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Explore Our Hotel
Seaside Hotel's Alluring Coastal Location Delights Visitors
You can view award-winning exhibits at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, catch the waves at breathtaking Del Monte Beach and much more while lodging at the Holiday Inn Express® At Monterey Bay hotel in Seaside. Off Hwy 1, the hotel's location near Monterey Peninsula Airport, two blocks from the beach and 2.5 miles from downtown Monterey, is ideal.
Incredible attractions abound in the Seaside, CA area, and the hotel's leisure guests enjoy easy access to them all. Carmel-by-the-Sea is seven miles away. You can test your swing at Pebble Beach Golf Links, America's greatest public golf course, before exploring famed Cannery Row or indulging in fresh seafood at Old Fisherman's Wharf. For high-speed thrills, check out the races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
If you're visiting for work in Seaside, CA, the hotel's free Wi-Fi access and a 24-hour Business Center help you keep in touch with the office. Also, the hotel's location near Monterey Peninsula Airport means flying into Seaside is an easy option. The Naval Postgraduate School and the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center are both within four miles of the hotel.
During your visit, you can begin every fun-filled day at the free, hot breakfast bar. After a day of work or sightseeing, unwind in the heated, outdoor pool and whirlpool or work out in the well-equipped Fitness Center. For a wonderful Seaside stay, please book now.
- Black-out Shades
- Rollaway Bed/Cot Available
- Iron/Ironing Board
- Separate Hanging Closet
- In-Room Heating and A/C Controls
Bathroom/Personal Care
- Private Bathroom
- Bathroom Amenities Available
- Hair Dryer
- Bathtub
- Separate/Walk-in Shower
In-Room Features
- Mini Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Coffee Maker
- Flat-screen TV
- Work Desk with Lamp
- Desk-level Electrical Outlet
- Free Local Calls
- Cable/Satellite
- Direct-dial Phone
- Phone with Voicemail
- Electrical Adapters Available
Added Value
- Connecting Rooms Available
- Complimentary Coffee/Tea Supplies
- Complimentary Bottled Water
- Full Breakfast Included
- Breakfast Buffet Included
- Continental Breakfast Included
- Complimentary Coffee in Lobby
Business Services
- On-Site Business Center
- Printer
- Copier
- Scanner
- Office supplies available
Internet Access
- Free High-Speed Internet in all Rooms
- Wireless Internet service is free for all IHG® Rewards Club members
Entertainment & Recreation
- Outdoor Pool
- Heated Outdoor Pool
- Outdoor Whirlpool
- Outdoor Pool Hours of Operation: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Health & Fitness
Our 24-hr fitness center was recently renovated with all new equipment in 2016. The fitness center features cardio machines, free weights, and weighted machines.
Fitness Center Type: EXTENSIVE
Fitness Center Equipment:
Last Renovation of Fitness Center Equipment: 2015
Housekeeping & Laundry
- Daily Housekeeping
Added Value
- Wake Up Calls
- Storage Space Available
Hotel Details
1400 Del Monte Boulevard
Seaside, California 93955
United States
Check In: 3:00 PM
Check Out: 12:00 PM
Check-in Age: 18
Parking + -
- Complimentary Self Parking Available
Accessibility + -
- Public Entrance
- Guest Rooms
- Elevators
- Public Restrooms
- Registration Desk
- Exercise Facility
- Business Center
- Number of Accessible Meeting Rooms: 0
Accessible Hotel Areas
- Registration Area
- Accessible Guest Rooms
- Business Center
- Exercise Facility
- Pool
Hotel Areas with Accessible Routes from Accessible Public Entrance
- Accessible Self Parking
- Van Accessible Self Parking
- Ramp Access
- Portable Bathtub Seats
- Closed Caption TVs
- Telephone with TDD
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Guest Rooms
- Visual Alarm/Alert in Public Spaces
- Communication Kits with Visual Alarms
Provided by Hotel
Pet Policy + -
- Service Animals Allowed
Facility + -
- Smoke-Free Facility
- Number of Floors: 5
- Total Number of Rooms: 143
- Number of Non-Smoking Rooms: 143
- Number of Accessible Rooms: 7
- Connecting Rooms Available
- Current Renovation: 04-November-2019 To 15-March-2020
- Pool and Rooms will be undergoing renovation. Pool will be closed as of October 8, 2019.
- Public Spaces Renovated in: 2015
- Guest Rooms Renovated in: 2015
Languages + -
Languages Spoken by Staff
- Spanish
Credit Cards + -
- American Express
- Visa
- MasterCard
- Diners Club
- Carte Blanche
- Discover


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Sustainability at Washington College
March 29, 2011
Students have the power to make a change on campus and in the town, and SEA has inspired and led many of the initiatives that make Washington College a more sustainable campus.SEA welcomes all majors and disciplines to join at weekly meetings and events. SEA primarily focuses on: Promoting awareness of local, national, and international environmental issues and concerns.
Last modified on Nov. 6th, 2012 at 10:45am by .

subset: commoncrawl


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Low light photography
One of the most difficult aspects of working with photography can be dealing with the problem of low lighting and poorly lit shooting locations. Sure some expensive equipment can help but even that doesn't guarantee success in bad lighting.
So, what can a photographer do to help to avoid the frustration that comes with this common problem? Here are a few things that might help.
1. Adjust your shutter speed
Setting your camera shutter to remain open for a longer time period allows more light to reach your sensor and thus a brighter overall outcome. Of course, when doing so you have to be careful to avoid unwanted blur. A tripod can be just the key.
2. Increase your ISO
By increasing your sensitivity, you have the chance to allow more light in and can minimize the need to set your shutter to an excessively long speed. The drawback here is that some cameras struggle with noise issues more than others. And depending upon your model, increasing the ISO can cause unwanted noise.
3, Use your flash
While in general, I avoid using a flash, especially the on-board one built into a camera, it can help to brighten up a dark location. The negative with this approach is that it can result in some over exposed parts of the images and harsh shadowing.
All in all, using these methods carefully may present some other challenges but can surely help to improve shots taken under less than ideal lighting conditions.


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Seems like running around the Kanto Region paid off or Ash simply knows the secret of the perfect six-pack.
I hope he's not on some special Pokémon diet.
This is the figurine in question that goes into Pokémon territory where no trainer has been before.
via TheRandomInMyHead [Tumblr]
To contact the author of this post, write to: email@example.com


text:
By completing your order, you understand that the products(s) you are purchasing are U.S. models and may have power / voltage requirements different from that of your country.
Prices shown in currencies other than US Dollars are estimates based on current exchange rates. We will charge your credit card in US Dollars on the day your order is shipped, and the conversion to your local currency will be done at the prevailing rate by your credit card issuer.
PSSL will not mark your parcel as a "gift", declare a value lower than the actual price paid, or otherwise prepare false customs information.
Hosa Pro Microphone Cables are engineered to deliver years of rock-solid reliability. Combining REAN connectors by Neutrik AG with world-class manufacturing techniques, they redefine what performance and value are all about.Features:


text:
Portland police on the lookout for bicycle-riding purse snatcher
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) � The Portland Police Department is warning the public about a bicycle-riding purse snatcher.
Police say at least five times in the past month a bicyclist who appears to be out of control comes into contact with the victim, grabs her purse, and then pedals away.
The two latest thefts occurred Monday night.
Several attempts were unsuccessful with the rider yelling "sorry" in what investigators think is an attempt to make the contact appear accidental.
In every incident, the suspect was described as a white man, with an average build and shoulder length brown hair, wearing dark clothing, and riding a dark-colored bicycle.
All the thefts have occurred in the same general area and all between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.


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Ark: Survival Evolved Taming Calculator
Ark: Survival Evolved Taming Calculator
22 points Funny
This guy gets bullied by terror birds 1 up vot = one prayer.
More Doedicurus Funny Tips
351 points Funny
Paint it blue or find a blue one then max out speed and call it sonic
161 points Funny
I was trying to tame this one near the beach it eventually went into the water and curled up then he drowned how could I cause a armidillo to commit suicide
180 points Funny
While rolling turn on the song "they see me rolling they hating"
109 points Funny
Me and my tribe had a Doedicurus named Donald. Overall he survived 3 raids including wyverns attacking. Each time every other game was killed but not our Donald. We soon decided to transfer and benga Donald with us. We uploaded him but forgot to redownlad him. RIP Donald. Miss u bud


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Join us as we make a difference! Join the W3 Project group on My Fitness Pal to take The W3 Challenge!
What is the challenge?
5 miles a day for 2 weeks. Each mile will provide clean water to a child for one year. Walk, run, swim, dance, bike…every mile counts! Log your activity into My Fitness Pal in The W3 Project group so we can track your progress.
How does it work?
1. Join the W3 Project Group.
2. Accept a friend request from The W3 Project.
3. Be sure your cardio activity displays in your feed.
4. Be sure your feed displays to friends.
5. Log your activities each day.
6. For every mile (or 100 calories) you move, we, Filtersfast.com, will raise $1 on your behalf to provide a child with clean water for a whole year!
*For the purposes of this challenge, every 100 calories will equal 1 mile. So 500 calories burned,will equal 5 miles walked.
What do i win?
Everyone who successfully completes the challenge will be entered into a drawing to win a Fitbit Flex! There will be at least 1 challenge a month with prizes given. We will be updating this space with each new challenge and exciting updates on winners. Stay tuned and stay fit!
The W3 Project donates $1 to Wine to Water for every mile you move. Each mile will provide clean water to a child for one year. Get fit and save the world! 🙂
Take the challenge!


