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Product name :T-2 Toxin Mycotoxins ELISA Incubation time (minutes) 90; Tissue Muscle (ppb); Feed (ppb); Urine (ppb)20 50;
Catalog Number :5121TOX
Quantity :96 wells
Price :0 Eur
Pay now with :
Supplier :EuroProxima
T-2 toxin is one of a family of closely related compounds called trichothecenes produced by several Fusarium species. There are more than 20 naturally occurring compounds produced by Fusarium species which contain similar structures, including diacetoxyscirpenal, nivalenol, diacetylnivalenol, deoxynivalenol (DON), HT-2 toxin and fusaron X. T-2 toxin and related compounds have been implicated in a disease known as mouldy corn toxicosis of swine, symptoms of which include refusal to eat, lack of weight gain, digestive disorders and diarrhea, ultimately leading to death. T-2 toxin is toxic to rats, trout and calves with oral LD50 values of 3.8, 6.1 and 0.6 mg/kg, respectively. T-2 toxin is also thought to be one of the toxins involved in the human disease alimentary toxic aleukia and stachybotryotoxicoses of horses but is not thought to be carcinogenic. T-2 toxins are often detected in cereal grains, mainly corn and wheat, and in feed. EuroProxima developed a kit for T-2 Toxin with a 100% cross-reactivity with T-2 toxin and 12.7% cross-reactivity with acetyl-T-2 toxin with a limit of detection for T-2 toxin of be 50 µg/kg (ppb). Detailed information of this product is given in the Product Information Sheet.


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Just moved in to a older home about amonth ago,just now noticed food in the dish washer.tonight when we ran the dishwasher food backed up in to the sink from the diswasher.the drain line from the dishwasher drains in to the disposer. I dont now if it just needs some liquid drano or what.open for all suggestions.
Lonny , I vote that you snake out the drain and see what happens .
Lonny, I think you have 2 separate problems. One is the food getting into the dishwasher is most likely because the air gap for the dish washer was not installed or was installed improperly. The second is slow draining which could be some stoppage in the grinder or the drain line. I would recommend you first try cleaning the trap, while you have the trap off put a bucket under the drain and run the dishwasher, if it doesn't back up into the sink you'll know that the grander is not at fault. If the trap is clean when you removed it rent a snake at your locale tool rental and snake the drain. Garbage grinders are one of the biggest causes of stopped up drains.
Lonny ... welcome to the forum.
Sounds like you have a partial blockage in the drain line and would agree that "snakeing" the drain line will likely solve the problem.
As Jack mentions disposals do create issues of blocking drains.
Although there may be other things like tree roots further down the drain line that will contribute.
The water from the dishwasher comes into the drainage system under pressure and volume.
Your sink drains under gravity when simply running water and allowing it to run down the drain. The partial clog will let the sink water drain through but will back up on the heavier discharge from the dishwasher's pump.
A simple test would be to put the stopper in the sink and fill with enough water to completly cover the bottom of the sink. Then remove the stopper ... you should see the water drain rapidly from the sink if there is no blockage .
The mention of food showing inside the diswasher after a backup seems to indicate the discharge hose may not be installed properly.
If the dishwasher is installed correctly, the discharge hose should rise above the drains of the sink before coming back down to the disposer inlet. This should prevent backflow into the dishwasher.
Make sure the discharge hose from the dishwasher loops up toward the counter directly as it comes out of the dishwasher so that after the waste water is pushed up, it will drain DOWN into the drain. If the hose drains downhill into the dishwasher from the disposal .... the back flow of water will go toward the dishwasher.
Hope this helps. :)
While doing the previously mentioned investigations will also help. I would check the back flow "flapper" on the dishwasher pump as well and make sure that the hose to the dish washer loops up to touch the sink rather than laying on the cabinet "floor"
I remember Rich doing an ATOH segment about both but I'm too tired to go look for it.
Sounds to me like a block in the drain line.
Like Canuk mentioned check the hose from the dishwasher to see if it's up high otherwise you'll get all kinds of junck if there is a backup.
I talked to Lonny at work yesterday . He said that the trap was clean , and the hose was tied up high . He's going to snake the drain line and see what happens . :)
Air gap in place? might also be that the disposal needs to be ran and flushed before using the dishwasher. Rather then just checking the trap I'd also remove the outlet drom the disposer and check to see if the disposer is clear, obviously disconnect the power first. Most disposers have a key so you can manually spin them to verify they are flushed clear and have no blockages without running the power.
Gray Watson wrote:
Air gap in place? might also be that the disposal needs to be ran and flushed before using the dishwasher. Rather then just checking the trap I'd also remove the outlet drom the disposer and check to see if the disposer is clear, obviously disconnect the power first. Most disposers have a key so you can manually spin them to verify they are flushed clear and have no blockages without running the power.
Done . No problem found .
I'd also like to suggest the possibility that the disposer may be scummed up so bad it could be contributing to the problem. If that is the case, you could use a disposer "tic-tac" cleaner available from your local home center. A quicker and easier solution is to run the disposer packed with ice once or twice. This should help clear out the crud. Additionally, you can throw in a couple lemon wedges to eliminate any odors that may be present.
As mentioned, disposers can be a common cause of drain problems. After the issue is resolved, if you find that it reoccurs again in the future, you may want to consiter upgrading the disposer. An upgraded disposer will be better suited to grind up food and should lessen disposer/drain related issues.
Lastly, on a note of personal experience, I witnessed the effect of trying to use a disposer for the peelings from a large batch of potato salad. The disposer instead made home-style mashed potatos which gummed it up very badly. :eek:
I had a similar situation today.I
My garbage disposal water was venting and backflowing into my laundry room sink. After removing the p-traps for both laundry and kitchen, and putting snake augers through them, I found out I had to go ON MY ROOF to put the auger through the pipe sticking out of it, and break up some compacted food.
The neighbor said this happens when you don't run enough water through the disposal. The houses and piping systems are old too, so nothing literally more than "egg shells" should even go down the drain. So much for the actual disposer.


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Effective Data Visualization
March 1, 2017 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
We spend much of our time collecting and analyzing data. That data is only useful if it can be displayed in a meaningful, understandable way.
Yale professor Edward Tufte presented many ideas on how to effectively present data to an audience or end user.
In this session, Microsoft's David Giard will explain some of Tufte's most important guidelines about data visualization and how you can apply those guidelines to your own data. You will learn what to include, what to remove, and what to avoid in your charts, graphs, maps and other images that represent data.
You're gonna love David Giard. He is a former accountant and a former biochemist, who has been developing solutions using Microsoft technologies for over 2 decades. Currently, David helps people build solutions in his role as a Microsoft Technical Evangelist. David has been very active in the developer community, speaking at numerous major conferences, code camps, and user groups around the world; helping to lead user groups; and helping to organize conferences and other geek events. He is the host and producer of the mildly popular online TV show Technology and Friends. He is the co-author of the Wrox book Real World .NET, C#, and Silverlight. You can read his latest thoughts at http://www.DavidGiard.com. His hobbies include video, photography, sports, and embarrassing his sons.


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Between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM UTC+2, the game servers will shut down for a new game update to be deployed.
Update Changelog
- Added two Tau Ceti "kill achievements" for Mantis Custodians & Mantis Resurrectors.
- Changes to "Death Squads":
- The resurrector unit can no longer rematerialize the commander unit.
- Tau Ceti commander units will call in assistance units once they drop to a specific HP value. The assisting units will join the current death squad. The commander unit can only call for assistance once.
- Reduced aggro range for all death squad units.
- When the commander unit is destroyed, remaining death squad units will flee to orbit if they are out of combat.
- When a commander unit goes back to idle, it will restore its death squad to full force again.
- Increased landing zone area on Vénar.
- Added 3 new energy locations on Vénar.
- Improved visual effects for Orbital Strikes, Aggrobombs and Mines to correctly represent these items' blast ranges.
- Slightly modified the letter "l" so it can be visually distinguished from the letter "I".
- Further adjusted Tau Ceti mission "No Mantis Land" to not spawn too many defense units.
- Replaced Mantis Detonators from Tau Ceti squads with Mantis Strikers.
- Fixed a timing issue with the Damage Inverter item that could lead to players using the item being defeated in combat when the Damage Inverter should have saved them. This issue often occurred when players were having relatively low HP.
- Fixed an issue that caused the display of incorrect level limitation values in mission descriptions for many White Missions in Sirius.
- Fixed an issue that caused the Sirius Imperial Curtius "kill achievement" to mirror the Centurion achievement from the same category. This fix will reset the Curtius achievement progress when it was not yet completed.
- Fixed several Tau Ceti "kill achievements" that did not properly count defeated units (squad units especially were not properly counted).
- Fixed an issue that caused the displayed unit level for Tau Ceti "kill missions" to be 1 level short.
- Fixed an issue that caused completing Tau Ceti story missions to be counted in the Tau Ceti White Missions achievement track.
- Fixed two minelayer level 85 spawn areas being swapped, resulting in long flying routes for these units until they reached they designated flight path.
- Minor adjustments to death squad/mender/racetrack paths to avoid having them fly through solid objects/walls.
- Fixed visual glich that sometimes caused the display of an aggro bomb effect moving towards the player.
- Fixed that Mender support droids in Tau Ceti are launched from the sky instead from the ground like this is the case on the Mantis Hive planet.
- Fixed Tau Ceti mission "'Wolf In Sheep's Clothing?" from getting stuck at 75% progress.
Traduction française par Fra_592 : ici
script script Google's translation bad? Community translations of this changelog will get linked here (author's name included)!


