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The latest and greatest techno-glitter is often not what's needed. The simple rugged device shown can get the interactive teaching job done, and probably endure getting dropped, kicked, and getting dumped in Cheerios.
Would you give an iPhone to a kid who is constantly throwing things around and having temper tantrums?
Often, simpler is better.
LMAO! I pre-date computers in the classroom. High school class of 1974
High school class of 1974
Me too. Those of us born in '56 could only read about computers in sci-fi and Popular Science, and then it was Univac. I don't think IBM built the first EDPM system until the mid-50's.
When I'm in a quiet place and think about the changes brought about by technology in my lifetime, my head spins. Shit, when I was watching Avatar last week, I briefly recalled that when I was born not all movies were even shot in color, yet.
I think I got my first "personal" computer about the same time my now-21 year-old daughter was born. I suppose it's a good thing I didn't have a personal computer before I met my wife and my daughter was born. There's a good chance that neither of those things would have happened, otherwise.
I think I got my first "personal" computer about the same time my now-21 year-old daughter was born
Upon further review, I realize that I did in fact get my first Commodore 64 some years before I was married. Apparently, those early machines were not yet powerful enough to suck the will out of me as effectively as the eight-core media powerhouse to which I am currently in thrall.
Thus, I was still able to reproduce before it was too late.
High school class of 1974
Me too.
Same here ('74 drinks more!). I got my first "PC" as a hand-me-down from my ubergeek dad (when I was 26ish)...a VIC-20 (which I still have and it still works).
My kids (and obviously grandkids) have never lived in a house without a PC/gaming thing of some sort.
Those suckers were bulletproof.
Amen, Brother. A-fucking-men.
Back in 1973-74 I worked part-time teaching the TUTOR language to profs at U of I Chicago, and part-time driving around Chicago working on these things at places like Malcom X. Jr. College. These terminals were built like tanks and weighed about the same. The most vulnerable part was the random access audio device, which was a phenomenal kludge that was sort of a turntable that you could put a big, floppy piece of recording material on and it
http://www.innovationsforlearning.org/about_teachermate.php [innovation...arning.org]
The latest and greatest techno-glitter is often not what's needed
You're right of course, and although it might be a minority opinion among fans of high-tech, the best "early-childhood education technology" is still interaction with parents, in a secure environment.
But with mommy and daddy having to work thirty percent more just to provide the same standard of living and real income as a single-breadwinner family in 1962, interaction with parents is increasingly in short supply.
Gotta feed Moloch, you know.
[Note: "Standard of living does NOT mean "the number of big screen TVs you have charged to your credit cards". It means "a home, food on the table, education and health care".]
Worse than that, parents believe it is the Government's job to teach their kids, and the Government reinforces this as much as possible.
The truth is, the public school system is probably the single worst thing that ever happened to education in the US. If you want proof, look at how many home-schooled kids outperform public school kids in schoolastic competitions and the like. Often the parents teaching these kids don't have beyond a highschool education themselves, yet they consistantly do better than th
That's a great reason to support all local business as much as possible. The more local it is, the better.
Just look at all the middlemen involved when you buy from national and international sources. Most of those middlemen are people working far from their homes in order to take jobs from people who are trying to work close to home.
The latest and greatest techno-glitter is often not what's needed.
You were headed in the right direction, but some how missed the destination.
What proof is there that any technological solution is productive or effective? Why bemoan a shrinking screen size when shrinking goals explains shrinking results.
Pencil and Paper generally don't distract the student from the task at hand. And the budget for those can be managed with pocket change.
More than just simple, rugged and durable is better, with public education, cost is always a strong consideration. With it comes down to the cost between a workstation(s), and being able t afford a good, qualified teacher...having the extra teacher or the para will win every time. As economic times get tougher, that's more and more true.
You are quite right. Taken further, the simplest tools are paper and pencil. Also blocks, builders of some sort (like Legos), and "manipulatives". But nothing beats basic human interaction, one on one. For young children this all that is needed.
I believe too much technology exposure at a young age is actually detrimental to learning. I'm not the only one. See:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13507_3-9757396-18.html [cnet.com]
In my experience, the best teacher IS experience. Kids just need to get outside more and play.
Now we plug them into X Interactivodular superintermodular digital box and have them staring at a generic "FUN!!1" learning program that teaches them to rotely memorize whatever miniscule number of factoids it can hold in it's tiny memory. Then we pick them up and shuttle them around all day on a million and one "Structured play-time" events before taking them home and expecting them to go to sleep on command after a hard day of sitting and doing what grownups tell them to.
We used to give them a stack of comic books, a box of legos, and enough kool-aid for them and whatever other kids in the neighborhood weren't grounded at the moment and tell them to figure it out for themselves.
Homework isn't (by default) fun, and "Structured play-time" is not good for kids. Learning is what you do so they're able to have options as an adult, and fun is anything they do voluntarily after they do the things they need to do but don't want to.
Let the little shiats skin their knees, scream their heads off, run around with their pants on their head, dig in the mud, and punch someone in their new best friend in the nose now and then. They'll thank you for it later.
Is Early Childhood Education Technology Moving Backwards?
when it should read:
Is Early Childhood Education Moving Backwards with Technology?
Also, in Soviet America, newfangled toys play with you.
I have two words regarding technology in early-childhood education:
"Baby Einstein".
So, um, er, that's a "yes"?
You mention "help people become more than physical laborers". The problem with society today is there are easily two groups of people that can easily be recognized: those that can manipulate abstract symbols and those that cannot. This is purely a mental capability - education has no role in it. If a person doesn't have the ability, you might be able to train them sufficiently to put on a pretty good show and fake it but they aren't going to be successful or happy about it.
Today we are quickly reaching the point where working on an assembly line is no longer an option in the Western world. If someone can be a computer programmer, great - but what about all of those people that would have been happy and productive being an assembly line worker ca. 1950? There are few jobs remaining for these people. The educational system doesn't seem to understand this division either - you simply aren't going to be able to manage a classroom of 10 children that can do abstract symbol manipulation and anther 10 that cannot. The result of trying is often the Lowest Common Denominator or some kind of group effort where half the children are helping (or trying to help) the other half. End result is a lot of frustrated kids because they are either being held back or pushed to do things they can't do.
We need to recognize this and deal with it on a societal level, and pretty soon. Building the world so that only people that can do higher math, program computers and other things that involve abstract symbols will fit in is a disaster in the works.
The problem with society today is there are easily two groups of people that can easily be recognized: those that can manipulate abstract symbols and those that cannot. This is purely a mental capability - education has no role in it. If a person doesn't have the ability, you might be able to train them sufficiently to put on a pretty good show and fake it but they aren't going to be successful or happy about it.
While it is a mental ability, education can help bring it to the attention of the masses. Look at the abundance of writers now compared to writers in the 16th century. While there always have been writers ever since the invention of writing, in the last 200 years writing has exploded in growth, partially due to the increase of education allowing more people to read and write.
Think about it this way, if you lived on a farm in the 1600s and were very good at abstract thinking, where did that get you? No
The problem with society today is there are easily two groups of people that can easily be recognized: those that can manipulate abstract symbols and those that cannot. This is purely a mental capability - education has no role in it. If a person doesn't have the ability, you might be able to train them sufficiently to put on a pretty good show and fake it but they aren't going to be successful or happy about it.
I am sorry, but [citation needed].
In my experience, every person that does not understand abstract symbols will understand them once you explain the logic in detail. Sure some people are better at it than other people, but everybody I met was able to understand it.
IAAKT (I Am A Kindergarten Teacher) and I would not say that I'm going backwards by having my students use crayons, pencils, markers instead of plasma, touch sensitive displays. Nor am I going backwards by using chalk and a blackboard instead of powerpoint and multimedia displays to teach your children how to read and write.
Sometimes I often wonder if people push technology on children for the sake of making themselves look good ("Look, I introduced a bunch of 6yr olds to powerpoint and the web!").
Btw: Chalk/pencils/paper never run out of batteries, never get badly damaged when dropped. Never need an "IT Guy" on staff to fix/train/repair/upgrade. Also, I spend quite a bit of my own money on school supplies for the students. It's much easier to go to walmart and buy a box of pencils than it is to go to the school board and ask them to appropriate more funding so we can have more ebook readers so that every child gets one.
Computers are not open ended. Maybe it seems so to programmers (and programmers are limited by hardware, who are limited by applied physics/chemistry etc etc).
In may ways, paper is just as open ended.
The openness is also distorted by the commercial aspects of the company making the device. They effectively limit the openness by wanting to hit time-to-market dates and limit the complexity of design.
I doubt that the computer skills will be relevant - the technology moves on. No school predicted the requirement computers skills; and they will not predict the next skill needed by preschoolers.
The common skill you need is thinking and initiative.
Educational software/hardware has long been a bit of a scam. As much fun as it was to shoot Injuns in Oregon Trail or sell lemonade with Lemonade Stand, I'm not exactly sure what it accomplished. I think computers have their place, but this idea that they could do for education what they did for business has never really come to fruition.
Oregon Trail taught me cost analysis, supply chain management, and opportunity costs:)
Don't buy expensive supplies when you can buy cheap bullets, shoot food, and then trade for supplies.
Don't shoot fast small animals when you can shoot large slow animals.
Why couldn't I have a bigger wagon and some drying racks so I could take the whole damn buffalo?
I wonder if part of the problem is this: When you buy pencils for your classroom, you have to pay for them out of pocket because the school is too cheap to do so. But if you ask for shiny new technology, the school board might decide to pay for it with the funds that could have bought a decade's supply of pencils for every classroom in the school.
Assume the average age of the Apollo program engineers was 40 in 1969.
That means they were in elementary school in the late 30s and early 40s -- what kind of "technology" were they taught with? Chalk, pencils and books -- maybe even slide rules and a compass. And those guys figured out how to put men on the moon!
I do work with schools occasionally and am appalled at the money pissed away on worthless shit like smartboards and computers & software that go obsolete faster than the districts can implement them. And after that I hear the ridiculous appeals from administrators who claim they don't have enough money to fix broken windows, paint the walls or other basic maintenance, because they pissed it all away on technology that is useless in 4 years and literally junk in 8. I want to cry when they say they need to raise my taxes for it.
Technology probably has more of a place in junior and senior high schools, but even then at a fraction of the level they try to implement it at.
I used to teach at university and I found that student listen more on chalk/blackboard lesson than on powerpoint ones. So I used to use chalk/blackboard on important stuff and powerpoint (well beamer) on I-want-you-to-have-heard-about-it lessons.
I wasn't aware there was a corollary dealing with childhood education. Or are you claiming, looking inside the old and new products, the transistor or storage density hasn't increased?
fatality ?
The biggest mistake I see in education is trying to provide the coolest and latest tech, instead of thinking what is best for concept development. Especially at lower levels teaching specific tech is not so useful. The tech will change in 10 years. When I left school was the time when we moved from command line to GUI. Fortunately I knew concepts,so it mattered little.
The $100 price point is also a major benefit. Like calculators, all classroms could have a class set. Quite a change from the time when we had a single PLATO terminal.
Old Apple ][ educational software FTW. I'm still trying to find more of it. Mainly TLC and MECC. DLM had some good stuff too. Better by far than a lot of recent Windoze junk.
(inb4 Asimov: I know the site, I raid it frequently.)
In 1972 the PLATO IV terminals (the kind described in the summary) cost $12,000 [wikipedia.org]. Adjusting for inflation, that would be over $60,000 today. Moore's Law has worked some miracles, but as the OLPC project showed, creating a child-oriented, large screen portable computer for $100 is still out of reach.
The better question is whether throwing technology at the problem is going to actually help children learn. Of course, the experiment has to be done, but I wouldn't be surprised if, once again, teacher quality and home life quality are by far the dominant factors in student success.
as the OLPC project showed, creating a child-oriented, large screen portable computer for $100 is still out of reach.
Actually, CherryPal has managed to do that (not exactly child-oriented but so long as they aren't careless with it, it should last for a bit), but it would be a nightmare for support (http://www.cherrypal.com/openstore/product_info.php?products_id=5) because basically its duct-taped together with spare parts and could be ARM/x86
Indeed. Not to mention that each terminal took up a few square feet of dedicated desk space, and consumed prodigious amounts of electricity (by contemporary standards).
The missing piece of the cheap child-oriented computer is an inexpensive durable display. OLED may get there -- it is inherently capable of being more robust than LCD, but the materials are still too expensive. If the resolution and monochrome display of the PLATO IV is acceptable, OLED displays are feasible today. I suspect that it is ent
To put things in perspective, a circa-1972 Xerox Alto workstation [stanford.edu] would be about $388,000 in 2009 dollars, but I can't imagine anyone preferring one to today's $399 laptops (about $77 in 1972 dollars)!
My PLATO terminal cost me $200:
Used Lenovo X41 Tablet off Criagslist: $120
Restore CDs from Lenovo (pure vanity): $66
Open Source Pterm: $0
Total Cost: $186.
And it does other stuff also.
Any of the current crop of netbooks would run Pterm. You could mash up a decent distro to run the Linux version and make it reasonably simple for kids, and even give an out button to the older one so they could run a browser and all that.
Of course, building a real PLATo terminal would be pointless, but I suspect it could be do
Indeed, no matter that the 1970's product cost $12,000, which in todays dollars is $60,000 - or 600 times more expensive than this little $100 thing.
Moore's law indeed.
Computers don't emit "smartness radiation."
Computers in the class room have been around at least 25 years. There was an Apple ][ in every classroom when I was a kid. We used it to die of dysentery on the Oregon Trail. Did we learn anything about history? No. We learned to that all that settlers needed was a 99 rounds of ammunition.
