text:
47-year-old Bryan man is under arrest after admitting to police that he smothered his mother with a pillow for drugs and cash.
On April 4th, Bryan Police officers were called to the 4100 block of Old Hearne Road to investigate the death of 79-year-old Velma Bryant.
According to police documents, officers spoke with Bryant's daughter Paula. She told investigators she found Bryant dead inside her home and noticed her mother's 40" flat screen TV, microwave and 2006 Chevrolet Impala were missing. Paula also told police that her brother, Phillip Wade Ortega, lived with Bryant and had a drug addiction.
Police say witnesses saw Ortega standing next to the Chevy Impala around 3 o'clock that morning. After searching locally, officers couldn't locate Ortega. Bryan PD notified other law enforcement agencies about Ortega.
On April 17th, detectives with Conroe Police Department called to say that Ortega was in their custody. While investigating a report of a stolen air conditioning unit, Conroe PD approached Ortega and he admitted to killing his mother.
Bryan Investigators travelled to Conroe and spoke with Ortega. He told them that he was arguing with his mother the night she died. Ortega told police that he went to his room and started smoking crack. He told police that he "just snapped" and went into Bryant's room and smothered her with a pillow.
According to the arrest report, Ortega crawled onto top of his sleeping mother, took the pillow from near her head and placed it on top of her face. Using both hands, he pressed down. Ortega told police his mother struggled under his hands and tried to pull at his arms. Investigators say that Ortega knew his mother was dead before he left the room.
Police say that the items Ortega took from Bryant's house, as well as the Chevy Impala, were sold for cash and drugs.
Ortega is in the Brazos County Jail under $99,000 bond.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I have something 4 inches to show you...
I thought we were done with those, but,
every rumor,
every idiosyncracy,
every non-newsworthy, trivial, bieberite thing about it,
is a front page
The integrity of the process (yeah, I know, have I read
Can we just agree that Apple hardware articles are flamebait by default, especially the ones about the mere possibility of new Apple hardware, and stop frickin posting them?
Plenty of the more popular things posted on this site are polarizing. Look at some of the things that aren't polarizing, how many comments they get, and contrast with the number of comments here. I'd argue it'd be irrational to not run stories that *always* get a large number of comments.
I love the theoretical physics posts, for instance, but they usually average 30-50 comments. This Apple post, though, might run 100 comments (or more) and it's just on screen size!
Look at some of the things that aren't polarizing
Except it's impossible to have an article about a new device with an LCD panel without it being polarizing, because polarizing is how LCDs work. In order for it not to be polarizing, it'd have to be AMOLED or something.
Unfortunately, AMOLED devices require polarized filter to reduce reflection from the aluminium backplate behind the AMOLED layer. So they are polarizing too (easy to check - just rotate AMOLED-based phone while wearing polaroid glasses).
Quantity does not equal quality.
Quantity does not equal quality.
But quantity DOES equal ad revenue, and that's what it's all about.
That's the sort of attitude that leads to news stations reporting meaningless scandals and outright fabrications, instead of real news. It's like offering a recovering alcoholic a beer. On some level they may want it, but it's bad for them and you'd be an ass to do so.
If you just want to rack up a bunch of comments, make Slashdot into a 24/7 "discussion" board for global warming and religion. That might rake in the advertising dollars in the short term, but the site would suck.
...a 24/7 "discussion" board for global warming and religion...
Fox News beat you to it...
Can we just agree that Apple hardware articles are flamebait by default, especially the ones about the mere possibility of new Apple hardware, and stop frickin posting them?
Can we just agree that a huge number of articles on Slashdot, period, are flamebait by default? Anything that mentions {Apple,Microsoft,the Linux community,BSD} will probably get the usual pile of shouting from both sides, anything that mentions global warming will probably get the usual pile of shouting from both sides, anything about Gummint {forcing people to do XXX, nudging people to do XXX, refusing to give money to people who don't do XXX, encouraging people to do XXX} will probably get the usual pile of shouting from both sides, anything about the RIAA/MPAA will probably get the usual pile of shouting (mostly against the RIAA/MPAA in this case),, etc., etc., etc..
Can we just agree that a huge number of articles on Slashdot, period, are flamebait by default?
Your "flamebait" is my "topical", "interesting" and "discussion-worthy".
It is a sad world-view that sees any topic that engenders a lot of comments, even argument as necessarily "flamebait".
I must have missed the article about the government forcing/nudging/encouraging people to do triple-X, and refusing to give money to people who don't. Interesting.
Can we just agree that Apple hardware articles are flamebait by default, especially the ones about the mere possibility of new Apple hardware, and stop frickin posting them?
Agreed. We all know an Apple product isn't official until someone "unintentionally" leaves one in a bar.
Why do people keep referring to the next iPhone as the iPhone 5? Let's count together shall we?
Original iPhone: iPhone 1
iPhone 3G: iPhone 2
iPhone 3GS: iPhone 3
iPhone 4: iPhone 4
iPhone 4S: iPhone 5
Next iPhone: iPhone 6
Now, if Apple decides to call the next iPhone the iPhone 5, then I'll gladly eat my words, but until then, c'mon now.
Lets try again, shall we?
Original iPhone: iPhone 1,1
iPhone 3G: iPhone 2,1
iPhone 3GS: iPhone 2,2
iPhone 4: iPhone 3,1 (its really the 3!)
iPhone 4S: iPhone 3,2
iPhone 5: iPhone 4,1 ??
Lets try again, shall we?
Original iPhone: iPhone 1,1
iPhone 3G: iPhone 2,1
iPhone 3GS: iPhone 2,2
iPhone 4: iPhone 3,1 (its really the 3!)
If they had called it iPhone 3, there would have been a serious case of heads asploding.
The iPhone 4S' identification string reads "iPhone4,1" [imgur.com].
iPhone 4S: iPhone 5 Next iPhone: iPhone 6
How about Next iPhone: iPhone 4GS; for 4G support?
*** Technically the current latest iPhone ought to have been the iPhone 4G, and the iPhone 4GS should have followed it
Then next iPhone after the next one; iPhone 6.
I like a phone I can use with one hand easily. This whole post was typed with my right hand only, on my iPhone 4.
This whole post was typed with my right hand only, on my iPhone 4.
So you're left handed then? 8)
Man, left-handed people really can't take a joke, I guess. 8^)
I previously owned a Droid X, hence my reference to the disadvantage of a screen the size of a toaster.
I like my handheld portable devices to be handheld. I'm a 6' guy with fairly large hands, great for guitar, bass, and piano. I also have good eyesight, so I don't need a large screen, just high pixel density.
It'd be entertaining to see an iPhone "Pro" with a bigger screen, and an iPhone "Mini" that's usable.
Yeah but who actually buys those small size condoms? I swear they make them just so guys can feel good knowing that there are people smaller than them out there, even if the shelf is always fully stocked and no-one ever seems to buy them...
I think it's more likely that there are more people for whom the 3.5" is the better size. Unless they're planning on having two screen size options for the next iPhone. No idea how likely that is. Apple certainly aren't going to make two sizes unless there they think it's more important than a marketing advantage, which seems to be the main reason some manufacturers are making larger phones -- to "differentiate" themselves", rather than because they spent more effort on R&D than Apple.
I agree. I have an iPhone 4 and I really like the screen on it. I remember when the first Evo 4G came out and one of my coworkers got it on launch day. He was really happy with it, but all I could think was "That's one really big phone". The 4.3" screen just made the thing humungous. I like how well the iPhone slips in my pocket.
The way Apple works, if they did this they would drop the 3.5" model and I wouldn't have a choice if I wanted to stay in the iPhone line.
Personally, I think this is just more "I m
The way Apple works, if they did this they would drop the 3.5" model and I wouldn't have a choice if I wanted to stay in the iPhone line.
Here is where Steve Jobs' design philosophies fall down. We are not talking about the aesthetics of the device, we are discussing how the dimensions of the phone match the user. Hand size, how well the eyes work, etc.. One size does not fit all.
As has been mentioned by others, I expect the same people who would defend the 3.5" screen as the "right" size will defend a
Here is where Steve Jobs' design philosophies fall down. We are not talking about the aesthetics of the device, we are discussing how the dimensions of the phone match the user. Hand size, how well the eyes work, etc.. One size does not fit all.
What design philosophies are you talking about? You seem to be assuming one about having a single screen size. But iPod came in a variety of screen sizes, as of course do Macs.
The do indeed believe in one handed operation, and if that is made easier for a significant number of people with a 4" they'd consider it.
I doubt Apple will think a 4" worthwhile, but if they did there's nothing in their history to indicate that would mean dropping the 3.5".
*IF* the report of Apple buying 4" screens is true, and that'
What design philosophies are you talking about? You seem to be assuming one about having a single screen size. But iPod came in a variety of screen sizes, as of course do Macs.
iPods with different screen sizes? You mean the NON-touchscreen devices? All iPod touches have 3.5" screens. Macs with different sizes? Since when were Macs hand-held devices? Not good examples.
The do indeed believe in one handed operation, and if that is made easier for a significant number of people with a 4" they'd consider it.
You seem to be assuming one about having a single screen size. But iPod came in a variety of screen sizes, as of course do Macs.
The pre-touch ipods didn't have the same app ecosystem the touch ones do so changing the resolution didn't really affect anyone but Apple in terms of software. And on Macs (or PCs in general) you don't generally target fixed resolutions anyway. If they start having iphones with different screen sizes then you have the issues of targeting multiple resolutions because i would think they're highly unlikely to double the already high resolution just to go from 3.5" to ~4". Alternatively they could reduce the pp
As an iPhone developer, I agree absolutely about the reasons why they probably won't do it. I guess what I was trying to say was that that it's a design choice, not a design principle.
There's a certain amount of truth in this. People, and their fingers, come in different sizes, different visual acuities. Some are more graceful than others. Some have purses to carry their phones in, some shirt pockets, some cargo pockets. Some prefer a physical keyboard, others a choice of onscreen keyboards. Some need a cheaper phone to suit their wallet, some more battery life, some more storage, some the slimmest possible device. In Android serving these needs is called "choice." On other platforms it's called "fragmentation" and is held to diminish the main.
The Jobsian vision is to make the one best phone they can, and continue to make several historical revisions. This increases economies of scale and hence margins. It simplifies developer needs and update complexity so that one app works on all phones and updates can be swift and sure. It gives a great experience if it suits your needs, and the design is engineered toward a human curve that should fit most. Because it delivers a premium experience for the people it's engineered for they can charge a premium price for it. But if your needs diverge from this solid design that suits most: too bad.
I wouldn't say Jobs' design philosophies are falling down here. By all reports these devices serve so many people so well that customer satisfaction is as high as any product gets, for all products, for all time. Apparently the engineers are masters of the standard deviation and excel at serving huge numbers of people with what they want, even before the people themselves know what that is. And hence the devices are as profitable as consumer products get and then 6x times that. So much so that they gather an estimated two thirds of the profits in the smartphone trade with something like 20 percent of sales. I would call that a win both for Apple and for their well-served customers.
But if it's not for you, it's not. Apparently there are other companies eager to serve the outliers on the curve like you and me. So many in fact that you can find a phone to suit any conceivable assortment of needs that aren't contradictory. These phones can't run the proprietary iOS, but they do run software deemed by many to be close enough in utility and with a grand assortment of applications. In their eagerness to please these phone vendors get bold and try seriously crazy things: pico projectors, 5" screens, detachable keyboards, gamepads for keyboards, phones that dock to a tablet or smartbook, HDMI 1080p outputs, all kinds of stuff. Some of these extreme solutions become niche markets that don't sell many units - on some of them the manufacturer loses money. In general they're not as profitable as iPhone, but it beats earning $10 on a $200 laptop, or $3 on a BluRay player - and it's honest work.
It gets even worse as far as rumors go
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzsBwnv_dAg [youtube.com]
I would love a phone with those features. But I don't believe anything in that concept video will actually turn up on the new iPhone.
I still have a 3gs, and only skipped the 4 for recent budget changes. The 4s doesn't seem like a great step up from the 4, if I had to buy now.
But since my phones battery is still going strong, I'll hold off until at least the 5 is out either way.
If this one is true about the 4" screen, I might en
That video is photoshopped. You can tell by the pixels.
The way Apple works, if they did this they would drop the 3.5" model and I wouldn't have a choice if I wanted to stay in the iPhone line.
They would also advertise a new iPhone with a 4 inch screen as if it was the first phone ever to have a screen bigger than that of the current iPhone.
5" is too big, the bottom end of a tablet size. 4 - 4.2" is about the sweet spot for a touchscreen cell phone. 3.5" is about the bare minimum an adult male can manipulate. I have a 4" screen (seems to be about standard for android phones) and using a friend's iPhone feels very cramped in comparison, especially for things like reading text more than a paragraph long. 4" is about the bare minimum for extended reading.
God, we've been talking about the iphone 5 every week for over a year now. I know blogs are desperate for page views, but this is getting old.
Yep. I look forward to the front page stories about new alleged rumoured possible screen sizes for HTC, Nokia, Sony etc... oh wait, those won't get published. Because they're irrelevant and boring. Like this story.
Yes, but at least we were informed of a new release of Linux Mint!
Oh, and that Firefox added another integer to their hourly release cycle!
There are going to be lots of stories that don't interest people on an news aggregation and discussion site.
Four inches should be enough for anyone.
Four inches should be enough for anyone.
Unless you're holding it wrong.
Remind me not to accept "facetime" requests from you.
A new iPod? Don't the current iPods run iOS as well?
Couldn't resist...
but, seriously, we're already posting articles about the iPhone 5? Really? It's literally a year away and we're already discussing it?
How long do you think it takes to design and build a new device? If Apple are building a new device to be sold next year (if it's the next iPhone and they fall back to their original schedule it's 7-8 months away) then the time when they would be beginning to order the components is now. Whether these rumors have any substance is another matter though, if they are going to a 4" iphone display that leaves questions about what the resolution would be.
"... screen is for a _NEW_ iOS device..."
So you are saying that the iphone 5 is not a new IOS device? really?
"... If you're going to rumour-monger, at least get the rumours right..."
So you are admitting that you work for Apple, and have just given out forbidden information?
Because unless you actually work for Apple, and are privy to their iphone5 plans, you are just as clueless as everybody else as to Apple's design plans for the iphone.
"I'm a massive Apple fanboi and proud to admit it"
I should have stopped
It's this or the other thing that's a year away: the US presidential election.
Choose your poison.
I'm hearing May, which is like 6 months - not "literally a year".
He was using "literally" in the figurative sense.
I tend to agree with John Gruber of Daring Fireball [daringfireball.net] that all of these rumors of larger screen iPhones are just bullshit, except for one detail: a larger screen would mean a larger phone body, which would allow for a larger battery, and would give even longer battery life. Battery life is the name of the game in mobile devices, and the larger display would give Apple an opportunity to get an additional leg up on their competition. It would also be helpful to have more battery capacity if they were upgrading the iPhone to 4G, which seems to need a lot more power.
While I tend to find Gruber's arguments about maintaining the dimensions of the UI by maintaining the dimensions and resolution of the display convincing, the change in dimensions of the iPhone interface going from a 3.5" to a 4" screen doesn't seem to be much of a concern. The greater concern is that the 4" screen is too large for many people to comfortably access the full screen with their thumb while holding the phone in the same hand (though that could be alleviated by narrowing the bezel around the screen).
So, while I'd love to bet against the rumor mongers clamoring for a 4" display on the next iPhone, I think that it might actually happen. A 4G phone will need a bigger battery, and I think Apple would rather make the phone face larger, than make the phone thicker, and that make a 4" display an easy sell.
""The IGZO technology is perfect in that it offers near-OLED power consumption while having a lower cost and thinness that is only 25% greater than OLED, based on our checks," said Jeffries analyst Peter Misek."
So let me get this right. It's 25% thicker than OLED and uses MORE power, but it costs less to make. On the face of it, that doesn't seem like a very Appley component choice. On the other hand, getting high quality (Super) AMOLED screens means dealing with Samsung, something which Apple doesn't seem to want to do at the moment for silly grudge purposes. So the question becomes, "Does Apple want to sacrifice product quality in exchange for a small savings and sticking it to Samsung?"
If Steve Jobs were still around, I'd say "Yes."--he had a well noted penchant for carrying a grudge to extremes. I'd like a bigger screen as much, or more than the next guy, but I'm not 100% sure how plausible this whole story seems to me in a post-Steve Apple era. On the other, other hand, it might have more to do with the fact that Samsung is too big to bully, and Apple likes to have total control over it's supply chains.
Are you sure it's for a phone?
Maybe Apple is planning an iPad Mini ? Or say a "book style" unit with 2 separate 4" display panels, intended for use as an e-reader.
In any case, with a display larger than the iPhone, but without the iPad 2's bulkiness.
I like that the iPhone display is smaller than the gigantic Android displays. My hands are not the biggest and I can use the iPhone with one hand. No longer if the screen is getting significantly bigger.
and I still switched to Android partially because of the availablility of 4.3" screens, they are SO much better.
Yes yes I know pixel resolution blah, however they are still quite competent screens. Infact I'll go as far as to say, the reason people think the iphone 4 screen is so good (it is) is heightened due to the 3G and 3GS being so bad.
No seriously, plug the specs in to a calculator, the 3G/S screen is AWFUL.
I have 800x480 on my 4.3" screen and yes the iphone looks better at fine stuff but mine still looks fantastic and it's big, nice and big. If I was a public transport user, this is actually an acceptable size to catch simpsons or southpark etc on in the morning on my phone.
While I'm at it,........ the iphone has only ONE button, all the other buttons MUST be drawn on the damn screen. Options, back, etc - all on the main screen. You might be used to it but I've trained myself off it now, I think the one button philosophy is an utter joke. 4 buttons is not unmanagable in the slightest. This frees up even MORE real estate - and it's consistent (hello apple!) because I can find my options (menu) button in the same location
Best technical decision I've made in years. Iphone 3 -> 3GS -> 4 -> 4.3" Android phone, never, ever going back. â(TM)¥
It is not for me to attempt to fathom the inscrutable workings of Providence. -- The Earl of Birkenhead


