text:
To upgrade some of our network gear, we will need to disable site access for about 15 minutes starting at 1AM US Pacific time. We apologize for this slight inconvenience.
Scheduled Downtime: April 7th, 1AM US Pacific Time, ~15 minutes
1,180 responses to "Scheduled Downtime: April 7th, 1AM US Pacific Time, ~15 minutes"
I just want to hear from the techs and have them at least acknowledge us and show that they are listening to our issues and are actually doing somehting to fix it. Still having problems with the new filter system. So far this update or change or what ever you want to call it has been one big flop.
To you, maybe. I've had no problems adapting.
Not to be mean but this filter is not worth it! I use it to find characters with my favorite couples but now I'm getting stories with only one of the characters instead of both. It's annoying going through stories that don't interest you
I don't have a problem so much with the update as I do with the lack of communication with the site staff. Should we keep our old bookmarks or update them for the new filters? What issues are they working on, and what issues do they think they've fixed? What is simply the way things are now and not actually an issue? While I like how the staff tried to fufill some reader requests (filter-out options, less cluttered filters, etc.), I think that the lack of communication is contributing to the negative reaction here.
People have historically complained about every update to this website, and in all my years as a user, I haven't seen any real, substantial response from the admins. Aside from the usual update dump: "We updated this, this, and that. Have fun."
If you're new here, and expect something like Facebook, well, you'll be disappointed. But if you've been here for a decade, then you can't complain. This is the way it's been done for over 10 years.
Nowadays, there are MANY, MANY alternatives to this website. And if people find them lacking, then I suggest they build their own fanfiction archive. Let's see how they cry when the bills come up.
I have no idea how Facebook works, but at one point the site staff here was using the blog posts to keep people informed about updates. I remember them even listing what issues they were working on and crossing off the ones that they had fixed. Unfortunately, they seem to have stopped that and I'm not sure why.
Annolulz, can you please get off your high horse and quit being bitchy to people when they complain about an update that doesn't work and is an annoyance? This isn't the first time you've acted this way.
Didn't know I needed your permission to say whatever the hell I want.
If you don't like what I say, don't read my comments. Or grow a fucking spine.
It's hard to ignore when your snarky comments practically litter the blog posts, and is under almost every single comment.
No-one is saying you can't state your opinion. It's the way you are doing it that's upsetting people. Please just try and be a bit more diplomatic. There are a lot of nasty things I've thought of saying to people on this blog, but I haven't said them because that's not a productive way to express one's opinion. It's honestly one of the reasons I try and stay out of huge debates about certain subjects that have come up in the past. Talking too much about those things would bring out my unpleasant side and I'd rather not display that part of me on a public forum. It does nothing but throw another stone in the proverbial pond, and there are enough ripples being made as it is. I hope I'm making some sense.
Not my problem! Yours, absolutely.
I agree with your original post, Mountain. The silence of the admins is quite troubling. This blog was set up so they could inform us of their plans and update us on their progress. It was being updated several times a week at the end of last year. In all seriousness, where are you Xing? I'm less angry than worried. What happened your end to prevent you from posting all of a sudden? Are you even able to read this comment thread, or have you been shut out of your blog? I realise that if this is the case they won't respond at all, but it's the only real theory I've come up with to attempt to explain their prolonged absence. Does anyone else have theories of their own?
While it's probably wrong, I've been idly wondering if they're trying to test how many comments can be added to one blog entry. 🙂
@anonlulz- People complain about the updates to the site that are unnecessary not the ones that help improve the site overall. But the last few updates have caused more difficulties than any other update I've dealt with in my twelve years using this site.
Many of us have been with this site for a number of years and are well aware that it is not like Facebook. Just because we've been here for a long time doesn't mean we can't voice our issues with new updates to the site. It's because we've been here for so long that allows us to have, what I believe to be, a very good perspective to what works for the site as a user.
Also while there are many alternitives to FanFic, not many have been around for as long nor are they as well established as this one. It's not that this site is lacking, in fact I find this site to one of the better organized fanfic sites I've been on. It's that they make unneeded changes with no warning or no input from users. A simple, "What do you, as users of this site, think about this…" If they did something as simple as that and allowed us to voice our opinions before making a change I believe that would solve a lot of the problems.
Couldn't have said it better.
Thank you!
We much not be running in the same forums, because I remember some of the updates in the past getting the same amount of complaints from people. The real reason the complaints are more noticeable I think is because there is a central spot for everyone to go rather then to a scattered group of forums and such.
" If they did something as simple as that and allowed us to voice our opinions before making a change I believe that would solve a lot of the problems."
If you read my earlier post you would know that the reason the site admins likely choose a pop up was because they saw people complaining that the filter system would look messy if they added more stuff to it. So to say that the site admins aren't listening to people's opinions isn't accurate and means too that by listening to people's opinions they may end up with problems rather avoiding them. It's not a win-win situation like people think.
Adding a few more options to the filter system wouldn't have made it look messy. There are plenty of ways they could have gone about this that wouldn't have caused such an uproar. Instead they give no notice and still have yet to give us any update on what they are doing to recitify the problem(s).
Just give us the option to go back to the old drop down filter system, that would give people who like the new look to still have it, while those of us who prefer it as it was before to happy as well. That's all I'm saying.
In order to have the option, they'd have to store that option somewhere, and code handlers for that option.
Tell you what, why don't you provide your expert coding abilities, since you know way more than programmers.
@ WinchesterGrl09 – Doesn't change the fact people were complaining about it looking messy all the way back in April. Thus I'm not incorrect in saying they took this as the best way to make those people happy.
I've just noticed the characters listed in the summaries are now separated by an interpunct (at least, I believe that is the correct term). This makes it much easier to distinguish the names.
I know there is a lot of negativity on the blog right now, but I appreciate these recent changes. The site looks sleek. Many thanks, Xing!
OK, so I dont mind the new filter thing you got going on, the extra clicking isn't much and I can handle it. BUT what I can't stand is that when I view all crossovers for a particular topic that, I can no longer tell what they are crossed with!
THIS MAKES ME WANT TO CRY!!! change it back!
it wasn't in the way and I can not comprehend a reason to remove it in the first place! the whole update as messed everything up, I use to enjoy coming on FanFiction to browse stories but now I get so frustrated with everything
this sucks with the new system, what is going on i can't even read more stories only the ones on one freaking page. who is in charge of running this thing.
This new filter sucks I use to be able to simple read the stories I like to read now I have to spend hours trying to find them. This is stupid put it back the way it was or I will just go back to buying books. At least I will be able to set it down for a day, and pick back up where I left off the next day.
Is it still going on or what? I keep getting this when I click next on a page
"FanFiction.Net Error Type 1
An error has occurred while processing your request.
Please email this error message in full to email@example.com.
All errors are logged for administrative and security purposes.
/tv/Teen-Wolf/?&srt=1&g1=2&lan=1&r=4&c1=65326&c3=65329&stat=2&p=2 2013-07-27 00:34:24″
I tried to go to support but it would not let me either, So I am confused and a bit agitated
Thanks for any helpful replies
update within 24 hours,1 week,month,year doesn't work at all.. i already try filter fav within 1 week.. the result suck
I can deal with the new filter (eventually) despite if at the moment it feels clunky and out of order. For example, I'm pretty sure it makes more sense to have the two character filters in the same row, and the world filter at the bottom (maybe centered so it's pretty?). But it really doesn't affect my experience that much because at least it works.
The main issue I am having is that the fandoms are not showing in x-over results, such as when looking at all crossovers for Harry Potter. I used to be able to just scroll and scan with my eyes, quickly picking out fics with my favorite fandoms. Now I have to read through the summaries and character lists, which is a bit of a pain when there was such a simpler way only a few days ago. That is something I do not want to get use to because it's such a step backward.
I'd be happier if it would bloody work. Page 1 is fine, but try to see page 2 and all I see is error messages! I'd been working my way through a filtered list and now I've been waiting 2 days for this to be fixed, with no notice to whether it's being repaired or not (and, weekend! I think it's not).
As of this morning I can already see page 2 and the others, i think that this proves that someone is listening and fixing things
I HATE the new filters I prefer the old ones. I have to adjust because the apply button won't appear and I don't like how there is more than 2 character adjustment. Please fix it
So let me get this straight. You remove the popup reviewing system because it's outdated, even though this makes it much harder for those of us who want to leave detailed reviews to do so as we go along because now we have to scroll up and down whenever we want to reference anything. And then you ADD A NEW POPUP that doesn't even work right?
And to top that off you haven't even updated the blog you made to tell your users about your changes in over three months. Fine, you're a business and you have to keep current and do things that keep you running. But you should consider that you're a business that's based on ad revenue, and your ad revenue comes in from hits to your site. Consider your users, please.
The review pop up was a window, which *is* outdated and blocked by pop up blockers.
This isn't a window, but a floating element within the same window. It *is* new. It's exactly what websites like Facebook have.
The 'more than 1K words' filter doesn't work at all.
You sure you're using >1k and not <1k?
I have no problem with that filter.
>1K has no effect.
That is quite odd. Such server-side things are not user-specific.
Does it happen in a specific fandom? Do you also filter by time frame? Some people have reported that the time frame filter might be broken.