Computers in the classroom are just the latest incarnation of the whiz-bang technology that would magically make improve education and test scores, without requiring any more work on the child's, parent's, or teacher's part. Just like television, movies, and filmstrips were hailed as an educator's silver bullet generations before. (Stoll wrote about this [amazon.com] 14 years ago, and it stills holds true.)
Anyone that has attended class in any "e-learning" classroom, can attest that of the regular occurrences of projectors that don't work. Video and audio links that fail. Overly sensitive microphones and the like. The amount of time wasted trying to just set things up before instruction can begin is non-trivial, and easily can accumulate to entire missed days of instruction. No thank you.
Watching passively, and just clicking "next" is not education. The reason why it's used for occupational training, is that because no one wants to acutally teach, nor learn. It's indemnification.
If you really want to improve education, how about removing the distractions, and actually teaching out of the book?
No. We learned to that all that settlers needed was a 99 rounds of ammunition.
Or that a rich banker will always win the game no matter his/her skill level
Computers in the class room have been around at least 25 years. There was an Apple ][ in every classroom when I was a kid. We used it to die of dysentery on the Oregon Trail. Did we learn anything about history? No. We learned to that all that settlers needed was a 99 rounds of ammunition.
But did you learn something about computers? Chances you did learn something if you are now on Slashdot. The role of computers should be to provide a shiny toy for students to want to figure out how it works. To learn reading to play an RPG, to learn history to learn the backstory behind war games, etc.
Computers in the classroom are just the latest incarnation of the whiz-bang technology that would magically make improve education and test scores, without requiring any more work on the child's, parent's, or teacher's part. Just like television, movies, and filmstrips were hailed as an educator's silver bullet generations before. (Stoll wrote about this 14 years ago, and it stills holds true.)
Anyone that has attended class in any "e-learning" classroom, can attest that of the regular occurrences of projectors that don't work. Video and audio links that fail. Overly sensitive microphones and the like. The amount of time wasted trying to just set things up before instruction can begin is non-trivial, and easily can accumulate to entire missed days of instruction. No thank you.
"But did you learn something about computers? Chances you did learn something if you are now on Slashdot. The role of computers should be to provide a shiny toy for students to want to figure out how it works. To learn reading to play an RPG, to learn history to learn the backstory behind war games, etc."
Well, I learned about computers from Commodore and later Atari computers I had at home. The Apple 2 in school was a locked down box that you could do nothing on but play crappy edutainment (Am I the only o
The article submitter must be trolling. Decades ago there existed a one-off prototype, which was never widely deployed, that was hugely expensive. Now there exists an inexpensive learning gadget that might actually be in the hands of actual kids, and this is "moving backwards"?
Next up: is the phone industry moving backwards? At a world's fair, AT&T demonstrated a working two-way color video phone, yet I don't have a video phone in my house yet. Of course, millions of people have full-color Internet on their phones, and can do things like view a photo of their home taken from orbit. And millions of people have practical teleconferencing via WebEx et al. But never mind that. The phone company doesn't have video phones in every house; we're moving backwards!
Not really the same thing... I think the idea was that Product X is touted as revolutionary, then later Product Y, which for being four decades later is curiously less advanced. Though once you look at the relative prices, it makes sense.
Your example would work if AT&T had demonstrated a hologram phone 40 years ago.
A lot of cell phones can do video calls. The thing is that people generally don't want to do video calls.
IIRC, the plasma display PLATO terminals (with slide projector and audio disk player for "color images, and audio") were upwards of $10,000 in 1974. That is close to $50,000 in 2009 dollars. If we compare $100 to $50,000 I think we can safely say Moore's Law is in operation even considering the smaller screen.
The real problem isn't regression in Moore's Law -- its regression in areas like software resulting from a loosening of the discipline allowed by exponentiating hardware capability. This is one reason the Russians are so damn hot as programmers: They had to make their software work correctly on ridiculous hardware developed by the commies.
If you bring children up in an environment where adults do not value education, don't be surprised when the children don't value it either. And when they do not value it, they aren't going to learn much.
I am not familiar with an effective rating scale, but I think one adult saying "Eeew, looks like Brain Work to me. No thanks!" within earshot of a child is probably -100 units whereas reading one children's book to the child is +1 unit. Similarly, suggesting that by learning the child is trying to "put on airs" is probably -500.
Today most of the people you meet on the street are suffering with a lifetime score of -50,000. If you are especially lucky the people you work with have only -1000 and somehow, dispite major obstacles managed to learn something.
In most schools getting good grades is utterly unacceptable to the peer social group. So the child can be an outcast with no friends or not - easy to choose, isn't it? This is the culture in the US today. A good part of it comes from the inner city "majorities" that have pretty much taken over there. Because of "white flight" to the suburbs where their children aren't exposed to an anti-education culture.
I recently saw a television program concerning a black educator trying to stir up some interest in children being educated and going on to college. Gasp, they might be successful! Biggest problem seemed to be that they had to pick and choose the children because so many were already infected by a culture that told them being educated was socially unacceptable.
If this problem isn't solved, no matter what technology is put into the classroom the situation is just going to get worse and worse. Cheap Chinese-made toys aren't going to fix anything. Expensive PLATO terminals aren't going to fix anything. Changing the culture is the only way.
I don't agree that kids in the suburbs aren't exposed to an "anti-education" culture. It might not be a pervasive there (not to mention as pervasive in the adults there; inner city parents have a horrible anti-education attitude), but they are exposed to it through their peers. It's a society-wide problem in the U.S. It's easy to see when you compare it to Japan. If you read some translated Manga, you can see that the girls actually are interested in boys with good grades there, not just the big dumb jo
When I lived out in the boonies, my family expected I'd go through the motions, then drop out at 16 to help out on the farm, and really didn't see the point in academic pursuits. But I'd venture the idea that education isn't of importance to the real world basically holds sway everywhere but the suburbs.
When I lived out in the boonies, my family expected I'd go through the motions, then drop out at 16 to help out on the farm, and really didn't see the point in academic pursuits. But I'd venture the idea that education isn't of importance to the real world basically holds sway everywhere but the suburbs.
So you were with the rural poor working class instead of the urban poor working class. The anti-education attitude is still bad.
You're missing something very very very important: in working-class professions, education in the sense that college-educated people usually talk about it doesn't actually help much. What really helps, and what actually gets kids who expect to be part of the working class interested in their schooling, is vocational programs.
Which is of more benefit to a future auto mechanic: The Tempest by William Shakespeare, or a practicum in how to replace an alternator? Similarly, future farmers who are working on the
I've never seen a "PLATO", so "touch-sensitive 8.5"x8.5" bit-mapped plasma screens" gave me visions of a tablet PC/laptop, maybe even like the Apple tablet that's supposed to come out soon.
Not even close! [wikipedia.org]
FYI-The PLATO IV Terminal you've linked to includes a projector that could be used to back-project program-selectable microfiche images - a 1975 patent application notes that the panel itself was only about a 1/4 inch thick [freepatentsonline.com].
Technologies are only part of the solution - not at all the entirety!
However, to avoid digressing from the topic of your question, my answers are several:
First, there is simply not the same incentive to create educational technologies as there is to create faster processors or larger hard drives. The benefit of a faster computer is clear and immediately actionable. The results of improved educational opportunities don't become clear for quite some time - 20 years or more.
Second, and more importantly, the comparison of Moore's law to education is inherently incorrect. Would your supposition be that the human cognition must double its... processing capability?... every few years, guided by increasingly powerful educational technologies?
If there is an opportunity, it's the opportunity that we're trying to capitalize upon: that armed with an understanding of how people learn, and coupled with the low costs of producing high-quality educational technologies, we can begin to make a difference.
The most important thing, in making that difference, is that technologies are used in such a way that they add something valuable to the experience of learning - whether it be visualizations with an explanation beyond what a teacher can reasonably provide; or equity; etc. Otherwise, the time required to set computers up, train teachers to use, develop lessons, etc., simply detracts from the educational potential of schools.
If anyone here - LAMP volunteers, especially - would like to become involved in making that happen, please let us know [plml.org]! But, in the meantime, please don't use Moore's law as a point of comparison.
Not only talking the talk, but actually walking the walk.
Expect a donation after tax time, since I don't have useful skills to contribute.
Admirable, truly admirable!
During the summer I work around many education majors, and I can tell you that teachers are not being taught anything about technology in teaching programs. Most times they have less technical skills than your average college students. They can't work their ipods or simple digital cameras and they often have trouble using basic web sites to fill in web forms. It's all anecdotal, but I see the same thing year after year and I've seen it even going back to my own teachers in the 1980s.
Anyway, I am apt to agree with other comments in this thread. I am for tech in the classroom, but it's not going to do any good with the teachers we are putting out in the field. The best and brightest don't go into elementary education, and right now the jobs aren't there. We need tech education for our kids to succeed, but there will have to be some other fundamental fixes made before that curriculum is even possible.
"Fun" is not the means to an education it is the primary function of it.
I use my education to do a lot of fun things. I do not use fun to get an education.
Children do not need electronics to learn. Wasting money on gadgets will not make children learn faster or be smarter. It's an utter waste of educational funds to start k-3 on computers. Even with 4th & 5th graders, the best thing to start them on is typing, which means a cheap, old hand-me-down-computer is sufficient. That's assuming the 4th grader's hands are big enough to start touch typing. We still have far too many adults that can't touch type. Kids will learn all other aspects of computers fast enough on their own.
The main reason I see for having ocmputers at home, especially for the kids, is mainly for playing games. Education is and has always been a minor part of that equation. Kids have enough toys these days and need to get off their rear and go play outside. We've got more than enough unhealthy fat adults and we're getting too many unhealthy fat children these days.
The problem is that school administrations are all run by baby boomers. They're still too technologically naive (/.ers excluded) to consider the problems of abandoning traditional teaching methods for shiny bling. I had the displeasure of going through some computer based education in the 80's (Chelsea Clinton was in the same program just to name drop) and I vastly preferred regular classroom instruction. With regards to reading, there's nothing wrong with a regular book. It's important to teach children how to use those too. There isn't much value in getting kids to cram their faces into a glorified VTech toy.
Those in the position to make decisions about these things love to feel that they're doing something to help the poor and disadvantaged by sneaking some technological contrivance into the curriculum wherever they can. Books are a pretty advanced technology all their own. They are far more reliable, dependable, and cheaper than any gizmo based solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Even more importantly, it is necessary to instill some degree of self-sufficiency in the kids growing up today. Teaching them that they just need to rely on the machine to do everything for them and rely on it unquestioningly isn't the best way to prepare children for a productive life in our society. The mass deployment of electronic calculators in elementary school classrooms has led to the creation of generations of innumerate people. Certainly children should be encouraged to learn about the use of computers and information technology but that should not be used as an excuse to set them up into accepting computers as magic.
Those in the position to make decisions about these things love to feel that they're doing something to help the poor and disadvantaged by sneaking some technological contrivance into the curriculum wherever they can.
The problem is really that it would look bad to train students to use cash registers. So administrators are easily tempted by the perks of purchasing more expensive devices, and end up wasting kids' time.
The US education system is troubled in such a way that devices may not help at all. Teachers are under serious pressure to aim their teaching at the middle and lower achievers which causes better students to be neglected. It is the only way to meet compulsory testing goals. After all the brighter students will do well on such tests despite being neglected whereas the mediocre middle and down right lousy students will score poorly. These days those scores can cost a teacher their job.
Really we need to aim our teaching at the brightest students and get the lesser students into work training programs and out of the way of the better students. Parents are the real problem in this regard. They bombard every official when their kid does poorly. And elected types tend to think in terms of the number of votes a position on an issue will get them.
England actually had a form of the draft that sent many young men into the coal mines. Others were directed into the armed forces. These were people not deemed able to succeed at higher callings due to poor school performance. It kept coal cheap and the armed forces populated. Other European nations weeded out lesser students after sixth grade and subjected them to real training as cooks or industrial workers.
If school courses are designed to strain the straight A students a bit the quality of school graduates is excellent. Try to redeem the mediocre middle and the schools fall apart.
It's not technology that's needed; quite the contrary: it's intimate human contact. READ to them, tell stories, interact. That's what children need because it's how children learn: listening, interacting, being HUMAN. The technology is a boondoggle in this. Love your kids, play with them, READ to them, be real people. For some slashdot folks that might be challenge enough.
I just showed her this video and she is very interested.
Let me tell you why. What I hear from her is that the biggest problem is the kids who sit through the lessons and the material just goes in one ear and out the other. It's not necessarily that they're stupid or that they don't care, it's that they aren't engaged. What you need for those students is either massive support from the parent(s), or you need to interact with them on a one-to-one basis. My wife doesn't have the bandwidth as a teacher to provide that one-on-one interactivity while still teaching the material to the rest of the children who are on track and are learning in the traditional model.
This sort of technology can provide that one-on-one interactivity. What it needs, and what she's looking into, is whether it also provides some way that she as a teacher can monitor progress live while the children are using the devices.
I gave my old 1g iPhone to my 3 year old daughter. She's been using one for a year now to play games and take photos and listen to music. it no longer has a sim card and is set up with just apps and content for her now.
I sincerely hope the schools she attends can do better than what I'm hearing or she is gonig to have a tough time adjusting to the low fidelity expectations.
Always leave room to add an explanation if it doesn't work out.