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HopHopHop Town
|HopHopHop Town
ヨヨヨタウン YoYoYo Town
HopHopHop Town is an anime-exclusive town in Kanto, more specificaly located on the outskirts of Celadon City. The "town" resembles more of a city than a town with its many skyscrapers and buildings. The only trace of any nature in the town is on a skyscraper, where a Drowzee and a Hypno reside. Somewhere in the city is the Pokémon Lover's Club, whose members all suffered from insomnia and used their Hypno to allow them to sleep more easily with Hypnosis, though that move caused detrimental effects to HopHopHop Town as a whole. Additionally, HopHopHop Town is the location where Psyduck was captured by Misty.
HopHopHop Town was visited by Ash & Co. in the anime just after battling Erika, where they learned that several children had disappeared and that several Pokémon were suffering from excessive fatigue despite their relaxed activities. An investigation with Officer Jenny revealed that the Pokémon Lover's Club had been using a Hypno to help them fall asleep, which's Hypnosis move's waves radiated to cover all of the town, affecting all of its inhabitants. However, in the attempt to capture Hypno, Misty was hypnotized and ran into a park thinking that she was a Seel, where she found the missing children, who also thought themselves to be varied species of Pokémon. With the help of a Drowzee that also resided in the park, Misty and the children were healed and HopHopHop Town was relieved of the problem.


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Search Results: 'The Confessions'
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A collection of real confessions collected and compiled by The Maydays, Brighton's premier improvised comedy company, from their "Confessions" show. Contains bizarre and hilarious stories... More > and includes commentaries from members of The Maydays themselves about how the stories could inspire scenes and sketches for their show.< Less
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Deep within our history there lies dimensions of secrecy that some of us hope to never reveal. Some of the demons of our past may continue to haunt us eternally, until our demise. Living a life long... More > enough to go back to the stages of early childhood with pain, joy, terror, or shame, and not having someone to confide in.< Less
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Harry Burke is a writer based in London. He has written for Arcadia Missa Publications, Mute Magazine and rhizome.org. His poetry has been published in Clinic III, Stop Sharpening Your Knives 5 and... More > Best British Poetry 2013. He is currently editing a poetry anthology, I Love Roses When They're Past Their Best, for Test Centre, due in Spring 2014.< Less
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Confessions (Latin: Confessiones) is the name of an autobiographical work, consisting of 13 books, by St. Augustine of Hippo, written between AD 397 and AD 398. Modern English translations of it are... More > sometimes published under the title The Confessions of St. Augustine in order to distinguish the book from other books with similar titles. Its original title was "Confessions in Thirteen Books," and it was composed to be read out loud with each book being a complete unit. The work outlines Augustine's sinful youth and his conversion to Christianity. It is widely seen as the first Western autobiography ever written, and was an influential model for Christian writers throughout the following 1,000 years of the Middle Ages. It is not a complete autobiography, as it was written in his early 40s, and he lived long afterwards, producing another important work (City of God).< Less
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Former fabulist Peter Burt turns Father Confessor for this latest volume of sensational exposés. Boldly breaking all professional taboos, he reveals the shocking secrets whispered to him... More > through the confessional grille by a whole rogues' gallery of unrepentant sinners – from a DIY universe creator to two suburban friends who practise wife-swapping by means of astral projection, from an undercover literary agent to a large molecule who has deserted the military. Shudder at the dark secrets Father Burt has courageously brought out into the light of day – and ponder whether any spell in purgatory would be long enough to cleanse this vast array of miscreants of their heinous crimes.< Less
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HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation is a development organisation anchored in Switzerland. Our vision is a just world in which all men and women determine the course of their lives in dignity and security, using environmental resources in a sustainable manner.
To find out more please visit our website: www.myanmar.helvetas.org/en/
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with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their
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The Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT) is a multi-donor fund established in 2010 to improve the lives and prospects of smallholder farmers and landless people in rural Myanmar. Their activities lead to improved food security, and help people to cope better with shocks and setbacks. LIFT promotes agricultural commercialisation, climate smart agriculture, financial inclusion, business and skills development, and targeted nutrition support for mothers and children. They fund a migration window to make migration safer, and to connect workers to new economic opportunities and jobs. LIFT use evidence to encourage greater public and private funding, and to inform the development of rural policies that will improve the lives of poor people. To find out more please visit the website: www.lift-fund.org
©2014 World Vision International. All photos are the property of World Vision.


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Moderator: seaton
sesh wrote:Looks like Futurlec has pretty reasonable prices for printing PCB's. Nice find.
A lot of the SparkFun components look nice though, and postage to Australia (where I am too) shouldn't be too costly if divided between a few people.
seaton wrote:I've just received an order for a couple of the nordic modules and a
couple of LPCH2148 header development boards that I'm looking at
using for this project for some prototyping purposes.
Quick suggestion: Can you (and others doing prototypes) maybe
document all the steps while it still is a work in progress and
maybe publish that on a regular basis?
Might offer shortcuts between developers and prevent two people
doing the same mistake for lack of information.
mrhox wrote:Interesting site, people.
I'll just dip my toe in here and offer just a few cents worth:
We who live in the 'backwaters' of the Southern Hemisphere are sometimes short on local assistance and suppliers for more technical electronic components.
DSE has lost the plot of supporting enthusiasts.
futurlec is okay (based on one purchase). I purchased an Atmel AVR (8535) breadboard kit and it came 'fresh' from SE Asia.
futurlec.com (no .au) site has more information on it (especially for LCDs), although remember prices are $US. Delivery (from memory) was around 10 days.
Jaycar's supplier is Electus (electusdistribution.com.au). Get an account with them (you'll need an ABN) spend a minimum of $50 ($100?) ex-GST with them and you'll save lots compared with the retail equivalent. Delivery is good, ex-Sydney.
Of course there's altronics.com.au and radioparts.com.au (Victoria)
RF modules and parts in the 900MHz band include (AU and int'l suppliers):
http://www.rfdigital.com/category.htm?c ... z_Wireless
I can contribute more to this section, if there is interest.
I'm currently developing a project involving a graphic LCD with a (relatively large) active surface area; [and a means of communicating via RF, hence the connection with this site.]
Trying to source an appropriate LCD is proving tricky (without going down the custom route, although this may prove necessary).
This area needs to be a minimum of 150mm (horizontal) by 120mm.
I'd be satisfied with a monochrome screen.
(Many other criteria, but these are the essential starters.)
The cost needs to be <$200 each.
I've seen virtually perfect products at around $550 - $600 (US!). But that price would crush the project.
I've visited some 50 suppliers now (mostly SE Asia) without success.
I'm open to suggestions.
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests


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Image alignment is an iterative minimization process of matching two images, template T and another image I. During the last 20 years, an image alignment technique proposed by Lucas and Kanade in 1981 has been widely used in computer vision. This technique uses image intensity gradient information to iteratively search for the best match between two images.
In the Lucas-Kanade 20 Years On: A Unifying Framework series of articles, S. Baker and I. Matthews describe and provide an implementation in Matlab of the following image alignment algorithms based on the Lucas-Kanade technique:
Each image alignment algorithm iteratively minimizes the sum of square differences between the template T and image I, . Here, E(p) is the image similarity function, p is the vector of warp parameters, x is the pixel coordinates vector, I(x) and T(x) are intensity values of the pixel x of image I and image T, respectively.
In Image Alignment Algorithms – Part I, we described the first and the third of the algorithms mentioned above. In this article, we implement the other two algorithms, the inverse additive algorithm and the forwards compositional algorithm. We also modify the code of the first and the third algorithms to make them all comparable, and finally, we show which one is better (by meaning of speed and convergence) and decide if a real-time object tracking system can be built based on any of them.
To experiment with the code, you need to compile it yourself. First of all, you need Visual Studio to be installed. Visual C++ Express Edition also fits our needs.
Then, you need to download and install the OpenCV library from here. OpenCV is an Intel open source computer vision library, and we will use it as the base for our code. Download OpenCV_1.0.exe and run its installer on your computer.
And at last, you need to configure your Visual Studio as follows. In the Visual Studio main window, choose the Tools -> Options... menu item, then click the Projects and Solutions -> VC++ Directories tree item.
In the 'Show directories for..' combo box, select 'Library Files'. Add the following line to the list below:
C:\Program Files\OpenCV\lib
In the 'Show directories for..' combo box, select 'Include Files'. Add the following lines to the list below:
C:\Program Files\OpenCV\cv\include
C:\Program Files\OpenCV\cxcore\include
C:\Program Files\OpenCV\otherlibs\highgui
That's all! Now, you can compile and run the project.
The align_demo project contains the following files:
Their content
auxfunc.h, auxfunc.cpp
Contains image warping functions.
forwadditive.h, forwadditive.cpp
Contains implementation of the Lucas-Kanade (forwards additive) algorithm.
forwcomp.h, forwcomp.cpp
Contains implementation of the forwards compositional algorithm.
invadditive.h, invadditive.cpp
Contains implementation of the Hager-Belhumeur (inverse additive) algorithm.
invcomp.h, invcomp.cpp
Contains implementation of the Baker-Dellaert-Matthews (inverse compositional) algorithm.
When you run the align_demo.exe, you can see a console window. You need to enter the image deformation parameters (components of the parameter vector p) and press Enter.
After that, you can see two windows, named «template» and «image». And, you can see the white rectangle denoting the initial approximation of the template T.
Then, you will be asked to press any key to run the Lucas-Kanade algorithm. Please ensure that the «image» or the «template» window has focus, otherwise the key press will have no effect.
When the Lucas-Kanade algorithm finishes, you can see the summary information, including the calculation time, the iteration count, and the resulting mean error. The resulting mean error shows the quality of the alignment. The white rectangle in the «image» window displays the resulting template position approximation. Also, the log file is created. Each line of the log file contains the iteration number and the mean error on that iteration. You can find the log file (forwadditive.txt) in the align_demo folder. We will use the log files created for each algorithm to create graphs and compare the speed of convergence.
After that, you will be asked to press any key to run the Hager-Belhumeur algorithm, and so on. For each algorithm, the summary is displayed and the log file is created.
Finally, press any key to exit the application.
We start with the Hager-Belhumeur algorithm (you can find its original description here), because it is a rather specific method. Its authors try to achieve computational efficiency of the method, that's why they require that the warp W has a specific form. The requirement is that the product of two Jacobians can be written as, , where is a matrix that is just a function of the template coordinates, and is just a function of the warp parameters.
The warp matrix that we used in Part I of this article doesn't have such a form. So we need to take another warp. Let's take this one: . This warp can model in-plane rotation, translation, and scaling of the template.
The warp parameter vector has the form of , where is the rotation parameter, and are translation parameters, and s is the scale parameter.
The coordinates of a warped pixel are calculated as the product of the warp matrix W(p) and the coordinate vector :
So, the Jacobians are calculated as follows: ; . The inverse of the last one is calculated as: .
After some algebraic manipulations, the product of these two Jacobians can be written in the required form of: .
Another requirement is that must be invertible. The inverse of our Jacobian is .
Hager-Belhumeur algorithm:
until .
The Hager-Belhumeur algorithm is implemented in invadditive.h and invadditive.cpp.
Parameters for the algorithm are the template image T, the rectangular region of the template (let's denote it as omega), and the image I.
// Hager-Belhumeur inverse additive method
// @param[in] pImgT Template image T
// @param[in] omega Rectangular template region
// @param[in] pImgI Another image I
void align_image_inverse_additive(IplImage* pImgT, CvRect omega, IplImage* pImgI)
// Some constants for iterative minimization process.
const float EPS = 1E-5f; // Threshold value for termination criteria.
const int MAX_ITER = 100;// Maximum iteration count.
To be able to compare the forwards compositional and the Hager-Belhumeur algorithms, we need to use similar warps in both of them. Let's take the same warp W as in the Hager-Belhumeur algorithm .
The forwards compositional algorithms is implemented in forwcomp.h and forwcomp.cpp.
We need to store slightly different sets of images here. We will store the warped image I(W), gradient of the warped image, and an 8-channel image containing the Jacobian computed for each pixel of I.
The forwards compositional algorithm is implemented in the forwcomp.cpp and forwcomp.h files.
If you remember, we implemented the Lucas-Kanade and the Baker-Dellaert-Matthews inverse compositional algorithms in the first part of this article. Now, we need to slightly modify the code of these methods to make them comparable with the forwards compositional and the Hager-Belhumeur algorithms.
Let's start with the Lucas-Kanade (see forwadditive.cpp and forwadditive.h). There is not as much to modify here. Let's just replace the warp matrix W with that we used in the Hager-Belhumeur algorithm . And, since we have the parameter vector p with four components, p=(wz, tx, ty, s), we need to use a 4x4 Hessian matrix. Other matrices used in the minimization process will also have a 4x4 or 4x1 size.
// forwadditive.cpp; line 50
H = cvCreateMat(4, 4, CV_32F);
iH = cvCreateMat(4, 4, CV_32F);
b = cvCreateMat(4, 1, CV_32F);
delta_p = cvCreateMat(4, 1, CV_32F);
And, we will have a slightly different calculation of the Jacobian and steepest descent images.
// forwadditive.cpp; line 129
// Calculate steepest descent image's element.
float stdesc[4]; // an element of steepest descent image
stdesc[0] = (float)(-v*Ix+u*Iy);
stdesc[1] = (float)Ix;
stdesc[2] = (float)Iy;
stdesc[3] = (float)(u*Ix+v*Iy);
Now, let's modify the inverse compositional algorithm (invcomp.h and invcomp.cpp). Here, we can't use the warp matrix , because we will have problems with inverting it when the components of the vector p are small. However, we need to use an almost similar warp to be able to compare algorithms. Let's replace s with (1+s) and use the warp . This matrix is invertible even when the components of vector p are equal to zeros.
Here, we also have a 4x4 Hessian, and we need to modify the Jacobian computation code.
Since we have almost identical warp matrices and the same template in each algorithm that we have implemented, we can compare them. First of all, let's see which one of them works faster. We have four log files containing information about the convergence of our four algorithms. Let's draw the graphs and compare which algorithm converges faster.
We will use the gnuplot tool that can read data from the text files and draw graphs automatically. To draw graphs, we copy all our log files to gnuplot's bin directory and type pgnuplot plot.txt, where plot.txt is a script containing the commands for gnuplot (plot.txt should also be copied to gnuplot's bin directory).
Let's compile the align_demo project using the Release configuration and perform three simple experiments with different values of the parameter vector p on my Pentium IV 3 GHz. You can find the results of the experiments in experiments.zip.
What can we see from the graphs above?
Now, let's compare which algorithm runs faster.
From the table above, we see that:
In this article, we implemented the forwards compositional and the Hager-Belhumeur inverse additive image alignment algorithms. We slightly modified the code of the algorithms that we already implemented in Part I of this article. We compared the performance and the convergence speed of all the implemented algorithms in three simple experiments.
Is it possible to build real-time applications based on one of these algorithms? Many researchers say yes. For example, J. Xiao et al. created the system that was able to work at a speed of about 15 FPS. Their method is very similar to the forwards compositional algorithm.
We tried to use some techniques proposed by J. Xiao and his colleagues in our own head tracking system, and here you can find the demo. On my machine (Pentium IV 3GHz), it works at about 15 FPS. The usage of the inverse compositional method promises an even better speed.
This article, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)
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Tuesday 20 November 2018
"Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov blasted the US senators' appeal not to support Prokopchuk as 'intervention in the voting process' and 'an attempt to exert pressure on Interpol.'"Members of the U.S. Congress belong to one of the three branches of the American government. Their opinions are a normal part of the democratic process, and do not constitute interference -- and certainly not intervention -- in INTERPOL's selection of a new president.
"We love and are proud of President Vladimir Putin, because he is a friend of Palestine and not only Palestine, but all the people who are seeking freedom. President Putin succeeded in restoring Russia's authority in the international arena and forced all to respect Russia."FalseDue to President Vladimir Putin's foreign policy, Russia has suffered significant losses in its global standingIndependent polls show trust and respect for Russia and its president has significantly decreased globally. Under Vladimir Putin's leadership, Russia has suppressed insurgencies in Chechnya and in Syria. Moscow has lost its membership or voting privileges in multiple international organizations.
"Eight votes that were necessary to secure a qualified majority were ensured by …means of blackmailing, threats and bribing opposition parliament members. Three of them, purely by chance, were released from arrest on that same day. Two others, who had open cases investigated by special prosecutors, were promised freedom. Others received corrupt financial offers in exchange for 'the right vote.' Parliament members were locked in their rooms, their cell phones were seized - this is very much in line with the spirit of European democratic practice. It is noteworthy that the U.S. ambassador was in the parliament until the end of the meeting, which leaves no doubt as to who led this process."The Macedonian Foreign Ministry, a member of parliament and the U.S. State Department have all issued statements denying the allegations – the U.S. calling them "absurd." The Russian claims are not backed up with evidence, however, our specific questions were not addressed.
"The way the referendum is formulated is scam in itself… There is a strong opposition in Macedonia now; the President has said he's against the referendum, so it will change a lot… What a lot of the Balkan countries are expecting is that by entering the European Union, they will get subsidies… I think most of them couldn't care less about NATO, as it doesn't have a good image over there."Contrary to the author's claims, a majority of Macedonians supports Euro-Atlantic integration and joining the EU and NATO.
Putin's "Surgeon" of the Night Wolves Issues "End of the World" Message to Slovakian President Kiska
"Let us remind you, dear President, that the headquarters in Slovakia was not opened by the Russian citizens, but by the Slovaks themselves. And offices in Europe are opened not on the initiative of Moscow, but on the initiative of the citizens of European countries themselves who have searched for the truth and found it in the Night Wolves, and not in your hypocritical and unprincipled satanic world order."The Night Wolves have been essential to Vladimir Putin's domestic and foreign policy objectives, including propaganda campaigns. They fought as mercenaries in Ukraine and fomented a failed coup in Montenegro. Since 2012, the club has received millions of rubles in government funds for projects promoting Russia's agenda in Eastern Europe, especially in the Balkans.
"Croatian President Thanks Putin for Fighting Acts of Hatred at World Cup."FIFA has fined several countries for fan and player behavior during the World Cup, including Russia. The article also leaves out other things discussed by the two presidents.
"[T]he main objectives of Russia here are the building of economic cooperation with mutual benefits and the maintenance of sustainable cultural and humanitarian ties with the Balkan peoples. All this certainly applies to Albania. Any other speculation about Russia's 'aggressive plans' or 'expansionist appetites' is nothing more than part of a major Western strategy to portray Russia as an imaginary enemy of NATO and the EU."Russia has annexed foreign territory, is involved in several regional conflicts, and has reportedly been meddling in sovereign countries' domestic politics, including in the Balkans. Moscow has repeatedly said it sees NATO as an enemy and a threat to Russia's national interests.
"Russia is ready to host the World Cup. The stadiums are open. The cops are polyglots. That is a quick recap of many years of work.We're not going to lose face in front of the planet. It's not for nothing we terrified [the planet] with a missile. In general, all is well. But there is only one "but": Our team, frankly, is sh-t."The International Federation of Football Association, the world soccer authority better known as FIFA, ranked Russia's national team #70 and labeled it a "worst mover."
"As you know, nothing in international relations lasts shorter than gratitude, and I would like to thank you once again for what you did in 2015, when you literally saved the Serbian people -- who were and are the people who suffered the most over the last century -- from the stigma of genocide, when you vetoed the British resolution in the U.N."MisleadingVučić's claim that Serbs are "are the people who suffered the most over the last century" is unfoundedThe Serbs not only did not suffer "the most" from 20th Century conflict but it was the Serbian troops who massacred thousands during Bosnian war. Ten UN Security Council members voted for resolution recognizing these atrocities as an act of genocide. Russia vetoed the resolution. Serbs made up one-fourth of the deaths in the 1990's Balkans conflicts. More than two-thirds of the killed were Bosnian Muslims.
"Because during the Cold War there were channels of communication. And there was no obsession with Russophobia, which resembles genocide through sanctions."The United Nations defines genocide as the deliberate destruction of a specific group, and lists five types of actions toward a specific group that qualify as genocidal. None of these apply to the financial and travel restrictions the United States imposed on Russian government officials and tycoons.
"On February 3, while flying over the Idlib de-escalation zone for controlling ceasefire regime observance, [a] Russian Su-25 pair lead-aircraft was hit by a missile launched from a MANPAD."Experts have challenged the Russian Defense Ministry's claim that the Su-25 shot down in Syria's Idlib province was on a "ceasefire observance" mission, pointing to video footage showing that the Russian fighter jet launched an airstrike approximately 15 seconds before it was hit by a shoulder-fired missile.
[This is] A dull student report about how we assaulted democracy in all countries at once. Boring, my friends. Wake me up in five years when they find nothing and reluctantly acknowledge that there was no Russian interference.Evidence of Russian interference in the affairs of European countries through a variety of means has been well documented.