In the URL, the filter is the "len" parameter. For >1k it's 1. For <1k it's 11.
The filters seems to be broken. I want to view by most reviewed in a year and only 35 stories show up in Naruto crossover, which I know has a lot more.
Most reviewed?
I don't like the new upgrades. I had my filters set up to search for stories on two specific characters and now I have to weed through stories that included them plus other characters I have no interest in. the site looks messy and find stories now that enjoy to read is twice as hard due to excess and unwanted info being included in the search. If I'm looking for a story on Sasuke and Naruto…I don't want it to be a story about Sasuke and Sakura………that's not was I set the filter for…………..
That's exactly my problem with the filter. There needs to be some kind of priority, because you can't filter out everybody just to get two characters in a story.
@anonlulz- Your petty attitude is getting pretty annoying. All you're being is rude and childish. ShikiKira is right when saying that this isn't the first time you've acted this way. Grow Up!
Can you please stop acting like the bratty and rude teenager, whose parents never raised right? You lack the etiquette that is expected of you when replying to comments. I am starting to believe you are a sociopath because of your stupid attitude.
Why don't you just take a hike? Don't you have anything better to do every day than coming here and being an obnoxious snot?
The user name says it all. If it looks like a troll, and sounds like a troll…
It must be a duck!
@WinchesterGrl09 and ShikaKira.
It's a troll, one with no life may I say, since they feel a need to comment to everyone here. Just ignore him.
Everyone's like "stop world hunger!" and you tell these ladies not to feed me. Dx
I think the majority of us can agree that this latest "update" was literally out of the blue, no warning what-so-ever on either blog or Twitter, and not really appreciated. Where are the admins like Xing, or even someone from the coding team?
The past "updates", while not all of us liked it, where somewhat accepted due to a heads-up. "Hey, we're gonna do such-and-such, so get ready and we'd like your feedback please".
This "update"? Nothing, nada, nyet, zilch, zero warning. And it's in the form of a pop-up. I, for one, don't like pop-ups unless necessary. Extra character slots is nice and all, but I have to ask: Was it necessary?
Very well put Lagomorph.
It's more that this update is late rather than out of the blue. Back in April, they told us they were going to "complete the 4 character support for all part of the site" and implement a "large feature push." However, it never came. Until now, that is. I find it funny that before this update, people were wondering/complaining about when it was going to come and now that it has, people are saying it came out of nowhere.
Look, people asked for more character slots, as well as the filter out options they gave us. And as yemi hikari mentioned earlier, people were against that because it could end up looking messy with all those filters. Thus, they compromised and here we have it. Maybe it wasn't necessary, but people asked and they listened. Sure it has it issues but no doubt they're working on fixing them.
Yeah, I'm not jumping for joy about the pop-up feature. I'd rather have a kind of expansion feature in which you can click 'more' and it drops down and expands to reveal the new ones or something, but it's not that big of a deal. It'll just take some getting used to, just like with all the updates they put up.
I appreciate the fact that Xing and the staff listened to our suggestions and concerns, and since not many have said it, thanks for taking the time to work on this update. Despite any reservations I have for the pop-up feature, I do like the new filters. Oh, and the fact that the characters in the summaries are now separated by an interpoint. That makes it look much nicer and easier to read.
I'm also starting to enjoy the option to exclude certain genres and characters, that's not the problem I'm having. It's the fact that its a pop-up that is the biggest issue. I think a 'more' feature where it drops down would be wonderful. That way we get to keep the new filter options but it doesn't look crowded.
+1, rain!
No, just like it was unnecessary to add more (than two) character slots to begin with. If FFnet hadn't done that, which worked fine for over a dozen years, then this entire update wouldn't even have been needed except for the few folks who were requesting an exception filter (which could have easily been added like a "more" option among the regular filter). Oh hey, that's just like the font update which wasn't necessary at all…
Can we say having only two characters worked fine when people have been using the character slots to indicate pairing rather then the main characters of a story? On top of this not all stories have only four main characters and there are times that the writer has to choose which ones to add to the list.
You can say that if you like. In my opinion, it worked fine regardless of any romantic pairings the authors might use. And unless you're GRRM you really don't need to add more than four main characters or even more than two: you simply pick the two who are, in fact, the most important characters and whose pov you use most often.
And if your computer has a pop-up blocker, than you really have no chance of using the new system. I've had to turn off Adblocker Plus several times because of this. It seems that Fanfiction is taking the Facebook initiative by not sharing any updates that might happen within a week or two.
Perhaps what they need to do instead is have something that opens and closes as people use it, kind of like how we have our "hide bios" thing on our profile.
That's actually a really good idea, Yemi. If they can have an option that effectively tucks away something that can be pages long in its own right, they could do it for the filters. The only thing that could potentially irritate me about these filters would be that I can no longer navigate straight to the dropdown menues with the screen-reader I use, as they are hidden. I have to scroll down to the option manually. Still, I can get over that. It's not really that much more effort on my part.
Also, kind of off topic, but your username on this blog is interesting. It's obviously not your pen name on FFN or FP, since it's not linked. How did you come up with it? I'd ask privately if I knew how to contact you, but I don't know your site name and I'm sort of curious about this. I hope you don't mind me asking. 😀
@yemi: It has already been done.
@While: This is not a pop up *window*. It's merely an HTML floating over other elements. No ad blocker should block it. And if it does, it's a bug in the ad blocker. I have ABP, and it does not block the pop up filters.
@ anolz – Sorry… while you're right that it isn't a pop up window it isn't what I suggested either.
I know that, but it's easy to hack it to do what you said.
Is anyone else having trouble logging in? I'm getting the following error message:
Unable to Process Authentication
We could not process your authentication. Please try again later. Code Call2.
I am using notebook so when I click filter and the popup comes on it is below the screen and I cant click on anything. is there anyway to fix it. If there is not then it really limits what I can look at and its kind of annoying.
Hit Ctrl+F and type "Apply". It *should* bring focus to the button.
It didn't work for me on Firefox, though. Can't try it on Chrome 30 dev, since the pop ups don't even work there.
After much going back and forth, I found a way: make the website's font smaller by hitting Control and the scrollwheel (or the – key).
I would really like to be able to avoid all K ratings and view T and M.
Shhhh! LOL!
Now people will complain about more "clutter".
Well done! 😉
Why? Just because both contain adult themes doesn't mean that they're better quality or that the stories that don't contain adult themes aren't suitable to the tastes of adults.
Ahh, there's a troll with absolutely no life. It's rather entertaining.
With that aside, the new feature of opting out certain genres and characters are rather brilliant imo. 🙂
You're just jealous! 😉
I have to also agree with something someone else mentioned earlier: the URL format. The earlier URL format of /1111/2222/11/0/2/3/4/5/6/7/ was simple and really easy once you figure out what number corresponded with what. The "new update" of ?&srt=1&lan=1&r=10 MADE some sense in that at least "lan" could correspond to "language", but looks rather awkward (although compared to some other sites would be in the eye of the beholder).
At the least, the /1111/2222/33/4/5/6/7 format from earlier was a great improvement compared to what used to be use way back when in the early 2000s.
In the early 2000s, it used query strings, like now. "?blah=blah&blah2=blah" is a query string.
I really think it's temporary. Until they figure how they'll structure the new URLs.
I suggested the new URL structure for the slash-style URLs, according to the new filters. It's a few comments up.
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Drawing Ink
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Quote:First of all, is it Isshinryu, or Isshin-Ryu?Ok anyways, I just got a membership at the YMCA at my house, but didnt want to sign up because I thought it was generic, McDojo-esque karate, but I looked at the guide and it said it was IsshinRyu. I started thinking that it might not be too bad, so I asked about it and the lady said that it was a seperate company that trained people. It is 2 days a week for 1 hour a day, and I will be in the adult class. I saw one of the adult classes, and there were people WAY older than me. Which normally wouldent bother me, but there isnt anyone my age, so I wouldent have anybody to train or spar with outside of class. What are your thoughts on this class?
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Give playwright Joel Drake Johnson 90 minutes of your time and four top rate actors at the top of their game. You'll get a more searing and nuanced discussion of racism in 2014 USA than mountains of academic tomes or pundits can deliver.
You'll discover your own race bias at the play's conclusion when you revisit how the play began. When Jaclyn (played masterfully by Steppenwolf ensemble member Ora Jones) comes back to work after a week's time and acts somewhat rudely to a confused and elderly woman (Lorraine Freund) do you think she's having a bad day or a bad life? Wherever you land on that question one thing is clear-- this story had begun long before the curtain went up.
As the curtain rises we meet Dr. Williams (performed by Eric Slater) explaining that he has decided that Jaclyn must go. He has to finagle lots of documentation on her lack of fit in his office in order to get past the barriers created by the hospital's HR Department. A man whose upside down moral universe describes honesty as a tool of narcissists, he enlists his one other office worker, white Ileen (performed with great nuance by Tara Mallen) to do his dirty deeds.
We watch Ileen change from a get-along kinda co-worker to the sort of woman Bull Connor would probably feel comfy dating. Or --was this a transformation or simply a peeling away of the onion layers to show the bare beating heart of white racism in our time?
Office politics by definition are about posturing and power dynamics.
When you see how Jaclyn choreographs her survival you know you she could teach Machiavelli a thing or two. She has to.
It is unlikely that you will ever forget how the play gets its name—go see it to find out. "Rasheeda Speaking" is first up in Rivendell's season theme of "Stirring the Pot". Indeed, the pot is stirred. This is a meaty script that will give you something to chew on for quite some time.
Ably directed by Sandy Shinner, this script is one for the ages. Don't miss it.
Now through February 15, 2014.
Rivendell Theatre
5779 North Ridge
For tickets call 773 334 7728 or visit the Rivendell Theatre website.
# # #
Photos: Joe Mazza/Brave Lux