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Plot-twisting puzzlers are a bubble market in the movies these days, with an arms race of "Inception"-like reality reversals that flip like a coin until dizzy audiences lose all interest in how it lands. That's the case with Danny Boyle's latest, a mind-bending neo-noir with continually shifting layers but little beyond its stylish plot machinations. James McAvoy is Simon, a London auctioneer who either assists or double-crosses a well-planned gang led by Frank (the excellent Vincent Cassel) in stealing a lucrative Goya. A blow to the head has sapped Simon of his memory, leading the crew to enlist a hypnotist (Rosario Dawson) to elicit the location of the missing painting. This is, naturally, when the script by Joe Ahearne and John Hodge begins to play with Simon's hypnosis. The movie drifts in and out of consciousness, guided by Dawson's silky voice. Is Simon our protagonist or villain? Are Simon's memories being uncovered or implanted? It's Dawson's fleshy, commanding presence that helps melt the movie's right angles. But by the time a full picture of her hypnotist arrives, the movie's succession of implausible trapdoors has rendered any big reveal about as satisfactory as a punch line to a 20-minute-long knock-knock joke. R for sexual content, graphic nudity, violence, some grisly images, and language. 101 minutes. Two stars out of four.
— Jake Coyle,
AP Entertainment Writer.
"Upstream Color"
Nine years after his impressive debut "Primer," writer-director Shane Carruth is back with his much-anticipated follow-up, which is just as daring and original at the opposite end of the aesthetic spectrum. If "Primer" was cerebral and methodical in allowing its mystery to unfurl, Carruth's latest creates a totally different kind of suspense as a hypnotic sensory experience. This is a capital-A art-house movie, definitely not for everyone. Carruth throws you in the deep end at the start and challenges you until the end. His mesmerizing use of imagery — of textures and sounds, of crisp lighting and radiant natural beauty — has a haunting, lyrical quality reminiscent of Terrence Malick. But he also injects some moments that are so horrific and squirm-inducing, they're downright Cronenbergian. Kris (Amy Seimetz, showing bravery and great range) and Jeff (Carruth himself, quick-witted and impulsive) find themselves strangely intrigued by each other while riding the same commuter train every morning. They don't realize it for a while, but they both have been subjected to scientific experimentation that has damaged their lives, finances and careers, the details of which come back in fleeting wisps of memory. The film's meaning is open to interpretation, but the artistry on display is indisputable, and thrilling. Not rated but contains some violence and some bloody and disturbing images. 96 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.
— Christy Lemire,
AP Movie Critic

