text:
If you have been brought up in an English speaking country, then the chances are that you would be very familiar with the bank holiday - Boxing Day. However, how many of us actually know what Boxing Day represents or the history behind it.
Well, Boxing Day is traditionally the day after Christmas day when wealthy people in the United Kingdom would give a box containing a gift to their servants. Today, Boxing Day is better known as a bank or public holiday that occurs on December 26 - as it does in the United Kingdom, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws of the country in which it is being celebrated. It is observed in this tradition in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
In South Africa, Boxing Day was renamed Day of Goodwill in 1994. In Ireland it is recognized as St. Stephen's Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Stiofáin) or the Day of the Wren (Irish: Lá an Dreoilín). In the Netherlands, Lithuania, Austria, Germany, Scandinavia and Poland, December 26 is celebrated as the Second Christmas Day.
In Canada, Boxing Day takes place on December 26th and is a federal public holiday. In Ontario, Boxing Day is a statutory holiday where all full-time workers receive time off with pay.
Where does the term Boxing Day come from?
Even today, it is still an accepted tradition in England for dustman and paper boys/girls to knock on the doors of their 'customers' to ask for and collect their 'Christmas Box'.
For related articles click onto the following links:
My Grandmother – although she spent most of her adult life in England – was born and brought up by Spey Bay in the north east of Scotland. Perhaps most famous for it production of 'peaty' whiskey, the area was also endowed with excellent arable farmland. This turned out to be a lucky coincidence as my Nan was fortunate enough to be born into the Watson family who owned large tracts of land in the area. Specialising in the production of 'nips' and 'tatties' (parsnips and potatoes to the rest of us), the wealthy Watson family had one of the largest farms in the area – larger still than the Baxter family who are now well-known for their up market brand of 'Baxters soups'. Although farming rivals, my Nan was briefly engaged to be married to the young Mr. Baxter, but unfortunately this engagement was not to last. Why? Because she chose a life of love over privilege by marrying my Grandpa Bert.
But this isn't a story about my Nan, this is a story about my Nan's Scotch Broth, or as she would have called it – broth! Now traditionally lamb is used for Scotch broth, but my Nan usually used chopped chicken breasts. However, the recipe is basically the same for both meats and so I have included both in this recipe - just go by the sections that are relevant to you.
200 g (7oz) pearl barley
1.5 litre (2½pts) chicken stock, or lamb stock if you are cooking with lamb shoulder.
4 large skinless chicken breasts, chopped - or 1.15kg/2½lb lamb shoulder
1 onion, sliced
1 turnip, sliced
1 parsnip, sliced
1 leek, sliced
1 large potato, diced
2 carrots, sliced
2 sticks celery, sliced
parsley, chopped
a pinch of salt
loads of freshly ground black pepper (that's how she made it, but I recommend you add small amounts at a time to suit your taste.)
2 bay leaves
1 sprig of time
How to make Scotch Broth
Serves 6
Put the pearl barley into a bowl of cold water, then set aside to soak.
Meanwhile, place the chopped chicken or lamb into a large saucepan or flameproof casserole dish and cover with the appropriate stock. Bring to a simmer and skim off the scum. Now add the onion, bay leaf and thyme to the pan. Return to a gentle simmer and cook for one hour, skimming occasionally.
After the vegetables and chicken/lamb have been simmering for 30 minutes, rinse the pearl barley in a sieve under cold running water. If you are using chicken then give the broth a good stir, if you are using the lamb - turn the lamb over. Add the pearl barley and potatoes to the casserole. Cook gently for a further 45 minutes, uncovered. If you are using the lamb make sure that it is lamb is very tender and is falling off the bone and that the barley is softened. At this point, remove the pan from the heat
If cooking with lamb, lift the lamb out of the pot with tongs or a large fork and put on a board. Carve off all the meat, slicing or tearing into largish chunks and discarding any skin and bone. Season the broth with more salt and pepper to taste and spoon into large, deep plates. Divide the lamb between the plates and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
If cooking with the chicken then serve evenly into suitable bowls. Add salt and pepper to taste and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley.
For related articles click onto the following links:
|How to make stock from turkey bones
When cooking hearty meals over the winter period you can't beat the flavour of a good old, home made stock. So with that in mind, don't waste your old turkey bones once Christmas meals are over, put them to good use by making a proper stock put of them. You can be as fancy or as simple as you like. My Nan just used to chuck the turkey bones by themselves in as she would put any extra ingredients in the main dish. I like to add some celery and an onion/a few shallots, but that is through force of habit.
However, if you want to get really fancy then try this recipe, but my Nan - God rest her soul - will probably tell me that all I have made is rubbish soup. I will leave it to you to decide.
1 x turkey carcass
2 x carrots, scrubbed or peeled, and cut in half
2 x large onions, halved
2 x stalks of celery
The green tops of 1 or 2 leeks
6 cloves of garlic, peeled
Salt and ground black pepper
Cold water
How to make turkey stock
|How to make stock from turkey bones
Bring to the boil and simmer for a couple of hours until all the flavour has been drawn from the turkey bones.
Pour through a sieve and discard the bones and vegetables. Cheat! Of course you can always do what I do, which is to remove all the bones and large pieces of anything my slotted spoon can drag out. After that I attack what's left with a hand held blender.
Allow to cool for a while and if there is any fat floating on the top of the stock, skim it off and discard.
Taste the stock - it should have a good flavour. If you want it a bit stronger, just reduce it down a bit. Use what you need and freeze the rest of it until required.
For related articles click onto the following links
LEFTOVER TURKEY RECIPE - Turkey and Broccoli Bake
|How to stop Christmas trees from dropping their needles
For most people, the thing they tend to worry about most with a cut, live Christmas trees is how long the needles are going to last before they either fall off, get trampled around the house or get stuck in the soles of your feet. The trouble with cut trees is this, over half of a Christmas tree's weight is down to the water inside it. So when its roots are cut off for sale, the tree is no longer able to replenish the water it loses through evaporation and transpiration - the emission of water vapour in plants.
A Christmas tree will lose water naturally through its needles, but without roots it will be unable to replace that which is lost. Once this water loss reaches a critical level the trees natural defense system will kick in and it will try to shed as many needles as possible before it dies of dehydration (desiccation) in an attempt to save itself.
|Bare Christmas tree
The problem that occurs here is that most trees you buy would have had their roots removed a week or two earlier, sometimes more, before they even reach a shop, and each shop generally stops buying new stock during the second week in December. By that time, and particularly if the weather has been warm, they would have been drying out for a week or two and will probably be dropping leaves as soon as they are out of their protective netting. If you are the type of person who looks for a bargain just one or two days before Christmas day then you really are going to get what you pay for.
With all trees slightly differing some are worse for drying out than others, but with a little attention, you can maintain the quality of your display trees until the twelfth day itself. Check out our top tips for Christmas tree care.
How to prevent a Christmas tree from dropping its needles
|How to stop Christmas trees from dropping their needles
Try not to bruise or dirty the cut surface otherwise you may need to give it another cut when you get home
2. Once you return home place the fresh cut into a container of water as this will allow some uptake of fluid back into the plant. If you intend to put your tree up in the home straight away, then your choice of Christmas tree stand then become important.
There are many on the market now that come with an in-built reservoir. I would advise purchasing one to keep your tree in peak condition. Remember to keep it topped up though as you will be surprised at how much water it will use. If you intend to wait before you decorate your tree then it will probably be best for your tree to leave it outside in the cold. The colder it is the less water will be lost through evaporation and transpiration.
|How to stop Christmas trees from dropping their needles
By doing this, you will be removing the cambium layer responsible for water intake. This negates the point of having a stand with a reservoir. Your tree is also more likely to fall over!
4. Use small LED or low voltage lights as they will produce little or no heat. Larger lights will warm up where they touch the branches causing water loss.
5. If possible, keep your tree in a cool room, out of draughts and direct sunlight as this will all help in reducing water loss. If this isn't possible then remember to keep your tree away from direct sources of heat such as electric or open fires.
WARNING! Pine sap can be highly volatile if accidentally ignited, and if a tree catches light you can lose more than just your prized Christmas ornaments, you may end up losing your home! Remember the the longer the tree has been without roots, the drier it becomes and this increases the risk of it all going up in flames!
6. Finally, the oldest trick in the book. Spray the underside of you tree with hair spray as this will block the stomatal pores in the needles that allow water to escape.
Unfortunately this will also make your tree more flammable, although nowadays you can buy cans of Xmas tree 'needle-fast' spray. You generally find them next to cans of Christmas tree pine fragrance - perhaps the most ridiculous product on the market today as it can end up making your room smell like a 1970's toilet!
For related article click onto the following links:
Christmas Tree
5. If possible, keep your tree in a cool room, out of draughts and direct sunlight as this will all help in reducing water loss. If this isn't possible then remember to keep your tree away from direct sources of heat such as electric or open fires.
WARNING! Pine sap can be highly volatile if accidentally ignited, and if a tree catches light you can lose more than just your prized Christmas ornaments, you may end up losing your home! Remember the the longer the tree has been without roots, the drier it becomes and this increases the risk of it all going up in flames!
|How to stop Christmas trees from dropping their needles
Unfortunately this will also make your tree more flammable, although nowadays you can buy cans of Xmas tree 'needle-fast' spray. You generally find them next to cans of Christmas tree pine fragrance - perhaps the most ridiculous product on the market today as it can end up making your room smell like a 1970's toilet!
For related article click onto the following links:
Christmas Tree
The Christmas holiday is arguably the most awaited and celebrated holiday in the Christian world. However, Christmas as we know it today is a relatively modern affair having almost died out in England during the 17th century. Why? Because it was banned by Oliver Cromwell in 1644 in the belief that it was a wasteful festival that threatened core Christian beliefs. Consequently, all activities relating to Christmas, including attending mass, were forbidden. Not surprisingly, the ban was hugely unpopular and many people continued to celebrate Christmas secretly in their homes!
Of course the Christmas holiday is stronger than ever after being re-invented and then given a new lease of life by the genius that was Charles Dickens. This Christmas renaissance was solely down to the publication of his most famous book 'A Christmas Carol' that was introduced to the English speaking world in 1843.
The History of Christmas