text:
For Mexico youth, ages 12-15
Central Missouri Community Action is sponsoring a new venture for Mexico youth, ages 12 to 15, in a program called PhotoVoice.
The program is designed for seventh, eighth and ninth grade students to create a photography portfolio of issues related to community betterment and then discuss them in a number of topical courses. The age category may vary from community to community.
Audrain and Callaway Community Organizer Tad Dobyns said that CMCA has sponsored PhotoVision projects elsewhere in its eight-county region, but this is the first year Audrain County has been involved. Dobyns said he is pulling from South Callaway Middle School, the Missouri School for the Deaf and youth enrolled in the Big Brothers and Big Sisters program in Mexico, to give the project an "aspect of city and rural."
"This is a tool reaching out to and engaging the youth," Dobyns said. "The whole program is to let them
know their opinion does matter and the picture speaks a thousand words; it can capture a lot of things because as adults what we see is a lot of times different than what they see."
Unlike text or video footage, Dobyns said "PhotoVoice conveys a large amount of information in an instant, and does not depend on the audience spending time reading or watching to make a point."
Through PhotoVoice, the students:
• Speak about their community
• Advocate for change
• Learn marketable skills
• Connect with others
In an eight-week PhotoVoice process, students will be guided to use their cameras to tell the story of their community, their role in community life, their wishes for the future and whether or not they feel able to make an impact. These weekly sessions instruct students regarding what kind of images should be returned the following week, thus focusing their attention and their photographic work.
Topics to be addressed include local leadership and area history, as well as how PhotoVoice participants see class, gender, place and race impacting their present and future opportunities. Students will learn how to take quality pictures, edit photos and add captions that explain the class topic. The students will share their final, best pictures with their community.
"CMCA sees this as a unique opportunity for the wider community to learn from voices that are not always heard and perspectives that are not always noticed," Dobyns said. "Even more, it is an opportunity for youth from a variety of backgrounds to learn from each other about the community and world in which they live and to be empowered to make the changes they want to see."
This year, youth active in the local Big Brothers and Big Sisters program were selected to help launch the Mexico PhotoVoice program. The Little Brothers and Little Sisters program Director Lori Pratt said PhotoVoice is an opportunity for the youth to expand their horizons. Next year, the project will be opened to all age-appropriate youth in the community. Some income eligibility is required to entry into the program.
"We don't want the kids to think of this as a class. We want them to feel excited about coming into this program. It's an eight-week session that meets right after school," Pratt said about the PhotoVoice project. "We're hoping to get more sponsorships from within the community to help purchase the cameras that are needed for the program."
Pratt said "We want the parents to help, but when it really boils down, we want the kids to be in control of the camera and what they want to show. If we can get their thoughts, then maybe they can show us things we don't see.
"We want them to be the teachers behind the lens," Pratt added.
The student photographs will be printed on 11 x 14 mats and displayed throughout town. The photographs will also be posted on the CMCA website.
Pratt said they would like to start the PhotoVoice meetings next month, weather permitting. An orientation will be held for the youth and their parents to attend. County and city officials will also be invited to a sit-down presentation given by the students to show their concerns and photo topic ideas. Dates and meeting locations will be announced at a later date.
For more information about PhotoVoice or to make camera or monetary donations, contact Dobyns at (573) 582-7864. Also see showmeaction.org to view examples of the PhotoVision program in other communities.


