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Marketing of Halo 3
The first-person shooter video game Halo 3 was the focus of an extensive marketing campaign which began with the game's developer, Bungie, announcing the game via a trailer at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in May 2006. Microsoft, the game's publisher, planned a five-pronged marketing strategy to maximize sales and to appeal to casual and hard-core gamers. Bungie produced trailers and video documentaries to promote the game, partnering with firms such as Digital Domain and Weta Workshop. Licensed products including action figures, toys, and Halo 3-branded soda were released in anticipation of the game; the franchise utilized more than forty licensees to promote the game, and the advertising campaign ultimately cost more than $40 million.
While Halo 2's release had set industry records, the mainstream press was not fully involved in covering the game; part of Microsoft's strategy was to fully involve casual readers and the press in the story. The saturation of advertising and promotions led Wired to state: "The release of Halo 3 this week was an event that stretched far beyond our little gaming world. Everyone from The New York Times to Mother Jones wanted to cover it."[1]
Released on September 25, 2007, Halo 3 became the biggest entertainment debut in history, earning more than $170 million in a few days and selling a record 3,300,000 copies in its first week of sales alone.[2] Halo 3's marketing won several awards, and was cited as evidence of the increasing mainstream popularity of games.
Jerret West, a global group product manager from Microsoft, said at a marketing conference that Halo 3's marketing team had a mandate from Microsoft executive Peter Moore: "Don't screw up."[3] Much of the marketing organization was handled by Microsoft's former corporate vice president of global marketing, Jeff Bell (executive).[4] A key challenge the team identified early on was that core gamers knew the game was coming out, but there was "a perception problem... we wanted to invite people into the console and into Xbox 360 and to play Halo 3 as a mass-market entertainment product," according to product manager Chris Lee.[5] Since Halo 3 was released as an Xbox 360 exclusive, part of the marketing push was to sell more Xbox consoles, which had encountered sluggish sales.[6]
Microsoft planned advertising and promotions to appeal to both casual and hardcore gamers in a five-pronged marketing strategy.[7] The first stage was to kick off marketing via a television commercial. The second stage was a beta test of the game to drive preorders and press attention. The third stage was the start of an alternate reality game. The fourth phase was partner promotions, capped off with a final advertising campaign, titled "Believe".[7]
Though Microsoft used forms of viral marketing for promotion (including the alternate reality game or ARG),[8] the main focus of the company's efforts was traditional media outlets. Because there already was interest in the title among the gaming community, Microsoft did not feel the need to run a social media campaign, instead banking on the gaming community to spread the word itself. The focus on traditional media would help expand the fan base beyond established gamers and convince the public that the game was a cultural milestone. To build public interest, Microsoft made public statements that Halo 3 would surpass media sales records, including the July 2007 record of $166 million set by the launch of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.[9]
Microsoft's target was to sell 1.5 million copies of the game. Marketing research suggested that the "Halo faithful" could only be counted on to buy 75% of that amount, meaning that 375,000 copies would have to be sold to non-fans. Thus marketing goals were to attract an audience beyond the Halo nation, and to break sales records; in short, to "make Halo 3 a true cultural phenomenon".[10] The team upped their goals to not only selling the target number of copies, but making Halo 3 the biggest entertainment launch ever.[11]
Promotional videosEdit
A significant form of marketing was done by the release of videos. While Bungie often partnered with other companies to create advertisements, they also produced their own video documentaries, or "ViDocs", detailing the behind-the-scenes development of aspects of Halo 3, including redesigning enemy Brutes, additions to multiplayer, and other game features.[12] The first ViDoc was released shortly after the game's announcement and was a "making-of" style video, while the final ViDoc made its debut on September 20, 2007.
Trailers and shortsEdit
Halo 3 was officially announced via a cinematic trailer rendered in real-time, shown at Microsoft's press conference at E3 2006 on May 9.[13] The trailer is set in the dry plains of Africa, with the ruins of a space elevator and other damage visible. The Master Chief is slowly revealed walking through smoke and dust, occasionally obscured by distorted images of the artificial intelligence Cortana transmitting a message composed of portions of the character's lines in the Cortana Letters, as well as a line from the poem "The Hollow Men".[14] The distorted voice of Cortana was a deliberate clue to the character's predicament in Halo 3, with a Bungie staff member stating, "We don't know what has happened to her...We don't know it's Cortana. It could be any sort of bizarre, almost Satanic sort of voice. Something seems wrong."[15] The trailer featured music by Martin O'Donnell, with the addition of a piano and brass section to the classic Halo theme.[15]
Advertising company McCann Erickson created a second trailer that was aired only once on December 4, 2006.[16] The video used a mix of computer-created graphics and live action;[17] computer graphics were produced by Digital Domain and directed by Joseph Kosinski.[18] The spot, dubbed "Starry Night", was seen by 7.9 million viewers in its broadcast and watched more than 3.5 million times on YouTube by September 2007.[19] The final trailer, shown during E3 2007 on July 11, consisted of actual campaign cinematics and gameplay.
The video teasers for Halo 3 included a series of videos directed by Neill Blomkamp, the proposed director of a possible Halo film produced by Peter Jackson. Unlike previous trailers and videos, the shorts were the first to depict the Halo universe in a live-action setting. The production was a collaboration between Weta Workshop, Neill Blomkamp and Bungie. When asked about the shorts, Neill said that he hoped that it would help to interest movie studios in his currently inactive movie project, since it lost its studio support in October 2006. GameTrailers released a compilation of the three videos edited together, titling it Landfall.[20]
The first live action video, titled Arms Race, was originally shown at Electronic Entertainment Expo 2007. It was followed up by another short, Combat, which featured Covenant and human vehicles and weapons. The final video in the series aired on October 4, 2007 and was used by Discovery Channel to promote their reality show Last One Standing.[21] The short ties the events depicted to the beginning of Halo 3, which begins as the Master Chief plummets to Earth.
"Believe" campaignEdit
The last major advertising campaign before and during Halo 3's release was a series of videos marketed with the tagline "Believe", beginning September 11, 2007. These videos, with an estimated cost of $10 million,[7] were directed by Rupert Sanders (known for video game advertisements) and made to depict a generic representation of a single battle in Halo 3. Live-action videos featured elderly war veterans at the "Museum of Humanity" reminiscing about the Human-Covenant war and the role the Master Chief played. The Believe website allowed visitors to pan the length of a massive diorama over 1,200 square feet (110 m2) in size and over twelve feet tall, with handcrafted human and Covenant figures represented at one-twelfth scale.[22] According to Microsoft, the unusual presentation of a model rather than computer graphics was chosen to look at "the themes that lie at the heart of the Halo trilogy—war, duty, sacrifice, and most importantly the heroism of Master Chief."[23] The musical score for the 'Museum of Humanity' video is a selection entitled "For All of Us" and was composed for the video by Jay Green with Big Science Music.[24][25]
The diorama was built through a collaboration between Los Angeles, California-based New Deal Studios and Stan Winston Studios. Director Rupert Sanders had actors stand in for the marines, capturing their facial expressions and using them as the basis of the miniatures. Character assets from Bungie, including alien models and armor, were recreated and rebuilt for reuse.[22] The twisted city ruins the diorama is set in were inspired by bombed-out Afghanistan suburbs. Special attention was paid to creating a photo-realistic setting which was recognizably Halo.[22]
Public beta testingEdit
On April 10, 2007, Bungie announced that a beta test of the multiplayer component of Halo 3 would run from May 16 to June 6, open to select members of the public. Players could enter the beta in several ways. Testers were selected from those who signed up on the Halo3.com website following the "Starry Night" commercial, or from the first 13,333 players to register after playing three hours of Halo 2 on Xbox Live. Players could also buy a specially-marked copy of the Xbox 360 title Crackdown, which allowed players to download the beta upon its release.[26]
The public portion of the beta consists of matchmaking play on three multiplayer maps: Valhalla, High Ground and Snowbound.[27] The public beta also contained a limited version of the "saved films" feature, which allows players to save and watch their played games. The day the public beta began, problems were reported from owners of Crackdown that they could not download the beta. Bungie announced that the Microsoft team found a solution and that the issue would be resolved shortly;[28] a patch was distributed for Crackdown that fixed the problem. Bungie also extended the beta until June 10 to compensate for the issue.[28] According to Jerret West, global group product manager, allowing users into the beta created "a psychological investment" in the game. "The idea was basically to make the beta launch huge and let the tastemakers make the launch for you... to really drive it beyond the gaming press." The beta caused a spike in preorders for the retail version of the game.[5]
Alternate reality gameEdit
A component of Halo 3's marketing was an alternate reality game or ARG called "Iris". Alternate reality games, which involve cross-media gameplay and player participation, had been previously used for the promotion of Halo 2 in the form of the influential and award-winning I Love Bees. Soon after the Halo 3 public beta ended, a user named "AdjutantReflex" appeared in the official Halo 3 forums on Bungie and began posting.[29] A Circuit City advertisement was leaked onto the web days earlier, revealing the web address of an interactive comic which could be manipulated to reveal the IP addresses of another series of sites. One website was the home of the "Society of the Ancients" a group supposedly interested in evidence of Forerunner artifacts left on Earth. Another featured a Forerunner object which gradually revealed text logs and video clips.[30]
Merchandise and promotionsEdit
The launch of Halo 3 coincided with the release of various games, action figures, and collectible toys. WizKids developed a Clix collectible miniatures game entitled Halo ActionClix which was released on September 18, 2007.[31] The tabletop game features miniature figures from the Halo universe, including characters and vehicles. Halo ActionClix figures were occasionally bundled with the game in promotional packs, and Gamestation stores in the United Kingdom offered a Master Chief figurine to the first 1000 pre-orders of the Halo 3 Legendary Edition.[32]
While previous Halo action figure series were produced by Joyride Studios, Todd McFarlane produced several sets of Halo 3-related action figures. In addition to articulated figures released throughout 2008,[33] McFarlane also released 12" inarticulate and more detailed figurines in November.[34] Other companies which produced Halo 3 figures and statues include Kotobukiya, a Japanese company specializing in high-end statues and replicas, and Weta Collectibles, a division spawned from the famed physical effects company Weta Workshop.[35] Weta Collectibles auctioned four of the statues in their lineup, specially cast in solid sterling silver, for auction on eBay during August.[36]