subset: commoncrawl


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Kore Nordmann has a quick post about the progress of his and Tobias Schlitt's German eZ Components book:
Tobys and my book about eZ Components, published by Galileo Computing, has passed the second gelley-proof and will be published very soon. As Toby blogged earlier we invested quite some work into this project, and somehow I feel sorry for the time not invested in other projects, but once we will have the finished book in our hands, and not just the gelley-proof PDF, I am sure, that the work will prove as worth the effort.
According to the Amazon.de information the book will be published in November and will come in at around 350 pages. Their price is just a bit under 35 Euro.


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With the clock inexorably ticking ever closer to the 29th Breeders' Cup World
Championships at Santa Anita nine days hence, event participants went through their daily regimen without a hitch on a clear, crisp, sun-filled Thursday morning with the scenic San Gabriel Mountains providing their ever-present picturesque background.
Richard's Kid worked six furlongs in company with Cinco de Mario, with clockings of 1:15.40 and 1:17, respectively. Beholder, ridden by regular rider Garrett Gomez, worked five furlongs in company with In the Stars, each timed in 1:01.60. South Floyd (Juvenile Sprint) also worked for O'Neill, going six furlongs in 1:15.40.
"There was not a lot of deep thought going on" as to why O'Neill worked Richard's Kid in company, the Kentucky Derby-winning trainer said. "I wanted to see a good three-quarters and let him finish up good, which he did. I got him in 1:14 with him finishing up faster than he started off. He galloped out great, so we're very pleased.
"Know More and Handsome Mike both worked great. Today was a day for maintenance works and an excuse to give them an easy day tomorrow and then we'll get right back into our normal good gallops right into the race."
Also working for O'Neill was Boxeur de Rues, on the also eligible list for the Sprint, going six furlongs in 1:13.80.
"It was a nice work," Mandella said of Beholder's effort. "We're pre-entered in both races but we're leaning towards the open Sprint." Added Gomez of Beholder: "We had her sit off another horse and she went around there real nice."
Also Thursday, Moulin de Mougin (also eligible on the Juvenile Fillies Turf) worked five furlongs on the grass in 1:02.20 for Mandella, while Suggestive Boy (Mile) went six furlongs on turf in 1:13.60 for Ron McAnally.
In other Breeders' Cup news:
Bob Baffert said Classic favorite Game On Dude would have his final breeze on Sunday, while unbeaten Juvenile Fillies contender Executiveprivilege would work Saturday.
Bill Spawr plans to work defending Sprint champion Amazombie Friday morning before sun-up as usual. "He schooled in the gate and galloped, then schooled in the paddock," said Spawr, who owns the 6-year-old California-bred son of Northern Afleet with Tom Sanford.
"He'll work a long five (furlongs) and (go) out three-quarters," Spawr said. "Depending on how he works tomorrow, I'll come back on Thursday (Nov. 1) and do something. I'm not sure about two-minute clipping or actually working three-eighths. That's pretty much been standard for him and it's been pretty successful."
Asked his feelings about running at his home track as opposed to Churchill Downs, where he won the Sprint last year, Spawr said, "I'd feel real good if it rained a couple days before (next Saturday), but it's not good for us: clear skies. But Amazombie tries anyway."
Scott Blasi, assistant to trainer Steve Asmussen, said their Breeders' Cup candidates will have their final major breezes at Santa Anita "Sunday or Monday."
Tammy Fox, assistant to trainer Dale Romans, said all their Breeders' Cup prospects at Santa Anita are scheduled to have their final workouts on Saturday. Romans is expected to arrive in California late Friday night. Pacific Classic winner Dullahan will work on the main track Saturday, after which a decision will be made on whether he runs in the Classic or the Turf.
Mandella-trained Jimmy Creed (Sprint) worked five furlongs at Santa Anita Wednesday in a bullet 59.80, fastest of 28 drills at the distance, the average time of which was 1:02.35.
HRTV, The Network for Horse Sports, will present comprehensive live coverage leading
into, and continuing through, the 29th running of the Breeders' Cup, Thoroughbred racing's most prestigious global event, next Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita.
The Breeders' Cup consists of 15 races over the two days, with purses totaling more than $25 million. On both days, the network will televise all of the Breeders' Cup races live (which will also be available via http://www.hrtv.com), with the exception of the Classic, to racing fans as the only domestic horse racing cable channel of the event.
HRTV's coverage will mirror its in-depth production of major races, including paddock updates, full post parades, up-to-date key information, and expert race-by-race analysis. It will mobilize its well-respected stable of hosts/analysts, as well as additional correspondents, to handle all angles of racing's two-day extravaganza.
This summer, the Breeders' Cup and HRTV announced a multi-year media rights agreement that makes HRTV the official simulcast partner of the Breeders' Cup World Championships and the preferred Horse Racing Network provider of the event. HRTV will produce and simulcast the Breeders' Cup Players' Show (formerly the simulcast show) and air all Breeders' Cup races to off-track wagering sites around the globe, and streamed live on http://www.hrtv.com and breederscup.com.
In support of its live racing telecast and simulcast presentations, HRTV will also provide expansive programming leading up to the Breeders' Cup.
The network will offer the live telecast of the Breeders' Cup Post Position draw on Monday, Oct. 29 (1 p.m. Pacific Time), and its Pursuit of the Cup show, which has chronicled the road to the Cup and is currently on a twice-weekly basis, will expand to a daily show on this Saturday, offering the latest, up-to-date information on Cup entrants.
Also, during Breeders' Cup week, HRTV will televise the Westrock Coffee First Call program daily from Clockers' Corner and will provide special Cup-related presentations of the network's weekly staples--The Edge, Against The Odds, and Across The Board. Additionally, its daily Race Day America show will air prominently during the week.
As a fitting tribute to the wonderful champion Zenyatta, HRTV will present a special half-hour documentary on her brilliant career on Friday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. Pacific Time.
The Breeders' Cup Celebrity Poker Invitational tournament benefiting CARMA and hosted by poker champion Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi will be held Tuesday, Oct. 30, at the Commerce Casino.
Festivities will start with a 6 p.m. cocktail hour, followed by a 7 p.m. Shuffle Up and Deal segment.
Entry into the Breeders' Cup betting challenge at Santa Anita on Nov. 2 and 3 offers a first prize of $11,000 in value. Second prize is a box for four at the Breeders' Cup World Championship events and a $1,000 wagering voucher for the Classic, a $4,200 value.
CARMA is a non-profit, charitable organization created to raise money for retired California race horses. The tournament structure features a $200 buy-in and re-buys in the first three levels. For more information, e-mail or call (626) 574-6622.
Eight celebrity racing fans and owners are being honored as Breeders' Cup Ambassadors in the inaugural year of a program launched by the organization. The honor comes with rewards which allow the Ambassadors to enjoy horse racing all over the world, including concierge service, tickets, and more. Additionally, they will serve as spokespersons for the 2012 Breeders' Cup World Championships and help promote this prestigious international event.
The participants include: renowned chef Bobby Flay (Breeders' Cup Board Member), iconic actress Bo Derek (California Horse Racing Commissioner), actress Elizabeth Banks, singer/songwriter Toby Keith, sports radio talk show host Jim Rome, former Major League Baseball manager and player Joe Torre, actress and singer Laura Bell Bundy, University of Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino, professional skateboarder and actor Rob Dyrdek, and New England Patriots Wide Receiver Wes Welker.
"We are so excited to have such talented and diverse participants for our inaugural Ambassadors Program. Many of our Ambassadors have grown up around horses, and even own thoroughbred horses that have run in past Breeders' Cup races," said Breeders' Cup President and CEO Craig Fravel. "They have proven that they love horse racing, love the Breeders' Cup, and are happy to share their enthusiasm about this event, and racing in general, with others around the world."
The list includes the part-owner of the pre-race favorite in Breeders' Cup weekend's marquee event, Joe Torre, who is part-owner of Breeders' Cup Classic entrant Game On Dude.
Jim Rome and Rick Pitino also own entrants in this year's Breeders' Cup. The list also includes someone who has tasted Breeders' Cup success first-hand, Bobby Flay.
"Two years ago, I had the thrill of a lifetime when I won a Breeders' Cup race with my filly, and have relived that moment in my mind hundreds of times," said Flay. "The Breeders' Cup is the pinnacle of thoroughbred horse racing competitions, and it's an honor to serve with all of these fantastic Ambassadors in sharing our passion and long history with the sport."
Others are lifelong fans, such as Banks and Derek. "Breeders' Cup weekend is marked on my calendar ever year. I grew up going to the races with my dad, and my love of the sport has only grown. The racing, the fashion, the beautiful tracks and the parties…the Breeders' Cup has it all," said Banks.
FINISH LINES: Bob Baffert's Lady Ten has been installed the tepid 7-2 morning line favorite for Saturday's Grade III Autumn Miss Stakes, which attracted a field of 11. The one mile turf event for 3-year-old fillies has the look of one of the best betting races of the meet . . . Recent reports of the retirement of Paco Gonzalez were premature. The 67-year-old trainer was a visitor at Clockers' Corner Thursday morning. "I just took a little time off," said Gonzalez, looking fresh and fit after visiting his younger brother Salvador in Kentucky. "I came out to see the nice horses getting ready for the Breeders' Cup and visit with everybody here. I hope to be back training when the opportunity presents itself. I've spent my whole life at the track and I miss it." . . . Agent Ron Anderson reports 10-time Southern California riding champion Joel Rosario resumes riding at Santa Anita next Thursday in advance of the Breeders' Cup events Friday and Saturday . . . Santa Anita's online handicapping contest ShowVivor was down to two entering Thursday's races.
(Current through Sunday, Oct. 21)
Jockey Mts 1st 2nd 3rd Win% Money Won
Joseph Talamo 114 25 13 9 22% $914,782
Rafael Bejarano 83 17 24 10 20% $1,259,236
Martin Garcia 86 14 11 9 16% $896,740
Garrett Gomez 60 12 9 10 20% $857,652
Edwin Maldonado 85 10 7 5 12% $281,074
Agapito Delgadillo 46 8 3 3 17% $182,730
Corey Nakatani 35 8 1 8 23% $361,698
Tyler Baze 55 7 5 7 13% $315,852
Juan Hernandez 75 6 8 13 8% $343,790
Martin Pedroza 66 5 8 10 8% $329,274
David Flores 52 5 5 7 10% $261,000
Aaron Gryder 56 4 5 6 7% $179,258
Kevin Krigger 36 4 5 2 11% $131,550
Trainer Sts 1st 2nd 3rd Win% Money Won
Bob Baffert 42 12 12 3 29% $1,041,960
John Sadler 53 9 9 7 17% $508,350
Peter Miller 40 9 6 7 23% $360,838
Mike Puype 30 5 3 1 17% $188,642
Carla Gaines 20 5 1 3 25% $182,870
Jeff Mullins 20 5 1 3 25% $118,670
Doug O'Neill 53 4 7 7 8% $326,840
Michael Machowsky 18 4 5 3 22% $98,460
Robert Hess, Jr. 14 4 2 4 29% $185,150
Richard Mandella 15 4 1 1 27% $190,080