text:
Transition Leave Overview
Military leave of absence is governed by Document AR 600-8-10 (Leave and Pass Administrative Absences). Transition leave is ordinary leave chargeable to a servicemember's accrued leave account and granted, together with transition from the service, to include retirement.
The leave you have accrued through your retirement date may be sold (limit of 60 days per career), used as transition leave, or split between these two options. You must decide what is best for you. Because it is difficult to cancel an approved retirement, it is best to decide your course of action before submitting a retirement request. The following factors may affect your decision:
• You must retire on the 1st day of a month unless you retire for disability.
• Each day of leave can be sold back for basic pay only.
• Accrued leave paid in a lump sum is automatically taxed at the 25 percent rate.
• Servicemembers are not permitted to begin employment while in permissive temporary duty (PTDY) status.
• Servicemembers MAY work while on transition leave, even for the federal government.
Soldiers retiring for disability may have their retirement dates adjusted to allow using any transition leave they are unable to sell back due to the 60-day limit.
After 20 years of service, each additional month you serve on active duty provides an additional retired pay multiplier of 1/12th of 2-1/2 percent for those under the Final Basic Pay or High-3 formulas, or 1/12th of 3.5 percent, for those under CSB/REDUX.
The purpose of transition leave is to allow soldiers to participate in pre-separation job searches and house hunting activities that facilitate relocation or transition of the servicemember to civilian life.
Servicemembers must have a need to relocate or conduct job search activities during the requested transition leave. If neither of these activities are necessary (for example, the servicemember already has secured a job and will continue to reside in the same residence with no prospect of moving) then transition leave is not appropriate.
With your commander's approval, you may receive 20 or 30 days of PTDY (based on your geographical location) to conduct job search and house-hunting activities. PTDY is a non-chargeable leave granted in addition to any authorized ordinary leave. Transition PTDY may be used in increments (not to exceed days authorized); may be taken in a series of trips in conjunction with transition leave (must have a duty day between transition leave and PTDY); or may be taken in its entirety, in conjunction with transition leave (e.g., a servicemember elects to take transition PTDY, with full 20/30 days as one trip; starting transition leave on the next day).
Servicemembers may not carry forward more than 60 days of leave into the next fiscal year (FY). Any leave accumulated in excess of 60 days is lost at the end of the FY unless it was accumulated when entitled to Special Leave Accrual (SLA).
Under SLA authority, a maximum of 90 days of leave (60 days ordinary leave plus 30 days SLA) can be carried forward. For practical purposes, only leave accumulated before deployment, plus leave earned during deployment, is protected by SLA. Leave earned after deployment is not protected. The actual leave balance carried forward into succeeding fiscal years is the lowest monthly leave balance after completion of SLA duty. Leave and Earnings Statements (LESs) show SLA days in the remarks section. Except under sell-back provisions, SLA days cannot be sold.
Servicemembers must plan accordingly to avoid losing leave before separation from the service.
SLA Sell Back is an additional one-time option for accrued leave authorized for enlistees only (does not apply to officers). Under this provision, an enlistee may elect a one-time leave sell back of up to 30 days leave accrued in excess of the 90-day SLA limitation. SLA Sell Back counts against the 60-day leave sell-back limitation during a servicemember's career.
(Courtesy Military.com)


text:
Yesterday, I was perusing the conversations over at OurCompassion and learned that Compassion International has posted the expected Sponsor Tours for 2015.
I told you some time ago of my desire to go to Burkina Faso. Though it was not possible for me to make the trip this year, I find myself already quite settled that I need to pursue the possibility of the 2015 trip. I could spend this blog entry trying to explain my desire to go, but I will, perhaps, save that for another blog. It should be sufficient to mention here that I simply long to wrap my arms around the two boys I sponsor, to hug them and play and laugh and love on them. "Simply." I simply long for this.
Chris Tomlin. There is love. This might be a good time to mention that I'm listening to this song. 🙂
Anyway, as is my routine, I spent the early part of my Friday evening in prayer. I lit my first candle and prayed for Israel; I lit my second candle and prayed for Syria; and I lit a third candle, and asked God to speak anything to my heart about Burkina Faso. He didn't. Not in the way I've come to expect. So instead of looking for answers, I just allowed myself to be quiet and settled in God's presence. All alone. It was, I confess, just what I needed. But it didn't resolve my questions and concerns about the possibility of a Burkina trip next year. It didn't answer the enormous issue of finances (and if you clicked the link in the first paragraph to look at the upcoming tour information, you know that finances are going to be an enormous issue for this girl). Still, there is something affirming about the silent and stillness of God's presence.
I awoke this morning with the same questions, the same concerns. How am I ever going to make this happen?
And there is the crux.
It's funny how God speaks to us, and how He teaches us.
I have a friend who likes to lead the conversation a particular direction to make his point. He will ask me questions and challenge me to think thoroughly about the matter. In the end, I will have come to some revelation about the topic. With human beings, with fallen man, of course there is a danger that I will be misled (even with the best intentions on either side of the equation) or that I will misunderstand. But I'm finding that God does this with me often, and there is such a safety therein because we know (by experience and by faith and by the witness of His Spirit in our lives) that He will not mislead us, that He is not mistaken, that He is patient to continue the dialogue long after we claim we understand, and that He is steadfast and faithful to plant those truths deep in our hearts so that they become convictions.
(Wow. I really do talk a lot, don't I?)
Anyway, there was the crux: How am I going to make this happen?
I'm not.
I was quite looking for some other passage this morning–the one about us being the temple of God's Spirit–and I stumbled upon the Growth verse, 1 Corinthians 3:7 (ESV);
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
I am so quick to try and figure things out on my own, but the truth is, I can't.
I can't raise the money on my own.
Even if I did raise the money, I can't ensure that nothing in life will prevent me from making the trip.
I can't determine that there will be no emergencies at work or in my family.
I can't make politics and weather cooperate with my travel plans.
I can't force Compassion to offer the trip if I am the only sponsor to sign up.
I can't guarantee that Joseph and Moise will be excited to see me.
None of it, folks. None of it is in my power.
What a relief! What a blessed revelation! Thank You, God!
But let's not pretend there is no responsibility on my part. Or yours. If you are reading this blog, friend, you are somehow invested in my life. God brings the growth; and He requires that we plant and water seeds. The question becomes–what does that translate to as we are discussing this Compassion Sponsor Tour?
So what do I need from you, friend? Only you and God can determine what He is speaking to your heart. But might I offer a few suggestions?
And what does God require of me? That is a matter for many blogs to come.
And by the way–this is a good time to mention that there are many, many children waiting for Sponsors. It is not nearly as expensive as you think it is, and there is nothing as rewarding, nothing as wonderful as changing a child's life. Compassion-dot-com. Go.
Pax Christi.