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Sophomore Katherine Chou was part of Harvard's foil team that went undefeated Sunday (Harvard Athletic Communications).
QUEENS, N.Y. – The No. 3 Harvard women's fencing team opened the 2011 portion of its schedule Sunday by topping defending national champion Penn State for the second time this season and beat host St. John's at the St. John's Super Cup.
The Crimson went 2-3 on the day, beating No. 2 Penn State, 15-12, and the host No. 5 Red Storm, 16-11. The team fell to No. 1 Notre Dame, 16-11, No. 10 Ohio State, 18-9, and was edged by No. 6 Columbia, 14-13.
The foil team went a perfect 15-0 Sunday to lead the Crimson, led by freshman Alexandra Kiefer, who earned a win over 2008 Olympian and two-time national champion Doris Willette from Penn State. Shelby McCloud and Katherine Chou also contributed to the undefeated day for the foil athletes.
The women return to action Feb. 6 across town at Cambridge rival MIT for the MIT Invitational.


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Product Description
City View, illustration from Unbuilding, 1980. Signed by David Macaulay. Giclee poster print on paper, image measures 22" x 13" inches.
David Macaulay inspires discovery by demystifying the complexities of our world while celebrating the places the imagination takes us when we least expect it. A Caldecott Medalist and recipient of the MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship, he is perhaps best known for his international best seller, The Way Things Work. Macaulay was also the subject of Norman Rockwell Museum's 2004 exhibition Building Books: The Art of David Macaulay, and served as its Artist Laureate from 2011 to 2012.
Additional Info
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Blink 182 - First Date ringtone
Download ringtone to your computer
Send this ringtone to your phone
Be unique, customize your iPhone, Android or any other mobile phone
For Android phones: Mp3 ringtones or know as real tones, are type of ringtones that are high quality as CD music quality. These ringtones are snippets of an mp3 music file. Mp3 ringtones allows for the first time for mobile phones to produce real life sounds.
For iPhones: iPhones supports M4r ringtones. iPhone ringtones are AAC music files.
How to transfer ringtone to your cell phone
1. After downloading (Click the right mouse button on 'Download' and choose 'Save target as - Internet Explorer or 'Save Link As' - Firefox), use your phone bluetooth, infra red or data cable in order to transfer the ringtone from computer to your mobile.
2. It can be sent to your phone or directly download to your phone via service (the costs are changeable from carrier to carrier) so please read Terms before buy. Terms can be viewed after clicking on Send to your phone link


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The main thing the people I'm attracted to have in common is O positive blood. It's the hottest blood-type, in my opinion.
A few comics I like:
Drawing Board
- Left-Handed Toons
- Buttersafe
Chain Bear - Super Brophy Brothers - Pain Train
Ellie of the Stars - Perish the Thought - xkcd
Abby and Norma - Řyvind Thorsby - Invisible Bread
Channel Ate - A Softer World - chewbac.ca
Luke Surl - Imogen Quest - Firman Productions
MS Paint Adventures - Monster Pulse - Nimona


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furryguest wrote:First time trying and I get an error on import :
no endtag <//button> for starttag </button> found
Nexus 6p on mm
Khariz wrote:You must be the guy on Reddit telling this story. I was the guy replying to you.
jlg wrote:Tealc's owncloud at the top of this page is currently down/offline. He needs to physically get to the server to get it back up and is currently on vacation. This will be fixed within a week or so.
marzametal wrote:Can confirm, latest Arne release works well with Tealc's config. All one has to do is add the extra resolvers if one wishes to (net org pw nu). Apart from that, she works!
hulltech_unseen wrote:could this work on routers?
marzametal wrote:Are you selling storm routers?
kelltech wrote:Both, neither US node connects. I am done traveling for a while after tomorrow, maybe I'll scratch everything and start fresh


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Is Facebook Ruining Marriages?
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently got married — but ironically, he may want to keep his new wife off the social media site he founded. A new survey shows divorce cases mentioning Facebook are on the rise.
Divorce Online reports that the number of UK divorce filings containing the word "Facebook" jumped from 20 percent to 33 percent in the last two years alone.
Sometimes it's in reference to an online affair, but in other instances people took to Facebook to snark about their exes after they split or used their public walls "as weapons in their divorce battle."
Here in the US, 80 percent of divorce attorneys say they've also seen a rise in social networking mentions. Gary Traystman, a lawyer in New London, Conn., says that in the cases he handles where computer history, texts and emails are admitted as evidence, more than half exclusively involve Facebook.
The site has even been used in child custody cases. "It helps me cross-examine a witness," says Atlanta attorney Randy Kessler. "Any pattern of behavior that's recorded on Facebook relating to parenting skills, excessive partying or even disparaging remarks about a spouse that violate a court order could be admissible."
That said, he says no one should blame Facebook itself, adding, "It's the people who use it."


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The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers released its top 10 Christmas songs of the year, listing the composers and the most popular version of the given songs.
Here's the rundown: (1) Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne's "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" recorded by Dean Martin; (2) Leroy Anderson and Mitchell Parish's "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson; (3) Meredith Willson's "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas" by Johnny Mathis; (4) Johnny Mark's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" by Brenda Lee' (5) Joseph Carleton Beal and James Ross Boothe's "Jingle Bell Rock" by Bobby Helms; (6) Felix Bernard and Richard B. Smith's "Winter Wonderland" by Amy Grant; (7) Edward Pola and George Wyle's "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" by Andy Williams; (8) Gloria Shayne Naker and Noel Regney's "Do You Hear What I Hear?" by Whitney Houston; (9) Steve Nelson and Walter E. Rollins' "Frosty the Snowman" by Jimmy Durante; and (10) Fred Coots and Haven Gillespie's "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" by Bruce Springsteen.
On the charts
Among the veteran acts on the Billboard Top 200 album charts are Beyoncé, who began her career in 1990 leading the vocal trio Destiny's Child. Her surprise release, "Beyoncé," was atop the chart after selling 600,000 copies its first week. Garth Brooks, who's self-titled debut LP came out in 1989, dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 with his Walmart-exclusive box set, "Blame It All on My Roots." Fist season "American Idol" champ Kelly Clarkson Christmas album, "Wrapped in Red," is at No. 3.
Pop and soul belter Mary J. Blige's holiday album, "A Mary Christmas" is at No. 11, while Mannheim Symphony's 2011 "Christmas Symphony" is back on the charts at No. 26. Neil Young's "Live at the Cellar Door" that he recorded solo in 1970 is at No. 28. S
Speaking of back on the charts, The Vince Guaraldi Trio's 1965 classic, "A Charlie Brown Christmas," sits at No. 30. Celine Dion's first English-language album since 2007, "Loved Me Back to Life," that peaked at No. 2 and went 4x platinum in her native Canada, is down to No. 38.
On the British album chart, English superstar Robbie Williams, who first found fame with Take That in 1990, is on top for the second straight week with "Swings Both Way," which includes his covers of standards like "Minnie the Moocher" and "Puttin' on the Ritz." Dion's English-language album is at No. 8, while the "Elvis at Stax" box set is at No. 11. Rod Stewart's latest, "Time," that entered the U.K. chart at No. 1 and has gone platinum there, is at No. 13.
Obit: Queen and Bowie producer David Richards
British-born and Swiss-based producer David Richards died at age 57 in England after what was reported to be a long undisclosed illness, according to NME.
Richards produced Queen's final four albums, "A Kind of Magic," "The Miracle," "Innuendo," and "Made in Heaven" that was released after the 1991 death of singer Freddie Mercury. He also produced Iggy Pop's most successful album, "Blah Blah Blah" in 1987 as well as three albums by David Bowie that the Thin White Duke recorded in the late '80s and early '90s. He also recorded the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland for many years.
New Releases
Among the recently released albums, digital reissues, MP3 downloads and deluxe box sets are a remastered 12-CD box set, "The Studio Albums 1969-1987" from British prog rock legends Yes; a 4-CD import box from British Invasion icons The Zombies, "In Stereo"; a remastered Japanese import, "Singles 1969-1973" from The Carpenters; a reissue of former Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett's seventh solo album, 1983's "Bay of Kings"; an import, "Best," from Satchmo, aka Louis Armstrong that includes "Hello Dolly!," "When You're Smiling," "What a Wonderful World" and "When the Saints Go Marching In"; "Home in the Islands" is a reissue and "Tropics" is a new compilation from Henry Kopono of Hawaiian pop music duo Cecilio and Kopono; a Japanese import, "Now What? Live Tapes" from Deep Purple; and a greatest hits package, "Apple Peaches Pumpkin Pie" from Allentown, Pennsylvania, pop and soul group Jay and The Techniques.
Note from the Editor: Steve Smith's music columns will now post online in two parts each week on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Steve Smith writes a new Classic Pop, Rock and Country Music News column every week. Contact him by email at email@example.com.


