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The insecurity of two-factor authentication
Security hazards associated with smartcards and tokens are keeping them from widespread deployment.
Deployment of two-factor authentication tools such as smartcards and USB tokens appears to be increasing. More organizations are adding a layer of security to the desktop that requires users to physically possess a token and have knowledge of a PIN or password in order to access company data. However, there are still some drawbacks to two-factor authentication that are keeping the technology from widespread deployment that are worth considering.
Differences between the smartcard and USB token are diminishing. Both technologies include a microcontroller, an operating system, a security application and a secured storage area. There are some distinguishing differences, however.
Smartcards, such as those offered by RSA and ActivCard, are about the same size as a credit card. Some vendors, such as HID and RSA, are offering or developing smartcards that perform both the function of a proximity card and network authentication. You can authenticate into the building via proximity detection and then insert the card into your PC to produce your network logon credentials. The downside is that the smartcard is a bigger device, the card reader is an extra expense, the card is more likely to break due to its size, and it has less storage capacity than a USB token.
- Security guru Howard Schmidt offers his perspective on two-factor authentication in this Guest Commentary.
- SearchSecurity expert Jonathan Callas shares his insights on two-factor authentication in this Ask the Expert Q&A.
- Test your knowledge of authentication methods with this fun quiz.
On the other hand, the USB token has a much smaller form factor and can easily be attached to a keyring. Thus, it is easier to carry. The USB reader is standard equipment on today's PCs, and the token tends to have a much larger storage capacity for logon credentials than smartcards. RSA, Aladdin, ActivCard, Authenex and Rainbow are a few of the vendors offering USB tokens.
In both cases vendors are beginning to add biometric readers on the devices, thereby providing three-factor authentication. Users biometrically authenticate via their fingerprint to the smartcard or token and then enter a PIN or password in order to open the credential vault.
So if smartcards or USB tokens provide all this security, why isn't every company in the country deploying them? It would seem to be a logical line of defense against intrusions and information loss. Well, the first challenge corporations face is the difficulty of deploying the client PC software required to make these systems work. Most vendors have created separate installation packages for network login, Web access credentials and VPN connection credentials. In other words, you may have four or five different software packages to push down to the client PC in order to make use of the token or smartcard. This translates to four or five packages on which you also have to perform version control and ensure don't conflict with your business applications.
The next concern is the security of the two-factor authentication tools and their systems. Several products I tested for SearchSecurity's sister publication Information Security magazine showed passwords stored in plain text for either the token/smartcard software or its associated management server. In either case this completely negates one factor of the authentication since an intruder could easily find the password/PIN used to authenticate to the device.
According to some vendors, an intruder has to possess the token or smartcard for this type of attack to work. That's not really true though. You can simply boot up the PC in safe mode to completely bypass the token/smartcard authentication altogether. Remember that the token/smartcard is a storage device, but it is not the only storage device for logon credentials. There is nothing to stop a user (or intruder) from manually providing logon credentials that are also stored on a token/smartcard. As an intruder, all I have to do is boot in safe mode with network support and scan the hard drive with utilities such as the freeware Protected Storage Passview (Nirsoft) to show all passwords stored in Internet Explorer. Additionally, you could use a disk editor such as the shareware Winhex (www.winhex.com) to scan for text strings such as "password=". Both of these approaches produced great results during product testing, allowing me to bypass the token/smartcard.
Vendors typically respond to this weakness by pointing out that their products tie in closely with encryption or PKI, and this provides a full measure of security. To which my response is, which one of these products is really providing the security? It seems to me that the encryption and/or PKI infrastructure is the true security product. This leaves me wondering what true level of security the token or smartcard provides.
Until the vendors fix the issue of passwords being stored in plain text and provide a method for controlling safe mode boot up, I don't believe tokens or smartcards provide any security at all. Consider the cost of implementation – around $100 for the smartcard or token and the associated software, plus an additional $25 for each smartcard reader – and the technology lacks a strong value proposition. For now, two-factor authentication remains an expensive option for storing user credentials, albeit insecurely.
Note from the author
Since this column was originally published, I have received questions regarding the viability of one time password (OTP) tokens. OTPs do not change the vulnerabilities found in the token software or the tokens themselves. Their use, however, does limit the risk of those vulnerabilities. The supporting software still allows that OTP to show in plain text as well as the user name. It is possible -- though not as probable -- that this system could be subverted. In addition, the OTP system does nothing for the Safe Boot workaround. I can boot the machine into Safe Mode on a Wintel platform and get onto the hard drive without having to use the token/OTP system. The OTP system is used in the EU but most other parts of the globe have yet to adopt it.
About the author