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American Forces Press Service
May 9, 2007 – Four U.S. servicemembers died and five others were wounded yesterday during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, military officials said, and the Defense Department has identified 10 previous casualties.
Taliban fighters engaged Afghan National Army soldiers and U.S. advisors with small-arms, mortar and rocket-propelled-grenade fire yesterday northeast of the Sangin district center in Afghanistan's Helmand province. Combined forces fired back and pursued the retreating Taliban fighters. During the pursuit, the friendly force continued to receive enemy fire from the Helmand River's western side. Afghan soldiers and coalition forces maintained contact with the enemy as Taliban fighters took cover in compounds or continued firing on combined forces.
Coalition close-support aircraft destroyed three enemy command-and-control compounds, including an enemy underground tunnel network along the upper Sangin River Valley. During the 16-hour battle, Afghan soldiers and coalition forces fought through three separate enemy ambush sites while dozens of Taliban fighters from Kajaki and Lashkar Gha reinforced enemy positions.
During the engagement, more than 200 Taliban fighters engaged combined forces. Intelligence also indicates foreign fighters and Taliban fighters from Herat participated in the battle. One coalition member was killed in action during the long battle. There were no reported injuries to any Afghan civilians. "We will continue to pursue and interdict Taliban fighters who threaten the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," said Maj. Chris Belcher, a Combined Joint Task Force 82 spokesperson. "Taliban fighters have two choices: stop fighting and reconcile with the IROA, or face elimination by ANA and coalition forces."
In Diyala province, Afghanistan yesterday, a Task Force Lightning soldier was killed by gunfire. Four other soldiers were wounded in the incident and were taken to a coalition forces' medical treatment facility. I
n Iraq, two soldiers were killed and one was wounded southeast of Baghdad yesterday when their vehicle was struck by a roadside bomb.
The servicemembers' names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
Meanwhile, the Defense Department released the identities of eight Army soldiers and two Marines killed recently supporting U.S. operations abroad.
-- Army Col. James W. Harrison Jr., 47, of Missouri, and Army Master Sgt. Wilberto Sabalu Jr., 36, of Chicago, died May 6 during combat in Pol-E-Charki, Afghanistan. Harrison was assigned to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Sabalu was assigned to the U.S. Military Police School, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Their deaths are under investigation.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Christopher S. Kiernan, 37, of Virginia Beach, Va., died May 6 in Baghdad during combat patrol operations. Kiernan was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
-- Army Staff Sgt. Christopher N. Hamlin, 24, of London, Ky.; and Army Pfc. Larry I. Guyton, 22, of Brenham, Texas, died after an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle May 4 in Baghdad. They were assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
-- Army Sgt. Sameer A.M. Rateb, 22, of Absecon, N.J., died May 6 at Forward Operating Base Summerall in Bayji, Iraq, in a non-combat related incident. Rateb was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. His death is under investigation.
-- Army Spc. Robert J. Dixon, 27, of Minneapolis, died May 6 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Dixon was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.
-- Army Pfc. Jerome J. Potter, 24, of Tacoma, Wash., died May 3 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. Potter was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
-- Marine MSgt. Kenneth N. Mack, 42, of Fort Worth, Texas; and Marine Cpl. Charles O. Palmer II, 36, of Manteca, Calif., died May 5 during combat in Iraq's Anbar province. Mack was assigned to the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, 2nd MEF, Camp Lejeune, N.C. Palmer was assigned to 8th Communication Battalion, 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group, 2nd MEF, Camp Lejeune.
(Compiled from Multinational Corps Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force 82 and Defense Department news releases.)
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Four Servicemembers Killed; DoD Identifies 10 Previous Casualties
Posted by Raymond Foster at 3:52 PM
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The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued the season's eighth Winter Spare the Air Alert for Wednesday.
The order bans burning wood, manufactured fire logs or any other solid fuel, both indoors and outdoors for 24 hours.
A persistent high pressure system dominated the region and led to a succession of the Spare the Air Days last week. Although the system weakened, particulate levels increased Tuesday and threatened to reach unhealthy levels Wednesday.
"Due to the Winter Spare the Air Alert calls, we have not yet exceeded the federal health standard, which is exactly what the alerts are designed to do," said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District.
Homes without permanently installed heating, where woodstoves or fireplaces are the only source of heat, are exempt from the burning ban.
—Clark Mason


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DAVID BECKHAM could cost as much as $200,000 a game but his price tag hasn't deterred three A-League clubs from ramping up their bids to sign the superstar on a 10-match guest stint.
Perth Glory, Central Coast Mariners and Melbourne Heart are on stand-by, and are only awaiting his decision to select Australia as a potential destination before entering advanced negotiations with his management.
The Glory will be offering Beckham the most lucrative deal ever across any football code in Australia.
''We've made an offer in the region of $2 million,'' Glory chief executive Paul Kelly said. ''[Glory owner] Tony Sage [will fund the deal], there's no investment from anyone else. Financially, you're paying for what you get, and he's still a good footballer. People forget this.''
Fairfax Media understands Melbourne Heart became the first club to enter preliminary negotiations with Beckham's US management team after holding a teleconference on Monday night.
It is understood that the club offered a deal worth about $1.5 million. The Heart will contribute about $600,000, and the remaining sum is likely to be topped-up by a third party.
On a weekly basis, Perth's offer of $2 million for 10 games is far more than Beckham's salary with LA Galaxy, which was worth over $3.8 million a season. However, Perth believe it will take more than money to lure the former England captain. Beckham has an estimated $260 million fortune, and despite earning the bulk of that in endorsements while in the US, he showed a great ambition to leave a legacy and promote the game during his time with the Galaxy. Perth Glory are hoping that he might again be swayed to do the same and boost the profile of football in a state dominated by AFL.
''The A-League has come on in leaps and bounds,'' Kelly said. ''You've seen the Del Piero effect, you've seen the Heskey effect. He [Beckham] was instrumental in elevating the MLS to where it is now and he likes to leave a legacy. He may choose that very reason why he chose the MLS to come to the A-League. Perth is very underrated, it's a beautiful place to live, it's got a Mediterranean climate, it's got heaps of beaches, it's safe and clean, it's all those things that we'll pitch and it will boil down to what he wants to do. I don't think it's a matter of money, our offer is very competitive, it's got to feel like a place he wants to go to.''
Perth might be geographically isolated from the majority of the population but has proved a popular residence for celebrities in the past. Argentina great Gabriel Batistuta lived in the city for two years after retiring from the game, and still owns a house there. English comedian Ben Elton moved to Perth in 2010, and has become involved with the Glory.
Central Coast Mariners' bid to lure Beckham is also gaining momentum after receiving the financial support of Gosford City Council and Wyong Council. Ad man John Singleton is the main financial backer of the bid but the Mariners are hopeful of adding the FFA to their list of contributors.
''Basically we've got an offer ready to go but until he's decided to come to Australia, once he's flagged that he wants to come to Australia, we're ready to go,'' Mariners technical director Lawrie McKinna said. ''He's away on holidays for a few days so we're piecing things together now. Once he's told his agency that his preference is to come to the A-League, we'll come in very seriously.''


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Quotenot that this is going to prove anything or matter, but if you were a. really good at your fine art (acting, playing an instrument) and b. passionate about your talent, it seems unlikely you would settle for a career in the law as it offers, at best, a tangential (ie you can't play your instrument or act in productions full-time) connection to these pursuits. i applaud you for "UR" last paragraph, someone has finally discovered the obvious limitations of message board debates.
ccast...if your argument were true, then why did all of the bussiness majors do business instead of going to law school? Why are not the poli sci majors pursueing political careers? Why didn't the the engineering majors pursueing enginnering careers?Just because someone decides to take a career path different from the one they originally chose (probably when they entered college at the tender age of 18) can we really say that they are no longer enjoy or are passionate about their art? Perhaps the realities of the industry make it difficult for them to make a living at their career. There are a lot of very talented actors, dancers, singers, etc. out there who have not been able to earn a living practicing their art but who are none the less very talented. Maybe their family circumstances mean that they have a difficult time pursueing their art. I don't know....I'm just saying that I really don't see how your argument holds any water and I am no longer going to waste any time trying to proove it as my soup is now ready.
As a current music major, I feel compelled to say something as well. It is not an easy major. Sometimes the grading scale may be more lenient, but the actual major is incredibly challenging. There is little else that requires so much time and effort. And to anyone who thinks it's easy - please take an advanced music theory class. I think your opinion will change. As for myself, I've always enjoyed both law and music. There was no hurry to go to law school, and the training I received these past fours years will be with me for the rest of my life. I don't regret that decision.I don't mean to offend anyone, but as I'm preparing for law school and my senior recital, I can vouch wholeheartedly that the belief about fine arts majors simply isn't true.
ElizaYou mistake these situations to be analagous. Business/Politics(iepolicymaking) are definitely more connected, career wise, to the law then the fine arts are. Almost anything else (even Journalism, which I don't consider to be a fine art (ie PLAYING an instrument, CREATING visual art or ACTING)) is more directly related to the study and practice of law (covering legal stories). If you actually look at the conditions I set forth, it is easy to see that all the examples and arguments subsequent to my post (the one about hearing loss) did not meet either condition a or b, and thus do not fall within the scope of the claim. My point isn't particularly controversial. Those with the ability and passion sufficient to make a CAREER out of the fine arts don't go to law school. So, if you are going/applying then you lack either/both of these things. Someone mentioned dancers who plan to work as a lawyer after they can't dance, but I would argue that if they truly meet these two conditions they would find work MORE directly involved with dancing (ie teaching, choreographing) rather than simply being a lawyer who represents dancers/companies.
God, that's the truth. I had friends senior year who were ready to chuck their whole music degree because of Advanced Theory. It's from Hell! Thank God there is a little give on the grading, or none of us would ever make it!


