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15562
__label__wiki	0.941042	0.941042	Gig Reviews & Photos Album/EP/Single Reviews Neck Deep Release Cover Of Natalie Imbruglia's 'Torn' For Upcoming 'Songs That Saved My Life' Compilation Wrexham quartet Neck Deep, currently on their 'The Peace & The Panic: Round 2' US headline tour, have today released a cover of 'Torn', (a debut hit for Natalie Imbruglia in 1997) and they've recreated the iconic accompanying music video too! Speaking of their version, frontman Ben Barlow says, "This song is a classic for a lot people; it’s actually one of my girlfriend’s favourite songs ever, so we’ve listened to it a lot. It clicked that we could cover it one day when we were on tour, eating somewhere and it came on the radio. We started singing along and quickly realised this would make an awesome cover, once we’d ND’d it. We recorded the song with my brother Seb, and the video rolled round a little while later. Once again we teamed up with our buddies at OWIG and aimed to recreate the original video, but with an ND twist. We scrapped the love element and instead opted for more comedic value. Alongside that, we have a slight narrative where I’m constantly interrupted by the life that goes with being in a band, with me cutting a frustrated figure. It also features some cameos from some of our closest friends in the ND unit! It was a lot of fun being able to cover such a well-known song. Shooting the video was a breeze and as always the OWIG team nailed it.” Directors Joshua Sowter-Halling & Daniel Broadley of Our World Is Grey, say "It’s not often you get a chance to pay homage to a massive 90’s music video, so when this landed in our inbox we were definitely stoked! We wanted to get the whole thing looking as close as possible to the original but with a few little updates, like changing the aspect ratio from square (4:3) to Widescreen (16:9) which gave the whole piece a more modern feel. We were blessed with an incredible art department who all worked tirelessly to mimic the original set... the rest of it was just about having as much fun on set as possible!” Songs That Saved My Life is a brand centered around music that played a pivotal role in the lives of artists and fans that benefits mental health and suicide prevention charities. Everyone has music that helped them through a tough time. STSML looks to engage current artists with cover versions of those songs and share those stories with the world. This project benefits a variety of mental health and suicide prevention organisations. Currently, this project benefits Crisis Text Line, Hope For The Day, The Trevor Project, and To Write Love On Her Arms. For more information, please visit: https://www.songsthatsavedmylife.com/ Savage Hands Release Video For New Single 'Blue' Nathan Gray Releases Video For New Single 'Refrain' All Time Low Release New Single 'Some Kind Of Disaster' Los Campesinos! – 'Romance Is Boring: 10th Anniversary Reissue' Album Review Bandaid Brigade - 'I'm Separate' Album Review The Deadnotes - 'Courage' Album Review VUKOVI - 'Fall Better' Album Review Big Yawn Announce Debut Album + Release Video For New Single 'Skin Rat' The Chats Announce Debut Album + Release Video For New Single 'The Clap' Lizzy Farrall Announces Debut Album + Releases Video For New Single 'Addict' © 2020 3 Songs & Out	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15563
__label__cc	0.727036	0.272964	Request More Info! St. Anthony of Padua Memorial – Tomorrow’s reading reflection Webmaster June 12, 2013 Uncategorized Before St. Anthony, first the Gospel. It is as it should be for St. Anthony himself was a preacher who lived the Gospel so faithfully that he was made a saint within a year of having died. Jesus addresses anger in his famous teaching which includes name-calling, reconciliation, forgiveness, sacrifice and punishment. For example, he says, “You have heard that it was said to your ancestors, You shall not kill; and whoever kills will be liable to judgment. But I say to you, whoever is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment.” Now to St. Anthony. Yeah, he’s the one famous for helping people find lost objects- especially when you offer your prayer for lost souls and the souls in purgatory. That comes to us from Friar Julian of Spires who said, “Si quaeris miracula . . . resque perditas.” (If you want a miracle…[pray for] the welfare of lost souls.) But not only is he famous for helping us find our keys and wallets, but he’s even more famous for his preaching abilities. St. Bonaventure, upon opening his tomb, found his entire body has turned to ashes except for his tongue, which was perfectly incorrupt. (All of this information comes from newadvent.com) More importantly for today’s Gospel, however, and the life of St. Anthony, is what he preached during his last Lent before death. Here I will relay New Advent once again: “The last Lent he preached was that of 1231; the crowd of people which came from all parts to hear him, frequently numbered 30,000 and more. His last sermons were principally directed against hatred and enmity, and his efforts were crowned with wonderful success. Permanent reconciliations were effected, peace and concord re-established, liberty given to debtors and other prisoners, restitutions made, and enormous scandals repaired; in fact, the priests of Padua were no longer sufficient for the number of penitents….” Let’s pray that St. Anthony helps us to lose our anger toward others and find reconciliation with everyone. Categories Select Category Church News France Holy Land Ireland Italy Marian Shrines of Europe Medjugorje Movies New Evangelization Poland Pope Francis Spiritual Reflections Travel Alerts Uncategorized Upcoming Pilgrimages US News World News World Youth Day Archives Select Month February 2018 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 Test February 14, 2018 What These College Students Did During Their Holy Land Pilgrimage Might Surprise You August 18, 2017 A 400 Year Old Cathedral, With an Astronaut Carved on the Exterior? August 17, 2017 An Exclusive Sneak Peak at Our New Logo August 16, 2017 THRIVING PARISH 9924 Cedar Ridge Drive Carmel, IN, 46032 info@thrivingparish.org © Tekton Ministries, LLC 2020	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15564
__label__wiki	0.898662	0.898662	Photo Credit: CNS photo/Osama Toubasi - French Bishop Nicolas Brouwet of Tarbes and Lourdes, with blue stole, holds a candle during a vigil with Arab clergy, including retired Latin Patriarch Fouad Twal of Jerusalem, second from left, and retired Auxiliary Bishop Salim Sayegh of Jerusalem, Sept. 21 at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Naour, Jordan. Mary shows way to unity in Church, bishop of Lourdes says in Jordan World, Saints Mary makes people grow in Christ and “shows us the way to permanent communion with the Church,” the bishop of Lourdes, France, told Catholic clergy and faithful gathered in this town with a grotto to Our Lady of Lourdes. “The Virgin Mary always leads us to Christ and makes our way to the kingdom of God. The Virgin Mary paves the way for us to the Lord, as if she also says that she is not always the focus of our attention, for she said in Cana … : ‘Do whatever He tells you to do,'” Bishop Nicolas Brouwet of Tarbes and Lourdes told people gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in Naour Sept. 21. The bishop noted that when Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in France in 1858 “Bernadette was afraid of the apparition. She tried to make the sign of the cross, but she could not. Yet, after the Virgin Mary herself made the sign of the cross, Bernadette was able to do so, as if (Mary) were telling Bernadette, ‘Fear not, Christ is present in our midst. I was sent by the Holy Trinity.’ “The second thing that the Virgin Mary did during the apparition is that she did not speak and remained silent while smiling. Sometimes silence between two people is more expressive than talking. It indicates profound trust,” he said. “The Virgin Mary respected this silent step toward Bernadette, and just made a smile,” he said. “Imagine this smile. It expressed a lot of confidence. The smile was the open door that paved the way for a new relationship. When we smile, everything becomes possible, and it becomes a sign of mental and emotional openness. When the Virgin Mary smiled, she revealed life in the kingdom of God and the life of grace toward God.” Bishop Brouwet reminded people that St. Bernadette was “poor and sick … illiterate and was not familiar with Christian education.” Despite St. Bernadette’s weakness, he said, Mary “showed respect for her and viewed her as a very important person.” Mary does this to everyone, he added. Among those present for the bishop’s homily were Bishop William Shomali, Latin patriarchal vicar for Jordan; retired Jerusalem Patriarch Fouad Twal; retired Auxiliary Bishop Salim Sayegh of Jerusalem; and Msgr. Mauro Lalli, first counselor for apostolic nunciature in Amman, Jordan. Priests and deacons from the Latin, Melkite, Maronite and Chaldean Catholic churches as well as nuns from various congregations also attended the accompanying Mass. Saints, Catholic Schools, Evangelization and Catechesis, Blessed Mother, Lourdes, Catholic Professionals, St. Bernadette Montpelier Catholic Daughters help Kurn Hattin students Knitting, crocheting and praying More From: World	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15566
__label__cc	0.543927	0.456073	Benefits of Eccentric Weight Training Paul Rogers is a personal trainer with experience in a wide range of sports, including track, triathlon, marathon, hockey, tennis, and baseball. berekin/Getty Images Eccentric contraction refers to any movement that lengthens a muscle at the same time it is being contracted. It is a braking force that directly opposes the shortening of a muscle (known as a concentric contraction). By way of example, as you lower your arm in a biceps curl, that movement would be considered eccentric. The lifting of the weight would be concentric. Eccentric exercises are also referred to as negative training or negative work. They benefit muscles by absorbing the mechanical energy exerted by the heavy workload. That energy is then released with what is called elastic recoil, essentially a spring-like action that facilitates the next muscle movement. Eccentric muscle contraction was originally called excentric by Danish researcher Erling Asmussen in 1953 to describe the movement away ("ex-") from the center ("-centric") of a muscle. Other examples of eccentric contraction include: Lowering a weight during a shoulder press The downward motion of squatting The downward motion of a push-up Lowering the body during a crunch Lowering the body during a pull-up Sports physiologists believe that eccentric training can build muscle size and strength better than standard concentric-eccentric movements. By focusing solely on the downward force exerted on a muscle, you can enlist heavier weights than you might otherwise be able to lift. Eccentric training often involves a partner who aids in the lifting of weight (the concentric movement) and stabilizes you as you lower the weight on your own (the eccentric movement). Alternately, you can focus on the eccentric movement by lifting a weight or body part quickly (say, within a second) and lowering it slowly (over three to five seconds). While an eccentric contraction uses less energy and oxygen than a concentric contraction, the negative movement actually creates more force. This not only enhances muscle growth but also increases the rate of metabolism (the conversion of calories and oxygen into energy), promoting weight loss. According to research from Wayne State University, a full-body eccentric workout increased the resting metabolism in athletes by 9 percent and for no less than three hours following the exercise. Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy Eccentric exercise is also commonly used for physical therapy and rehabilitation. Because eccentric contractions create more force with less energy, it is less likely to overtax injured joints and muscles. This can be especially valuable for elderly people who haven't the physical capacity for traditional eccentric-concentric exercises. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are typically treated with eccentric exercise. The downward movement is less likely to compromise the stabilizing ligaments of the knee. Concentric movement, by contrast, places extreme stress on the joint as it is forced to simultaneously lift and stabilize the weight. Other medical conditions for which eccentric training may be helpful include: Patellar tendonitis, also known as "jumper's knee" Muscle-tendon injuries Osteopenia diminished bone mineral density Sarcopenia, muscle wasting related to aging Tendinosis and other repetitive stress injuries Possible Risks While beneficial, eccentric contractions are not without risks. The downward force exerted on muscle can protect against injury but will likely increase the risk of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This is due to microtears that develop as a contracted muscle lengthens, causing soreness and pain 24 to 72 hours after the exercise. Repeated training can help reduce much, if not all, of the post-exercise soreness. Eccentric contractions may also pose a health hazard if you lift weights larger than your maximum capacity. With something as simple as biceps curl, the lowering of excessively heavy weight can cause wrist sprain, elbow strain, and shoulder injury. To avoid this, you need to determine what your ideal lifting weight is. Your ideal lifting weight is between 50 and 70 percent of your one-repetition maximum (1-RM). This is the maximum amount of weight you can lift with proper form. If your 1-RM is 50 pounds, you should lift no more than 25 to 35 pounds. Eccentric Contractions Hackney, K.J., Engels, HJ., and Gretebeck, RJ. Resting energy expenditure and delayed-onset muscle soreness after full-body resistance training with an eccentric concentration. J Strength Condition Res. 2008 Sep;22(5):1602-9. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e31818222c5. Vogt, M. and Hoppeler, H. Eccentric exercise: mechanisms and effects when used as a training regime or training adjunct. J Appl Physiol. 2014;116(11):1446-54. DOI: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00146.2013. Using Concentric Contractions Effectively to Build Muscles Aims and Benefits of Eccentric Exercise The Pilates Secret to Building Long and Strong Muscles Here's Everything You Need to Know to Start Weight Lifting How to Treat a Hamstring Pull, Tear, or Strain How Do You Use a Pilates Reformer for the Best Workouts? Tempo Variation Can Help You Get More Out of Familiar Exercises Exercise Is All About 3 Types of Muscle Fiber Contraction How Motor Units Affect Strength Training Weight Lifting Information and Tricks You Might Not Know General Principles of Weight Training for Muscle Building Build Your Biceps With Dumbbell Curls The Pros and Cons of Different Weight Training Equipment Ever Get Sore After a Workout? What You Need to Know About Doms The (Real) Definition of Muscular Strength The Power of Pomegranate for Athletic Performance	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15567
__label__wiki	0.59069	0.59069	Legal Weed Means More Stoned, Poisoned Pets Canadian vets are preparing to see more dogs on a bad trip. by V. S. Wells Photos via Flickr users Artur Malinowski and Interriorrain Obstetrician Jen Gunter was out for a run with her labrador Hazel. The pair pounded down a footpath in Marin, California that Gunter’s kids walk down every day. Hazel was never let off-leash. A couple of hours after they got home, Gunter noticed her dog acting weirdly. “She looks like a Salvador Dali painting on the couch. Her body’s on the couch and her head and body are drooped off, and she’s completely melted,” Gunter recalled by phone. “The second I touch her, she starts twitching in a very neurologically-impaired way.” At first, Gunter suspected a stroke. Then, rat poison. She took Hazel to the nearest emergency doctor, only to be told it was THC poisoning. Gunter suspects Hazel stepped in some discarded resin that she licked off her paw. When she shared her story online, many commenters argued that marijuana poisoning didn’t exist. “There were people who were like ‘oh, your dog’s just on a trip,’” Gunter said. “If marijuana involves twitching uncontrollably when you’re touched, being semi-conscious and incontinent, that’s not a good advertisement.” She’s not the only dog owner to have a pet scare recently. In May, an Ontario woman shared a Facebook post about her pup Jasper’s brush with marijuana poisoning. Chelsea Schoof’s description of how her dog was “squinting and hazy, dribbling urine and whining” was shared 13,000 times on Facebook. Pets can be poisoned from eating marijuana or THC-laced products, as well as by inhaling smoke or consuming residue. According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, poisoning symptoms can include dilated pupils, wobbling, drooling, lethargy, seizures and coma. Cannabis contains 113 different cannabinoids, of which the best known are the psychoactive THC and pain-relieving cannabidiol (CBD). THC is poisonous to pets, while CBD is fine. “CBD can be a very beneficial therapy for a lot of patients, both human and veterinary,” said Dr Sarah Silcox, a vet in Ontario and the president and director of the Canadian Association of Veterinary Cannabinoid Medicine. She added that current evidence suggests CBD is very well-tolerated by animals. Some enterprising companies have begun producing CBD-infused dog treats and oils. Permit