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Upgrading LMRepl to FRS
Microsoft® Windows NT® Server version 4.0 and earlier provided a single-master file replication facility known as LAN Manager Replication (LMRepl). LMRepl was often used to replicate logon scripts and other database information to all domain controllers in the domain. FRS replaces LMRepl in Windows 2000 Server.
Windows 2000 Server does not support LMRepl in mixed or native mode, so if you have been using LMRepl, you need to develop a strategy for using FRS to provide the same functionality. If you used LMRepl to replicate logon scripts, you need to transition to using SYSVOL If you used LMRepl for other purposes, investigate using Dfs for replication.


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My 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution was in great shape when I bought it, with one exception: The instrument cluster plastic looked like someone had taken steel wool to it. The speedometer and other gauges were still visible, but looking through the hazy plastic felt like driving a fifteen year old neglected economy car.
The usual cleaners did nothing. The plastic was rough to the touch from a mix of scratches and heavy oxidation. The back of the plastic was fine, which suggests that someone might have used a very plastic-unfriendly cleaner on the piece at some point. Alternatively, it's possible that Mitsubishi applied an anti-glare coating to the piece from the factory which doesn't age gracefully. Either way, it was going to take some mechanical abrasion to remove the damaged top layer and polish the good plastic underneath.
The plastic piece must be removed from the car to do this properly, but fortunately that's an easy task in the Evo. First, use a short Phillips screwdriver to remove the two screws at the top of the instrument cluster hood. Don't let the screws fall down into the steering column like I did, because it's a pain to get them back out.
The plastic piece is held in by three tabs at the top and two at the bottom. Use a flathead screwdriver to very gently loosen the two clips at the bottom.
The three clips at the top are much easier to access. Use your finger to release the tabs from behind.
It took me several tries to get all of the tabs loose at the same time as they all have a tendency to re-latch themselves while you're working on the opposite tabs. The key is to be gentle and go slowly. I'm willing to bet it's not cheap to replace this part if it breaks.
Be careful to not touch the back of the plastic much so as to minimize the number of fingerprints you'll have to clean from the back of the plastic later on. Also make sure to roll up the car windows while working on the instrument cover plastic to minimize the amount of dust that settles on the exposed gauges.
I started with Meguiar's PlastX Clear Plastic Cleaner and Polish to remove the haze and deep scratches and used Mothers Plastic Polish to finish the polishing process. The Meguiar's plastic cleaner is more abrasive than the Mothers product, but it doesn't provide the same level of clarity as the Mothers polish. Likewise, the Mothers product produces a better finish but requires substantially more effort to remove deep scratches. Starting with the Meguiar's product and finishing with the Mothers product gives the best of both worlds. As an added bonus, the Mothers product claims to include a compound that protects the plastic finish over time.
Both polishes are straightforward to use. Apply the polish liberally to the face of the plastic, then use a clean automotive microfiber towel to work it into the plastic. Alternatively, Meguiar's makes a fancy applicator pad that they recommend for this purpose. The key here is to use a perfectly clean automotive-specific towel or applicator, because any old dirt or grit in the towel will just introduce new scratches while you work. Using medium pressure, work the compound into the plastic in all directions for a long time. Apply more compound as needed to avoid letting the surface go dry at any point in the process, as this can also introduce new scratches back into the surface.
When most of the scratches are gone, switch to a clean microfiber cloth and very gently buff the remaining compound off of the surface. Be sure to thoroughly clean any fingerprints, lint, and streaks off of the back of the plastic piece before you install it. I wasn't careful enough the first time around and had to remove the plastic piece a second time to eliminate all of the lint from my towel.
The restored instrument cluster plastic looks brand new. The deepest scratches are still there, but they've been reduced enough that you can't notice them under normal viewing conditions.


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Hello It's December 4th. Know what that means? 21 days until Christmas! Today is the 3rd DIY gift tutorial so let's get started.
Three succulents in a row
Succulents are great plants because even plant killers like myself have a hard time finishing them off. I've had one for over 2 years now and it's still going strong(somewhat). For this reason, you can be comfortable gifting a succulent to anyone. It's perfectly fine to give one small succulent as a gift but I think having a cluster in a pot looks even nicer and that's what I did here.
1) Succulents – at least 3 but you can use as many as you like. I also recommend getting different colours and shapes. I was only able to get these three which are pretty similar in colour and size but still quite varied.
2) A plant pot -preferably with a wide opening, you can also use anything typically used as planters e.g wine crates, old bowls, tyres (tires)
3) Soil or potting mix
4) Decorative items– Decorative rocks or gravel are good for this, you can also use sand or other miscellaneous items. I used decorative gravel and wine corks (cause it's what I had)
Wide mouthed pot
Decorative gravel
Old wine corks – a testimony to my taste in wine (cheap)
Disclaimer: I am NOT a gardening extraordinaire so you might find better potting instructions elsewhere.
1) Place potting mix into pot.
Pot with soil
2) Remove succulents from their pots being sure to crumble away a bit of the soil and get the roots exposed. Place into pot and add more soil to cover up the roots.
TransPLANT your succulents
3) Place wine corks in design around the plants.
Corks placed
4) Fill in remaining space with gravel.
Filled in with gravel (not sure what went on with the lighting there)
5) Add a tag and gift!
Finished product
This is a super easy DIY and it can be manifested so many different ways. You can use multiple colours of gravel (my initial intention but I found none) and create different designs, you can also use coloured sand, weathered glass, woodchips etc.
The cost of this type of project can vary quite a bit depending heavily on the number and type of succulents you select, the ones I used cost 2.99 US each but they can run you all the way up to $12 or $15. The other major determining factor is the pot. I bought this muddy coloured clay pot and saucer brand new and it cost me $10 US but you can use something you already own, plastic pots etc. The decorative items I already owned but garden gravel and sand are typically inexpensive . Regardless , this project is affordable . If you were to buy something similar from a garden store it would likely cost double or even triple what it costs you to make.
This gift gives the recipient something to take care of but without too much responsibility (like a pet but WAY easier). Plants also always add organic decor to any space. I think this is an excellent one of a kind gift.
See you tommorrow and have an awesome day !


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Got some questions before booking us? Take a look at our frequently asked questions!
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My package covers from preparation's to a few songs after the first dance, so you know the key parts of the day are covered.
Who will be there to photograph us on the wedding day?
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Whats a second shooter – why would I need one?
A Second Shooter is another pro photographer who works alongside me, usually shooting the groom in the morning, different angles of the ceremony, speeches, portraits and first dance – also great for catching a few more candids & guest reactions. I recommend a second shooter if you have more than 100 guests and if you would like both bridal & groom preparations, different views of the ceremony and more guest candids.
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I have a network of wedding photographers that work really hard to provide cover if the worst happens. I take photographing your wedding very seriously and would do everything in my power to replace myself.
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Yes – I have public liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance and Equipment insurance.
What if your camera breaks!
I always carry two cameras so I would always have a backup if one did have a fault.
How do we book?
Booking process:
- Contact Esme to see if she is free on your date.
- Possible meet up or Skype to chat about your wedding day
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well done, good job
thank you)))
really nice work but i think you should have played with the flowers more - now they're all the same size which is a bit confusing
thanks)) and i agree with your critics
Interesting concept.
о, любопытненько


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Allure CTR Ring - ceramic
The Allure CTR Ringis irresistable to stripling warriors.
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A selection of photographs taken at the World Hearing Voices Congress 2013 held in Melbourne, November 20th – 22nd.
Hearing Voices Network Cymru funded the travel and accommodation costs of four delegates from the UK enabling them to attend this important event. These photographs show the congress in session. Over 800 delegates attended over three days, making this congress the largest gathering of voice hearers and allies to date (and probably the largest meeting ever held in Australia organised by peers – a remarkable achievement.
[print_gllr id=3575]