You may not have realized it but Christmas has always been a strange combination of Christian, Pagan and folk traditions. In fact, as far back as 389 AD, St Gregory Nazianzen (one of the Four Fathers of the Greek Church) warned against 'feasting in excess, dancing and crowning the doors'. The Church was already finding it hard to bury the Pagan remnants of the midwinter festival.
Of course, Christmas is not only a Christian festival as this celebration can trace its roots in the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, the festivals of the ancient Greeks, the beliefs of the Druids and the folk customs of Europe. This is because Christmas comes just after the middle of winter when the sun is strengthening and the days are just starting to grow longer. Throughout history this has been a time of feasting and celebration.
Our ancient ancestors were hunters and spent most of their time outdoors. The seasons and weather played a very important part in their lives and because of this they had a great reverence for, and even worshipped, the sun. The Norsemen of Northern Europe saw the sun as a wheel that changed the seasons. It was from the word for this wheel, houl, that the word yule (another name for Christmas) is thought to have come. At Winter Solstice the Norsemen lit bonfires, told stories and drank sweet ale.
During the medieval period (c.400 AD - c.1400 AD) Christmas was a time for feasting and merrymaking. It was a predominantly secular festival but contained some religious elements.
Medieval Christmas lasted 12 days from Christmas Eve on 24th December, until the Epiphany (Twelfth Night) on 6th January. Epiphany comes from a Greek word that means 'to show', meaning the time when Jesus was revealed to the world. Even up until the 1800s the Epiphany was at least as big a celebration as Christmas day.
Many Pagan traditions had been brought to Britain by the invading Roman soldiers. These included covering houses in greenery and bawdy partying that had its roots in the unruly festival of Saturnalia.
The Church also injected Christian meaning into the use of holly, making it a symbol for Jesus' crown of thorns. According to one legend, the holly's branches were woven into a painful crown and placed on Christ's head by Roman soldiers who mocked him, chanting: "Hail King of the Jews." Holly berries used to be white but Christ's blood left them with a permanent crimson stain.
Another legend is about a little orphan boy who was living with shepherds when the angels came to announce Jesus' birth. The child wove a crown of holly for the newborn baby's head. But when he presented it, he became ashamed of his gift and started to cry. Miraculously the baby Jesus reached out and touched the crown. It began to sparkle and the orphan's tears turned into beautiful scarlet berries.
Bans on Christmas
The Puritan movement began during the reign of Queen Elizabeth in England (1558-1603). They believed in strict moral codes, plenty of prayer and close following of New Testament scripture.
As the date of Christ's birth is not in the Gospels the Puritans thought that Christmas was too strongly linked to the Pagan Roman festival and were opposed to all celebration of it, particularly the lively, boozy celebrations inherited from Saturnalia. In 1644 all Christmas activities were banned in England. This included decorating houses with evergreens and eating mince pies.
Victorian Christmas
The Victorians gave us the kind of Christmas we know today, reviving the tradition of carol singing, borrowing the practice of card giving from St. Valentine's day and popularising the Christmas tree.
Although the Victorians attempted to revive the Christmas of medieval Britain, many of the new traditions were Anglo-American inventions. From the 1950s, carol singing was revived by ministers, particularly in America, who incorporated them into Christmas celebrations in the Church. Christmas cards were first sent by the British but the Americans, many of whom were on the move and away from their families, picked up the practice because of a cheap postal service and because it was a good way of keeping in contact with people at home.
Christmas trees were a German tradition, brought to Britain and popularised by the royal family. Prince Albert first introduced the Christmas tree into the royal household in Britain in 1834. He was given a tree as a gift by the Queen of Norway which was displayed in Trafalgar Square.
For related articles click onto the following links:
We all know that Christmas is a busy time and most people feel pressured to throw a huge spread of food for any guest or family that manage to make it round. So if you have a need for Christmas cookies than a quick, simple and tasty recipe has got to be a winner. In my opinion, if it is going to take too long to make then it probably won't get made. Besides, not only will this Xmas cookie recipe make biscuits to any shape or design you like (so long as you have the cutter) you can also use your Christmas cookies as Christmas tree ornaments! It just keeps getting better!
100g/3½oz unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
100g/3½oz caster sugar
1 free-range egg, lightly beaten
275g/10oz plain flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
400g/14oz icing sugar
3-4 tbsp water
2-3 drops food coloring
Edible glitter
How to make Christmas Cookies
1. Before you start, preheat the oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5. Next, line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.
2. Cream the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale, light and fluffy. See note below for technique for creaming butter
3. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract, a little at a time until well combined.
4. Stir in the flour until the mixture comes together as a dough.
5. Using a rolling pin, roll the dough out on a lightly floured work surface to a thickness of 1cm/½in.
6. Using biscuit cutters or a glass, cut biscuits out of the dough and carefully place onto the baking tray. To make into Christmas tree decorations, carefully make a hole in the top of the biscuit using a straw.
7. Bake the biscuits for 8-10 minutes, or until pale golden-brown. Set aside to harden for 5 minutes, then cool on a wire rack.
8. Now for the icing. Sift the icing sugar into a large mixing bowl and stir in enough water to create a smooth mixture. When finished, stir in the food colouring.
9. Carefully spread the icing onto the biscuits using a knife and sprinkle over the glitter. Now set aside the cookies until the icing hardens.
10. Once hardened the cookies are now ready to serve.
Note.'Creaming' means combining sugar with a solid fat, such as butter, shortening or margarine. Ensure the fat has softened to room temperature before you start. Beat the fat with the sugar to a light and fluffy texture. Start mixing quite slowly and, as the mixture becomes softer and well combined, you can mix faster. As you beat it, the mixture should increase in volume and take on a paler colour.
Go back far enough in time and you will find that the human race lived the nomadic existence of hunter gatherers. Following nature's seasons and collecting wild grown food, when that precious food availability dropped off, the nomadic family groups uprooted and moved on to where different foods were becoming available. For tens of thousands of years their lives followed this natural and sustainable pattern from season to season and year to year, learning from hard earned knowledge passed down through the generations. It was only when man began to farm and harvest crops, and then go on to develop increasingly viable and nutritious crops, that early human civilisations were finally formed.
Obviously, with so many crops to choose from it would be impossible for you to get all of the information you would need from a single article, but luckily I have done a lot of the hard work for you as you can see below.
So, if you have a vegetable garden just ready and waiting, or you just want to learn about growing vegetables just click on your selected article to find out specific information on growing your preferred vegetable crops. And if you can't find what you are looking for then drop me a request using the comments option at the bottom.
To find out more about growing specific vegetable then click onto the 'Seeds of Eaden' Plant directory.
For related articles click onto the following links:
Based on an extract from 'Practical Gardening and Food Production in Pictures' – published in 1940
On any piece of ground that is used for growing edible plants it is important to adopt some kind of crop rotation. The effect of rotation is to obtain a better yield from your crops and to avoid diseases which will attack said crops if they are continuously grown on the same piece of land. Be aware that if you continue to grow the same or related edible plants in the same piece of ground then both soil borne pests as well as foliage pests will build up over time. This can only result in poorer crop yields in each subsequent year. That being said, onions are the only crop which can be grow on the same land year after year, provided that suitable fertilisers and manures are applied.
In practise, many gardeners follow a two year rotation. Half of their plot is taken up with potatoes while the remainder is used for other crops. In such a case the operation is to simply rotate the crops alternate years, but the best method is to use a three year crop rotation. Take a look at the following crop rotation diagram.
By using a rotation of crops, the same piece of land will not carry the same vegetables in successive years. For convenience, crops can be divided into three groups.
1. Peas and Beans
2. Cabbage, broccoli and other brassicas, turnips and Swedes.
3. Root crops
Note. Lettuce, spinach and other salad crops can be treated as intercrops, while leeks, onions and celery can be placed anywhere, but preferably in the area where the brassicas etc are being grown.
Regarding fertilisers and digging, each area will of course need to be treated differently. In this way only one section (Root crops) will need to be double-dug each year, reducing the amount of heavy work required.
For related articles click onto the following links:
|Christmas tree
The use of evergreen trees as part of a seasonal celebration has been popular in and around Europe for centuries, if not millennia. In fact as far back as Roman times, evergreens trees were used in the ancient Saturnalia festival – the Roman equivalent to our modern New Year's celebrations. It was also their custom to exchange the branches and twigs of evergreen trees as a good-luck blessing.
Although many historians agree that it was Scandinavian pagans during the eighth century who first brought trees into their homes for ceremonial practices, it was the German Saxons who took the idea further by illuminated their trees with candles, and adorning them with decorations for good fortune. This tradition became so ingrained in German culture it was no wonder it made the jump to the Christmas celebration via early German Christians.
The best and earliest example of a fir tree being used as part of the Christian celebration of Jesus' birth was by Martin Luther - leader of the protestant reformation during the sixteenth century. Legend has it that on one crisp Christmas Eve, Martin Luther was taking a walk through some snow covered woods when he became struck by the beauty of some small frosted evergreens which appeared to shimmer in the moonlight as he approached them. When he returned home, he brought with him one of the smaller tree which he set up inside so he could share this story with his children. He then decorated it with candles, which he lighted in honour of Christ's birth.
|Christmas tree
'...after dinner...we then went into the drawing-room near the dining-room...There were two large round tables on which were placed two trees hung with lights and sugar ornaments. All the presents being placed round the trees…'
The Victorian and Albert Tree The Christmas tree 'officially' arrived in England in 1841, when Queen Victoria's husband - the German-born Prince Albert - set up a tree in Windsor Castle. Introduced first to this country by German Merchants, it was the influence of the Georgian Royal family that really brought the Xmas tree to our attention. However, the British public were not particularly fond of the German Monarchy during this period and so the fashion for displaying a Christmas tree – for the time being - stayed at Court.