Microsoft collaborated with other companies to produce Halo-themed merchandise and promotions at retailers and vendors. PepsiCo created a variant of Mountain Dew called Game Fuel.[37] 7-Eleven sold a Slurpee version of the drink. Burger King announced a special promotion starting September 24, 2007 featuring Halo designs and characters on food wrappings.[38] Microsoft sponsored the #40 car driven by David Stremme for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Dover 400 Nextel Cup Series. The racecar featured a Halo 3 inspired paintjob featuring the title for the game printed prominently on the hood and rear bumper, as well as large pictures of Master Chief on each of the rear fenders.[39]
Launch and impactEdit
More than 10,000 retail stores in the United States held midnight launch parties for Halo's release, in addition to other locations around the globe. Microsoft coordinated its own multiple-city launch parties, and Bungie staff members travelled around the world to host parties, in addition to a launch party held at Bungie's workplace; Larry Hryb attended the New York City launch party.[40] Sponsored launches featured prize giveaways and chances for fans to play Halo against celebrities and Bungie team members.[41] The BFI IMAX Theater in London was devoted to Halo 3, while some areas in the United Kingdom cancelled midnight launches fearing unruliness from the large crowds.[42]
Halo 3 was phenomenally successful upon release. The game made $170 million in US sales on the first day of release, generating more money in 24 hours than any other American entertainment property up to that point.[43] Halo would make an additional $130 million by week's end[44] and sell 3.3 million units by the end of the month.[2] By 2008, Halo 3 had sold 4.8 million units in the United States for a total of 8.1 million units worldwide, making it the best-selling game of 2007 in the United States.[45][45][46]
Critics and publications pointed to the massive marketing and launch of Halo 3 as evidence that video games had "finally hit the mainstream".[47] Video game critic Steve West of CinemaBlend.com pointed out the Halo 3 phenomenon as evidence of the mainstreaming of video games, stating that "...Like movies, radio, and television before, games are becoming more and more accepted in the popular culture."[48] To capitalize on the mainstream attention, Joystiq sister site Xbox360Fanboy noted, "Microsoft contends that such a [marketing] push is necessary to maintain the appearance of 'a big budget, mass media event'."[49]
At the PRWeek awards Microsoft won the "Technology Campaign of the Year" along with Edelman for Halo 3's launch. At the 2008 ANDY Awards, the "Believe" campaign won the "GRANDY", the grand prize.[50][51] Halo 3's advertising also won five "gold cubes", one "silver cube" and two distinctive merit certificates at the Art Directors Club Annual Awards Ceremony, most of the awards relating to the Believe campaign.[52]
- ^ Kohler, Christ (2007-08-27). "Halo 3: The Mainstream Press Responds". Wired Magazine. Retrieved 2008-02-21.
- ^ a b Klepeck, Patrick (2007-10-18). "September NPD: Halo 3 Sells 3.3M". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-02-10.
- ^ Zelfdan, Evan (2008-04-10). "MI6: Halo 3 'Transcended Pop Culture'". GameDaily. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved 2008-10-17.
- ^ Bulik, Beth Snyder (2007-11-12). "'Halo 3', Jeff Bell". Advertising Age. p. S6.
- ^ a b Nutt, Christian (2008-04-11). "Analysis: Microsoft On The Secrets Of Marketing Halo 3". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- ^ Todd, Tyler (2007-08-18). "Warning; do not read while consuming Game Fuel". The Gazette. p. I4.
- ^ a b c Hein, Kenneth (2007-09-07). "Strategy: Anatomy Of An Onslaught: How Halo 3 Attacked". Brandweek. Archived from the original on 2008-06-11. Retrieved 2008-09-01.
- ^ Ling, Toh (2007-10-08). "Net Value: Creating the Halo effect". The Edge. p. 1.
- ^ Bush, Michael (2007-10-01). "'Halo 3' push focuses on traditional media outlets". PR Week. p. 1.
- ^ Erickson, McCann (2009-08-18). "APG Creative Strategy Awards – Xbox 'Halo 3 – believe'". Campaignlive.co.uk. Archived from the original on January 7, 2010. Retrieved 2009-08-27.
- ^ Staff (2009-10-12). "Claire Beale On Advertising: How planning assured a supersoldier's success". The Independent. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
- ^ Staff (2007-04-10). "Bungie devs outline new multiplayer features in Halo 3 trailer". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2008-10-22.
- ^ Ocampo, Jason (2006-05-09). "E3 06: Halo 3 announced, plot details revealed". GameSpot. Retrieved 2008-10-07.
- ^ O'Connor, Frank (2006-05-12). "Bungie Weekly Update: May 12, 2006". Bungie. Retrieved 2006-05-12.
- ^ a b O'Connor, Frank (2006-06-06). "Halo 3: Behind the Scenes". Bungie. Retrieved 2006-11-24.
- ^ "Bungie Studios Readies 'Halo 3' – ESPN to Carry Ad 'Preview' Spot on December 4" (Press release). Wireless News. 2006-11-16.
- ^ O'Connor, Frank; HBO (2006-12-05). "Frankie's Q&A from #HBO IRC". Bungie.org. Retrieved 2006-12-05.
- ^ "Halo 3 "Starry Night"". Digital Domain. Archived from the original on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2013-03-10.
- ^ Hartley, Matt (2007-09-22). "The Play's The Thing". The Globe and Mail. p. B3.
- ^ "Landfall". GameTrailers. 2007-10-30. Retrieved 2007-10-30.
- ^ "Halo Exclusive Video and Sweepstakes". Discovery Channel. 2007-09-25. Archived from the original on 2007-10-09. Retrieved 2007-09-25.
- ^ a b c Aditham, Kiran (2007-10-01). "The Diorama Deconstructed; Modeling mayhem". Creativity. p. 46.
- ^ Elliot, Phil (2007-09-12). "'Halo 3' UK ad detailed". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
- ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/business/businessnews/2007/10/05/Downtown-musician-scores-big-with-Halo-3/stories/200710050226
- ^ http://halo.bungie.net/Forums/posts.aspx?postID=13709363&postRepeater1-p=1#13709390
- ^ Klepek, Francis (2007-02-07). "Crackdown disc required to play Halo 3 Beta". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2007-02-08.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Staff (2007-02-16). "Halo 3 Beta FAQ". Bungie. Retrieved 2007-02-06.
- ^ a b Jarrard, Brian (2007-05-16). "Halo 3 Beta Downloads via Crackdown are fixed!". Bungie. Retrieved 2007-05-16.
- ^ Berardini, Césarz (2007-01-15). "Halo 3 ARG in Full Swing, Official Web Site Updated". TeamXbox. Archived from the original on 2008-10-11. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
- ^ Szadkowski, Joseph (2007-09-16). "Buildup heralds 'Halo 3'". The Washington Times. p. D4.
- ^ "WizKids Game Calendar (Bottom of Page)". Retrieved 2007-09-10.
- ^ "Halo 3 Becomes The World's Biggest Selling Game". McFarlanes Figures. 2007-09-25. Archived from the original on 2009-01-31. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
- ^ "McFarlane planning lots of Halo figures in 2008". Retrieved 2007-10-30.
- ^ Plunkett, Luke (2008-04-30). "Newer, Better Halo 3 Toys". Kotaku. Retrieved 2008-10-18.[dead link]
- ^ "Weta Collectibles, Exclusive Polystone Collectibles". Weta Workshop. Archived from the original on August 22, 2008. Retrieved 2008-11-08.
- ^ "Halo 3 collectibles: Only One in the Universes". Weta Workshop. Archived from the original on 2008-10-21. Retrieved 2008-11-02.
- ^ Brudvig, Eric (2007-07-31). "Halo 3 Box Arrives at IGN Offices". IGN. Retrieved 2008-09-12.
- ^ Burg, Dustin (2007-09-14). "Burger King Halo 3 is Yummy Food". Joystiq. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ Arendt, Susan (2007-09-17). "Halo 3 Car Racing in Dover 400 Nextel Cup Series". Wired. Retrieved 2008-11-01.
- ^ Jarrard, Brian; O'Connor, Frank; Smith, Luke; &c (2007-10-08). "Bungie Podcast 10/18/07: With Jonty Barnes". Bungie. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
- ^ Kollar, Philip (2007-09-18). "Halo 3 Midnight Madness Events". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2008-10-12.
- ^ Odgen, Gavin (2007-09-18). "Halo 3: Midnight launch cancelled". Computer and Video Games. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ Thorson, Tor (2007-09-26). "Halo 3's first-day US haul =$170M". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2007-10-02.
- ^ Hillis, Scott (2007-10-04). "Microsoft says "Halo" 1st-week sales were $300 mln". Reuters. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
- ^ a b Boyer, Brandon (2008-01-18). "NPD: 2007 U.S. Game Industry Growth Up 43% To $17.9 Billion". Gamasutra. Retrieved 2008-01-21.
- ^ Sinclair, Brendan (2008-01-03). "MS: 17.7 million 360s sold". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2008-12-10. Retrieved 2008-03-09.
- ^ Vale, Paul (2007-09-23). "'Allo Halo; Game on V3 shooter's killer launch". Sunday Star. p. 39.
- ^ Steve West, CinemaBlend
- ^ Mitchell, Richard (2007-09-12). "Analyzing the Massive Halo 3 Marketing Machine". Xbox360Fanboy. Retrieved 2009-08-15.
- ^ Graft, Kris (2008-03-07). "Nintendo, Microsoft Land PR Honors". Next-Gen.biz. Archived from the original on 2012-09-10. Retrieved 2008-03-08.
- ^ "The 2008 GRANDY $50 000 Winner". ANDY Awards. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
- ^ "ADC Announces 87Th Annual Awards Winners". Art Directors Club. Retrieved 2008-05-03.
External linksEdit
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text:
Nope. Even though pineapples are considered a fruit (and a fruit generally comes from trees — unless it's a berry), pineapples actually grow on a plant close to the ground. Each pineapple plant bears exactly one pineapple. So where did pineapple come from in the first place?
Most of us think of pineapples as coming from Hawaii, but that is not the case. Pineapples are a member of the bromeliad family, which is indigenous to the Americas (mostly South America), but has been found in Africa as well. By far the most famous plant in the bromeliad family, pineapples were first brought over to Spain by Christopher Columbus in 1493.
The pineapple — which is no relation to pine trees or apples — got its name through the combination of the Spanish "pina" (so named because it reminded them of a pine cone) and the English "apple" (so named because of its sweet taste).
Back in Europe in the 17th century, pineapples were grown in greenhouses and were a symbol of opulence and wealth, only adorning the banquet tables of the very rich. Fast-forward to today, and pineapples are everywhere.
How did it make this transition? A tropical fruit, pineapples symbolized the exotic world, and would often be brought home to North America by sailors from their South American journeys. But even into the 1800s, a pineapple was still a novelty to most Americans. It was not until the mid-1700s when Capt. James Cook introduced the pineapple to Hawaii and finally in 1903, when James Drummond Dole started canning pineapple, that the pineapple become readily accessible to Americans.
So how exactly does a pineapple grow? Pretty easily, actually. A pineapple starts and ends as the same product — that is to say, you need a pineapple to grow a pineapple. Pineapples don't really have usable seeds, so pineapple plants start from the pineapple itself, or more specifically, from the leafy top.
In a tropical climate, a pineapple head can be placed directly into the ground. In less tropical climates, pineapples can be planted into pots inside your home. Yes, you can actually grow your own pineapple! Here's a great video on how to do it.
Just be patient, though. Once the pineapple head takes root, it'll take two to three years before it starts bearing fruit. It'll grow to be almost 4 feet high by 4 feet wide. Once it's matured, a large flower will grow in the middle of the plant and eventually be replaced by a pineapple itself. Once the pineapple is harvested, a new fruit will grow in its place the following year. A lot of work for one pineapple.
When you're in the supermarket and picking a pineapple, make sure to look for one that's plump and firm, and one with leaves that are fresh and green.
So there you have it, folks. Pineapples, contrary to popular belief, do not grow on trees. And neither does money, people. Neither does money.