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If you're after a new camera and have a budget of under £300, you may at first
I think you're limited to a reasonably well-specified compact at best. Look a little harder though and you'll find DSLRs, Compact System Cameras and a wealth of sophisticated compacts that can be picked up for under £300. What's the catch, you may ask? Well, they're probably not going to be the latest models, but with the pace of sensor development slowing down in the past few years, you're not losing out that much compared to the latest models, while they may not have all the latest must-have features such as WiFi connectivity. Otherwise, you're still getting very capable cameras at a bargain price.
But if you've got £300 burning a hole in your pocket, which camera do you opt for? There's no simple answer to that one as it will really depend on what factors are important to you and what kind of pictures you want to take. To help you narrow it down, let's look at the benefits and disadvantages of each main type of camera.
DSLRs have always been the natural choice if you've wanted to get serious about your picture taking. While compacts may share a similar resolution to a DSLR, the actual physical size of a DSLR sensor is much larger, allowing larger photodiodes (pixels) for better light-gathering capabilities and detail. It's also much easier to create professional-looking shallow depth-of-field shots, while the breadth of control, bright optical view-finder, overall performance and the ability to swap lenses mean that a DSLR is ideally suited for creative shooting.
The biggest downside for some users is their size — even the smallest models can be quite bulky affairs, and that's before you've factored in additional lenses and other accessories. For others though, the pay-off in image quality and performance is worth the sacrifice.
Compact System Cameras (CSC) have now been around for about four years and are a great alternative to a DSLR.
Offering interchangeable lenses and sensors that (in most cases) are a similar size physically to a DSLR, they can be a much more compact solution while still delivering the same image quality.
A CSC is smaller than a DSLR because the mirrorbox and pentaprism found in a DSLR has been removed, allowing the distance between the lens mount and sensor to be reduced dramatically. The absence of a mirrorbox and pentaprism does mean though that there's no optical view-finder, with CSCs relying on the rear screen for composition. Some models do include an electronic view-finder (EVF), while others allow you to attach an optional EVF should you wish.
The biggest selling point for compacts is often their size, with the majority of models being much smaller than a DSLR or CSC, making them a great option if you want to travel light.
Some models also offer things that DSLRs just can't match at a similar price, namely a massive zoom range. While a DSLR or CSC is often bundled with a 3x optical zoom lens, some compacts can feature 50x optical zoom lenses for the same price, though with this size of lens, can be just as bulky as some DSLRs.
Other models offer rugged designs that will stand up to heavy abuse, meaning they can be submerged, frozen and dropped and still carry on working.
There are compromises though, with most not matching a DSLR or CSC for image quality, while most models lack a view-finder.
Written explanations of each shooting mode are displayed on the 2.7in, 230k-dot display as they're changed, while a 63-zone SPC metering system is on hand to produce well-balanced exposures in bright conditions.
HD video is recorded at 720p rather than the full 1080p, but it does provide the option to shoot still images continuously at 3fps for up to 31 frames.
While the 14.2MP APS-C sensor might have been eclipsed by newer sensors, you can still expect the D3100 to deliver pretty impressive levels of detail.
In use the D3100 is generally a sound performer. The 11-point Multi-CAM 1000 module offers relatively wide coverage and there's even a 3D tracking mode that's effective for tracking moving subjects that won't necessarily remain on a single focus plane.
The screen sports a fairly lowly resolution of 230k-dots compared to newer models, but the large 3in display is a good tool to work with and deals with reflective sunlight relatively well too. This will come in handy if you're looking to shoot video, with the D3100 capable of shooting footage at Full HD 1080p at 24fps.
PANASONIC G3 £269 ir NIKON 1J2 £249
The ISO range spans 160-6400 and for focusing it uses the same Light Speed AF technology that was first used within the GH2. This delivers a 0.1s response time that makes it feel fast and instant to use when acquiring focus.
Pinpoint AF ties in nicely with the G3's 3in, 460k-dot vari-angle touchscreen — allowing you to move the AF point intuitively around the frame by touch. As well as full manual control (P,A,S,M), Panasonic's intelligent Auto+ (iA+) mode is available for those who'd prefer to trust the camera's judgment when it comes to the settings.
The G3 ticks the boxes, but bear in mind battery life isn't particularly long so you'll want to also budget for a spare (£26).
The J2 from Nikon is a great choice for those looking for an easy-to-use replacement for their compact, but with improved image quality.
The J2 features a 10.1 MP Super high-speed line AF CMOS sensor, so it has one of the smaller sensors in a CSC, but image quality is better than expected from such a small sensor and does bring some benefits with it. For starters, it can shoot full-resolution images at up to 60fps (frames per second), while the Smart Photo Selector shoots 20 high-resolution images before and after you fire the shutter and then saves the best five images for you to pick your favourite. Motion Snapshot brings your still photographs to life by recording a slow motion movie along with a still to create a «living image».
With minimal body-mounted controls, more advanced photographers may be disappointed to find manual exposure controls buried in the menu, but with them tucked out of the way, it's a less intimidating experience for new users.
The J2 isn't for everyone, but those seeking a fast-performing camera with a host of clever auto modes may find it's just what they're looking for.
The NX1000 features an impressive list of features for a CSC that manages to squeeze an APS-C sized sensor within its body. Boasting a 20.2MP resolution and an ISO range that stretches from 100 to 12,800, it benefits from the same built-in WiFi connectivity options that have recently been rolled out across Samsung's suite of NX-series cameras.
As well as offering the option to control the camera and its settings remotely via a smartphone or tablet, the NX1000 lets you stream images to a TV or email them directly from the camera provided you're within a WiFi hot-spot. Connectivity aside, it rattles out a burst of images at a maximum 8fps, with full HD video footage being recording in the MPEG4 format at either 30 or 24fps.
While it doesn't have the anti-reflection Clear AMOLED screen of the NX20 or the regular AMOLED screen of the NX210, it still gets a pretty impressive 3in, 921k-dot LCD monitor. Although there's no built-in flash it does come with a bundled flash attachment that attaches via the hot shoe, and the i-Function button combined with the focus ring of the lens allows users direct control of key imaging variables or to toggle through digital art filters.
Weighing 359g including the lens, battery and card, the NX1000 feels more durable than it looks and produces images with impressive levels of detail at a very reasonable price.
For those looking for a point-and-shoot model the E-PL3 will take control of settings in iAuto (intelligent auto) mode. Art Modes and a variety of Scene options also feature alongside the more advanced manual settings.
If you're after a compact that can shrug off almost
I anything you can throw at it, look no further than the Olympus TG-2. Designed to be water-resistant, shockproof and freeze proof, this tough compact is one of the best-specified underwater cameras on the market and features a 12MP CMOS sensor behind its 4x optical zoom lens (25-100mm). As well as boasting a 100-6400 ISO range, the TG-2's lens has a maximum aperture of f/2, which is faster than most other rugged compacts' optics and allows you to shoot faster in low-light.
A fast autofocus system combined with 5fps sequential shooting allows images to be taken in very quick succession, while the 610k-dot screen it presents at the rear displays neutral colour and impressive levels of detail for composing and reviewing your images. Our only criticisms are that some buttons are fairly small and it doesn't feature WiFi functionality. That said, the camera is fully compatible with Flash Air memory cards if you'd like to transfer images wirelessly to a smartphone or tablet.
As you'd expect, the TG-2 features an impressive build quality that shouts rigidity and resistance. It passed all of our underwater, freeze, and shock tests with flying colours, with the 12MP sensor resolving great detail right up to ISO 800. The TG-2 should be the first choice for anyone in need of a camera that's virtually indestructible.
Fujifilm's SLIOOO bridge compact camera packs in an impressive 50x optical zoom, delivering coverage from 24mm all the way up to 1200mm. This makes it a versatile option for those wanting to shoot a broad range of subjects, from landscapes through to filling the frame with wildlife, while there's a macro option as well. To reduce the risk of camera shake, the SLIOOO features a lens-based image stabilisation system that's essential if you're going to be shooting at these incredibly long focal lengths.
There's a 3in vari-angle display at the rear with a decent 920k-dot resolution, but if you're intending to shoot at the SLIOOO's longer focal lengths, then the built-in electronic view-finder (EVF) is a must. While it doesn't have a staggering resolution, it not only makes it easier to compose shots on bright days, but the more traditional shooting style also provides a more stable platform than holding the camera at arm's length, decreasing the risk of camera shake, even with its IS system.
While the sensor's one of the smaller chips you'll find in a digital camera, the 16MP BSI-CMOS sensor will deliver decent results under a range of lighting conditions, while the ability to capture images at a rate of lO fps is a bonus. The SLIOOO's a great option if you're looking to get really up close to your subjects on a budget.
9 and a four-stop lens-based IS system.
At the rear is a 3in capacitive touchscreen with a 460k-dot resolution. Sensitivity is just right and matched by well-sized virtual controls for a smooth operating experience. Those looking to instantly share their images will have the luxury of WiFi functionality, allowing you to transfer images to a smartphone or tablet with the aid of the dedicated Canon App.
The AF system works well right across the focal range and although the zoom collar could do with being a touch more prominent, the zoom itself moves at a fine pace throughout the focal range.
Meanwhile if you're going to be shooting video with the S110, you'll be rewarded with high levels of detail without artefacts.
Behind the impressive zoom lies an 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, which provides an 80-12,800 ISO range. Noise performance at low ISO is impressive for a camera with a 1/2.3in sensor, though the highest ISO settings should be avoided unless there's no choice. One of the WX300's features that is pretty much ubiquitous on many similar digital compacts, is the Intelligent Auto mode.