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Wow… 707 comments on my "Win A Google Nexus One" post… Thank you all for your birthday wishes and your thoughts on Flash and AIR coming to Android devices.
Using the SQL statement below, I picked a winner from all entries.
SELECT * FROM wp_comments WHERE comment_post_ID = 2558 ORDER BY RAND() limit 1
The lucky winner is […]


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HouseTrip.com Locks in $40 Million for European Rentals Site
London-based HouseTrip.com, which is focused on the European vacation-home market, has raised $40 million in funding. The round was led by Accel Partners, with existing investors Balderton Capital and Index Ventures also participating. The company will use the cash to expand into more territories, and to develop new products and services for both travelers and hosts. Total investment to date is $60 million.


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While the ACA Camp Crisis Hotline (800-573-9019) is offered year-round, the majority of calls are received in June, July, and August. Now is a good time to understand how to make the best use of this service available to all ACA camps. It is important to remember the hotline is not a medical, insurance, or legal advice hotline, but it does serve as an "ear" to help you talk through your crisis. The hotline staff can help you think of issues and questions and identify other resources that can assist you.
Hot Issues
What can you do when a crisis arises? While the hotline is there to assist you in times of need, there are some things you can consider ahead of time. Based on calls taken last year, several issues tend to have more frequency in being reported to ACA. Following are lessons we can all learn from:
Abuse Allegations
- Mandated reporting laws are clear across the states — if you have reason to believe that abuse has occurred, you are mandated by laws to report to the appropriate authorities (usually within twenty-four hours) — regardless of whether the abuse was alleged to have happened at your camp. Generally, you should call the authorities in the state where the abuse is alleged to have happened. Thus, if a camper reveals that they have been abused by a family member and that camper is from out-of-state, you should call the state where the camper resides. It is not your role to investigate allegations of abuse. Investigations are best made by trained professionals. If you are unsure of what agency to call to report an allegation of abuse, simply look in your phone book under the blue community pages — the listing should be something similar to "Child Abuse and Neglect." Look up the phone number now. Have it available now — instead of fumbling for it if something does happen. You can also find the phone numbers online at: www.nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/pubs/reslist/rl_dsp.cfm?rs_id
- Ensure that your policies do not allow for a staff member to be alone with a camper, out of the sight of others.
- Ensure that groups of campers are not alone without staff. A number of the camper-to-camper abuse allegations were alleged to have happened when campers were left unattended. One situation concerned a staff member walking in to a cabin late in the evening to find the campers filming inappropriate acts on a video camera. Could this happen at your camp? What policies are in place that would keep this from happening?
Personnel Issues
- Make sure your employment agreements and policies are clear (again — you need the advice of someone familiar with your state laws) about what behaviors are unacceptable and may result in immediate termination. For example (as happened to one caller this year) if you have a staff member who makes inappropriate racial comments — what would you do? What about a staff member who shows campers inappropriate photographs stored on his or her cell phone?
- Review your staff hiring policies. What are your staff screening systems? Do you perform background checks? What on a returned background check would make the difference in hireability? Understand the laws in your state. Some states have requirements about what types of previous offenders can and cannot work with children. In addition to state requirements, make sure you have camp requirements. For example, would you hire an individual who was convicted of shoplifting seven years ago? Would it make a difference if you were hiring for the camp store manager job versus a job doing facilities maintenance? Ask yourself these questions now.
- Develop a plan of action to follow if you determine that you need to remove a staff member from camp immediately. Why would you need to immediately remove a staff member? For one ACA Hotline caller, he had just heard from the authorities that there was a convicted sex offender on his staff. This camp used a voluntary disclosure statement (and did not perform a background check) and the individual had said "no" to all the arrest and conviction questions.
Camper Behavior
- It is imperative that your camp have policies about acceptable behavior. A helpful addition is to explain why your camp has chosen those policies. Engage campers in dialogue about your philosophies. Children don't want to just be told "no." They will respond when you explain the philosophy of your camp. For example, explaining why bullying is unacceptable. (ACA has excellent resources about bullying issues, visit: www.ACAcamps.org/bullying/).
- Be clear what the ramifications are for the infringement of your camper behavior policies. If you do not intend to send every child home who engages in bullying — then don't say you have a "zero tolerance" policy. If you do allow some leeway and opportunity for teachable moments when a policy is broken, then be fair and consistent in how you deal with each situation. Camp is indeed a time to learn and grow, but make sure you've established boundaries. For example, if you catch some campers smoking cigarettes (illegal for them to use) what would you do? Would you do something different if you caught them smoking marijuana? What about if you caught them smoking crystal meth? And the list goes on. Know your threshold for balancing justice versus mercy and equity versus compassion. Talk about these issues with your staff — they will learn and grow as well. These are issues where each camp's philosophy may vary. There is not a single "right" answer. The more exploration and discussion your staff have to establish boundaries, the better.
Medical Issues
- Identify medical advisors. You need experts to talk to if an unusual medical concern arises. Know that there is a lot of excellent information available to you to help you understand a whole range of medical issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov) has an excellent Web Site that ACA Hotline staff frequently use as a reference.
Death of a Camper or Staff Member
- Know the resources available to you. There are excellent grief professionals available virtually everywhere. These professionals can help you think about issues such as: should/could we have a memorial service, how should the belongings of those killed be respectfully returned to family, how do you share information about the accident with campers, staff, media, others? One excellent reference that is used frequently by the ACA Hotline Staff is a manual prepared by Grief Recovery, Inc., www.griefrecovery.ws/index.htm.
- Do you have a plan for notifying your parent organization and camp board members? What support can your board or parent organization offer you in the event of a death in camp? Have a plan for notifying camper parents, alumni, and supporters of camp. Who have you identified to support to your campers, staff, and yourself during this time?
Review Your Risk Management Plan
- ACA standards state you need to have a risk management plan in place (OM-4). Have you reviewed it with experts in each area of consideration? Have you reviewed your incident and accident reports to determine where adjustments to the plan may need to take place to minimize or eliminate high risk areas (OM-5)?
A quick review in each of these areas will help you be proactive and have a plan in place in the event of a crisis in your camp.
Communications Toolkit
ACA has developed an online communications toolkit exclusively for ACA members and available on a password-protected page within ACA's Web site. This media-savvy toolkit guides camps and staff through a variety of media relations issues, including a brief "media relations 101" overview covering the basics of media communications and terminology, steps in crisis communications, and important tips for the media interview. Members can access the toolkit online from the members-only area, www.ACAcamps.org/members.
Originally published in the 2006 Spring issue of The CampLine.