Tom Bowers has worked with computers since the early 80s. He is currently the Manager of Information Security Operations for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, where he leads a team conducting pen testing globally. He also owns Net4NZIX, a small consulting firm specializing in pen testing and computer forensics. Tom holds the CISSP, PMP and Certified Ethical Hacker certifications. He can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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'Bad Brad' Keselowski, victorious in Saturday night's Kentucky 400 (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
By Mike Mulhern
SPARTA, Ky.
Traffic, last summer's bugaboo here, shouldn't be a headliner this time around. And Brad Keselowski, with his third win of the season, in Saturday night's Kentucky 400, can not only celebrate in style but also start prepping for the playoffs, though the chase is still two months away.
The first three-time winner this year, Keselowski did it the hard way, in his backup car, after that Friday run-in with Juan Pablo Montoya.
"There's never a guarantee, but this is pretty good," Keselowski said with a nod toward the championship playoffs, beginning Sept. 16th in Chicago.
"A long hot one, but a great day. We were in the wall on lap one of practice Friday, and this was my Martinsville car from last fall, not our newest car at all."
Resolving the traffic madness was the day's good news. On the other hand, the crowd was clearly off from last summer's sellout for the first-ever NASCAR Sprint Cup race at this track, just south of Cincinnati.
And the action on the track, while it had its moments, was not quite as competitive as perhaps expected, for a bumpy, wornout track that has so much corner and so little straight. Whoever had the lead clearly had an advantage.
Paul Wolfe's crew giving Brad Keselowski quick service (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
And at the end that was Keselowski. He won going away, with Denny Hamlin fading to third, and surprising Kasey Kahne rallying to second after a loose wheel dropped him far behind.
Several drivers were troubled by bad finishes.
Tony Stewart had major trouble with his electronic fuel injection system, for the second time this season, and he wound up an angry 32nd.
Greg Biffle had a flat tire late, which dropped him to 21st.
Kyle Busch, who dominated the first half of the three-hour race on this very bumpy, mostly corner 1-1/2-mile track, slapped the wall and never really recovered, despite repairs. He finished 10th.
Most upset, perhaps, was Carl Edwards. "I'm definitely frustrated," Edwards said after fuel mileage forced him to pit with five laps to go while running third, leaving him 20th at the end.
Edwards hasn't won since Las Vegas more than a year ago, and while teammates Biffle and Matt Kenseth have been atop the points and running strong all season, Edwards and his team have seem oddly erratic.
So it was an emotional Edwards afterwards: "I've heard all the talk -- about it's this or it's that or it's that....but we're just having some bad communication. I've got the best crew chief in the business; Bob Osborne proved that last fall. We just got beat for the championship on that crazy call by Darian (Grubb at Homestead).
"We've got to get going."
Not sure who did what to whom for these three to get like this. Joey Logano (20) aggravated Ryan Newman (39) in the deal, and then nearly took out Clint Bowyer (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
Denny Hamlin was one of the strongest in the field after teammate Busch slapped the wall. But Hamlin down the stretch was backing "way off" to save fuel, and then when he ended the race he discovered he had a flat tire.
Still Hamlin, who announced Saturday that he had signed a contract extension with team owner Joe Gibbs (more than a year ahead of the expiration date), was glad to get a good finish after a run of bad luck the past few weeks.
Jeff Gordon, calling this "one of my worst tracks," insisted he was satisfied with his fifth place finish...even though he's so far down in the standings that he needs several wins to make the playoffs, because he's facing an almost impossible journey to make it back to the top-10 by September.
Brad Keselowski going around Denny Hamlin on the outside for the lead late in the Kentucky 400 (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
Keselowski may have been fired up after that deal with Montoya. "I don't like to get pushed around," Keselowski said. "I felt I was being 'pushed around,' and I hate that. I won't be pushed around.
"I tried to talk with him, but he didn't want to talk."
That wasn't the only incident between two drivers this weekend. During the 400 Ryan Newman and Joey Logano got into it, while battling in a three-wide back in the pack.
"I'm not really sure what's going on with that boy," Newman complained. "He's got a few things to learn...and I'm going to have to be the one who teaches him.
"He lost control in the middle of the three and four; I got into the back of him on accident, but I mean that's part of it. He lost control in the first place.
"I went to go drive around the outside of him...and I don't know if he was halfways blocking me or what. It just about spun him around into Clint Bowyer.
"Then he raced me really porly, lack of respectd. That doesn't go very far with me; you can see from my past I react to that."
Edwards was wearing UPS colors for the race, and hosting UPS executives, in what looked like a major sponsorship bid to get UPS to return to the NASCAR tour.
"Bob called me onto pit road," Edwards said, referring to key pit stop he didn't make. "But I was already so far around that corner that I just didn't feel right cutting across traffic and slamming the splitter down to make it to pit road.
"We were put in a box. We hoped there would be a caution but there wasn't.
"It is time for us to get it in gear. I am real frustrated, Bob is real frustrated, and I know we can do this. We ran as well as any Ford out here. At the end I think with some fuel we would have had a chance to win it.
"We need to get this in gear. We need to go."
For Brad Keselowski and team owner Roger Penske: victory number three of the season (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
I know Carl was trying to make a statement to defuse talk about "what's wrong", but there is some truth to this team being distracted. They're still talking about last year internally no doubt and Carl just openly mentioned it. They need to get focused. Lack of focus is what causes miscommunication
© 2010-2011 www.mikemulhern.net All rights reserved.
Web site by www.webdesigncarolinas.com

subset: commoncrawl


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What Woods does this game will be very interesting. He has a bad habit of over focusing on certain threats. Last week the defense lost their heads when Lamar Jackson got on the field, against the raiders it was Jared Cook. With the weapons the chiefs have, I dont think that will be possible.
Okay coaching staff, case and secondary. All of you guys need big games so step up! Go broncos!
Glen Haven Fire
I think we need to score on all three phases to win this one. Especially on defense- since it nullifies KC's offense on at least one series
That's based on what I've seen so far by the Broncos this season.... and KC.
I've been very disappointed with our DB play and that's really what we need to excel to have a chance tonight. So if they don't play well we're losing. But if the coaches and players can find a way to cobble together a plan and execute - maybe there's a chance.
I can't wait for the game to start but I have a feeling I'm not going to enjoy this one.
I hope the team can find a way to keep it close and keep me thinking there might be a chance. Then Special Teams wins it
Red 98
Kareem rises to the top
FWIW, we're the only team in the NFL who has already faced Mahomes once before. Maybe they learned something about slowing him down from week 17 last year.
There's no pressure on us tonight. This is effectively a free hit. I hope we swing hard and swing often. Let's be bold, go for the Chiefs with no fear and see what happens.
Last edited by GMTD; 10-01-2018 at 11:35 AM.
So brock most likely wont play and theres a chance that jones and thomas may not play? Can anyone verify this
Glen Haven Fire
Go get 'em Von!!
Brock is out.
Adam Jones, Brandon Marshall, and Dymonte Thomas are listed as questionable.


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Inhouse Services
Available at additional fee
When hiring the venue at Oppie Plaas Venue, the following is included in the price:
- Round or long tables that seat 10 people that require table cloths, 8-seater palette tables & white tiffany chairs,
- White or black tablecloths,
- Standard cutlery, crockery and glassware for the day,
- The necessary kitchen staff and a licensed, professionally equipped kitchen
- Please note the kitchen will only be used by Oppie Plaas Venue staff.
- Safe car and bus parking with security is provided at the venue.
- A Brides Table: half table and chairs with a white tablecloth.
- The Lapa for the evening and the fires will burn in the Lapa if requested by bride or groom.
- Tables with black/white tablecloths are provided at the serving area.
- Cleaning of the facility after the function.
Oppie Plaas Venue is able to offer the following services that are not included in the standard price:
- Wedding Coordination Service Full or just On the Day
- Chair covers black / white
- Variety tablecloths
- Under plates silver/gold
- We offer in-house DJ Service
- Flowers
- Draping
- Fairy lights
- Runners
- Overlays
- Candles
- All outside furniture
- All Décor items (Please request quote)


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Displaying 31 - 59 of 59 items
Monogrammed NotesWhen you want to express your sophistication and discernment, choose our Monogrammed Notes. Three initials, artfully arranged, hark back centuries to the days when royalty employed monograms to denote their wealth and noble family lineage.
Embossed Graphics offers a wide range of unique monograms created by our parent company, Embossed Graphics. Monograms range in style from the whimsically elegant Paris monogram to the passionate Firenze; from the clean, modern Circle to the always appropriate Classic.
All Monogrammed Notes include color-matched envelopesChoose an optional return address or envelope lining to make your stationery extra special. We offer a choice of paper color, from white and ivory (ecru) to more contemporary colors as shown in our California line of Monogrammed Notes.
We present our Monogrammed Notes beautifully -- whether the gift is for a friend or for yourself: wrapped in tissue, affixed with a seal and nestled in a beautiful champagne foil box.
Shipped in 2 business days.


text: Kachnik 0 Posted February 16, 2011 Hello, I have to walk thru huge directory strucure and if folder name meets requirements do something. I assume that this is something which is already done, but I cannot find it. Any help please? Thanks a lot! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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Handmade Damascus Chef Knife - Amk008
Out of stock
Chef Knife
Gentry Choice
Handle is made of bone and walnut, durable, non-slip, easy to clean, waterproof, bacteria-resisting, comfortable in hand and beautiful looking. Twist pattern Damascus steel blade is full tang 200 layers of high carbon and low carbon welded/forged, very well hammered to obtain up to 200 layers. The hardness of the blade is 58 to 60 hrc on Rockwell scale. The blade sharpness will last long.
- Long-lasting sharp edge designed to cut all types of meat, vegetables and fruit
- Damascus pattern, stain resistance to prevent food from sticking on knife's body
- The tapered grinding of the blade to achieve an extreme sharpness
- Knife's handle provides greater grip and maximum control on movements with minimum efforts
- Durability and good balance combined with resistance to corrosion and elegant Damascus pattern knife
- Perfect chef knife for professional use
- Anti-rust knife
- Dishwasher safe
We do not sell this product to people under 18 years of age. While placing an order for this item, you must be 18+ years. Buyer is responsible for meeting all legal obligations to buy and use of this product in local state and country.
Returns Policy
We understand there might be a reason when you would like to return an item. Therefore, we have a hassle free 30 days full money back policy for your greater confidence and peace of mind when shopping with us.
All items are eligible for return when they are unused and returning with original tags. We will also pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.).
if you are returning an item as change of mind, or for an exchange with the item which we do not have in stock and can not be arranged within 30 days, a charge for the cost involved in shipping the order will apply. We normally ship with Australia Post and the shipping costs can be referenced accordingly. No other charges such as re-inventory, admin fee etc. will be charged.
We typically issue refund within 3 business days when the item is received back.
Our return process is as simple as just login to your account on website and follow steps to request a return under your order details. Alternatively, send us an email with order number and we will advise you for the return, exchange or refund
We strive to fulfil all orders within 2 business days. However, most orders are fulfilled on SAME DAY by 10PM AEST
We ship items to virtually any address in the world.
We normally ship with Australia Post or DHL express for shipping order locally and worldwide. A tracking number or a shipping reference number will be provided to track/trace your order delivery status


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Disaster-prone region in India implements digital crisis tools
Press Release 25th September 2017
Strategically important UMS project in Indian state
The state of West Bengal in the north-east of India with over 90 million inhabitants, is one of several areas in the country that are frequently exposed to natural disasters such as earthquakes, landslides and cyclones. The state is the first in India to implement a new crisis planning and crisis management tool. The new system from UMS is now ready for use in all 23 districts in the state.
-Many areas in India are regularly affected by flooding, earthquakes, landslides or cyclones. The need for systems that can gather police, fire and health units on the same platform is therefore significantly higher. The fact that the West Bengal Disaster Management Unit goes from paper to a digital solution is strategically important for the choice of new solutions in other states in India, says Espen Gylvik, CEO of Unified Messaging Systems.
It is expected that several states in India will upgrade their disaster response solutions in the near future. First responders in West Bengal have until now only kept crisis management plans on paper. Data from past events are filed in the new system and will help accelerate evacuation, search and rescue. The goal is to limit loss of life and assets. Reduced losses will again contribute to lower payments from the public treasury.
Improves crisis management
The solution, the Continual Preparedness System (CPS), is an extensive and recognized crisis management tool that has helped first responders incorporate crisis management plans into the system. Previously, these have been exclusively available on paper.
Various modules for the planning of the crisis management, resource use and the actual handling of the event, have been implemented. During a possible event, the system will be used to identify the need for resources, track evacuation, search and rescue. The system will also simplify deployment of resources and help clarify costs as a result of the incident. CPS provides the user with a management tool throughout the disaster.
About UMS
UMS ASA (Unified Messaging Systems ASA) is a Norwegian technology company with international operations, headquartered in Oslo. The company has more than 1,200 customers worldwide reaching over 500 million people with our systems for public notifications. The company was founded in 1998 and is established as an industry leader within the area of critical communication and population alerting systems.


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My week has been entirely spent working on a few items for the Warbases display products that I am currently producing and as yet nothing is completed enough to show you all.
Now yesterday was the Spring Blog-con at York Air Museum and it was a cracking day with lots of laughter and fun throughout. I shall be doing a separate post for this next week as the day fully warrants one.
So that brings me nicely onto the remainder of the post for today and I make no apology for it being a fairly long post but hopefully you will at least enjoy what is coming up.
I had not realised just how this blog has grown and exceeded all my expectations since its inception. Obviously none of this would have happened if it was not for you the readers, so thank you for visiting the Great Hall. I enjoy the social aspect that the blog brings and reading the comments left for me, I believe its that that really matters and keeps me doing it.
No lets kick this one off with some BOOBS!!!!
Right that is enough boobs for now, I need to let you all recover a little, while I get to the serious part of the post.
So with me having been at this blogging lark for just over 3 years and many of you enjoying the miniatures I display here. I thought I would sort out a small competition and some prizes. Now I am doing something just a little different this time round, and have some strict rules and a set of questions to answer just to make
Failure to follow these rules will result in disqualification of your entry:
1. You have to be a public follower of this blog (so if you have been hiding in the shadows and want to take part please join the longship crew).
2. You must answer the following questions in English (because online Translators are not accurate ) using the contact me form on this blog ! comment moderation will be enabled to prevent accidents.
3. You must place a comment on this post stating which prizes you would like to have. I will confirm your entry with a reply. (you can choose as many prizes as you like)
4. Promoting this post on your blog and posting a link on this page will grant you a second entry for all your choices. ( you do not have to promote this post to enter though )
5. You have until Midnight GMT on 31 May 2014 to submit your entries and the winners will be drawn on the 1st June 2014.
THE QUESTIONS - I make no apologies here as you will need to search this blog to get all the answers though I will help with a label clue so you can track down the answers!
1. (Random Thoughts) Who would I have a Fantasy relationship with?
2. (Napoleonic) What Army did I give a last Hurrah too?
3. (Warbases Wednesday) How many editions of Warbases Wednesday have appeared, up to and including 30th April 2014 ?
4. (Terrain) What did I publish a tutorial for on 8th May 2013?
5. (Fantasy) Which two bloggers did I paint as religious characters?
THE PRIZES - I will post worldwide at my expense so don't let that hold you back from entering.
1. I will paint 10 x 25mm/28mm, 10 x 20mm or 20 x 15mm historical miniatures of your choice sent to me to my highest standard. (or a negotiated equivalent)
2. The Dwarf and Troll
3. Berserker execution
4. Maximus
5. Druid and Banshee.
Well this just leaves me to finish the post off with a few more Boobs and everything should be good!
oh and of course let us not forget!
That is it from me folks for today. Good luck !


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Wednesday, April 20th at 6:30pm
We will be hosting a special screening of the critically acclaimed film, "The Passion of the Christ" (rated R). It will be an evening of free food, film, and friends. (Film will start approximately at 7 pm).
Friday, April 22nd at 7:30pm
Join us for our "Good Friday Service"
Sunday, April 24th at 10 am
Join us for our "Easter Celebration Service." There will be youth and children's programs available.
What's Happening >


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More than 60 students from Cameron University have been named to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, a highly regarded and long-standing honors program that has recognized outstanding campus leaders for their scholastic and community achievements for more than 60 years.
After receiving a nomination by faculty or staff, students submit an application outlining their collegiate career, including membership in student organizations, campus and community involvement and grades. In order to be eligible, students must have completed at least 60 hours.
CU students recognized by Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities are listed by hometown:
Altus: Mark Dabelstein
Bariga, Nigeria: Oluwatoyin Dojutelegan
Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis: Delroy Kurt Prentice
Cache: Colton Rowe
Carriacou, Grenada: Junior Braveboy
Castries, Saint Lucia: Sylvia Clery, Chad Hunte
Chattanooga: Jared Barkley Kirk
Elgin: Amy Kennedy, Colten Kennedy, Jessica Landoll, Kevin Stieb
Geronimo: Cathryn Jackson
Grandfield: Brooke Jeffus
Hanoi, Vietnam: Minh Le
Ibadors, Nigeria: Oluwatoyese Oyewole
Kathmandu, Nepal: Kabita Khadka
Kingston, Jamaica: Carla A. Henry Baker
Lagos, Nigeria: Tolulope Agbetunsin, Oluwabunmi Fatodu, Olanrewaju Odunayo, Oluwamayowa Victoria Toyin-Moses, Godsfavour Umoru, Yvette Unoarumhi
Lake Tahoe, Nev.: Thomas Smith
Lawton: Stephanie Belter, Ariel Bergeron, Danielle Blackburn, Heather Bivins, Rachel Leann Blevins, Geraldine Brady, Ryan Brenneman, Hannah Brock, Sharon Burkholder, Aaron Cobb, Colton Davis, Gilbert Doster, Jasmin Estrada, Griselda Ferrera, William Fleshman, Amy Herring, Christan Hinman, Ornella Nelson, Britany Pyfer, Kay L. Specht, Chase Swinford, Charles Underwood, Daisy Woods, Kristen Worthen,
Leedey: Jordan Kauk
Mannsville: Allison Stottlemyre
Marlow: Wendy Finch
Morang, Nepal: Jinesh Niroula
Old Road, St. Kitts and Nevis: Cremoy Agard
Pokhara, Nepal: Ashim Ghimire
Rush Springs: Cynthia Rennaker
Saba Yaba, Nigeria: Oluwakayode Alli
St. David's, Grenada: Giselle Greenidge
St. George's, Grenada: Nichole Cooper
Snyder: Bryce Geiger, Seth Geiger
Stip, Macedonia: Blagica Ristovska
Tipton: Anna White
Tishomingo: Cody Gardner
Walters: Kristen May
For more information about Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, go to www.whoswhoamongstudents.com.
May 3, 2012


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Cross-border health care in the European Union. Mapping and analysing practices and policies (2011)
Edited by Matthias Wismar, Willy Palm, Josep Figueras, Kelly Ernst and Ewout van Ginneken
Observatory Studies Series, No. 22
2011, xxiii + 376 pages
In developing countries: CHF 42.00
Order no. 13400108
Cross-border health care is a growing phenomenon in the European Union. When in need of medical treatment, patients increasingly act as informed consumers who claim the right to choose their own providers, including those beyond borders. They are supported and encouraged by factors such as the Internet and more internationally trained health professionals, and often motivated by dissatisfaction with health care provision in their home country. Some authorities and health insurers even contract with health care providers abroad or inform patients of such options.
Cross-border health care also encompasses doctors and nurses, who train and work abroad and increasingly cooperate with colleagues abroad. In some cases, health services themselves cross borders – through telemedicine – or providers collaborate with financing institutions in other countries.
This book explores these trends, looks at the legal framework and examines the legal uncertainties surrounding rights, access, reimbursement, quality and safety. It examines different approaches to these concerns and the methodologies to use to ease or resolve them. The information and analysis presented mark an important step in the continuing debate on a legal framework for cross-border health care and will be of considerable use to policy-makers and those with an interest in key aspects of cross-border health care.


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Construction Machines
We have been a reputed manufacturer, exporter and supplier of premium quality array of Construction Machines such as weigh batcher, vacuum dewatering pump and mobile batching plant. These machines are manufactured under the vigilance of skilled professionals using quality examined components and pioneering techniques. Ideal due to their high efficiency during construction work, these machines are highly acclaimed among customers. Furthermore, with commitment of on time delivery, these Construction Machines can be availed from us at reasonable rates.
Key Points:


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Oil Profits Fund Future Explorations
Oil Profits Fund Future Explorations
The history of oil is one of boom and bust. When prices are low and profits thin, companies tend to hunker down and cut expenses.
But when times are good for the oil industry — like now, with the price hovering just under $100 a barrel — companies often use fatter profits to search for new deposits, or to go back and suck the last drop from retired wells.
As prices have spiked, "there has been new exploration," said Paul Henshaw, a geologist and consultant who spent years at Chevron exploring for oil.
Henshaw said fields that had been put on a shelf are being looked at again for possible further exploration.
"A lot of us geologists have some area where we've said, 'Oh boy, if the economics are right, we should go for that,'" he said.
Paying Now for Future Fuel
In North America, one place many of the major oil companies are going is the Gulf of Mexico. Higher oil revenues mean they can spend more to drill farther out at sea and in deeper water. Lease sales in the Gulf are way up. But experts say there's no magic dollar number at which oil explorers decide to drill.
"They may be basing their economic models on $50 a barrel," said Henshaw, in part because oil prices can vary widely during the decades it takes to complete a project. So he said the oil industry needs to believe that high prices are here to stay — and not just a spike — before they will invest millions or billions of dollars in a project.
Ironically, high oil prices also help drive up the price of exploration.
"I was just reading a study last week that shows that the price for developing a field had actually doubled in the last two years due to the increase in costs of raw materials and services and equipment," said Andy Radford, an exploration expert at the American Petroleum Institute in Washington.
That is why some companies are going back to old, supposedly tapped-out reservoirs — or "plays," as they call them in the business — instead of opening virgin fields.
Geologist Henshaw explains it this way: Imagine a milk shake in a glass full of beads. You can suck most of the shake out with a straw, but some will stick to the beads. More than you would think, in fact.
"When we leave an oil field, there can be 20 to 80 percent of the oil left," Henshaw said. When prices go up, he said, it can suddenly become economical to go back for the dregs.
Small companies such as Michigan-based Arbor Resources have made that strategy their business. For instance, the company will sometimes go back and fix a broken well that had been abandoned by its previous owner.
"To fix that well it might cost several hundreds of thousands of dollars," said Arbor engineer Dylan Foglesong. "At $20 a barrel, you might walk away from it and go down the road." But at today's high oil prices, he said "people will jump" at the chance to reclaim the wells.
Only So Much Can be Squeezed Out
Higher prices can also help pay for the expensive technology needed to squeeze more oil out of old wells. For instance, engineers can force steam or carbon dioxide down into wells to force out the oil. Or they can use the latest seismic technology to make underground images of old plays with oil that was missed before.
But exploiting old wells can be complicated. Sometimes neighborhoods can spring up around an old site — leading to resistance from the new tenants. "It's a permitting nightmare," said Foglesong. "But at $100 a barrel, they'll hire 10 lawyers and spend the time in court and do whatever it takes to get that thing on line."
Those efforts often pay off. Ultimately though, there is a limit to how much more geologists and engineers can "squeeze the sponge."
Already, energy companies are investing more in heavy oil from tar sands or shale. But, if the past is a guide, oil prices will have to stay high for these pricey alternatives to remain viable alternatives.
Governments Demanding Bigger Share of Their Oil
Governments Demanding Bigger Share of Their Oil
The Impact of Oil
As the price of oil approaches $100 a barrel, NPR looks at the reasons for the run-up in prices and the implications for the world economy.
Oil at $100 a barrel means countries with abundant oil reserves are sitting on a lot of wealth.
But how much these countries can earn from this oil depends on how much control they have over it.
In past years, governments from Mexico to Malaysia have nationalized their oil production, shutting out the big private oil companies that had been exploiting their resources. With oil prices now rising, governments in oil-rich countries are once again demanding a bigger share of oil profits.
'Petro Power' Movement
Countries with oil deposits but not the expertise to get the oil out of the ground often invite private oil companies to come and develop the fields. In return, the companies pay the governments a royalty fee on every barrel they produce and sell.
The deals have often worked to the advantage of the oil companies, and when the profits are high, government leaders are tempted to change the rules.
Last spring President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, in his words, "buried" what had been known as the oil "opening" in his country — a favorable tax and royalty package introduced a decade earlier to induce foreign oil companies to develop the Orinoco River basin.
Chavez demanded that the companies give up majority control of those operations or face expropriation. On May Day, Chavez visited the Orinoco fields and told thousands of assembled oil workers that the deposits there would now be "entirely Venezuelan."
"Venezuela is free," Chavez told the cheering crowd. "Our oil is ours."
This is the new "petro power" movement. The presidents of Bolivia and Ecuador are following policies similar to those of Chavez.
The government of oil-rich Nigeria said last month that it will rewrite the contracts under which oil companies operate in the country.
Even Canada is asserting its petro power. Last month, the province of Alberta raised the royalties that energy companies pay there. In a news conference, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach said he had ordered a review of the royalties as soon as he took office.
"I did that because I heard very clearly from Albertans. In a time of rapidly increasing oil prices, they weren't sure they were getting the fair value of the development of the resources they own," Stelmach said.
Wanting a Bigger Share
As in Venezuela, the government in Alberta had contracted oil companies to develop the oil fields, with the companies paying a small royalty fee on the oil they extracted — as low as 1 percent of pre-profit revenues.
But that was when oil was selling for maybe $20 a barrel. With the companies now getting five times that price, governments figure they deserve a bigger share.
"There's a lot of money in the oil business," says Robin West, chairman of PFC Energy, a consulting firm in Washington. "These politicians are desperate to find money. They want to deliver something quickly to their people and they figure the best place, the biggest bank they can find, is the major oil companies."
In Venezuela, the Chavez government raised the oil royalty fees last year. This year, Chavez told the foreign oil companies that the rules were changing again.
Still, he stopped short of nationalizing the companies' operations, as other governments had done.
"We told companies that we wanted them to stay, but in different conditions," says Bernardo Alvarez, Venezuela's ambassador to the United States.
The catch: They would have to sell a big part of their assets in the country for whatever the government offered and settle for a minority share.
Of the six big oil companies operating in the Orinoco region, two companies — ExxonMobil and Conoco Phillips — refused to accept the government's terms and had their properties expropriated. The Venezuelan government has promised to pay compensation, but the companies aren't happy with what they've been offered and the case is headed for international arbitration.
Abilities of State Company Challenged
The government's own oil company — Petroleos de Venezuela — will now take the lead in developing the Orinoco oil fields. The question is whether it's up to the task. The oil in the Orinoco fields is the thickness of tar. Getting it out of the ground is a challenging and expensive operation, requiring long-term planning and investment.
Luis Giusti was chairman of the Venezuelan state oil company until Hugo Chavez threw him out. It was his idea to ask the foreign oil companies to help develop the Orinoco oil fields.
"You can manage the process, but you need support in capital, operational expertise, technology, investment," Giusti says. "So we essentially went for a scheme that would allow us to partner with international companies to develop new projects and partnerships — and joint ventures and operational agreements. The country would benefit as a whole. We would always retain the best part of the portfolio. But at the same time, we would bring the companies to assume the risk of exploration, the technology required for developing the heavy oils, penetration into the markets and financing."
Officials in the Chavez government scoff at the notion that their state oil company isn't ready for "Big Oil" responsibility.
Alvarez, who is also former vice minister of energy, says Petroleos de Venezuela can even supply the country's Latin neighbors.
"Venezuela will have the resources to provide South America for many years to come," he says. "This is why we are even proposing countries in Latin America to sign a treaty and then we will guarantee the supply of energy to all those countries."
Decline of Oil Production
Since Chavez took office, however, oil production in Venezuela has declined by about 25 percent, according to independent analysts, because much of the industry is now staffed by relatively inexperienced engineers and technicians.
West says this is the risk governments take when they put the squeeze on foreign oil companies. The governments may get a bigger share of the oil profits, but their oil production could decline if the private companies stop investing in the countries.
"There are ways to do it. Certain governments are very skillful at extracting maximum rent for themselves while continuing production. What you don't want to do is kill the golden goose," West says.
In fact, the risk works both ways. Chavez and other politicians know the big oil companies will think long and hard before they abandon a potentially promising project. Four of the six companies involved in Venezuela chose to stay in the country as minority partners.
West points out that oil companies deal with risk every day, whether it's doing business with someone like Chavez or looking for oil under 8,000 feet of water off the coast of Africa.
"They have to. They have to. They don't have a choice," West says. "I mean, companies like Chevron and Exxon and BP and Shell — these are gigantic companies and they're producing several million barrels a day. Little projects don't do them any good. They're just a distraction, even if it's a good rate of return. What they need are huge projects. Well, the big barrels are in these difficult places, either technically difficult or politically difficult, so they have to go there.
"The era of easy oil is over. There are no easy barrels for these companies."
Governments have new petro power, oil companies have new production costs — and the demand for oil just keeps growing. That sounds like a sure formula for even higher oil prices.


text:
Michael's hands convinced me,
Those great well-articulated
fingers spread wide
to welcome/not divide.
Workers' hands
equal to the demands
of Mississippi cotton field quotas
and the wheel of Detroit steel,
embodiment and inheritors
of generations of black struggle
opening to greet me, gathering me up
in the Movement building here.
Those hands spoke volumes
of rows hoed, land cleared, help given;
providing refuge to lend strength
lift up, and vanquish fear.
More than any set of words,
analysis, or rhetoric well-learned,
those hands earned
my loyalty and trust
with a grip that said
"We've been through worse, you hear?
So now, understanding all that,
we can and must
grasp the forms and substance
of a new world,
true and just, together."
September-October 2017, ATC 190


text: Rep. Smith is proud to be recognized for his authorship of the HOPE for Alzheimer's Act (H.R. 1559) by the Alzheimer's Impact Movement in today's Asbury Park Press. AIM's efforts to improve the quality of living for those affected by Alzheimer's and their families are irreplaceable, and Rep. Smith is immensely grateful for their friendship and their support of his efforts.


text:
in a Twitpic last week. As the jokes — and a few compliments — came in, many wondered why Breezy would change his look up so drastically.
In a phone interview with Atlanta radio station Hot 107.9, Breezy chatted about his blonde ambition and gave a simple explanation for the new do.
"I just wanted to change it up, man," Brown said, calling in from rehearsals for his Australian F.A.M.E. tour.
He admitted to seeing all of the jokes about his bleached hair, but
he's not phased by them. "I was even laughing at some of the jokes on
Twitter. I got 'gold dust,' 'Amber Rose,' 'Sisqo.' But I just laugh at
them. I don't care about people's opinions as much anymore."
His new look, he says, is inspired by the feeling of the music on his new album, F.A.M.E., hitting store shelves on March 22.
"It's just something I needed to change," he continued. "I think
artistically, where I'm at creatively, mentally with my project, with
my art, me painting, and just becoming a man and just finding myself,
I'm really just doing me. I'm being a rock star. If I wanna dye my hair
purple tomorrow, I might just change it up. It's all about how I'm just
living life and having fun."
And for those who connect his new do with his sexuality, Breezy made
sure to kill the rumors before they start. "I'm still strictly with the
ladies!" Source-neonlimelight


text:
Leather Fanny Pack | HERMANN
Hely is a compact cross-body with two pockets. Use it as a clutch, the strap is removable.
Genuine veg tanned leather from Brazil
2 leather rivets for an adjustable strap
2 magnets as closure
Width : 9 in
Height : 6 in
Depth : 1 in
All leather goods are handmade in Montreal, Canada.
All leather come from Italy.


text:
Last Updated on
Driving sales is an essential part of any business, so it's pretty obvious that packaging would become the key industry that it has become. How else should customers decide to pick your products above all other options presented to them? Take a look at some exquisite packaging designs that showcase the level of finesse that is required when wanting to make a difference:
Babees Honey
More often than not, it's simplicity that turns a good design into a truly exceptional one. For instance, these honey jars are absolutely exquisite in their color choice and simplicity.
Gnome Bread-hat
Buying bread has become truly mundane, yet from time to time, clever designers can make even this unavoidable task enjoyable. Lo Siento Studio managed to transform a bread bag into a story with their one-of-a-kind design.
Fruity Juice Containers
Food always tastes better when it's visually inviting, so why shouldn't juice benefit the same treatment? These tiny juice containers are absolutely adorable since they look just like sweet, succulent slices of fruit.
Modern Headphone Design
These futuristic-looking packages are simply to-die-for. Designed by AIAIAI, these seemingly simple headphones are presented in a nigh-irresistible fashion.
Yummy Ice Cream Packaging
There are few of us who truly can say that they would prefer eating fruit instead of ice cream. Even so, the luscious texture of ice cream has rarely been paired-up with such a clever packaging design. Colorful, cartoonish and inviting, these designs are truly inviting.
Handyman's Screwdriver Kit
Utility is an essential factor of a successful design, and in this particular case, it's safe to assume that the designers managed to perfectly include it into this screwdriver kit. Men care for easy-to-use, practical things and a portable tool box seems downright ingenious. So if you can't carry your screwdriver kit home, what's the point in buying it in the first place?
Mixed-emotions Vodka
There truthfully are few creative ways in which to present certain items. Take alcohol: scotch is scotch and vodka is vodka. The liquid is either caramel-brown or crystal-clear. But that takes the mystery out of the concoction. Yet with these emotion-inspired packages, a buyer is sure to take a moment and ponder his decision.
TeaPee Herbal Teas
Granted, the name does inspire the design, but even so, this eloquently clean design is stunning and inviting. More importantly, the tea bags themselves are also constructed as tiny pyramids so as to mirror the packaging design.
Sweet Caramel Packaging Style
The thing about caramels is that they remind us of our childhood. We craved these sweet treats and often bought them at family-run stores in simple, tiny paper bags. So Karamelleriet employed the help of Bessermachen to better reflect the handmade aesthetic of their product. In the end, they achieved this simply irresistible design that takes us back to our younger, caramel-filled days.
Mini Oliva Olive Oil
Mini Oliva have accomplished a truly remarkable thing: they have successfully refuted the well-known saying that "size matters" with their mini olive-oil packages. Salads on-the-go are simply more appealing then accompanied by such a well-designed dressing.


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Boardwalk Bowl offers flexible & fun party options for kids, teens, and adults.
Rock out to great live bands or come for karaoke - six nights a week!
Enjoy good food, great drinks, and top notch bowling in our state-of-the-art bowling facility. Sign up online or contact Dave Long at (831) 426-3324.
Group Rates
The Boardwalk Bowl offers special rates for groups of 10 or more. Contact our Party Planner at (831) 426-3324.
The best spot in Santa Cruz for delicious food, great drinks, an outdoor ocean view patio, and extensive tap selection!