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Having an Air Conditioning system at home is more or less, like having a teleporter to a world where everything is perfect… Well, maybe not everything, but at least the temperature, and let's be honest, if the temperature in the room is perfect, everything else seems better. Of course, that beautiful construction of a reality can be shattered the second the AC starts to present problems, and no one likes those. You don't have to despair when this happens though. Getting in touch with professionals might fix everything in no time, but, since being safe is better than being sorry, we have some tips for you to maintain your AC from breaking down and ruining your day.
Once a year, at least, is the recommended amount of checkings you should have on your AC system. Letting professionals do it, will ensure that the results you get are of the highest quality and it also diminishes the risk of something accidentally going wrong. Of course, anyone could learn how to do it, but why take the chance when there are perfectly qualified people that can ensure things go safe and sound?
Hiring an AC cleaning service in New Orleans LA can make a huge difference in the lifespan of your Air Conditioning system at home. In the end, regular checks and maintenance end up paying for themselves, since proper care guarantees a long and functional life for each machine. During summer, AC systems condensate on the inside and this can be a toxic invitation to mold. Having mold at home poses a great hazard and increases the chances of respiratory diseases and future complications. Cleaning your AC before the first use in the year not only stops mold from developing within, but also gets rid of dust buildup that otherwise might happily fly into your nose, and more importantly in your family's.
Are the blades in the fan rusty? Broken? Do they have any visible cracks? If you see anything out of the ordinary in your AC unit it's necessary to call a professional for either advice or assistance. Natal's Air Conditioning is always there for you not only offering a high quality over the top customer and technical service but also we are more than proud to say that all of our technicians are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified. This allows us to find and address even the tiniest detail to ensure your satisfaction and the quality of our service.
Regularly check that there's no leaves or anything stopping the machine from running as it should. In seasons like Fall, we would advise keeping a close eye on everything since broken branches and other small elements might fall in and cause some trouble inside the unit. Also, make sure that if you see anything inside that doesn't belong, you should first try to remove it carefully without forcing anything too hard as it might cause damage. If it looks like a complicated task you can give us a call. We have 24-hour service and we care about our customers and their satisfaction.
We at Natal's Air Conditioning are a family run business with years of experience. If you need an installation, maintenance or simply require our AC cleaning service in New Orleans LA, do not hesitate to contact us at 504-821-0005. Even if it's just to say hi, we'll always be there for you.


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10 Myths About Islam
Here is a link to an online book that is very informative about Islam: http://www.studytoanswer.net/islam_myths.html
Here is a link to an online book that is very informative about Islam: http://www.studytoanswer.net/islam_myths.html
I recently had lunch with a friend that told me that a close relative of his is practicing Yoga. This relative is a Christian, and feels that it is alright to practice Yoga, as well.
I thought I would compile some of the things that I know of that address this issue, as it seems to be so prevalent, today. I have even seen churches advertise that they have Yoga courses.
I think that the main question here is this: What is Yoga? In answering this, I feel that we can then determine whether it is right to practice this as a Christian.
The Elder Council of my church addressed this very issue just a few years ago. Here is an excerpt of that. It is only an excerpt, as I do not want to expose the people that this was addressed to or about.
Here is the excerpt:
Second, and more importantly, the Elders have a biblical responsibility to watch over the flock, uphold the truth of scripture, and guard against anything which sets itself against the glory of God. Several passages from the Bible are instructive here.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15 What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." 17 "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." 18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."
Isaiah 5:20-21 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.
The Elders of Grosse Pointe Baptist Church want you to know that we have your best interests in mind and because of this we do NOT endorse Christian "Yoga". "Yoga", by definition, is a "school of Hindu philosophy advocating and prescribing a course of physical and mental disciplines for attaining liberation from the material world and union of the self with the Supreme Being or ultimate principle" Dictionary.com. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines "Yoga" as "a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of the activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation."
To claim that "Yoga" is not linked to any particular religion is false.
Without question, we know that God teaches us that healthy minds and healthy bodies are a gift from Him to be used for His glory. (See Rom. 12:2; I Cor. 6:19-20). If you want to exercise, we encourage you to do so. But why would Christians want to borrow an expression from a false religion, from pantheism (god is everything, your everything is god), when we believe there's only one true God–the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ)! Many promote Christian Yoga as a harmless exercise, but the word Yoga carries with it a very specific meaning. We cannot endorse Christian Yoga any more than we can endorse Christian Astrology, Christian Goddess Worship, Christian Kabbalah, Christian New Age, Christian Shamanism, Christian Reincarnation, Christian Tai Chi, Christian Wicca, Christian Witchcraft, or Christian Zen Buddhism.
I think this explains very well what the Christian position should be in regard to Yoga. There have also been several items from prominent Evangelical Christian Theologians. Here are the links to them.
The Subtle Body — Should Christians Practice Yoga? by Dr. Albert Mohler
Albert Mohler – 'Thinking In Public – Yoga'
Feel free to watch the video on this page, but I would also encourage you to go this video on YouTube.
It's been awhile since we had a meeting.
We met briefly with the newest graduating class so that we could decide on a good night and time. Everyone decided that a weekly meeting on Monday night from 8-9:30 pm would be alright.
We met and discussed many topics about our families and things going on in our lives. Pastor decided that we need to do a study on guarding our tongues, based on the conversation.
Pastor Matt handed out the following CD message for us to listen to.
John MacArthur – 'Thinking Biblically About The Economy, Government, and Your Money'
We spent quite a bit of time just catching up, as it had been three weeks since the last meeting. We finished page 49 in 'A Man's Strategy for Conquering Temptation' with quite a bit of discussion about practical ways to prevent temptation leading us to lust and then to sin and death.
Pastor Matt handed out a new CD with a message from James McDonald.
James McDonald – '2008 The One Thing'
Also, I mentioned a resource that I have found for memorizing scripture. There is a small widget located in the upper right hand corner. It is called ScriptureTyper.
This video is absolutely eye opening. This is a must watch!
You can find the DVD and more information at the Maafa 21 website.
Be sure to listen to this precious song, "The hiding place!" as you read along with the lyrics!
(James Smith, "Daily Bible Readings for the Lord's Household")
"A MAN will be as a hiding place from the wind,
And a refuge from the tempest,
As rivers of water in a dry place,
As the shade of a massive rock in an arid land!"
Isaiah 32:2
The present world is like a bleak and cheerless desert; the climate is very changeable, and we are exposed to piercing, cutting winds.
Sometimes dangerous errors,
sometimes deep afflictions,
sometimes soul-distressing trials,
like violent winds, blow upon us and fill us with alarm and dread!
At such times–a hiding place is necessary.
Jesus is our hiding place!
He will hide us from . . .
the wrath of God,
the rage of Hell, and
the injurious effects of trials and troubles!
Beloved, are you in this hiding place? If so, abide in it, for nowhere else will you find such safety, or enjoy such repose!
Hail, sovereign love which first began,
The scheme to rescue fallen man!
Hail, matchless, free, eternal grace,
Which gave my soul a hiding place!
Against the God who rules the sky,
I fought with hand uplifted high!
Despised the notion of His grace,
Too proud to seek a hiding place!
Enwrapt in thick Egyptian night,
And fond of darkness more than light!
Madly I ran the sinful race,
Secure without a hiding place!
But thus the eternal counsel ran:
"Almighty love–arrest that man!"
I felt the arrows of distress,
And found I had no hiding place!
Indignant Justice stood in view;
To Sinai's fiery mount I flew!
But Justice cried, with frowning face,
"This mountain is no hiding place!"
E'er long, a heavenly voice I heard,
And Mercy's angel soon appeared;
He led me on with gentle pace,
To Jesus as my hiding place!
Should sevenfold storms of thunder roll,
And shake the earth from pole to pole;
No thunder bolt could daunt my face,
For Jesus is my hiding place!
On Him almighty vengeance fell,
That would have sunk a world to hell!
He bore it for the chosen race,
And thus became their hiding place!
A few more rolling suns at most,
Shall land me on fair Canaan's coast;
Where I shall sing the song of grace,
And see my glorious Hiding Place!


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Hurdles Cleared for Sale of Interest in New York City Power Plant
The owner of several power plants sought to sell a portion of its ownership interest in a 500 megawatt gas-fired electric generating facility in New York City and requested a ruling from New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) finding that this transaction would not be subject to PSC review.
Our lawyers advised the owner and filed a petition with the PSC that made the case that the sale of a portion of the client's interest in the plant would not adversely affect competition in the state or the region. In fact, the petition continued, the new owner's entry into the field would help reduce ownership concentration in the New York City.
The PSC agreed, negating the need for further review and clearing the way for the transaction and reducing ownership concentration in New York City.
For More Information on Barclay Damon's Regulatory Practice Area:
Maureen Helmer
p: 518.429.4220
f: 518.533.2938


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Paula Seling
Paula Seling
It doesn't seem realistic but she only started performing in 1996. Her dream si to sing to the world. She is driven forward by love & music so that makes it easier. Every once in a while I think back on my childhood and remember the way I grew up and some of the things I learned along the way were no always easy.
In 2001 she received The Award for the best female singer within the Awards of the Romanian Music Industries 2001. This proves she is on the right track with my music and my performances.
Depending on the size of your event, Paula Sling can come to your event as a solo singer or acompanied by a half size or a full size band. Her musical programe being adjusted to your needs.
- Paula Seling with backing trakcs
- Paula Seling with half band - Unplugged
- Paula Seling & Friends - Full band playing electric
For any detalis please get in touch - contact