Patty, the woman who called police on a kid’s lemonade stand, reportedly ran a company selling CBD-infused pet products without a permit. Humans have a network of cell receptors through their bodies that interact with cannabis. Mammals like cats and dogs also have cannabinoid receptors, but react to cannabis differently—and tolerance can vary wildly from pet to pet. Hazel and Jasper, like most canine cases, were fine. But poisoning can be fatal: a 2012 study of THC toxicity in Colorado from 2005 to 2010 recorded two deaths out of 125 pets. During that time, the number of people registered for medical marijuana in Colorado increased by 146 times; the number of THC-poisoned dogs increased by four times. “We do expect that we’ll be seeing more cases of cannabis intoxication and cannabis toxicity when legalization occurs [in Canada],” Silcox said. “When there is more cannabis, there will be more cannabis toxicities.” National data on how common THC poisoning in pets is doesn’t exist, and clinics rarely track exact numbers. In emails to VICE, Lower Mainland vets reported a variety of numbers. Dewdney Animal Hospital in Maple Ridge sees cases “several times a year,” Yaletown Pet Hospital has a suspected case “a couple of times a month,” and 24-hour Burrard Animal Hospital estimates treating two to three animals a week. These mirror the wide numbers reported in Canadian news stories, where clinics see cases anywhere from five times a year and 60 times a year. Cannabis-related calls to the Animal Poison Control Centre in America increased to 1,340 in 2017—up from 804 in 2016. Of these, 96 percent concerned dogs, and 64 percent involved edibles. Edibles can contain very concentrated doses of THC, so even eating a small amount could deliver enough to poison animals. They can also contain other poisonous ingredients—like chocolate, raisins, or the sweetener xylitol—meaning vets have to deal with multiple toxicities. But the poison control numbers show that marijuana-related calls increased all across the country, not just in states with legalized or medical marijuana. Silcox suggested that changing social attitudes are making people more lax with their stash. “They’re leaving it out, and that increases the risk for our pets,” she said. Similarly, smokers may be getting less diligent about throwing away butts while outside. Besides the potential dangers of legalization, there are also upsides. Currently, CBD treatments for animals are unregulated, leaving pet owners unsure about the dosage levels, safety and quality of homemade weed treats. But legalization means CBD treats will get detailed labels and strict product standards. And it’ll also pave the way for more research into the effects of cannabis on animals—both its toxic properties and its therapeutic ones. According to Health Canada, currently no cannabinoid medications have been approved for veterinary use. In a statement, they said that all new prescription drugs containing cannabinoids would be assessed under the existing drug review process and all research will require authorization under the Cannabis Act. Edibles guidelines, which will be in place by October 2019, aim to establish “controls to reduce the appeal of cannabis to youth and pets.” The statement did not provide further details about what these controls might be. Regardless of legality, Silcox warns against getting your dog stoned on purpose: “If as a pet owner, people want to use cannabis with their pets, please be sure you talk about that decision with your veterinarian.” Follow V. S. Wells on Twitter.	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15576
__label__cc	0.706174	0.293826	Community Correspondents VV’s Background – A Community Media Model Publications & Research on VV Annual Reports of the Video Volunteers Network Press Releases & Newsletters ChangeChitra VV News Select Category Agrarian CrisisAnti Poverty ProgramsArts & CultureCasteCorruptionCourage & InspirationCrumbling InfrastructureEnvironmentGenderGovernance and AccountabilityHealthIndigenous PeopleKashmir UnrestLabor RightsMiningPower and EnergyReproductive RightsRural InnovationSanitationState RepressionTechnologyTrafficking & MigrationWaterEducationForced Evictions Select States EastBiharChattisgarhJharkhandOdishaWest BengalNorthJammu & KashmirUttar PradeshHaryanaHimachal PradeshPunjabUttarakhandDelhiNortheastAssamArunachal PradeshManipurMeghalayaNagalandTripuraSouthGoaKarnatakaTamil NaduWestGujaratMadhya PradeshMaharastraRajasthan Select Month January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 December 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 June 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 July 2007 Forced Evictions Anti Poverty Programs Crumbling Infrastructure State Repression Video Volunteers Many Voices, Many Indias NextKashmir Crisis: Eight Weeks After Article 370 was Scrapped No Cards Ground Reports: On Kashmir Lockdown Basharat Amin Basharat joined Video Volunteers in 2017 as a Community Correspondent from the Shopian district of Jammu & Kashmir. Despite his relatively recent affiliation with Video Volunteers, he is one of the most passionate and active members of the network. Basharat has worked with several organisations as a correspondent and researcher and has been an advocate for human rights in Jammu & Kashmir for quite some time now. He graduated with a diploma in Human Rights from the Indian Institute of Human Rights in New Delhi. Basharat then joined the International People’s Tribunal on Human Rights & Justice in Kashmir (IPTK)… It is 60 days into lockdown in Kashmir since the internet and communication were blocked off. Basharat Amin, gave us ground reports from Shopian, Kashmir. Barren roads, no public transportation, mobile services are snapped, school and colleges are shut, Kashmir is still as silent as a grave. Meanwhile, normal life remains severely affected across the valley due to shutdown, as it marked the 60th day, with no conclusion to Kashmir’s dilemma. Our community Correspondent, Basharat reported that markets, shops and other small business establishments across are shut, and public transportation is off the road. There are a few places where fruit sellers are plying, but people themselves are afraid to come out on roads. The functioning of schools and colleges are also terminated, and so are the government offices, Basharat added. Normal banking activities are on hold, as all the banks are closed across the valley. The cash supply in the ATMs is limited, forcing people to stand in a queue for hours for cash withdrawals. We can see trucks loaded with essential supplies are standing on the side of the roads unattended. The ongoing blockade is affecting not only people, but also their business, education, emergency medical assistance and economy too. Basharat tried to capture more people who can voice out the difficulties they are facing. However, people are scared to say anything on camera at this moment when there is a civil unrest or political instability in Kashmir. As people in Kashmir are still waiting in chaos and hope, for the government’s resumption, the mayhem continues. Basharat had to send the video to Delhi, through a person, who then sent the video report to VV. Video is made by Community Correspondent Basharat Amin. Article by Grace Jolliffe, a Member of VV Editorial Team. Basharat joined Video Volunteers in 2017 as a Community Correspondent from the Shopian district of Jammu & Kashmir. Despite his relatively recent affiliation with Video Volunteers, he is one of the most passionate and active members of the network. Basharat has worked with several organisations as a correspondent and researcher and has been an advocate for human rights in Jammu & Kashmir for quite some time now. He graduated with a diploma in Human Rights from the Indian Institute of Human Rights in New Delhi. Basharat then joined the International People’s Tribunal on Human Rights & Justice in Kashmir (IPTK) and has had several of his research projects published in their report on structures of violence in Kashmir. In 2008-2009, he conducted research for Amnesty International through interviews of prisoners, on the deplorable conditions they languish in and on the pathetic state of prisons and detention centres in India. Currently, he is associated with Jammu & Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS), working with them on a project about the unfair violence perpetrated on the citizens of his state. Basharat says that joining Video Volunteers gave him a far more accessible and wider platform to raise awareness about human rights violations, in several of the border districts of Jammu and Kashmir. He also produces videos on the government’s ignorance on issues related to public amenities, infrastructure, shortage or lack of water and electricity and so on. Due to the state being prone to conflict, his