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The Learning Commons
A new environment for supported learning on the campus of Lansing Community College
The Learning Commons is located in Arts & Sciences 108, phone, (517) 483-1206, or firstname.lastname@example.com.
Learning Support Services Offered
- Tutoring is offered in many subjects, free of charge for currently registered students. Stop by or call today to see if help is available in your course.
- Study space including some quiet areas
- Laptops, textbooks, anatomy models, and calculators for use in the Learning Commons
- Study strategy assistance and handouts
Please note that printing is currently available on a very limited basis in the Learning Commons. Photocopying can be done in the TLC first floor computer lab or second floor library and is not available in the Learning Commons.
Tutoring Offerings
Click here to request a tutor Request a Tutor
Walk In (No
appointment needed)
Students are encouraged to request tutoring as soon as possible because reserved, weekly, one-on-one appointments are in high demand and fill up quickly. To obtain a form, come to the Learning Commons in Arts & Sciences 108.
Reception Hours for Fall & Spring Semesters
Monday-Thursday: 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Tutoring Locations
The Learning Commons is located in Arts & Sciences 108, on LCC's main campus. Tutoring is offered inside the Learning Commons and at various locations off and on campus (Please see Tutoring Offerings.)
Interested in becoming a tutor?
Learn more about employment with the Learning Commons
The Learning Commons
Arts & Sciences Room 1313
Phone: (517) 483-1206
Fax: (517) 483-1222
Additional contact information


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AAA Four-Diamond Boutique Hotel Overlooking Caribbean Bay
Tales of the South Pacific author James Michener reportedly once described St. Lucia's Marigot Bay as "the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean." The area's lush jungle and turquoise Caribbean waters also captivated sea captain Walter Boudreau, who sailed into St. Lucia's western bay in the 1950s and built the lagoon's first hotel. The tranquil cove soon began filling up with luxury yachts as it became a popular destination for celebrities, movie crews (for the original Doctor Dolittle film), and even Apollo 17 astronauts, who once escaped to the inlet for R & R. Overlooking this popular waterfront is the Discovery at Marigot Bay Hotel, which pays respect to its pristine surroundings with eco-friendly practices.
The boutique hotel has been an AAA Four Diamond–rated establishment since 2007. Each bay-view room has a balcony or patio from which you can watch yachts, sailboats, and the hotel's solar-powered ferry sail by. The ferry serves as a complimentary shuttle to various spots around the bay, including restaurants, bars, and Labas Beach, where you can spend the day snorkeling, windsurfing, and kayaking. Aside from its solar-powered ferry, the resort commits to responsible tourism by using locally made paper products and participating in community cleanup days. Such eco-friendly practices helped the hotel earn a nod from National Geographic.
Three pools dot the property: an infinity-edge pool, a lagoon pool with a swim-up bar, and a children's pool shaded by an awning. There are also three onsite restaurants and bars, including the Boudreau Restaurant, an elegant French establishment named after the bay's first hotelier. The resort credit that comes with three of this deal's options can be used at the restaurants or the onsite spa.
St. Lucia: Caribbean Island Blanketed with Rainforest
Marigot Bay is located on the west coast of St. Lucia, an island situated just north of St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the Lesser Antilles archipelago. About 22 miles down the coast from Marigot Bay, Sulphur Springs at Mount Soufrière is considered "the world's only drive-in volcano." You can literally drive your car into its volcanic crater to see the steaming sulfur.
The Pitons are twin volcanoes and perhaps St. Lucia's most recognized landmarks. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Hottest Couple by Us Weekly, the mountains jut into the sky on the island's southwestern coast near Soufrière. Brave trekkers can ascend to the top of the taller of the two—the 2,619-foot Gros Piton.
Read the Fine Print for important info on travel dates and other restrictions.


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HOUSTON (AP) - Yu Darvish was nearly perfect against the Astros once again, taking a no-hit bid into the eighth inning and striking out a career-high 15 to lead the Texas Rangers over Houston 2-1 Monday for their eighth straight win.
Darvish dominated the Astros until Carlos Corporan homered with one out in the eighth inning for Houston's only hit.
Until the homer, Houston's lone runner came when rookie Jonathan Villar drew a two-out walk in the sixth. A pitch before the walk, Texas catcher A.J. Pierzynski was ejected for arguing with plate umpire Ron Kulpa on a breaking ball he called low.
In early April, Darvish (12-5) was one out away from a perfect game at Minute Maid Park before Marwin Gonzalez singled between his legs.
This time, Darvish was equally sharp. He left after eight innings, having increased his major league-leading strikeout total to 207.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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Comic relief? Hope he's doing well. I had a Jack Russell that got skunked 22 times (welllllllllll)
Well my heathen babyboy played with a copperhead who didn't wanna play yesterday. He's fine of course, but I was wondering what you guys in the NorthEast do when your dogs get bit.
I gave the big bastard a benadryl and a glucosimine/MSM combo pill and he's good. Sleepy as hell but good.
Lets here some good wives tale remedies from the Apple. Or wherever you reside.
Comic relief? Hope he's doing well. I had a Jack Russell that got skunked 22 times (welllllllllll)
The snake is lucky he didn't bite back.
He's fine. He is asleep on one of my ANW pads by the porch. Swollen but wiser.
And, the snakes dead.
Poor guy. Glad he is doing OK. Some dogs are too curious for their own good.
Luckily the only thing I have ever had to deal with for my pooches is a tick.
Glad to hear he's doing ok.
My favorite copperhead story happened years ago at a golf course I worked at. We were working and we saw a big copperhead in the middle of a fairway so I sent a guy in to get a shovel so I could chop its head off. (Golf members are not fond of snakes)
As we were waiting for the shovel, my boss comes riding up on a mower with a 72" front deck. He yells "copperhead", smiles, drops the deck and throws the blades on. The copperhead shot out in a ton of pieces all over the fairway.
My boss just smiled and said "clean that up" and drove away.
Must bad year for copperheads...my brother had 2 dogs in the last month get nailed by 'em.
Just a week before the 1st one got bite my sister-in-law killed a black snake, I told her to leave it alone, but she didn't listen, now they have a problem with copperheads.
Had one in my pool last week, wife thought it was a leaf until it started swimming after her.
Glad to hear he's okay.
Had a Bullmastiff named Tank back in my 20's.
AWESOME dogs
Gentle giants


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Sooooo stoked for virgin Burn!!!
Start here - tell us about yourself and what brings you to ePlaya.
7 posts • Page 1 of 1
Sooooo stoked for virgin Burn!!!
Hey all newbeeesss.....and vets .... i know to keep an open mind....this is definitely a new chapter in the life cycle.... hope to be reborn and live toward completing the cycle of samsara.........
once in a while you can get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right
- TomServo
- Posts: 6160
- Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2004 1:17 pm
- Burning Since: 1999
- Camp Name: Black Rock City Assholes Union Local 668
- Location: Las Vegas, Nevada
- CLARKcon
- Posts: 2434
- Joined: Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:58 am
- Burning Since: 2002
- Camp Name: COFFEE CAMP
- Location: .:P3 OASIS & COFFEE CAMP (@ 2:15 & "G") in Fandango Village:.
Hello meeelikey ! Chances are it will be a good chapter in life to remember, if not atleast a short story Plus, if you're an artist or even an appreciator, get ready for some expression extremis...the visual aspect there f*'ing l e v e l e d my mental comprehension my first year out
COFFEE CAMP: "The Social Hub of the Uncivilized World"
"Remember- Drink coffee...it's for your own good"
"...it's only just begun."
"To Percolate & Serve."
"Remember- Drink coffee...it's for your own good"
"...it's only just begun."
"To Percolate & Serve."
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Hi This is Bruce Marshall, Collection Manager Mollusca, from Te Papa.
When we turned the specimen we confirmed that the eyes were oriented antero-laterally. In other words the animal looks pretty well straight forward rather than from either side if its head.
Other squid have eyes on the side of their head but they can swivel their eyes so they can see forwards and sideways.
Before we looked at our colossal squid, no one was quite sure how its eyes were placed. Luckily this squid has one intact eye. The other one got damaged when it was pulled onto the ship. However we were able to remove the lenses from this damaged eye and eye-ball tissue was also able to be removed.
Prof. Eric Warrant and Prof. Dan Nilsson from the University of Lund took this tissue and are analysing it to understand how it sees.


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Skip to comments.Avlon: NRA's enemies list: Most of America
Posted on 02/06/2013 1:04:06 PM PST by ExxonPatrolUs
(CNN) - Question: What do George Clooney, Chaka Khan, the American Medical Association, Bon Jovi and C. Everett Koop have in common?
Answer: They are among the 500 names on the National Rifle Association's absurd new "enemies list."
Richard Nixon would be embarrassed to find that his once sinister form of score-keeping has been revived so promiscuously by the NRA. But there is some redeeming social value here: The list illustrates an organization that has become hermetically sealed from society at large, so caught up in conservative debates that it has forgotten how to connect with Main Street America.
The enemies list was first posted on the NRA's website in mid-September, hiding in plain sight under the banner "National Organizations with Anti-Gun Policies." But with the debate about reasonable gun restrictions reignited after the Sandy Hook Elementary School slaughter, the NRA's enemies list has become just the latest example of seriously bad judgment inside this once proud organization.
Because whatever staffer was tasked with accumulating the list took the idea of "you're either with us or against us" so literally that everyone who isn't a card-carrying conservative seems to be counted as an enemy.
The list is divided into broad categories, including "Anti-Gun Individuals and Celebrities," journalists, civic organizations and corporations -- as well as a grab bag category that includes religious leaders. You don't have to be a charter member of Mensa to see how this is going to alienate far more Americans than it attracts.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
So real the author decided to remain anonymous.
No wonder CNN is in trouble.
The oppressors use Alinsky rules, which say that any issue must be "personalized", "frozen", and attacked. This automatically means a list or grouping of target people.
Chaka Khan..Chaka Khan..Chaka Khan
I suggest to this idiot that perhaps the people on the list are the ones who cannot connect with Main Street America. A LOT more people have guns than those who don't.
The list: www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=15
I'll betcha Obama's enemies list is way longer.
Richard Nixon? "Enemies List"?
Dog whistles, anyone?
Liberty and freedom are at the top of the Dear Liars enemys list.
The list isn't big enough, nor are our enemies taken with enough seriousness.
I was talking to a group of people who usually contribute VAST sums of money to non-profits, like the ones in this list. They said the valve is closed because of the tax law changes. No more private grants. Nada, zip, none. These organizations are now exclusively in line at the government grant window. They will all be singing the praises of Obama, and supporting his programs. Most of them will vanish within a year or so.
"...so literally that everyone who isn't a card-carrying conservative seems to be counted as an enemy."
Hey - he's pretty bright - if you're intent is to do harm to America - you're our enemy!
Not too difficult to understand - even for a Libtard....
What do they all have in common? They're all flaming leftist liberal communist socialists!
You forgot assholes too, pardner..
The lib tactic of painting those who disagree with them as "outside the mainstream" is tiresome. The NRA has a massive membership and following. It continues to have a positive public image according to polls, even when it is at odds with majority opinion on this or that specific issue.
Dog whistles by definition are supposed to be audible only to dogs. This article comes out and uses terms like "embarrassed," "sinister," and "promiscuously." They aren't doing a good job encoding their opinion, if that was the plan.
By the way, I was under the impression that the reason Nixon's list was so bad is that he was personally vindictive and apt to abuse his power to appease his vanity. I wasn't aware keeping track of your opponents is wrong as such.
What is a "card-carrying conservative"? What authority issues those cards?
Chaka Khan? Weren't her 15 minutes of fame over thirty years ago?
"What is a card-carrying conservative?"
What? You don't have a card? Should you even be on Freerepublic? : )
By the way, Tublecane, you can't set your beber to stune until you have the card.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


