text:
Eyeglasses with wireless audio capability
A cellular telephone is used as a remote control device to control operations on the users nonportable computer which is remote location to the cellular telephone. The user can carry out various operations on the cellular telephone which cause the remote computer to take some additional action.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/064,711 filed Aug. 8, 2002 now abandoned.BACKGROUND
Modern cordless phones often have the ability to detect their own position. For example, cellular phones are being produced with satellite positioning technology that automatically senses a position of a telephone. Phones using the wireless applications protocol or "wap" can be monitored in a similar way. A position of a cellular phone can also be determined by triangulating between multiple base stations which are communicating to the phone.SUMMARY
The present application teaches a plurality of applications for cordless phones. A number of these applications include operations that are based on sensing the position of the phone and storing and/or obtaining information about the possessor of the phone at that position.
One application is a game for a wireless phone that is based on the user's position. Another application is a friend and dating service that is based on the user's position.
Another application is an online manager which uses a thin client on the phone to obtain information from another computer that is located elsewhere.
Another application is a remote desktop control.
Clothing that includes telephone functionality is also disclosed.
The present application teaches a system of combining portable telephony with other functions. One such combination combines a portable telephone with clothing associated with the portable telephone to provide "wired fashion" for users. Another disclosed system describes remote access art, in which art is accessed from a remote location.
These and other aspects will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
A basic operation of a phone system with position detection is shown in
The processor 130 can run a program either alone or in conjunction with the phones 102, 112. In modern cellular phones, the processor 130 in the base station can act as a server for the client in phone 102.
A first embodiment operates by running the flowchart shown in
The game is based on information stored in the server. The server can be associated with a number of different websites including telephone company sites such as Telstra.com. The game can also be associated with a number of other sites, as described herein.
At 200, the player initiates their entry into the game by logging in. According to one revenue model, all players will be charged a fee for entering the game. Another revenue model may simply charge the players for connection time during the time that they are playing the game. After the player logs into the game at 202, the player sets character information at 205. The character information may include a character name or other alias which the user will use. The player also selects a location or area in which they wish to play. This location/area may be selectable from a menu. Users log on within a specified time period. The game is played against those people who login within that same period.
In summary, the game provides clues on the user's WAP phone. The user may use those clues to find specified locations. The user's position in time and space is monitored. The clues given by the system are based on the user's position. Responses to the clues can be monitored by location tracking. The clues lead the user to a final location. When the user enters the destination location, the user received a prize or points or some other kind of reward.
Each player is constantly tracked 210 by the server after log in, so that their profile and physical location can continue to be monitored.
Each group of players is provided with clues about their actual surroundings at 220. The clues drive the user to follow the clues at 225, and drive the WAP server to monitor the users to determine their success at following the clues. When the user solves the clues, they move from a current physical position to the next physical position. At 230, the user reaches a destination position. The user is then given clues to the next location at 235.
Any of the destinations may be a way station or may be a final location. Each destination may be a store or trader of some type. The destination may be a sponsor of the game or simply a store that desires to get traffic from a specified profile of user. For instance, a store may register its desire to get more 20 to 25-year-old persons into the store using the clues. The WAP server then tracks the users and drives those users with the specified profile into that specified store. By going into the store, the user is signified as reaching the destination location at 230. The server provides clues 235 to the next location. An additional aspect provides additional clues as an incentive when the user makes a purchase at one of the waystation stores.
The user receives clues to the next location at 235. As in previous clues, the clue is displayed on the mobile phone as shown in
Once a week, a grand playoff may be played in which all the winners from the previous week and/or from a previous location may compete against one another. Sponsors may sponsor the grand playoff, for example. Weekly, monthly and other winners may be entered into Hall of Fame, or may receive even more prizes. All inducements allow more people to enter the game.
While the above has described a specific game, it is contemplated that other location-based games may be played using the WAP phone. Each of these may enjoy a revenue model based on the airtime or based on advertising.
Another embodiment also makes use of the WAP phone's ability to monitor a person's position. This embodiment, shown in the flowchart of
At 400, a user registers for the dating service. The registration may be a cash registration for a period of time, or may be a one time registration or any other kind of registration. The user must enter their profile the first time they register. The profile includes certain characteristics which enable determining matches with others. Matches may include the profile of the person, a profile of the partner that the person would like to meet; a general location of the user, i.e. where the user lives or works; a type of liaison, e.g. whether it casual, permanent or any other type; an amount of necessary agreement with the requested type before acceptance; times and dates; the WAP phone number; and a location-based-match or general match. The location-based-match will cause a different kind of acceptance than the general match.
The profile may be changed at any time by the registered user. This enables the user to enter a new profile during a vacation or the like. At all times, the system tracks all registered users shown as 410. The users within each general vicinity are compared with one another based on the profiles they enter. When there is a general match, the system contacts the users via e-mail. The users then work through a series of screens to make sure that each of them desire the specific introduction to be made. Both users must find a match before an introduction is made.
If a location match is selected, many of the other criteria may be relaxed. This means, a lower agreement score is necessary when the parties are within a specified distance, e.g. 101 or 100 meters, of one another.
The specific operation is shown in the flowchart of
Another embodiment provides an online manager using position sensing technology. Many different users have many different things that they need to do at anytime. The WAP technology can help them to these things in more sensible order. A flowchart of the operation is shown in
At 605, the system tracks the user's movements. By tracking the movements, the system can remind the user via their WAP phone about different things that are happening in their life and different interactions between their present movements and things that are going to happen. This position sensitive reminder can take the following forms. For example, a specified birthday may be coming up within two to three days. A present can be selected e.g. flowers, and the WAP phone can detect that the WAP phone user is currently in an area where they could obtain flowers. The phone then the reminds the user about the upcoming appointment, and suggests that the user buy those flowers. Other more, common applications may include appointments coming up, traffic in the area of the upcoming appointment, downloadable profiles of the company that the person is about to meet. This may be especially advantageous since the manager knows the appointment data, and can download the profile from the Internet. The user may be reminded of the upcoming birthday. By adding sponsors to this system, additional revenue may be obtained. The manager may therefore indicate a special or sale at its particular shop that is close by. For birthday or other special occasions, the manager may pre-book flowers for the wife or significant other. The manager can also monitors stock at stores, and indicates when a favorite book or the like has arrived at a specified bookstore. When the user gets close to the specified bookstore, the system can indicate that the book has arrived. When the user wants to go to a movie, the manager can pre-book the movie ticket and also find the closest theater where the movie is playing. All of these position sensitive reminders can be included. By following the user, the manager can second-guess the user's actions as he passes specified landmarks.
Another aspect, shown in
The present application uses a telephone as a controller or for another computer. The mobile phone connects to either the personal computer that is connected to the remote information line, or to a central server where various data is stored.
This operation is illustrated in
At 710, the mobile phone user is provided with a display on their screen of the type shown in
Once open, the user can write a short note using SMS on their phone, can attach any file of any size to the message, and send a message to the person they are wishing to contact. Since all of the file attachments and all of the high bandwidth operations occur on the remote computer, there is no limitation on the kinds of files that can be manipulated over the phone.
Another alternative shown at 714 allows the user to send the file as a fax. For example, the user can send the file as a fax to the next fax location. This can open a fax program, such as winfax.
Another embodiment is shown in
The glasses 902 include a screen portion 910 which display content associated with information obtained over the portable telephone. The screen portion 910 can be selectable for example. A bone conduction earpiece 912 can also be associated with the glasses. In addition, a microphone 914 can be aimed toward the user's mouth, or can be extended on an extension pole towards the user's mouth.
The user's garment is also shown as 920. The garment can have solar cells 922 therein accepting sun rays or light, and providing power to the cellular electronics. The communication line 906 may connect to the solar cells, or the solar cells can have a dedicated line shown as 924. The cellular electronics themselves may be on a circuit area 930 which is part of a belt 932 that becomes part of the clothes.
The line 906 between the headpiece and the cellular electronics 930 may be woven into the fabric of the clothing for example. The line 906 may be in two separate portions, including the upper portion 906 from headpiece to a connector 928 that connects to the line 906 going through the garment. The belt 932 is associated with the garment, and the line in the area of the belt may also need to be connected.
The belt can include not only the phone electronics, but also battery packs shown as 934, and other circuitry such as a computer shown as 936. The solar cells 928 can also be connected to the belt to power the circuitry therein and/or to charge the batteries 934. In this way, the clothing itself becomes the connectivity for the phone.
Another view of the phone and connection is shown in
A number of functions and features become possible with this system. A first embodiment relates to the ability to use this system in conjunction with a wireless cafe. The wireless cafe includes a base station computer 1100 which has some remote control capability. The remote control capability may provide information 1102 by any format of information transfer e.g. Bluetooth or wireless telephone protocol. The computer 1100 may be connected to the Internet, and may have other content associated therewith including, for example, Internet and video. The user with a wireless "clothes" phone approaches the system 1100. The proximity connects the wearer to the wireless cafe using a wireless technology such as Bluetooth or a wireless networking protocol such as wireless Ethernet. The user can carry out more elaborate operations in this way. For example, the user can receive broadband Internet over the wireless pipe or may receive e-mail or other activity. The actual computer remains on the person shown as 1110. However, the source of broadband information comes from the remote computer 1100. The system may bill for connection with a remote computer, for example, as part of the bill for the coffee or other food that is consumed.
The clothing may also include other features. Since cellular telephone technology 930 is included in the telephone, the cellular telephone may itself have position sensing capabilities 938. These positions sensing capabilities may include a wap phone or may include satellite-positioning technologies such as GPS. By registering the clothing with a position sensing system, it becomes possible to trace if the clothing is stolen. This also provides the ability for the user to find where is clothing is. For example, a user may forget that their clothing is at the dry cleaner or has been loaned to a friend. By using the positioning technology, the user can find the location of their clothing.
The clothing can also include a biometric identifier shown as 942. The biometric identifier can, for example, identify the person by their smell or the like. A fingerprint reader or the like could also be provided to prevent or restrict use of the electronics by those other than the registered owner.