videos mostly reflect the negative effect this has on the people; from violence to the disappearance of citizens and activists to the basic amenities that people are deprived of in the midst of the conflict. Basharat’s interest in covering violence and conflict in the state has led him to report on the lives of the Rohingya refugees in Jammu and on how refugees are put to unfair suffering by both local residents and security forces due to the constant unrest in the region. His research and articles have been published in some of the leading papers of Jammu & Kashmir including Rising Kashmir and Greater Kashmir. After VV launched mobile journalism, Basharat made his first video on the dilapidated roads of Gadh Mohalla, Shopian, which had nearly 150 households struggling to travel across the district. During the monsoon, the situation was exacerbated with vehicles unable to pass through, and the lawns of residents that lined it on both sides, being destroyed. The locals reached out to the authorities multiple times but had not been granted definite action yet. After the video was published and concerned officials made aware of the situation, the repairs came through in no time. As a practising Muslim, Basharat is also concerned about the discrimination that Muslims and other religious minorities face in India. He feels that there is a need for more minority voices in media or voices that report on their experiences and their side of the story. He is grateful to Video Volunteers for giving him an innovative medium to cover the pressing issues in his district that can now reach readers or viewers across India. Basharat hopes to continue to help eliminate human rights violation and educate the citizens of Jammu & Kashmir on their rights through his mobile journalism videos. Posted in: All Videos, Jammu & Kashmir Tagged in: Kashmir, Kashmir Valley (Location), Kashmir Unrest All VideosUttar PradeshImpact Fighting the Dowry System \| Fixing India Video Volunteers / December 31, 2019 This week Fixing India is dismantling the nonsensical economics of dowry system. All VideosWest BengalBlog VV Correspondent Reports from Ethiopia, Bringing an International Conference Back to Tea Estate Workers in... Harihar Nagbansi / December 2, 2019 “Nothing About Us, Without Us, is For Us:” A community video flips the lens and shows us how development conferences can be more inclusive of the people they talk about. Impact tracker Lives Touched Source - The VV database, updated daily Don't miss an update. Get new videos by email OUR STORIES, YOUR ENDING. SHARE. Your support will enable communities to document their powerful struggles to make India an equitable society. @videovolunteers Landless #Dalits are fighting the local administration against forceful evacuation from land on which they had been living for more than decades now in a village in Phulwari Sharif, #Bihar bit.ly/2Rg9d9h Ground report from #Kashmir. #KashmirStillCrying #FreeKashmir #Article370 #KashmirAtDecisionPoint #KashmirStillUnderCurfew #StandWithKashmir pic.twitter.com/UVsq3NYTh0 A crisis that India faces in terms of rural healthcare is also a result of the dearth of infrastructure, manpower, and access to essential medicines. Watch #IndiaLoudandClear taking you to the health centers and frontline workers in our rural lands. bit.ly/30EjbEJ pic.twitter.com/9YF7HHu5LQ Watch #FIxingIndia exclusive episode, where our Community Correspondent S M Zafar Iqbal from #Bihar has worked in ways to create social change to provide absolute needs for his community. youtube.com/watch?v=aTWtNE… pic.twitter.com/D2Rfbs5NAI 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐚 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐦 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥 \| From begging on the street to demanding rights for her tribal community, Bideshini's life is an example of 'Winter always turning to Spring'. Save The Date to watch this film at all #ChangeChitra Film Festival venues. pic.twitter.com/43ENZt2vGL Follow @videovolunteers videovolunteers Kashmir Crisis: Eight Weeks After Article 370 was Scrapped BT Cotton Seeds Affecting Farmers in Yavatmal, Maharashtra Caste & Identity	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15577
__label__cc	0.50649	0.49351	vtrural.org Working Lands Climate Economy Policy Councils Cities & Towns Learn How Digital Tools Create Community Resilience, In Good Times and Bad Killington Resort was near its peak foliage color when it hosted more than 400 people at the Vermont League of Cities & Towns Town Fair 2013 on October 3rd On October 3rd, I had the great pleasure of moderating an educational panel at the Vermont League of Cities & Towns Town Fair 2013. The purpose of the panel was to educate municipal leaders from the four corners of the state on how they can leverage digital tools to build community resilience and improve overall prosperity, as well as to encourage them to reach deep within the larger community to better ensure more residents have access to information. I was joined by three other members of the Vermont Digital Economy Project team: Caitlin Lovegrove, Network Outreach Coordinator, Vermont Digital Economy Project, who explained how downtown Wi-Fi zones benefit communities on several levels; Tess Gauthier, Vermont Digital Economy Project Coordinator, Snelling Center for Government, who spoke to the municipal website community process and website best practices, including elements for disaster preparedness; and Michael Wood-Lewis, CEO and Co-Founder of Front Porch Forum, who gave several examples of how Front Porch Forum helps neighbors connect and builds a greater sense of community. In the recent past, we have posted articles that explain how each of these three services benefit communities, organizations, and individuals in good times and in bad -- including these articles on Wi-Fi, municipal websites, and Front Porch Forum (FPF). However, the discussion in Killington brought even further into focus the proactive steps Vermont towns can take in good times (or during “blue skies”), so that the foundation and habits are there to be leveraged and to pull the community together for immediate action when things go awry (or during “gray skies”). In response to a question about how each of these digital tools can be leveraged in blue skies and gray skies, Michael Wood-Lewis, with unexpected help from a town official who happened to be at the panel discussion, told the Tropical Storm Irene experience of Moretown, a community that got FPF through the e-Vermont project. Adoption of FPF was slow but steady in the year leading up to Tropical Storm Irene. Once the storm hit, however, scores of residents signed up right away. FPF became the most prevalent tool that town officials and neighbors used to communicate with one another. Minutes from the town’s daily emergency response meetings were literally printed right from FPF and posted throughout town. The full story about Moretown’s Tropical Storm Irene experience is available here. As an example of the power of FPF in blue skies, Michael told the story of another community that leveraged FPF to create, fund, stock, and staff a community food shelf that recently celebrated its third anniversary. Tess Gauthier described how, far too often, municipal websites get created solely with the input of a web designer and one town official and the site can turn into a static collection of town documents with an outdated calendar. Any website is only as relevant as its content. Her recent analysis of website traffic in one Vermont town revealed that around 90% of the hits on that site came from outside of Vermont – from places like New York City and Boston – and that the average person was spending less than 10 seconds on the website. Because of outdate information architecture of municipal website, there is a huge missed opportunity for capturing visitors to provide a range of information. This indicates a strong need for the town to update the architecture of municipal websites as well as enrich pages with links and information about the area as a whole, versus strictly using municipal sites as a repository for past meeting minutes, policies, ordinances, forms, etc. This is also an example of how leveraging digital tools can help to create economic development in a community. In terms of gray skies, the website templates developed for municipalities through the project will include several features specifically designed for emergency management. Features include a notification banner that can be activated in an emergency, which becomes predominantly displayed in red on the homepage, as well as built in functionality that allows website administrators to upload content through a mobile device or email and the ability to post an update. For downtown Wi-Fi zones, Caitlin Lovegrove explained the myriad of community benefits in