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Leo Widrich, co-founder of Buffer, at last night's Lean content marketing event (photo by JD Lasica).
5 rules for creating content with social appeal
Target audience: Content marketers, agencies, marketing professionals, businesses, brands, start-ups, nonprofits, social enterprises, educators, journalists.
Last night I attended the first Lean Content Marketing meeup put on by Scoop.it, the content curation platform, at their San Francisco headquarters. About 80 folks, a mix of marketers and entrepreneurs, turned out to hear Leo Widrich, CEO and co-founder of Buffer, offer his five cardinal rules of content marketing.
Content marketing, which my partner David Spark prefers to call brand journalism, is the practice of creating content relevant to your brand to gain greater visibiilty in search results and in social channels. Simply put, if you don't create content, you can't be an influencer, and you won't get people talking about your company, product or service.
Where does lean content marketing come in? We're a stone's throw from Silicon Valley, where the conventional wisdom holds that a company that's lean and product-focused will out-perform one that's too marketing-centric, Scoop.it's Arabella Santiago explained. Thus, like lean startup culture, the marketing sector could learn a few things from smaller, nimble means of spreading the word about a great new product — with social media at the top of the list. Blasting out a brand message doesn't work if the underlying claim or value proposition is bupkis. Continue reading


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The Right Robotic Stuff 53
An anonymous reader writes "When Tom Wolfe wrote about NASA's first Mercury astronauts in The Right Stuff, he wanted to know what combination of guts, skill, and derring-do inspired these men to 'sit up on top of an enormous Roman candle and wait for someone to light the fuse.' About 50 years after the Mercury astronauts' heyday, a new kind of space pioneer is preparing for the trip to the International Space Station. Robonaut 2, NASA's first robot astronaut, will catch a ride with the space shuttle this week, and will soon take up residence at the space station. So, what does it take to become the first robotic astronaut? Discover Magazine talked to one of the project engineers, and found out about R2's qualifications and training regimen. It's pretty entertaining, and comes with photos and video."


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Regular gal: How often should you 'go'?
Remember Carly Simon's song, "Anticipation"? I never heard of the song until Heinz Ketchup used it in a commercial. (In the commercial, the anticipation of eating the food slathered in ketchup was worth the wait.)
When it comes to a bowel movement, for most people, constipation is not a fun way to experience anticipation. In fact, one of the biggest issues in the primary care office is constipation. Women are affected by constipation more than men, but we aren't really sure why.
When I was a medical resident in Los Angeles, I lived in a noisy apartment for one year. I would occasionally see my landlords, who seemed nice enough, but I never really had a conversation with them. One night, as I was returning home, the landlord asked me if I could help his pregnant wife. (I thought she was pregnant, but I learned a long time ago never to ask, "Are you pregnant?" I once asked a woman this question to learn she was in fact not pregnant. I think this is defined as a faux pas.)
Anyway, I told my landlord that I was not an OB/GYN, and he understood this. They had just paged their OB and were waiting for a call back. Because of the extreme nature of the situation, he thought perhaps I could bring her some relief.
I agreed to help and entered his apartment for the first time. I don't remember what his apartment looked like because I only remember hearing a woman's violent screams. I looked at my landlord and said, "Is that your wife screaming?" He nodded.
He took me to the bathroom where I found his mother and his wife. With all due respect to my landlord's wife, I suddenly felt like I was in the movie The Exorcist. My landlord's wife was contorted on the commode, holding her pregnant belly, and screaming very loudly.
First thing I did was ask her if she was in pain. She said she wasn't, but she couldn't force out a bowel movement. I asked her to relax and take some deep breaths. When she was calmer, I asked how long it was since her last bowel movement. "Five days," she replied.
I learned in medical school that having a bowel movement every day is not considered normal. The range was between one and five days. A Hollywood executive at my gym in LA told me that was wrong, and three times a day was normal.
So what is normal? I learned at UVA medical school that the laxative industry has convinced Americans that one bowel movement a day is healthy and necessary.
Frankly, I don't think it really matters how "regular" a person is as long as there isn't any discomfort and it is within five days. If you don't have a bowel movement for a few days and there are no associated cramps or gas, then that is fine. However, after five days with no BM, medical complications can develop.
My landlord's wife wanted to have a bowel movement because she thought it was a bad sign not to have had one in five days. She was right. However, as hard as she was struggling, I was afraid she was going to push the baby out into the toilet.
She was tormented and angry that she was constipated, and I had to reassure her there were ways to get thing rolling. Thankfully, her OB called at that moment and relieved me of my duties. When I saw her the next day, she said, with a sheepish smile on her face, "mission accomplished."


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text:
The open oceans and deep seas represent 95% of the global biosphere. They play an important role in regulating the Earth's climate and are home to a major part of the world's biodiversity, containing some of the most productive ecosystems, vast natural resources, unique habitats and unknown species. However, mounting pressures from intensifying human use, climate change and ocean acidification threaten to undermine these ecosystems' biodiversity, balance and resilience.
Due to their remoteness and difficulty of exploration, the open oceans and deep seas are the least known and least protected places on the planet. Currently, only about 5% has been explored, mostly near coastal areas where the continental shelf drops off abruptly into the deep sea. Open oceans and deep seas often fall outside national jurisdiction and so future conservation efforts in these areas depend on international cooperation and coordination.
With support from the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), IUCN's Global Marine Programme is coordinating the Global Ocean Biodiversity Initiative (GOBI), an international partnership providing the scientific basis for conserving the unique biological diversity in the deep seas and open oceans. GOBI helps countries, as well as regional and global organizations to identify ecologically-significant areas in the oceans, with an initial focus on areas beyond national jurisdiction. It also supports countries in their efforts to reduce the rate of biodiversity loss and establish a representative network of marine protected areas. And all this based on the latest science.
"One of the biggest challenges when working with open oceans and deep seas is the paucity of data in these regions," says Carole Durussel, IUCN's GOBI Project Officer. "Due to the high costs and logistical difficulty for their exploration, the majority of the available ocean data comes from areas closest to shore. Most of the poorly-sampled marine areas are found in the southern hemisphere and in lower and higher latitude regions. It is therefore very important to make the best use of the scientific data and other information, by making it easily available, and by addressing data gaps. It is also important to facilitate the international coordination of future scientific research efforts, including focused regional work."
GOBI's work is based on seven scientific criteria to identify ecologically or biologically significant areas in the global marine realm, which were adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2008. These include, for example, areas containing exceptionally high biological diversity or productivity, unique or rare areas, as well as areas of particular importance for the survival and recovery of threatened or declining species.
In its initial phase, GOBI developed practical illustrations relating to species, habitats and oceanographic features for these criteria.
"For example, did you know that female northern elephant seals undertake two foraging migrations at sea each year and spend most of their time on the high seas (that is in areas beyond national jurisdiction)? These migrations to highly productive areas are critical to their survival as they need to build fat reserves to survive the fasting months on land giving birth, nourishing their pup and breeding. With the help of tagging devices placed on the back of marine species such as elephant seals, sea turtles or seabirds, it is possible to track their distribution in space and time. Adding this data to a species' biological information can help explain why these marine species use a particular area. Satellites can also be useful in detecting physical features such as eddies or upwelling areas, which promote biological productivity or areas of extreme temperature differences that often determine a species' distribution," explains Carole.
Using the seven categories to identify specific ocean areas that require enhanced protection can help to achieve a variety of conservation and management objectives. However, much scientific work still needs to be done to make this possible and this is what GOBI is working towards.
"Our next step is to apply multiple criteria analyses to arrive at options for coherent representative networks of protected areas on the high seas," says Carole.
Marine and coastal biodiversity conservation is high on the agenda of this month's meeting of the scientific advisory body of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Nairobi. GOBI will play an important role in these discussions, aiming to ensure appropriate identification of areas in need of extra protection on the high seas.
"The key recommendations on marine and costal biodiversity include those to promote further work towards the identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant Areas and the development of guidelines for environmental impact assessments and strategic environmental assessments," says Carole. "We hope that States will recognise the need to support work in both these areas. We would also like to see support for progress to achieve the upcoming 2012 target of ecologically representative and effectively managed marine protected area networks, including in areas beyond national jurisdiction."
For more information, please contact:
Patricio Bernal, GOBI Project Coordinator: email@example.com
Carole Durussel, GOBI Project Officer, GIS: email@example.com