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Style# 1W000027
Classic Fit Bermuda Check On-The-Go Performance Tucker Shirt
Final Sale - this item cannot be returned.
Features & Fit
Pink sand, sails up! Head out on the bay with style in this men's classic-fit performance shirt with quick-drying and stretch.
· 91% nylon 9% spandex
· Performance blend button down woven top
· Quick-drying
· Perfect for a day of activity or a day at the office
· Barrel cuffs with buttons so you can wear it any way you want
· Whale embroidered on the chest pocket
· Imported
Care Instructions:
· Machine wash cold with like colors
· Gentle cycle
· Use only non-chlorine bleach if needed
· Tumble dry low
· Warm iron if needed
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How it Fits: Classic Fit Shirts
With a roomier, more comfortable fit through the sleeves and body, this classic-fitting shirt is the perfect length to wear tucked in.
See how it will fit on you
Fit Guide: Classic Fit Shirts


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Starting the Conversation
There may be a time when you or someone you love will not be able to care for themselves. Care Conversations™ helps you have the honest and productive discussions needed to plan and prepare for the future. Whether you're seeking care for yourself, or for a loved one such as a spouse, parent or sibling, Care Conversations™ connects you with advice from long term care professionals to help you every step of the way. Worry less about tomorrow. Start a conversation today.
Care Conversations Blog
The decisions that come along with long term care can be overwhelming and hard to navigate. Care Conversations' blog aims to provide our readers with the knowledge and guidance needed to select the plan of care that's right for them. Find valuable insight into the care planning process, hear personal accounts of various care experiences, and get the conversation started about long term care.
Find A Care Center
If you're considering away-from-home care for yourself or a loved one, it's helpful to know which long term care facilities are nearby. To begin exploring options, enter your address, city, or ZIP code and the distance you are willing to travel into the Find A Care Center tool below. When you do, you'll find websites and contact information for the centers that are located within your community.


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I breathed a sigh of relief when Bethenny Frankel's assistant Julie Plake finally gave her notice on this week's episode of Bethenny Ever After. Julie just looked so miserable in every episode this season. I wanted to take her out for a drink and get her a new job.
It looks like she did just that. Her Twitter bio as of this week reads, "back in the burgh, working in pr & loving life." Julie, who had worked for Bethenny for three years, decided to leave New York and move closer to her family and boyfriend. You can't really blame her, life in New York is so expensive and can be exhausting, especially when you're in a 24/7 job like the one of celebrity assistant.
On her Bravo blog this week, Julie explains how she felt after watching Bethenny describe to her therapist how Julie's frazzled attitude affected her negatively. Because everything is about Bethenny. To her credit, Julie takes the high road:
Seeing Bethenny talk about me in therapy was emotional. In my time with Bethenny, I was pretty much everywhere with her (bathroom, bedroom, fitting room), but the therapy room. I guess I didn't realize until I saw this what an extreme part of her life I had become. I always knew it, but seeing her get emotional like that made it more real. Bethenny and her familyhave become a HUGE part of my life. I saw them EVERYDAY all day. . .not being around them is like having an empty hole. I am just glad that Bethenny has Dr. Amador to help her work through her emotions and learn tools on how to handle situations. Everyone needs that.
Having worked for a moody boss before, it makes me so angry that Julie is still deferring to Bethenny in the above blog post. I'm sure Julie did affect Bethenny's mood, but at the end of the day, Bethenny is the one who takes home all the profits. She is the boss. Did Bethenny ever think that it was her crazy-ass behavior that made Julie so frazzled? Julie also makes a curious statement about the rest of her time on the show:
"Don't worry though — you can't get rid of me that quickly. I'm still around to wear out my welcome and say goodbye. . .
It's bittersweet. . .stay tuned."
That's an interesting comment! I wonder if we'll see their relationship change. Bethenny also blogged, and started it off like this: "I really liked this episode, because it was largely about female power, which is, in many ways, what I stand for." Female power via low-calorie drinks! We're going to destroy the patriarchy while remaining true to our inner Skinnygirl.
Bethenny says Julie's departure was the right thing to do:
Julie made a decision. Whether that is what you or I would do is irrelevant. She was stuck. She was tormented and something needed to happen for something to happen. To be honest, it was better for everyone. When someone is struggling with something, it affects their whole environment. Jackie was so enthusiastic about embarking on a new adventure, and it was difficult to do so while Julie's heart and head were leaving the game. It's the circle of life in business. I love Julie, and she is forever in my heart and connected to my family, but I do believe that it was the best decision for everyone. She is happy, the office is running smoothly and quietly, and everyone has found their place.
That's right, Julie! Every thing is so much better now that you are gone! But seriously, Bethenny is right, and Julie is probably much happier. The thing about working for a boss like that is everything else afterwards seems easy.
And what about the new Julie? Jackie also posted to her Bravo blog, but she's a woman of few words, saying that she was "in denial" about Julie's departure and that "I know I have big shoes to fill, but Julie is a great teacher and will help me with everything I need to know!"


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Donna: What do you do Alicia for your skin.
Alicia: I am currently on hsn as the serious skin care girl for jennifer flan stallone..
Donna: What special products do they carry?
Alicia: All types from normal to dry skin, I like the olive oil products.
D: Where is your career now?
A: I am currently playing princess leia in the Morgan Spurlock film, called comic con 1v, a fans hope.
D: Did you ever do tv?
A: Yes I played Theresa Carter on General Hospital, and they just won their 12th Emmy.
D: Do you have any advice for your skin going into the summer?
A: Oh yes Donna, like your beautiful skin, I protect my sun screen higher than SPF 25, I think 50 is better, of course never ever smoke and drink lots of water.
D: What advice do you have for makeup?
A: Less is more, keep it natural.
D: Thank you Alicia
A: Thank you Donna.
Photography by Betty Kennedy and Dave Edwards, dailyceleb.com


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blueglimmer needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 48 designs submitted by 24 freelance designers.
"BabyToddler.org" will be a new baby & toddler group site. It needs a fun, smart web 2.0 style logo.
Please Note, the domain name has been changed from babygroups.co.uk to better target our audience.
Desired Color Scheme:
Nothing strict - maybe some primary colours or pastels.
Desired Style:
I would like a clean web 2.0 style but with a fun personality. The lettering must be clear and readable. No flash.
Accepted File Formats:
vector-based or psd
This logo is needed for a new baby & toddler playgroups site - so it is aimed at families. The feel should be colourful and cute - think babies and toddlers. The style should be web 2.0 but with a fun slant. The logo should be mainly the 'BabyToddler.org' lettering.
Some small cute or striking illustration (own artwork only please) included alongside the lettering would be very nice. Maybe something like a stack of coloured beakers, baby bottle, crawling baby, or pull-along toy.
I will leave regular feedback and hope to be back with a 2nd contest soon to get the template designed. Therefore I hope for some good entries and a logo with colours I can base the site's look on.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Symbios necesitaba un nuevo diseño de página web y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 43 diseños de 16 diseñadores freelance.
The site is relatively new and lists franchise opportunities, the url is http://www.franchiseroute.co.uk/
To be decided
Desired Style:
Clean and proffesional
Accepted File Formats:
Standard Web Formats (.jpg, .gif or .png); Layered Formats (.psd or .tiff)
The site has to appeal to the companies with franchises as one objective is to get them to list their franchise on our site, it also needs to entice people looking for a Franchise opportunity to sign up and use it.
So were looking for a design for the home page that we can adapt and use as a template for the rest of the site, we can change what is displayed there but for this exercise please work with what is shown at the moment.
The site url is http://www.franchiseroute.co.uk/
We like white backgrounds for text, but feel free to work with what is there and suggest anything that will give the right uncluttered look.
We have no real preference on colours, there are other sites out there, do a search for franchise opportunities, none appear to be outstanding design wise, we would like our site to really stand out from them.


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The latest tool available to San Francisco Bay Area Realtors, selling San Francsico real estate, is the new site DataSF.org. Launched by city government, the site is a comprehensive housing mechanism for data sets about San Francisco. The data sets provide Realtors with crucial information that can detail life in the city down to the neighborhood.
What is DataSF?
"DataSF is a clearinghouse of datasets available from the City & County of San Francisco. Our goal in releasing this site is:
(1) improve access to data
(2) help our community create innovative apps
(3) understand what datasets you'd like to see
(4) get feedback on the quality of our datasets."
The following is a list of the data sets collected by DataSF.org:


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In my new position as associate editor at Club Industry, I strive to offer insight and information to a demographic I have yet to meet and learn more about. However, I understand that the staff here does not need to be made up of fitness business professionals in order to provide the news and direction our readers need. In the process of receiving my bachelor's of science degree in journalism, I learned a journalist must adapt to situations, research and report, providing unbiased insights.
Though I don't include my viewpoints in my stories, I like to have my own discernment about the content I cover, since having an understanding beyond an interview or research can only add to your writing. So as an eager, young journalist yearning to provide insights for my readers, I ventured to the gym at my apartment complex for a little "research."
Simply exercising does not make me a fitness business professional or grant me an all-knowing status, but it is the only start I had time for (since I am working all day to cover the news you need most). With state-of-the-art equipment and flat-screen TVs to distract me, I started to think this fitness thing wasn't too bad. However, after the new workout excitement wore off and after a few long days at work took their toll, I wasn't as eager to go back for another workout. I foresaw this roadblock possibility as soon as I hit the couch after one long day at work, but I know this happens to most people who start new exercise routines.
So I am back at the starting block with every other person in America who set a new year's resolution or just wants to be a little healthier. It made me wonder what fitness business professionals would do to motivate me and the January joiners at their clubs? We seem to need a force bigger than ourselves to motivate us to return every day.
As I researched the matter, I came across articles about retention methods. Some facilities create a new member integration experience that surpasses new members' expectations by creating a lasting good impression. Other facilities create engaging fitness and workout spaces to provide an environment that invigorates and seduces members to return. Both seemed like they could entice me to try harder if I was exercising at a larger facility that required dues. However, what I was seeking to get me off my starting blocks (or, more literally, my couch) was some motivation.
Though this revelation isn't about the latest financials for fitness equipment manufacturers, the most recent development in fitness club equipment or even the breaking news of a partnership that will produce a collection of health clubs in the Mid-Atlantic region, I believe it is just as important. Some may call it marketing or sales, but in layman's terms, what your facility needs to succeed is a way to motivate.
Whether it's encouraging your staff to provide individualized attention to members, revamping your facility to offer a more engaging and motivating atmosphere or emphasizing a one-on-one personal training opportunity that can dish out the required amount of motivation, a little extra motivation will take your facility a long way.
My leap into the fitness world didn't give me instant knowledge or an immediate set of rock-hard abs, but it did give me an insight into something that I believe every fitness business professional thinks about. So take a step back and think about what makes your facility stand apart from the competition. Whether it's a nonprofit facility, university recreation center or a nationwide chain, what kind of motivation are you offering this year?