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These little chicken wings are also a good idea for the kids lunches. Serve with celery and ranch dressing.
1 Garlic Clove, chopped or a teaspoon
5 tablespoons of UNSALTED Butter
1/4 cup "Louisiana Hot Sauce"
Dozen Chicken Wings
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Place wings on a cooling rack on top of a half sheet pan (industrial cookie sheet with sides).
- Cook wings for 30 minutes. Turn wings over. Continue cooking 30 more minutes.
- Meanwhile melt butter. Add garlic and hot sauce in a bowl large enough to hold all the chicken (I like to use my stainless bowls).
- Remove hot wings from oven and transfer to bowl.
- Toss to coat.
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The Glory of Christ's Kingdom
Jesus' ultimate purpose was to initiate a profound reconciliation between the heart of God and the hearts of those who have been alienated from His heart through the fall. The ultimate goal of this reconciliation is to fully reveal the heart of Christ in all those whom He has redeemed.read more
Heaven to Earth: A Blueprint for Apostolic Ministry.
"This then, is how you should pray: "Your kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) In this historically significant time of reformation, God is restoring to the church an apostolic paradigm of ministry that is built upon the concept...read more


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Subscribe To Batman V Superman Dominates Thursday Night Box Office, Off To Red-Hot Start Updates
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While the critical reception of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is...mixed, there was one thing we could be fairly sure about: It was going to have a huge opening weekend. The only real concern was whether it would be big enough. If the film's Thursday night preview screenings are any indication of what the weekend holds in store, Warner Bros. could be looking at even bigger opening weekend than expected.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Thursday night audiences brought in $27.7 million to the US box office last night. That puts Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice at number seven on the all-time list for Thursday night previews, just slightly ahead of Avengers: Age of Ultron, which scored $27.6 million. It's also the largest Easter weekend preview showing ever, nearly doubling up on Furious 7's $15.8 million. This is in addition to the $7 million it's already earned from audiences in other parts of the world on Thursday, as Dawn of Justice is receiving a nearly global simultaneous opening. It's already screening in China, Russia, Germany, and Brazil as well as other countries.
The opening weekend box office has been looking good for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice so far. The film's domestic estimates have recently been revised upwards from $140 million to $160 million and the film is expected to do $350 million across the globe by the time the weekend is up. It's barely possible that Dawn of Justice could do even better than that. Avengers: Age of Ultron, the movie BvS just beat at the Thursday night box office, went on to earn more than $190 million in their opening weekend. Granted, that was during the more traditional summer season, but, as Star Wars: The Force Awakens taught us, any weekend of the year can put up summer numbers if the fan demand to see it is strong enough.
While many reviews of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice have not been kind to the film, that rarely impacts an audience on opening weekend. Those who have been waiting for this movie for a long time will want to make their own judgements about the movie's quality. Needless to say, there will be a lot of people going to the theater this weekend to make those decisions. The next question will be, will word of mouth from those fans be strong enough to keep the audience coming back.
Will you be contributing your cash to the opening weekend of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice? Let us know. If you already have, come to our spoiler section and let us know what you thought about it.


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Takeout for Two was submitted as an entry in the "QFC" is a 48 hour film festival, where your team is given an "inspiration package" containing a character, a location, a line of dialog, a prop, and a CD of music, all of which must be used to create a 5 minute long film over the course of 48 hours. Takeout for Two received first place out of the twelve films submitted.
Our Inspiration package consisted of the following items:
Character – Radio Host/DJ
Location – Dead End or Abandoned Road
Prop – Takeout for Two box, containing a number of fortunes, mini-chopsticks, paper lanterns, and restaurant placemats with zodiac symbols on them.
Line – "The game takes over your life"
From this, we concocted a story about a Talk Radio host who finds himself trapped in an unending loop in time, doomed to relive the same moments over and over again, until he can learn to take his own advice.
Kirsten Johnson – Team Lead, Director, Director of Photography, Producer, Editor, Camera
Josh Tanenbaum – Writer, Director, Producer, Editor, Sound, Actor
Karen Tanenbaum – Producer, Grip, Continuity
Michael Filmowicz – Sound
Eddy Walters – Special Effects, Editor, Grip
Brian Quan – Editor, Grip
Navi Bala – Camera
Eduardo Noda – Lead Actor


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Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Outcome Measurement (RTC-OM)
Evaluates measures of the quality of life experienced by people with disabilities as a result of receiving services and supports. Past measures tended to focus on money spent on services for persons with disabilities, staffing ratios, and the movement of people from institutions to the community. But increasingly, federal and state policymakers speak of the importance of demonstrating the effectiveness ("outcomes") of public investments in services for persons with disabilities and these officials want information about outcomes that are measured in a consistent and accurate manner nationwide.
The purpose of the center is to:
- Identify current gaps in measuring Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), physical disabilities (PD), mental health, and aging needs
- Develop and refine measures to cover the existing gaps
- Evaluate those measure for their usability, feasibility, and psychometric properties.
RTC-OM is a center within ICI.


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It wasn't so long ago that a friend of ours, One Richard Whitethread gave us a link to a band page and stated that they needed to be featured on this lovely podcast of ours. Then without thinking Liz and myself were soon sat down with these for doom dwellers at Sunlight Studios in Gillingham to talk about the debut release from one "Desolate Pathway". We were able to see the album being made first hand and we are now proud owners of the album in question. This album being "Valley Of The King". Brainchild of one Vince Hempstead started has now been given Life with the addition of Simon (Vocals), Jim (Bass) and Mag (Drums). Valley Of The King sets the tone of a jouney to be taken by all listeners. You will be immersed in the world Vince has created and once its over you'll be beginning for more.
You can purchase "Valley Of The King" at the bands bandcamp page which is … http://desolatepathway.bandcamp.com/
Digital version is as a little as £3.50, where as the Physical version is only £7. So get your arses over and pick up this epically retro slice of doom!
You can also check out the band at https://www.facebook.com/desolatepathway where they are regulary updating the page with news and photos and all you could need to stay in the no how. The band have also lauched a website…http://www.desolatepathway.com. So keep your fingers on the pulse for new updates, shows and much much more!!
All song's featured on the show today are from the debut, they consist of "Forest Of Mirrors", "The Valley Of The King" and "Shadow Of The Tormetor"
So sit back, grab a cold one and embrace doom music from the core!!
Stay Withered Folks!


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Darpa has selected three teams for the first phase of a program to demonstrate a system to protect convoys against small unmanned aircraft systems ...
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When you purchase all of our new products together in this bundle, you get a FREE SeasonsJoy™ Essential Oil Blend (a $24.95 value) and "Simple Recipes, Real Results" cookbook (a $9.99 value). You spend all year taking care of others and giving back, so gift yourself something special this year — you deserve it.
*** Product is currently not available to residents of South Dakota or Idaho. See Product FAQ's on IsagenixHealth.net for more information.


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Link Request
Thank you for your interest in adding to the resources page we are building. As you more than likely already know, reciprocal links are the best way to increase the reach of your web site. Before submitting your site, we would like to ask you add out link to your site. You can do so in the following manner:
BAC Web Design - Offering more than 750 FrontPage web site templates,
custom web design and site hosting.
The code above will open our home page in a new browser window so you will not lose your traffic if someone on your site clicks through to our site.
We ask the following:
Please only submit RELEVANT links.
Please do not submit link pages that are placed in FFA (Free For All) Link directories.
Please make sure our link is on the page you list on the form below.
Please keep in mind we reserve the right to refuse to list any submission without providing a reason for our decision.
Include your full name and our link MUST be live on your site (with the same domain we would be linking to) PRIOR to your site being added here.


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Northern Hills Hub
Whitewood, halfway between Sturgis and Spearfish, got its start in 1887 as a transportation hub for the gold mining camps of the Northern Black Hills. The town still has rail service on the line that runs from Belle Fourche to Rapid City.
Whitewood's 2012 population was estimated at 934. Most work outside the city: Whitewood is within easy commuting distance from Spearfish, Sturgis and Deadwood. However, there are some home-based businesses in town.
One of the city's main employers is Hills Products Group. The company has a state-of-the-art, computer managed wood preservation plant in Whitewood. Dimensional lumber, wood fence posts, guardrail stock and rough timbers are pressure-treated to withstand the weather.
The tight-knit community gathers at the Hale Hall for community events, the Whitewood Public Library and, in summer, the city's two parks.