In operation, the computer 936 can carry out functions which make it easier to speak and carry out Internet and e-mail over the clothes enabled phone. An exemplary flowchart of operation is shown in 1200. In that figure, the user first speaks to indicate a function they wish to carry out. For example, the user may say "I want to write an e-mail".
Many high-capacity memory storage media exist. One such media is the CD format. However, the packaging type of the CD format has made it relatively inconvenient. The size of the CD format makes it inconvenient for many applications.
A new CD type format, called the CD card, has recently become available. The CD card is in the size and shape of a business card, and hands is more convenient. Other high-capacity media in more convenient packaging are also available. Without meaning to be exclusive, these media include Sony's memory stick (TM), other many CD formats, and various kinds of smart and flash memory. The packaging of these devices enables them to be distributed much more conveniently.
The present application teaches different applications of these high-performance media.
The present application specifically teaches use of the CD card for providing broadband content, in conjunction with an interactive media.
The front portion of the CD card is shown in
This card front surface 1400 may say "here is Joe Blow", and here's what he's about. This can be read by anyone looking at the CD card, and also can serve as an identifier. The bar-code 1425 can also serve as an identifier.
In operation, the flowchart of
Another identifier which can be used at 1505 includes a unique error on each card. That error gets associated with the owner of the cards specific details. The error can be introduced manually, or using some other technique. Another identifier can use of biometric detector shown as 1610, associated with the computer 1600. Yet another possible identifier uses the unique processor ID associated with the processor 1602 of the computer 1600. Any of these techniques can be used to form the unique identifier used at 1505. If this is the user's first visit, then at 1510 the user may be asked to enter information about himself. On subsequent visits, the system already knows the information which has been entered. Therefore, the unique identifier brings up the persons additional information on subsequent visits. This is shown as 1515. This enables a unique site or site part to be linked to the unique card. During subsequent parts of the visit to the website, the user may request broadband information. One problem is that many users have only a very slow Internet connection, i.e. a 28.8 connection.
In this embodiment, therefore, the user requests information from the Internet website at 1520. The Internet website determines at 1525 if the information is broadband. The term broadband is of course relative, and can be determined in different ways. For example, the website may determine the user's connection speed, and determined if the desired download will take more than some selectable time e.g. 175 seconds. Alternatively, the website may simply determine if the content is available on the local CD.
In either case, if broadband information is determined, then the broadband part of the information is read from the local CD. If broadband information is not determined, then the non broadband information is obtained from the website. In this way, the information which is displayed to the user may be individualized to the user. The individuality and interaction is caused by the non broadband portions read at 1535. Any broadband portions, which could cause unacceptable delays in receiving the information, are read from the local CD card at 1730.
This system enables a new paradigm of Internet experience. For example, a website could distribute CD cards or other high-capacity media. Upon inserting high-capacity media, the user is directed to the website. Different parts of the website are obtained from the media itself, giving the illusion of broadband information over a low bandwidth line. In addition, different incentives can be provided on the CD card. These incentives can include, for example, coupons if the CD card is bringing up a 3-D shopping experience. The website can be as graphics intensive as desired, since much of the graphics and other broadband content will be stored locally and may be substantially immediately displayed.
Other applications are also described herein which may also used both Internet connection for interactivity, and local high-capacity connection for broadband content. One such application is the use of such a CD card for a remote learning situation. A CD card or other high-performance media can be distributed including different parts of the learning experience thereon. For example, videos and other parts that will be associated with the learning plan may be distributed on the CD card. Other parts, however, are interactive including the control of the CD card. In this embodiment, a special kind of CD card is intended to be used.
This system can be used for a secure examination. The user snaps off the attached portion 1700, and attaches it to the Internet connection. The microphone is also attached to the sound card, if necessary. The broadband portion includes the examination, and/or registration software and/or broadband content associated with the instructional program.
At 1900, the student installs the CD ROM, which begins running a program using the autoplay function on the computer. This causes the student to be taken online and connected to the remote learning institution. Once online, the setup prompt first obtains the student's unique information. This is done using the electronics 1610 better on the associated card part. At 1905, the camera is registered for facial recognition. This can involve taking an initial picture of the user to determine the user's face. The face recognition need not be done automatically, but rather can be done manual recognition by a user at the remote and. At 1910, the microphone is initiated to form voice recognition patterns. At 1915, the user is prompted to use the biometric reader to obtain the user's biometric information, such as a fingerprint.
At 1920, other security measures are carried out. These other security measures may include checking for any other network conductivity on the students computer. Another security measure carried out at 1920 can include looking for other persons in the room using the infrared sensor. By obtaining an infrared fingerprint of the room's configuration, the presence of other people can be determined. Keyboard typing pattern recognition can also be carried out as part of the security.
Once all the security measures are complete, the user may begin taking the exam at 1930. The exam may include portions from the CD itself, e.g. broadband information from the CD. The exam may also include remote online questions which are interactively provided to the user. Some questions may require voice only answers which are then sent to the remote and via the microphone. Questions may also require that the user register first with a fingerprint check before each question. Therefore, the question process may include the user pressing their finger up against the biometric sensor 1630, receiving a question, and providing an answer. In between receiving the question and providing the answer, the infrared sensor monitors for excessive movement.
At all times during the examination, the software can continue checking security including facial recognition, typing pattern recognition, voice recognition, network conductivity, and other people in the room. Depending on the specific situation, the system may also issue a challenge at any time if any of the aspects exceed predetermined parameters. For example, if too much motion is detected in the room, then the user may be required to re-enter their fingerprint or speak for voice recognition.
This system may also be used with alternative devices such as a biometric mouse. Biometric mice may include thumb print readers. If the biometric mouse solution is used, then a user would be expected to enter their fingerprint before answering each question.
The above has described use of the CD card in an examination situation. The CD card can also be used as an instructional program, however. The instructional video is stored on the CD card shown in
During the time of instruction, the local mouse is locked out. That means that the client is preferably prevented from using his local mouse. However, the function keys to remain enabled. The different function keys may be assigned to different functions, and these functions which are allowed at any specified time may also be displayed on the client screen. For example, the function key F1 effort one may be associated with the user at the client requesting to ask a question. When the F1 key at the client is actuated, an indication is sent to the second screen indicating that the specified student has asked a question. The instructor can stop and answer the question. If any instructor decides to answer the question at that time, the instructor can give control to the student who has asked the question. The student who asks the question is biometrically identified. All students then see that student asking the specified question. The content screen 2021 shows the specified student. The teacher can also take control back at any time, or alternatively can send a private message to the client indicating that the instructor will contact the student later to answer the question off-line. If this happens, then this system stores a log shown as 2026 which indicates which student asked the question and at what time the question was asked. One other option allows the teacher to take control of only one computer, and discuss the specified question with the user at that one computer while other users do different work. The other users may do work such as watching broadband content from the system. Since the local mouse and other controls of the client are locked out during this time, the F12 key may be allowed to stop control of the client by the program, and enable the client to retake control. When F12 is pressed, a time stamp is sent to the client indicating the time when the specified client locked out. This may also be logged so that the instructor can determine which students were on at what times.
The teacher's sound and voice can be obtained via a camera and microphone, and seem on both the content screen 2021 and the client screen 2012 using standard Internet voice and vision over IP techniques.
Preferably, the CD card instructional information includes its own Internet browser. This requires, therefore, that all students have the same Internet browser and are kept in sync at all times. A sync button 2224 on the instructor's computer can force synchronization at anytime. The teacher can also use yet another computer, thereby logging and as a client to make sure that synchronization is maintained.
Another problem related to examination over the Internet is identification. This system described above may operate adequately over the Internet, but requires a large investment in hardware. The biometric system described above can enable not only examination taking, but also a virtual campus to be entered. This virtual campus can allow instructional studies, such as allowing the user to enter any ongoing virtual class at anytime. It may also allow the users to buy supplies automatically at specified student discounts. Since this system already has biometric identification information, this buying of supplies can automatically access the student's account.
The basic idea of the clip off portion can be used for other functions as described. The
Another embodiment is an application of the CD card. For example, the CD card may be used for 3-D shopping as described above. The 3-D shopping technique may include rewards associated with buying certain items.
The CD card may include free Internet service provider (ISP) software thereon. The user inserts the CD card and immediately obtain access to the ISP software. As part of the use of the ISPs software, however, the user is required to use a specified shopping community by a certain amount. Each time the user enters the CD card into this system, the unique ID is used to identify the user. The ISP operation is allowed to continue as long as the user has used the community by a certain amount.
Another embodiment, using a bar-code, enables the CD card to be used for a conference such as a technical conference. Information about the conference can be stored on the CD card. The bar-code on the CD card enables taking attendance to determine who has attended the conference. Certain information about the conference can also be obtained.
Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail above, other modifications are possible.
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a pair of glasses, including eye portions intending to cover a user's eyes, including a frame with ear portions extending towards the user's ears;
- a listening portion, coupled to said ear portions of said frame and playing audio responsive to an applied signal, wherein said listening portion comprises a bone conduction part that causes sound to be produced and conducted directly to a bone that is near said portion;
- a speaking portion, coupled to said frame, and including a microphone positioned in a location to receive spoken audio; and
- a wireless connection part, coupled to said listening portion and said speaking portion, receiving a signal indicative of spoken audio from said speaking portion, and providing said applied signal to said listening portion;
- an interface in said cellular telephone transceiver, which enables an oral command of functions associated with the cellular telephone via said speaking portion, wherein said oral command includes a command to send an email via said cellular phone transceiver;
- a cellular phone part including a connection to said wireless connection part, and allowing receiving audio from said speaking portion and sending audio to said listening portion via said cellular phone part and
- a solar cell coupled to a user's belt, providing power.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 26, 2005
Date of Patent: Jan 22, 2008
Patent Publication Number: 20060052136
Inventor: Scott C. Harris (San Diego, CA)
Primary Examiner: Steve M. D'Agosta
Application Number: 11/260,022
International Classification: H04B 1/38 (20060101); H04M 1/00 (20060101);


text:
Hi Everybody, so as promised last month the February Brno Expats Get Together will be at the Pivni Opice (Beer Monkey!) pub on Jostova, right next to the Ceska tram stops!
Date: Thursday 23rd February Time: from 18:30
It's quite a new place and looks pretty good so come a long a check it out for yourself, meet some old/new friends, network or whatever!
All Welcome so invite your friends and colleagues.
Brno Expats February Get Together!
A place for community members to announce Czech-related events and classes
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
LONDON — Royal Dutch Shell announced on Thursday that it had agreed to buy a Britain-based provider of electrical power and natural gas, one of the boldest in a series of recent investments in non-oil and gas-energy businesses by large European oil companies.
The acquisition of First Utility, which has about 825,000 residential customers, was an indication that Ben van Beurden, Shell's chief executive, was wasting little time in acting on a commitment he made last month. Mr. van Beurden had said he aimed to ramp up investment in new-energy businesses toward $2 billion annually, in an effort to reduce the company's carbon emissions.
The purchase price was not publicly disclosed.
Shell, Europe's largest oil company, and other firms are responding to pressures from investors and the public to shift from fossil fuels like oil and gas, which scientists have tied to climate change. The companies are also striving to remain relevant in case the demand for oil, which is currently growing strongly, wanes in the coming decades.
Several of the investments — like BP's recent commitment to invest $200 million in Lightsource, a solar power developer — have been made to establish or bolster companies' positions in green-energy generators like wind and solar.
Shell is taking the trend a step further by becoming a distributor of cleaner energy through acquiring what is essentially a utility. First Utility is one of a group of power providers in Britain that take advantage of deregulation to compete with established power giants like Centrica and France's EDF as energy suppliers.
First Utility, which is privately held, does not own wires or power plants, but obtains its electricity and natural gas through Shell.
Mark Gainsborough, Shell's executive vice president of new energies, said in an interview that First Utility fit the company's strategy of growing in various parts of the electric power business, an energy sector that has seen great change in recent years. Britain and Germany, for example, have built large capacities in clean-energy sources like wind and solar power.
Some analysts and energy executives, including Mr. van Beurden, have forecast that demand for electricity is likely to grow rapidly in the coming decades as electrical power becomes a key medium for reducing carbon emissions through electric vehicles and other innovations.
"Our strategy in new energies is to build a stronger position in the power business," Mr. Gainsborough said. "Clearly, we want to be in a position over time to sell a portfolio of products to customers which are lower in carbon."
Analysts say that acquiring a residential power business gives Shell another way besides charging points at gas stations to provide fuel — in this case electricity — for the growing fleet of electric cars.
"Perhaps they are trying to make sure they have exposure to the rising electricity demand" from electric vehicles, said Deepa Venkateswaran, a utility analyst at Bernstein Research in London.
The new business would serve as a hedge for any reduced demand for gasoline and diesel fuel, she said.


text:
Hide Forgot
I'm not sure that's a corresponding bugzilla branch for rhn-client-tools,
but I'd like to post some fixes in original pot catalog of this package.
1) ../src/up2date_client/rhnregGui.py:697
It's better to change original article
You must enter a installation number.
You must enter an installation number.
2) ../data/rh_register.glade.h:350
Wrong form
Your account is associate with multiple..
Your account is associated with multiple..
3) ../src/up2date_client/rhncli.py:74
Same typos
A connection was attemped..
A connection was attempted..
4) ../src/up2date_client/rhnreg_constants.py:12
Wrong character before copyright sign.
If it isn't a right branch please mail this post to actual maintainer.
Thank you.
This request was evaluated by Red Hat Product Management for inclusion in a Red
Hat Enterprise Linux maintenance release. Product Management has requested
further review of this request by Red Hat Engineering, for potential
inclusion in a Red Hat Enterprise Linux Update release for currently deployed
products. This request is not yet committed for inclusion in an Update
User email@example.com's account has been closed
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem
described in this bug report. This report is therefore being
closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information
on therefore solution and/or where to find the updated files,
please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report
if the solution does not work for you.


text:
The humane animal rescue team (hart) was established by a group of dog lovers in 2003 as a non-profit organization committed to:
- rescuing stray, abandoned, and unwanted dogs from rural areas surrounding Edmonton, Alberta and placing them in permanent homes
- providing programs that promote responsible pet ownership, and prevent cruelty to animals
- promoting spay and neuter initiatives that reduce the number of unwanted litters
hart strives to keep operating costs low, allowing them to assist more dogs. Therefore, they rely entirely on the generosity, skills, and compassion of a volunteer network to:
- provide foster care, socialization, and basic training to prepare rescued dogs for adoption
- coordinate the adoption of rescued dogs through a matching process of the dog's needs to lifestyles and personalities of adopters
- administer medical assistance to rescued dogs
- respond to calls for dogs in need by traveling to rural locations to perform rescues
- provide food to field volunteers for the dogs who cannot yet be rescued
- prepare and deliver outreach programs and initiatives that promote responsible pet ownership
- raise funds to support hart activities
- build awareness about hart and about the overpopulation problem
hart does not operate out of a facility; instead, they rely on a network of foster homes, volunteers who open their homes and hearts to a rescued animal until a permanent home is found. Supplies such as leashes, collars, toys, dishes, food, treats, and crates are provided to our foster homes.
A loving, safe and lifelong home is the goal in hart's re-homing efforts. A multi-step adoption process is followed to ensure the best match possible between the needs of the dog and the lifestyle of the potential adopters. Many of hart's adoptable dogs have been rescued from harsh situations and are therefore adopted out as companion animals to be loved and protected for the rest of their lives.
Visit hart's website to learn more about this organization.
Image courtesy of Living Through the Lens.


text:
We wrote 6 months ago about Microsoft and Telvent's Smart Grid Focus announcement to bring utilities throughout the world more scalable solutions with higher performance and increased security at a lower cost. Now much of that hard work we have been doing together is paying off for our joint customers. Today we are pleased to talk about a double solution win (ArcFM – Enterprise GIS and Responder – OMS) at Singapore Power - both leveraging the Microsoft platform. While there have been numerous Telvent wins on the Microsoft platform since we have been working closer together over the past year, this one is special in that the customer chose to deploy not just one, but two solutions from Telvent's Smart Grid Suite. Singapore Power was keen on finding solutions that were large enough to meet their growing infrastructure and found that the combination of Microsoft, Telvent and Esri addressed their needs.
In working with utilities around the world, we are consistently asked how to minimize risk, lower costs for solution deployment and maintenance, and enhance security. Our answer has been and continues to be to leverage the Smart Energy Reference Architecture (SERA) and solutions from our partners like Telvent and Esri. As a result, utilities working with these partners have benefited from reduced IT costs and easier-to-implement upgrades. Telvent continues to work closely with us to incorporate more of Microsoft's SERA and our cloud computing platform.
The bottom line - by implementing Telvent's ArcFM and Responder leveraging Microsoft SQL Server and the Windows 7 operating system, Singapore Power will be able to achieve a seamless integration, realize a lower cost of ownership, tighter security and increased productivity. – Larry Kuhl


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Taking the Preschoolers to Castle Ashby
The children all went back to school this week, and my 4 year old started school too. He is only doing 2 1/2 hours in the morning at the moment, which is so hard when you have to work around the schedule of a baby, and other school runs to do.
But today we are trying to make the most of it and we have taken a little afternoon trip out to Castle Ashby gardens.
We came here earlier in the year and I was very pregnant and couldn't waddle far, so I wanted to come back and have a proper look around. We asked the lady when we bought our tickets what the best thing would be to see, because recently we seem to have a habit of missing out on all the best things!
She said we should visit the menagerie, and it didn't disappoint. There was a lot of excitement in trying to spot the marmosets, who moved very quickly. There were also ducks, chipmunks, giant rabbits, goats, pigs and meerkats.
The gardens were beautiful. I even took the baby out the pushchair for photos! (I don't know if anyone else feels like they've got more photos of their babies in the pushchair than anywhere else!)
I'm now watching Max play in the play area. He has been pretending to be a monkey, even though he can't move as fast as them. He has been trying to encourage some other children to play his game, but there is a parent nearby who keeps telling him "they know what to do" and "leave them alone, they're playing together". I wish he had his big brothers here on his side. They would be brilliant monkeys!!
If you would like to visit, you can find more details on the Castle Ashby website.


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Prominent Bay Area rapper Too $hort is collaborating with one of pop music's biggest stars. He'll appear on the next Lady Gaga album Artpop, as Mother Monster herself announced on the red carpet of Sunday night's MTV Video Music Awards in Brooklyn.
Not much is known about the songs on Artpop, save for the recently released first single "Applause." The album will be released on November 11.
Too $hort is also busy working on his own solo endeavors, including a new album and a book about his history with Oakland. While he's sold millions of records and enjoyed a solid fan base for decades, this collaboration is sure to launch him into a new level of recognition.
No word on whether there will be a music video and/or crazy costumes to support this song, but it's certainly fun to ponder.


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- "Galaxy upon galaxy. Vast, unexplored realms of space. It is a wild, untamed universe we live in. There is much danger here and therefore much need for armies, generals, and soldiers. But along with those who wage war there is also much need for those who explore new worlds and make possible the exchange of knowledge and goods…who bring civilization."
- ―Mungo Baobab
The galaxy was one of the billions of galaxies that existed in the universe. This galaxy was the setting of the histories of the Galactic Republic, the Galactic Civil War, the Yuuzhan Vong War, and was home to the Jedi and the Sith.
According to some sources, the galaxy was 120,000 light years across, or 37,000 parsecs (a parsec is 3.258 light years), and approximately 13 billion years old. A black hole existed at the center of the galaxy. The galaxy was orbited by seven satellite galaxies: Companion Aurek (also known as the Rishi Maze), Companion Besh (also known as Firefist), and Companions Cresh through Grek. However, most of the Companions were described as having ancient, metal-rich remnants of stars and not much life. There was also a hyperspace disturbance beyond the edge of the galaxy that prevented hyperspace routes outside the disk. The galaxy had nearly two hundred globular clusters.
While there was a hyperspace disturbance outside of the galaxy, hyperspace made it possible within the galaxy to have an enormous, and diverse, civilization. There were approximately 400 billion stars, and around 180 billion of these had planets that could support life. Ten percent of those planets developed life, while sentient life developed in 1/1,000 of those (about 20 million). Factoring in the output of heat and light needed for an advanced civilization to form, there were 7.1 billion truly habitable stars within the Galaxy, and about 3.2 billion habitable star systems.[3] However, it was estimated that about one billion of those systems were actually populated.[3] During the days of the Galactic Empire more than 69 million systems met the requirements for Imperial representation, and 1.75 million planets were considered full member worlds.[3] The population, of the nearly 70 million systems that the Empire was responsible for, amounted to more than 100 quadrillion beings.[3][6]
- "…there's very little in this universe that rises above the mean and petty. Maybe the stars themselves."
- ―Princess Leia Organa
Before recorded history,[source?] the first known galaxy-spanning political entity was the Infinite Empire of the Rakata, which ended long before the forming of the official so-called "galactic civilization". Even before that, sentient beings, such as the Columi, headed into interstellar space and built artifacts. Two of the oldest known artifacts were the Pelgrin Oracle (ca. 2,000,000 BBY) and Centerpoint Station, which was allegedly created by the mysterious Celestials (ca. 1,000,000 BBY).
The galaxy, as an official political entity, began to exist millennia later, when Humans discovered hyperspace travel and met other sentient races. When several worlds and species came to know each other, they formed a loose affiliation that accepted common laws and currency, and the Galactic Republic became the "official" galactic government. The Hutts and a number of smaller Sith Empires rivaled the Republic, and the beginnings of the latter rivalry were religious—the understanding of the Force between light and dark. The Sith were defeated and reemerged several times, a cycle that continued beyond the Yuuzhan Vong War.
After a millennium of hiding in the wake of a major defeat, the Sith managed to restore their Empire under Darth Sidious, after dissolving the Republic and replacing it with the short lived Galactic Empire and eventually dissolved the Republic's trappings completely. The Empire lasted for two decades of tyranny, but after the Galactic Civil War, a New Republic was established from an alliance of free worlds. Despite this, the remnants of the Empire would continue to resist the new government for over a decade before finally signing a peace treaty.
Not long after that, an extra-galactic species known as the Yuuzhan Vong launched an invasion. The Yuuzhan Vong War devastated much of the galaxy, including Coruscant, though they were eventually defeated.
Some of the Yuuzhan Vong were incorporated in the galactic community, and in the course of a century and a half several governments proliferated, including the Galactic Alliance and the restoration of the Empire, although this time without Sith backing. A New Galactic Empire was formed by the New Sith Order which usurped the existing government. After the resulting war between the Galactic Alliance Remnant, Empire-in-exile and Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire had ended, the Galactic Alliance became the dominant government in the galaxy once again.
- "I've flown from one end of this galaxy to the other, and I've seen a lot of strange stuff."
- ―Han Solo
The galaxy was divided into ten main regions. They are listed here in ascending order of distance from the core to the fringe. These regions were further divided into various sectors, systems, planets and possibly moons.
Deep Core
At the very heart of the galaxy, the Deep Core (also known as the Core Systems) was a region that spanned seven thousand light years, and contained roughly 30 billion stars.[3] Due to the gravitational pull of the vast number of stars, as well as a massive black hole at the center, local space-time was severely warped, making hyperspace travel difficult at best. The region was thought to be almost inaccessible until Emperor Palpatine found several safe hyperlanes into the region. The area remained an Imperial stronghold almost twenty years after the Battle of Endor.
Core Worlds
An ancient region bordering the outlying areas of the Deep Core, the Core Worlds were some of the most prestigious, well-developed, well-known, and heavily populated planets in the galaxy. The Galactic Republic and subsequently all galaxywide governments were born in the Core Worlds and spread out over the galaxy. During both the time of the Republic and Empire, Coruscant, a major core world, was the Galactic Capital. The Humans were supposed to have originated from this region.
The Colonies was the name given to a region of the galaxy between the Core Worlds and the Inner Rim. It was among the first areas outside the Core to be colonized, and the worlds here were typically heavily populated, industrialized, and cultured.
During its reign, the Galactic Empire was very forceful in controlling the Colonies, and as a result, the New Republic gained support quickly there.
Inner Rim
The Inner Rim was a region of the galaxy between the Colonies and the Expansion Region. It was originally just called "The Rim", as it was expected to be the farthest extent of the known galaxy for centuries, but the Expanded Rim (later renamed the Expansion Region) was opened within a hundred years of the Inner Rim.
During the reign of Palpatine, the Galactic Empire ruthlessly controlled the Inner Rim. Rather than rebel, many residents chose to flee to the Outer Rim Territories. After the Battle of Endor, the Empire, despite its unpopularity, held the Inner Rim far longer than expected; many later resented the New Republic's sluggishness in liberating the region. Many worlds, despite joining the New Republic, were openly afraid that the government was not strong enough to maintain power. Their concerns were born following the return of Palpatine, when the Empire reclaimed most of the Inner Rim.
Expansion Region
The Expansion Region was an experiment in corporate-controlled worlds, with powerful corporations exploiting and profiting heavily from the planets for their raw materials, metals and ores. Inhabitants were oppressed while the corporations stripped entire stellar systems of all their resources. Eventually civil unrest spread from system to system. The Galactic Republic eventually took control of the system due to mounting pressure from its denizens by limiting or evicting corporate interests. Expansion Region worlds continued to be producers of raw materials and ores. However, most natural resources were exhausted by the Imperial Period.
Mid Rim
With fewer natural resources (and therefore a smaller population) than many neighboring regions, the Mid Rim was a territory where residents worked hard for everything they had. Several planets had built up impressive economies, and pirate raiders often hid in the relatively unexplored spaces far from major trade routes.
Outer Rim Territories
The Outer Rim Territories was the last widely settled expanse before Wild Space and the Unknown Regions. It was the birth place of the Dark Lord Revan, and was also where the Mandalorians began their crusades in the hope of provoking the Galactic Republic into war. Meetra Surik was also known to have grown up on Dantooine, which was one of the Outer Rim worlds. It was strewn with obscure worlds, and rugged, primitive frontier planets. Due to its distance from the Core, the region was home to many supporters of the Rebel Alliance. The Empire's Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin was assigned the difficult task of bringing the entire Outer Rim in line.
Tingel Arm
The Tingel Arm was an exterior spiral arm of the galaxy. It contained the Corporate Sector Authority, a political entity which was partially independent of the Galactic Republic and the Galactic Empire. Under the Galactic Empire, the sector expanded from a few hundred to thirty thousand systems.
Wild Space
Wild Space was the frontier of galactic society, separating the known parts of the galaxy from the Unknown Regions. One of Palpatine's last acts was to open up much of the region to more extensive exploration. Wild Space differed from the Unknown Regions in that some of Wild Space has been explored, though not extensively; the Unknown Regions remained mysterious.
Unknown Regions
The term "Unknown Regions" most commonly referred to the large, unexplored region—which some interpreted to have been outside the plane of the galactic disk—between Bakura and the Imperial Remnant, which was largely dominated by the Chiss Ascendancy. The Unknown Regions comprised only a few billion stars, out of a galactic total of 400 billion. There was a lack of reliable hyperspace routes through the region. The "Unknown Regions" designation included uncharted areas in dense nebulae, globular clusters, and the galactic halo. The Galactic Empire launched many expeditions to discover and conquer Unknown Region sectors. Past the region's outer edge, including the seven dwarf satellite galaxies, was the hyperspace disturbance beyond the edge of the galaxy.
Traffic routes
Various established "ways" like hyperlanes passed through the sectors. These routes were explored and established by spacers known as hyperspace explorers such as like Aitro Koornacht and Jori and Gav Daragon. Astromech droids had the responsibility of guiding spaceships through these routes.
The super-hyperroutes
These routes were the largest and were capable of allowing spacers to traverse the galaxy in much shorter times.
Additional routes of interest
Government and politics
Various governments ruled within the galaxy over the millennia, the earliest known galaxy-spanning government being the Infinite Empire. Other significant political powers within the galaxy included:
- Bothan Space
- The Centrality
- Chiss Ascendancy
- Confederacy of Independent Systems
- Confederation
- Corporate Sector Authority
- Cronese Mandate
- Darth Krayt's Galactic Empire
- Empire of the Hand
- Expansion Region
- Fel Empire
- Galactic Empire
- Galactic Federation of Free Alliances
- Galactic Republic
- Hapes Cluster
- Hutt Space
- Imperial Remnant
- Juvex sector
- Mandalorian Space
- Rakatan Empire
- Senex sector
- Sith Empire
- Sith Empire (Jedi Civil War)
- Sith Empire (Post–Great Hyperspace War)
- Ssi-ruuvi Imperium
- Tion Cluster
- Tion Hegemony
- Vagaari Empire
- Yuuzhan Vong empire
The galactic economy was very complex and diverse. The main currency of the Galactic Republic was the credit, divided into ten decicreds.
Races and species
Life developed in 10%[source?] of the habitable planets, while sentient life developed in 1/1,000[source?] of those (about 20 million sentient species[source?]). It was estimated that they together totaled 100 quadrillion beings.[source?]
In classical history, the dominant species were Humans. Originating from the Core Worlds, Humans were the basis of the major governments. Sentients other than Humans such as Twi'leks, Hutts and Mon Calamari were simply known as "aliens". Aliens were also distinguished as humanoid or not.
Although not considered a race for obvious reasons, droids formed a significant part, helping and coexisting with the population. On Naboo, higher level droids were considered equal as fellow sentients.
Extragalactic interaction
Extra-galactic aliens, or species coming from another galaxy, were believed to have visited, by unknown means, the galaxy in an unknown point in the past for unknown reasons, and made contact with the galactic species.[source?]
Extra-galactic travel was difficult due to a hyperspace disturbance beyond the edge of the galaxy that prevented hyperspace routes very far outside the disk. However, by the time of the Clone Wars, contact had been established with the two small galaxies orbiting the galaxy: the Rishi Maze, also known as Companion Aurek, and Firefist, also known as Companion Besh. The InterGalactic Banking Clan had influence as far as these locations.
The Extragalactic Society was an organization devoted to the search for life outside the galaxy. According to Republic HoloNet News Special Inaugural Edition 16:5:24, during the last days of the Republic the Brodo Asogi leader Senator Grebleips sent an expedition to another galaxy, but all information about the outcome of this endeavor remained unknown.
The best known extra-galactic aliens were the Abominor, Silentium, Chazrach, and the Yuuzhan Vong, who almost managed to destroy the galactic civilization while it was just recovering from the Galactic Civil War.
The lingua franca of the galaxy was the Human language that evolved in the Galactic Basic Standard. Its origins must have been the vernacular speech of Humans and was partially derived from several ancient Human languages, like Olys Corellisi. Humans being the dominant species of the galaxy, Basic was adopted by many non-human species as well.
The second most common language was Huttese, expanded through the criminal and financial activity of the Hutts, and it as well was adopted by other species that were in close cooperation with them through the ages, like the Rodians.
It was possible for droids to have fluency in millions of forms of communication, and based on them, could also understand and improvise in even more. Protocol droids were essential in interspecies relations as translators and interpreters.
Behind the scenes
No serious attempt has been made to give the galaxy an official astronomical name. It is generally referred to by the out-of-universe descriptive phrase "the Star Wars galaxy". According to The Essential Atlas, the Nagai of Firefist refer to the main galaxy as Skyriver, which it is the closest any official material has come to giving the galaxy an in-universe name. We don't know, however, whether or how members of the galactic community refer to their own home galaxy (the way we call ours the "Milky Way").
Relation to Earth
The opening words of each Star Wars film place that galaxy in the same plane of existence as ours, as they declare it to be a finite distance—"far, far away"—from us, but nothing more of its location has been revealed. Humans exist in both galaxies, and Galactic Basic is essentially the same as modern-day English, including (but not limited to) its British, American, New Zealander, Caribbean, and Indian variants. Additionally, many cultural traditions (from the handshake to marriage) are similar or identical in both galaxies, but these similarities remain unexplained.
The Empire Strikes Back debate
At the end of The Empire Strikes Back, characters aboard the Rebel fleet see a celestial object from some distance away. Some fans have said that it rotates too fast to be a galaxy and at that distance a galaxy would not emit as much light as is portrayed in the film.
Some sources[source?] have said that the fleet spent some time hiding outside the galactic disk, probably intending to refer to this scene. According to the 1996 Tales of the Bounty Hunters story Of Possible Futures: The Tale of Zuckuss and 4-LOM, the object in the film is the galaxy, and the Rebel fleet had journeyed to a point in space far removed from the galactic plane.[7] This point was not outside of the galactic plane, per se, but rather above the galactic plane.
Since the release of Tales of the Bounty Hunters, the object has been inconsistently identified. The Complete Star Wars Trilogy Scrapbook, first released in 1997, identifies the object as a spinning star formation. In 2002, the Episode II DVD-ROM Exclusive Content stated that the bright object may be the cluster known as the Rishi Maze. In 2003, Leland Chee confirmed on the StarWars.com Message Boards that the object was indeed the Star Wars galaxy.[8] The film's director, Irvin Kershner, refers to the object as simply "a galaxy" on the Audio Commentary of the 2004 DVD release.
History of published maps
Several publications have contained "maps" of the galaxy, although they are at best two-dimensional projections of a three-dimensional galaxy. Some roleplaying game sourcebooks contain detail maps of regions and sectors.
The chapter selection of Star Wars: TIE Fighter (1995) was the first appearance of what can be considered a galaxy map, consisting of a generic galactic shape on which the supposed location of the current mission is highlighted; the highlights, however, don't correspond to canonical coordinates of said locations (e.g. selecting the Greater Javin campaign wrongly highlights the Galactic Core). The 1998 video game Star Wars: Rebellion would provide an interface of a galaxy map divided in up to 20 sectors and 200 systems; however, these positions are provided only as a game mechanic and have been contradicted by later official sources.[9]
The earliest galaxy-wide maps would accompany the novels in the New Jedi Order series, where the location of some systems was indicated. Notable color maps have been published in some issues of The Official Star Wars Fact File (1, 56, 139); a poster was provided in Star Wars Insider 65 (2003) and The New Essential Chronology (2005) also had a spread with a galaxy map and its most notable systems.
The recently released The Essential Atlas contains numerous maps of different sections of the galaxy as well as a complete galactic map.
Non-canon appearances
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Essential Atlas, ix-x.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 The Essential Atlas, 34.
- ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 The Essential Atlas
- ↑ Tales of the Bounty Hunters, 301.
- ↑ The Last One Standing
- ↑ Star Wars Atlas Endnotes
- ↑ Of Possible Futures: The Tale of Zuckuss and 4-LOM
- ↑ Leland Chee on the Star Wars.com Message Boards
- ↑ List of Rebellion sectors and planets and their correctness by Modi
See also
External links
- Star Wars Atlas
- Galaxy navigator and maps—Currently non-working, points to a domain parking page
- Main galaxy map from above site—As above, see Eric Przybylski entry on Wookieepedia
- Dark Horse Star Wars Galaxy Map
- "Star Wars Galaxy Maps" – Keeper of the Holocron's Blog, Leland Chee's StarWars.com Blog (content now obsolete; archived from the original)
- Galaxy Map Discussion—Official thread at StarWars.com
- Map of the galaxy far, far away....—Downloadable, text searchable pdf file based on Modi's work and nav-computer.com
- The galaxy on CWA Wiki


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Energy shifts as the Taurus New Moon secures her grounding power on Friday May 6. Sensitivities will increase, with a sense of stubbornness and sincere determination to push forward and heal. To grow with these earthy vibrations, we may want to ask ourselves; 'how may I build self-reliance and protect my strength, so that I may create more value and beauty with all that I have'?
Healing is a process of revealing not removing. Jim Lockard
To embrace the quiet, yet empowering sensations of the New Moon, relax in meditation or stillness. Through personal reflection, we can establish our true hunger, and discover where inner resources are being drained. As new insight is received, new emotions will be stirred; which will encourage us to start new projects, fresh beginnings or an unused approach that feeds the soul.
It is your work in life that is the ultimate seduction. Picasso
We should also remember that moving fast and forward will not be so easy with Mercury (thoughts, communications), Mars (energy), Jupiter (fortune, abundance), Saturn (responsibility, duties) and Pluto in retrograde. So to surf WITH these cosmic waves, instead of against them, step back (with hands in the air) to enjoy the ride. Expect less from life and others, to learn how to rely more on ourself andour own resources.
My father used to say: 'You don't deserve it if you can't take care of it.' I've always been haunted by that. Willem Dafoe
On a personal note, I pondered my own options to understand the big wall that 'we' (me and my natal Saturn aspects) were up against, as I had HOPED to catch up from where I fell behind and distracted with my writings during the last couple of weeks. I found that trying to bring those unwritten posts 'back up to speed' was already more exhausting that I had originally planned for. So rather than backtrack, overexplain, and overwrite cosmic forecasts – I decided to just pick myself up and begin blogging fresh. — So with this thought, I'd like to share a very warm thank you to the gracious souls of my amazing clients and readers for your patience and understanding, along with the wonderful friends from facebook, instagram, linked-in, google and twitter – for blessing us with your thoughts, prayers and positive vibes – while my son fell ill during the last few months. Your kindness and generosity are truly appreciated. ❤
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. Lao Tzu
This is a wonderful time to dream, fantasize and make wishes about the very things that have already brought us pleasure, reinforcement and perseverance. Sow your seeds of intention for new moon blessings through appreciation and imagination; to remodel and improve current possessions. Opportunities for personal development and financial growth are available in Tuesday's Sun/Jupiter trine and with Saturday's Sun/Pluto trine. Stimulate growth and direction with the creative art of weeding, using a gentle nip and tuck, here and there. Check out your Starcana May Tarotscope for more insight. Redesign your inner garden to be your most beautiful and reliable resource for living and loving. Happy Mother's Day to ALL nurturing spirits! Starcana tarot insight: Digging back into fruitful grounds. [NineSwordsrx/FourWands].
Like these insights, with a 'social Like' (below) & subscribe for free! Personalized readings, advice and guidance by phone or email. Call Suzi Dronzek at 1-724-832-9283 or visit www.starcana.com. ©1995-2016 Starcana, Inc. All rights reserved. Entertainment only 18+ | Donate | Friend Me | Testimonials | 24 hr Psychic Hotline


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Es befinden sich keine Artikel im Warenkorb
Struik Publishers
The photographs portray the typical South Africa, that is tourist attractions, famous landmarks and landscape features, fauna and flora that are clearly identifiable with South Africa. Every picture tells its own story, for example, photographs showing vast, uninhabited areas, or simply the country's beauty (Blyde River Canyon, Table Mountain, etc). Pictures of fauna typify animal behaviour or characteristics like animals drinking at a water hole or running in a herd.
The design makes the most of the pictures by featuring quite a few double-page spreads (26 in total) and concentrates on full-page bleeds; three-quarter pictures across the gutter are limited and were only used in cases where a photograph particularly warranted it.
Situated at the tip of an ancient and intriguing continent, South Africa is a land of many contrasts and infinite natural beauty. South Africa - Landscapes captures in over 100 full-colour photographs the sweeping vistas, superb wildlife and breathtaking scenery that makes the country unique. Cape Town, the Mother City, is dominated by Table Mountain, and its beaches and winelands are among the world's finest.
Inland are the craggy Cedarberg, Namaqualand's celebrated wildflower displays and the Richtersveld's mountainous desert, with the Augrabies Falls, one of Africa's natural wonders, an oasis in the largely uninhabited Northern Cape.
Contrasting sharply with the arid north and the aloe-studded Little Karoo are the lush indigenous forests of the Garden Route and the subtropical east coast. Land of the Xhosa, the Eastern Cape leads to the pristine dunes along KwaZulu-Natal's coastline and the spectacular Drakensberg, South Africa's highest range.
From the Free State's vast fields of sunflowers and rugged sandstone formations to the famed wildlife sanctuary of the Kruger National Park, and from
Shaen Adey, Roger de la Harpe, Nigel Dennis, Gerhard Dreyer, Walter Knirr, Zernian Potgieter, Alam Proust. Mark Skinner, Lorna Stanton, Erhardt Thiel, Hein von Horsten, Lanz von Horsten and Keith Young are just some of South Africa's top photographers who have contributed to the superb selection of photographs in South Africa - Landscapes. These photographers are talented and committed artists with a deep love of South Africa's wildlife, environment and attractions.
Cape Peninsula and Winelands


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|The Cartecay River
*OUR First OPTION Put-In*
Sexton's (Class II, Mile 1.0)
About a mile below Lower Cartecay Road you will see some houses on river right. These houses look out of place in the
mountains because they have long green lawns leading down to the river. Here, a narrow chute on river right forms a
small Class II rapid. Run it down the right and eddy out left or right at the bottom.
Rock Garden (Class II, Mile 1.3)
A quarter mile down river is "Rock Garden", another Class II. Look for a narrow slot in the middle of the drop at the top
of the rapid. Go over the drop with a left angle and immediately make a sharp turn back to the right. Follow the channel
down the middle, but look out for a pinning rock about 1/3 of the way down. Eddy out at the bottom on the right or the
left. There is a decent squirt spot on river left at the bottom. Large kayaks and canoes may have trouble navigating
Rock Garden at levels below 1.2'.
Surfing Rapid (Class II, Mile 1.5)
After Rock Garden work your way through some shoals and pools until you come to a river wide ledge known as "Surfing
Rapid. Here is a good place for beginners to work on their surfing skills. It has a good recovery pool and a nice beach,
but you should be prepared to roll or get rescued because it is easy to flip here. More shoals after "Surfing Rapid", then
S-Turn (Class II+, Mile 1.8)
An island in the middle of the river marks the entrance to "S-Turn". Run left of the island and stay far left to avoid getting
stuck on rocks. Beginners will want to scout "S-Turn". Eddy out on river left to scout. The most distinguishing feature of
this rapid is the sluice that forms at the top of the ledge on river left. The river makes a sharp right turn through the
sluice, and then quickly turns back to the left. Most beginners will run this rapid by aggressively paddling through the
sluice and turning left after the drop. Others will catch the large eddy on river right and continue the run from there. At
levels above 1.6' you can skip the sluice and drop straight over the ledge. Either way, you need to paddle aggressively
the rest of the way. Punch the hole at the bottom. Eddy out river right or river left. If you eddy left be aware of the
undercut rock at the bottom of the eddy. "S-Turn" is rated Class II+ at normal levels. At 4-6' it is definitely a solid Class III.
Whirlpool (Class II+, Mile 2.0)
"Whirlpool" gets its name from the large swirling eddy on river right at the bottom of the rapid. Beginners will want to
avoid this and eddy left, where there is a large pool. Be careful though, because the left eddy has a very dynamic eddy
line. For best results run "Whirlpool" with a left angle and paddle hard for river left."Whirlpool" is rated Class II+ at
normal levels. At levels above 4' it becomes a Class III/III+. At these levels a very large hole forms at the bottom of the
rapid. Run the sneak down the left to avoid this hazard. I don't recommend playing in this hole. It is shallow and people
have been known to get hurt or break their paddles while attempting to play here.
Blackberry Falls (Class II+, Mile 2.3)
The grand finale of the run is "Blackberry Falls". It looks intimidating to beginners but it is actually just a big Ole' slide. It
ends in a haystack that tends to stop and flip those who air-brace, rudder, or otherwise don't paddle. You know,
beginners. The classic "Blackberry" run is down the center with a slight left angle. Look for the green hump of water just
below the top and split it with your boat. Paddle hard and punch through the haystack at the bottom. Eddy left or right -
preferably left. The other popular line is the diagonal line from left to right. If you are good enough, and lucky enough,
you can catch the wave above the haystack and surf it. "Blackberry Falls"
is Class II+, Class III/III+ at levels above 4'.
"Take Out"
The "Take Out" is right after the Bridge on the right hand side of the river.
*After this there is also another option to go right down to the DNR take out.
This float is an additional approximate 2 miles containing Clear Creek Falls and "Mister Twister"
Call us and make your reservations today
Cartecay River Experience
1-706-889-1108 or 706-531-GRIN
Thanks for stopping by. See you SOON!


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YARMOUTH—The Clippers fell behind in the early going versus visiting Lake Region on Thursday afternoon, April 12, but dashed back promptly: Yarmouth piled up a 10-7 lead of their own by the break and held on for a 15-12 victory, senior attacker Emma Marston in the lead with a pair of hat tricks.
"We made a lot of turnovers. A lot to grow on," said Yarmouth head coach Dorothy Holt. "We've got a lot of work to do. It wasn't pretty. But – first game of the season! So I can't complain. They did a great job holding it together."
"We were doing what we were supposed to do on offense," Lake Region head coach Dave Keenan said, asked what allowed his girls to amass their quick upper-hand. "We were moving the ball. We've got a very strong offense."
Lake Region tallied a rapid-fire trio of goals to kick off the action: Lindsey Keenan did the initial honors, before Bonenfant scored, then Keenan again – all of it in under two minutes. But Yarmouth soon settled in, and pulled even on Meredith Lane, Marston and Abi Thornton strikes.
The Clippers rode their newfound momentum for the rest of the half, slowly building a substantial advantage over their guests. Ehryn Groothoff put Yarmouth ahead 4-3 at 18:55; two minutes later, Laker Lauren Jakobs missed just wide on a free position. Three and a half minutes after that, Bonenfant assisted Mackenzie Siebert in tying things up at 4-4.
"We have a lot of people in new positions," Holt said, asked what changed for her girls, what allowed them to turn their fortunes around. "We're trying them out, still. It just took us a while to get going."
"They're a great team," Coach Keenan said of Yarmouth. "They controlled the ball, and we knew whoever controlled the ball was going to win. We have a very strong offense, but they've got a very strong team in general."
But the Clippers next launched into three-goal run: Eva Then notched the 5-4 notch at 12:16; Marston – after thwarting the Lake Region transition and reversing the direction of play – notched the 6-4 at 11:53; Groothoff notched the 7-4 at 10:47.
The Lakers' ground-ball efforts occasionally looked lackluster, a factor that no doubt contributed to their ultimate demise. Keenan noted as much: "It's fundamentals," he said. "They did out-hustle us on a lot of ground balls."
Similarly, Lake Region struggled in transition at times. Yarmouth frequently vexed the Lakers at midfield, interrupting their offensive forays and forcing turnovers.
"This is only our third day outside," Keenan said. "That's part of it. But it's not all of it. A little bit of was just rust; some of it was just they're a great team. They're usually one of the best in the State. The last two years we've played them, it wasn't close. This year it was."
Each side hashed another three before the uphill half concluded. Bonenfant, Rachel Shanks and Lindsey Keenan all scored for the Lakers, while Annie Lowenstein, Marston and Greta Elder did so for Yarmouth.
10-7 at the break.
In the latter half, the Clippers inched further and further out front, reaching 13-7 on a point by Marston point and 14-8 on one by Groothoff. From there, the Lakers mounted a fervent comeback attempt: Bonenfant struck with 6:40 to go, and Keenan, Jakobs and Shanks struck once each in the 2:48-1:44 stretch.
Down 14-12, Lake Region had retaken the momentum; they even looked poised to usurp the win. To manage that, though, they would need to pressure heavily, should Yarmouth gain control of the ball. When Yarmouth did, however, the Lakers couldn't break up their passing game. With just 2.5 seconds left on the clock, Groothoff added one final Clippers strike, ending the outing at 15-12.
"It comes down to a possession game," Holt said. "We started to win the draw and get back into it, and we kind of lost it a little bit, and we just held on. We have a girl who's never played goalie before, Kyaira Grondin, and she stepped in, and she did a fabulous job. I'm so proud of her, the team's proud of her."
"They tried," Coach Keenan said of his girls' efforts to pressure. "But Yarmouth moved the ball so well. We did knock down a few, but then we lost some."
Lindsey Keenan finished the day with five goals for the Lakers, while Bonenfant contributed four. Shanks added two and Jakobs one. Meanwhile, Groothoff finished with four for Yarmouth, and Then, Thornton, Elder, Lane and Lowenstein one apiece. Then picked up two assists as well, Lane one and Hannah Corey one.
Holt took a moment to praise her elder stateswomen especially. "Oh, gosh. Ehryn Groothoff, Emma Marston, Eva Then, Meredith Lane – we count on some of our upperclassmen," she said, asked who had a solid outing for the Clippers. " It was great. It was actually a team effort today; we spread it around pretty well."
For his part, Coach Keenan applauded his entire team – at least, he applauded their work during certain stretches. "For the beginning, and the whole second half, really almost ever everybody played well," he said. "We had a lapse…We got ourselves in a little bit of a hole at halftime. We dug out of it, but we ran out of time."
The teams opened their respective seasons with the contest. Lake Region's next countable game is home versus NYA on the 25th. Yarmouth travels to Freeport on the 24th.
Adam Birt can be reached at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @CurrentSportsME.
Emma Marston fires off a shot for Yarmouth in their win over Lake Region.
Greta Elder blasts a Yarmouth shot on net.
Annie Lowenstein carries for Yarmouth in their win over Lake Region.
Kyaira Grondin stepped into the role of keeper for Yarmouth on Thursday–and picked up a W.
Clipper Callie Decker defends against the Lakers' powerful offense.
Isabelle Davis-White of Lake Region drives upfield, vying with Hannah Corey of Yarmouth.
Laker Mackenzie Siebert and Clipper Eva Then clash.
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The Biomedical Engineering Group (GIB) is a multidisciplinary research team associated with the University of Valladolid. It is mainly formed by Engineers and Medical Doctors specialized in various areas, such as neumology, neurology, neurophysiology, psychiatry and ophthalmology, that collaborate in different research lines.
The main objectives of this group are:


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I don't like coming face to face with myself.
I don't like confronting demons.
But I have learned to appreciate those moments of clarity because they become moments of self-discovery—while they often knock me flat on my backside and turn my world upside down, they also cut through the lies I've been allowing myself to believe.
I think the catalyst happened at the end of November. I self-harmed in a way I never had. I don't know what triggered it (although I have some ideas) but I picked myself up, dusted myself off, and called it a day.
That was the absolute low-point; but it didn't really get better. When I get too overwhelmed, I retreat. I don't know how to reach out and ask for help, so I self-medicate. And my medication of choice is alcohol—so, I started drinking. It allowed me to numb out when I was alone; and it was something to take the edge off when I encountered social situations I didn't feel equipped to handle.
There were moments when I thought, "this isn't good for you, slow down," but I couldn't shake that desire to not feel anything. 2015/early 2016 was a year of loss. Relationships that had become part of my foundation fractured. I moved through it as graciously and with as much dignity as I could, and I grieved when it grabbed me and forced me to my knees. But another loss. Another hit.
And so the drinking became a pattern and then a habit.
And the landslide only stopped because I had to make a decision and it should have been an easy one. But it wasn't. I waffled back and forth in ways I haven't before when it comes to this. I started begging for answers and clarity.
I finally clicked over to my Enneagram App* after enough stray thoughts that I should explore what happens to my type (nine) when it's disintegrating.
…When 9 goes to 6, reactivity and worry replaces passivity…
…Goes to self doubt; feels a sense of frozenness…
…Result of…handling change/loss…
…Becomes suspicious; anxiety intensifies; is more pessimistic
I felt breath fill me in a way that had been absent. It was the ah-ha moment—clarity. I knew I was unhealthy, but understanding why and naming it allowed me to understand and be gracious with myself. It gave me the freedom to set some boundaries, but more importantly, I was able to be kind to myself. It wasn't my fault that I had experienced so much change and loss; I was grieving and it was OK to fall short.
It's OK to fall.
Through the lens of the Enneagram I have learned to be kind to myself as I live and grow. I am on a journey, not yet finished. Through this language I have found a way to reconcile the who I want to become with the who I am right now. One is not better or worse.
I couldn't become the one without the other.
As I'm moving through a place of disintegration to a place of (hopefully) integration, I've learned some things.
Doug told me I get mean when I've been drinking. Another friend recently brought it up because I have hurt her. Both these instances invited me to self-examine—an examination I wanted to avoid. Doug, that kind man that he is, knows I have a hard time "just being," so decided a long time ago to not worry about it (the meanness) because he loves me. He knows it's not the real me. She hasn't made the same commitment so it was fair of her to say something.
I didn't like being called mean so I had some hard conversations with Doug. I wanted to understand more about what I was experiencing and why. In my pursuit, I read more about nines.
I'm a gut type in the Enneagram, one of the "hostile" types. To quote Richard Rohr,** "Gut people react instinctively…Life is for them a sort of battleground…They are concerned, often unconsciously, with power and justice…Gut people are…ruled by aggression…" So flattering, I know. My pastor once said the other two types (heart and mind types) have a hard time understanding the gut type. We rub them the wrong way.
But here's the thing—I'm a nine, too. So I am gentle (most of the time) but my wings are high-tension and energy laden (so says Richard Rhor). The clarity I found is not that I'm mean when I'm drinking; it's that my nine-ish gentleness gives way to my other two wings, who become more dominant, so I say what I mean, but the gentleness (that usually lets me get away with it) is missing.
Now I'm not saying it's OK. It's not better or beneficial to drink so much that I throw powerful words around—my power comes from being a gentle prophet. When I lose that, I lose part of myself and my unique gifting.
I am saying it makes sense. I am a hostile person. What Doug calls mean, is mean through his lens. What my friend called to account is true—but knowing that it's an innate part of me that I get to work through gives me the freedom and the power to make the choices I want to make.
In other words, I'm not just being mean—I'm just being more than what people are used to getting from me.
Even before she confronted me I started Whole 30. Because of the drinking. Because while I want the freedom to chose, I am also a creature of habit and comfort, so I needed the drastic disruption to create new, healthier-for-me rhythms.
It's only been eleven days.
I'm not sure which is true. But I feel myself moving towards a healthier space. I feel myself accepting myself as I am and working to become the person I want to be. I find myself confronting my weaknesses, but not striving against them. Instead, I am lovingly examining and coming to terms with the mistakes and the selfishness.
I am learning to carry the weight of being a nine with the glory of being a nine.
**The Enneagram: A Christian Perspective by Richard Rohr


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With the likely departure of Florida's second long-term-care ombudsman in two years, advocates for the elderly and providers of long-term care say they are mystified.
Jim Crochet, who became the state's top watchdog for elder-care residents in 2011, was placed on administrative leave Friday amid an investigation by the Department of Elder Affairs. Agency staffers were admonished to notify senior officials if Crochet tried to contact them.
"Do not discuss anything with him," wrote deputy ombudsman Susan Anderson to program staff. "Please make sure your volunteers are aware of this."
The move left a lot of people scratching their heads.
"It's just kind of strange," said Pat Lange, executive director of the Florida Assisted Living Association, which represents almost 500 facilities. "We do question what's going on."
"I'm very concerned," said Sen. Eleanor Sobel, a Hollywood Democrat and chairwoman of the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee.
But Ashley Marshall, communications director for the Department of Elder Affairs, said the ombudsman program is not in turmoil.
"The work of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program continues without disruption as the staff and volunteers resolve the complaints and concerns of those residing in long-term care facilities," Marshall wrote in an email.
Marshall said she was unable to answer specific questions about Crochet's leave, "as Office of Inspector General investigations are confidential."
Crochet was tapped to replace Brian Lee, who is still fighting his dismissal as ombudsman after Gov. Rick Scott took office in 2011. Lee had served for seven years and was considered a thorn in the side of providers, as were some of the volunteer ombudsmen he led. Providers objected to what they viewed as the assumption of regulatory powers by the ombudsman program.
Crochet, formerly a rule-writer at the Department of Elder Affairs, was considered more industry-friendly than Lee.
"My members speak very well of him," said Paul Williams, adviser to the Assisted Living Federation of America. "He took input from all parties."
Lange, who suggested Crochet for the post, said that while they still had differences of opinion, "at least he was willing to listen. That's all we ever wanted."
On Wednesday, Lee said continuing turmoil at the ombudsman program could jeopardize the residents of nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
Now executive director of the nonprofit Families for Better Care, Lee said the program has been compromised by pressure from long-term-care providers and state leaders.
"The Department of Elder Affairs and the governor's office have put pressure on the program to pigeonhole the advocacy of the office so it couldn't be effective," he said. "It's really up in the air right now. The credibility is tarnished."
A September 2012 report by the U.S. Administration on Aging found that the ombudsman program had an inherent conflict of interest because the secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs hires and fires its leader.
Elder Affairs Secretary Charles T. Corley said at the time he respected the need for independence. But the report concluded that politics had compromised the ombudsman program's effectiveness.
Lee said he is still in litigation with the department and the nursing-home and assisted-living industries "for compromising the integrity of the office, using their power to get rid of me."
Lange credits Crochet for returning the focus of the program from regulation to advocacy.
"Jim was really concerned about making sure the ombudsmen were talking to the residents," she said.
Sobel, who has tried repeatedly and failed to pass legislation to revamp the regulation of assisted-living facilities, said Crochet had "reined in" the volunteer ombudsmen. Rather than inspecting the kitchen, she said, "Now they ask residents, 'Is everything OK?' Do you think someone with dementia can remember what's going on?"
If Crochet loses his job, Sobel said she hopes the department will pick a replacement who believes in the program's independence.
"There is a lack of regulation in this state, and the only hope people in these assisted-living facilities have is the ombudsman," Sobel said.


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How to use Timers in PIC18F4550 Microcontroller
Timers as the name suggests pertain to time-related operations. They are mostly used for exact delay generation. Timers are also used in various other operations like PWM signal generation, auto-triggering of several other peripherals etc. The working and configuration of PIC18F4550 Timers have been explained in this article.
Timers are the most essential peripheral for a microcontroller and every controller provides a provision for using them. Beginners are advised to go through the tutorial on Timers before going any further.
For basic Timer operations, refer the Tutorial on Timers. PIC18F4550 is equipped with four Timers namely, Timer0, Timer1, Timer2 and Timer3. Before going for the details of Timer configurations, it is important to learn how time delay is calculated by the timer since exact delay generation is the most common application of Timers.
Time Delay calculation with Timer:
Example: Given that a time delay of 1 sec is to be generated and a 12MHz crystal oscillator is connected with PIC. Please note that this example considers external clock source for the controller, however, PIC18F4550 has provision for both external as well as internal clock source.
Timer is related to the internal frequency which is always Fosc/4.
Clock source frequency (Crystal)
Fosc = 12 MHz = 12000000 Hz
Therefore, Timer frequency :
FTimer = Fosc / 4 = 12000000 / 4 = 3000000 Hz = 3 MHz
If Prescaler = 1:256, then
FTimer= 3000000 / 256 = 11718.75 Hz
So, the time interval :
TTimer = 1 / FTimer = 1 / 11718.75 = 85 us (microseconds)
This means that when Timer runs, it will take 85 ?secs to increment its value at every count.
To calculate the value to be filled in Timer rolling over register to generate 1 sec delay :
No. of count for 1 sec Delay = 1sec / 85 us = 11718.75 = 2DC6H
So the value to be filled in Timer's 16 bit register = FFFF – 2DC6
These values are filled in the Timer register and it rolls over up to FFFF. The values are reloaded again to start timer for same delay. Before filling this value timer registers should be configured as we shall see.
Each of the four Timers of PIC18F4550 has certain special features some of which are explained below. The detailed list of these features can be obtained from PIC18F4550 datasheet.
· Timer0 can work as Timer/Counter in both 8-bit and 16-bit modes
· Dedicated 8-bit, software programmable prescaler
· Selectable clock source (internal or external)
· Interrupt on overflow
· Timer1 can work as 16-bit timer or counter
· Readable and writable 8-bit registers (TMR1H and TMR1L)
· Selectable clock source (internal or external)
· Alternate clock source can be provided at Timer1 oscillator pins (T1OSO & T1OSI)
· Interrupt on overflow
· Timer1 can be multiplexed with other peripherals like ADC etc. and generates special event triggering for CCP (Capture, Compare and PWM) events.
For more detail: How to use Timers in PIC18F4550 Microcontroller
Current Project / Post can also be found using:
- how to use timer on pic microcontroller
- how to use timer1 and timer3 and timer5 in pic micro controller
- pic 18 4550 timers


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Safeguarding the Health of Your Family's Farm
Post written by: Greg Kirkham
Many of the farm tractors manufactured today are equipped with seatbelts and a completely enclosed cab, providing critical protection from the leading cause of death on farms, tractor rollovers. As a result, Rollover Protective on Structures, or ROPS, has been a standard safety feature of virtually all farm tractors for many years.
Still, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) estimates one half of all tractors in operation in the U.S. today are without rollover protection. This is mainly because of two reasons.
- Continued use of older tractors. It wasn't until 1985 that American tractor manufacturers began to voluntarily add ROPS to all farm tractors of more than 20 horsepower. Many farmers use their tractors for as long as 40 years, so there are still many unprotected models working the fields today. The good news is that ROPS can be retrofitted to these older tractors.
- Voluntary ROPS removal. Until farmers get used to driving with ROPS and realize the structures don't significantly reduce visibility or add to the complexity of driving, some operators unwisely remove the factory-installed device. Today's ROPS have been engineered for driver convenience, making the practice of removing the ROPS unnecessary. For instance, foldable two-post ROPS allow farmers to lower the structure rather than removing it altogether in low clearance situations.
Think you're too experienced a tractor operator to need a ROPS? Statistics show that experienced drivers are involved in 80 percent of all tractor rollovers. Here's how a ROPS and seatbelt use can protect you and your loved ones.
- Injury avoidance. ROPS are designed and constructed to keep drivers safe during tractor rollovers. All structures must pass a battery of tests to assure adequate performance and driver protection and meet standards set by the Society of Automotive Engineers. Seatbelt use with a ROPS prevents the driver from being tossed around inside the cab in the event of an accident.
- Financial protection. What would it cost your loved ones to care for the family farm if you or another working family member were seriously injured in a rollover in equipment without a ROPS? And if an employee is killed or injured, the lawsuits, attorney fees and rising workers' compensation premiums could put you out of business. ROPS don't just protect personal safety — they safeguard the health of the family farm.
- Emotional security. It's not all about the money. Serious injury or death caused by a lack of basic and easily obtained protection would seriously impact the emotional well-being of surviving family members.
Rollover protection is a serious issue. That's why I recommend taking the easy step of using your tractor's ROPS.