both good times and not so good times. Free public Wi-Fi gives school children and others a way to access the internet for homework and other purposes. For businesses located within or near the Wi-Fi zone, the service draws additional people into the downtown, including travelers who might otherwise never have stopped in town. The landing page for the Wi-Fi zone can promote local businesses and events even outside of the zone, and therefore bring other economic benefits. Most of the zones are being located in areas of natural congregation after Tropical Storm Irene, so it is expected that in the event of another emergency, the network can be leveraged by large groups of people. There is also an opportunity to use the landing page to communicate emergency response information. It’s clear that the 90 minute discussion at Town Fair 2013 and this article do not even scratch the surface on how leveraging digital tools can assist Vermont communities in blue skies and in gray skies. However, I’m certain that we’ve shared enough to pique the interest of many more towns to adopt these and other digital tools. In the coming months, we will certainly share tool kits with best practices. Vermont Digital Economy Project Digital Economy Project Categorization: Free Public Internet Town Websites Digital Economy Menu Digital Economy Project Home Vermont Connected Summit Planning and Implementing a Wi-Fi zone for your Town Creating and Managing a Municipal Website 6 Steps to Evaluate and Optimize Your Organization's Use of Digital Tools How Organizations Can Use Online Tools To Collaborate The Right Training for the Right Job VCRD In the News Digital Economy Project Working Lands Partnership Vt Higher Educ Food Systems Climate Economy Initiative Summits and Convenings Facilitation and Consultation Vermont Council on 43 State Street \| PO Box 1384	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15581
__label__cc	0.563252	0.436748	T—646.760.0800 E—info@wearecollins.com Founded in 1972, AICP represents companies specialized in film and commercial production. Every year they host the celebrated AICP Show at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. In an industry where change happens overnight - including innovations such as augmented and virtual reality - AICP invited COLLINS to reimagine their brand for this new era. They were looking for an idea that would provide a stronger foundation to move into the future. Taking inspiration from the use of dramatic black and white from the origins of 20th century cinematography, we created a new and more simplified voice for AICP. The result is a bold gesture that can be deployed both as a stand-alone mark and also be reinterpreted through dynamic combinations and animation. Jules Tardy Esther Li Gabe Benzur Antonia Lazar AICP Team: Matt Miller, Kristin Wilcha Animations: Trollbäck+Company Reinvigorating a 65-year-old organization with an algorithm. Rallying the world around a passion and neighborhood in need. © COLLINS 2020 — New York & San Francisco	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15588
__label__wiki	0.94319	0.94319	YOUTHANASIA RE-RELEASE (CD) (CD) 1994/ 2004 Album: "RISK REMASTERED (CD)" MEGADETH made a respectable return in July 1997 with the 'Cryptic Writings' album which entered the American charts at number 10 selling 75'000 units in its first week of release. The album was surprisingly produced by ex-GIANT man Dann Huff. Used to unrelenting recording schedules Mustaine was somewhat taken aback when Huff, a committed Christian, explained he could not work on Sunday as he had to take his family to Church. MEGADETH solved this potential personality problem by Mustaine attending church with his family too. As time would reveal, this course of action would have consequences for the band further down the line. Behind the scenes, MEGADETH had switched management from Ron Lafitte to Bud Prager, an industry veteran best known for his successes with AOR giants FOREIGNER. 'Cryptic Writings' would display a much more radio orientated direction than any previous band product, a trend which would pervade over ensuing releases. Fans would voice concern not only at MEGADETH's shift in musical values but their new found penchant for short haircuts and snappy clothes - a far cry from the band's Thrash roots. The band toured Britain in June 1997, supported by KILL II THIS, still comfortably selling out venues. Returning to America where 'Cryptic Writings' remained firmly lodged in the album charts MEGADETH, with tour guests LIFE OF AGONY, set about touring with gusto to push the album past the Gold sales mark. Dates in Mexico had JUDAS PRIEST as special guests. In spite of its shortcomings, 'Cryptic Writings' still managed to surpass a million sales in the USA. The first half million copies were printed on a silver background, with subsequent manufacturing runs on black. In 1998 an interesting EP saw issue, 'Cryptic Death' hosting instrumental re-works of five tracks from the album. Nick Menza took a leave of absence in 1998, actually later revealed to have been let go due to health concerns, turning up on the FIREBALL MINISTRY album 'Ou Est La Rock?' with ex-THE OBSESSED and GOATSNAKE bassist Guy Pinhas in 1999. Brian Howe stood in on drums for MEGADETH's inclusion of 'I'll Get Even' to the Sci-Fi cartoon inspired soundtrack record 'Songs Of The Witchblade' in 1998. That same year an erstwhile MEGADETH member, guitarist Jeff Young re-surfaced in a somewhat unlikely source, contributing to Brazilian Flamenco artist BADI ASSAD's 'Chameleon' album. Eventually a permanent replacement was located in ex-Y&T, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES and WHITE LION drummer Jimmy DeGrasso. The resulting album 'Risk' found MEGADETH ploughing deeper into commercial territory. It drew an outcry of protest from fans and would only manage 350,000 sales in the USA. Nevertheless, the band put in a series of well attended American dates in 2000 as part of the 'Maximum Rock' tour alongside MЦTLEY CRUE and ANTHRAX. 1. Insomnia 2. Prince Of Darkness 3. Enter The Arena 4. Crush 'Em 5. Breadline 6. The Doctor Is Calling 8. Wanderlust 9. Ecstasy 10. Seven 11. Time: The Beginning 12. Time: The End 13. Insomnia (Jeff Balding Mix) 14. Breadline (Jack Joseph Puig Mix) 15. Crush 'Em (Jock Mix) Jimmy DeGrasso (drums)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15601
__label__cc	0.542761	0.457239	Posted on July 24, 2019 by Wilmington News Journal WMS students refining writing even during summer Participate in group to polish skills By John Hamilton - jhamilton@wnewsj.com From left are: top row, Reagen Reese, Taliah Billingsley, Vanessa Calderone, Alice Clair and Joselyn Kessler; bottom row, Jamie Stubbs, Rylee Ward, Sophie Rose, Charlotte Housh, Kalli Abbitt, Brianna Brunke, Addison Beckett and Lindsay Lydy. WILMINGTON — Youngsters are spending part of their summer continuing to learn about the power of the pen. Once a week for the past six months, Wilmington Middle School students met as the Writing Middle School group to write for fun, and even took part in a mini-writing contest. The club is modeled after the Ohio competitive writing initiative Power of the Pen and has seen between 15 to 25 writers from seventh and eighth grades in the group, according to Tammy Sexton, former WMS English teacher. The tournament had the youths participating in three rounds of writing, with each writing piece being scored and ranked by Sexton and Laura Besser, a sixth-grade teacher. The winners were eighth-grader Vanessa Calderone in round one, eighth-grader Brianna Brunke in round two, and seventh-grader Lindsay Lydy in round three. Sexton told the News Journal that the kids were presented with two to three writing prompts — generally designed to spark a narrative type of story — and would be given 30 to 40 minutes to write it, then share it. “This is an opportunity for students who like to write to meet and support each other,” said Sexton. “Students are given an opportunity to share their thoughts and writings in a creative environment. Through the years many of these writers continue on to be involved in the high school newspaper. A few have even gone on to have careers in journalism.” Sexton hopes that a writing forum of some type continues on in one form or another as it has over the last 20 years. https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/07/web1_WMS-writers-photo.jpgFrom left are: top row, Reagen Reese, Taliah Billingsley, Vanessa Calderone, Alice Clair and Joselyn Kessler; bottom row, Jamie Stubbs, Rylee Ward, Sophie Rose, Charlotte Housh, Kalli Abbitt, Brianna Brunke, Addison Beckett and Lindsay Lydy. Courtesy photo By John Hamilton jhamilton@wnewsj.com 1547 Rombach Avenue, Follow @WilmingtonNews Hi! A visitor to our site felt the following article might be of interest to you: WMS students refining writing even during summer. Here is a link to that story: https://www.wnewsj.com/news/111094/wms-students-refining-writing-even-during-summer	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15602
__label__wiki	0.525742	0.525742	Stack Parking Coming to 2 Locations Feb. 13 By Cody Kitaura/Dateline on February 7, 2017 in University Stack parking will be available at the Quad Parking Structure starting Feb. 13. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis) Some drivers will be parking in the aisles in Quad garage and Lot 47 Attendants will move cars around to allow other cars to get in and out TAPS works on strategies to reduce driving to campus, hopes to avoid building another garage It’s normal for the winter weather to push more people to drive to campus instead of walking or biking. It’s not normal for some of the campus’s parking lots to be more than 90 percent full. While Transportation Services, or TAPS, works to develop additional strategies to avoid the very expensive cost of building another parking garage, it will provide a temporary solution: stack parking. Attendants will be on hand starting Monday (Feb. 13) in the Quad Parking Structure on Howard Way and Lot 47 off La Rue Road near the Tercero Residence Halls, to expand the capacity of both. You'll be able to park normally in open spots, but once all the spots are full, you’ll be parking in an aisle and you’ll leave your keys with an attendant from vendor Corinthian International Parking Services. There is no charge for stack parking. The service will accommodate 120 more cars in the Quad Parking Structure and 100 more cars in Lot 47. “We’re pleased to be able to offer this temporary service to our customers during this period of heightened demand,” TAPS Director Cliff Contreras said. TAPS plans to offer the service — which costs around $36,000 a month for the two locations — through the end of winter quarter. By then, the warmer weather usually has more people out of their cars and onto bicycles or other forms of transportation, Contreras said. Parking utilization will be evaluated to determine if stack parking will be needed in the fall. For now, here’s how stack parking works: If all of the spaces in Lot 47 or the Quad Parking Structure are full, an attendant will direct you to park in an aisle. You’ll leave your keys with the attendant, who may move your car throughout the day as other drivers need to leave. Stack parking will be offered from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. If you return after 6 p.m., you can get your keys from a TAPS employee in the kiosk at the entry of the Quad Parking Structure until 9:30 p.m. Miss that deadline and you’ll have to pick up your keys in the morning from an attendant where you originally parked. TAPS suggests bringing a spare set of keys if you know you’ll be returning to your car after 9:30. The attendants will wear company jackets or shirts, and have visible ID badges. Cody Kitaura/Dateline, Dateline, 530-752-1932, kitaura@ucdavis.edu Stack Parking	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15605
__label__wiki	0.626757	0.626757	Information published on 21 March 2017 in the UIC electronic newsletter "UIC eNews" Nr 540. Luxembourg: First combined transport and rolling-road trains arrive On 5 March, CFL multimodal subsidiary CFL terminals officially opened phase one of the new Bettembourg-Dudelange intermodal terminal. The terminal has now handled its first combined transport and rolling-road trains. On 5 March, the new Bettembourg-Dudelange intermodal terminal part-opened for service as scheduled. The four tracks for receiving, loading and unloading combined transport trains are now operational, as is one of the two rolling-road transshipment platforms. “All of CFL terminals’ business has been successfully relocated to the new site thanks to the dedication and hard work of our staff, partners, and contractors. The commissioning of phase one will enable us to handle all our existing trains at the new terminal” explains CFL terminals Director Daniel Feyder. HGV access and checks will continue at the old site until the new terminal’s infrastructure is completed (delivery is scheduled by the end of the first half of this year). Drivers will then be guided to the new terminal via an on-site connecting bridge. After loading and/or unloading their semi-trailers and containers, the HGVs will exit the new terminal in the direction of the Croix de Bettembourg interchange. The old terminal site will partly be converted into a secure road haulage centre for customers using the Eurohub Sud (located in Bettembourg-Dudelange). (Source: CFL Multimodal) 9th edition of the International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) to be held on 2 June 2017 in Montreal, Canada Announcement of the 3rd Asset Management Global Conference Cascading Effects Conference – Understanding, modelling and managing cascading effects in crisis China: Wuhan Railway Administration eliminates hidden dangers for safer environment along railways Kazakhstan: The trade unions of Kazakhstan and Russian Railways agree on cooperation Korean-French Railway Component Manufacturers Expo co-hosted by KORAIL and SNCF ONCF Seminar on Risk Management held on 15 March 2017 in Rabat RailAdapt Workshop to be held from 27 – 28 April 2017 in London Results from 3rd edition of the UIC Global Rail Research & Innovation Awards Successful UIC RailTopoModel and railML dissemination workshop at SŽDC in Prague e-News articles with keyword Europe European Management Committee & Regional Assembly Europe met on 10 December 2019 at UIC Paris (17 December 2019) United Kingdom: Safety film inspired by Northamptonshire teens turned into comic (10 December 2019) Russia: RZD International will help build a railway line to one of the largest coal deposits in the world (10 December 2019) United Kingdom: Eurostar celebrates 25 years with new environmental commitments (3 December 2019) Austria: National Award “Mobility” for TransANT (3 December 2019) Czech Republic: Regular Passenger Transport Returns to Židlochovice after Forty Years (17 December 2019) Germany: DB Schenker opens fully solar-powered logistics center in Dubai (17 December 2019) United Kingdom: Safety film inspired by Northamptonshire teens turned into comic (10 December 2019) Russia: RZD International will help build a railway line to one of the largest coal deposits in the world (10 December 2019) China: Railway e-ticketing applied at 11 stations in Hubei (10 December 2019)	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15606
__label__cc	0.680666	0.319334	Moringa Oleifera Health Benefits and Nutrition According to Dr. Lydia M. Marero of the Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Philippines, Moringa oleifera is one of the worlds most useful plants. It is used as food, effective water treatment, antibiotic, source of oil, and coagulant for turbid waters. Moringa Oleifera has several health benefits that are one of the reasons why it is named the “Miracle Tree” and the “Tree of Life” in many cultures. People benefit from Moringa Oleifera both in terms of prevention and healing. Moringa Oleifera is nutritious, natural and energizing. The immature pods are the most valued and widely used of all the tree parts. The pods are extremely nutritious, containing all the essential amino acids along with many vitamins and other nutrients. The immature pod can be eaten raw or prepared like green peas or green beans, while the mature pods are usually fried and possess a peanut-like flavor. The pods also yield 38 – 40% of non-drying, edible oil known as Ben Oil. This oil is clear, sweet and odorless, and never becomes rancid. Overall, its nutritional value most closely resembles olive oil. The root is used as pickle. The leaves are eaten as greens, in salads, in vegetable curries, as pickles and for seasoning. The Bark can be used for tanning and also yields a coarse fiber. The flowers, which must be cooked, are eaten either mixed with other foods or fried in batter and have been shown to be rich in potassium and calcium. Moringa Oleifera’s on Dr. Oz Show These are some of the uses of Moringa Oleifera: Moringa Oleifera for Diabetes Relief Moringa Oleifera for Healthy Skin Moringa Oleifera for Nutrition Moringa Oleifera to sleep better Moringa Oleifera for decreased depression and anxiety Moringa Oleifera contains more than 92 nutrients and 46 types of antioxidants. Moringa leaves contain all the essential amino acids to build strong healthy bodies. Moringa is said to cure about three hundred diseases and almost have all the vitamins found in fruits and vegetables. Even in larger proportions. With all the health benefits of this miracle herb, it can easily be termed as the most nutritious herb on Earth. There are no side-effects which also has tried, tested, documented and proved evidence to support the same. Some