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Trevor Dean was a binman who lodged with Janice Battersby at 14a Victoria Street from February to October 2010. He dated Carla Connor, who gave him a managerial job at her lingerie factory Underworld but he quit and left the area when the arrangement didn't work out.
However he returned to the area a few months later, and began working as a binman again. But when he got fed up with the job, he decided to travel the world, and asked Janice to come with him. She accepted and they left Weatherfield together.
Trevor had recently split up with his girlfriend Michaela when on 28th January 2010, while doing his rounds in Weatherfield, he refused to empty Janice Battersby's wheelie bin as the lid wasn't down. Janice was annoyed but became smitten with Trevor when he responded to her advertisement for a lodger at her flat in Victoria Street.
Trevor enjoyed living with Janice but didn't realise that she was attracted to him. When he took in two stray cats, Janice put up with them despite being allergic, so as not have to have to tell Trevor to get rid of them.
On 22nd February, Trevor mistook Janice's boss Carla Connor as factory Underworld's cleaner and later invited her out for a drink. The misunderstanding was cleared up prior to the date and Trevor thought Carla would be above dating a binman but to his surprise she kept the date and they began a relationship.
In May, Trevor secured a load of World Cup tickets for himself and some friends but was left in a crisis when his friends all backed out of the deal. To get his money back, he sold the tickets to Ashley Peacock, Peter Barlow, Steve McDonald and Tyrone Dobbs, who planned to go to South Africa together and not tell their wives right away so they wouldn't get a hard time in the weeks before the competition. Some weeks later, in light of Carla's husband Tony Gordon's siege of the factory and Carla being held at gunpoint, Trevor decided to cancel the trip but when the other men all opted out, Trevor turned it into a holiday for himself and Carla.
In July, Carla recruited Trevor as trainee manager at Underworld. Trevor resigned from his job on the bins to take the job but quickly realised he had made a mistake as factory co-shareholder Nick Tilsley constantly chided him on his lack of computer skills and he was embarrassed when Carla had to work overtime to complete his work. Trevor and Nick's differences came to a head in a row which ended with Trevor punching Nick when Nick called Trevor thick. Carla prevented Nick from sacking Trevor but Trevor had lost his enthusiasm for the job and quit. Having come to realise that Carla still wasn't over her ex-love Liam Connor, Trevor decided that he couldn't live in the shadow of a dead man and told Carla he was calling a day on their relationship.
After some soul searching with Lloyd Mullaney at the Rovers, Trevor decided to leave Weatherfield and go to Swansea to get in touch with Michaela. But when things didn't work out, he returned to the area again a few months later and got a job again as a binman. He crossed paths with Janice in the cafe and they caught up with the goings on and he was shocked when he found out she had been robbed previously. He later packed in his job when he got fed up with working as a binman, and decided to travel the world. He asked Janice to come along, and she accepted. They packed up the car, and Janice asked him to give her friends something to remember them by, and he sped through a puddle splashing them, and they later drove off together and left Coronation Street.
Other information
- In June 2011 it was mentioned by Leanne that Trevor and Janice were in France and working as dishwashers in a restaurant. Three years later in June 2014, Janice was back in the UK and had slipped and broken her ankle whilst looking after her daughter Toyah's flat in Liverpool. However it was unclear whether her and Trevor were still together by this point, as Leanne went to attend to Janice and there was no mention of Trevor at all; meaning it is likely they have split up.
Background information
- Trevor was axed in May 2010 when new producer Phil Collinson decided not to renew actor Steve Jackson's contract. However, the character was brought back for a week's stint in March 2011 to coincide with the departure of Janice Battersby (Vicky Entwistle).
First and last lines
"Keep it shut! It's council policy... if you don't shut yer bins they don't get emptied. You were sent a leaflet about it." (First line, to Janice Battersby)
"Always do" (Final line)


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Project Overview
The NGSA Physical Science project is a 4-year, $757,335 project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). As part of the larger Next Generation Science Assessment endeavor, the team is using an evidence-centered design approach aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to develop assessments for middle school classrooms. The assessment tasks can be used by teachers to gauge student progress towards meeting the performance expectations set forth by NGSS.
Big Ideas
NGSS and the Framework
The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are very different from the previous generation of science standards. They require learners to use scientific practices (such as asking questions and defining problems) to develop and apply core ideas (such as those concerning forces and motion) and crosscutting concepts (such as cause and effect). This new idea of 3-dimensional learning is significantly different from traditional ways of learning.
While NGSS marks a new era for science teaching, there are currently very few supports for teachers to put NGSS ideas into practice. Assessment is an essential piece of the puzzle, but the challenge is how to replace the traditional test items that don't align with NGSS. What is tested often influences what teachers decide to teach and what they hold their students accountable for knowing. Even if standards are closely aligned with a desired vision of teaching and learning, achieving a coherent system is undermined when assessments are not aligned with that vision.
This project helps meet the critical need for high-quality assessments that align with the performance expectations in the new standards and are instructionally suitable for teachers to use in classrooms. Teachers, administrators, school boards, and others need high quality, research-based examples of innovative assessments developed specifically to support their transition to the new standards.
Addressing Multiple Needs
The goal of this project is to address this urgent need for research-based assessment. The team will develop next-generation assessments that address a specific core idea in physical science—matter and its interactions—by integrating middle school chemistry content with two important scientific practices, constructing explanations and developing and using models. The team selected these core ideas because they help to explain and predict a wide variety of phenomena that occur in the everyday lives of students, and because a solid understanding of matter and its interactions is important to other science disciplines.
The new assessments are being iteratively designed and administered in middle school science classrooms to ensure their usability. They will also be administered across grade levels to allow the research team to explore how students progress over time in their understanding of science practices and their knowledge of content. Researchers will work in both NGSS-focused classes and classes with a more traditional curriculum. The Investigating and Questioning our World through Science and Technology (IQWST) curriculum was an earlier CREATE for STEM Institute project that developed curriculum aligned with NGSS for middle school science classes. By testing the assessments in both environments, researchers hope to create assessments that are broadly usable across all types of science classrooms.
Outcomes of the project include: (1) a framework for the principled design and analysis of assessments of student understanding of a core idea across different scientific practices and grade levels, (2) exemplar items and rubrics that can be used formatively in middle school chemistry instruction, and (3) instructional resources for teachers in the formative use of these assessments.
The design framework and exemplar assessments will serve as timely models for the science education and assessment communities about what the next-generation science assessments should look like. The development of an ECD-based assessment design approach for NGSS has already garnered a lot of attention for 3 key stakeholder groups: assessment design and research, science education leadership and research, and science educators.
The science teacher community will especially benefit from the assessment items and rubrics, as well as the guidelines for developing instructional resources that support the formative use of the assessments.
The assessment community will be interested in our design patterns, task templates, assessment items, and rubrics, as well as our application of technology and advanced psychometric models to the measurement of student performance targeted at the NGSS.
Evidence-Centered Design (ECD) Approach
The project will incorporate principles of evidence-centered design (ECD) and state-of the art psychometric methods. Psychometrics is the field of study concerned with the theory and technique of psychological measurement, which includes the measurement of knowledge, abilities, attitudes, and personality traits. The team will use these methods and ECD to develop, test, and analyze their technology-supported assessments for middle school physical science classrooms.
The ECD approach proposed here will provide an optimal framework for integrating the substantive aspects of valid design and the technical infrastructure required to convert evidence gathered from student performances into reliable inferences about student thinking and understanding.
Equity/Fairness and Technology
There is a big push in the science community to be more inclusive. This means that many researchers are working hard to make sure that traditionally underrepresented groups have an equal chance at receiving a quality science education. In the same way, this project team is looking to make sure its assessments are fair.
SRI designed and led an independent expert review process for all of the Learning Performances (LPs) and accompanying assessment tasks. The review explored the comprehensibility, equity, and fairness of all assessment tasks in order to ensure that they are accessible and fair to students of diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Another important commitment to equity is that all of the tasks are offered on a free portal hosted by the Concord Consortium. The fact that they are online means that more districts will have access to them. This also means that developers can implement innovative technological components to help students represent their ideas.
Videos and simulations are incorporated into some of the tasks to create authentic and engaging scenarios and also reduce literacy demands. Stamps and drawing tools are included to help students more easily express ideas and formulate responses. Scaffolds, such as prompts to support students in constructing explanations and building models, are included to help students who are making early steps toward a set of performance expectations.
Formative Assessment
The assessments being developed will provide evidence of a student's demonstration of increasingly sophisticated understanding related to a core idea and set of practices in the NGSS. Researchers can track the interaction of this core idea with the practices within and across middle school grades 6 to 8. In other words, they will use the assessments to track students' knowledge of a topic over time.
The team is also working with teachers to understand what kind of rubrics, curriculum guidelines, and other resources they need to use the assessments formatively. Formative assessments help teachers gauge how their students are relating to a certain topic and whether they understand content. So far, teachers have been using the assessment tasks for review after teaching a topic, sometimes with students working in groups or having a full class discussion. Other teachers have even used the tasks as a prior knowledge test to gauge how much students know before launching into a lesson.
The research team has conducted observations of how teachers use the tasks with students, observed how students and teachers interact with the online delivery platform, solicited feedback from teachers about the quality of tasks and what teachers learned about student thinking from using them, and examined students' responses logged in the online platform. Based on these observations, the tasks have been revised appropriately so that they are as useful as possible for formative assessment.
The team has been actively disseminating their findings and products throughout the course of the project. The multi-institutional team has been showcasing the online task bank to science educators, district and state leaders, assessment developers, and science education researchers. In year three of the project, 17 presentations and workshops were given, and 8 conference papers and posters were created.
One- to two-day professional development workshops were done for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the California Science Project, and the Michigan Mathematics and Science Center Regional Collaborative. As the project enters year four, more workshops are planned. The team has already generated a number of proposals that involve presentation and dissemination of their work at major conferences to be held during 2017, including NSTA, NARST, and AERA. They also plan to disseminate widely a technical report on their design approach in year four.
For more information and the team's resources, please visit the sites below:
- http://nextgenscienceassessment.org
- https://concord.org/projects/ngss-assessments
- http://ngss-assessment.portal.concord.org
- https://www.sri.com/work/projects/next-generation-science-assessment
- http://lsri.uic.edu/institute/project/next-generation-science-assessments
The Learning Performances
To meet the goal of developing assessment tasks that can support NGSS-aligned instruction, the team unpacked some NGSS performance expectations into statements called learning performances, which have guided assessment task development for classroom use.
Learning performances are akin to learning goals that take on the structure of the performance expectations. They articulate and integrate assessable aspects of performance that build toward the more comprehensive NGSS performance expectations. A single learning performance describes an essential part of a performance expectation. Together, a set of learning performances provides the detail needed to create a coherent set of assessment tasks covering the full scope of a performance expectation bundle.
Chemical Reaction Topic
LP C-01: Students analyze and interpret patterns in the data to determine whether substances are the same based upon characteristic properties.
LP C-02: Students construct a scientific explanation about whether a reaction has occurred using properties of substances before and after the substances interact.
LP C-03: Students evaluate whether a model uses an appropriately sized scale to explain that different substances are made from different types and/or arrangements of atoms.
LP C-04: Students evaluate whether a model explains that a chemical reaction produces new substances and conserves atoms.
LP C-05: Students use a model to explain that in a chemical reaction atoms are regrouped and why mass is conserved.
LP C-06: Students develop a model of a chemical reaction that explains that new substances are formed by the regrouping of atoms, and that mass is conserved.
LP C-07: Students evaluate whether a model explains that a chemical reaction produces new substances and conserves mass because atoms are conserved.
Energy Topic
LP E-01: Students evaluate a model that uses a particle view of matter to explain how states of matter are similar and/or different from each other.
LP E-02: Students develop a model that explains how particle motion changes when thermal energy is transferred to or from a substance without changing state.
LP E-03: Students develop a model to explain the change in the state of a substance caused by transferring thermal energy to or from a sample.
LP E-04: Students use evidence from a simulation to construct a scientific explanation about how the average kinetic energy and the temperature of a substance change when thermal energy is transferred from or to a sample.
LP E-05: Students develop a model that includes a particle view of matter to predict how the average kinetic energy and the temperature of a substance change when thermal energy is transferred from or to a sample.
LP E-06: Students evaluate an investigation procedure that addresses a scientific question about how the type of matter influences the magnitude of temperature change of a given sample when energy is transferred from or to a sample.
LP E-07: Students plan an investigation to answer a scientific question about how the type of matter influences the change in temperature of a given sample when energy is transferred from or to a sample.
LP E-08: Students carry out an investigation using a simulation to determine how mass affects the change in temperature of a given sample when energy is transferred from or to a sample.
LP E-09: Students construct a scientific explanation about how mass affects the change in average particle kinetic energy of a sample when thermal energy is transferred from or to a sample.
For this project, CREATE for STEM Institute at Michigan State University is partnering with the University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC), the Concord Consortium in Massachusetts, and SRI International in California.
Project Leaders:
- Jim Pellegrino – PI, UIC
- Louis DiBello – co-PI, UIC
- Christopher Harris – PI, SRI
- Angela DeBarger – co-PI, SRI
- Joe Krajcik – PI, CREATE for STEM, MSU
- Daniel Damelin – Institution Lead, Concord
- Cathleen Kennedy – Project External Evaluator
- Rose Pringle – University of Florida
- Lynda Hayes – Director of the P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School at the University of Florida
Postdoctoral researchers:
- Brian Gane
- Jane Lee
- Phyllis Pennock
- Krista Damery
Concord Consortium personnel:
- Dan Damelin
- Nathan Kimball
- Doug Martin
Project advisors/expert reviewers board:
- Melanie Cooper
- Carlos Ayala
- Derek Briggs
- Ayham Dahi
- Cathleen Kennedy
- Xiufeng Liu
- Becky Matz
- Ann Novak
- Stephen Pruitt
- Ted Willard
Review Panel of LPs and assessment tasks:
- Melanie Cooper
- Ayham Dahi
- Becky Matz
- Ann Novak
- Ted Willard
The project began in September of 2013 and will continue through August of 2017.
Year 3 Accomplishments
The team engaged in seven major activities during Year 3:
- Completed the development and refinement of all learning performances and assessment tasks
- Conducted an outside expert review of learning performances and assessment tasks
- Continued the development work on the scoring approach and rubrics for assessment tasks
- Added interactive components for use in technology-enhanced assessment tasks and improved the task delivery platform
- Conducted classroom feasibility studies
- Increased dissemination of our design approach to research and practitioner communities
- Implemented a large-scale data collection effort for psychometric analysis of tasks
Review of Tasks
Revisions to the learning performances and tasks were informed by an expert panel review, an internal fairness/equity review, and by the team's classroom-based research. Overall, teacher feedback suggested that the variety of tasks provided valuable information regarding the integrated content/practice proficiencies of students. Also, UIC designed and conducted a task performance study in which over 1000 middle school students from 3 diverse school districts completed the assessment tasks. Performance data on all 65 tasks will be analyzed going into Year 4 to inform final revisions.
Key Outcomes So Far
- Completion of learning performances and assessment tasks aligned to the middle school physical science performance expectations for chemical reactions and energy
- 16 LPs and 65 tasks (available on the project website)
- All tasks implemented in a web-based portal hosted by Concord Consortium. Available to teachers and students via web browsers and across devices and operating systems.
Spreading the Word
The project team has been actively disseminating their results throughout the course of the project through workshops and MSTA, NSTA, and NARST conferences. Other parts of the effort include a 1-2 day professional development workshop for districts and science teacher organizations, presentations to state education agencies and at national education meetings, and an assessment workshop for the Council of State Science Supervisors.
So far, teachers and school district leaders have shown active interest in the project's work because it is helping them adjust to the new Michigan Science Standards (MSS) adopted from the NGSS. Two school districts are actually already using the developed assessment tasks district-wide.
Goals for Year 4
- Finalize the scoring approach and rubrics
- Develop guidelines and materials for effective teacher use of assessment tasks
- Organize and prepare the data collected from our performance study and conduct full analysis of data
- Meet with advisory board for guidance on developing resources for practitioners and on dissemination for broad impact
- Disseminate our design approach, tasks, rubrics, and teacher guide to researcher and practitioner communities via multiple means
- Finalize the delivery platform and reporting system
Design Principles
The activities that have guided the development of the materials include:
- Use ECD to develop items
- Conduct an alignment study
- Perform a cognitive analysis study
- Conduct student performance studies (early-stage testing, a pilot study, and a main study)
- Investigate formative use of the items
Researchers also made use of design patterns to create the assessment tasks. Design patterns include lists of assessment attributes specified by the assessment designers, working together with content specialists. Each design pattern describes an assessment argument by identifying the focal knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) that are to be measured, the kinds of observations that can provide evidence of this knowledge or skill, and the features of tasks that enable students to provide this evidence. Also specified in the design patterns are any non-focal KSAs that may be required to respond correctly to the tasks. For example, reading comprehension and decoding skills are needed to respond to a science problem.
Design patterns also capture ways in which assessment tasks can be varied to increase or decrease demands for knowledge and specify the work products and rubrics that the assessment designer may want to use.
Links to the Next Generation Science Standards
The materials will help students build competency in the performance expectations defined in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). The assessment tasks target the following performance expectations from NGSS:
Chemical Reaction Topic
- MS-PS1-1. Develop models to describe the atomic composition of simple molecules and extended structures.
- MS-PS1-2. Analyze and interpret data on the properties of substances before and after the substances interact to determine if a chemical reaction has occurred.
- MS-PS1-5. Develop and use a model to describe how the total number of atoms does not change in a chemical reaction and thus mass is conserved.
Energy Topic
- MS-PS1-4. Develop a model that predicts and describes changes in particle motion, temperature, and state of a pure substance when thermal energy is added or removed.
- MS-PS3-4. Plan an investigation to determine the relationships among the energy transferred, the type of matter, the mass and the change in the average kinetic energy of the particles as measured by the temperature of the sample.
Connections to other CREATE for STEM projects
The NGSA Physical Science project is one of several CREATE projects working to create innovative assessments. Another endeavor, the NGSA Life Science project, was inspired by this project. That new grant focuses on designing assessment tasks and rubrics for middle school life science classrooms.
Much of the work done in this project, including the unpacking of performance expectations and 3-dimensional learning concepts, is being used again in the Life Science Assessments project. This work is an asset to the science education community, as the need for Next Generation Science Assessments is great.
To read more about the NGSA Life Science project, please click here: http://create4stem.msu.edu/project/life-sciences-assessment.