text: PARK CITY, UT (Aug. 13) - Olympic gold medalist Kelly Clark (West Dover, VT) has been nominated as a finalist for the 2013 Sportswoman of the Year. The Women's Sport Foundation will host the 34th Annual Salute to Women in Sports on October 16th. Winners are determined by the Foundation's Award Committee and the public. Voting lasts until September 9th.


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Texas Once Again Gets Highest Rank Among States for Online Transparency
AUSTIN — Texas Comptroller Susan Combs' Texas Transparency website and other transparency measures have once again earned top national recognition. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG) ranked Texas number one in its annual report on government spending transparency.
The group noted the Comptroller's user-friendly transparency website, www.texastransparency.org, and the multiple levels of spending and financial information available for citizens to see. Texas received an "A" grade and the top score in the report.
"I have led the transparency initiative in Texas since taking office in 2007 because taxpayers expect and deserve to know how government is spending their money," said Combs. "We are always looking for ways to shine a light on spending in Texas. Currently, we are working with state lawmakers to expand transparency for local government debt and spending, which would allow residents to fully understand how much they're on the hook for."
U.S. PIRG conducted an extensive state-by-state analysis as it pushes for higher standards of government transparency. The group's fourth annual report Following the Money 2013 can be found at http://texpirgedfund.org/reports/txp/following-money-2013.
Join the discussion and connect with the Texas Comptroller on Facebook for the latest economic news, surveys and more.
Follow us on Twitter! Get quick Comptroller news and information you need to do business in Texas.


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What I want to do is, I found a new Christmas song that I want to share with CE&P, they have a music thread.
I have a 3m wmv, 3m mp3, 64m MPG, 2m wma and another 2m wma and the windows live movie maker is 12k but a wlmp ext.
The 64 MPG is my video camera. The video is quite good. I took the cam put it on a stack of cds and enlarged the album cover and took the vid. The 64MPG is too big for the site. The Windows Live Movie Maker is good too but I assume you have to have a movie maker to see it.
Now I need to know how to convert any of these. The wma are conversions, but don't work at CE&P.
I would like to convert the MPG or if there is a way for the movie maker would be better. It is better than my cam one. If I have to install another video converter, that is ok too.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.


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I would argue that the Volkswagen Polo is a highly under-rated car. It's VW's entry-level model here and often is overshadowed by the Golf, but it's actually a fantastic little machine: slick, well-built, fun-to-drive.
The Polo lends its underpinnings to the posh Audi A1, so we're talking about a very well sorted super-mini, especially in 1.2-litre TSI form, with a big-performing little turbo engine.
All the Polo needs to be a real attention-grabber is extra sex appeal. The new R-line dress-up package may take care of that. It's a factory kit of new-design bumpers, sill extensions and spoiler, 17-inch alloys, different interior trims, a nicely shaped sports steering wheel and touch-screen audio. All things considered, it adds crucial desirability to the Polo. As it should, for the $3750 R-Line package takes the Polo TSI to $33,500.
That's climbing towards Mini Cooper-money. Mini: the car that put "desirable" and "super-mini" in the same sentence in the first place. The Cooper is always a great benchmark for small-car personality and fun, so how does the Polo compare?
The R-Line makes Polo that little bit special but, of course, the Mini is a master of accessorisation. The brand rolls out many special-edition models. The car here is the latest: to a standard $36,200 Mini Cooper, the Baker Street adds a comprehensive package of special colour and trim, leather/cloth upholstery, satellite navigation and 16-inch alloy wheels. Closing price: $39,900.
Interesting, although that extra spend puts the Mini in Polo GTI price territory, so let's not get too caught up in the extra toys. Because neither the Cooper nor Polo TSI are about high performance: they're about small-capacity engines with character, city driving with chic.
The two engines demonstrate different approaches. The Mini's 1.6-litre powerplant delivers 90kW/160Nm, with a six-speed manual gearbox. The Polo's 1.2-litre turbo produces much less power but exactly the same torque: 66kW/160Nm. The VW's gearbox is an energetic, robotised, seven-speed, dual-clutch unit with normal and sport modes, plus a manual-hold shift gate.
Naturally, the Mini is quicker to 100km/h: 9.1 seconds versus 10.9 for the Polo. But if you make the Mini an automatic there's only half a second between them and the Polo's torque delivery and slick transmission give it just as much get-up-and-go - if not more. The Polo's powertrain is perfect. Lots of verve and so much fun: in sport mode the DSG even blips the throttle on downchanges.
The Mini's reputation for entertaining handling is well-deserved. By comparison, the Polo feels a little vacant in the steering and soft in the suspension. But Polo has superior ride and while it rolls around more in fast cornering, it telegraphs each change in attitude clearly to the driver. The Mini's chassis is very sporty, but the Polo's is still very sophisticated.
Inside, the Mini is a riot of colour and shape - what you expect. The Polo is predictable, too - corporate-VW and dark tones, with deeply impressive quality and attention to detail. The Mini is an entertaining place to be; with the Polo, you feel more a sense of appreciation.
You expect a Mini to provoke an emotional response and the Baker Street does that. But, surprisingly, the Polo R-Line does the same - in its own way. Trust us, these are two swingin' German small cars.
The bottom line
If you want the ultimate super-mini fashion statement or to do some fast cornering, it's the Mini. But Polo R-Line has a more entertaining powertrain, a more subtle kind of chic and superb build quality. It wins.