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Backwoods thriller 'Homefront' suffers distracting casting
James Franco is both the best and the worst thing about "Homefront," the new backwoods thriller in which Jason Statham turns rednecks into broken-necks.
James Franco is both the best and the worst thing about "Homefront," the new backwoods thriller in which Jason Statham turns rednecks into broken-necks.
"My name is Gator Bodine," Franco drawls, hitting the long "i" like NASCAR's Geoff rather than "The Beverly Hillbillies' " Jethro.
Then he proceeds to beat a young tweaker with an ax handle and threatens to pour gasoline down the throats of the assembled small-time meth cooks who represent his competition before running them out of town.
Gator's the sort of role that could have been played by quite literally anyone with a Y chromosome. You just don't expect much from such a run-of-the-mill villain, so seeing Franco bring him to life is a real hoot.
The problem is, it feels like performance art. Every time you catch the gleam in his sleepy eyes, it's as though you're being let in on the joke. "Look at me," that twinkling squint seems to be screaming. "I'm an Oscar-nominated, modern-day Renaissance man playing a guy named Gator Bodine!"
Throw in Kate Bosworth as Gator's junkie sister and Winona Ryder as his used-up, beer-slinging, biker chick girlfriend and "Homefront" falls victim to the most distracting casting since the parade of presidents in "Lee Daniels' The Butler."
Two years after bringing down a meth-running biker gang, recently widowed DEA agent Phil Broker (Statham) has retired to sleepy Rayville, La., so his 10-year-old daughter, Maddy (Izabella Vidovic), can grow up near where her mother did. He's renovating a once-beautiful old home with riverfront access and horse trails. What more could a young girl want? "Wi-Fi," she sighs.
When Maddy stands up for herself and punches the school bully (Austin Craig), his mom (Bosworth) blows onto the scene like a white-trash hurricane. First, she demands justice for her wronged son from the school, the sheriff or both. Getting none, she shames her husband (Marcus Hester) into confronting Broker, who sends him flipping to the dirt. Finally, believing her entire lineage has been disrespected, she enlists Gator to unleash his patented brand of messing with people.
Even though Gator insists she's overreacting — it's never a good sign when a meth-cooking dirtbag is a family's voice of reason — he quickly dispatches thugs to hassle Broker at a gas pump. Broker even more quickly separates them from their dignity. So Gator pulls out the big guns: He slashes one of Broker's tires before stealing Maddy's stuffed bunny and her pet kitten.
Yes, really.
"Homefront's" big bad is a purloiner of kittens.
Unfortunately for Broker, Gator also stumbles across his real identity hidden in some of his old DEA files. Gator attempts to trade that information to the imprisoned leader of the biker gang, who desperately wants Broker dead, in exchange for statewide meth distribution.
By-the-numbers mayhem ensues.
Directed by Gary Fleder ("Runaway Jury") and based on the novel by Chuck Logan, "Homefront" was written by Sylvester Stallone years ago, intended to be the final installment of his "Rambo" saga. It feels like it's been sitting around much, much longer.
Broker's a simple guy, no longer a lawman, who just wants to be left alone. You've seen it a hundred times. Take away the meth and the assault rifles and it could've been a Western.
Or keep them and it could've been the best movie Steven Seagal never made.
Statham never truly gets to showcase his innovative hand-to-hand — and foot-to-face — bedlam. He's stuck playing the stoic stranger, and his budding relationship with the school psychologist (Rachelle Lefevre) never goes anywhere. Of course, even referencing that dropped plotline shines a light on the questionable idea that a tiny school in a bayou backwater would even have its own psychologist.
And despite some early promise, Franco is never able to turn Gator into anything approaching another Alien, his deliriously loopy, drug-dealing rapper from March's "Spring Breakers." Even he succumbs to "Homefront's" B-movie trappings.
And he's certainly no match for Statham.
Then again, neither is the script.
Contact Christopher Lawrence at clawrence@ reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4567.
100 minutes
R; strong violence, pervasive language, drug content and brief sexuality
Grade: D+
At multiple locations


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I was thrilled to have the opportunity to view Octavio Carlin's Spring 2014 Collection at the Los Angeles Style Fashion Week. Taking place at LA Live, in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. The tent was packed with press, agents, buyers and stylish onlookers.
Designer Octavio Carlin's Spring 2014 Collection is named Wire Image. The collection was a wonderful mixture of silk charmeuse fabrics and light flowing chiffon. A combination of solids and floral prints, many of the pieces danced down the runway with the each graceful step of the models wearing them.
With a few color blocking pieces, the Collection is a representation of the effortless designs of a well seasoned designer.


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Story highlights
- Dara Torres finished fourth in the 50-meter freestyle at the U.S. trials
- The 12-time Olympic medalist finished with a time of 24.82 seconds
- "This is it," Torres said, announcing the end of her career
- Torres swam in the 1984, 1988, 1992, 2000 and 2008 Olympics
(CNN)Dara Torres' quest at the age of 45 to make her sixth U.S. Olympic team came down to a single, furious lap.
She came up short Monday, finishing fourth in the finals of the 50-meter women's freestyle at the Olympic trials in Omaha, Nebraska, behind a trio of women nearly 20 years her junior.
Torres took to the starting block both a serious contender and sentimental favorite. She's a 12-time medalist who at the 2008 Games earned the title of oldest American swimmer to win an Olympic medal.
By the time she touched the wall, 24.82 seconds later, Torres capped a storied Olympic career that began in 1984 at the Los Angeles Games with a gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay, her only event.
"This is it," she told reporters after she got out of the pool, indicating her long, career was finally over.
The top two finishers Monday secured spots on the U.S. team.
Jessica Hardy, 25, won the race in 24.50 seconds, while 26-year-old Kara Lynn Joyce finished second with a time of 24.73. Christine Magnuson, 26, finished third with 24.78.
In the pool, Torres appeared to pass the torch, as she hugged Hardy and Joyce, congratulating them on their one-two finish.
Later, asked what she would most remember about a career with so many milestones, Torres said: "Probably the fact that I've hung in there this long."
Torres took her time getting out of the pool, looking up at the stands where for nearly three decades she has been cheered on her in Olympic bids.
She then picked up her 6-year-old daughter, Tessa, who buried her head in her mother's shoulder.
"I think she's taking it harder than I am. I told her I would take her to London," Torres said.
Last month, Torres told CNN's Piers Morgan that the road to the London Games for her would be a tough one.
Her age was catching up with her, in some ways.
Torres, whose sculpted body has inspired awe in middle-aged women, was battling aches and pains that come with age. She talked about hormone changes that every aging woman faces.
She had undergone a state-of-the-art knee surgery after it deteriorated following the 2008 Games and spent two years recovering.
Much was made about her knee and whether it would hinder the fast start needed off the blocks to be a contender in the race. Her finish in the semifinals of the 50-meter freestyle earned her a third place berth in the final.
More than once, Torres walked away from swimming. She retired briefly after the 1988 Seoul Games but returned for the 1992 Barcelona Games.
She then took a seven-year break before returning for the 2000 Sydney Games, where she would win two gold relay medals and first individual Olympic medals: three bronzes medals in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle and the 100-meter butterfly.
Torres took another break from swimming, missing the 2004 Olympics to focus on starting a family. She gave birth to her daughter in 2005.
She made her last comeback at the Beijing Games in 2008, where she earned a silver medal in the 50-meter freestyle and the title of the oldest American woman to swim for the U.S. team.
Torres' coach, Michael Lohberg, died last year from complication of aplastic anemia, a rare blood disease.
After his death, she decided to go it alone without a coach, though she did hire a trainer.
"I really wanted to finish the story that I started with him," she told reporters during a news conference following the race, according to transcripts.
But, she said, she knows he would have been proud of her performance.