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Only another day to the cosmos but to our understanding a fresh whole year. This is the thread to propose to a supportive group what steps you may take towards one or more goals.
In the past week I've read Emerson's "Experience" essay a couple of times. This is almost a combative piece as he pushed back against the "facts" and calculations of "science" to rouse readers' appreciation of their inner creator.
I have organized a few snippets under a few "tips" [my heading in bold red, Emerson's text in blue]:
Respect the Call
Into every intelligence there is a door which is never closed, through which the creator passes.
A Step may be to give yourself some Slack
We do not know today whether we are busy or idle. In times when we thought ourselves indolent, we have afterwards discovered, that much was accomplished, and much was begun in us.
Prepare for Surprising Jumps
All good conversation, manners, and action, come from a spontaneity which forgets usages, and makes the moment great. Nature hates calculators; her methods are saltatory and impulsive.
Put up a Sturdy Wall of "No!" to Diversions and Distractions
A preoccupied attention is the only answer to the importunate frivolity of other people: an attention, and to an aim which makes their wants frivolous. Adrastia, "that every soul which had acquired any truth, should be safe from harm until another period."
Stepping towards your Goal will Lead You to New Places
The individual is always mistaken. [They] designed many things, and drew in other persons as coadjutors, quarrelled with some or all, blundered much, and something is done; all are a little advanced, but the individual is always mistaken. It turns out somewhat new, and very unlike what [they] promised [themselves].
Enjoy a full day, week, month, quarter, year of Happy Stepping!


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CBS and The CW Tell Us What We Should Watch Next Fall
This week are the television upfronts, when the networks show ever-eager advertisers the programs they're working on for the fall season. The networks want to make money off these shows. We just want to pass judgment on them.
CBS is TV's most popular network—especially with old people and those crazy enough to like Two and a Half Men—so what stodgy programs will keep the geezers happy this coming fall? Here are the five new shows they're kicking off in September. Looks like the same mixed bag of stale comedies and warmed over procedurals. Don't go changing, CBS.
It's also business as usual over at The CW, with a slate of teen-bait, girl power dramas (our favorite kind!) and celebrity-driven reality shows. Look below for their four newest offerings.
2 Broke Girls
When: Mondays 8:30pm
What Is This?: A rich girl (some generic blond sitcom thing) loses all her money and gets a job in a diner with a poor girl (Kat Dennings). Together they are 2 Broke Girls.
Will People Watch It?: It's from producers Michael Patrick King (of Sex and the City fame) and Whitney Cumming (who would be better suited in this comedy than her crappy Whitney on NBC), so hopes are high, but based on the laugh track and general stodginess, this could be like S#!& Two Waitresses Say.
When: Tuesdays at 10pm
What Is This?: It's a cop show, but the cop (Poppy Montgomery, formerly of CSNCIS with Criminal Investigative Mentalist Castles) has a cop ex-boyfriend (Nip/Tuck's Dylan Walsh) and a photographic memory, just like Marilu Henner! (Seriously, Marilu Henner has a photographic memory.)
Will People Watch It?: Your parents are going to watch the fuck out of this show.
How to Be a Gentleman
When: Thursdays at 8:30pm
What Is This?: An odd couple comedy where a fussy manners columnist reunites with a bro-ish high school friend (Kevin Dillon, playing his Entourage role all over again) and they teach each other about life.
Will People Watch It?: This doesn't look so bad, but I'm afraid it will get lost in the shuffle.
Person of Interest
When:Thursdays at 9pm
What Is This?: A shady man (Lost villain Michael Emerson) saves a homeless man who used to be an assassin (former Jesus Christ Jim Caviezal) to help him prevent violent crimes from happening.
Will People Watch It?: It's produced by JJ Abrams and scripted by Jonathan Nolan, so chances are it's going to be a lot smarter and cooler than the premise promises. I know I'm in.
A Gifted Man
When: Fridays at 8pm
What Is This?: Patrick Wilson sees dead people—his dead wife, specifically.
Will People Watch It?: It's such a shame that the gorgeousness of Patrick Wilson and Pablo Screiber (Liev's hunky brother) is being wasted on a Friday night on a show whose premise will wear thin by the end of episode five.
The CW
Hart of Dixie
When: Mondays at 9pm
What Is This?: Look, Rachel Bilson is doing something other than ice cream commercials. She plays a northern doctor who has to go down south and work in a southern town full of people that hate her. Basically it's Southern Exposure.
Will People Watch It?: I vote no, but some passive aggressive cuntiness could be fun.
When: Tuesdays at 9pm
What Is This?: Sarah Michelle Geller plays a woman who witness a mob hit and escapes to her twin sister's house. When her twin commits suicide, she poses as her posh sister and tries to find out the mystery of her death.
Will People Watch It?: It sounds complicated, but I am so there.
When: Wednesdays at 8pm
What Is This?: A celebrity goes to confront someone who has publicly hated on them.
Will People Watch It?: Oh my god, this is officially my new favorite show. Sure, it will be annoying to watch celebrities play martyrs and haters crumble and fall in love with their former objects of torment, but this is a great idea for a show. Also, I hereby volunteer myself to confront any of the people I have hated on the internet. Except January Jones. I can't be held accountable for what I might do to her.
Secret Circle
When: Thursdays at 9pm
What Is This?: A teenage girl loses her mother and moves in with her grandmother in Washington where she discovers that she is a witch and is part of a coven of very, very sexy teenagers.
Will People Watch It?: After the Vampire Diaries? For sure!


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Spa town in Hungary
The city of Hajdúszoboszló (pron. hai-do-so-boss-low) is located in Eastern Hungary, 240 km from Budapest and 30 km from Debrecen International Airport. The baths are in the northern part of the city around a large and beautiful boating lake. This place is really a fun for everybody in every age. The main areas of the complex are the following:
Loyal to the name, it's a huge water fun-park with altogether 1,000 meter of slides. From a 12 m high tower you can choose from nine slides or visit the new ones called Niagara, Twister and Big Hole - the names speak for themselves. There are smaller slides for the youngsters with children's pool, and also a pool for the babies.
The Strand (the plage) is situated on the shore of the boating lake of Hajdúszoboszló. It has volleyball and streetball courts, an artificial turf football field and five tennis courts. The stand has a Mediterranean beach with a promenade and a huge deepening pool, there's also a wave-pool, a thermal pool, children's pool with playground, and a mysterious pirate ship. The stand is open from May till September.
Thermal Bath
In the main bath hall there are three indoor thermal pools with water temperature of 32, 36, 38 °C. There are also outdoor pools, restrooms, three medical rooms, treatment, physiotherapy and massage rooms. Pools have iodic, salty and bromine thermal water with natural healing effect mainly for degenerative diseases, musculoskeletal and rheumatic problems. The water treatment has also positive effect on those who are after orthopedic surgery or stroke, have neuritis or Heine-Medin disease.
Aqua Palace
Fun for all is the code! Aqua palace is about the experience of bathing in many ways. You will find inside excellent saunas, cave-bath, tropical pool, baby pool, family pool, ice cave, cinema bath, Roman bath and marine pool. There is also fitness, solarium, beauty salon and massage service, private bath with Jacuzzi and relax room for couples.
Swimming pool
Next to the Thermal Camping is the Árpád indoor swimming pool with its standard 50 m long eight-lane pool, suitable for championships. The water temperature is around 25-27 °C. Inside the building you will also find a training pool, two thermal pools, saunas, solarium, fitness and gym.
Close to the bath-complex there are many hotels, apartments and places for camping. Each bath has its own various entry tickets, depending on what you are up to. Prices are around 2,000-3,000 HUF for a full price daily ticket.


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Your choice of the right type of luggage can go a long way towards enjoying a more stress-free romantic vacation or getaway!
In my 18 years in the airline industry, I've seen over and over what can happen to suitcases that are of poor quality and/or poorly packed. They will often end up on the baggage carousel with your clothes and contents strewn all over! Or they'll come down the chute missing handles, straps and wheels.
To avoid the disaster and stress of a major luggage malfunction, have a look now at our advice for buying luggage guide, and tips on how to pack that suitcase or carry-on right:
Tips on Buying a Suitcase
*Did You Know*: If you check in luggage for a transcontinental or overseas flight more than 3 hours in advance, there's a good chance your bag will be on the bottom of a metal container with 30 or 40 suitcases on top of it!
Airports, airplanes and airlines can be tough on luggage. The stories are legendary, and unfortunately, it doesn't matter what carrier you fly or which airport you use. So, there's no doubt that a hard-shell suitcase will stand up much better than fabric or leather luggage.
Luggage Buying Tip: Our advice for buying luggage (full size suitcase) that will be checked in is this: We recommend travelling with a tough, molded hard-shell case (polycarbonate casing) with either a graphite or composite frame.
Buying Carry On Luggage
Carry on's make great clothing and accessories luggage for weekend getaways, or even longer trips if you can get by with less (and know how to pack a suitcase!)
Carry On Luggage Size: Airline rules for carry on size luggage are pretty much standard world-wide. On the average, you're allowed to carry on 1 bag which can weigh a maximum of 22 lbs (10kg).
One of the most important "inside the airplane rules for carry on bags" is this: If it's packed heavy, ask for some assistance in placing it in the overhead bin. We've seen overweight bags come crashing down on people seated below, and it can be a real hazard.
While carry-on bags don't suffer quite the wear and tear of checked luggage, they still need to stand up well to a fair amount of punishment.
The best carry on luggage has a nice balance of durability/toughness with lightweight handling and expandabilty. We've each been using an American Tourister carry-on made of no-tear nylon with reinforced stress points, and they work great. They are:
•Easy enough to carry through security and place in overhead bins.
•Strong enough to be used as a sky-check bag on a commuter flight.
How to Pack Carry-On Luggage
Pack your carry-on with essentials such as tickets and travel documents, passport, prescription medication, glasses, keys, notebook computer, cell phone and ipod/mp-3.
Another good idea is to consider including at least a one-day supply of clothing in your carry-on just in case your checked bag goes missing. That way, you can still enjoy your holiday while the airline delivers your luggage. Find the best prices on carry-on luggage at LuggagePoint.com
Buying Luggage Online
First of all, we recommend buying luggage in a store. That way you can check for yourself how a suitcase is made, build quality, comfort of use, and so on. Nothing can match the hands-on approach.
However, for some, buying luggage online is a necessity. So what do you look for from an online luggage store?
•First of all, the site should be easy to use
•You should be able to shop by brand or shop by luggage type
•Any discounts, deals and promo codes should be up front and clearly visible
•They should offer free shipping at least on larger orders
•They should offer a price guarantee and a 30 day return policy
More Travel Tips for Packing Luggage:
#1: Pack Light. This is the single most important way to keep your luggage in one piece without serious damage. Any suitcase, cheap or expensive, can be damaged by loading it well beyond it's designed limits.
#2: Take Off All Straps and Old Airline Tags. This will help your bag get through all the conveyor belts and sorting systems quickly and accurately.
#3: I.D. Tags. Place a tag with your full name, address and phone number on both the outside and the inside of the bag.
#4: Fragile/Handle With Care Stickers – Don't bother. In all honesty, on a suitcase, they are rarely noticed or paid attention to. They're best on boxes and unusual items only.
We Hope This Advice for Buying Luggage and Packing Helps You Have a Worry-Free Getaway!