Facts about Moringa Moringa has following properties: 92 Nutrients 46 Antioxidants 36 Anti-Inflammatories 18 Amino Acids, 9 Essential Amino Acids Nourishes The Immune System Supports Normal Glucose Levels Natural Anti-Aging Benefits Provides Anti-Inflammatory Support Promotes Healthy Digestion Promotes Heightened Mental Clarity Boosts Energy Without Caffeine Encourages Balanced Metabolism Promotes Softer Skin Provides Relief From Acne Supports Normal Hormone Levels Few Nutritional Value of Moringa Gram-for-gram comparison of nutritional data: 2 times -the Protein of Yogurt 3 times – the Potassium of Bananas 4 times – the Calcium of Milk 4 times – the Vitamin A of Carrots 7 times -the Vitamin C of Oranges The Vitamin and Minerals Component of Moringa Leaves and Pods Vitamins are soluble either in water or in lipids. They help regulate almost all physiological processes in the body. When any vitamin is absent from the diet the body begins to show signs of deficiency. Minerals are also essential for our health; they are used by our body for building tissues such as bones, teeth, muscles. Some minerals are components of enzymes and help to regulate metabolic function of the body. Lack of minerals in diet can impair normal functioning of the body and may lead to a number of disease. Without enough calcium and phosphorous our bones fail to grow properly. The detail of vitamins and minerals in Moringa’s fresh & dried leaves and its pod are presented in the following tables. Table No. 1: Moringa Oleifera Pods [Raw] Nutritional Value Per 100 g (3.5 oz) Vitmans Vitamin A equiv. Thiamine (vit. B1) Riboflavin (vit. B2) Niacin (vit. B3) Folate (vit. B9) 44 Î¼g Source: USDA Nutrient Database Table No. 2: Moringa Oleifera Leaf Nutrient Composition Fresh Leaves (Value/100g): 92 cal Dried Leaves (Value/24g): 49 cal Fresh Leaves (Value/100g): 6.70 g Dried Leaves (Value/24g): 6.5 g Dried Leaves (Value/24g): 0.55 g Fresh Leaves (Value/100g): 12.5 g Carotene (Vit.A) Fresh Leaves (Value/100g): 6.78 mg Dried Leaves (Value/24g): 4.54 mg Thiamin (B1) Riboflavin (B2) Niacin (B3) Fresh Leaves (Value/100g): 0.8 mg Fresh Leaves (Value/100g): 220 mg Dried Leaves (Value/24g): 480.72 mg Fresh Leaves (Value/100g): 42 mg Dried Leaves (Value/24g): 88.32 mg Dried Leaves (Value/24g): 329 mg Source: The National Academies Press Amino Acids: The foundation of our body Our bodies need twenty different amino acids or proteins that are the building blocks for a healthy body. Nonessential amino acids are those that the body can synthesize for itself, provided there is enough nitrogen, carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen available. Essential amino acids are those supplied by the diet. They must be consumed as the human body either cannot make them at all or cannot make them in sufficient quantity to meet its needs. Of the 20 amino acids required by our bodies, eleven of them are nonessential and nine are essential. Functions of Amino Acids: Proteins act as enzymes, hormones, and antibodies. They maintain fluid balance and acid and base balance. They also transport substances such as oxygen, vitamins and minerals to target cells throughout the body. Structural proteins, such as collagen and keratin, are responsible for the formation of bones, teeth, hair, and the outer layer of skin and they help maintain the structure of blood vessels and other tissues. Enzymes are proteins that facilitate chemical reactions without being changed in the process. Hormones (chemical messengers) are proteins that travel to one or more specific target tissues or organs, and many have important regulatory functions. Insulin , for example, plays a key role in regulating the amount of glucose in the blood. The body manufactures antibodies (giant protein molecules), which combat invading antigens. Antigens are usually foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses that have entered the body and could potentially be harmful.If these critical components for a healthy body are not provided as part of a healthy diet, the body will look for other sources for them. This can include breakdown of our organs, leading to chronic problems such as liver and kidney problems, diabetes and heart disease among others. Moringa as a Food Moringa is considered a complete food as it contains all of the essential Amino Acids required for a healthy body. The dried leaf is a nutritional powerhouse and contains all of the following Amino Acids. Ann Hirsch, PhD – “One of the things that impress me most about Moringa is the fact that it has the full complement of the essential amino acids those humans beings need-there are nine of them that we cannot synthesize, so we have to get them from our food.” — Ann Hirsch, PhD, Professor of Botany at University of California Los Angeles In developing tropical countries, Moringa trees have been used to combat malnutrition, especially among infants and nursing mothers. Three non-governmental organizations in particular – Trees for Life, Church World Service and Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization – advocate Moringa as “natural nutrition for the tropics.” Leaves can be eaten fresh, cooked, or stored as dried powder for many months without refrigeration, and without loss of nutritional value. According to Optima of Africa, Ltd., a group that has been working with the tree in Tanzania, “25 grams daily of Moringa Leaf Powder will give a child” the following recommended daily allowances: Protein 42%, Calcium 125%, Magnesium 61%, Potassium 41%, Iron 71%, Vitamin A 272%, and Vitamin C 22%. These numbers are particularly astounding; considering this nutrition is available when other food sources may be scarce. Moringa as medicine Scientific research confirms that these humble leaves are a powerhouse of nutritional value. The Moringa tree has great use medicinally both as preventative and treatment. Much of the evidence is anecdotal as there has been little actual scientific research done to support these claims. India’s ancient tradition of ayurveda says the leaves of the Moringa tree prevent 300 diseases. One area in which there has been significant scientific research is the reported antibiotic activity of this tree. Moringa and cancer Findings of a study made in India, which were used as the basis of many news reports on malunggay as a wonder plant, states that moringa contains anti-cancer compounds (phytochemicals) that help stop the growth of cancer cells. Moringa is said to be effective in treating ovarian cancer, among a host of other diseases like arthritis, anemia, heart complications, kidney problems, scurvy, asthma, and digestive disorders (ulcer, gastritis, diarrhea, dysentery). Another area of folklore which research supports is in cancer treatment. Moringa species have long been recognized by folk medicine practitioners as having value in the treatment of tumors. Studies examined certain compounds for their cancer preventive potential. Recently two of these compounds were shown to be potent inhibitors of activation of lymphoblastoid (Burkitt’s lymphoma) cells. One of these compounds also inhibited tumors in mice bred to be prone to tumors. In another study, Bharali and colleagues examined skin tumor prevention following ingestion of drumstick (Moringa seedpod) extracts. Liver and Moringa Moringa has been observed by scientists to contain unique compounds and enact mechanisms that help purge the liver of these toxins and even reverse the damage that they cause. Silymarin is a flavonoid or specialized molecule found in moringa that has been shown to help reduce the effects of hepatoxins on the liver, improving its resiliency. It also protects the liver from the toxic effects. Moringa has also been observed to be an effective treatment against a wide array of liver diseases, such as both chronic and acute hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, fatty degeneration of the liver, and the metabolic liver disease brought about by alcohol and drug use. This is because moringa not only stops the toxicity that causes these diseases, but also helps reverse it. On its own, the liver is a very resilient organ, able to regenerate its cells and grow back even after over half of it is destroyed or removed. Moringa accelerates this regeneration process by about four times the normal speed, eventually helping the liver regain full functionality. After the oil is extracted from the pods, the seed-cake remaining contains the active components for removing turbidity (solid particles) from water. Because bacteria adhere to the solids, this seed-cake also effectively removes bacteria. At the Thyolo Water Treatment Works in Malawi, Africa, two researchers from the University of Leicester, England, have worked on substituting moringa seeds for alum to remove solids in water for drinking. This tree is truly a “Miracle Tree” offering hope; nutritionally, medicinally and economically to devastatingly poor 3rd world countries. It has just recently begun being used as a supplement in a juice form and in powdered leaf tablets. We are not talking about believing us, the data is already out there to show the benefits of Moringa Oleifera.What has been missing, so far, is the willingness to create awareness about this. In our local language it is called SOHANJNA Broin M (2006). The nutrient value of Moringa oleifera Lam. leaves: What can we learn from figure? 