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Customer Reviews for High Five Game Tube Socks
J. GENT (Oklahoma) on April 14, 2016
Comfy, bright, and the team of 4 year olds think they ROCK!!
H. SMITH (Pennsylvania) on June 30, 2012
it works
T. MINOR (Michigan) on April 10, 2011
Our team is using them for rugby and they work great. If I had to do it again I would up the sizes by one full size for each sock e.g. Large would be Extra Large.
E. PARKER (Missouri) on March 7, 2011
great socks, good quality, great price!
B. SENNOTT (Washington) on October 4, 2010
Great sock for the price. The girls loved them. Also very versatile, my daughter uses these to cover her soccer shin guards when softball is over.
P. ACQUAVIVA (New York) on June 9, 2010
excellent quality and price
E. HIGH SCHOOL (Connecticut) on April 7, 2010
Helpfull, great quality, & AWESOME price!!!!!
S. PLAIN (California) on October 26, 2009
Very soft, very comfortable, and more importantly they're very supportive. I've washed them and they have not faded. Oh...and super fast shipping too ;).
L. HANSON (Ohio) on August 18, 2009
Good product. Received quickly.
K. HENDRIX (Kentucky) on August 7, 2012
Kids loved the crazy/unique colors.
B. HARAMOTO (Utah) on June 28, 2011
The socks were made of quality material
K. COLEY (California) on February 10, 2011
Color is as great as shown ... shipping WAS a fast as posted/reviewed.


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Discussion in 'General MMA discussion' started by JonnyRico, May 17, 2013.
Inside MMA
Wouldnt it be hilarious if Matt Riddle makes it through the Bellator circuit and beats Askren? omg
now he can smoke all he wants and doesn't have to worry about drug testing
Matt Riddle is good enough for bellator
Jon Fitch is not
If the price is right, I guess.
damn thought he was a shoe in for WAR MMA's first signing
I could see him being the next WW champ in Bellator. Best of luck to Riddle, still a big fan.
Exactly right. Fitch was cut, Riddle was basically kicked out. I think this and the Vlad signing show that Bellator is really just scared of outside top ten talent. Fitch would have come right in and won the belt, Riddle still may need more time, if ever.
lol...the Bellator PR nightmare continues. The only person having a worse PR week than Bjjjorrrn is Obama.
They don't want to build their brand off former-UFC fighters being champions in their organization but they have no problem signing fighters for their own prospects to make their name off of. Smart.
I actually laughed out loud at this!
liek i said bellator likes guys who get cut from zuffa for testing positive, look at how they've pampered king mo by having him fight in middle-of-nowhere, utah and in a reservation to protect him from testing positive again
Lol...He could smoke a doubie at the weigh ins and still be considered clean haha
Well this is best he will ever do for his career , he really did burn all bridges with the UFC
Good, I like Riddle and His spirit, Glad to see him back fighting....
Technically it seems like Riddle's contract with Legacy was bought by Bellator, which would mean the terms of the Legacy contract would be the ones enforced. But yeah, good for him as they won't be testing for weed at the Soaring Eagle Casino.
In my world his record is 9-3.
{edited - mods}
f---ed his life off? The guy is still fighting and and making money. I'm sure he's fine doing just that.
You are taking a comment he said out of Sarcasm seriously, and ya, im sure he's doing much better than most people, including myself and you. Marijuana is a planet that grows freely from the ground, its not a drug(*manufactured at that)
"Better than most people" is kinda vague. I mean I'm absolutely satisfied that i don't need drugs to prevent me from spousal or child abuse. So in that sense I'm better than Riddle.
Edit- cocaine,heroin and Ricin all come from the earth. Lets leagalize all those for people with trouble sleeping too.
Separate names with a comma.


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ASHVILLE, Ala. (AP) -- A judge has sentenced an Alabama inmate to death for the murder of a fellow prisoner at St. Clair Correctional Facility.
Circuit Judge Phillip Seay followed jurors' recommendation Tuesday and imposed the sentence on Taurus Jermaine Carroll.
Reports say that Carroll repeatedly stabbed fellow inmate Michael Darrell Turner with a makeshift knife on Sept. 14, 2009. He was convicted of capital murder in September.
Evidence showed the men were having a confrontation about a contraband cell phone.
Carroll was already serving a sentence of life without parole at the time of the killing. He was convicted of capital murder in 1997 in Birmingham.


text:
MPG Disclaimer: *Based on 2017 EPA mileage and driving range ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your MPGe/MPG and driving range will vary depending on driving conditions, how you drive and maintain your vehicle, battery age/condition, and other factors.
* Internet sale prices are considered standalone offers and do not stack with other offers unless specified. Sale price does not include dealer adds or TTL. All purchases subject to final credit approval as necessary. Other restrictions may apply, see dealer for complete details.
* Warranty Forever offered on eligible non-heavy-duty vehicles under 100,000 miles used for non-commercial purpose. See dealer for complete details.


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A fundraising campaign has been proposed for a statewide project that will be located in Meridian.
Officials with the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Center hope to kickoff the campaign within the next four months. The approximately $44 million project is set to be built in downtown Meridian, and will spotlight noted entertainers from Mississippi.
"When you think about what this could bring to the downtown Meridian area and the state of Mississippi because this highlights things for the state," said MAEC board member Clay Holladay. "And that's one thing that we want to stress is that this is a state project that just happens to be located in Meridian and that's what's really exciting, is that we have something statewide that's going to be here and a big anchor point for downtown Meridian. It's just all positive."
Details of the fundraiser have yet to be finalized.
The board is hopeful it could kickoff by June 2013.


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Monday, March 18, 2013
California's Great Valley Turns Technicolor
If you have any excuses to visit the Great Valley, this is the time to do it!
Posted by Garry Hayes at 10:49 PM
Labels: Central Valley, fiddlenecks, Golden Poppies, Great Valley, Lupine, Sierra Nevada foothills, wildflowers
2 comments:
- biobabbler said...
Wow. That looks AMAZING! I've got fieldwork Th & Fr in the Great Valley (I like that), so maybe I'll see some pretty stuff whilst I search for bird nests. Thanks for the heads up and the lovely photos. =)
- March 20, 2013 at 7:01 AM
- Garry Hayes said...
Have a great time!
- March 20, 2013 at 10:12 AM
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Explore hans s' photos on Flickr. hans s has uploaded 5906 photos to Flickr.
A new view point of Archeon !! Lovely reflections !! THis makes me feel calm as if looking into the past... a real past.
Hans Splinter is one of my favourite photographer
Scooped by
David Connolly
onto Archaeology News


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Original URL: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/02/08/sports_bosses_demand_copyright_relief/
Australian sports get busy with copyright special pleading
Chewing on the government's ear
Posted in Policy, 8th February 2012 03:31 GMT
Australia's sports administrators, usually busy trying to steal each others' audiences, have discovered the spirit of cooperation in the face of the Optus TV Now Federal Court decision.
The prime minister has confirmed that the Australian Rugby League, Australian Football League, Cricket Australia, Tennis Australia, and the Coalition of Major Professional and Participation Sports have lobbied the government for a change to the Copyright Act.
At issue is the future value of exclusive broadcast rights – particularly sports' ability to attract carriers willing to pay for mobile distribution – if the TV Now decision stands.
According to ABC radio, the government is seeking "urgent legal advice" regarding whether the legislation should be changed.
Last week, the Federal Court decided that the "cloud PVR"-style service from Optus did not infringe copyright, because the recordings were under the control of individuals, only used for time-shifting, and were not for distribution "to the public".
Most immediately, the decision puts the value of Telstra's $AU153 million deal to offer AFL (for non-Australians, "Aussie Rules") matches over its mobile network in doubt. The ARL believes the decision puts at risk its next round of TV broadcast negotiations, with its current deals due to expire at the end of 2012.
leader-in-waiting communications spokesman Malcolm Turnbull told a press conference today that the government should amend the Copyright Act without waiting for the outcome of the sports codes' appeal to the High Court.
Readers can watch ARL chief David Gallup's interview with Peter Wilkins of the ABC's Grandstand program here. ®


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Episode Details
series: Painted Churches Of Texas: Echoes Of The Homeland
air date: 3/21/13 9:00 PM
From the outside, they look like many American country churches built around the turn of the last century -- arched Gothic Revival windows, facades clad in white frame siding or in stone, lone steeples rising up into the Texas sky. Cross the threshold of these particular Texas churches and you'll encounter not a simple wooden interior but an unexpected profusion of color. Nearly every surface is covered with bright painting: exuberant murals radiate from the apse, elaborate foliage trails the walls, wooden columns and baseboards shine like polished marble in shades of green and gray. These are the Painted Churches of Texas. Built by 19th century immigrants to this rough but promising territory, these churches transport the visitor back to a different era, a different way of life. Inscriptions on the walls read not in English, but in the mother tongue of those who built them: German and Czech. The story of these buildings is the story of a people striving to succeed in a new country and still preserve the values and culture of their homelands. In 1984, 15 of these churches, with their unique style of art, were listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Once taken for granted, the painted churches of Texas, and the people who built them, are now capturing the interest of designers, historians and ordinary tourists, both in Texas and out of state.
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Headup Games announces they are offering downloads of the full version of Bridge Constructor for PC via their Steam Greenlight page through the end of this week. They are upfront about their ulterior motives on this, as they are requesting those who take advantage of this offer upvote the game's Steam Greenlight campaign to help push it over the top. Here's word on how this game can help you build bridges:
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Submission + - New NASA Model Refutes Global Warming Alarmists (theregister.co.uk)
Dialecticus writes: According to an article by Lewis Page at The Register, NASA says that most theoretical models of global warming fail to take into account the cooling effects of how plant life would react to higher CO2 levels in the atmosphere. NASA's new model reportedly indicates that even something as extreme as a doubling of current CO2 levels would only result in a 1.64 degree Celsius increase in overall global temperatures, with temperature increases over land being even less than that. The article does not specifically mention whether increased photosynthesis would have a natural regulating effect on CO2 levels due to the commensurate increase in the rate of naturally occurring carbon sequestration.