text:
Reds hit 4 home runs in 7-7 tie with Indians
- Article by: GARY SCHATZ
- Associated Press
- March 17, 2013 - 7:43 PM
GOODYEAR, Ariz. - After hitting four home runs to build a comfortable lead, the Cincinnati Reds made four errors and let it slip away.
Xavier Paul and Todd Frazier homered in Cincinnati's five-run first inning against Cleveland opening-day starter Justin Masterson before the Reds and Indians tied 7-7 in a game called after nine innings Sunday.
Paul connected after singles by Zack Cozart and Joey Votto. Frazier's shot followed a walk to Jay Bruce. It was the second home run of the spring for both players.
"It was an odd game, really," Reds manager Dusty Baker said. "We jumped them early, then didn't get any more for a while. They jumped us. Then we jumped them again. We made four errors that gave them four extra outs. They hurt. They made a couple errors, too."
Masterson got through the rocky first and pitched shutout ball from there. He went four innings, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out six. The right-hander whiffed four of his last six batters.
He was able to adjust his delivery on the fly to finish his outing.
"I walked Xavier Paul throwing sliders," Masterson said, referring to a sequence in the third inning. "I was pulling my pitches. I closed my hips a little bit and sure enough my pitches had more depth to them. I got some quick innings after that."
First-year manager Terry Francona envisions Masterson playing an important role.
"Masterson has embraced being the leader of this staff," Francona said.
Reds starter Mat Latos, who struggled early in his previous two starts, retired his first four batters. He gave up an unearned run in the third and two runs in the fourth.
Latos went five innings, yielding six hits and striking out three. Cord Phelps and Chris McGuiness doubled off him in the fourth.
The 25-year-old right-hander, acquired from San Diego in a big trade before last season, is a notoriously slow starter but is working on a changeup that he used to his advantage against Cleveland.
"I felt comfortable in the first inning," Latos said. "It was like spring training all over again. Everything felt real good today. My curveball felt real good coming out of my hand. The changeup I've been working on was good. I've had a (poor) changeup my whole career. I've been working on it with Mario Soto. I'm starting to get a feel for it. I got a lot of swings and misses and some groundballs."
Latos was 1-2 with a 5.97 ERA in five April starts last season but went 13-2 the rest of the way.
"There was some pressure when a team trades four players to get you," he said. "Maybe I should have pitched in the WBC and got April out of the way."
Chris Heisey and Denis Phipps hit back-to-back home runs off Cody Allen, who was told he will open the season in Cleveland's bullpen. Heisey's second spring homer and Phipps' first gave the Reds a 7-4 lead going into the ninth.
Non-roster player Omir Santos hit a solo home run and minor leaguer Carlos Moncrief added a two-run shot off Reds minor leaguer Daniel Wolford to tie it.
NOTES: Reds CF Shin-Soo Choo is getting treatment for back spasms. ... Indians catcher Yan Gomes sat out with a tight right hamstring. ... Reds 2B Brandon Phillips returned from the World Baseball Classic but was given the day off by Baker. ... Indians RHP Chris Perez will throw a bullpen on Monday. He is recovering from a strained right shoulder. "The intensity of this bullpen will be monitored," Francona said. "After that his side sessions will be normal." ... Indians OF-1B Nick Swisher left camp for personal reasons. ... Scott Kazmir pitched in a minor league game against the Texas Rangers. Kazmir, in the mix to be the No. 5 starter for the Indians, pitched five innings. He allowed four runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out five.
© 2018 Star Tribune


text:
Main Page
From Gerris
Revision as of 09:03, 30 May 2006; view current revision
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Gerris Flow Solver
Gerris is a Free Software program for the solution of the partial differential equations describing fluid flow. The source code is available free of charge under the Free Software GPL license.
Gerris was created by Stéphane Popinet and is supported by Institut Jean le Rond d'Alembert.
A brief summary of its main features:
Have a look at the introduction for more information.


text: Is anyone aware of any problems with the Sirius XM terrestrial signal in Florida? I have been operating my radio in south west Orange county, Florida for several years inside a building relying solely on the terrestrial signal and have always received a maximum strength signal, even indoors. On May 16, the terrestrial signal completely dropped out and has not returned since. I have taken my radio to other parts of Florida and verified that I receive a terrestrial signal even inside buildings. There seems to be a region in south west Orange county, Florida where the terrestrial signal has completely disappeared. I have verified this by driving around Orlando and monitoring the signal strength on the radio in my car. If I go even 15 miles away, the signal returns. I am wondering why the terrestrial signal has disappeared in my area. I called customer service and all they try to do is refresh my radio. Someone finally admitted that there were repeater outages in Florida, but they now say that they have been fixed. Is anyone else having trouble receiving a terrestrial signal in Florida, especially in the Orlando area?