2006 Moringa news work shop. http://www.moringanews.org/doc/GB? Posters?Broin_poster.pdf. accessed 18/05/2010. Fahey JW (2005). Moringa oleifera: A review of the Medical evidence for its nutritional, Therapeutic and prophylactic properties. Part 1. http://www.TFLjournal.org/article.php /20051201124931586. accessed 15/03/2010 Anjorin TS, Ikokoh P, Okolo S (2010). Mineral composition of Moringa oleifera leaves, pods and seeds from two regions in Abuja, Nigeria. Int. J. Agric Biol., 12: 431-434. Anwar F, Sajid L, Muhammad A, Anwarul HG (2007). Moringa oleifera: A Food plant with Multiple Medicinal Uses. Phytother. Res., 21: 17-25. Foidl N, Makkar HPS, Becker K (2001). The Potential of Moringa oleifera for Agricultural and industrial uses. What development potential for Moringa products? October 20 th- November 2nd 2001. Dar Es Salaam. Fuglie LJ (2001). Combating malnutrition with Moringa. In: Lowell Fugile, J.(Ed), The Miracle Tree: The Multiple Attributes of Moringa. CTA Publication, Wageningen, The Netherlands, pp. 117-136. Gidamis AB, Panga JT, Sarwatt SV, Chove BE, Shayo NB (2003). Nutrients and anti-nutrient contents in raw and cooked leaves and mature pods of Moringa oleifera, Lam. Ecol. Food Nutr., 42: 399-411. Babu S (2000). Rural nutrition interventions with indigenous plant foods-a case study of vitamin A deficiency in Malawi. Biotechnol. Agron. Soc. Environ., 4(3): 169-179. Barminas JT, Charles M, Emmanuel D (1998). Mineral composition of non-conventional vegetables. Plant Food Hum. Nutri. 53: 29-36. Essays, UK. (November 2018). Moringa Oleifera Health Benefits and Nutrition. Retrieved from https://www.ukessays.com/essays/biology/moringa-oleifera-has-several-health-benefits-biology-essay.php?vref=1 "Moringa Oleifera Health Benefits and Nutrition." UKEssays.com. 11 2018. All Answers Ltd. 01 2020 <https://www.ukessays.com/essays/biology/moringa-oleifera-has-several-health-benefits-biology-essay.php?vref=1>. "Moringa Oleifera Health Benefits and Nutrition." All Answers Ltd. ukessays.com, November 2018. Web. 22 January 2020. <https://www.ukessays.com/essays/biology/moringa-oleifera-has-several-health-benefits-biology-essay.php?vref=1>. UKEssays. November 2018. Moringa Oleifera Health Benefits and Nutrition. [online]. Available from: https://www.ukessays.com/essays/biology/moringa-oleifera-has-several-health-benefits-biology-essay.php?vref=1 [Accessed 22 January 2020]. UKEssays. Moringa Oleifera Health Benefits and Nutrition [Internet]. November 2018. [Accessed 22 January 2020]; Available from: https://www.ukessays.com/essays/biology/moringa-oleifera-has-several-health-benefits-biology-essay.php?vref=1. {{cite web\|last=Essays \|first=UK \|url=https://www.ukessays.com/essays/biology/moringa-oleifera-has-several-health-benefits-biology-essay.php?vref=1 \|title=Moringa Oleifera Health Benefits and Nutrition \|publisher=UKEssays.com \|date=November 2018 \|accessdate=22 January 2020 \|location=Nottingham, UK}} All Answers ltd, 'Moringa Oleifera Health Benefits and Nutrition' (UKEssays.com, January 2020) <https://www.ukessays.com/essays/biology/moringa-oleifera-has-several-health-benefits-biology-essay.php?vref=1> accessed 22 January 2020	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15608
__label__cc	0.562754	0.437246	Yarra Campaign for Action on Transport (YCAT) We Stopped East West Link \| Now Build Doncaster Rail \| Demand Great Public Transport About YCAT Archived sites Doncaster Rail Study Eddington Investing in Transport Report Hoddle Street Study Northern Central City Corridor Study Murphy vs East West Link Supreme Court Challenge Residents Against the Tunnel (RAT) The Battle of Alexandra Parade History of the Doncaster Train Melbourne’s Transport Crisis Charter on Public Transport from Protectors of Public Lands Tunnel Video CIS wiki YCAT Photo Galleries Submissions to Panel on East West Link Comprehensive Impact Statement A Ladder of Citizen Participation Flemington Road gum tree still standing, but for how long? City of Melbourne Standard - by ycat - July 1, 2016 - No Comments Update on continuing action for saving the Lemon-scented Gum at 120 Flemington Road, Parkville Please meet 7am, Saturday 2nd July at 120 Flemington Road, Parkville (if not way before), bring food, a cuppa before you head off to vote. Posters and flyers you can print/distribute to show support for the Lemon-Scented Gum campaign Bulletin from Protectors of Public Land Vic Inc. and Royal Park Protection Group From National Trust of Australia (Victoria) update: Flemington Road gum tree still standing, but for how long? Last weekend, community action stopped the works on the Flemington Road gum tree after four hours. Only 40% of the canopy has been removed – the tree is healthy and could still survive and regrow. VicRoads have confirmed that they will not announce when the works will recommence – it could be any time. A community meeting has been convened by locals at the tree at 7am on Saturday 2 July, Election Day. Please consider attending if you have concerns about the tree’s removal. The article below links to a new Trust Advocate blog update on what happened last Saturday, what happens next, and some ideas about how you can still show your support for this important tree. http://www.trustadvocate.org.au/update-flemington-road-gum-tree-still-standing-but-for-how-long/ the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) Tags: Flemington RoadLemon-scented gumParkvilleTransurbanVicRoads Next Video: Flemington Road’s Lemon-scented Gum Previous Election jitters jeopardise WestConnex funding Subscribe to YCAT posts Enter email address to subscribe & receive new posts by email. 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The Law of Large Numbers – How much does it cost to stop a freeway? A letter from resident groups of the inner west #GetOnBoardVic – Day of Action: Monday 23rd April 2018 50 years on from the Melbourne Transportation Plan, what can we learn from its legacy? on The Battle for Alexandra Parade Yarra Campaign for Action on Transport Copyright 2008 - 2017 \| Yarra Campaign for Action on Transport (YCAT) \| We Stopped East West Link \| Now Build Doncaster Rail \| Demand Great Public Transport Felicity Theme powered by WordPress	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15612
__label__wiki	0.981042	0.981042	Ethiopian team are welcomed home on top of a bus in Addis Ababa (Abel Tadege) © Copyright 03 SEP 2003 General News Addia Ababa, Ethiopia Ethiopian Team returns to a rapturous welcome About 30,000 spectators packed the National Stadium this morning to welcome the victorious Ethiopian Athletics Team as it returned from the 9th IAAF World championships in Athletics, which closed in Paris last Sunday, 31 August. High government officials including Arkebe Equbay, the Addis Ababa city Administration mayor, and Ambassador Petros Olango, Deputy spokesperson for the House of People’s Representatives in the Ethiopian Parliament attended the ceremony which was broadcast live on National Television and Radio. National and Regional government representatives added colour to the ceremony with showers of flowers and bouquets, while the crowd became ecstatic as the newly-crowned World 10,000m champion Kenenisa Bekele led the medallists on a lap of honor around the track. “It means a lot to us to be appreciated like this,” said Bekele, who out sprinted two-time Olympic and four-time world 10,000m champion Haile Gebrselassie to gold on the second day in Paris. The country’s Minister for Youth, Sports, and Culture Ambassador Teshome Toga said at the ceremony that the results in Paris made the nation proud and an indication for more to come. “The Athletes have done the nation proud,” he said. “It is the right kind of boost the sport needed as Ethiopia prepares for the All-Africa Games and the Athens Olympics.” Ethiopians have a long standing tradition of welcoming back their Athletes after triumphs in the Olympic Games and other major sporting events. Nearly two-million people took to the main Meskel Square two years ago when the team returned from the Sydney Olympics. 03 SEP 2003 General News Brussels and Monaco offer chance of revenge for Paris Defeats 03 SEP 2003 General News IAAF Communication on the Kelli White case 9th IAAF World Championships in Athletics	cc/2020-05/en_middle_0117.json.gz/line15613

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