Although the traditional Christmas tree was still unpopular during the first half of the 19th Century, things were set for a change in 1846, when a woodcut of the Royal couple was published in the Illustrated London News. They were pictured standing with their children around a decorated Fir tree, but unlike the previous Royal family, Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at Court this time immediately became fashionable – but not just in Britain.
|Christmas tree
Christmas tree varieties
Although there are many types of Xmas tree that you could choose from there are generally only two varieties that you will come across in the UK market. The first is the traditional tree - the Norway spruce, and the second is today's best seller the Nordmann fir. However, nowadays we are seeing more and more unusual varieties coming onto the shop floors, unfortunately while some of them have excellent qualities they are often not grown in enough numbers or to a high enough standard to take the crown from our other two best sellers. Below is our breakdown of the most likely Xmas tree varieties you will be able to buy in the UK this Christmas..
NORWAY SPRUCE - Picea abies
This beautiful, dark-green spruce is the variety of Christmas tree that brings back all of those childhood memories of Christmas, and it's also the tree that was introduced to England in the early nineteenth century by the then Prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria. Its charm is down to its gorgeous piney scent which can fill a room within minutes, but it is at a cost. The essential oils that carry the scent are released from the trees needles as they dry out and of all the trees available at Christmas; this is the variety that will lose its needles the fastest quickest. The main advantage that it has over the other trees other than its wonderful fragrance is that are that they are relatively inexpensive to buy, and if you can find a supplier who keeps them trimmed up on a yearly basis, their trees will have best conical shape of any variety that you will see.
NORDMANN FIR – Abies nordmanniana
Perhaps the most popular tree in the UK today is the Nordmann fir, otherwise known as the needle-fast or low needle drop tree. Living up to its common name it has an uncanny way of holding onto its needles far longer than it has any right to, and this is partially down to its thick sugary sap locking up its precious water.
Along with large, thick leathery needles which are firmly secured to pliable stems, the Nordmann fir easily prevents the server water loss suffered by the Norway spruce. Even when subjected to the harsh, environmental conditions of a domestic radiator their tenacious needles are still reluctant to fall even when they have turned a rather obvious desiccated brown. This leads some owners to spray tired specimens with green paint to maintain the charade of lush greenery health to friends and family. Unfortunately it's because of their incredible ability to remain hydrated that they have little or no pine scent, and this is really their only downfall. As a specimen, it consists of rich green leaves similar to that of a yew tree, while the branches tend to grow in tiers making the tree ideal for hanging large ornaments from. It is this kind of ability that makes the Nordmann fir Britain's best selling Christmas tree.
SCOTS PINE – Pinus sylvestris
If you are after something different then there are normally a few unusual specimens to be found if you look hard enough. Popular in the USA is the Scots pine - Pinus sylvestris, however it has yet to take on in a big way in Britain.
Pinus sylvestris is a native to the wilds of Scotland, hence the common name, although is range stretches as far Portugal in the west, east to eastern Siberia, and south to the Caucasus Mountains. Interestingly, the Scots pine is the only pine native to northern Europe!
As a Christmas tree it is known for its dark green foliage and stiff branches which are well suited for decorating with both light and heavy ornaments. Like the Nordmann Fir it has excellent needle retention characteristics and holds up well throughout the Christmas period.
A great alternative to the traditional species, especially if you are considering a larger tree.
NOBLE FIR – Abies procera
Perhaps the most popular tree in the UK today is the Nordmann fir, otherwise known as the needle-fast or low needle drop tree. Living up to its common name it has an uncanny way of holding onto its needles far longer than it has any right to, and this is partially down to its thick sugary sap locking up its precious water.
Along with large, thick leathery needles which are firmly secured to pliable stems, the Nordmann fir easily prevents the server water loss suffered by the Norway spruce. Even when subjected to the harsh, environmental conditions of a domestic radiator their tenacious needles are still reluctant to fall even when they have turned a rather obvious desiccated brown. This leads some owners to spray tired specimens with green paint to maintain the charade of lush greenery health to friends and family. Unfortunately it's because of their incredible ability to remain hydrated that they have little or no pine scent, and this is really their only downfall. As a specimen, it consists of rich green leaves similar to that of a yew tree, while the branches tend to grow in tiers making the tree ideal for hanging large ornaments from. It is this kind of ability that makes the Nordmann fir Britain's best selling Christmas tree.
SCOTS PINE – Pinus sylvestris
If you are after something different then there are normally a few unusual specimens to be found if you look hard enough. Popular in the USA is the Scots pine - Pinus sylvestris, however it has yet to take on in a big way in Britain.
Pinus sylvestris is a native to the wilds of Scotland, hence the common name, although is range stretches as far Portugal in the west, east to eastern Siberia, and south to the Caucasus Mountains. Interestingly, the Scots pine is the only pine native to northern Europe!
As a Christmas tree it is known for its dark green foliage and stiff branches which are well suited for decorating with both light and heavy ornaments. Like the Nordmann Fir it has excellent needle retention characteristics and holds up well throughout the Christmas period.
A great alternative to the traditional species, especially if you are considering a larger tree.
NOBLE FIR – Abies procera
The Noble fir is a large evergreen tree native to the Cascade Range and Coast Range mountains of extreme northwest California and western Oregon and Washington in the United States.
Its fast growth and luscious foliage make it an ideal contender for Christmas tree production. It is similar in shape, if not a little more compact, to the Nordmann fir, but it has soft blue-green needles on evenly spaced strong branches perfect for heavy ornaments.
If trimmed during production it will produce a very compact and pleasing shape.
It is arguably more ornamental with exceptional needle retention and a pleasant mild fir scent. If grown in sufficient quantities, it the Noble fir that is most likely to take the crown away from the Nordmann.
FRASER FIR – Abies fraseri
Named after the Scottish botanist John Fraser (1750–1811), Abies fraseri is a species of fir native to the mountains of the eastern United States. It has a great combination of form, needle retention, dark blue-green colour, and pleasant scent and this has led to the Fraser fir being one of the most popular Christmas tree species in North America.
The Fraser fir also has excellent needle retaining properties as well as tightly packed branches which can provide a well shaped and narrow tree. this is particularly useful if space is tight.
Unfortunately the commercial production of Fraser firs for the Christmas tree market is still in its infancy in the UK and so far the quality of Fraser firs grown in this country is usually poor. However, if you can find a good one then you are on to a winner.
DOUGLAS FIR – Pseudotsuga menziesii
Its fast growth and luscious foliage make it an ideal contender for Christmas tree production. It is similar in shape, if not a little more compact, to the Nordmann fir, but it has soft blue-green needles on evenly spaced strong branches perfect for heavy ornaments.
If trimmed during production it will produce a very compact and pleasing shape.
It is arguably more ornamental with exceptional needle retention and a pleasant mild fir scent. If grown in sufficient quantities, it the Noble fir that is most likely to take the crown away from the Nordmann.
FRASER FIR – Abies fraseri
Named after the Scottish botanist John Fraser (1750–1811), Abies fraseri is a species of fir native to the mountains of the eastern United States. It has a great combination of form, needle retention, dark blue-green colour, and pleasant scent and this has led to the Fraser fir being one of the most popular Christmas tree species in North America.
The Fraser fir also has excellent needle retaining properties as well as tightly packed branches which can provide a well shaped and narrow tree. this is particularly useful if space is tight.
Unfortunately the commercial production of Fraser firs for the Christmas tree market is still in its infancy in the UK and so far the quality of Fraser firs grown in this country is usually poor. However, if you can find a good one then you are on to a winner.
DOUGLAS FIR – Pseudotsuga menziesii
Driving off to your preferred Xmas tree retailer and choosing the family Christmas tree is right up there as one of the year's great family events. However, try not to look at this pseudo 'Right of Passage' event through rose tinted glasses as - in my experience of selling these horrid creatures - every other sale will involve some kind of a dispute within the family. The truth is that most people have no idea as to what they are buying, yet the dominant male in the family group will always try and take on the role of 'Xmas tree expert'. Sometimes it appears as though God himself has anointed the man with an 'all knowing power' enabling him to choose the very best out of the thousands of tree in stock. Occasionally you will come across a dominant male who will actively insist in seeing every single tree in his price range before a decision is made. Be aware that this scene can ONLY be prevented from playing out to the very end if he is accompanied by a woman!
So, how do you choose the very best Christmas tree?
|Christmas tree
Tree freshness
If you are buying your Xmas tree through a retailer rather than direct from a Xmas tree farm then freshness will be more of an issue. This is because as soon as a Xmas tree has been cut (presuming that you are buying a cut Xmas tree) it will only be able to hold on to its needles as long as it has sufficient moisture inside it. Unfortunately, as trees are living breathing things they are going to be continuously loosing water through their needles as part of their normal metabolism.In order to reduce needle loss once you have your tree back at home, ask the assistant to make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk before you leave the store and then - once home - provide a Xmas tree stand that is able to hold a reservoir of water. Don't forget to refill the reservoir with water when it runs out!
This bit is important. If you want a tree that has that lovely Christmas pine smell the you will only get this from a tree that is releasing the smell as it dries out. In that case choose the traditional Xmas tree known as the Norway spruce or Picea abies. If you are not worried about the smell and want the tree to hold on to its needles for as long as possible then choose a 'needle fast or non-drop' variety of Christmas tree such as the Scots pine, Fraser fir, Abies nordmanniana etc
Please be aware that in order for the Xmas tree suppliers to successfully full fill the orders placed by the retailers, they begin cutting at the end of November and tend to finish by the first week of December. So your tree chosen tree could have been drying out for up to 4 weeks before you buy it. Therefore, if you have bought a tree that has been bound up and sitting around for a couple of weeks, by the time Christmas day has arrived it could be a bare as Mother Hubbard's cupboard! This problem of drying out can be made worse if the weather is unseasonably warm, and if you are displaying your tree next to a working radiator!
|Christmas tree
More so, it it is hidden by decorations and after the second day no-one will bother looking at it much anyway.
So my top tips for buying a Christmas tree is this:
1. Choose a fresh one.
2. Choose an even one
3. Check the height of your ceiling so that you know for sure that the height of the tree + height of your Christmas tree stand + your fairy on the top of it will comfortably fit in your proposed room.
4. Same goes for the width. Check the size of the area that you are going to be positioning your tree so that it will fit.
5. Don't be afraid to cut bits of your tree to make it fit or look more appealing.
6. If your tree is going into the corner of the room you can remove as much of the back of the tree as you like as you won't see it
If I have missed out anything then leave a note in the comments. Merry Xmas and good hunting.
For related articles click onto the following links:
THE CHRISTMAS ROSE - Helleborus niger
THE SILVER BIRCH - Betula pendula
Labels: 21424, linked, not ranked
Mistletoe has always been a bit of an enigma, and although it is a plant that parasitises some of our native deciduous trees, it holds such a serene beauty that it has captured the imagination of European cultures throughout the ages.
Today mistletoe is strongly related to the Christmas celebration, notably used by men as an acceptable excuse to kiss any woman they can by encouraging, persuading or tricking them to stand underneath it.
It was down to the mystery of the mistletoe's method of reproduction, along with its ability to remain evergreen while over-wintering on dormant,and leafless hosts, that led many cultures to link this plant to spontaneous generation, fertility and aphrodisiacs.
The druids in particular venerated it, especially when found it attached to oak trees. It's believed that they would cut the mistletoe ceremonially from these 'sacred' oaks with a golden knife. After which it would then be used to create medicines which they thought would cure sterility and counteract poisons.
A popular practise in medieval England involved women wishing to conceive. They would wrap mistletoe around their waists and wrists to increase fertility. However in Brittany, Northern France, the plant is known as Herbe de la Croix because it's thought that Christ's cross was made from mistletoe wood. The story goes that mistletoe once used to be a tree in its own right, and it was wood from this tree that was used to make Christ's crucifixion cross. As a punishment for its role in the death of Christ, the mistletoe was cursed, no longer welcome to a place on God's earth. This led the mistletoe to return as it's seen today, as a parasite dependent on other trees for its life.
In ancient Scandinavian, Norsemen saw the mistletoe as a plant of peace. They revered it so much that if they happened to engage in battle beneath it they would laid down their weapons and maintain a truce until the following day.
It's believed that the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe arose from these Northern European legends which went hand-in-hand with another notable Norse story, the myth of Baldur.
Baldur's death and resurrection is one of the most fascinating of all the old Norse myths and is believed to be at the conception of mistletoe being regarded as a "kissing" plant. Baldur's mother was the Norse goddess Frigga, and when he was born she made every plant, animal and inanimate object promise not to harm him.
For some unknown reason she overlooked the fated mistletoe plant and the mischievous Norse god of the Norse Loki decided to take advantage of this. In a tale of treachery the malevolent trickster Loki discovered her oversight and fashioned a dart made from the plant. Then, in a cruel trick, placed it in the hand of Balder's brother Hodor - the God of Darkness - and offered to guide his hand while teaching him to shoot darts. As he did so, he guided the dart directly into Baldur's heart. Frigga's tears of mourning were so wretched that the hapless mistletoe took pity on her. From that time on it bore milky white berries that were formed from her tears. This was the demise of Baldur- a vegetation deity in the Norse myths - and it was the sadness of his death that brought winter into the world. Eventually other Norse gods took pity on her and restored Baldur life back to him. Overjoyed, Frigga pronounced the mistletoe sacred and ordered that it should be used to bring love into the world instead of death. Complying with Frigga's wishes, any two people passing under the mistletoe would now celebrate Baldur's resurrection by kissing underneath it.
Elsewhere in England the mistletoe is still hung up in farm-houses and kitchens around Christmas time, and the young men have the privilege of kissing the girls under it. For every kiss they pluck a berry from the bush, but once the berries are gone the privilege ceases.
For related articles click onto the following links:
CALLICARPA BODINIERI var. giraldii 'Profusion'
How Does Mistletoe grow
How to Propagate and Grow Mistletoe
KEW Mistletoe
CHARLES DARWIN'S LEGACY - 200 years on
Just over 200 years ago in 1809, Charles Darwin was born. Fifty years later, in 1859, he published The Origin of the Species. It was book that contained ideas which provoked both hostility and great interest throughout the world. Darwin's theories questioned many received truths which went to the heart of society's beliefs about religion, society and biology. It even affected the way they thought of their own bodies, and perhaps even their souls.
Darwin's theory established the initial idea, but it has since been added to in ways that Darwin himself could never have dreamed of. We now know about genes and how they replicate, and how DNA produces the codes of our existence. It is very difficult to imagine how or what we would think today about how we got here without Darwin's ideas. So, with so much having changed since Darwin was around, and with his theories having become orthodoxy, have we still anything to learn from Darwin? It seems that we do. His work continues to have influence today, in both scientific and other fields.
Technological Evolution
Darwin's theory can be applied to anything which changes and develops. And that is pretty much anything. While its most obvious applications are to science and the development of societies, it can be used to help us understand other things too. For example, there is Darwinian literary criticism, which seeks to apply Darwin's ideas to the interpretation of literature. They hold that because the mind develops and adapts biologically, and literature is developed from the mind, it reflects our adaptations. So, the issues and problems presented in literature reflect those faced by us (and our minds) in society.
Darwin's theories can be found just about everywhere today, and can be both a way of generating new ideas, and a highly useful analytical tool. His theories are so powerful that that they could not be ignored when they were published, and continue to be compelling today.
For related articles click onto the following links:
Each and every seed is a miracle of biological engineering. Weighing anywhere from 1/35000000 (one 35 millionth) of an ounce for an orchid seed, and up to as much as 18 kg for the enormous Coco de Mer seed, all living seeds contain the complete genetic blueprint of its parents which they can use to replicate themselves to a similar design.
I suppose that strictly speaking, a seed is a small embryonic plant enclosed within its seed coat, together with a repository of stored food in the form of carbohydrates. The seed itself is the product of the ripened ovule of gymnosperm and angiosperm plants which occurs after fertilization and some growth within the mother plant. The formation of the seed completes the process of reproduction in seed bearing plants (started with the development of flowers and pollination), with the embryo developed from the zygote and the seed coat from the integuments of the ovule.
1. An embryo
2. A supply of energy and nutrients for the embryo
3. A seed coat.
The embryo is the immature plant from which a new plant will grow provided that suitable conditions are available. The embryo will produce a single leaf (known as the cotyledon) in monocotyledons, or two leaves in almost all dicotyledons. Gymnosperms will produce two or more leaves.
The radicle is the name for the embryonic root, while the plumule is the name for the embryonic shoot. The embryonic stem above the point of attachment of the cotyledon or cotyledons is the epicotyl. The embryonic stem below the point of attachment is the hypocotyl.
Along with the embryo, and found within the seed coat, is a store of nutrients and carbohydrates. for the seedling that will grow from the embryo. The form of the stored nutrition varies depending on the kind of plant. In angiosperms, the stored food begins as a tissue called the endosperm, which is derived from the parent plant via double fertilization. The usually triploid endosperm is rich in oil or starch and protein.
In addition to the three basic seed parts, some seeds have an appendage on the seed coat such an aril (as in yew and nutmeg) or an elaiosome (as in Corydalis) or hairs (as in cotton). There may also be a scar on the seed coat, called the hilum; it is where the seed was attached to the ovary wall by the funiculus.
For related articles click onto the following links:
Labels: 4002, linked, not ranked
DINOSAUR: Did Pterosaurs hang upside down?
I am not a paleontologist or even a biologist. I do have a science degree, but it is in an entirely unrelated subject. However there is something about how pterosaurs have been portrayed in the media that has bugged me for years. Ever since their cinematic characterisation in Jurassic Park 3 and subsequent 'natural history' depiction in the landmark BBC series 'Walking with Dinosaurs', there has been a widespread belief by the scientific community that when Pterosaurs are not expending valuable energy flying around, they spent their lives using a horribly ungainly quadrupedal system of walking in order to get around.
On the whole, this is fine - but I have a question. While I will accept that walking around like a decrepit old man on crutches will give you effective mobility, surely this slow, cumbersome method will make you incredibly vulnerable to attack by predators? And while I'll accept that they can fly off when danger arises, don't forget that the pterosaur family accounted for the largest creatures ever to fly.
Consider the mute swan and the great bustard. These are two of the heaviest flying birds in the world today - approximately 25 kg for an adult male, and both of these birds require substantial run-ups to launch themselves into flight.
The largest pterosaur so far discovered is the Quetzalcoatlus. With a 30 ft wingspan and weighing in at 200lbs, the scientific community is split in its opinion of whether it flew or instead led an entirely terrestrial existence. In answer to this question, David Attenborough's recent 3D documentary on this subject takes the view that it flew, and puts forth a theory of dynamic thrust motion by the pterosaur in order to provide lift at the initial flight phase in order to provide a springboard for flight.
Be that as it may, there were plenty of pterosaur species that fit between the heaviest weight of today's flying birds and the gigantic Quetzalcoatlus. However, the likelihood of these animals being able to run fast enough using their 'quadrupedal system of walking' to achieve the critical speed for achieving powered flight is extremely low. However, if you look at the nearest contemporary flying creature that uses a quadrupedal system of walking - the bat - there is another answer to how large pterosaurs managed to obtain the initial thrust required to achieve powered flight. They amble over to the nearest tree and climb up as far as they deem necessary before jumping off! That way, gravity provides the initial acceleration necessary to instigate flight.
Of course, climbing trees with large flappy wings and tiny finger claws is extremely hard work. It is also time consuming and leaves you at a considerable risk of being predated. However, bats have an answer to this problem and that is to avoid landing on the ground and stay back in the tree when you are not flying.
To conclude, I just need to say that this was all off the top of my head with no real research involved whatsoever. So I fully expect that my views on this subject will be shot down by someone who knows what they are talking about. If not, let it be known that this was my idea first, it was original, and the date of this published article will confirm that I came to this conclusion before anyone else unless proved otherwise. Any comments you wish to make can be made below.
For related articles click onto he following links:
DINOSAUR: Archaeopteryx
DINOSAUR: Did Pterosaurs hang upside down?
DINOSAUR: The Pterodactyl
LIVING DINOSAURS - The Coelacanth
TERRA NOVA - Dinosaur trailer
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)


text:
Pages: 1
Can't launch q4
[stalwart@angel q4]$ /usr/local/games/quake4/quake4
Quake4 Final V18.104.22.168 Build 2147.12 linux-x86 Oct 20 2005
found interface lo - loopback
found interface eth0 - 22.214.171.124/255.255.255.255
found interface eth1 - 192.168.0.1/255.255.255.0
CPU: AMD CPU with MMX & 3DNow! & SSE
enabled Flush-To-Zero mode
--------- Initializing File System ----------
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/game000.pk4 with checksum 0x9321cee4
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/game100.pk4 with checksum 0x6f346a2
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak001.pk4 with checksum 0xf2cbc998
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak002.pk4 with checksum 0x7f8d80d1
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak003.pk4 with checksum 0x1b57b207
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak004.pk4 with checksum 0x385aa578
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak005.pk4 with checksum 0x60d50a1d
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak006.pk4 with checksum 0x9099ed11
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak007.pk4 with checksum 0xaf301fff
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak008.pk4 with checksum 0x4ac6f6d9
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak009.pk4 with checksum 0x36030c7d
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak010.pk4 with checksum 0x4b80fbda
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak011.pk4 with checksum 0x8acf4cfa
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak012.pk4 with checksum 0xbe4120b0
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/zpak_english.pk4 with checksum 0x5868f530
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/zpak_french.pk4 with checksum 0xbec7cb4
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/zpak_italian.pk4 with checksum 0x1e3aa0f
Loaded pk4 /usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/zpak_spanish.pk4 with checksum 0xb706e2b8
Current search path:
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/zpak_spanish.pk4 (3542 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/zpak_italian.pk4 (3500 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/zpak_french.pk4 (3462 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/zpak_english.pk4 (3457 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak012.pk4 (1081 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak011.pk4 (5620 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak010.pk4 (5539 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak009.pk4 (1284 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak008.pk4 (1289 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak007.pk4 (1330 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak006.pk4 (1343 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak005.pk4 (1395 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak004.pk4 (2249 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak003.pk4 (1281 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak002.pk4 (313 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/pak001.pk4 (5837 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/game100.pk4 (2 files)
/usr/local/games/quake4/q4base/game000.pk4 (2 files)
game DLL: 0x0 in pak: 0x0
Addon pk4s:
file system initialized.
------------ Initializing Decls -------------
Loading guides.... 59 loaded
325ms to load 1071k of material
165ms to load 43k of skin
212ms to load 716k of sound
9ms to load 1k of materialType
326ms to load 2078k of lipSync
93ms to load 105k of playback
2174ms to load 1665k of effect
-------- Initializing renderSystem ----------
using ARB renderSystem
renderSystem initialized.
Found default language English with VO
.... found additional language 'french' with VO
.... found additional language 'italian' with VO
.... found additional language 'spanish' with VO
632 strings read from strings/english_code.lang
1654 strings read from strings/english_guis.lang
5616 strings read from strings/english_lips.lang
6085 strings read from strings/english_maps.lang
632 strings read from strings/french_code.lang
1654 strings read from strings/french_guis.lang
5616 strings read from strings/french_lips.lang
6085 strings read from strings/french_maps.lang
632 strings read from strings/italian_code.lang
1654 strings read from strings/italian_guis.lang
5616 strings read from strings/italian_lips.lang
6085 strings read from strings/italian_maps.lang
632 strings read from strings/spanish_code.lang
1654 strings read from strings/spanish_guis.lang
5616 strings read from strings/spanish_lips.lang
6085 strings read from strings/spanish_maps.lang
Couldn't open journal files
execing default.cfg
"ALT" isn't a valid key
"CTRL" isn't a valid key
couldn't exec editor.cfg
couldn't exec Quake4Config.cfg
couldn't exec autoexec.cfg
-------- Initializing Sound System ----------
sound system initialized.
--------------- R_InitOpenGL ----------------
Initializing SDL subsystem
Loading GL driver 'libGL.so.1' through SDL
8/8/8/8 RGBA bits, 24 depth bits, 8 stencil bits
asoundlib version: 1.0.9
Alsa is available
------ Alsa Sound Initialization -----
opened Alsa PCM device default for playback
device buffer size: 5461 frames ( 21844 bytes )
allocated a mix buffer of 16384 bytes
...using GL_ARB_multitexture
...using GL_ARB_texture_env_combine
...using GL_ARB_texture_cube_map
...using GL_ARB_texture_env_dot3
...using GL_ARB_texture_env_add
X..GL_ARB_texture_non_power_of_two not found
...using GL_NV_blend_square
X..GL_ARB_texture_compression not found
signal caught: Segmentation fault
si_code 1
Trying to exit gracefully..
[stalwart@angel q4]$
hmm..strange, i am running it with no problems except that the sound is like .....mice-like......
although, it runs slower native than "emulated" in cedega...but it is the initial release sooo...
http://www.linuxportalen.com -> Linux Help portal for Linux and ArchLinux (in swedish)
Dell Inspiron 8500
Kernel 2.6.14-archck1 (selfcompiled)
Enlightenment 17
So, what do you think of it as a game? I'm not too fussed on graphics, is gameplay good? Trying to decide whether or not to buy it...
it is far to similar to doom3 i think, the graphics are not bad, although it is not as good as it could be i belive, (i can't play the game at high resolutions because my graphicscard is to slow...)
i am not sure wether you should buy it or not, perhaps buy it to support Linux gaming...
the story seem good anyway
http://www.linuxportalen.com -> Linux Help portal for Linux and ArchLinux (in swedish)
Dell Inspiron 8500
Kernel 2.6.14-archck1 (selfcompiled)
Enlightenment 17
Hey Stalwart,
Are you sure you have read/write access to the game resource files?
If you copied over the *.pk4 files as root, then you may have to run chmod. also, make sure you didnt run the installer as root too, seems that according to your log, that the game couldnt access autoexec.cfg.
On a side note - the game is flippin sweet. Graphics are great, I'm running on high @ 1280 with all the bells and whistles. I just wish creative would make EAX run on linux !!!!
Much faster than Doom 3 too.
Happy Fragging.
I double-checked access rights - they are correct
it seems that there are some problem with your opengl ....are you havin trouble with other opengl games?
http://www.linuxportalen.com -> Linux Help portal for Linux and ArchLinux (in swedish)
Dell Inspiron 8500
Kernel 2.6.14-archck1 (selfcompiled)
Enlightenment 17
PlanetPenguin Racer, UnrealTournament99 and Half-Life: Natural-Selection (under cedega) runs fine
I have almost the same problem. GLX is happy with glxgears getting a steady 7k fps, but it's just GL_ARB_texture_compression that kills Quake4 for me, too. I've got a console log with all that jazz in it if you want:
Why use Linux over Windows or Mac? That's like asking: "Why live in a democratic republic over an aristocratic fascism?"
I caved and bought it. Arrived today and it runs like shit. I play Doom 3 with everything on full @ 1280 x 1024. I've never actually checked what FPS its running at but there's been no need as it's been fine. No glitches, smooth as a... well, ran great. Quake 4 on medium settings at 800 x 600 is hopeless. I think it might be something to do with the client because it runs exactly the same whether it's medium-800x600-noAA or high-1280x1024-AAx4 (my first choice). Also, it is smooth and all when it's not frozen but every 5 seconds it freezes for the next 5 seconds. Annoying
Okay, further investigation says it's bumpmapping. I can run it at full everything-else @ 1280x1024 with antialiasing fantastically, as soon as I turn bumpmapping on it goes stupid again. I checked out my FPS with bumpmapping turned on and it says it's sitting at a reasonable rate, around 40fps so does that sound like a bug? I don't know if it's worth reporting or if I should just wait for the next point release as it says on the site that bugs won't be investigated unless there are multiple reports, preferably on multiple platforms...
Wow. Cam, what are the main specs on your computer? Those are quite the settings to be running on some heavy games.
P4 3GHz
128MB Geforce 6600GT
I think I have a freak machine though, I'm not sure why. My old video card was a Geforce 5200FX and when the CS Source beta was released I had access to it on Steam because I owned CS:CZ (this was when I used Windows full-time). When it first came out, everyone with their top end ATI cards were complaining about their 20-30fps and I was sailing along with my cheapo vid card with 70-90fps. Dunno but I'm not complaining
Okey... Let's see:
first of all. CyberTron, I'm having the same problem. Mouse is screwed like hell.
And second, biryoku, it's running slowly here, too.
However, browsing some forum in the shadowy dales of not-so-legal-software, I -did- find something that might be of interest:
hey crossed-eyed-larry for our luck theres a fix for this problem i read your post and then i found this fix and remembered you so ill share with you on how to fix the green thingy. A few people have had problems with Quake 4 when running on 'unsupported' ATI graphics cards - by unsupported it's meant graphics cards that are not listed on the 'supported hardware' specification list. The lowest support card listed is the ATI 9700. The most common problem seems to be the 'green' bug where everything in game has a strong green tint to it, over and above what the game should be displaying. Console commands The current fix is to drop the in game console and type 'gfxinfo' to check which rendering path is being used. If the console reports 'R200' then try changing to a different rendering path by doing the following; drop the console again and type - r_renderer ARB This should force Quake 4 to use a different rendering path which should sort the problem out. Restart the game where necessary. There are three rendering paths so which ever one gets displayed when you type gfxinfo as per above, try one of the following; * r_renderer ARB * r_renderer ARB2 * r_renderer R200 If for some reason Quake 4 keeps defaulting back to the renderer it initially found then you'll most likely need to 'fix' the command to the quake 4 *.cfg file. This can be done in two ways; by typing 'seta' before the command variable in the console like this; seta r_renderer ARB Or by hand editing the *.cfg file and typing in the command above. Create a new Quake 4 shortcut You can also edit or create a new desktop shortcut adding the following after the file path listed; +seta r_renderer ARB So the full shortcut file path would read similar to the following; "C:Program FilesQuake4Quake4.exe" +seta r_renderer ARB
A lot of text, heh. But try it. Might work.
Pages: 1

subset: commoncrawl


text:
DPJ to elect a new Prime Minister of Japan
DPJ to elect a new Prime Minister of Japan
Lee Jay Walker
Modern Tokyo Times
The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) will elect a new prime minister and given the nature of events in Japan then this issue is a damp squib. After all, with so many leaders coming and going it seems rather pointless to expect any real breathing space for the newly elected leader.
According to the editorial of The Daily Yomiuri "Unless the DPJ has serious discussions on concrete measures to rebuild its relations with bureaucrats and opposition parties, it will not be able to revive itself as a ruling party.
The same editorial by The Daily Yomiuri published on August 28 also stressed that "In the diplomatic sphere, Kan failed to exercise any effective leadership over the planned relocation of the U.S. Marines Corps' Futenma Air Station in Okinawa Prefecture. China and Russia in effect took advantage of his seeming lack of interest in state sovereignty to press their claims over the Senkaku Islands and northern territories, respectively."
These comments, however, don't belong to Naoto Kan because all these issues existed before he was elected and China and the Russian Federation have grown in power and strength in recent times. Also, the problem which exists in Okinawa relates to past political leaders in the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), external pressure from America and the Hatoyama fiasco meant that Naoto Kan was constrained.
The main opposition party, the LDP, can't ignore its political legacy and the last twenty years have seen one failed administration after another. The Koizumi administration led to major isolation within northeast Asia because every regional nation apart from Taiwan was disillusioned by his pointless gestures over past history. Therefore, at least Naoto Kan understands the delicate nature of northeast Asia and the changing reality with regards to China's growing power.
Bread and butter issues are much more important and futile comments aimed at the Russian Federation is not in the interest of Japan. Instead, Japan needs to work with the Russian Federation and diversify its energy policy and only Moscow can free Japan from over-reliance on energy from the Middle East.
Issues related to the pension system, low birth rate, helping families, greater de-centralization, taxation, health care system, and other areas, alongside the urgent need to help people who are suffering because of the March 11 earthquake/tsunami, is what the majority of people are concerned about.
The five candidates to become the next leader of Japan are Seiji Maehara (49), Sumio Mabuchi (51), Yoshihiko Noda (54), Banri Kaieda (62) and Michihiko Kano (69). If Michihiko Kano is elected then it would be based on steadying the ship. The most popular choice according to opinion polls is Seiji Maehara. However, the donation scandal may prevent him from being elected by fellow DPJ member because of the closeness of his resignation which happened only six months ago.
Banri Kaieda is the main economist within the DPJ and given the nature of events then he would appear a realistic choice. Similar sentiments can be stated about Yoshihiko Noda who is the Finance Minister but some worry about his closeness to bureaucrats.
Sumio Mabuchi seems strong minded and he is mainly outside the power-politics of factionalism and this could provide a respite from factionalism within the DPJ. However, the leading bigwig in the DPJ, Ichiro Ozawa, is supporting Banri Kaieda and Sumio Mabuchi may struggle to overcome the factional vote which will go against him.
Irrespective of who is elected, the most important thing is for the entire party to get behind the new leader but this is most unlikely to happen in the long-term. The political system and the two main parties in Japan need to look at themselves seriously because they are not helping in stabilizing this nation.
http://moderntokyotimes.com – plesae visit


text:
From the second Inception ended, I've been bumping into people who are trying to sort out it's ending. I'm not one of them, thanks, I think, to video games. (Note: I won't spoil Inception's ending here, but commenters probably will.)
The struggle people are having with the ending is sorting out what the next moment would be after the final scene. The final scene of the film makes it clear that one of two possible events will happen next. Some Inception viewers are convinced that event A will happen; others that event B will happen.
I've been surprised people are so determined to deduce which ending is the real ending. But I've realised it's odd that I'm happy not to know, odder still that I'm willing to think that both endings happened and that I don't stress over which is correct.
The reason I might be OK with believing that Inception has two equally valid truths to its endings is, possibly, because one of the main forms of entertainment I consume often includes works with equally valid endings. In video games, Mass Effect can end the Paragon way or the Renegade way. Both are valid. Both are accepted as true when you play Mass Effect 2. Fable II can end in three ways, and all are, in my mind, the "reality" of the fiction.
I don't worry that the way the video game ended for me was not the right way, nor that the way it ended for someone else is more or less the truth.
There was a time I cared whether there was really a cat in Schrodinger's box. Today I don't worry much whether Inception's next scene is one way or the other.
I accept both as true. I don't see a mystery; I see a valid branching that leads to two equally valid realities. Is that what happens to those of us who consume not just books that traditionally have only one ending, but video games, which commonly have two or more?


text:
The Chestnut Hill Local recently published a commentary by a resident who opposes the Green Woods Charter School's relocation to the Greylock Manor property on W. Chestnut Hill Avenue. Unfortunately, the commentary contains inaccuracies and, moreover, may not necessarily reflect the broader interests of the Chestnut Hill community.
The writer accused Green Woods of treating potential impacts upon the community our move might cause as an "afterthought." This is not true. We have done our homework and continue to engage in studies to ensure this move works for both Green Woods and the community. Our effect upon infrastructural components such as sewage and drainage are being studied by experienced and qualified engineers, as is the concern of existing traffic conditions and the School's impact upon congestion and traffic flow. Once the facts are obtained, it is our intention and a priority to work alongside our neighbors to develop solutions to this current area traffic problem.
The Greylock Manor has been vacant for several years and is in need of repair. And while a resident attending our recent Open House meeting at Greylock made it clear that he would "prefer the mansion fall to the ground," we fully intend to bring the property back to life in a way that preserves its historic and natural character which restores the existing manor in a way that will only compliment its majestic presence for many generations to come. It is our commitment to act as considerate neighbors and good stewards of both our urban and natural environments.
Green Woods is a model school for teaching sustainability, and has achieved high academic standings and numerous awards since its 2002 opening. Our curriculum has been mirrored by other schools in Pennsylvania and several other states, and our reputation for excellence is known from Cambridge to Bermuda.
As a public charter school, Green Woods will also bring the opportunity for area families to exercise high-quality, tuition-free public school choice. Although the Charter School Act of 1997 provides all Pennsylvania families this right, area residents do not yet have the mechanism to choose among public schools because their options are limited.
Finally, Green Woods will play a role in stimulating the local economy. Our staff and parents will patronize area merchants throughout the year. As a school with sustainability at the heart of our curriculum, we are committed to keeping our business affairs as local as reasonably possible.
We have been transparent from the onset of this move, and will continue to be through each key step of the process. To that end, we will keep the community informed through timely updates at www.greenwoodscharter.org.
Jean Wallace
CEO, Green Woods Charter School


text:
Pagar.me Granatum Financeiro
For every approved payment on Pagar.me, generate a payment on Granatum Financeiro related to rateUse this automation
The goal is to have your Granatum cash flow always up to date without having to manually check and update the paid rates.
- 1. Pluga keeps an eye on every new approved payment on your Pagar.me account.
- 2. When a new payment is approved, we will include a payment in the Granatum Financeiro related to rate.
- 3. This data will be automatically included in the Granatum and will be available in the list of "lançamentos".


text:
Al Pell is the Farm Director for AgDay Television and U.S. Farm Report. Born and raised in Indiana, Al still owns and operates a 400-acre farm near Brazil, Indiana.
After graduating from Purdue University with a degree in agriculture, Al began a career in farm information. During his 21-year tenure with the Extension Service, Al was honored with the Superior Service Award. He then shifted to broadcasting, working for 12 years at WIBC Radio in Indianapolis. In 1989, Al moved from radio to television when he joined AgDay Television.


text:
A squirrel ? Where ?
Boowa and Kwala follow Daddy Koala and see where the squirrels live.
Your Neolithic tool
You'll need salt dough a piece of wood and some paint to make your own true prehistoric tool.
Paint the town (and a taxi)
Use the same colors as we have used in our example and the taxi will be able to get on with some...
My pattern arts
Make the prettiest patterns with the fun shapes and forms. Get creative and have fun.
Monster chase
What has happened to our heroes? Print and paint.
Brother Pap Beehives
Print and paint brother Pap beehives.
Let's swing!
This girl is ready to rock (and roll!) Color her in on-line and make her even more beautiful!
Coloured snowflakes
Print and cut out these beautiful snowflakes. Create a lovely snowy fun-filled coloured landscape on...
Boowa & Kwala
Coloring pages
Animated cards
Educational games
The site without ads
UpToTen Premium with over 100 lessons and more than 1,405 engaging learning activities
Free access to schools
UpToTen - the fun place to learn on-line
Conditions of use
Privacy Statement
Site map
Contact us
™, ® , © 1999 - 2020 UpToTen All rights reserved.


text:
View All 4 Spandex Colors
Anaconda Snake Print Spandex 04 Gunmetal
- Details
- Hand
- Luster
- Tips & Tricks
- Care
Anaconda Snake Print Spandex is a medium weight, knit fabric ideal for costuming and bodywear. This fabric's Spandex content gives it a smooth, silky handfeel and beautiful sheen, and its generous stretch allows for body-conscious garments and ease of movement. This fabric travels easily, and its bright print is sure to be noticed.
80% Polyester, 20% Spandex
58/60 Inches Wide
First Quality Fabric
4-way stretch (About 70% size increase when stretched on crosswise grain, 60% stretch on lengthwise grain). Soft drape with smooth, silky handfeel
Slight degree of shine on face side
Tips and Tricks:
- Use with nap cutting layout (i.e. all pattern pieces laid out in the same direction) so all pattern pieces reflect light the same way and shading is prevented
- Crosswise stretch should go horizontally across the body
- For cutting, lay out fabric on dressmaker's cutting board, hold down pattern pieces w/fabric weights and trace around pattern pieces with a sharp rotary cutter. This allows for more precise cutting with knit fabrics.
- If cutting with shears, pin pattern pieces with thin, sharp pins (try our extra fine pins)
- If interfacing is needed, use lightweight fusible knit interfacing
- Use a ballpoint (stretch) needle when machine sewing
- Use a knit stitch to maintain stretch – chainstitch is ideal, but you can also use overlock (serger) to sew seams without additional stitch
- If you have to use a regular straight lockstitch, lower your stitch size (8-10 stitched per inch is a good estimate, but it's best to experiment on a test swatch before sewing), and gently stretch the fabric while sewing to maintain stretch. Steam seams on lower (polyester/nylon) setting to eliminate unwanted puckering. You may want to use a pressing cloth if you have a particularly hot iron.
- Use self-binding, overlock (serger) or a roll-back hem with coverstich for hems and edges
Dry clean recommended.
80% Polyester, 20% Spandex
58/60 Inches Wide
First Quality Fabric


text:
South Lake Tahoe scraps idea of commercial service at airport
South Lake Tahoe City Council is dropping its exploration of commercial airline service at Lake Tahoe Airport as a new master plan continues to be developed for the general aviation facility.
C&S Companies is helping South Lake Tahoe prepare the master plan document, a planning tool the Federal Aviation Administration requires for airports it funds. The San Diego-based consulting firm found the city would face steep obstacles if it wanted to restore the commercial airline service that ended at the airport 14 years ago.
There have been many changes in the airline industry since 2000 and attracting carriers back to Lake Tahoe Airport would likely require large subsidies of up to $2 million per year. Commercial service also would require major infrastructure and facility upgrades to handle bigger aircraft and higher passenger volumes, some of which would be hard, if not impossible, to accommodate on the existing airfield because of environmental constraints, the firm found.
Restoring commercial service "appeared unlikely in the next 20 years. Not impossible, but unlikely," Michael Hotaling, of C&S Companies, told the City Council on Tuesday.
Closing the airport as some people have advocated also would pose financial challenges. If authorized by FAA to pursue closure, South Lake Tahoe would have to pay back some portion of the $18 million in airport development grants and all of the $1.1 million in land acquisition grants it has accepted from FAA during the last 20 years.
Council members agreed the master plan study should move forward with a focus on how Lake Tahoe Airport can be maintained and developed as a general aviation facility. The airport sees about 24,000 general aviation flight operations per year, a tally that includes both landings and takeoffs.
Councilor Tom Davis said he wants to see South Lake Tahoe retain its federal Part 139 certification that allows unscheduled commercial airline service at the airport, in case new technologies or federal subsidies make restoring the service more feasible in the future.
The certification costs about $75,000 per year to maintain.
Council could also pursue a separate economic impact study for the airport to complement the master plan study. FAA is paying for 90 percent of the master plan's $350,000 cost.
"City residents are paying for it when everyone else is using it," City Manager Nancy Kerry said about the airport and community requests for an economic impact study. "They would like to know what they are getting for their value and what investing in it could look like."
Development Services Director Hilary Roverud said officals also are working to ensure the city's other planning documents are updated according to the findings of the master plan. That includes the Tahoe Valley Area Plan being created and an outdated Airport Comprehensive Land Use Plan, a zoning overlay that imposes various height, density and other building restrictions on some areas based on their proximity to the airport's safety zones and approach paths.


text:
Ingredients - Wheat flour, Edible Palm & Salt
Ingredients of Flavour Pack - Salt, Flavour Enhancer (monosodium glutamate), Prawn Flavouring, Soya Bean Extract & Spices
Cooking Instructions - Add noodle to 400ml of boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add seasoning, stir & serve.
Product Of Singapore
Write Your Own Review
Static CMS block displayed as additional tab.


text:
UEFA president Michel Platini announced that the former Manchester United manager will work for the European governing body following an executive committee meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, on Friday.
Ferguson, regarded as one of the greatest managers of all time, retired as United boss in May after winning his 13th league title with the club.
Platini told a news conference: "Sir Alex will be chairman of the forum of elite coaches that meet every year. He will also be a member of the technical study group of the Champions League and the European Championship."
Ferguson said: "It is an honour and a privilege to accept this role as ambassador for UEFA."
Source : PA
Source: PA


text:
Providers In Rhode Island With Mdlive Cvs
Michelle Lind
I am a licensed clinical social worker licensed in Florida with over 14 years of experience working as a counselor and life coach. I have worked with clients with a wide range of concerns including depression, anxiety, relationship issues, parenting problems, career challenges. I have several years of experience working with the military and veteran population and the unique set of challenges that comes with being in the military. I also have worked with people with PTSD from combat, military sexual assault and other traumas. My counseling style is warm and interactive. I believe in treating everyone with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, and I don't believe in labels or judging.. My approach combines cognitive-behavioral, humanistic, reality based methods. I will not be providing psychotherapy in these online sessions, but I will tailor the dialogue to suit your needs. I applaud you for your courage to seek for a more fulfilling and happier life. and to take the first steps towards a change. I also am also a Qualified Supervisor providing Clinical Supervision to Social Work Interns. I strive to respond to you within 24 hours. I look forward to working with you! Michelle
Payment types
- Insurance
Self-pay rate
- $65/hr
- Anxiety, Depression, Panic Attacks, Parenting, PTSD, Sexual Abuse, Stress
Joseph Lapenta
The ideal client is the person who is willing to stay open in addressing whatever it is that does not feel right in his or her life. I bring extensive experience to working with individuals and couples. I am not locked into any particular approach and like to stay flexible in my approach to meet the needs of my clients. I have experience in hypnosis, relaxation techniques, cognitive therapy and psychodynamic therapy. I have recently completely Gottman Level 1 training. My career is blessed by experience in a variety of settings ranging from hospitals to private practice. I am versed in family, group, individual and marital therapies. I am certified in Divorce Mediation and have over 20 years of experience in executive coaching.
Payment types
- Insurance
- ADHD/ADD, Anxiety, Depression, Divorce, Panic Attacks, Relationships, Stress
Keren Chansky Suberri
If you are a parent of a child with special healthcare needs, chronic illness, impairment or disability, then you know that the journey is not an easy one. I have had the great privilege of helping hundreds of families across the globe who have a child with special needs. I continue to be both humbled and inspired by these families. I have seen remarkable changes in their lives, for the better. Whatever obstacles you or your family are encountering right now in your life's journey, I firmly believe that your lives can improve. Things can be better. I am a board-certified Family Psychologist with over 30 years experience working in schools, hospitals and treatment centers. I am the mother of two and the grandmother of three. I would look forward to the opportunity to welcome you to my practice.
Payment types
- Insurance
Self-pay rate
- $95/hr
- ADHD/ADD, Asperger's, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Free 15-Minute Consultation, Grief/Loss, Parenting, Relationships
Josefina Sta Romana
Trusting a psychiatrist with your innermost thoughts and emotions after reading their online profile is quite a challenging task . Here is a summary of what I'm all about , to help you decide if I am the right behavioral health professional for you . I am a board certified psychiatrist with 18 years of clinical experience helping adults from all walks of life. I completed my psychiatry residency at Brown University in Providence, RI where I learned the art and science of psychiatry. I am a licensed physician in 12 states (OH, FL, CA, AZ PA, NY, NJ, IN, MN, WI, GA, RI) . I help people with medications , if necessary , and supportive psychotherapy. I believe the treatment plan should be tailor-made for each individual after a collaborative discussion between the doctor and the patient. My therapeutic style is eclectic, practical , non-judgmental and direct to the point . I want to focus on the " here and now" --on your present life and how you can manage it. In my opinion, dwelling on and rehashing the past is not helpful. Some of my colleagues may disagree with this. I want to focus on helping you learn the tools you can use to manage what troubles you . My ultimate goal is for you to be happy, independent and resilient and not to be overly dependent on the therapist. In my practice, I abide by ethical guidelines established by the American Telemedicine Association and American Psychiatric Association . I do not have any ties to the pharmaceutical industry nor do I receive any freebies from them ( not even pens) so my medication recommendations are free of bias. " Primum non nocere" ( " First Do No Harm") - a phrase I learned in medical school- is what drives my professional style. If I don't think medications are appropriate for you, that's what I'd tell you I will never prescribe any medication that can do more harm than good. Telepsychiatry has its limitations compared to traditional face-to-face appointments. Due to this issue, I do not offer crisis counseling nor emergency services. Your privacy as well as mine are extremely important to me. I only use HIPAA secure videoconferencing equipment and secure email messaging through the Vsee Clinic platform . I also use a HIPAA secure non-email -based fax service to ensure patient confidentiality in case I need to fax something for you . The computer I use for my telepsychiatry sessions is protected by a firewall and 2 internet security software to deter hackers. I scan my computer on a regular basis to check for viruses, malware and spyware. If you think I am the right behavioral health provider for you, please read the following before making an appointment. PATIENTS I TREAT: I only see patients 18 years old and older I will not see my friends and family members in my practice due to professional boundary issues. Due to its limitations, direct-to-consumer telepsychiatry is not for everyone. Severe mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder , developmental disorders with behavioral issues , cognitive disorders, are best treated in a traditional in-person setting. I can't see you in my telepsychiatry practice if you are experiencing any of the following: frequent suicidal thoughts with plan , violent thoughts , recent multiple suicide attempts, recent aggressive behaviors, severe and uncontrollable auditory and/or visual hallucinations , paranoid delusions. SCHEDULING: Evening and weekend appointments are available. Same-day appointments may be available. To schedule an appointment online , please go to https://app.luminello.com/josefinastaromanamd/form , complete the screening form and request an appointment. In your appointment request, list your preferred appointment days and times ( in your time zone) and I'll try to accommodate your request. You can also send me a message here on Breakthrough.com or call me with your appointment request. I need 1 hour appointments for initial psychiatric intake evaluation , 1 hour for psychotherapy follow up appointment with medication management ( if you're on psychiatric medications), 30 minute follow up appointments if you want to be seen for medication management only and you prefer to see a different therapist CANCELLATION POLICY: If you're unable to keep your appointment, please call at least 24 hours in advance to cancel and reschedule it so that other patients looking for open appointments can use that time slot. PAYMENT OPTIONS: Sorry , I do not accept any health insurance plans in my telepsychiatry practice , only those plans that cover MDLive services. If your insurance plan covers out-of-network providers, I can provide you with documentation you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. I accept the following credit cards : Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and Diners Club. Credit card transactions are processed by stripe.com through my website https://uspsychiatrist.vsee.me/u/jstaromanamd I also accept ACH transfers, Zelle, Paypal, as well as cryptocurrency (bitcoin, ethereum , and litecoin) My website is e-commerce secure . MEDICAL TESTS: If not recently done by your other physicians, I need to check blood tests for your own safety . I want to make sure you do not have any medical problems that cause behavioral symptoms such as thyroid disease, blood disorders, vitamin deficiencies, etc . Some medications require regular blood tests to monitor medication levels and/or side effects . Safety first. You can have the required lab tests done care of your primary care provider or I can order them for you and you can have it done at any lab near you. For Georgia residents: GA state law mandates an annual face to face physical exam if you are under the care of a telemedicine provider. Please make sure you have a primary care provider who can do an annual physical for you and I will coordinate your care with him /her . This should satisfy the GA state requirement. PRESCRIPTION POLICY: All prescriptions are sent electronically. If you need refills, please contact me at least 24 hours before you actually run out of meds. Sorry, I DO NOT prescribe controlled substances like benzodiazepines ( such as Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin, Valium) some sleep meds ( like Ambien, Sonata, Lunesta) and stimulants ( like Adderall, Ritalin, Concerta ) . I firmly believe these controlled substances can't be safely prescribed in a direct-to-consumer telepsychiatry setting . Please feel free to send me a message if you have any questions about me and/or my practice. Thanks for reading my profile. I hope to see you soon. Take care!
Payment types
- Insurance
Self-pay rate
- $300/hr
- Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, Medication Management, Obsessive Compulsive, Panic Attacks, PTSD