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pweber needed a new t-shirt design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 35 designs submitted by 14 freelance designers.
Take a look at this website: http://www.harajukulovers.com/twoh/start.html
We are looking for a similar type of writing with a cute design. This will be for teen clothing so it should not be dirty at all. We were thinking about having an a big heart with the saying in a cool font with little hearts around it or something funny, cute, trendy, and retro inspired
Desired Color Scheme:
should only be two or three colors max for screenprinting You can pick the colors
Desired Style:
This design will be for a teen girls shirt. Should be trendy and we would like the asian type of feel like we showed in the link above. You can have have cool little images around the image..just use your imagination
Accepted File Formats:
vector, psd 300dpi
This is for a teen(junior girls)


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Debra1508 needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 78 designs submitted by 25 freelance designers.
Logo required for recruitment business specialising in recruiting marketing, communications and creative / advertising professionals.
Suggestions welcome
Desired Color Scheme:
Deep Aqua - though not locked in - no more than two
Desired Style:
Ideally the design will convey a modern, positive, active feel - if possible corporate as well as creative.
Accepted File Formats:
general formats for use in m.office + design software
Buzzpool will provide recruitment, career guidance, and professional development services and advice for marketing, communications and advertising / creative professionals. It will be the place clients think of first when they're looking for skilled and smart candidates who can make a difference to the bottom line.
The logo should include the name of the business 'Buzzpool' and also include a component / short version that could be used as an avatar for use where very limited space is available.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Russia are 6/1 to be stripped of the 2018 World Cup following the havoc caused by Russian hooligans at Euro 2016.
Bookies BoyleSports have priced up a market on whether the next World Cup will remain in Russia with the odds of 1/12 suggesting that FIFA won't take the competition away from the country.
Its 6/1 that the 2018 World Cup will be taken away from Russia and hosted in another country.
Liam Glynn, BoyleSports' spokesperson said: "Some Russian football fans have not done their country any justice by partaking in riots on the streets of France and as a result FIFA will now seriously have to review whether the country is suitable to host the 2018 World Cup."
He added "Despite all the trouble caused by Russian followers, it would be a logistical nightmare to rearrange the 2018 World Cup so our traders believe that the country will hold on to the tournament as suggested by the short odds of 1/12.
"No doubt FIFA will have to put severe rules in place to curb misbehaviour at the tournament in 2018.
Do you think Russia should be stripped of the World Cup. Email email@example.com with your views


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Configuring Cisco ASA 5505 Firewall Access Rules
To Configure Cisco ASA 5505 Firewall Access Rules
- In a Web browser, navigate to: https://[your firewall management IP address] (You might receive a number of security certificate warnings. Accepting the certs and and saving them as Trusted avoids warnings in the future).
Note: Depending on which Cisco ASDM version you have, several options might display. If so, click Run ASDM Applet.
- When prompted, type your server User name and firewall password. Click OK. You will be prompted to login twice.
Note: Your browser must have Java enabled and allow pop-ups from your firewall management IP.
- In the Device Manager toolbar, click Configuration.
- Click the Security Policy icon in the left menu.
- Click the Access Rules tab.
- Make the necessary configuration changes.
- Click Apply.


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Useful for general weakness of the body and for good health.
Deshrakshak was established in the state of Punjab in 1901 by Late Shri Bhagwant Rai Jain. After the partition of India the company was re-allocated to Haridwar, Uttarakhand (Then Uttar Pradesh).
The company is the oldest manufacturer of Pure Ayurvedic and Herbal Products as discovered by our Ancient Seers & Sages.


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Thanks for all your wonderful suggestions guys! I now have a big list of countries, one for every month of 2012! But please keep the suggestions coming as I love to hear what you guys want and adding it to the list! A-dizzletron and I are having so much fun exploring these cuisines that we previously knew nothing about and I hope that you are enjoying reading them to! We have just finished our last entry for January - Croatia Month, which was requested by an anonymous commenter and we would firstly like to thank him/her/it for such a great suggestion - it was delicious! I'd also like to thank all the fantastic people who helped us out by providing their knowledge of Croatian food. If you'd like to check out the recipes we came up with, here are the links for the 9 Croatian dishes we posted up this month:
Poppy Seed and Almond Kolache
Yumuşacık Poğaça (Fluffy savoury buns filled with creamy potato and pickles - one of my favourites from the month)
Paprenjaci (Cracked Pepper Biscuits)
Posna Sarma (Rice filled cabbage rolls)
Makovnjaca (Poppy Seed Strudel)
Croatian Pizza (with "kulen sausages" and vegan feta cheese!)
Kupus Na Zagorski & Blitva (2 delicious vegie side dishes)
Šljivovec (AMAZING plum pie)
It's quite a list of recipes! All of them were delicious (of course, otherwise we wouldn't have posted them!) but I would have to pick my top 4 as the Yumuşacık Poğaça, Paprenjaci, Croatian Pizza and the Šljivovec. But then the Posna Sarma and Makovnjaca were pretty special too... you see I just can't pick! So you'll have to give them all a try!
So - we are leaving Croatia behind (for now!) and moving on to our February featured country which was requested by Sophie - CHAD! Yes, in February we will be delving into the Northern African landlocked country of Chad (something tells me there will be less sea food then there was for Croatia!). We can't wait to share what we find with you and I hope that if you know lots about food from Chad then you will contact us and let us know!


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I am in a really happy place these days. I guess it's a bunch of things happening at once:1. I'm at that point in pregnancy (12 weeks) where miscarriage isn't such a risk anymore. 2. I found the cure for my plantar faciitis - switching shoes to my Ecco Bioms and going barefoot to my step classes at the gym (we all knew rest wasn't the answer!) 3. I'm over the fever and cough I had earlier in the week. 4. Things are not too busy, yet things are going well with my PhD project.
Here's how this week in training looked:
Sat: step class, 1.5 hours running with baby jogger
Sun: 3 hour run
Mon: pulse-step-core class, 1 hour swim, 20 minute run (had to stop when I started feeling febrile), fever mon night
Tues: 2 hour run, 1 hour yoga
Wed: 2 hour run
Thurs: Pulse-step-core class, 1.5 hour run
Fri: 3 hour run
I am also happy now that we have the goal of the Chippewa 50k to train for. And we're adding a trail marathon to the calendar in light of Chippewa. It's the Skodsborg Marathonthe 29th of January.
Speaking of training for something, I was contacted by one of my dear friends from grade school today asking for advice for training for the Chicago Marathon this coming fall. First of all, I am so excited with the idea of helping her. The biggest challenge I can see so far is that she does all of her training on a treadmill. I have to admit that if I only ran on a treadmill, I never would have worked up to being able to run a marathon. I lived for many, many years in Wisconsin running every single day of the winter outside - that's how much I hate treadmills. I just worry that when she gets to the part of running long runs that it will be too much of a chore that she'll give up. Good thing the weather will get nice again (I'm guessing she'll run outside then).
It got me thinking about how it was I started running in the first place. You know, not jogs up and down the block to stay in shape, not training with the soccer or basketball team, but A Runner. I clearly remember living on Spaight Street in Madison and going out for my first hour-long run. It was, as I recall, one of the most exciting moments in my life. I stopped by two friends' work place to say "I just ran an hour in a row!!!" And then, a few months later, I ran 16 miles around Lake Menona. I then went over to a friend's apartment and drank a cream soda. I realized I had never actually deserved a cream soda before. It felt awesome.
But it is also hard to look back on that time, because it didn't take long before running became an obsession, along with the weight loss that had suddenly come with it. It was such an easy way to gain control over life. And I found I didn't have TIME to stop by and spend time with those friends anymore. I made excuses to not go out. And I lost touch - with a lot - so I could find time to work, study and RUN. What I am saying simply can't be foreign to other ultra runners or otherwise serious runners out there. But at some point, we get good at molding our lives around our obsession. Our friends are runners, maybe even our spouses (that is if we're lucky). But then again, most of you are probably thinking you would never let your running get out of hand. Or is it actually okay to let it get out of hand?
Well, it will take a while before my friend, Becky, training for her first marathon, gets to the point of the guy in this video (and honestly, I doubt she ever would take it this far!). Anyway, thanks for this link May-Britt. Enjoy...
Running song of the day: Hello by Martin Solveig and Dragonette (for those who enjoy getting hypnotized - but be warned: you might start having strange dreams about Martin Solveig!)
Friday, 14 January 2011
How it began
3 comments:
- SteveQ said...
Doubt I'll have dreams about Martin Solveig, but I am starting to think maybe Chippewa should go back on my schedule.
- 14 January 2011 at 19:20
- Stefanie Schocke said...
People who aren't runners sometimes just don't get it. I have friends who don't understand why we can't have playdates during certain times of the day...sorry, it's my run time!
- 15 January 2011 at 00:02
- SteveQ said...
I have a new favorite trail ultra photo from 2010:
It looks completely different once you know that she's laughing!
- 16 January 2011 at 20:31
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)