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Marketing: Why Everyone Should Get InvolvedFri Dec 09, 2011 at 02:13 PM by Admin
A new era of strong customer engagement is here with us. Today, marketers are adjusting to innovative ways of marketing, for example social-media management; different programs to enhance advertising campaigns on television, online, and in print; including added staff with Web skills to handle the outburst of digital consumer environment. But according to experiences, that alone won't bring real results home.
To really engage customers who drive advertising is growingly becoming irrelevant, businesses should do a lot more outside the limits of conventional marketing structures. Ultimately, consumers no longer divide the link between marketing and the item for consumption—it is the product. There's no division between marketing from their online or in-store experience—it is the experience.
This shift obviously brings a huge challenge: if each person is responsible for marketing, who's blamed? Also, what does this new certainty mean for the organization and charter of the department of marketing? It's a predicament that matches the one that surfaced a while ago, the day's of quality movement, actually before it was finally entrenched in the fabric of overall management.
Fundamentally, businesses need to be marketing vehicles, with the marketing team itself assumes the role of consumer-engagement engine, in charge for instituting priorities and fueling dialogue in the whole company as it looks to design, build, manage, and revamp advanced consumer-engagement approaches.
As that change takes center stage, the entire marketing institution won't be the same: a greater allocation of existing marketing undertakings to other tasks will be experienced; additional councils and unofficial alliances that organize marketing tasks across the business will be realized; stronger affiliations with outside vendors, customers, and possibly even your competitors will become evident; and a huge role for data-driven consumer insights. Today's editorial will show some real-life instances of these kinds of adjustments.
Marketing's revolutionary is being redefined on a daily basis. Though, it's still difficult to find definitive map illustrating how business can fruitfully take the helm in the epoch of engagement, we are optimistic to help top executives—and not just salespersons— begin to draw one.
Pervasive marketing
To engage consumers every time they interact with the company— be it on the phone; responding to an e-mail, an online review, a blog post, or physically in a store—marketing must spread through the entire organization. Businesses like Zappos and Starbucks have made strong engagement as their vital source of competitive upper hand from the start; already demonstrating some of these attributes. Such kinds of actions anyone can practice as they endeavor for first-class consumer engagement.
A mind-set shift around consumer interaction platform is the starting point. An organization usually sees them as if they are "owned" by a given role: for example, marketing assumes ownership of brand management; retail department owns the in-store experience; sales team takes the ownerships of consumer relations. In the current marketing environment, businesses need to get out of traditional consumer engagement as a cycle of isolated interactions and instead do as customers do: a collection of related interactions – that if added together – shapes the customer experience.
That attitude should fuel fresh dialogue among senior staff team about who should assume the role of designing the overall structure of touch points to build a compelling consumer engagement, and then who constructs, operates, and revamps each touch point constant with that general vision. No point to be bothered by customary functional or company unit ownership: anyone who is best placed to undertake an activity should proceed.
Having a better designed consumer-engagement approach and experience largely depends on having an insight of how exactly people interact with an organization during their decision journey. Interaction may well be with the produce itself or with marketing, service, sales, public relations, or any other aspect of the business.
A good example is Starwood, a group hotel that sought to increase its engagement with consumers, where it absorbed thorough information about them and spotted clear demographic groups accommodated at its 1,000 plus properties. Then the company in 2006 unveiled a definite new positioning in its entire brand portfolio, scaling in inexpensiveness from Four Points by Sheraton then to its Luxury Collection and finally St. Regis.
Each brand gets to bring a different customer experience, on aspects ranging from the actual treatment guests are given by staff to the kind of toiletries provided in rooms. Importantly, for each kind of property, Starwood sought after designing not only the preferred experience but how it would be delivered as well. As a result, it had to come to a decision what coordination may be needed across functions, who is to assume operational control on different touch points, including the kind of content consumers want featured in the business' Website, in loyalty plan mailings, and other various forms of communication.
Starwood's experience emphasizes the fact that, regardless of the growing force of digital touch points for example social media, successful customer engagement should thrive beyond pure communication and incorporate service or the product experience itself. "In the end, we fly just the same planes like everybody else. And if customers are satisfied, they'll spread the good experience and get others come and enjoy the same and they themselves will come back again—that's a powerful marketing tool," alleges Steve Ridgway, chief executive Virgin Atlantic Airways.
After a business designs the platform of which it will engage with customers, it must also have organizational capacity to deliver: and that includes additional staff, creating a social-media network infrastructure, shifting reporting structures or reorganizing customer care operations. Tasks taken away from marketing usually have significant roles to play, thus some marketing staff at the center possibly will have to build expertise in other areas of a business.
Assigning responsibility for fostering touch points is gradually imperative because of the level to which Web-based interaction is compelling organizations to build "broadcast" media. A few have established publishing divisions to supply the ever-rising demand for content required by businesses' Websites, multimedia sites, social media, internal and external publications, coupons and various promotions. Most luxury-goods companies, for instance, have established editorial staff to "socialize" their products: they're shifting the customer connection by creating blogs, digital journals, and more relevant content that can considerably deepen both the frequency and intensity of interactions.
Operate and revamp
However, for businesses in industries as diverse as end user packaged goods and financial institutions, technology has overturned the engagement hopes of consumers, who, apparently, would like a Website to stopover and a connection impeccably integrated across touch points. Rallying such prospects requires exceptional operational coordination and receptiveness in tasks scaling from supplying on-the-ground service delivery to building online content to staying in the fore front of customer care concerns.
Out of sight, that reality creates a need for management and conflict resolution systems within and throughout functions, on top of budget formulas that allocate flexibility and swift action should any need occur.
The main hurdle to engagement is managerial rather than conceptual: considering the escalating number of touch points where consumers now interact with businesses, marketing a lot can't accomplish what's wanted all on its own. If businesses don't make the shift, they run the danger of being stepped over by opponents that have overcome the new age of engagement.
New WebSite Launched !Sun Aug 28, 2011 at 11:04 PM by Zameer
uAmplify Sponors and Hosts Las Vegas Interactive Marketing Association's Creative Media AwardsSun Dec 20, 2009 at 07:47 AM by Aimen
Brands Who Are Running BlogsTue Aug 18, 2009 at 07:42 AM by Ethan
In the beauty industry Beau-coup has been posting blog entries at least 3-4 times a week focusing on tips centered around wedding and party planning. A potential customer can view their blog and see their archived blog posts to see what the company has been involved with in the past. A visitor would find browsing through the blog easy because one can see the breakdown of the posts into categories like: bridal showers, engagements, planning tips, etc. Kenneth Cole shoes posts at least 3 blog entries a day and uses the catchy name 'a-wear-ness blog'. Kenneth Cole not only posts about the latest shoe designs, but is also able to generate a broader audience with posts on social rights, well being and the political landscape. Their blog includes a Question and Answer portion so that users can submit questions on these topics, and many entries contain videos so the user doesn't have to read all the content. These are just some of the ways that blogs can effectively engage the user.
Brands Who Engage in ForumsThu Aug 13, 2009 at 08:01 AM by Ethan
On Netflix's discussion forum, one can see what users are saying on a variety of topics like: about movies, TV shows old and new, instant watching, etc. Users can create their own discussion topic like 'what do you think is the most overrated movie?' and there's no telling how many responses there will be and how long the discussion can carry on. Pacific Sunwear is able to generate a lot of user interaction with categories like: sports, style, social and music. One can view the most recent comments and posted videos, which shows another example of a brand that is not limiting the discussion just to their own offered products or latest offers or any other selling points. There is a lot of freedom in forums in terms of allowing meaningful discussions that people can easily relate too with as few limitations as possible.
Popular Brands Running Contests & SweepstakesTue Aug 04, 2009 at 09:15 AM by Ethan
Many better known brands have offered and continue to offer contests dealing with prize packages, new product giveaways, shopping sprees and vacation giveaways. Frederick's of Hollywood for example has given away $1000 shopping sprees through sweepstakes that have reached a lot of people and gotten a lot of participants from a variety of demographics. MTV Networks has run many contests where new programs can be promoted through program giveaways, and has also ran a number of vacation sweepstakes. Through e-mail distribution and word of mouth and other methods, contests can reach many demographics, and may even see people with no interest in the company enter a contest because of it being hard to turn down a chance for a free vacation.
Landscape of Social Networking SitesMon Jul 20, 2009 at 07:49 AM by Ethan
Some of the newest features that many social networking sites are in the process of adopting are applications, surveys, contests, forums, chatting and mobile capability. Myspace and Facebook have been able to reach just about everybody in all markets on an international level and they can only grow more and more, which is saying something about how far they've come. Myspace was primarily used at the start for music groups to promote themselves, while facebook was a site for college students to connect; at this point both can be used by anyone with internet use. Some networking sites are designed only for certain people and these sites don't expect to widen their audience, like eons, faceparty, livedoor, opendiary, zorpia and others. Being open to limited users who fit a certain description is what makes these sites unique and allows them to set themselves apart from their competitors. If people with certain interests prefer smaller networking sites to share content and enjoy their exclusivity, then smaller networking sites are here to stay.
Brands Running E-cardsWed Jul 08, 2009 at 12:07 PM by Ethan
New Functionality Coming SoonFri Apr 17, 2009 at 12:32 AM by Zameer Minhas
Counting DownFri Aug 01, 2008 at 12:04 AM by Zameer
We are excited to begin accepting closed beta members later this month to the uAmplify platform. We have been in discussions with large fortune 500 brands as well as many start ups and boutique brands and all segments have shown a lot of excitement and enthusiasm about using our Pass it ForwardTM platform to help promote and extend their brand reach. While many of these brands currently have tell-a-friend programs and/or rewards programs they have been frustrated at the lack of ability to quickly create and deploy campaigns and the ability to individually track and reward their amplifiers. We believe that the uAmplify product will meet these needs and simplify the whole process of tracking, optimizing and rewarding brand amplifiers in a meaningful way. I would love to hear what you think.
Counting DownSat Aug 30, 2008 at 12:38 AM by Zameer