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Does Dalvik have the same security problems Oracle Java does? If so this is a serious problem
No, it doesn't.
No. Even if it did, it doesn't matter because Android does NOT rely on Java for isolation or security. Each application runs as a separate Linux user, and the kernel enforces isolation between apps this way.
Because apps are isolated in this way, they can include native code.
True enough, but the isolation only protects apps from each other. It doesn't protect your data from apps, unless the app in question doesn't have rights to read your SD card (and if you're attacking an app chances are it was from reading some data from the SD card in the first place, like an attachment to an email).
Does Dalvik have the same security problems Oracle Java does? If so this is a serious problem
It is an independent implementation, so I'd say it likely has a similar but altogether different set of security problems.
At least it doesn't run arbitrary code from applets, and since applications run as individual users they benefit from the underlying linux security model. That said, maybe if you open some document in an application the document might exploit some dalvik flaw to gain access to other data the application can view (likely your entire SD card), and if the app has rights (likely the case) u
Handset manufacturers should stop screwing with it so much, if they used pure android it wouldnt be so much work to get updates out.
Tell that to my Galaxy Nexus that's still running 4.1.1. So much for the idea that Nexus devices are on the cutting edge. They're abandoned as fast as any other phone.
Tell that to my Galaxy Nexus that's still running 4.1.1. So much for the idea that Nexus devices are on the cutting edge. They're abandoned as fast as any other phone.
Only the Verizon Nexues are "abandoned". If you got the HSPA ones, you should be at 4.2.x already.
If you're not, perhaps it's because you bought it from a carrier and have the default carrier firmware stuck to them with carrier firmware updates. In which case you need to go to Google, download the latest factory images and install them on your GNex. This will get updates as fast as Google pushes them out (the carrier ones actually have an update URL pointing somewhere else, while the Google ones point to Google).
An interesting note - when I did this, battery life shot up dramatically. The carrier GNex firmware isn't all that great.
Thats why when I bought my Galaxy S3 I immediately put Cyanogenmod on it.
My phone is regularly updated (currently running 4.2.1), stable and doesn't have any crap on it.
my nexus one is stuck on cm7.2 which is the farthest forward I can go. sigh.
pretty much abandoned and by google, by design, as I understand it.
correct me if I'm wrong, but the problem was that they bundled the graphics system too much with the rest of the non-gfx parts. and so, when the n1 chip was declared 'too old', this froze the WHOLE shooting works. so to speak.
I don't develop for android, I'm just a user. I never looked at any of the code. so I might have this all wrong; but why else is my system
correct me if I'm wrong, but the problem was that they bundled the graphics system too much with the rest of the non-gfx parts. and so, when the n1 chip was declared 'too old', this froze the WHOLE shooting works. so to speak.
Cyanogen have halted development of all the old Snapdragon devices, not just the Nexus 1. There were a number of reasons, including the Adreno 200 GPU, limited RAM and restricted storage memory.
Other modders are still developing for it though. MIUI have a Jelly Bean version, but I'm not sure what compromises they had to make to get there.
http://forums.miui.us/showthread.php?15234-ROM-10-29-12-MIUI-us-v4-1-Jellybean-Edition [forums.miui.us]
Tell that to my Galaxy Nexus that's still running 4.1.1. So much for the idea that Nexus devices are on the cutting edge. They're abandoned as fast as any other phone.
I agree, to a certain extent.
But I also maintain that this is strictly Google's fault (The Open Hanset Alliance).
They took an operating system, Linux, which always has long the ability to put hardware drivers in dynamically loadable modules and built Android, where they compiled everything into the kernel in one huge binary blob. This is a huge retrograde step in OS design. The kernel should be replaceable without having to replace the driver for every radio, screen, sound chip.
After all, the radio didn't gain any new functionality between Android releases. The same carrier specific radio "rom" the phone was shipped with should suffice. Just call it dynamically rather than compile it into the kernel. Let us get our kernel updates directly from Google, or the handset manufacturer, and any carrier specific updates from the carrier.
This is a packaging error.
Consumers need to stop buying phones from manufacturers who screw with Android and don't provide updates.
Actually that already seems to be happening to some extent. Manufacturers seem to be making much more effort to update. It is carriers who really lag behind, but you would be mad to buy your phone from them anyway.
Rumour has it that Android 4.2 will introduce an advanced skinning system that lets the manufacturer put its skin on but still get OS updates directly from Google. As a bonus the manufacturer (
That's because the manufactures are getting the blame from users using the phrase.
Well my iphone used to update why can't I update this one the same way.
Wait until smart TV vendors realize they also have to provide updates.
If you want locked down software like apple you must limit the number of models of devices.
otherwise you can't keep up
That explains why Samsung is the #1 seller of Android phones.
Hell, this isn't even needed, with AOSP and projects like CyanogenMod, just unlock the bootloader of unsupported phones, and let them have the needed drivers to make the shit work right. But you can't complain about old devies not getting updates when you don't do updates nor let anyone else do them either. This is not a catch 22. This is "we want our cake and eat it too".
Not it isn't. not even close.
this is, Hey the iphone has those kinds of updates why can't my HTC/Samsung, etc.
Seriously the only reason why is the carriers being stupid, and manufacturers not understanding the big software release picture.
Handset manufacturers should stop screwing with it so much, if they used pure android it wouldnt be so much work to get updates out.
Google should stop screwing with it so much and then they wouldn't need updates! And you should stop blaming the customers (handset makers)
Seriously, you folks in "the tech industry" have no idea what product quality and reliability are. Try writing software for a car. Yes, it's much smaller in scope, but it has to be complete. We ship modules that are never updated (ROM par
The moment you connect your car up to the internet, it too will need software updates.
In a car no-one is constantly trying to run you off the road or blow you up.
Not true online, you are almost always being probed to find out if you are susceptible to the latest car disabling technology.
Online it is an arms race, not a status quo.
In a car no-one is constantly trying to run you off the road or blow you up.
You don't drive in DC, do you?
Lol, touché.
Try writing software for a car.
Hmmm, that's not my experience.
Both my prior car and my current car had software updates over their life, the new car within 5 months of delivery as required by a recall. Its still riddled with bugs that are obvious, and grousing to the dealer is of no use, because the software is out of their hands. If I install after-market software, my warranty is void on the entire vehicle.
I can't say I fully agree with this. One of the good things about Android is that you have different flavours just like you do on Linux. For example HTC's OS design choices in my opinion suck. I'd pick Google's vanilla Android any day. However I do like the menu layout, the older keyboard, and many other features that Samsung brought to its version of Android a lot more than Google's own (Touchwiz excepted though, it looks and feels shitty).
What the manufacturers need to do is work with Google to make the s
Android is a gift, not a product. Android needs fixing to work properly because it doesn't work out of the box. Why? Because hardware changes from OEM to OEM, the government require mandatory support for features that aren't included, the customer (AT&T etc) require support for their apps or services, some very important ones, and last, but not least, it's buggy.
It takes about 6 months for a dedicated SCRUM team to knock a version of Android out that meets a major US carrier's requirements after
It takes about 6 months for a dedicated SCRUM team to knock a version of Android out that meets a major US carrier's requirements after Google releases their code to the community. I know because I've done it. Verizon has about 6000 requirements for their devices, Sprint and AT&T are not far behind. On top of the carrier requirements, which could be anything from implementing a custom address book sync adapter, to ensuring AGPS works accurately, you need to meet US Government requirements.
Maybe I'm mi
And haven't had an update since the first year.
They (Verizon) should at least push updates while it's still under contract.
Every new revision of Android is this large, monolithic package that seems to take years to get right. If Android were more modular, you could have teams working in parallel on various modules, and releasing them as needed. This is what regular Linux does, so I don't see why Android doesn't do more of it. Other than the Google Apps package, everything else seems to be lumped together. (and yes, I know it's more modular behind the scenes, but if it isn't that way for the user, it's a moot point.)
Wouldn't matter. The problem is more political than technical. Carriers are the ones who push updates, and they don't care especially in the US. Check EU versions of US phones and you'll see many more updates that never make it out here.
Some of that is for a good reason. Carriers put phones through very rigorous acceptance testing that takes weeks to finish. It tests the phone as a whole, not individual modules. Trying to push out partial updates would screw with their process and cost tens of millions. It would also lead to people having versions of modules that were never tested together, an increased possibility of bricking your phone. When your device is seen as a consumer utility that just really isn't an option.
counting the iPad, apple has what? 6 hardware models that they keep supported at any one time? How many has samsung had in that time? HTC? Heck even nokia has had more than that. Now I am counting the 4 and 4S as different, when they weren't really.
Also Apple has had the ability to stand up to the carriers in the US. There are a few versions of the Samsung Galaxy S3 in the wild. I think it is at least 3.
"said Soghoian, principal technologies and senior policy analyst with the American Civil Liberties Union."
Finally, an article about the dangers of Android that quotes someone I'm prepared to listen to. I'm not entirely sure why the ACLU would be involved in this stuff, but I do have some respect for them and believe them to be objective in this matter.
I'm tired of the barrage of articles about the security problems with Android, and the need for anti-virus to resolve them - quoting people paid by the anti-virus companies.
The alternative I will be seeking is leaving verizon and buying a GSM nexus as soon as my contract is over.
Verizon is losing a family plan that is over 10 years old because of this.
And when the GSM carriers have crap coverage where you live?
Believe me, I'd love to leave VZW, but I've got to go several miles away to pick up a signal from AT&T or T-mobile - and I'm not far outside Washington, DC.
They don't in my area.
I have been to DC, lets see some maps for your claim. I bet you are very far outside DC or mistaken.
Solution: Buy from an MVNO that is a dumb pipe. Straight Talk's BYOD SIM plans are proving quite popular.
Nexus 4 from the Play Store + Straight Talk = device you control hooked up to a dumb pipe.
Do you know anyone who uses Straight Talk? I'm out of contract in January 2014 and I'm contemplating buying the newest Nexus phone at that time and switching to Straight Talk. I worry about running over the "secret" 2GB data cap and getting cut off. There is good AT&T coverage where I live and work, so I was planning on buying an AT&T sim from ST.
I know a few of the XDA admins are on ST and love it, and more are hopping over.
I have yet to talk to a user of their BYOD SIM plans that was unhappy in any way.
Thanks for the info! I imagine the XDA guys are pretty heavy data users, so that encourages me.
Actually, many of us are quite responsible with our data. I don't think any of us support the "I HAVE A RIGHT TO EAT 20GB OF DATA PER MONTH OVER A CONNECTION THAT WASN'T DESIGNED TO HANDLE THAT!" crowd. Let's face it, if you're in that crowd, your days are numbered and few people will have sympathy for you.
My average monthly usage is around 500MB. I stay on unlimited only because I like having that "safety net" of not getting charged insane amounts if my device flakes out on me.
Engineers are usually focused on the current version, and devices that are coming out in the next year.
So what you're saying is that it's absolutely PERFECT for the wireless industry, eh? Keep people wanting the future product that you have to buy before the end of your contract!
I wish I were joking.
Whenever Google updates Android, engineers have to modify it for each phone, chip, radio card that relies on the OS. Hardware vendors must make a unique version for each device and they have scarce resources
How come the cyanogenmod people do a better job than everyone else in the industry?
I just upgraded a LS670 last weekend to cyanogenmod. CM9 if I recall. Its faster, looks better, more features, MUCH newer which would imply fewer holes, overall quite a massive improvement over stock. It no longer has cell service, I'm using this phone as a wifi microtablet, quite happily.
The big issue I have with Cyanogenmod is the fact that it can be very difficult to do right and you risk bricking the phone by doing it.
My wife has a LG Optimus 3D (LG Thrill 4G for those of you stateside) and the last update she received upgraded her from 2.2 to 2.3.5, which was a brutal abortion of a release. Bugs everywhere and eats battery life to beat hell. After researching it throughly I decided against doing anything to it because I had to root it, then make sure I had a kosher set of files and upgr
Nearly no phone can actually be bricked. Absolute worst case you boot into recovery and flash another zip.
For what device is installing Cyanogenmod difficult?
From your description not that one.
There can't be a "good" installer, that would require the device company to play along. There is nothing they could do to make it easier for you.
CM is obviously great, and it is even better for the price.
However, it isn't available for all devices, and because of the large number of devices these days it seems like many devices only have one or two devices. My previous phone was a G2 and CM never got past Gingerbread despite a 3rd party mod being sort-of working with Jellybean. Their quality control is better than the average mod, but isn't really up to professional standards. When a build that just came out of the compiler is released the same d
The core problem with Android is a core problem with ARM, namely that all of the nice plug-and-play stuff that lets a single kernel, and thus an Ubuntu live CD, boot on many systems doesn't exist in ARM. So each handset has to have the kernel adapted to it. And since this adaptation has to be done for every kernel Google releases, the handset vendors get lazy particularly as the kernel moves on and leaves their older, out of tree drivers behind.
This has little to nothing to do with regular Linux distros because compatibility across them is actually quite good and as of Jellybean there is nothing other than the kernel in Android that is used by other open source projects.
That they fail to push security fixes, let alone new Android versions, is because they just don't give a fuck.
In previous comments related to carriers and phones, I stated that I am done with carrier games.
I am done with carriers selling me "discounted" phones which are actually far over-priced when required and unwanted data plans are added to the mix. I am done with carriers and their spyware and bloatware. I am done with carriers controlling the obsolesence of my device by providing late updates or failing to update them at all.
Long ago I recognized the potential for security issues which predictably would not be managed by the carriers well or at all.
Apple has it easier and it was by design. There are fewer models of iPhone so everyone is happier. Users know what they've got. The accessory makers are better guaranteed sales of mass produced products. Apple's carriers don't get to corrupt the iPhone and therefore there is more sanity when it comes to user concerns like bugs and security.
I have a Google Nexus. Not quite my ideal phone, but less expensive than unlocked/unbranded Samsung Galaxy S3. It is more likely to get updates and fixes and within my power to install and use custom ROMs.
Carriers care more about themselves than their customers. It is clear and evident. Why keep hoping and demanding that they care? Know them for what they are and respond.
Usually, that's not often because the hardware vendor has thin [profit] margins. Whenever Google updates Android, engineers have to modify it for each phone, chip, radio card that relies on the OS. Hardware vendors must make a unique version for each device and they have scarce resources. Engineers are usually focused on the current version, and devices that are coming out in the next year.
That's pretty funny, because there's a small group out there that manages to provide nightly updates for almost EVERY PHONE ON THE MARKET for free... http://get.cm/?type=nightly [get.cm]
It seems to me like a carrier could simply let you switch to CM10 and get your updates from them as long as you agree that their updates are your problem and not the carriers... oooh... wait... the problem isn't updating Android... the problem is updating all their adware revenue bullshit to work with android, not the OS. I forgot. S
This is very interesting in the context of the recent US ban on unlocking. As I understand it, the argument for banning unlocking has to do with the carriers wishing to retain at least partial ownership over your handset. As such, surely they're responsible for security implications? However, they're never keen on the effort involved in keeping older devices secure (which is more of a new threat in the age of android smartphone than it was on older proprietary non-app, non-data handsets).
So what happens whe
I've got a bad feeling about this.