subset: commoncrawl


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RICHMOND, Va.—VCU Head Baseball Coach Paul Keyes announced today the schedule for the 2012 baseball campaign. The regular season runs from February 17 until May 19, followed by the 2012 CAA Tournament, which will be played at James Madison University's Veterans Memorial Park (May 26-29).
"I think overall it's a favorable schedule that really plays well to the strengths of this team," said VCU Head Coach Paul Keyes. "The ultimate goal in 2012 is to be playing long into the month of June."
The first-pitch of the upcoming season will be thrown on the west coast, as the squad starts the season in sunny southern California. The Rams will face off with Big West Conference member Long Beach State for a three-game weekend series before making the hour trip north to face off with the West Coast Conference's Pepperdine University.
"We play a very tough Long Beach State program to start off the season, which is rich in tradition," Keyes (pictured right) acknowledged. "When you add the two game series with Pepperdine, it makes for a challenging start to the season against two really fine programs."
VCU will return to The Diamond to face Binghamton in their home opener on February 24. This will begin a 11-game home stand over 16 days, the longest home stand of Rams' season. The month of March will feature the most games of any month this season, as the squad will play 18 games over 31 days, and the beginning of conference play. On the schedule are trips to conference-foes Hofstra and Northeastern, both schools known for the colder weather they experience during the early spring months.
The Black & Gold will play a fairly balanced CAA schedule from March to May. They do not go on the road for more than five games at a time before returning to the home field. The regular season concludes at home May 19 against East Carolina. The Rams will then hit I-64 en-route to James Madison University for the CAA Tournament.


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Previous iterations of the Global Reporting Initiative's standards have been all-inclusive, encouraging reporters to report widely on their environmental, social and governance issues. Some critics of the G3.1 and G3 standards complained that they rewarded breadth over depth by categorizing reports into three levels (A, B and C) – with the "best grade" given to the reports with the biggest scope.
G4 represents a big shift in the standard – away from "put it all out there" to "less is more" – so long as what gets reported is material to the organization. The new standards ask reporters to use the sustainability report to document what really matters -- a big shift away from reporting on everything the company monitors.
First things first. The G4 is split into two complementary documents: a manual consisting of the principles and standard disclosures themselves and a separate implementation manual to help reporters make their way through the process. The second document details the necessary steps a reporter needs to take to launch and manage a sustainability reporting process within any organization, regardless of their level of experience. The first document offers flexibility for preparers to choose which disclosures to focus on and how to align efforts to local/regional report requirements and frameworks. In addition, new clarifications on how to report on shared supply chain impacts outside of operational control will hopefully support organizations in taking additional responsibility for supply chain sustainability and governance.
Here are the key changes reporters need to know about from G4:
Reporting Levels
Gone are the lettered reporting levels (A, B, and C) that encouraged American reporters to go for that A+. There will now be an "in accordance" system with two distinct tracks: an entry level track for general disclosures called the Core track and a more Comprehensive track.
The concept of full or partial coverage will no longer be relevant. Now, reports can only be "in accordance" or not. If a company does not have all the data available, in order to be "in accordance," it now must disclose omissions using detailed guidance within the G4.
Organizations can still determine the depth of reporting they wish to undertake. For the immediate future (approximately three months), GRI will continue to offer Application Level Checks. The board of directors will then meet in September to discuss continuation and/or approach to offering this service now that the levels are going away.
What happens to companies that choose not to be "in accordance"? Reporters that refer to GRI as a guide, but do not fully implement the principles and components are not required to publish a Content Index. They are, however, encouraged to state that the Guidelines were referred to.
Materiality will continue to be emphasized in prompts throughout the guidelines. Where issues are deemed material, reporters will be required to disclose on those issues.
When organizations are unable to measure and/or track all material aspects or indicators, they will need to acknowledge the relevance and admit limitations in data availability.
G4 will not require a reporting organization to discuss each indicator, as with the previous A level scenario. Now, reporters only need to discuss those that relate to a material aspect. That means that organizations with a large staff of knowledge workers in the U.S. and no physical products, probably do not need to spend much time addressing supply chain issues. For new reporters, this may make things easier as only one indicator from each material aspect requires a response. However, it may require more preparation as going through the materiality process is essential and more details may be required.
Materiality Revisited: It is likely that organizations will be asked to select aspects solely within one or a pair of categories, as opposed to the many different aspects A level reporters were previously expected to report on. This means that some of the reporting process will be a judgment call since organizations need to determine what they can feasibly report on.
Disclosures on Management Approach (DMAs)
DMAs will now be more focused at the Aspect level (GRI's term for general fields of sustainability performance, like Energy Use or Labor/Management Relations) – meaning that companies will disclose on how they manage each Aspect separately. Makes sense, right? More Generic DMAs will allow for several aspects to be grouped together and addressed at the Category level (one step up). Three distinct elements will help guide reporters in reporting. First, organizations will explain why an Aspect is material and which impacts make it material; second, how the organization manages impacts; and third, which mechanisms are in place for evaluating the management approach.
Though a General Disclosure item will also prompt organizations to describe the supply chain and shared impacts, supply chain mapping as proposed in the exposure drafts will not be a required step in the process. Considering shared impacts across the supply chain and determining who is affected will be an integral concept fed throughout.
Sector Supplements
Current Sector Supplements (specific reporting guidelines for various industries) will be adapted to Sector Disclosure Tables, starting with Financial Services and Mining & Metals. All others will be adapted soon after along with additional sectors developed in time.
External Assurance
The guidelines now allow for external (third party) assurance to be conducted by different organizations for different impact areas. Disclosures about the assurance should be indicated in the Content Index accordingly.
Final Thoughts
All in all, these changes will make the G4 much more straightforward and easy for newcomers and experience reporters alike. The development of the guidelines took two years, and GRI went through nearly one thousand drafts to reach these final edits. The development of these guidelines required extensive stakeholder consultation. Working Groups from across the world contributed feedback as did thousands of individuals around the world. GRI should be applauded for conducting such a thorough process and using this enormous amount of feedback effectively to produce a simple and effective guideline for reporting.
Nancy Mancilla is CEO and co-founder of ISOS Group, a Global Reporting Initiative certified training partner and CDP consultancy partner for the U.S., which provides organizations of all sizes with sustainability and greenhouse gas assessments, reporting guidance and external assurance. Join Nancy at Burns & McDonnell on June 6 for two GRI Master Classes and on June 7 at the Sustainability Summit as she discusses "Corporate Reporting and the Global Reporting Initiative G4 Guidelines." Register online now to secure your spot!
This post originally appeared on TriplePundit.com


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Ever wonder, Duke Energy customers, how your service compares to that of other utilities?
You're about to find out. Duke has agreed to file, for the first time, quarterly reports that compare its North Carolina power outage data to industry benchmarks.
Thirty-six other states require utilities to publicly report how often, and for how long, outages occur.
But as the Observer reported last year, it's near impossible for North Carolina customers to get that information. Duke closely monitors the data but doesn't publicly report it. To complicate matters, utilities differ in how they measure and report results to the two widely-used industry reliability indices.
The N.C. Utilities Commission's Public Staff, which advocates for consumers, recommended a change. When the commission approved Duke's merger with Progress Energy in June, it required the companies to find a way standardize the indices and report their service quality.
This week, the two Duke subsidiaries that serve the Carolinas proposed a rule they developed with the Public Staff. The rule bases quarterly performance reports on industry indices for outage duration and frequency, and sets standards to ensure the data is used consistently.
Neither the utility that serves northeastern North Carolina, Dominion North Carolina Power, nor the N.C. Electric Membership Corp., which represents cooperatives, signed on to the proposal.
It's up to the Utilities Commission to approve the rule.
At the time of the Observer's article in August 2011, the industry indexes showed Duke's outage performance in North Carolina had steadily improved since 2003. Progress Energy, now a Duke subsidiary, showed improved performance after 2006 followed by an uptick in outages in 2010.
How have they done since then? I don't know -- and, for now, neither do you.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Duke agrees to consumer-friendly reliability reports
Ever wonder, Duke Energy customers, how your service compares to that of other utilities?


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The CU-08RF RFID reader is an accessory of the CU-08 tracker unit and CA-210x car alarms. It is used for the RFID identification of drivers by Jablotron PC-02x and PC-04x RFID tags and Jablotron PC-01 RFID cards.
The GD-04P link cable, which allows you to program CU-08 units through a USB port and perform configuration using free downloadable C-Link software.
Self adhesive antenna, GSM 900 / 1800MHz, 1.5 m cable
Magnetic GPS antenna, FME connector. Can be used with CA-1803BT, CU-08.
Car relay for 12V installation. Includes switching contacts. Can be used for the immobilization of the power circuit , the control of an actuating motor, the connection of non-standard central locking, etc.
All rights reserved © Jablotron 2020


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Business Free Checking
With no minimum deposit to open, no minimum balance requirement and 150 free transactions a month ($0.25 per item thereafter), Business Free Checking is designed for the small business that values flexibility and cost-control.
Features & Benefits:
- 150 free transactions per month ($0.25 per item thereafter)
- No minimum balance
- No monthly maintenance fee
- $200 mortgage closing cost credit (See a Mortgage Loan Officer for complete details)
- Free Online Banking, BillPay and Account Alerts
View Deposit Agreement
Business Debit Cards
Business Free Checking comes with a free Visa® Business Debit Card. Use it to make up to $5,000 a day in purchases from merchants, or to access up to $1,000 a day in cash from ATMs.1 Also enjoy easy record-keeping, dependable security, worldwide acceptance and zero liability2 for fraudulent charges. Open a business checking account and start using your Visa® Business Debit Card today.
Visa® Business Debit Card
- Up to $5,000/per day at merchants and up to $1,000/per day at ATMs2
- Record keeping made easy. All Visa® Business Debit Card purchases are deducted directly from your checking account; transactions appear online and on your monthly statement.
- Accepted Worldwide
Visa's Zero Liability Policy makes shopping 100% safe and secure. Shop online, on the phone, or in your favorite store and never be liable for unauthorized use on your card. With Visa's Zero Liability Policy, you risk nothing and PAY nothing for unauthorized use.
1 A surcharge may be assessed when using an ATM not branded with .
2 Visa's Zero Liability policy covers U.S. issued cards only and does not apply to PIN transactions not processed by Visa or certain commercial card transactions. Cardholder must notify issuer promptly of any unauthorized use. Consult issuer for additional details or visit www.visa.com/security.


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Pentax K-5 Camera Review
With the K-5, Pentax has the most feature-rich DSLR currently available - again. This DSLR camera boasts built-in stabilization, automatic horizon correction, a dual-axis digital level, class-leading weather-sealing, a large 100% coverage viewfinder, a 3" LCD with 921K pixels, ISO up to 51200, 7 FPS continuous shooting, live-view and a wealth of unique photographic controls and image parameters. All this in a sturdy and relatively compact pro body. In addition to its photographic capabilities, the Pentax K-5 records full 1080p HD movies, either with a built-in mono microphone or an external stereo one.
Note: As the Pentax K-5 is nearly identical to its predecessor, the first two pages of this detailed review are largely copied from the K-7 review. For an overview of functionality differences, see the 'Pentax K-5 vs K-7' box on the performance page. The same page has been largely re-written for the K-5.
Pentax K-5 Key Features
This review takes a close look at the Pentax K-5 in terms of features, ergonomics, usability, performance, image quality and unique photographic controls. As their new flagship DSLR, the K-5 sports the following features:
- 16 Megapixels image sensor, 1.5X crop-factor.
- Automatic and selectable ISO from 80 to 51200.
- 1/8000s to 30s shutter-speeds, plus bulb mode.
- Exposure compensation, -5..+5 EV, 1/2 EV increments or 1/3 EV increments.
- Automatic, preset, kelvin and custom white-balance, all fine-tunable.
- 11-point auto-focus system, with 9 cross-type points.
- Focus-point selection: automatic, manual or center.
- Focus modes: single-shot, continuous and manual.
- Metering modes: multi-segment, center-weighed and spot.
- Full manual controls, including PASM modes.
- Exposure bracketing, 2, 3 or 5 images, 0.3 to 2 EV increments. Optionally delayed or remote-triggered.
- White-balance, saturation, hue, high/low-key, contrast and sharpness bracketing, 3 images.
- Customizable image parameters: saturation, hue, tone-curve, overall contrast, highlight contrast, shadow contrast and sharpness.
- 7 FPS continuous shooting for up to 20 images.
- Self-timers: 12s and 2s with automatic mirror-lock-up.
- Remote trigger: Instant, 3s delay or continuous.
- Mirror-Up: Manual or remote-triggered.
- Auto-Exposure-Lock (AEL), Auto-Focus-Lock (AFL) and auto-focus(AF) override.
- 100% coverage 0.92X magnification viewfinder.
- 3" LCD 921K Pixels, 160 degree viewing-angle.
- Image review with magnification and histograms, luminance and RGB.
- Depth-of-field preview.
- JPEG, RAW and JPEG+RAW modes.
- Built-in popup flash, hot-shoe and sync-port for external lighting.
- 1920x1080 @ 24 FPS 16:9 aspect-ratio movie-mode. Recordable with or without sound, using built-in mono mic or external stereo mic.
- Live-view.
- Lithium-ion battery.
- Secure Digital High Capacity memory.
The Pentax K-5 also stands-out by having all the following advanced features, a few of them being unique to the K-5:
- Shake-reduction, provides stabilization to all lenses at no additional cost.
- Digital level with automatic horizon correction, corrects for camera tilt up to 2 degree towards each side.
- Dust-reduction, diminishes the necessity of cleaning the image sensor.
- Weather-seals, enables photography in adverse weather. Usable in rain and snow. Cold-resistant to -10C (14F).
- Auto-ISO with selectable minimum and maximum.
- Unique hyper-program, sensitivity-priority, hyper-manual and shutter-aperture-priority modes.
- Direct ISO control in sensitivity-priority mode and optionally in aperture-priority and shutter-priority modes.
- Dual-control wheels, for efficient parameter selection and navigation.
- Automated multi-exposure and time-lapse capture modes.
- Automatic HDR capture from 3 image bracket.
- In-camera RAW recovery for last JPEG
- In-camera RAW image conversion.
- In-camera correction of optical distortion and lateral chromatic aberrations.
- Selectable DNG or proprietary RAW file format.
- Support for huge selection of legacy Pentax lenses.
- Illuminated top status panel.
Suitability - What is it good for?
Since DSLR cameras represent the high-end of digital cameras, they are generally suitable for most types of photography. The versatility of interchangeable lenses brings SLR cameras their greatest potential. The Pentax K-5 is no exception, it is suitable for every type of photographic subject.
Feature-wise, the K-5 has just about everything. Other DSLR models distinguish themselves mostly by the choice of lenses available to them and ultimate performance. The traditional weak-point of Pentax cameras offering slower continuous shooting speed no longer applies with only a handful of models shooting faster. Reaching as high as ISO 51200 combined with image stabilization makes the K-5 the ultimate low-light digital camera for still subjects. For moving subjects, the Nikon D3S
Nikon D3S remains the low-light champion due to its unmatched high-ISO results. The cost of this advantage is that the D3 is a much bulkier and expensive digital camera.
For specific photographic subjects, lens versatility is quite important. While the Pentax K-5 supports an incredibly large collection of lenses, most of these lenses are no longer in production. In terms of modern lenses, Pentax offers a rather small lineup, certainly smaller than the lineups of Canon and Nikon.
The Pentax K-5 has a weather-sealed body that makes it more suitable for rough environments and extra resistant to cold temperatures. Compared to its competitors, the K-5 is relatively compact, making it also more suitable for discreet shooting, assuming use of a smallish lens. This DSLR and its predecessor are currently the smallest DSLR to have a viewfinder with 100% coverage and to be weather-sealed. An optional grip, shown above, is available to considerably increase the size of the K-5 while allowing the use of standard AA batteries to shoot in remote areas.
Capability - What can it do?
As noted in the introduction, the Pentax K-5 has everything expected from a modern DSLR plus an impressive list of extra features. Headline features include built-in image stabilization, automatic horizon correction, dual-axis digital level, dust-reduction, a cold-resistant weather-proof body, 7 FPS continuous drive, 1080p HD movie-mode and live-view. Built-in stabilization is not only a cost-saving feature, it works with all lenses, even those without any stabilized counterparts such as prime, bright, tilt-shift and fish-eye lenses.
The Pentax K-5's power-switch has 3 positions: off, on and preview. The preview position is used for depth-of-field preview and digital preview. In all shooting modes, the behavior of the preview button is controlled by a setup option. Depth-of-field preview simply stops down the lens aperture to the one metered or set manually, this is the usual behavior. Digital preview takes a picture and shows it on the LCD before optionally storing it. Those who would like quick access to both optical and digital previews, can program the RAW button to show the digital one, leaving the switch around the shutter for optical preview. Digital preview is cleverly used when setting white-balance and image parameters. This is an innovative way to ensure that the proper white-balance is selected. While scrolling through white-balance options and fine-tuning white-balance, the preview image is updated accordingly. Finding the right preset white-balance and tweaking it further is more time-consuming on DSLR cameras without this feature unless using a color-accurate live-view mode.
The shutter-release on this DSLR is a standard 2-stage release with a soft halfway point. By default, pressing the shutter-release halfway locks focus but not exposure. It can be locked using a dedicated AEL-button or by the halfway press when a custom option is set. Focus can also be locked by a separate AF-button which can be configured to disable auto-focus instead. When exposure is locked, whether using the AEL-button or half-pressing the shutter-release, an asterisk is displayed in the viewfinder. This is an important indication of which behavior is in effect.
Live-view on the Pentax K-5 is entered and exited using a dedicated button. During live-view the LCD shows a 100% coverage preview with accurate focus, colors and white-balance. Unfortunately, exposure is not previewed at all, meaning that it falls short of being WYSIWYG, as it is on the Canon EOS Rebel XSi
Canon EOS Rebel XSi for example. There are optional histograms and blinking areas but both these options are completely useless as they do not represent the exposure, only what is displayed on the LCD. The extremely helpful dual-axis digital level is displayed in live-view. Most controls are usable in live-view, although, strangely, changing exposure-modes and going into playback mode exits live-view.
Focus in live-view can be done using face-detection, contrast-detection or phase-detection. The first two options use the sensor to determine if something is in focus or not. When focusing with either of these methods, the preview zooms into the chosen area to help judge focus accuracy. When using phase-detection, the display naturally goes blank for a second or so. When the camera has locked focus, the preview appears again and the camera highlights the chosen focus areas.
The greatest thing about the K-5 is that it helps take better pictures. It does this with a bright 100% coverage viewfinder and automatic horizon correction. This means that the photographer avoids having to crop and rotate images unexpectedly. Rotation is detrimental to image quality and therefore avoiding it helps produce higher quality images. Cropping is not damaging by itself but knowing what is going to be in the frame is a relief to the photographer and maximizes the resolution of resulting images. With the digital-level enabled, the viewfinder shows tilt below the view. Pitch is not shown in the viewfinder but can be seen either in live-view or by using the Info button to select the dual-axis digital-level view.
The mode dial of the Pentax K-5 has 11 set positions. Five of these modes are ubiquitous on modern DSLR cameras: automatic (called Green-mode), program (P), shutter-priority (Tv), aperture-priority (Av) and full manual (M) mode. Notably absent from the mode-dial are scene modes which frequently control the camera in mysterious ways. The mode-dial has a locking system to prevent accidental changes.
The remaining 6 modes are: Sensitivity-priority (Sv), Shutter-Aperture-priority (TAv), Bulb (B), Flash-synchro (X), User (USER) and movie. Sensitivity-priority is unique to Pentax DSLRs, letting users directly set ISO sensitivity. Shutter-Aperture-priority complements sensitivity-priority by letting the user select both shutter-speed and aperture, letting the camera set ISO sensitivity. Bulb mode keeps the shutter open as long as the shutter-release is pressed, some DSLRs make it part of manual (M) mode. Flash-sync mode keeps the shutter-speed at 1/180 which is the flash-sync speed. User mode is any mode which the user can save along with most camera settings. There are 5 memories within User mode and they can be named individually to easily remember which one is which. A menu option shows which setting is saved for each memory. Movie-mode allows the recording of video clips. Below the mode-dial is the metering selection switch. The standard 3 metering modes are available: multi-segment, center-weighed and spot.
Movie-mode on the K-5 enters live-view automatically, immediately showing the correct aspect ratio for the set video resolution. A maximum 1920x1080 @ 25 FPS can be chosen, which is a standard 16:9 wide-screen HD movie mode. The camera can also record, 720p and VGA at either 30 or 25 FPS. Three quality settings are available. Sound can be enabled or disabled. If is enabled, the camera either records mono sound using its internal microphone or stereo sound using an external one connected to the K-5's mini jack connector. Video playback is possible using the rear LCD, an HDMI device up to 1080i or an analog RCA output, either NTSC or PAL.
The Pentax K-5 has detailed control over white-balance including automatic white-balance, preset white-balanceDaylight, shade, cloudy, tungsten, flash, 4-types of fluorescent and enhanced-color (CTE), custom white-balance and color-temperature. All white-balance options can be fine-tuned in 15-steps from blue to amber and magenta to green. Fine-tuning can be reset to 0 by pressing the green button from the preview screen. The behavior of white-balance presets can be fixed to an exact color-temperature or adjusted by the camera. There is also an option to control if AWB corrects colors subtly or strongly under tungsten lighting.
The Pentax K-5 can bracket exposure for 2, 3 or 5 frames, with increments between 1/3 and 2 EV. The 2-frame bracket option is new to the K-5 and it can be chosen if the second frame is more or less exposed than the set metering. It also supports extended bracketing which produces 3 images from one image capture. Images can vary in white-balance, hue, saturation, high/low-key, contrast or sharpness. Flash compensation from -2 to +1 EV can be set after pressing the Flash Mode (down) button.
This DSLR supports the standard drive modesSingle, continuous, self-timer, remote-control., HDR, multiple exposure and time-lapse. In continuous drive, this Pentax can shoot up to 40 JPEG images or up to 15 RAW (DNG) images. Continuous shooting speed is either 7 FPS or 3.3 FPS. The self-timer can trigger after 2 or 12 seconds. With the 2-second self-timer, the mirror is automatically locked-up. Multiple-exposure can combine between 2 and 9 images with or without automatic exposure adjustment. The time-lapse mode shoots up to 999 images at preset intervals between 1s and 24h. Shooting can start immediately or at a set time during the next 24 hours.
Bracketing is part of drive-mode options, like the K-7 but unlike with the K20D which had a dedicated button. Since bracketing cannot be set separately from drive-mode, the K-5 includes bracketing-with-self-timer and bracketing-with-remote-trigger sub-options. This means that bracketing and the 12s self-timer cannot be set together, just like bracketing plus delayed-remote-trigger. When using the bracketing-with-self-timer option, the K-5 uses a 2s timer with MLU between each shot. Now to the K-5 is the ability to customize the RAW button to activate bracketing. All this does is activate the drive-mode selection screen with bracketing set. This option only works one way, pressing the customized RAW button while in bracketing mode, displays the bracketing menu again, it does not turn off bracketing. For this reason, many will prefer to set their preferred bracketing mode in one of the user-mode memories.
Every DSLR can produce RAW, JPEG or both types of images but the Pentax K-5 adds three extra features to its RAW support. The first feature is a choice of format, either Pentax's PEF or Adobe's DNG. The main difference is that PEF is more precisely suited to the Pentax K-5 while DNG is more portable. The second feature is in-camera RAW development. This lets users use RAW images without using conversion software. The difference between capturing JPEG images and processing RAW-images in-camera is that white-balance and image parameters can be adjusted after capture. To aid experimentation with RAW images, the K-5 has a dedicated button to take the next shot in a different format which is configured in the custom-settings menu. Thus button is now labeled RAW / Fx since it can be customized to enable other camera features. The third RAW feature, which is unique to the K-5, is that it can save RAW data for a previously captured JPEG, assuming that data is still in the camera's buffer. This is indicated by an icon representing the AE-L button which is used to save the RAW file.
Pentax K-5 Facts
Sensor-Size: 24 x 16mm
Actual size when viewed at 100 DPI
|16 Megapixels DSLR
|Pentax K Mount
|Shutter 1/8000-30s
|3-Axis Built-in Stabilization
|Full manual controls, including Manual Focus
|100% Coverage
Large Viewfinder
|Custom white-balance with 2 axis fine-tuning
|Auto Horizon Correction
2 Axis Digital Level
|Weatherproof down to -10C
|Hot-Shoe & Sync-Port
|Built-in Dust Reduction
|Stereo audio input
|7 FPS Drive, 40 Images
|Lithium-Ion Battery
|1920x1080 @ 25 FPS Video Recording
|Secure Digital Extended Capacity
|3" LCD 920K Pixels
Panasonic Lumix DC-GX9 Review
This highly capable and compact mirrorless ranked as Best Beginner Mirrorless Digital Camera of 2019. Its 20 MP Four-Thirds CMOS sensor with Anti-Alias Filter is pared with 5-axis stabilization to maximize sharpness. Features a tilting 2.8 MP 0.39" EVF with large 0.7X view and Eye-Start sensor in a body with dual control-dials.
Best Digital Cameras of 2019
The Best Cameras of 2019 awarded by Neocamera: Best Travel-Zoom, Best Premium Compact, Best Ultra-Zoom, Best Mirrorless and Best DSLR.
10 Gifts Photographers Will Love
The 2019 gift guide for photographers showcases photography gear that amateur and enthusiasts will enjoy. It is divided into 3 price categories to suit different budgets from $50 to $200 USD.
Sony Alpha A7R IV In-Depth Review
The newest Sony high-resolution mirrorless packs a 61 MP Full-Frame BSI-CMOS sensor on 5-axis Sensor-Shift system. It shoots at 10 FPS, records 4K Ultra-HD video and focuses with a new 567-Point and 425-Area Hybrid AF system with Realtime tracking. This professional-grade camera features a 5.8 MP 0.5" EVF with 0.78X magnification, 100% coverage and an Eye-Start Sensor plus triple control-dials in a weatherproof body. This review shows exactly how the A7R IV performs and compares to top Full-Frame and Medium-Format digital cameras.
Olympus OM-D E-M1X Review
Professional Micro Four-Thirds mirrorless sporting an ultra-high speed 20 MP sensor with 121-Point Phase-Detect AF on a 5-axis image-stabilization system effective to 7-stops. 60 FPS drive with blackout free view on a huge 0.83X magnification 2.4 MP 0.5" EVF. Even a builtin GPS in a dual-grip double dual-control-dial IPX1-rated weatherproof and freezeproof body.
Nikon D3500 Review
The lightest DSLR packs a 24 MP APS-C sensor with ISO 100-25600 sensitivity-range, 5 FPS drive and Full HD video capture. Basic features with simple ergonomics.
Time-Lapse Photography for Beginners
Learn how to get started with time-lapse photography in 4 easy steps.
Fujifilm X-T30 Review
The newest 26 MP 4th-Generation X-Trans CMOS sensor and X-Process 4 from the flagship X-T3 in more compact body. ISO 80-51200, 1/32000-30s, 20 FPS Continuous drive, Cinema 4K video. Dual control-dials and 2.4 MP EVF with Eye-Start Sensor.
Nikon Z6 Review
Nikon Full-Frame Mirrorless with 24 MP and 5-Axis Built-In Image-Stabilization effective to 5-Stops. ISO 100-202400. 12 FPS Continuous Drive. 3.7 MP 0.5" EVF with 0.8X Magnification and 100% Coverage. 4K Ultra-HD video.
Fujifilm GFX 50R Review
Medium Format Mirrorless Digital Camera based on 50 MP 0.8X-Crop CMOS sensor without Anti-Alias Filter. ISO 50-102400, 1/16000s-60m Shutter-Speeds, 3 FPS and Full 1080p HD video at 30 FPS. Large 0.5" EVF with 3.7 MP, 100% coverage, 0.77X magnification and an Eye-Start Sensor. Dual control-dials in a weatherproof and freezeproof body.


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Events in Hyde Park, FL
With a full-time Lifestyle Director on staff to coordinate recreational, social and educational programs and activities, there's always something intriguing for Allegro residents to do. Whether they're enjoying a movie, musical performance or informative discussion at home, or taking a day trip for lunch or a cultural activity out in the community, Allegro residents actively engage with the world around them, and with each other.
Please join us for one of our activities or events.


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CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—It was a tale of two halves Tuesday evening, as UMass Boston's (5-3) second-half comeback effort fell just short against #18 MIT (7-1) 54-44 at the Rockwell Cage.
After a first-half in which the Beacons hit just 17 percent of their shots and turned the ball over 15 times, UMass Boston turned up the pressure and cut the Engineers 16-point halftime lead to as few as five, before a late run by the hosts.
Junior Rahshjeem Benson (Boston, Mass.) led the Beacons with 13 points and 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double of the season. The junior forward did the brunt of his damage in the second half with seven points and nine rebounds and added three assists, three steals and two blocks for the game.
Sophomore Vinny DeLucia (Miami, Fla.) joined Benson in double-figures, with all 10 of his points in the second half. Cody Edmond (Plaquemine, La.) added eight points and Mike Mitchell Jr. (Dorchester, Mass.) recorded four points, two rebounds and three assists.
All-American point guard Mitchell Kates scored a game-high 19 points for the Engineers, including hitting the game-clinching shot after missing several minutes of action due to a head injury. Fellow senior Will Tashman grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds and added eight points for the defending NEWMAC Champions.
The Engineers jumped out to a 7-0 lead and held the Beacons scoreless for the first 7:07 with a swarming defense predicated on double-team traps. Even after the Beacons cut the deficit to 14-4 on a Mitchell layup, UMass Boston struggled to get things going.
After the Engineers opened up a first-half-high 16 point lead with 3:42 left in the half, the Beacons went on a mini 5-2 run to cut the deficit to 24-11 with 2:08 to play. MIT answered right back with a 4-0 run to end the half to grab a 27-11 halftime lead.
In the first 20 minutes, the Beacons turned the ball over 15 times and hit just 4-of-23 shots (17.4 percent). MIT struggled to control the ball as well, recording 12 turnovers, but the Engineers hit 40.9 percent of their attempts and knocked down two 3-pointers.
Second-half action would tilt heavily in the Beacons favor as UMass Boston pounded the ball inside and responded with some devastating defense of their own.
MIT opened up the second stanza with back-to-back layups from Matt Redfield and Andrew Acker to open up a game-high 32-11 lead.
That's when DeLucia turned it on. The reigning Little East Conference Rookie of the Year poured in eight straight points on two 3-pointers and a layup to cut the deficit to 32-19.
Another mini Engineers run pushed the lead back to 14, but the Beacons would respond with an 8-0 spurt. Benson started it off with two free throws, before a monster Jahleel Moise (Brockton, Mass.) dunk made it 35-23. UMass Boston finished off the run with a DeLucia jumper and an Edmond lay-in to make it 35-27.
The Beacons cut the deficit to as few as five at 8:14 when Benson followed a 180-reverse dunk in transition, with the second of two free throws to make it 39-34 MIT. But over the next five minutes, MIT held UMass Boston to just an Edmond 3-pointer and extended their lead to 44-37 with under three minutes to go.
UMass Boston would go on to cut the deficit back to six on two separate occasions, but the Engineers knocked down 6-of-7 free throws and Kates hit a crucial fade-away jumper with the shot clock winding down with 37 seconds to go to give MIT an eight-point lead.
For the game, the Beacons hit 30.8 percent (16-of-52) of their shots and 26.7 percent (4-of-15) of their threes. MIT knocked down 39.1 percent (18-of-46) of their shots and went 2-of-11 (18.2 percent) from downtown.
UMass Boston will return to Little East Conference play Saturday when they travel to Keene State for a 3:00 p.m. start.


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June 4, 2019 – PBS NewsHour full episode
06/04/2019 | 54m 2s
June 4, 2019 – PBS NewsHour full episode
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App Report for ARIMOJI by Ariana Grande
App Store Description for United States
Ariana Grande has released her very own emoji keyboard, and it's iconic. ARIMOJI gives you exclusive access to Ariana emojis, stickers, and GIFs for every m00d. The keyboard includes an iMessage extension so you can easily use ARIMOJIs as stickers. Greedy for more? New ARIMOJIs are added all the time. Get texting, and send that hood love / good love to everyone you know.
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Review: "Submarine" an Under-the-Radar Charmer
A young man in Wales prepares for the night of his eventual lost-virginity by readying a meal -- replete with boxed white wine -- for his lady love, and arranging his parents' forlorn-looking bedroom with a jaunty red bedspread, champagne and two red balloons. Ah, the dating rituals of the respectful, young male: two parts quaint and heartbreakingly earnest, and one part absolutely hopeless.
In director Richard Ayoade's slightly self-conscious but ultimately enjoyable film, "Submarine," based on the novel by Joe Dunthorne, the young man's careful, thoughtful efforts are eventually rewarded (off-screen), but that is almost entirely beside the point. Oliver (Craig Roberts) is a considerate sort, erudite and a bit soft-spoken, much like his father Lloyd (Noah Taylor), a marine biologist whose career has hit a bad spell. In the first part of the film, Oliver conspires to win the heart of Jordana (Yasmin Paige), a pale girl with dark hair cut into a shapely bob, and an ever-present red wool coat. Unfortunately, just as things are going swimmingly with Oliver and Jordana, he notices the rift between his parents taking a new pitch for the worse when a new neighbor moves in next door to their mountain-view house. Graham (Paddy Considine) is a kind of new age, mullet-haired snake oil salesman, currently selling himself as a psychic seer of peoples' color spectrums -- and a man whom Oliver observes making oblique kung fu motions during sexual gratification. Graham is also the first love of Oliver's mother, Jill, (Sally Hawkins) and presents a growing challenge to his father's depressed, passive countenance. In short order, Oliver attempts to solidify his relationship with Jordana and save his parents' marriage simultaneously, with very spotty results.
The film owes a great deal in tone to Bill Forsyth's 1981 classic "Gregory's Girl," but it also has its own well-paced comedic voice. As can be expected, Oliver's VO stages the film throughout with a kind of meta sense of the film he would eventually make if he were able to. But rather than get caught in these kinds of flashy and more insincere machinations, the filmmakers sagely keep the knowing nods and winks to a minimum. Notably, unlike, say, "Ferris Bueller," there's never a breaking of the fourth wall; rather, Oliver's self-consciousness and dramatic affectations are for the benefit of an audience who is not, and likely never will be, present, which makes the device far more palatable. It is also not a film of blithe set pieces and lengthy over-the-top shenanigans. It's more droll and contemplative than all that. Instead, the camera focuses intently on the darting eyes of its young protagonist, more than content to let him and the other well-formed characters carry the weight of the piece, and, in the end, that turns out to be a pretty likable arrangement.


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Prompt 5: Your Childhood Home
"The Book of Me, Written By You" is a GeneaBloggers project created by Julie Goucher of the Anglers Rest blog. The concept: a series of blogging and writing prompts that help family historians capture their own memories and write about themselves.
Prompt 5: Your Childhood Home
Your Childhood Home - My parents rented farms the first couple of years of their marriage. I was about 2 or 3 when they bought the farm where I grew up - through High School - until I left for college. My parents and four younger brothers (who were each born while we lived here) continued to live there for many years after I left.
The farm was on 160 acres in Willow Township, Greene County, Iowa, about 7 miles northeast of Coon Rapids, Iowa. We were just a mile east of of the county line with Carroll County, Union Township. Most of our community relationships were there. The aerial photo of the farm was taken in the late 1940s. (Note: the one-room country school I attended through 7th grade was located a mile north of our corner - just to the left of the upper left corner of this photo!)
What was it like – describe it – each room. Fairly normal farm house, for the time, actually, with a couple of special features. Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room, Bed Room on first level… this was my parents bedroom. Upstairs were two normal bedrooms, plus, over the kitchen, we made another bedroom (we called it the attic), that was used when brothers 3, 4, and 5 arrived. I got the first upstairs bedroom; later shared with one brother.
When Mom and Dad first bought the farm, there was a porch on the west (front - left, above), and also on the east (back) of the house. Early on, in the mid-1940s, the front porch was enclosed and made into a full bath room and entrance hall (though that door on the 'front' was NEVER used - everyone entered near the kitchen…on the side of the house). This was the status in the farm photo, above. In about 1949, the old, small porch, on the east, was replaced by THE PORCH. You can see it directly behind the family in the 1954 Easter photo. It was what we later called "a family room." Note: Entering that door, left, below, the kitchen was immediately to the left.
|Bill holding Barry, Eileen, Pete, Thomas (T.K.) - brother Jim taking the photo
Was there a favorite room? THE PORCH was a special place for each of us. It was a large room. We moved the piano out there; there was always an upright freezer there, in later years, full of goodies. The east end was all mahogany bookcases built in the wall with a flagstone fireplace in the center. A long window seat under the big window. The television (we were one of the first in the neighborhood to have one) was in one corner - a Motorola. And, lots of space for boys to play. Couch and lounge chairs facing the fireplace. Many parties held here, family, friends, school, church, etc.
Is there anything you particularly remember from the house? Everything. All family memories of the time are tied to this house, and the yard around the house. A very special place (of course!).
The road & area - We had a 'main' gravel rod running north and south west of the house. We also had an east to west road on the south side of the house - it ran to a house/farm a half mile east on a dead end. The drive came off the south road, past the house, and to the west. A nice lawn with apple and cherry trees occupied the corner, with walnut trees along the west road. Our farm was actually the 80 acres on the north and 80 acres on the south of that east-west road (this is the road you see along the bottom, in the photo. We later bought the land to the north, that is in the upper part of the photo, as well).
My additional comments: This was a fun exercise, because I always enjoy recalling those days, on the farm, the began my life. Thanks, for the memories!
Families are Forever!


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The US sprinters Allyson Felix and Jeneba Tarmoh are equally fast. How do we know? Well, yesterday, during the women's 100 meter Olympics qualifier, they both finished the sprint in 11.068 seconds—and not even a camera running at 3,000 frames per second could tell their performance apart.
Usually a high-speed camera, which takes three pictures every thousandth of a second, can easily tell who crossed the line first. Unsurprising, as its frame rate gives it a precision of just 300 nanosecond between frames.
But Felix and Tarmoh have pushed that precision to the limit, crossing the line simultaneously as far as the camera can tell. Unfortunately for the pair they both placed third, and the rules state that only the three fastest runners can progress through to the Olympics.
Sadly, this is where technology runs out. If neither chooses to concede their third place spot—and why would they?—the decision is made through the toss of a US quarter (Update: Or a runoff!). Something tells us faster cameras might be on the way to sporting arenas in London as we speak. [CNN via The Verge]


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Broomfield, CO - November 8, 2013
Webroot, a leader in cloud-based security intelligence solutions, today announced that PCMag.com has given the latest release of Webroot SecureAnywhere® AntiVirus and Webroot SecureAnywhere® Internet Security Complete its top editorial honor, the Editors' Choice award, for the third consecutive year. This designation is given to products that meet the highest qualifications and standards of PCMag.com's editorial staff, and this year's awards marks the 16th time Webroot products have been awarded Editors' Choice.
"PCMag.com performs some of the most comprehensive product evaluations in the industry, so we are very honored to be recognized as Editors' Choice for the third straight year," said Mike Malloy, executive vice president of products and strategy at Webroot. "Over the last year, our development team focused their efforts on extending our innovation in the areas consumers care about most: the effectiveness, performance and usability of their Internet security."
Click to tweet: Webroot SecureAnywhere Wins Double Editors' Choice Awards From PCMag.com http://bit.ly/1dSYPsr
PCMag.com awarded Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus an editor's rating of "excellent" and a rank of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The AntiVirus edition was recognized as an Editors' Choice selection for its superior malware detection and clean-up and its ability to install without incident on infected systems. PCMag.com reviewer Neil Rubenking said, "Webroot's detection rate of 89 percent and overall malware cleanup score of 6.6 points are both tops among products tested." He added, "No other antivirus product comes close to Webroot when it comes to minimizing use of disk space. It's hard to believe something so tiny can do everything it does."
Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete was referred to as a "tiny powerhouse," with an editors' rating of "excellent" and a rank of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The PCMag.com review praised the program's efficient use of system resources and "super-fast installation," which includes a full scan. It further recognized Webroot SecureAnywhere technology for its easy to use password management and file backup and sync features, as well as powerful malware removal and anti-phishing. "Webroot's online protection got a major upgrade with this edition, and it shows. Enhanced anti-phishing protection and impressive malware cleanup earned it top scores, beating long-time phishing champ Norton," wrote Rubenking.
Purchasing and Availability
Webroot offers a broad range of security solutions for consumers including Webroot SecureAnywhere AntiVirus, Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Plus, Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete, iOS SecureWeb, and SecureAnywhere™ Mobile for Android™. The Webroot SecureAnywhere consumer product family is available online at http://www.webroot.com and at select retailers. For additional product information, visit http://www.webroot.com/us/en/home/.


text: SARATOGA SPRINGS -- The 12 years that Solomon Northup was a slave did not only affect the rest of his life. Saturday at Skidmore College, more than 40 of his descendants traveled from all over the country to celebrate the 15th annual Solomon Northup Day, and many shared how he has impacted their lives. "It's like finding a missing piece of your life's puzzle," said Clayton Jamie Adams of Pittsburgh, the great-great-great-grandson of Solomon Northup on his mother's side. He said growing up he didn't know about his legacy. In college, he remembers reading about Northup in a class on black literature, but even then was unaware of his connection to him. It wasn't until talking to his grandmother, Victoria Northup, that he discovered that branch of his roots and "discovered the beautiful family history you can't put on paper." Now, with the movie "12 Years a Slave" based on Northup's own memoir, being released in October, Adams said, "It's a privilege and an honor to have my grandfather's story of his 12 years in slavery be told as part of the history, not just of my family, but of the United States of America." Northup holds an inspirational place in Spa City history. A free black man born in Essex County, he followed his wife to Saratoga Springs in the mid-19th century to play violin in the city's large hotels. He was deceived by two men who claimed to have work for the skilled violinist. They later kidnapped him and sold him in the South as a slave. While toiling on a plantation in Louisiana, Northup encountered a Canadian carpenter, Samuel Bass, who he convinced of his plight. Northup gave Bass three names -- men with whom he worked in Saratoga Springs at the United States Hotel -- and one of them went south to find Northup, eventually winning his freedom more than a decade after his life in Saratoga Springs was snatched away from him. Clips of the movie were debuted for the auditorium of people who attended Saturday's event at Skidmore College. One of the actresses from the film, Lupita Nyong'o, who played Patsey in the film, was also in attendance. Patsey was a slave on the plantation Northup was sent to, and Nyong'o said the production had a powerful effect on her. "We felt we were part of something huge, something meaningful, something powerful and something so necessary," she told the audience, becoming emotional at times. "When I got the role, it never occurred to me that I would be with so many ancestors of this great man." In addition to the movie, Northup's descendants shared music and poetry inspired by their ancestor; authors and historians spoke about local black history and the history of the Northup family. For instance, one of Northup's descendants talked about her grandfather, John Henry "Zip" Northup, who played baseball in the Negro Leagues. The Northups -- or Northrups, as some of them spell it -- came from as far as New Mexico and California. Others were from upstate New York, where many of his descendants settled after Northup's freedom. Regardless of their residence, though, they all had roots in an amazing story in American history as Solomon Northup Day Founder Renee Moore pointed out. In closing the event, Moore offered hope that Northup's story will continue to inspire generations. "May our children get strength from Solomon's story and actively work for freedom, peace and justice in the world," she said.


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Artist description:
Laurat kittens
Java Draw Created Feb 13, 2012 640 x 460px Unless noted Copyright 2012 junco.
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what wonderful cats they look so pretty I bet they are fabulous company like fav
they are so lovely... amazing draw!
irresistible..love this..5/5..and fav..
They look so real :O Absolutely stunning draw 5/5
awww kitty 5hs
Speechless............. Brilliant.... 5h's X :))))
really nice
The fur on the cats is wonderful. Beautiful drawing. And they are so cute
AGAIN YOUR TALENT ASTOUNDS ME!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH for not one amazing picture - but two, to cherish and admire. You have captured them absolutely perfectly. I am at a loss for words!!!! ANOTHER ALL TIME FAVE. THANK YOU.
they are so cute 5h


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well, ok its a looooong link,
http://www.mfa.org/collections/search_a ... ll_start=1
but the Museum of Fine arts in Boston has, among its very interesting collection of old pipes,
a sei palmi zampogna:
From an English gents collection that was acquired in the early 20th c (1917, iirc).
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The FGDC is pleased to announce that the awards for 2012 National Spatial Data Infrastructure Cooperative Agreements Program. Twenty-three proposals have been selected for this years program that is providing just over $600,000 in funding. The projects will support development of the NSDI by advancing standards including ISO metadata, development geospatial business plans in five states, expand the State GIS Inventory, and deploying geospatial cloud services. Information about the awarded proposals is available on the 2012 NSDI CAP web page.
For more information about this program, please contact Gita Urban-Mathieux: email@example.com or 703-648-5175.


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Though the 104th Precinct area that GCOP patrols is a low-crime district, at GCOP's February meeting the group's president, Lou Kirchgessner, said the civilian patrol is worried that could soon change.
"We're going to see a lot more crime with the economy the way it is and people getting laid off," said Kirchgessner. Jack Zwerenz, a founding member of GCOP, which was established in the mid-70's, said the group becomes especially active when the city faces hard times.
Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley, who appeared at the meeting, and whose district includes Glendale, said she would work to ensure that the neighborhood receives increased support from the police department.
"We need more patrols during the day," said Crowley, "and we need to make sure that our district gets its fair share of resources."
Crowley said she opposes Mayor Bloomberg's plans to cut around 1,000 citywide officers from the police force, but was optimistic the federal government would include assistance to police forces in the new economic stimulus package. "I'm reassured with the federal government's plans to put more cops on the streets," said Crowley.
In the meantime, Crowley said, it's up to Glendale residents to remain extra alert to ensure quality of life issues don't start slipping.
"We have to be even more vigilant," said Crowley. "We need to make sure we're more aware now that the economy is bad because crime correlates with that."
Detective John Webber of the 104th Precinct said during difficult economic times petty crime usually increases as out-of-work people look to make money by any means possible. However, said Webber, the precinct enjoyed a surprisingly calm January - crime was actually down compared with January of 2008. Even so, said Webber, this could change as the recession deepens.
Kirchgessner said GCOP has already witnessed an increase in graffiti.
"We need to start catching more [vandals]," said Kirchgessner. "We're getting them, but not like we used to."
Before they can ramp up their efforts, said Kirchgessner, the group needs to have its civilian observation patrol identification badges renewed. GCOP's last two-year badges expired in July of 2008.
Webber said the NYPD will issue the badges as soon as it finishes a reorganization of its citywide civilian observation patrol program. Webber said the police department is working to create a single uniform, identification badge, and set up guidelines to be used by the many civilian patrols connected to precincts across the city.
"They want to make a more uniformed patrol," said Webber. "Once the changes are implemented, GCOP will have their ID's."
Webber said the precinct looks forward to continue working with GCOP to tackle the challenges ahead.
"We love the support we get from them," said Webber. "They're a great help for us."


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Fox Gianni
Plush, synthetic fiber, metal granulate, cotter pin, silk ribbon
The size is standing - 17 cm, sitting - 15 cm.
Each seam is made by hand.
Toned - pastel, oil paints
All my creations are intended for adult collectors, and not for children (small details).
Delivery takes 6-25 days (depending on the country and customs). This may take a little longer from time to time.
No return
The product will be carefully packed in a beautiful box and shipped with a tracking number.
Happy mood and pleasant shopping.
With love to you Natasha
Pay Pal
We support all major credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover via PayPal. At the checkout page, you may choose to pay with credit card or PayPal. PayPal would also accept all major credit cards.
Please note that if you do not have a PayPal account, please select the "Pay with a debit or credit card" option and they will just ask for your credit card information. PayPal will NOT ask you to create an account for the payment.
After you click the "Buy now" button, you would be securely transferred to PayPal. PayPal offer added protection for both you the customer and the artist.
Free worldwide shipping
Return is not accepted. In some cases, if you liked the toy, but still have doubts, I can take additional photos and send it to the post office so that you can make a decision.
I LOVE HIM SO MUCH! <3 He's so magical and it's amazing how such a big heart and spirit are in such a little guy. His face is so expressive and it feels like he's looking right into my soul. All of the details are incredible and his tiny teapot is sooooooo adorable!!!! I love everything about him. He arrived really fast and was packaged beautifully with love and care. Thank you so much for binging him into the world! He's found a forever home here with lots of friends to keep him company and I will treasure him forever.~<3


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Cross body bags are both functional and trendy, especially if you grab on in a hot color for this coming spring. Look for a boxy shape and either pastel or bright colors. Below are six on trend cross body bags.
Shop For These and Other Cross Body Bags at Zappos


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Just who did the Broncos draft? Here's a thumbnail sketch on all their picks
Been shoveling snow? Skiing? Ice fishing? Well, here's your chance to catch up on the Broncos draft with hopes that the sun might actually peek its head out this week.
QB Paxton Lynch, 6-7, 244, Memphis, first-round, 26th overall: Bears striking resemblance to Brock Osweiler (and Kevin from The Backstreet Boys). Big arm with quick release, can make people miss and competes with passion. Hasn't played under center since freshman season in college. Team has luxury to be patient with him as improves footwork and learns West Coast offense.
DT Adam Gotsis, 6-5, 282, Georgia Tech, second round, 63rd overall: An Australian brute. Defensive line coach Bill Kollar loves his work ethic, attitude, mean streak. He sees some similarities to Derek Wolfe. Most teams didn't have him ranked this high on their draft boards. He currently weighs 298 pounds with 10 percent body fat. "He's a beast," general manager John Elway said.


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Glasgow has hosted some incredible world-class events over recent years, and it's showing no signs of stopping! Who could forget the wonderful XX Commonwealth Games and the 2014 MTV European Music Awards?
A UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow hosts around 130 music events each week in venues ranging from the SSE Hydro to the Barrowland Ballroom. Celtic Connections in January is the largest winter music festival of its kind, while the World Pipe Band Championships take place every August on Glasgow Green.
Every day throughout this city, there's an event to enjoy. Sample fresh live music in the city's bars, laugh yourself silly at comedy and be dazzled by dance, theatre and art across Glasgow.


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represents an item within constructs such as Grid, Overlay, and Manipulate that displays with expr as the content, and with the specified options applied to the region containing expr.
Details and Options
- The following options can typically be given:
Alignment Automatic alignment within the containing region Background None background color for the containing region BaseStyle {} base style specifications for the item ControlPlacement Automatic when used in Manipulate, where controls should be placed Frame False whether to include a frame around the containing region FrameStyle Automatic style for the frame ItemSize Automatic overall size allowed for the item
- Frame->True specifies that a frame should be drawn around all edges of the item.
- Frame->{bottom,left,top,right} specifies what should be drawn on each edge of the item.
- Item effectively modifies the properties of a parent function which supports Item. If Item is not used inside of a function that supports it, the properties specified by Item will not be visible.
Introduced in 2007Updated in 2010


text:
Digital Risk is Everyone's Business
Helping You Manage it is Ours
We Help Your Organization
Detect & Respond to Cyber Threats
We Help You Successfully Navigate
the Risks of Cloud Transformation
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Innovate Freely & Safely
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Why RSA?
Our industry-leading solutions break down business and security silos so you can take control of the risks that stem from digital transformation.
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We Protect30K Customers, 50M Identities, 1B Consumers
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The Case for Digital Risk Management
Watch the 30-second video to learn why it's time for digital risk management.
Solutions for Managing Digital Risk
Our digital risk management solutions address the risks that organizations across sectors are encountering as they weave digital technologies deeper into their business operations.
The RSA® Business-Driven Security™ Portfolio
Our products and strategic advisory services provide customers with the visibility, insights and actions they need to thrive in an uncertain, high-risk world.
Integrated Risk Management
Respond to risks proactively, with data-driven insights and a streamlined, fast time-to-value approach.
Evolved SIEM
Rapidly detect and respond to any threat—on devices, in the cloud and across your virtual enterprise.
Identity & Access Assurance
Provide your users with convenient, secure access to any application—from the cloud to the ground—from any device.
Omni-Channel Fraud Prevention
Manage fraud and digital risks across multi-channel environments without impacting customers or transactions.
Professional & Advisory Services
Leverage strategic consulting services, staff augmentation and acute incident response services from RSA.


text:
Dinosaur Riding a Bike Onesie
Dinosaur Riding a Bike Onesie
- 5.0 oz., 100% combed ringspun cotton in a 1x1 baby rib
- Heather is 93/7 combed ringspun cotton/polyester
- White is sewn with 100% cotton thread
- Flatlock seams
- Double-needle rib binding on neck, shoulders, sleeves and leg openings
We want you to LOVE your Sarcastic Teacher Products! They will ship out within 4-10 days from your order.
If you're not 100% satisfied within the first 60 days of receiving your product, let us know and we'll make it right.
- Hassle free return/exchange policy!
- Please contact us at firstname.lastname@example.com with any questions.


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Children Essay for the Junior Classes
A children essay is generally an easy essay type and does not require much research work or analysis work on the part of the writer. As in all other essay types, the introduction of the essay should be written well so that it gets instant attention. It should introduce the topic in brief, and should state the objective of the essay clearly so that the reader can understand easily and also feels attracted to read further on.


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National programmes and systems
In May 1974, the 27th World Health Assembly resolved to build on the success of the smallpox eradication programme and established the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) to ensure that all children, in all countries, benefited from life-saving vaccine.
The EPI launched at that time recommended the use of vaccines to protect against six diseases: tuberculosis (BCG), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (DTP vaccine), measles and poliomyelitis.
Thanks to the progress accomplished by countries, immunization is today one of the safest, most cost-effective, and powerful means of preventing deaths and improving lives. Over the years, all countries of the world have incorporated an increasingly broad immunization agenda in their public health interventions. Immunization programmes are now routinely reaching over 80 percent of children under one year of age.
The continued discovery, research and development of new and improved vaccines has made immunization even more effective in combating major causes of childhood illness and death. Indeed, the number of vaccines available today to protect infants, children and also now adolescents and adults against infectious diseases has increased substantially.
The push for universal childhood immunization in the 1980s, the last stages of the polio eradication effort and the intensified efforts launched in all regions to introduce new vaccines, eliminate measles and rubella, eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus have acted as a catalyst to bring other health services to previously unreached children.
The public and private sectors are entering a new era of cooperation where the contribution of all partners is important.


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CarsBase has a great collection of new Lotus car photos. 3 HD Images of Gizmo autos include exterior, interior, spy pictures and new photos from motorshows.
Gallery with 3 high quality Gizmo photos. Last update date: at Gizmo photogallery.
Don't forget to come back, new Gizmo pictures and photos updates weekly.


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Flat, line, room
Linear robots are a combination of several linear axes to implement a multi-dimensional motion. For the most varied tasks igus® offers linear robots as flat, line, and room solutions. igus® linear robots contain preconfigured drylin® linear modules/axes with NEMA stepper motors and all components necessary for own construction.
Drive: toothed belt and toothed rack
Portal construction kits from stock
Quick assembly
Defined stroke lengths
Base drylin® toothed belt axis ZLW, cantilever axis GRW
Typical applications:Automation, measurement stations, positioning


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Some of the most famous cars in French motoring history would be banned from Paris under a law intended to hit gas-guzzlers, but which is being criticized as a blow to the poor and classic car fans.
The proposal to ban pre-1997 cars from the city center is the brainchild of Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe, who was behind the popular Velib' bike-rental scheme but has been accused of turning the city of lights into a playground for the rich.
Under the plan, such classics as the stylish Citroen DS, one of which was painted by Picasso; the Citroen 2CV, sometimes described as a tin snail; and the boxy but durable Renault 4L, along with less iconic models driven by ordinary Parisians who can't afford to trade up, would have to go.
"This is for our citizens. It's a public health battle and we've been fighting since 2001 to try and make the air here more breathable," the left-wing mayor told councillors in Paris.
Claude Fauconnier, vice-president of the French Friends of the 2CV Club, called the measure "another harebrained idea" to please ecologists and wealthy Parisians, that ignores the day-to-day reality of the less-well-off.
"If you're driving a 17-year-old car there's usually a reason and it's certainly not for fun," he told Reuters.
"It's often people struggling to make ends meet at the end of month and they're the ones who can't afford a modern car."
The proposal, which needs government endorsement and will be submitted to a ministerial council in January, would outlaw cars built before 1997 from the city and nearby suburbs from 2014.
The Paris Town Hall's press office said about 365,000 cars would be affected and pre-'97 models were chosen because that was the year strict anti-pollution rules took effect in Europe.
Most Read
Delanoe has been fighting for more than a decade to cut pollution in Paris and says his efforts - ranging from more road lanes for buses and bikes and wider pavements - have cut traffic by 25 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 9 percent.
The Velib' bicycle renting scheme was followed up with a similar Autolib' car-hire scheme, and, more recently, by plans to close off part of the city's riverside expressways to traffic and turn them into pedestrian boulevards.
If accepted, the proposals also would ban trucks that are more than 18 years old, and motorbikes built before 2002.
Other ideas include cutting the speed limit on the busy ring road around Paris and introducing a congestion charge, or eco-tax, for trucks passing through the city.
Paris would not be the first city to ban old clunkers from its streets. The Indian city of Calcutta ordered cars older than 15 years off its roads in 2008.