text:
Obituary: Russell 'Rusty' C. Fuller
Longtime Summit resident Russell "Rusty" C. Fuller passed away on Jan. 23 at the fruitful age of 54. He is survived by his two sons Sutter, 24, and Gage Fuller, 20; a niece Courtny Beckman, and many friends who loved and cared very much.
Born in Birmingham, Ala., on Aug. 27, 1958, he graduated from Auburn University with a bachelor's degree in forestry. Shortly after he began work for the U.S. Forest Service in Pike National Forest. Love for the mountains blew him Summit County's way managing Beaver Run's Tiffany's Bar. Sometime after, he resumed construction work taking pride in putting in very long hours. His legacy will live on through his hard work and craftsmanship. In lieu of flowers, an account has been set up in memoriam at Wells Fargo Bank under the Rusty Fuller Donation. A casual service has been scheduled for 4 p.m. on Feb. 13 at Beaver Run Resort.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.


text:
Other Online Certificates and Courses
Call us at:
855-UGotClass (855-846-8252)
Send email to:
For anyone interested in acquiring the skills needed to understand and perform common business activities such as payroll, banking, invoicing, and purchasing. Business owners and managers will find this course particularly beneficial in providing a clear and understandable insight into the basic mathematical skills and processes needed to perform financial tasks required in the workplace. This course provides a basic foundation for understanding the practical applications of mathematics in common workplace activities.
One month course, Constance Yates, instructor.
Also to note - Students will need to buy their own textbook: Schaum's Outline-Basic Business Mathematics, Second edition, Eugene Don, Ph.D, Joel Lerner, Ph.D., ISBN 978-0-07-161158-9.
Course Outline
Unit 1-Practical Business Math Fundamentals
-Whole numbers and basic math functions
- Fractions
- Decimals
- Percentages
Unit 2 – Banking
- Banking Basics
- Simple Interest
- Compound Interest
- Promissory Notes and Mortgages
Unit 3 – Payroll
- Rules and Regulations
- Calculating Gross Pay
- Payroll Deductions
- Pay Day
Unit 4 – Purchasing and Invoicing
- Trade Discounts
- Cash Discounts
- Disbursement Strategies
- Invoicing
About online learning
Online learning is a fun, enjoyable and very productive way to learn. Millions of people are learning online each year. You will engage with the instructor and other participants. You will get to know your instructor and other participants. You may make friends. It's easy. It's fun.
How the Course Works
It is easy to participate in your online course. After you register, you will be given a web address to go to get into your online classroom. You will have a password and use your email address and password to gain access.
Once inside the online classroom, here's what you can expect.
Participate when you want
You can participate any time of day or evening. The online classroom is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are no live real-time requirements or meetings. You decide when you participate.
For the best learning, participants should log into the course on 2-3 different days of the week.
What you will do
For each Unit, you will:
For best learning, you should make one or more comments at 2-3 different times each week.
The content (readings, audio lectures, slides) and self quizzes are accessible for the entire course, so you can work ahead, or go back and review again, at your convenience.
The Discussion for each Unit lasts one week. All comments are made in writing and can be made at any time of the day or night.
Your instructor will log into the Discussion area at least once a day and answer questions, make comments, and respond to comments by you and the other participants.
We encourage you to make 2-3 comments each week to maximize your learning and enjoyment of the course.
It's easy. It's fun.
Also to note - Students will need to buy their own textbook: Schaum's Outline-Basic Business Mathematics, Second edition, Eugene Don, Ph.D, Joel Lerner, Ph.D., ISBN 978-0-07-161158-9.
About Your Instructor
Constance Yates serves as facilitator of Business Administration for multiple colleges and universities across the United States. She received an MBA with specialization in Health Care Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University, Marion Indiana. Constance adheres to servant leadership approach to learning and ascribes to the belief that all individuals are capable of successful learning outcomes given the appropriate learning environment and support systems. Academic areas of expertise and interest include Human Resource Management, Healthcare consulting, and Six Sigma. Constance resides in the Missouri Ozarks and enjoys fishing the area's reservoirs in search of the "Big One".
What some students say:
"My teacher and classmates were absolutely wonderful! It was a pleasure to work with them."
Course Objectives
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, you will:


text:
Trust eroding as social engineering attacks climb in 2009, says Kaspersky expert
Kaspersky Lab researchers have tracked more than 25,000 malware samples spreading through social networks in 2009.
Threats to social networking websites continue to climb at an alarming rate, according to researchers at Kaspersky Lab. So far, more than 25,000 malware samples have been tracked by Kaspersky spreading through social networks and researchers estimate that the number could exceed 100,000 by the end of 2009.
The Kaspersky research suggests that attackers may be turning away from targeting traditional technical vulnerabilities, instead focusing on social engineering techniques to lure victims into giving up Twitter, Facebook and other social website account information, said Stefan Tanase, a malware researcher based at Kaspersky's Romanian labs.
"Using a zero-day exploit is definitely more expensive than just creating some social mechanism to get a computer infected," Tanase said.
Social engineering techniques that trick users into a false sense of trust have proven lucrative for attackers. Kaspersky estimates attacks against social networks are 10 times more successful at targeting users than e-mail-based attacks. "Human beings base their relationships on trust," Tanase said. "The bad guys are trying to exploit this trust."
Web security, cloud security:
US-CERT warns of Gumblar, Martuz drive-by exploits: Websites poisoned with the Gumblar and Martuz drive-by download exploits could pass on malware to users who don't have their patches up to date.
XSS bugs, information leakage top list of website vulnerabilities: Companies are moving more rapidly to correct errors by feeding virtual patches into Web application firewalls, according to WhiteHat founder and CTO Jeremiah Grossman.
In a presentation to reporters Thursday, Tanase explored some of the latest attack techniques, including the latest phishing attacks being used against Twitter users and ongoing Facebook hacks using fake accounts to build a network before promptly exploiting it. In many cases, attackers are passing a malicious link and curious users naïvely click on the links to bogus websites that force-download malware or harvest account information.
Tanase said Facebook, Twitter and other social networks have been responding promptly to attacks as they are detected or reported, but it is difficult to completely locking them down without impacting the user experience.
"They can clean up their mess inside their own house but they cannot do anything about all the user's computers that have been infected," he said. "It's very hard for them to do better … Their core business is usability and usability doesn't go hand-in-hand with security."
Companies are at a greater risk of data loss as a result of increased use of Web-based services. A recent survey of 1,300 IT managers conducted by research firm Dynamic Markets Ltd., and underwritten by security vendor Websense, found that IT managers are under increased pressure to weaken Web security policies.
IT security professionals are balancing the need to let end users use Web-based services to improve business efficiencies and the need to address the increased risk with the appropriate policies and security tools, said security expert Lenny Zeltser, who leads the security consulting practice for Savvis, and is a faculty member at SANS Institute. Even if companies attempt to block access to specific websites, it may not mitigate much risk, because employees can continue to leak out data gradually from home, Zeltser said.
"We're coming to the point where there's so many different ways for sharing information over the Web and so many different sites from webmail that's becoming increasingly powerful to social networking sites that they're becoming adopted on a large scale," Zeltser said. "Right now companies are realizing that everybody's doing it and they're finally considering what to do about it."
A bigger conundrum for companies is the phenomena of employees leaking data in drops, Zeltser said. Bits and pieces of information may appear harmless on Twitter, Facebook and other social networking platforms, but attackers have picked up on this and are trying to collect all the pieces to use the information to gain access to more sensitive resources.
"Each drop of data isn't sensitive by itself, but assembled together, they become more meaningful," Zeltser said. "People leak out these drops of data about themselves, about their organization, about their projects and about the context with which they work … somebody taking that data over time that's where it becomes meaningful, more risky and dangerous."
Business executives want employees to use social platforms because they're seeing the benefits, said Kaspersky's Tanase.
"Even though they're gaining popularity we need to not forget about the risks that are coming from these new applications," Tanase said. "What people should do is see both sides of Web 2.0 platforms -- the good and the bad."