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Apple Lists Approved iPad Apps
By all accounts, this information appears to be the result of a slip up on Apple's end. But whether the company intended to release a list of approved iPad apps or not, I'm sure its happy with a little more buzz ahead of the tablet's April 3rd release.
A few intrepid App Store excavators have discovered a list of apps that will be available upon the release of the upcoming device. The list includes, among others, Plants vs. Zombies, Worms, NBA Hotshot, Labyrinth 2, Flight Control, and more. All of the titles designated with an "HD."
Attempting to actually click the titles will result in an error. Patience.


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Extension > Food > Food Safety > Preserving and Preparing > Preparing Safe Meals
Preserving and Preparing
Preparing Safe Meals
Table of Contents
New Year's Food Safety Refresher
This year how about resolving to improve your food safety habits? More
Cool Soup Safely
Winter is a great time to make a large kettle of soup to enjoy for lunches or quick evening meals. Preparing a large batch of soup can present a food safety challenge: cooling! More
Preparing Safe Meals
Test your slow cooker for accuracy and maintain safe temperatures. More
Tailgating Tips
Tips for safely preparing and grilling food for tailgating. More
The Twelve Food Safety Mistakes of the Season
Avoid these twelve common unsafe food handling practices at holiday gatherings.
Holiday Party Food Safety Tips
A holiday buffet may be the perfect environment to cause a foodborne illness.
Tips for Changing Traditional Holiday Food Handling
Tips for cooking turkeys and pies; and preventing foodborne illness
Food Safety Gifts
Food safety tools for holiday gifts such as thermometers, colanders, cutting boards, and kitchen timers
Beware of Unsafe Ways to Cook Turkey
Popular turkey cooking methods that are unsafe, including brown paper bag, trash bag, slow-cooking overnight, and turducken
Prevent the Spread of Norovirus During the Holidays
Prevention strategies, how to clean and sanitize, serving tips
Is Your Homemade Food Gift Safe to Eat?
How to create preserved homemade gifts including bread, cake, mincemeat, jams and jellies, and chocolate sauce; and testing them for safety
Mailing Food Gifts
Types of foods that mail best; tips for wrapping and cushioning foods for mailing
Safety of Hard Cooked Eggs for Dyeing
Eggs are a perishable food and need to be handled accordingly
Are Green Eggs and Ham Safe to Eat?
Safety of eating green eggs; safety of eating green ham; and preventing foodborne illness from ham
New Year's Food Safety Refresher
New Year's resolutions often focus on weight loss and exercise. This year how about resolving to improve your food safety habits?
At the Office
Break Room and Refrigerator Policy
Implement a weekly cleaning schedule to keep food (and co-workers) safe (130 K PDF)
Break Room and Refrigerator Cleaning Schedule
Break room and refrigerator/freezer cleaning duties, space to fill in names (27 K PDF)
Other Meal Preparation
Don't ignore food recalls
When a food item is recalled, learn the facts and take action!
Slow Cookers and Food Safety
Test your slow cooker for accuracy, safe temperatures and foods for a slow cooker
Food: How Safe is Safe?
Understanding food hazards and risk, accepting risk, assuring relative food safety
Are Molds on Foods Dangerous?
Tips for controlling and removing mold in your refrigerator.
Making Safe Baby Food
Babies are more vulnerable to bacteria than older children and adults.
A Quick Consumer Guide to Safe Food Handling
How to handle food from grocery store to storing leftovers to prevent foodborne illness
Safe Cooking Temperatures
Measure these internal temperatures with a food thermometer.
Tailgating Tips
Tips for safely preparing and grilling food for tailgating
Everything you need to know to grill safely.
Cutting Boards for Food
What kind of cutting boards to use, tips for preventing germs on cutting boards
Follow package instructions when cooking frozen foods
Foodborne illness in frozen foods; preventing salmonella poisoning from frozen convenience foods
Keeping Food Cold When the Power is Out
Using a fridge or freezer to keep food cold when the power is out
Organic Food Labeling
Audio and text versions, what the various phrases on labels mean
Packing the Cooler for a Road Trip
How to prevent foodborne illness when packing a cooler
Power Outages: Keep Food Safe
What to do during and after an outage, what food can be refrozen
Preparing Food Without Power
Available methods, no-cook suggestions, keeping surfaces and utensils clean
Using a Food Thermometer
Covers oven-proof dial thermometers, dial thermometers, digital thermometers, checking accuracy


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Argentina coach concerned over Sweden's aerial threat ahead of friendly encounter
Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella has admitted his concern over Sweden's aerial threat ahead of their friendly in Solna.
Last Updated: 05/02/13 1:30pm
The South Americans are preparing for their first warm-up game of the year ahead of the resumption of the qualifying campaign for next year's World Cup.
Sabella has a strong squad to choose from, with Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Gonzalo Higuain giving him enviable options up front, but it is the other end of the pitch that is giving him most concern, with the threat of Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic sure to be a stern test for his defence.
"Sweden are a well-organised team who know what they want," Sabella told TyC Sports.
"They are physical, run a lot. We have watched a lot of recent games like the ones against Brazil, Germany and England.
"Their aerial play is great as they have good tall players, like all good Nordic teams.
"Ibrahimovic is almost the owner of the team. He plays at playmaker, forward. He is great."
Sabella is closely monitoring the fitness of Manchester City's Aguero and Real Madrid frontman Higuain, who both have recently recovered from injuries.
"After Aguero got fit again he played a couple of minutes in the first two games and then he played full matches," Sabella said. "He and Higuain have had some inactivity but they played a lot."
Sabella also paid tribute to captain Messi, who netted his 45th goal of the season in Barcelona's 1-1 draw at Valencia at the weekend and will provide the attacking focal point for his country on Wednesday.
"He is the captain of our team, the symbol," Sabella said.
"Everybody wants to see him play the whole match - only the opposition doesn't."
Argentina will be without midfielder Enzo Perez, who has knee and head injuries suffered while playing for Benfica against Vitoria Setubal in the Portuguese Liga.
Sweden coach Erik Hamren, meanwhile, admits he has real concerns about Argentina's attacking threat, and warned his players could be on the end of a heavy defeat if they fail to bring their best game to the table.
"There will be reverential fear," Hamren told reporters.
"If we have a bad day and they have a good one, they could score a lot of goals.
"We must be ready to face them down and hurt them at the right moments.
"It will be a stimulating challenge for us."


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Mushroom Beef Stew Recipe
Popular Videos
- 1 carton (32 ounces) beef broth
- 1 ounce dried mixed mushrooms
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 boneless beef chuck roast (2 pounds), cubed
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 pound sliced baby portobello mushrooms
- 5 medium carrots, chopped
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
- Hot cooked egg noodles, optional
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- Bring broth and dried mushrooms to a boil in a large saucepan. Remove from heat; let stand 15-20 minutes or until mushrooms are softened. . Drain mushrooms, reserving liquid; finely chop mushrooms. Set aside.
- Combine flour, salt and pepper in a large resealable plastic bag; set aside 1 tablespoon for sauce. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, to the remaining flour mixture and shake to coat.
- Brown beef in oil in batches in a Dutch oven. Add portobello mushrooms, carrots and onion; saute until onion is tender. Add garlic, rosemary and rehydrated mushrooms; cook 1 minute. Stir in reserved flour mixture until blended; gradually add mushroom broth.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 1-1/2 to 2 hours or until beef is tender. Combine cornstarch and water until smooth; gradually stir into pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve with egg noodles if desired; top with blue cheese.
Freeze option: Freeze cooled stew in freezer containers up to 6 months. To use, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place in a Dutch oven; reheat. Serve with egg noodles if desired; top with blue cheese. Yield: 9 servings.
Reviews forMushroom Beef Stew
My Review
Average Rating
"Loved it. Makes the perfect amount to feed my family and freeze half for another night. I also skipped the dried mushrooms and blue cheese"
"This is a great comfort food and so good on a cold winter's night.I didn't use the Bleu cheese because my family doesn't care for it and I just used button mushrooms instead of the portabello and dried mushrooms."
"Outstanding!! The perfect dish for a chilly fall evening. Loved, loved, loved the addition of the blue cheese! Thanks for the great recipe!"
"fabulous...loved it"
"The blue cheese really brings this recipe together. The dish was a bit rich for me but my husband raved about the meal and was sad when leftovers were gone...so, the recipe is a definite "keeper"!"
"I have made this recipe twice in the last 2 months. Great leftovers. I did not boil dried mushrooms, just cut up the portobello mushrooms."
"I ordered my free trial and wasn't going to order, then I made this recipe and it sold me...the other ones on the same page look great too. Love the blue cheese addition. I served it over barley and it was a huge hit."
"I did not bother straining the mushroom broth. I don't think it is necessary, and the stew turned out great without it."
"This recipe is delicious! The dried mushrooms make great broth. The blue cheese goes unexpectedly well, too!"
"Great recipe. It is a KEEPER!"