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Bold, innovative, in some ways the best pickup.
Editor: New Car Test Drive staff
$22,650 Base Price MSRP
$36,400 As Tested MSRP
Model Lineup: Nissan Titan King Cab XE 2WD ($22,650), SE 2WD ($24,800), LE 2WD ($29,250); Crew Cab XE 2WD ($25,500), SE 2WD ($27,300), LE 2WD ($32,050); King Cab XE 4WD ($25,850), SE 4WD ($28,000), LE 4WD ($32,300); Crew Cab XE 4WD ($28,700), SE 4WD ($30,500), LE 4WD ($35,100)
Standard Engine: 5.6-liter dohc 32-valve V8
Engine Options: 305-hp 5.6-liter dohc 32-valve V8
Standard Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Transmission Options: 5-speed automatic
Basic Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles
Assembled In: Canton, Mississippi
Model Tested MSRP: Nissan Titan King Cab 4WD LE ($32,300)
Standard Equipment: air conditioning; power steering; power disc brakes with ABS, EBD, and Brake Assist; power windows w driver/passenger one-touch auto up/down; power locks w illuminated switches; remote keyless entry; overhead console; cruise control; trip computer; fog lamps; leather-trimmed captain's chairs with integrated armrest, manual lumbar adjustment, 8-way power driver's side, and memory; fold-flat passenger seat; center console and floor shifter; matching vinyl second row; Rockford-Fosgate 350-watt audio w 10 speakers, subwoofer, dual media; Utility Bed Package
Options As Tested: Side-Airbag Package ($850) includes side-impact and curtain airbags; Navigation Package ($2000); Tow Package ($600) includes receiver hitch, lower final gear ratio (3.357), 7-pin wiring harness plug, trailer brake pre-wiring on I/P, transmission oil temperature gauge, extended mirrors, heavy duty battery and cooling and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC)
Standard Safety Equipment: ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, smart front airbags, tire-pressure monitor, LATCH
Optional Safety Equipment: Vehicle Dynamic Control, side-impact airbags, curtain airbagsDestination Charge: $650
Titan offers more emotion than some of the other trucks. Titan is the first truly full-size pickup in nearly 25 years from anyone other than the Big Three, and the first ever from a company whose world headquarters are located outside of North America. (Titan is significantly larger than the Toyota Tundra, which is not quite full-size.)
Nissan did its homework, benchmarking favored pickups and edging the bar higher. As a result, Titan boasts best in class headroom, best in class torque, best in class interior volume for the Crew Cab, best 4x4 ground clearance, best 4x4 approach angle, largest in class 4x4 tires. Titan can tow up to 9,500 pounds, putting at the top of the class alongside the latest Ford F-150.
Clever innovations improve on the traditional pickup. Among them: a factory-applied spray-in bedliner, a C-channel tie-down system for securing cargo and accessories, a stash box integrated into the driver's-side rear fender for storing a tow hitch or other small items. And the rear doors on the King Cab open nearly 180 degrees for quick access.
For 2005, Nissan has added a dampened tailgate assist, to reduce effort when opening and closing the tailgate. Active front head restraints are now standard on all models, and the Crew Cab now comes with a power retractable rear window, lending an open-air feeling to the interior. The window features privacy glass and an electric defroster. A new Trac Package for 2WD models includes a locking rear differential and front tow hooks.
You say you want an American truck? The Titan was designed in California. It's built in Mississippi and its high-tech V8 is built in Tennessee.
The 2005 Nissan Titan is available in two body styles: an extended King Cab with auxiliary rear doors and a 6-foot, 7-inch bed; and a Crew Cab with a larger cabin, four conventional doors and a 5-foot, 7-inch bed.
All Titans boast Nissan's new 5.6-liter V8 engine and five-speed automatic transmission.
Three trim levels are available: XE, SE, and LE. All models are available in 2WD and 4WD. All Titans come with a high level of standard equipment including a tire-pressure monitor, cruise control, tilt steering and a CD stereo.
The XE 2WD King Cab ($22,650) comes standard with a split front bench seat that has a fold-down armrest storage bin, and split pop-up rear seat. XE also comes with 17-inch steel wheels, but has manual door locks and wind-up windows.
SE ($24,800) adds captain's chairs with a better grade of cloth, 18-inch aluminum wheels, power everything, and host of other features. A Popular Package ($1,250) for the SE adds many of the LE's luxury features, but not its leather upholstery. The same package is available with the Rockford-Fosgate stereo ($1,750).
LE ($29,250) gets leather seats in front, Rockford-Fosgate audio, fog lights, power adjustable pedals, tubular running boards and all the trick bed features described above. A DVD-based navigation system ($2,000) is optional on LE only.
Choosing a Crew Cab model adds $2,500-$2,850 to the prices above. Four-wheel drive (4WD) adds $3,050-$3,200. All King Cab models are offered with flexible-fuel engines (FFV) for no additional cost. Front bench seats are available as a credit option on SE and LE.
Optional is a package that includes front-seat side-impact air bags and curtain air bags ($850), always good choices in tall vehicles like SUVs and trucks. Curtain airbags are designed to provide head protection in a side impact or rollover event; side-impact airbags are designed to protect the torso in a side impact. These are important body parts, necessary for happy human function, so we recommend these features. On some models, the airbag package can be bundled with VDC electronic stability control ($1,200), which helps the driver maintain control by reducing or elminating skidding in corners. Seatbelts are your first line of defense in a crash, so always wear them.
The Utility Bed Package ($950 on SE, standard on LE) includes a clever channel system in the bed for flexible tie-down configurations to fit a wide range of cargo; a lockable storage system in the outside of the bed; tailgate lighting; a power point at the rear; and that factory-applied spray-in bedliner.
An off-road package for 4WD models ($1,000-$1,450) consists of a unique lower-ratio Dana axle, switch-on-demand electronically activated locking rear differential, Rancho performance gas shock absorbers, large all-terrain tires, fog lights, and skid plates for the radiator, oil pan and transfer case. The less ambitious Trac Package ($300) adds the locking differential to a 2WD XE or SE.
All models can be equipped with XM Satellite Radio ($400). Only SE and LE Crew Cabs are available with DVD entertainment ($1450); only LE Crew Cabs can be ordered with a sunroof ($900).
Other options are available as well; still, Nissan has made no effort to match the staggering mix of options in engine, transmissions, body styles and accessories that greet a Big Three pickup buyer. So you'll have to look elsewhere if you want a big duallie or a cheap, V6-powered regular cab. Nissan says its plan is to get the basics right and then build on that with a new level of style and innovation.
Safety features include optional front-seat side-impact air bags and curtain air bags. The Titan is the first full-size pickup to offer curtain air bags, which can improve protection against head injuries in a side-impact or rollover accident. Standard safety features on the 2005 Titan include dual-stage front air bags with seat belt sensors and a front-passenger occupant classification senso
Walk Around
Titan presents an intimidating sight in rearview mirrors, an aspect that's true of all of the current full-size pickups. Titan's blocky head-on view, with its twin sloping chrome bars angling down across a bee-comb radiator says, Here comes a BIG truck." At that, the look is simple and direct, short of braggadocio.
The rest of the Nissan Titan fulfills that impression: direct and shaped by function, a true truck. Big square-shaped fender flares give it a look of rugged sportiness. Lots of chrome up front adds to the boldness.
The King Cab's unique door design is a real light-bulb innovation. Like most extended-cab pickups, the Titan King Cab has a conventional front door hinged at the front, with a rear-hinged back door; and you must open the front door before you can open the rear door. But the Titan's rear door opens not just to the near 90 degrees that's expected; it swings farther yet, yawning 168 degrees, which is nearly flat against the truck's body. Wide-Open Nissan calls it, and it is. On both sides, too. It's surprising how often this feature becomes useful. At the grocery store, it makes it much easier to maneuver a cart closely into position for unloading. Next to a curbside tree, you can open the main door just wide enough to get out, open the rear door its full 168 degrees, close the main door, and you have unencumbered access to the cargo area behind the seats. Doing the same thing on the driver's side means you can unload cargo without having a big door open into traffic. In daily use, we found this clever door design added more utility than we originally expected. King Cab models come with 6 1/2-foot beds.
Crew Cab models feature four full-sized doors, adding greatly to comfort and convenience. Crew Cabs have 5 1/2-foot beds, trading a foot of bed space for roomy rear seats and more interior cargo room.
With their tailgates lowered, both bed sizes can accommodate 4x8-foot sheets of building material between their wheel housings. Four big eyelets are bolted to the insides of the bed for tying things down. Like the Ford and Dodge trucks, the load height (the distance from the bed to the ground) is high on 4WD Titans, measuring approximately 37 inches to the open tailgate by our tape measure. On 2WD Titans the load height is about 34 inches, a big difference when loading heavy cargo. Higher may be better for displaying machismo, but lower is better when there's work to be done.
Nissan's sprayed-in bedliner looks terrific. The anti-skid surface keeps cargo from sliding around, prevents scratches and rust, and reduces noise. Unlike plastic drop-in liners, it doesn't trap moisture underneath, reducing the chance of rust. Covered by the truck's warranty, the coating is applied at a $2 million facility specifically built for this purpose at Nissan's spanking-new truck factory in Mississippi. The anti-skid surface can make it harder to slide a box out, but this seems outweighed by the upsides.
The available C-channel tie-down system is designed to accommodate a variety of scenarios. It features C-section rails mounted in the bed: two on the floor, and one each on the side and forward walls. Removable cleats slide into the channels and can be positioned anywhere along its length, thus permitting customized securing of cargo. Sliding cargo trays, a sliding tool box and other modular storage units are available for kayaks, bikes, and other needs. The bed channels feature protective caps that slide on to keep out debris when they're not being used. It appears to be a great system.
An innovative storage compartment integrated into left rear fender is convenient for storing at tow-hitch ball, work gloves, road flares, or a first aid kit. Measuring 11x15 inches, this small bedside compartment is double sealed to be weather and dust proof. Opening it is a little awkward because you must pry open a little springloaded cover with one hand, then unlock "
Inside, the Titan feels spacious yet snug at the same time. It's roomy when measured in cubic feet, but it's also organized, with handy tucking spaces and storage bins.
Two interior configurations are available. Standard on XE is a front bench seat with column shifter, so you can in theory accommodate up to six passengers. SE and LE come with two front bucket seats (captain's chairs) and a gated floor shifter in a large center console; but you can get the bench seat as a credit option in the two up-market models. It even comes upholstered in premium cloth in SE and in leather in LE.
The leather upholstery in the LE models is sporty, attractive and quite pleasing. The rear seats in the LE are covered in matching vinyl that most people will assume is leather. It's a good sleight of hand.
The bucket seats are firm and comfortable. The seat bottoms are relatively flat, making it easy to slide in and out, yet they offer good support and feel like they'd be comfortable on cross-country trips. We find them more comfortable than the cushy seats in the GM trucks or those we've seen in the new Ford F-150, which could use more side support. The Titan LE driver's seat and passenger's seat are power adjustable, with memory on the driver's side. Seat heaters are available.
The King Cab has 60/40 flip-up rear seats, and the nearly flat floor beneath makes loading and toting a wide mix of people and things a breeze. Three people can ride in the back seat, enjoying lots of legroom and headroom, but the upright seatbacks make anything longer than a trip to the restaurant or store feel like a journey. Bottle holders are provided in the rear doors to keep back-seat riders contented. Flip up the rear seat bottoms and the King Cab can carry a 160-pound dog in comfort. Hooks provided on the seat bottoms are useful for hanging grocery bags, tote bags, or gear bags so their contents don't end up scattered around the floor. The seat backs also fold down, adding another cargo-carrying option. Add the benefits of the near-180-degree rear door and the King Cab offers real flexibility.
The Crew Cab is roomy and comfortable whether sitting in the front or the rear seats. Nissan claims the Crew Cab offers more front legroom and rear legroom than other full-size half-ton pickups, and it feels like it. The rear seat is large and relaxing, with a full 24 degrees of seatback angle. The rear seats are split 60/40 with bottoms that flip up, revealing much more interior cargo space than what's available in the King Cab. The fold-up seat bottoms leave more usable space available than fold-and-tumble designs. Ample storage is available in the rear compartment, including door storage bins and rear door bottle holders in the armrests.
Up front, both models feature large knobs, handles and grips friendly to hands wearing heavy work gloves. Nissan interiors are improving. Titan's interior is smart in function and in looks. It looks as if it would work and it does.
Big knobs are used for the manual heating and air conditioning controls. The top-line Rockford Fosgate audio system has a big volume knob and large station buttons that can be set simply by holding them down for a couple of seconds. Secondary audio functions are easy to access and operate. An auxiliary input is provided on the dash for plugging in an Apple iPod or other MP3 player.
Thoughtfulness in the design is evident everywhere, inside and out, making the Titan a singularly useful truck. The lid on the center console is flat, so you can set a clipboard there without having it slide off; the lid is indented and lined with rubber for small items. The center console on bench seat models is even larger than that in the Dodge Ram, and large enough to accommodate laptops. The center console in bucket seat models is designed to hold DVDs and CDs. Well-designed cup holders provide welcome homes for sleeved grande cappuccinos. Decent-sized coa
Driving Impressions
Driving the Titan is a pleasure. For starters, it offers brilliant throttle response. Its powertrain is perhaps the most responsive among the full-size pickups with comparable engines. The Titan always feels alert and wide awake, like it started the morning with a double espresso. The V8 delivers quick acceleration performance whether launching off the line or pulling a quick pass at speed. It isn't a whisper quiet engine, but has a deep exhaust note that sounds pleasing when accelerating.
The five-speed automatic is equally responsive, quickly downshifting whenever needed. With five gears to choose from, it can always find an appropriate ratio for smooth, rather than abrupt, downshifts. The transmission features a Tow/Haul mode.
Nissan's 5.6-liter V8 produces 300 horsepower. Doubly welcome is the well-shaped torque curve with a segment-leading peak of 379 pound-feet. The Titan's engine delivers 90 percent of that peak torque across a wide band down to low rpm. (Torque is that force that propels you from intersections and pulls heavy trailers up long grades.)
This new V8 features a modern design with double overhead-cams and 32 valves. Nissan calls this the Endurance 5.6-liter V8 and designed it to strike the ideal balance between performance and fuel economy. Titan 2WD gets EPA ratings of 14/19 mpg City/Highway, while Titan 4WD models are rated 14/18 mpg. Regular unleaded is recommended.
Towing capacity is 9,500 pounds, which is more often seen in heavy-duty 3/4-ton trucks, not light-duty 1/2-ton trucks like the Titan.
Titan also offers quick and agile handling. It's easy to drive smoothly or quickly or both at the same time.
It does well in the braking department with big four-wheel disc brakes standard. It's easy to modulate the brakes for smooth stops in everyday driving. Anti-lock brakes come standard with electronic brake-force distribution and Brake Assist. (ABS helps the driver maintain steering control in a skid. EBD improves balance and stopping power by apportioning the braking force to whichever tires are getting the best grip. Brake Assist helps ensure full braking potential in a panic stop.)
Ride quality is good in most situations, though we found a rippled, well-traveled section of Interstate 405 in Los Angeles that generated an uncomfortable harmonic in a 4WD model. A 2WD Crew Cab we drove seemed to offer a better ride.
4x4 models offer a shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive system with an electronically controlled part-time transfer case. Simply turn a knob to shift from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive; this can be done on the fly, while driving. At very low speeds, almost a full stop, push in the knob and turn it to shift into low range. The low creeper gear keeps steep descents in the comfort zone. An off-road package includes an electronically activated locking rear differential to help the Titan slog through the toughest conditions.
The Nissan Titan boasts brilliant throttle response, agile handling and good brakes. This is a serious, full-size pickup. It can tow up to 9,500 pounds. Its cab is big and roomy. And it's loaded with innovations such the spray-in bedliner and a track system for cargo and accessories. The King Cab boasts a clever door that opens nearly 180 degrees. The Crew Cab has super roomy back seats. All of that puts Titan in the front row of a class of superb trucks.
Denise McCluggage filed the original report; with New Car Test Drive editor Mitch McCullough reporting from Los Angeles.
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Coclico celebrates the Dog Days of Summer
it's officially the dog days of summer, folks. those hot and sultry days from July – September when the sun is at it's hottest and the days are meant to be spent outdoors.
to celebrate high summer Coclico is hosting a dog days photo competition! simply submit a photo of you and your pup in your best summer street-style and be entered to win a leather Coclico dog collar with a hand-engraved name tag. enter to win by tagging pics of you and your pup #MYDOGDAYS on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook. be sure to add your dog's name and a fun fact in the caption.
hop over to Coclico's Facebook page to see contest photos from other dog and fashion lovers like yourself and more details about the contest.
also!! Coclico is running a promo on their site right now: buy 2 sale items, get an extra 10%-off with code ADD10. fun!
{photos courtesy of Coclico}


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Link to this page: http://forum.huntervalleyprotectionalliance.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=696,
Twitter page: https://twitter.com/jorgetla/status/503554777574174721
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jorge.tlaskal/posts/764596133596788
HOME :http://www.savebulga.org.au/
Courtesy of AnneMarie and Robert McLaughlin
Last night, Saturday August 23, 2014, Tanya and myself have attended Jason Chang's presentation about "How to speak well and achieve happiness " at the Milbrodale Public School. About twenty people, some from as far as Maitland or Newcastle, came to hear Jason. It was very impressive. To do things well is one of the basic tenets of Buddhism.
I was always aware, from a distance, that the thoughts of Buddhism are very deep, non-competitive, non-hierarchical and all-loving. Buddhists believe in unselfish seeking "personal happiness for all" and in "whatever I have is enough". To them everything as a spiritual activity: sweeping the floor, repairing an irrigation pipe, cooking lunch, teaching children ... This is exactly what we are missing in the present-day society.
I understand that Jason studied law. decided that this was not his way and went to Sri Lanka to study Buddhism. Eventually he became a walking Buddhist monk. Like Buddha himself, two and half thousands years ago, he walks the Earth alone and talks to people about things that do matter. He liked the spirit of our valley, our tenacious battle with the big coal and gas and so he stayed for a while.
COME AND HEAR JASON SPEAK NEXT SATURDAY! He is a most lovely person. This is an opportunity of the lifetime that you should not miss.
See you there.