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Ask The Right Questions
Choosing the right tractor is an important decision - here are some helpful questions to ask yourself when you begin the process.
How many acres do you own?
Horsepower is critical. Buying the right tractor with the right amount of horsepower and features the first time can result in savings over the long run. Think about your needs so that you look at the tractor and equipment that can grow with you as your needs grow.
What type of property do you own?
Differing landscapes will require different tractor applications. Your our property may include vast pastures and lawns, large cultivated acres, long gravel or dirt driveways, or horses or livestock areas with tough to manage spaces. The work you require from your tractor will vary. Your Mahindra dealer will help you match the tractor to your property and its needs.
Can you operate the tractor?
Take into account the level of experience of you and the people operating the tractor will help you find the best transmission (gear drive, hydrostatic or shuttle), platform height and control configuration.
What kinds of jobs will you be performing?
Jobs such as mowing, moving hay, grading, landscaping, moving materials, etc., or any combination of these tasks will require different implements & attachments and horsepower.
Are you a weekend warrior or do you have more time to work with your tractor?
The amount of time you plan on spending on your Mahindra tractor combined with the tasks you need to do determine the right tractor and implement combination. For example, if you have a large number of acres and limited time on the weekends, you might need a tractor with higher horsepower that can pull a larger mower; compared to someone who has more time and can accomplish the same job, with a smaller tractor with a smaller mower.
What should I expect from my Mahindra dealer?
Your relationship with your Mahindra tractor dealer should be a key factor in your purchase, as you'll be working with him or her over a number of years. Make sure the dealer takes the time to help select the right tractor for you, and supports you after your purchase. Speak with the service manager to ensure that you are comfortable with their knowledge, parts availability and hours of operation.
Try it out - Schedule a test drive:
There's no better way to know if a tractor is right for you than to get behind the wheel and take a seat in a Mahindra tractor. The test drive should be the most important thing you'll do before making your final decision. Regardless of your level of experience operating a tractor, your dealer will give you all the help you need to become comfortable during the test drive, so that you can fully evaluate the performance.
While a surprising number of first-time owners buy a tractor without test-driving different models, the most satisfied owners don't skip this important step.
Tractorpedia TM
Browse some tractor terms and acronyms that you may not be familiar with:
3-Point Hitch: The 3-point hitch is used to attach rear-mounted attachments like mowers, blades, scrapers, posthole diggers, tillers and backhoes. It consists of two lift arms and one top link where pins attach the implements. Take a look at the Mahindra difference and the heavy-duty construction.
Backhoe: Used to dig holes, trenches, and ditches, the backhoe is made up of two arms and a bucket connected by hydraulic cylinders.
Box Blade: Used to move dirt and gravel, backfill or rip up compacted soil. The box blade uses two position, adjustable shanks to break up packed soil surfaces quickly for seedbed preparation or landscape maintenance.
Chassis: The framework that supports the tractor frame and guts including the engine, transmission, suspension, etc.
Drawbar: A bar on the rear of the tractor used for towing.
Horsepower (HP): The amount of energy it takes to lift 550 pounds one foot in one second.
Hydrostatic Transmission: A hydraulically-driven transmission that offers variable speeds with the use of a foot pedal.
Implement: Rugged, high performance work tools that can be added to the tractor to increase its job functions. These can include: loaders, backhoes, landscape tools, mowers, brooms, snow blowers and box blades.
Joystick: The joystick gives the operator complete control of front-mounted implements, such as the front end loader.
Loader: The front-end loader operates like a large shovel with the tractor's power and weight behind it. A quick-attach design allows you to get your loader on and off quickly. The most common tool is the bucket, but other tools that work on the loader include bale spears, pallet forks, grapple fork, and weight box.
Post Hole Digger: Used to drill holes in the ground for fence posts or building piers, or to dig shallow holes for flowers, trees or shrubs.
Powertrain: The Powertrain transfers the power from the engine to the drive wheels and power take off (PTO). Main functions include selecting speed ratios, balancing the power to drive wheels for turning, and allowing the tractor to reverse.
PTO (Power Take Off): Used to provide power to an attachment, the PTO allows the attachment to draw energy from the tractor's engine.
Quick Hitch: The quick hitch attaches to the tractor 3-point hitch allowing the operator to easily hook onto implements, without leaving the tractor seat.
Rotary Cutter: Most commonly used to trim pastures, parks and water ways.
Stabilizers: Pads that lower to stabilize the tractor while the backhoe is in use.
Synchro-Shuttle: Allows for the shifting of gears on the move without the gears clashing.
Tiller: A rotary tiller is used to till soil in preparation for planting gardens and landscaping projects. The tiller has tines that mix their way through the soil to loosen and break it up.
TLB (Tractor, Loader, Backhoe): This package comes equipped with a tractor, loader and backhoe.
Transmission: A system of gears that determines the speed and direction of a tractor.
Zero Turning Radius: The ability for a tractor to turn on a dime; adding more maneuverability to the tractor.


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One of the big pitches Twitter has been making to TV networks is that its users' penchant for tweeting about their favorite shows while they watch them actually convinces other people on Twitter to stop what they're doing and tune in.
To this end, the platform has been successful in convincing networks to integrate Twitter hashtags into their on-screen programming in the hopes of driving chatter that will ultimately bring more viewers to their shows.
But now, NBCUniversal head of research Alan Wurtzel is saying that's all bunk. He told The Financial Times that after looking at social media activity around more than 1,500 hours of Winter Olympics programming, NBCUniversal found that just 19% of Olympic viewers talked about the games on social media.
Most damning of all, Wurtzel said TV ratings were more likely to increase social media chatter than the other way around.
"I am saying the emperor wears no clothes," he told The Financial Times. "It is what it is. These are the numbers."
Wurtzel's research is slightly at odds with a report conducted by Nielsen this past summer that found Twitter chatter can on some occasions lead to a ratings increase.
At the time, Twitter chief operating officer Ali Rowghani said the report substantiated what its TV partners had been telling it for years: that Twitter drives ratings for live television.
"As the world's preeminent real-time social communication medium, Twitter is a complementary tool for broadcasters to engage their audience, drive conversation about their programming, and increase tune-in," Rowghani said in August.
While Wurtzel's remarks certainly aren't good news for Twitter, the TV conversations that occur on the platform are still highly valuable, as they offer marketers an opportunity to reinforce their messages by showing Twitter ads to people who are talking about a show they are already advertising on.
What will be interesting to see, though, is whether NBCUniversal programs change how they integrate social media hashtags into their on-screen programming.


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|Home >> Course Descriptions >> College of Arts and Sciences
|Introduction to Urban Studies
|Three semester hours. (FL-Even)
|A multidisciplinary introduction to the study of the contemporary city and urban issues, domestic and international. An overview of different disciplines' approaches to the study of the city and urban issues, including urban history, geography, politics/public administration, sociology, planning, and design and architecture.
Home - General Information - Student Services -
Academic Undergraduate Regulations -
Undergraduate Degrees - Academic Graduate Regulations -
Graduate Degrees - Course Descriptions - Faculty -
Appendix A - Appendix B - Appendix C - Appendix D


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ShopCurious is the original online curiosity shop for eclectic fashion, unique accessories, arty gifts and unusual vintage finds. Read Curious Trends and the ShopCurious Blog for curious thoughts, style and lifestyle insight, unique shopping and gift ideas, culture/events and exclusive reviews of fashion, film, photography, art, design, vintage/retro collectables and quirky curiosities. Shop Curious. Do you?Are you? Will you?


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Monthly Archives: March 2017
The Balkans; skiing the unexpected
When it comes to skiing in a different culture not too far away from home, the Balkan region offers plenty of opportunities. A wealth of culture and history can be found in the many countries that form the region, making a trip to this part of the world very interesting. However, snow coverage, the weather, finding reliable ski partners, language barriers and tough logistics can make a ski mountaineering trip difficult. So, while facing many challenges, was I able to make something happen?


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5 free Android security apps: Keep your smartphone safe
- 22 February, 2012 03:10
There's been much controversy over mobile OS security, especially where Android is concerned. With 47 per cent of the smartphone market in Q4 of 2011, according to ABI Research, it's no wonder that Android is getting attention.
Its openness fuels adoption by smartphone manufacturers and wireless carriers, aids in mobile innovation, and helps bring more free apps. But some, like those who develop security apps, think its openness also makes it an easier target for malware writers and cybercriminals.
Android malware growth
Depending on where you go, you'll find varying stats on the amount of Android malware we've seen thus far. This is complicated by the fact that most of the information available about malware comes from security vendors, who obviously have a pony in the anti-malware race.
One thing they all agree on is that the amount of malware targeting Android has been growing. For instance, a report from Trend Micro (PDF) includes a chart that shows a large spike in the amount of total Android malware in 2011. Meanwhile, according to NQ Mobile , cases of malware increased from 4,781 cases in 2009 to 10,369 cases in 2010 and 22,600 cases in 2011. And according to Lookout, the likelihood of Americans encountering Android malware went from 1% in the beginning of 2011 to 4% by year's end.
But the vendors don't always agree. For example, at the end of January, Symantec announced that 13 apps in the Android Market contained malware. Other security vendors disagreed; Symantec later backtracked and said that the code it thought was malware was really from an aggressive ad network.
Meanwhile, Google has reported a 40% decrease in the number of potentially malicious downloads from the Android Market from the first to the second half of 2011. (Of course, Google is only accounting for the official Android Market, while the security vendors also scan third-party app markets and websites from around the world.)
In addition, Google recently announced an internal malware scanner called Bouncer that scans apps submitted to the Android Market. And if something does slip by Bouncer, Google can remove the Market listings for malware apps and even remotely remove them from devices.
Android malware in the wild
However, all these varying statistics and countermeasures don't mean that there isn't bad stuff out there.
For example, in the spring of 2011, Lookout identified a Trojan app called GGTracker that was distributed via malicious websites that mirrored the Android Market. Once downloaded it could sign the victim up to premium SMS subscription services without their permission, charging the user's wireless carrier account. And the DroidDream Trojan, discovered in March 2011, was found in more than 50 apps in the Android Market. It could gain root access to Android, steal data and install more malicious apps.
What follows are reviews of five free anti-malware apps for Android devices: Avast Free Mobile Security, AVG Mobilation Anti-Virus Free, Lookout Mobile Security, Norton Mobile Security Lite and NQ Mobile Security. I've reviewed each of these apps based on what features it has available and how well the interface works. Most also offer for-pay versions that have additional functionality, which I've noted where it exists.
And many of them (in free and/or paid versions) don't only scan for malware and offer preventative measures, but provide anti-theft features as well -- such as alarms that can be triggered remotely (to call attention to the thief) or the ability to lock and/or wipe the device.
If you're reluctant to use a security app, perhaps it would help if you think of it as the equivalent of chicken soup: It can't hurt -- and could possibly keep help keep away any nasty infections that may be lurking about.
How to secure your Android device
Here are some things you can do to dramatically reduce the risk of malware infections on your Android phone:
Use the official Android Market instead of third-party app stores or websites, especially now that Bouncer is used to monitor for malware. If you want to help ensure that you only install apps from Android Market, you can turn off the ability to install apps from unknown sources in by going to Settings and then to the Security menu (in Android 4.0 or later) or the Applications menu (in earlier versions of Android).
Research apps before downloading: Check the publisher and app reviews.
Pay attention to app permissions during the installation and check the market listing or developer for an explanation of any suspicious permissions.
Install an antivirus/security app.
Be wary of phishing scams and malware via the Web browser or SMS messages.
Be cautious if you root your device and keep an eye out for the Superuser prompts that are displayed when an app requests root permissions. Rooting allows you to use some powerful apps and even enhanced security functionality, but at the same time increases potential damage from infections.
To protect your Android device against local attacks -- a thief or snooper -- enable lock screen security (or, if you're one of the lucky few who already have Ice Cream Sandwich, you can test out the new Face Unlock feature.)
Finally, to prevent any malicious apps from sending messages to a number that will automatically charge your account, see if your wireless carrier can block the ability to sign up for premium SMS subscriptions.
Avast Software
Price: Free
Other versions: None
The Avast Free Mobile Security app includes anti-malware and anti-theft features, along with browsing protection that prompts you if you visit a malicious website. A privacy advisor helps you identify any installed apps that use permissions which could be potentially dangerous, while an application manager lets you manage running apps.
SMS and call filtering is also included, which lets you block incoming messages and calls and outgoing calls based on times and contacts you select. The app lacks any backup functionality, but a firewall and enhanced anti-theft features are provided for rooted devices.
In addition to automatically scanning apps you install, Avast can do full scans of all your installed apps on the phone and on the SD card. You can do this manually or specify days and times to have it done automatically.
By default, Avast will appear on the notification bar and menu, showing its status and offering a shortcut to open it. The main app screen is straightforward, listing shortcuts for each feature and the settings. Though there are many more settings and preferences compared to other security apps, the developers did a fairly good job keeping the interface user-friendly.
The first time you open Avast, it prompts you to set up the anti-theft feature. A neat touch: You can define a custom name for the separate anti-theft app -- ideally something inconspicuous that won't alert thieves to its presence. Additionally, the app is password-protected, and the shortcut can be hidden from the app tray. For rooted devices, it can even store the anti-theft app and settings in a way that survives hard resets of your device.
Avast's anti-theft functionality provides remote locating, a remote alarm with the ability to use custom audio, remote locking with a custom message (for example, "Return this smartphone to...") and remote wiping. You can set it to automatically lock and have the siren go off if the SIM card is changed or when you mark it as lost by sending it an SMS message.
Avast can even disable access to the Android program manager and phone settings, prevent USB debugging, and force the data connection on in order to remotely back up your data.
Currently, if you want to use the remote anti-theft and remote control features, you must send SMS commands to your device. Avast provides feedback via SMS replies as well -- for example, it will provide a link to a Google map after locating the device.
Avast has other useful features. You can have your phone call a given number remotely, forward SMS messages and call logs, retrieve contacts, and even pass raw data to any other app. However, in order to access these remote features you must send SMS messages from another phone; it would be much more user-friendly if there were a Web-based interface. Avast says one will be added in the first quarter of 2012.
Some of the features -- such as any that require SMS -- require 3G support and so won't work on Wi-Fi-only Android tablets. Avast says better tablet support is also expected in early 2012.
Bottom line
Avast offers some great underlying functionality, like hiding the anti-theft component and providing enhanced uninstall protection for rooted devices. But you'll have to wait for the Web interface for remote features, and look elsewhere for backup features.
AVG Mobilation Anti-Virus Free
AVG Mobilation
Price: Free
Other versions: Anti-Virus Pro ($1.99) adds an app locker, app backup and support; Anti-Virus Pro for Tablets ($1.99) is optimized for tablets
AVG Mobilation Anti-Virus Free offers free protection for both phones and tablets against malware and browsing protection to prompt you when visiting a malicious website. It also includes SMS/text messaging protection that scans messages to ensure they're safe; various remote tools, including device locating, alarms, locking and wiping, and scanning. There is a malware scanner that analyzes data files as well as apps, a task killer, a tune-up utility to help save battery usage and storage space, and a personal data wiper to clear cache.
An app locker that password protects individual apps and an app backup tool are also offered as a 13-day trial. The Pro version (which costs a one-time $1.99 fee) unlocks the trials and adds a spam and scam feature; there is also a version available for tablets.
Anti-Virus automatically scans apps you install and lets you run full scans on demand or automatically on a daily or weekly basis, but oddly doesn't let you specify the days or time. It does, however, also scan for potentially insecure settings along with malicious content and media.
Though the app runs in the background, it doesn't appear on the notification bar or menu until it detects an issue. Once you open the app, the main screen can be a bit confusing -- it doesn't contain status info or shortcuts to the main features like most other security apps do. You tap the screen to run a scan or press the device's Menu button to access shortcuts.
AVG provides a website to use the remote functions. Though it's possible to access it via smartphones and other small mobile devices, the site is optimized for desktop/laptop access. It allows you to initiate remote locating on a Google map, initiate an alarm and remotely lock your device with a custom message; you can also set an unlock password, wipe the device, and remotely start scanning for malware. You won't find your phone's number on the site, but it does detect SIM card changes and will send automated email alerts to you when a card switch is detected.
Bottom line
Despite a confusing user interface, AVG Mobilation Anti-Virus Free is a fairly solid security app offering all the popular features for free. If you want the premium edition (for more features or the tablet app) you can get it with just a small one-time payment.
Price: Free
Other versions: Lookout Mobile Security for the iPhone (free); Lookout Premium for Android ($2.99/mo. or $29.99/yr.) adds phishing protection; backup for photos and call history, data transfer to a new phone, remote wipe/lock, support
Lookout Mobile Security offers free malware protection, contacts backup, and remote locating and alarm for both phones and tablets. Upgrading to the premium account ($2.99/month or $29.99/year) adds browser protection, an app privacy manager, backup of images and call history, and remote locking and wiping.
In addition to automatically scanning apps you install and update, malware protection includes full scans of the installed apps; the SD card, however, isn't scanned. You can set Lookout to do these full scans on a daily or weekly basis and optionally specify the day and time. The backup functionality also lets you specify when to perform daily or weekly backups of your contacts to Lookout's servers; if you're a premium user, you can back up your pictures and call history as well.
By default, Lookout appears on the notification bar and menu, displaying its status and offering a quick way to open it. The app's interface is simple and straightforward. The main screen shows the status of each feature. Though you can click on the Security or Backup icons to see the most recent activity, the app doesn't give you any thorough activity logs. To configure the app settings, you tap the Menu and Settings icons.
Lookout lets you access the status of your Lookout features and get a full activity history on its website; you can also initiate backups and restores, access the remote recovery tools (such as locating, locking and wiping), and enable or disable each feature. There's also a mobile version of the site that offers the same features.
You can find the approximate location of your device on a Google map and see the phone number currently configured on your phone (so you will know if someone replaces your SIM card). However, the remote locking feature doesn't provide a way to display a custom message on the device like some other security apps do.
Bottom line
Lookout provides a useful security app for both Android phones and tablets, along with a user-friendly website. It doesn't offer as many features as some security apps, but what it does provide is solid. It offers remote locking and wiping, but only if you use the premium service.
Price: Free
Other versions: Norton Mobile Security ($29.99/yr.) adds anti-theft and anti-loss features, phishing protection, call and text blocking
Norton Mobile Security Lite provides free malware protection and remote locking. The premium service ($29.99/year) adds browser protection and call and text blocking, along with remote locating, a remote alarm, remote camera control to take snapshots and remote wiping. There is a tablet version ($29.99/yr.) coming (the date hasn't been announced) that will support the remote anti-theft functionality for Wi-Fi-only devices as well.
In addition to performing malware scans on app downloads and updates, you can run app and SD card scans on demand or schedule scans daily, weekly or monthly. Though Norton checks for virus database updates weekly by default, it can be changed to daily (or monthly).
By default you won't see an icon in the notification bar or menu unless the app detects a security issue, but you can enable it so you always know your security status.
Norton Mobile Security Lite has a very simple and straightforward interface. Unless you purchase the premium service, there are only two main shortcuts accessible on the main screen of the app: one for the anti-theft and another for anti-malware. But hitting the device's Menu button gives you a few more shortcuts, such as to view the activity log or access the update or notification settings.
The remote functions for the free version can be initiated only via SMS commands. The premium service offers a plug-in for the app that in turn lets you perform remote functions on your device using a Web browser. The free version lacks any SIM card protection or remote change notifications.
Bottom line
The free version of this app is the most basic of the five I reviewed. Norton Mobile Security doesn't offer as much as other free apps; you get much more if you sign up for the premium service, which comes at a recurring cost. That premium service does offer remote camera control, but most of its other features are available in other free apps.
NQ Mobile
Price: Free
Other versions: NQ Mobile Security Premium ($7.99/3 mos., $12.99/6 mos., $19.99/1 yr.) adds remote security features, anti-eavesdropping, financial data protection
NQ Mobile Security provides free anti-malware and browser protection, a firewall, cross-platform contact backup, and remote locating via Google Maps. It also offers a free privacy advisor that analyzes apps and their permissions, a traffic monitor that tracks data usage, and an app optimizer and manager.
SIM card change notifications are provided with the free version and can be set up to send to a specified mobile number -- say, of a friend. The premium service ($7.99 for 3 months, $12.99 for 6 months or $19.99 for 1 year) adds automatic virus updates and a remote alarm, along with remote locking and wiping. It also adds a malware scanner designed to scan banking apps, and anti-eavesdropping protection to help prevent phone tapping by any malicious apps.
Although the app installs on both phones and tablets, some features such as the remote functions won't work on tablets without SMS capability.
In addition to auto-scanning apps for malware when you download them, you can run full scans on apps manually (SD card files not included) or schedule a scan for every 7 or 15 days. Contacts can also be backed up manually (or automatically when you're connected via Wi-Fi).
The NQ icon sits on the notification bar and menu; it displays your status and data usage, and lets you quickly open the app. Once you open the app, you'll find a user-friendly and easy-to-navigate interface. The main screen displays your security status and shortcuts to each of the core features. Tapping the device's Menu key lets you access the settings, logs and other shortcuts.
The remote functions can be initiated via the Web or via SMS commands. The website lets you manage backed up contacts and view your security logs and status. It also offers a calendar feature that can sync across your devices and Google/Outlook calendar. Unfortunately, though, the site's interface isn't optimized for mobile access.
(Note: According to the website, NQ Mobile is the international brand of NetQin Mobile, and as a result, some parts of the app, help pages, etc. may carry the NetQin branding.)
Bottom line
Given that the free version of this app doesn't provide automatic virus updates or a remote alarm, locking or wiping, I would only recommend using the premium version, which comes at a recurring cost. Additionally, the premium version adds just two extra features (financial security and anti-eavesdropping) that other free apps don't usually provide.
Though there's certainly Android malware out there, your chances of becoming infected are still very low at the moment -- but they're even slimmer if you install an anti-malware app.
Incidentally, since failing batteries are the bane of many smartphone users, you might be wondering about the resource consumption of these security apps. During testing, all five of the apps consumed about the same amount of RAM on average when idle: 9.5MB to 11.5MB. And if you're concerned about how much space the app will take up, AVG had the lowest (0.71MB), followed by Avast and Lookout (both 1.81MB), Norton (3.83MB) and NQ (4.73MB).
If you're looking for a free security app, most of these have something to offer. AVG has a lot of features and an unbeatable price if you want to upgrade, but the app could use a facelift. Lookout doesn't offer as many features, but provides solid functionality and service.
NQ includes cross-platform backup support, but lacks free automatic virus updates, and while it provides free device locating, there's no alarm, which most of the others offer. Norton is the most basic free security app of the five, allowing only free remote locking in addition to its anti-malware features.
I was most impressed with Avast Mobile Security. Though it doesn't offer a Web interface or full tablet support, the free app includes some very useful features not found elsewhere, such as better uninstall protection, and is a must-have for rooted devices.


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Silhouette was in Chicago with a large booth footprint, promoting their Cameo machine and its many accessories such as materials for cutting and add-on tools like the sketch pens.
A new product introduction that will likely appeal to many Cameo users are the dust covers, available in three colors, with an MSRP of $6.99.
Here's a look at some examples of what can be done to pretty them up if you put your cameo to work with some of the company's iron-on materials:
I did a make-n-take in the booth, embellishing with iron-on material a small tote that was of similar material to the new dust covers. The smooth yellow iron-on material went on beautifully.
Another new product being offered at CHA Summer was the Fabric Blade, which is a partner to the fabric interfacing that has previously been offered by Silhouette. Together, the two can be used to cut fabric for craft and sewing projects without worrying about cutting paper dulling your blade's ability to cut fabric.
There's also new printable sticker paper, and printable gold and silver foil:
There's also two new types of adhesive sheets – double sided adhesive sheets and adhesive magnet sheets. (The company has offered printable magnet sheets previously but not self-adhesive ones.)
Combining the double-sided adhesive sheets with another of Silhouette's new products – glitter – can create some amazing effects:
There's two other new adhesive offerings from Silhouette but they aren't entirely new products – just new colors for an existing product. The company's Premium Vinyl will now be available in purple and gold as well as the previous colors.
Silhouette seemed to be working hard at CHA Summer to emphasize the Cameo's abilities to work with fabric by cutting both fabric and iron-on materials. Many of the booth samples on display were of fabric projects.
There were also some great paper samples on display. This one highlighted an often overlooked accessory of the Cameo – the Sketch Pens. It's a great idea for displaying Instagram shots!
There was also some great ideas for the popular party planning segment of the market:
This card and stuffed fabric owl displays the true range of projects that the Cameo is capable of:
There's something for every kind of paper crafter (and even a fabric pillow for the sewers) in this display of Silhouette projects:
That map is absolutely amazing! It takes incredible attention to detail to assemble a collage like that.


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The White Sox have promoted third baseman Brent Morel from Triple-A Charlotte, according to a Facebook post by Morel.
Morel, 23, was batting .320 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 81 games with the Knights. Overall, he's batting .322 with 10 home runs and 64 RBIs with Double-A Birmingham and Charlotte this season.
Morel could figure in the Sox's plans at third base in 2011.
Morel's stats: .320/.343/.503, 324 PA, 306 AB, 13 BB / 50 K, .363 BABIP, .360 wOBA.
UPDATE: Kevin Goldstein had this on Brent Morel:
Brent Morel, 3B/SS, White Sox (Triple-A Charlotte): 2-for-4, R, RBI. 23-for-63 (.365) in last 16 games with a .714 slugging percentage; called up to the big leagues this morning.


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