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After installing ubuntu 12.10 permanently from windows xp professional It is a compaq evo n610c, and entering password login, it just shows a blank desktop screen. no icons, no upper left menu. nothiing. what to do ??? I am new to ubuntu and linux operated systems....do i need to go to an older version of ubuntu for ubuntu to work ???
here are more specs: http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/q...11382_div.HTML


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Behold how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity — Psalm 133:1
During the week following Pentecost, May 26-27, 2010 sixty five Orthodox Christian bishops, who have their sees in North and Central America, have been invited to gather at the Helmsley Park Hotel. The bishops will convene as the Episcopal Assembly which is an interim-transitional governing body of the Orthodox Christian Church in this New World territory. The purpose of the Assembly is to begin the process of developing the foundation for a canonically ordered unified Orthodox Church in the Americas. The blueprint that they develop for a canonically United Church will require more than this initial meeting. This process must eventually involve the whole body of the Church including clergy and laity. The final product, fashioned through a conciliar process and representing the work of the people of God will be presented for approval by the Great and Holy Council of all Orthodox bishops. This Council is part of the process of Orthodox Christian renewal and will be convened in the near future. This first meeting of bishops is a step in the process of developing working relationships with each other, asking the appropriate questions, defining the geographic territories of the Church, identifying resources available to them and setting up the appropriate committees.
This first Episcopal Assembly is different from other meetings of Orthodox Bishops such as the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas SCOBA or other Episcopal Meetings because this meeting has the blessing of all 14 Old World Primates of Orthodox Churches. It is the result of the Synaxis of Orthodox Primates that met in Istanbul/Constantinople October 2008 in response to the call of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. At that time the Primates declared that canonical order needs to be established in the so called Diaspora. In Orthodox Christianity all of us are in a Diaspora waiting to go home to the Lord. This unfortunate term has been used to describe people not living in traditional Orthodox lands – i.e. lands beyond the Old Roman Empire. Orthodox canonical order relates to the fact that there should be one bishop in one city. All 14 old world Primates signed the document authorizing the establishment of Episcopal Assemblies that will take place in the New World, Western Europe, South America, Asia, and Australia. The Episcopal Assemblies are meeting with the blessing of all the Primates.
In June and December 2009 representatives of these 14 Old World Primates met in Chambesy, Switzerland. These meetings were convened by the Ecumenical Patriarch and chaired by Metropolitan John of Pergamon. The results were the Rules of Operation for the hosting, conveying and carrying out the work of the Episcopal Assemblies. Hosting an Assembly is not an easy matter for the North and Central America. This Episcopal Assembly brings together 65 bishops from 14 different jurisdictions, who are of different ethnicities, cultures and nationalities spread over an enormous land mass, many of whom have not met each other before, who are mostly extensions of their mother countries and not autonomous, who are governed by church "protocol."
Notwithstanding these challenges we are confident that the imperative to Unite will overcome any differences because these bishops are all Orthodox Christians and are guided by the Holy Spirit. They reflect the realities of a multicultural Orthodox Christian faith – the Apostolic faith established at Pentecost in Jerusalem over two thousand years ago. They are the survivors of persecution, extermination, secularism, phlytism. "Their faith, even if it is as tiny as a mustard seed will make all things possible." Matt. 17-20. They have been charged to create Canonical order which will lead to a glorious transformation of Orthodox Christianity in the New World.
The Rules of Operation require the conveners of the Episcopal Assemblies to be the representative of the Patriarch of Constantinople and if in some land he is not represented, the Order of the Diptychs will be followed and the convener is the next in rank as a matter of Protocol. In the New World we are blessed to have such a worthy leader in the person of Archbishop Demetrios. He personifies the Fruits of the Holy Spirit and will be able to assist and inspire his brother bishops to work in a conciliar manner. His coordinator is the indefatigable Father Mark Arey SCOBA Coordinator. He is working with selected members of the SOCBA planning committee to bring the First Assembly to a successful beginning. The Episcopal Assembly will meet on May 25-27 and will decide what administrative structure will be used for their future meetings when they meet on May 26-27. The Episcopal Assembly replaces SCOBA which is now disbanded. The Episcopal Assembly will decide how to integrate SCOBA agencies in the transformational structure.
What can we expect from the Episcopal Assembly? The Episcopal Assembly is not a business meeting. It is the bishops of the Church doing the work of the Church. The bishops of the New World Territories, North and Central America, will demonstrate to the Old World Primates that they can work together in a mature manner to establish a canonically united Church. If they cannot work together, then the canonical order will be imposed by the Old World Primates. The Plan they create will be presented to the Great and Holy Council for final decisions. It should be noted that the Rules of Operation call for the agenda of the meeting to be approved by the Assembly. Matters related to canonical order will be decided by consensus and each jurisdiction will have one vote. For example if 10 bishops are representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate they will all reach a consensus amongst themselves and cast one vote on the matter before them. The whole body will meet yearly or more frequently if they decide more frequent meetings are necessary. The Executive Committee will meet every three months and whenever necessary at the invitation of the Chairman or at the written request that shows cause of one third of its members.
Between now and the convening of the Episcopal Assembly it is recommend that you familiarize yourself with the primary documents associated with the meeting. They are:
- Press Release pertinent to the October 2008 Meeting of All the Primates at the Ecumenical Patriarchate;
- The Two Chambesy Documents: The Decision and the Rules of Operation June 6-13 2009;
- SCOBA Encyclical February 21, 2010 issued on the Sunday of Orthodoxy.
These documents are posted on the OCL web site www.ocl.org. You may also want to read the OCL publication "Orthodox Christianity at the Crossroad: A Great Council of the Church-When and Why" available on line at Amazon.com or at Barnes and Noble. The 1994 publication "Project for Orthodox Renewal" available from Light and Life includes a comprehensive chapter "Orthodox Unity."
It should be noted that 10 Bishops of the South American Church met April 16-18 in San Pablo Brazil. The host was Archbishop Damaskinos of the Antiochian Archdiocese. The meeting focused on the adoption of a Spanish version of the documents of Chambesy and presented the situation of each Orthodox Church in South America. The Assembly establi shed an Executive Committee.
It is the duty and responsibility of the faithful – clergy and laity- to look beyond their local parish interests and be concerned with the renewal process taking place world wide in the Orthodox Christian World. The faithful parishioners – the royal priesthood -need to be aware of what when, where and how the Assemblies respond to the challenges placed upon them. They have the responsibility t ask questions of their bishops and provide them with input. The renewal of the structure of the Church impacts each and every one of us and cannot take place without our input and involvement. We are experiencing and living through the first steps of renewal of the Church in one thousand years. This is the opportunity and challenge of the laity and the clergy as well as the opportunity and challenge of the hierarchy.
What can we do? How can we help? I suggest that the first step of meaningful involvement includes praying for the Holy Spirit to enlighten our bishops to do what is best for the renewal of the Church in the New World. The petitions regarding this Episcopal Assembly that have been included in the Divine Liturgy of the Churches within the OCA are excellent prayers that we can pray everyday until the work of the Assembly is completed and the Great and Holy Council is convened. They are:
V: That the Lord may grant our Hierarchs gathering in Episcopal Assembly to grow in wisdom and strength, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and to increase in love for each other, deepening Christian fellowship so that conciliar decisions may build up a canonically united Orthodox Christian Church of the Americas, let us pray to the Lord.
R: Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!
V: That their work may be guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit, and that the Spirit of unity and love, of compassion and mutual respect, inspiring each to contribute what will build up the Body of Christ, may move us all to rejoice in the full unity of the Church, let us pray to the Lord.
R: Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!
V: Furthermore, we ask that God bless the work of all His People, uniting them for the building up of His Holy Orthodox Church of the Americas, let us pray to the Lord.
George Matsoukas is Executive Director of Orthodox Christian Laity


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Seesmic buys some Fatboys
Posted by
Matt |
View all posts by Matt
4 Comments »
San Francisco's Seesmic bought a few fatboys from Design Public and proceeded to waste an entire workday doing jumps. Lucky for us they caught it all on video. Um…why were we not invited? Enjoy the overall awesomeness: