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LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- The latest development news, culled from recent wire reports:
Looking to keep track of all the various projects in development? Click here to visit our newly branded "Devwatch" section. There visitors can view our listings by network, genre, studio and even development stage (ordered to pilot, cast-contingent, script, etc.). It's updated every day!
ALPHA MOM (NBC) - Michael Mosley (a guest star on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit") and Johnny Sneed (a guest star on "Boston Legal") have both scored roles in the comedy pilot, about a corporate mom (Alexondra Lee) who tries to balance kids, a stay-at-home husband and a job. They'll play Bob and Dan respectively in the NBC Universal Television-based project, which Bill Lawrence is directing from a script by Kerry Ehrin. Justina Machado, Kevin Rahm and Scott Holroyd also star.
ANDY BARKER, P.I. (NBC) - Marshall Manesh (Ranjit on "How I Met Your Mother") and Harve Presnell (Mr. Parker on "The Pretender") have both joined the cast of the Andy Richter-led comedy pilot, about an accountant-turned-private detective. Details on their characters, Wally and Lew respectively, weren't released. The duo join the previously cast Amy Farrington and Tony Hale in the NBC Universal Television-based half-hour, which comes from executive producers A.J. Morewitz, Conan O'Brien, David Kissinger, Jonathan Groff and Jeff Ross. Jason Ensler is directing from a script by O'Brien and Groff.
GIRLS ON THE BUS (A.K.A. WHAT HAPPENS ON THE BUS) (ABC) - Sara Gilbert (Mitchee Arnold on "Twins"), Maulik Pancholy (Sanjay on "Weeds"), Edward Kerr (Rick on "What I Like About You") and Dan Lauria (Allen Blaisdell on "J.A.G.") have all joined the cast of the comedy pilot, which is now running under the title "Girls on the Bus." Gilbert will play Helen, a reporter colleague of Ronnie (the previously cast Like Sanchez) on the project, which comes from Touchstone Television, creator Donald Todd, director Julie Anne Robinson and executive producer Peter Traugott. The latter trio will play Skip, Seth and Tom respectively however no details about their characters were released.
THE GAME (The CW) - Jennifer Baxter (Mary on "Dark Water") has been confirmed as a cast member on the "Girlfriends" spin-off, about a group of women in various stages of relationships with pro football players. She'll play Kelly in the CBS Paramount Network Television-based half-hour, which comes from executive producers Dan Dugan, Kelsey Grammer, Mara Brock Akil and Steve Stark. Aldis Hodge, Coby Bell, Hosea Chanchez, Tia Mowry and Wendy Raquel Robinson also star in the project, which Salim Akil is directing from a script by Mara Brock Akil.
HIM & US (ABC) - Hugh Sachs (Ratcliffe on "The Libertine") is the latest to be cast in the comedy pilot, about an over-the-hill gay British rock star (Anthony Head) and his relationship with his long-time manager (Kim Cattrall) and the rest of his colorful entourage. He'll play Sydney in the project, which comes from Touchstone Television and executive producers Bob Halley, Bruce Roberts, Cindy Chupack, Elton John and Michael Edelstein. Ashley Williams and Michael Trucco also star in the pilot with Charles Shyer directing from a script by Chupack.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (ABC) - Nicholas Roget-King (Aldo North on "Yours, Mine and Ours") is set to play son to Jonathan Silverman in the comedy pilot, about four thirty-something friends in Los Angeles who are reunited after one of them goes through a crisis and realize that their lives have not gone according to plan. His character, Dylan Kennison, is detailed in the casting notice as: "6. Harry's adorable son, he's a bright, outgoing kid who is curious and friendly when he wakes up and finds Dara in his bedroom. Unaware of Dara's discomfort, Dylan engages her in literary conversation ("Do you like Captain Underpants?") and asks her to tuck him in. Later, when Dara winds up babysitting for him while Harry goes out, Dylan gleefully tells Dara a joke." David Arquette, Greg Germann, Kelly Hu and Lori Loughlin also star in the Touchstone Television-based project, which Jon Favreau is directing from a script by creator Howard J. Morris. Emile Levisetti also serves as an executive producer.
INSEPARABLE (CBS) - Chip Zien (Mark Rothenberg on A&E's "Flight 93") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a young couple who must deal with the wife's large extended family. No details on his character were released. He joins the previously cast Christine Baranski, Coby Ryan McLaughin, Ed O'Neill, Krysten Ritter and Rachel Boston in the NBC Universal Television-based half-hour, which Pamela Fryman is directing from a script by creators Joe Port and Joe Wiseman. David Guarascio and Moses Port also serve as executive producers.
MORE, PATIENCE (FOX) - Arlene Sanford, who's already helming ABC's "Women of a Certain Age," has signed on to direct the Sony Pictures Television-based comedy pilot, about a New York psychiatrist (Alicia Witt) who neurotically mishandles her own life. She'll work from a script by creator Jed Seidel with Gavin Polone and Jamie Tarses also serving as executive producers.
MTV2 ORIGINAL SERIES (MTV2) - The MTV sibling will launch three new animated series on June 9 as part of its "Sick-Em' Friday" lineup. The 90-minute block includes newcomer "Chico & Guapo" (co-created by and featuring the voice of Orlando Jones), the revival of "Celebrity Deathmatch" and the newly announced "Where My Dogs At?" The latter features the voices of comedians Tracy Morgan and Jeffrey Ross as two stray dogs trying to survive on the mean streets of Hollywood.
OUR THIRTIES (ABC) - Tom Hughes (a guest star on "Summerland") has signed onto the comedy pilot, about a group of San Francisco-based thirtysomethings dealing with adulthood. Details on his character weren't released. The Touchstone Television-based half-hour also stars Dondre Whitfield, Heather Stephens, Peter Serafinowicz, Rachel Blanchard, Rashida Jones, Sarah Lafleur and Shane McRae with Dennie Gordon directing from a script by creator David Walpert. Warren Littlefield also serves as an executive producer.
PINK COLLAR (ABC) - Ryan Michelle Bathe (Sara Holt on "Boston Legal") and Matt Malloy (Dr. Farris on "The Unit") are the latest additions to the comedy pilot, about the nature of female relationships within the workplace. Bathe will play Alix in the HBO Independent Productions-based half-hour, who's detailed in the casting notice as: "Mid 20s, African-American. Alix is a new hire at AAI, and she comes with both an MBA from Harvard and a closet full of sharp clothes (a bit sexy for the office). On the management fast track and hungry to find a mentor at AAI, and willing to play the race card as long as it's dealt in her favor, Alix is rebuffed by Claire, who has no time for a protege, and winds up trying to suck up to Hayden -- in spite of the fact that Hayden may be a great worker, she doesn't have a career that Alix envies." Malloy then is believed to be playing Marcel: "Mid 40s. Marcel has been with AAI for 15 years, and he's survived and prospered through every management change through sheer mediocrity. A man with a larger cubicle than Hayden's, with nicer furniture and muical theatre prints on his walls, Marcel is Hayden's direct supervisor these days, and his job (since Hayden's downfall) is to be a pissy, carping critic of her work. Marcel is Eve's secretary, and an expert at turning Hayden's every remark into an example of her all-too-regrettable and wholly excessive emotions." Alicia Silverstone and Charlotte Ross also star in the project, which comes from creator Patricia Breen, executive producer David Knoller and director Alan Poul. (The original report incorrectly identified Malloy's character as Mike P.)
THAT GUY (FOX) - Robyn Cohen (Shanti on "Starved") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a 35-year-old man (Josh Meyers) who decides to embrace a "second puberty" and start living his life like a 21-year-old. She'll play Marnie in the Regency Television-based project, which also stars Eric Matheny and Lauren Stamile. Betty Thomas is directing the half-hour from a script by co-creators Darin Moiselle and Josh Lobis. Ivan Reitman, Jackie Marcus and Matthew Carlson also serve as executive producers through the former two's Montecito Picture Co.
'TIL DEATH (FOX) - Joely Fisher (Nina Fletcher on "Desperate Housewives") is set to play Brad Garrett's wife in the comedy pilot, about a just-married young couple (Eddie Kaye Thomas, Kat Foster) who move in next door to a long-married couple (Garrett, Fisher). In addition, Ted Wass ("Crumbs") has signed on to direct the Sony Pictures Television-based half-hour, where he'll take over from the departing James Burrows. Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith are the creators/executive producers.
UNION JACKASS (FOX) - John Ducey (Jamie on "Will & Grace") and Colby Paul (a guest star on "N.C.I.S.") have both joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about an opinionated, outspoken British Archie Bunker-type (Al Murray) who is forced to live in Santa Monica to be near his young son. Ducey will play Jack, who's described in the casting notice as: "38-45. Elizabeth's American fianc�. Good looking, handsome. Jack is very sweet and loves Liz and her son David a great deal. By all accounts he is a "catch." Jack has a very modern, new age outlook on life, drives a hybrid SUV, enjoys wine and is the epitome of everything Al hates in our country." Paul then is set as David Murray: "12. Al and Elizabeth's son. David is an adorable, wise, but insecure 12 year old. David loves living in Los Angeles much more than he did living in London. Here he is considered exotic and everyone wants to be his friend. Back in London he was routinely beat up by school bullies every day. He never told his dad this, because he thought Al would be disappointed in him. David loves his dad very much and is thrilled to learn that Al is going to stay in town. Though he has been in the US only four months, David has already lost his British accent. Does Not Have An Accent." The pair join the previously cast Jenica Bergere in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, which comes from executive producers Murray, Dan O'Keefe, David Martin, Jon Thoday and Richard Allen-Turner.
UNTITLED CHRIS SHERIDAN PROJECT (NBC) - Gail Mancuso ("Rodney") has been tapped to direct the comedy pilot, about two brothers - one's a life-long criminal while the other is an FBI agent (Eddie McClintock) - and their families who live next door to each other. She'll work from a script by creator Chris Sheridan. The untitled half-hour, which comes from 20th Century Fox Television, also stars Jana Marie Hupp and Virginia Williams.
UNTITLED DONAL LOGUE PROJECT (ABC) - Koji Kataoka (a guest star on "Committed") has joined the cast of the comedy pilot, about a group of blue-collar guys in New York City who decide to rob a celebrity. He'll play Teng in the Touchstone Television-based half-hour, which also stars Donal Logue, Josh Grisetti, Kevin Michael Richardson, Lenny Venito, Maz Jobrani and Sof�a Vergara. Jon Beckerman and Rob Burnett are behind the project, which the latter is directing. David Letterman also serves as an executive producer with Logue himself also having a producer credit.
UNTITLED JACE RICHDALE PROJECT (NBC) - Gary Halvorson ("Everybody Loves Raymond") has signed on to direct the comedy pilot, about a New York guy (Kevin Brennan) whose much younger brother (Nick Zano) moves in with him while attending NYU. He'll work from a script by Brennan and Jace Richdale. Also signing on is Bobby Lee (a recent guest star on "Curb Your Enthusiasm") as Larry Chang. He joins the previously cast Devin Ratray, Geoffrey Pierson and Sarah Rafferty.
UNTITLED PATRICIA HEATON PROJECT (ABC) - Lance Barber (Paulie G on "The Comeback") and Rebecca Wisocky (a guest star on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent") have both scored roles on the comedy pilot, about a widowed mother (Patricia Heaton) who joins the PTA, where she befriends two women she initially dislikes. They'll play Peter and Heike respectively in the Touchstone Television-based half-hour, full character details of which weren't released. Justine Bateman and Rebecca Wisocky also star in the project, which comes from creator Christine Zander and fellow executive producers Heaton, Gene Stein and Nina Wass. Ted Wass directs.
UNTITLED TINA FEY PROJECT (NBC) - Judah Friedlander (Nicky on "Date Movie") is the latest addition to the Tina Fey-led comedy pilot, about the head writer of a variety show (Tina Fey) who has to manage her relationships with the show's volatile star and executive producer. He'll play Frank in the project, who's described in the casting notice as: "Late 20s, Caucasian. A heavy-set staff writer, who sports long "ZZ Top"-style hair and glasses. He is the yin to TOOFER's yang, and they are continuously bantering and bickering, all in good fun. He obviously comes from a working-class background." Friedlander joins the previously cast Alec Baldwin, Jack McBrayer and Rachel Dratch in the NBC Universal Television-based half-hour, which Adam Bernstein is directing from a script by Fey. Fey, David Miner, JoAnn Alfano, Lorne Michaels and Marci Klein also serve as executive producers.
THE WINNER (A.K.A. BECOMING GLEN) (FOX) - The comedy pilot, about a successful fortysomething man who looks back at 1994, when he was a 32-year-old slacker (Rob Corddry) living with his parents and spending all his time lying on the couch watching TV, has been retitled "The Winner." Erinn Hayes, Julie Hagerty, Keir Gilchrist and Lenny Clarke also star in the 20th Century Fox Television-based half-hour, which comes from executive producers Ricky Blitt and Seth MacFarlane. Terry Hughes is directing.
Sources: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Reuters


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Driving wheels are great aren`t they? But can you find one for a reasonable price that's worth using? I think not , not everyone wants to spend 500 bucks on a set up to play a driving game (you can buy a real car for that price !) And the cheaper end are just that, cheap. So what do us part time racers have on offer?
The XBOX 360WIRELESS SPEED WHEEL that's what, and I must say when I took it out of the box I was a little underwhelmed by the look of the item, ( looks like it would be more at home in the plumbing section of my local DIY store !) that is until I used it with FORZA 4 and DIRT 3 then I realised what I had in my hands, at first it took a while to find a comfortable position and get used to the sensitivity but before long I was tearing it up around MONZA and the outback enjoying every twist and turn.
I don`t care what people say about this accessory (a wheel is the wrong description I think). This is a great item for the average gamer ,who doesn`t want a steering wheel and all the extras taking up space in their living room, ok some folks have complained that it makes your arms ache, but if you rest your elbows on your knees then it isn`t a problem. come on people adapt !
It does cover the gap between a controller and a steering wheel and it is a bold and innovative move on MICROSOFTS part .You see with driving games as we all know using a controller doesn`t quite do it for many of us , driving a car using your thumbs! don`t think so ,it`s just not real enough, but with the XBOX 360 SPEED WHEEL that all changes, with the ease of use of a controller, and the feel of a steering wheel (sort of) .
I honestly don`t think MICROSOFT are trying to outdo the good conventional steering wheel, it`s more of filling that gap between controller and wheel, and this does the trick. The big wheel manufacturers shouldn't feel threatened by this accessory, as it is obviously aimed at the average gamer that only plays the occasional driving game.
Let's face it folks if you take your driving simulation games seriously (and there are a lot of you out there who do) you're not going to buy one, but if you don't want to waste $60 on a low end steering wheel that's about as responsive as dogs pelt, then get one of these you get a well built bit of kit that's surprisingly good, for the same price. "job done".
I still don`t understand why MICROSOFT decided to end production of their excellent mounted steering wheel, as this this should not be viewed as a replacement, this is of course, a gap filler and not a credible steering wheel as such, If this is the intention of MICROSOFT then they have made an error as there are still gamers out there ,who would prefer a reasonably priced quality conventional wheel, and now we have either cheap alternatives or expensive high end versions. Come on Microsoft give us more choice!
As for the wheel itself it has all the regular buttons and triggers that a controller has and feels good to hold, nice solid built design (not cheap rubbish) and you can put it away without it standing around gathering dust like a wheel would.
Motion sensors and intuitive steering make for a pretty enjoyable experience (once you have got the hang of it) the triggers are the usual Gas and Brake ,there is the good old rumble feedback ,and all the classic button configuration is there .
What can I say The XBOX 360 WIRELESS STEERING WHELL is indeed an innovative and well built accessory for the right price, and I am impressed for one. The thing I don`t like is that we have no real choice in the matter as to what wheel we have to buy from MICROSOFT ,they should have given us a choice of conventional or this one ,Don`t get me wrong this is a great device but it`s not a steering wheel, it is just a controller that you can steer with .Hats off to the developers as with the KINECT , MICROSOFT are still breaking new ground and that`s a good thing, as I am sure other gamers would agree we would have liked a choice and we have been denied that .
• Manufacturer : Microsoft
• Price : $59.99 (02/12/2011)

subset: commoncrawl


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Empathica, a global provider of Customer Experience Management (CEM) solutions to multiunit enterprises, released burger brand findings from the 2013 Quick Service Restaurant Benchmark Study, which surveyed 10,000 U.S. consumers and determined brand rankings in categories such as food, staff, and atmosphere, as well as the drivers behind social media engagement and loyalty.
American burger-brand guests were asked to rate their recent visit to a burger chain on a number of factors, and a "percent delighted" score was calculated by averaging ratings of overall satisfaction, likelihood of revisiting, value for money paid, and likelihood of recommending.
The Benchmark then ranked America's top quick-service burger brands from highest percent delighted to lowest, with the ranks as follows:
- In-N-Out Burger: 66 percent
- Five Guys: 57 percent
- Whataburger: 49 percent
- Culver's: 48 percent
- Steak 'n Shake: 46 percent
- Krystal: 43 percent
- Sonic Drive-In: 43 percent
- Dairy Queen: 40 percent
- Jack in the Box: 36 percent
- White Castle: 36 percent
- Carl's Jr.: 35 percent
- Hardee's: 34 percent
- Wendy's: 34 percent
- McDonald's: 32 percent
- Checkers: 30 percent
- Burger King: 29 percent
Findings show that the top three burger brands by sales—McDonald's, Burger King, and Wendy's—are ranked at or near the bottom of guest satisfaction in almost all categories including food, staff, menu, and atmosphere.
These results demonstrate that a high number of locations and visits do not necessarily lead to high customer satisfaction, a key driver in customer loyalty.
"Our findings reveal that the top drivers of burger chain visits include speed, price, and menu, followed by portion, staff, and promotion," says Dr. Gary Edwards, chief customer officer at Empathica.
"However, these are not the same drivers of customer satisfaction. The ultimate goal for location managers is to keep their guests coming back," he adds. "Most [quick-service] burger brands are delivering a good product to guests, but this is table stakes in driving customer delight. To achieve this goal, burger [concepts] must provide a continually exceptional experience in addition to a great-tasting, quickly served food item. Conversely, the smaller specialty burger chains like In-N-Out Burger, Five Guys, and Whataburger do a consistent job on both product and service quality."
Benchmark results show factors important to Americans when selecting a burger quick serve for dine-in, take-out, and drive-thru experiences. Food taste was the top factor in each dining experience category, while menu variety was least important when making a burger chain choice.
Americans continually cite "felt valued" and "attentive staff" as important factors when making their burger chain selection. Guests rely on previous experiences when selecting a burger concept, whether they select a dine-in, take-out, or drive-thru option.
Empathica findings reveal marked differences in customer satisfaction for several quick-serve burger brands between lunch and dinner dining. While In-N-Out Burger and Five Guys held strong at the top two rankings for both meals, Krystal dropped from ranking seventh during lunch to 15th at dinner.
Jack in the Box had an opposite switch, moving from 13th at lunch to sixth during dinner.
"Interestingly, several brands are really failing to deliver what customers expect across occasions. It is critical that brands deliver a high-quality, consistent experience regardless of whether the guest comes into a location in Dallas for lunch or a late night snack in Des Moines," Edwards says. "We know that customer loyalty is the sum of all their experiences with the brand, so consistency really is king—customers have to know what they are getting, regardless of location or occasion.
"The burger chain Benchmark results are consistent with what Empathica has found in our overall [quick-serve] findings," he continues. "It's clear that location number and size do not equate with high customer satisfaction. National burger chains need to focus on improving the little things that make a guest's experience exceptional, as well as making it seamless throughout the time of day or occasion choice."


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What To Watch On Election Night, Hour By Hour
Stock up on munchies and make sure the batteries in your TV remote are fresh. With this year's presidential election razor-close to the finish, Tuesday could be a long night.
Even if the presidency isn't decided until after midnight Eastern Standard Time, there will be plenty of clues early in the evening on how things are going for President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney. Obama has more options for piecing together the 270 electoral votes needed for victory, so any early setbacks for Romney could be important portents of how the night will end.
Here's a timetable for armchair election watchers on how the night will unfold, based on what time the last polls close in each state. All times are EST.
7 p.m.: Polls close in six states but all eyes will be on Virginia, the first of the battleground states to begin reporting results. If either candidate is comfortably ahead in Virginia, with 13 electoral votes, that could be a leading indicator of which way the night is going.
Virginia typically has been fairly fast at counting ballots. But there's a new voter ID law in the state that could complicate things this year. Voters who don't bring identification to the polls still can have their ballots counted if they produce ID by Friday. If the race in Virginia is super tight, it could come down to those provisional ballots. On Election Night, no one will even know how many of them are out there.
Virginia is especially important for Romney. In 2008, Obama became the first Democratic presidential candidate to carry Virginia since 1964. Keep an eye on turnout in northern Virginia's Democratic strongholds for an early idea of which way the state will go.
7:30 p.m.: Polls close in three states, including all-important Ohio (18 electoral votes) and competitive North Carolina (15).
If Ohio is particularly close, and polls suggest it might be, there's a chance the outcome there won't be known until after Election Day, and the presidency could hinge on it. In the last several elections, between 2 percent and 3 percent of the state's votes came from provisional ballots, which aren't counted until later. In 2004, after a long, tense night counting votes, the presidential race wasn't decided until 11 a.m. the next day, when Democrat John Kerry called President George Bush to concede Ohio and the presidency.
Romney desperately needs Ohio; no Republican has won the presidency without it. Without Ohio, Romney would need victories in nearly all the remaining up-for-grabs states and he'd have to pick off key states now leaning Obama's way, such as Wisconsin and Iowa. Obama has more work-arounds than Romney if he can't claim Ohio.
In North Carolina, the most conservative of the hotly contested states, Romney appeared to have the late edge in polling. Obama, who narrowly won the state in 2008, has paid less attention to it recently. An Obama victory there could point to broader troubles for Romney.
8 p.m.: More pieces of the puzzle will start falling into place as polls close in the District of Columbia and 16 states, including battlegrounds Florida (29) and New Hampshire (four).
Democratic-leaning parts of Florida tend to be the last places to report, so be careful about jumping to a conclusion if Romney looks strong early on. Most of the polls in Florida close at 7 p.m. EST, so by 8 p.m. EST, when the last polls close, results will start to roll out quickly.
But fully 4.5 percent of votes in Florida weren't counted on election night in 2008, so if things are tight, no one's going to be hasty about declaring a victor in the state. Especially after the 2000 fiasco in which the winner in Florida, and thus the presidency, wasn't determined for more than a month. If you want to get really granular, Hillsborough County, home to Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, is widely considered a bellwether for the state.
Tiny New Hampshire is another competitive state to watch closely.
Also keep watch on Pennsylvania for any signs of a Romney surprise. The state has long been considered safe for Obama, but Republicans started running ads there in the final week of the campaign and the GOP ticket was campaigning there Sunday. No Republican presidential candidate has carried the state in nearly a quarter century.
8:30 p.m.: Polls close in Arkansas (six), where Romney is comfortably ahead in surveys.
9 p.m.: Polls close in 14 states, including battlegrounds Colorado (nine) and Wisconsin (10). Democrats have carried Wisconsin for six straight presidential elections and Obama had the edge in polling going in, so a flip here would be especially noteworthy.
Colorado, where almost 80 percent of voters cast early ballots, could be a straggler because it's so close. Historically, as much as 10 percent of the state's vote doesn't get counted on election night, and those ballots could be decisive in a close race.
Information from exit polls could help flesh out the Colorado picture: Young professionals and Hispanic voters were central to Obama's victory there in 2008, but the sluggish economy has hurt his standing.
Two more to watch: Minnesota and Michigan. The states long have been considered safe for Obama, but the Republicans made late moves there.
10 p.m.: Polls close in four states, including the last of the battlegrounds, Iowa (six) and Nevada (six).
Iowa's been leaning toward Obama, but watch how the vote breaks down geographically. Can Romney's advantage in GOP-heavy western Iowa overcome Obama's edge in eastern swing territory?
If Obama wins Ohio and Wisconsin, Romney would have to have help from the West, in places like Nevada and Colorado. Nevada, where two-thirds of the electorate votes early, has been moving Obama's direction in recent weeks, powered by strength in huge labor and Hispanic voting blocs. A Romney incursion there would really mean something
11 p.m.: Polls close in five western states, but most are foregone conclusions for Obama. He gets 78 electoral votes from California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington; Romney gets four from Idaho.
1 a.m. Wednesday: The last of the polls close, in Alaska. Romney gets three electoral votes. Will many people still be up?
Political junkies could well be waiting to see how things play out in one or more battleground states.
This program aired on November 3, 2012. The audio for this program is not available.


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Marshawn Powell was awesome. 33 points and 4 threes is a career high. He may be the best in-game three point shooter on the team, which is not necessarily a great thing. Although, Mardracus Wade did hit a pair of threes in the second half, which will hopefully get him on track.
BJ Young scored 10 points, including the game winner with just seconds remaining. Wade also had 10 while Rashad Madden and Coty Clarke pitched in 8 points each.
One of the interesting things about this game is that the starters played more minutes than in most previous games. So far this season, Mike Anderson has made an effort to balance more minutes with the bench, but in this game, four players were on the court for at least 30 minutes. In the Syracuse game, Young was the only one to hit that number. That may be something to watch as we move forward. But it's safe to expect the bench to play more when Arkansas gets to the soft portion of the non conference schedule after Saturday's Michigan game.
It should be pointed out that Kikko Haydar's three point shot turned out to be the difference in the game. Just saying.
Here's the recap from UA Media Relations
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Junior Marshawn Powell scored a career high 33 points and sophomore BJ Young knocked down the game-winner to lead the University of Arkansas basketball team to an 81-78 win over Oklahoma on Tuesday night at Bud Walton Arena.
Powell had a banner night to go along with his 33 points; he grabbed a game-high six rebounds with five assists. The junior from Newport News, Va., went 11-of-17 from the floor, hit a career best four three-point baskets and hit 7-of-8 from the free throw line. His 33 points are the most by a Razorback since young tallied 31 against Florida last season.
"Powell had a career night," head coach Mike Anderson said. "His presence was very important and evident tonight. He is a versatile guy and he was in a zone."
Arkansas (4-3) was able to respond from a late Oklahoma rally when Young hit a layup with 15 seconds to play. Powell sank two free throws moments later after grabbing a rebound on a missed Oklahoma shot.
"Two good teams really competed tonight," Anderson said. "Our guys played more relaxed and in rhythm. It was good to see them get better and be rewarded with a win."
Young also had a standout day, distributing the ball amongst his teammates, as the sophomore tallied a career-high eight assists. Young and junior Mardracus Wade assisted the Razorbacks as they both finished the game in double-digits with 10 points each.
In the first half, the Razorbacks started out a little slow as they were down by four at the start of the game. However, the Hogs went on a 7-0 run, which started with a two-point jumper by sophomore Hunter Mickelson. Powell would extend the lead with two consecutive baskets, the first a three-pointer and next a layup, making the score 9-6. Arkansas grabbed their largest lead of the first at the 4:51 mark with a layup by Powell to extend the Razorbacks a nine-point lead at 31-22. However the Sooners would regroup and answer the Razorback charge chipping away at the lead. At the halftime buzzer the Razorbacks were clinging to a three-point lead, 41-38.
Powell led the Razorbacks in the first half going an impressive 3-of-3 from the three-point line. At the completion of the first half Powell had tallied 19 points, two boards and one assist. Young also recorded a notable six assists in just the first half, tying his career-high which he set against Texas Southern last season.
Arkansas started off the second half extending their lead as Powell went on a 4-0 run of his own with a layup and two free throws to make the score 45-38, extending the Razorback lead to seven. With 17:21 remaining in the second Wade sank a three-pointer only to come back 49 seconds later and drain a second-consecutive three, giving Arkansas an 11-point lead, which was their largest lead of the game, 51-40.
The Sooners however, would chip away at the Razorback lead and cut the game to one-point until sophomore Rashad Madden took matters into his own hands. With 4:42 left on the clock and the crowd on its feet, Madden would drain consecutive layups, giving Arkansas a five-point lead, 73-68.
The game would come down to the wire as the clock hit 1:24 remaining and Arkansas was holding on to just a three-point lead after a Sooner layup. The Hogs needed a score and it was Young who delivered it with a layup with 51 seconds remaining, giving Arkansas a five point cushion (77-72). Just seconds later a Sooner three-point basket hushed the roaring Razorback crowd as Oklahoma cut the game to two, 79-78. A missed jumper by Oklahoma and a defensive rebound by Powell sent the crowd to its feet as the Sooners were forced to play the foul game. Powell delivered in the clutch, knocking down both of his free throws to make it a three-point game with just two seconds remaining.
The Razorbacks will take the court this Saturday in Ann Arbor, Mich., as the Hogs face No. 3 Michigan. The game will be televised on CBS at 11 a.m. CT.


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Create a Website Account - Manage notification subscriptions, save form progress and more.
Have a neighbor whose pride shines through their property? Nominate them for a Community Image Award. View the Community Image Award Page to learn more.
Report a property maintenance issue in your neighborhood.
There are 19 officially designated neighborhoods in Hopkins. At this time 7 of those 19 have active neighborhood organizations.
A Neighborhood Watch group is composed of concerned neighbors who have joined together to help reduce crime in their community.
We think of our homes as shelters from everyday conflict. This makes it that much more difficult when conflict with neighbors creeps into our homes, and that much more important to find ways to get along with neighbors.
Loud, unpleasant, raucous, or prolonged noise is a public nuisance. Between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., the City Code prohibits gatherings of people from which noise emanates of sufficient volume that it disturbs the peace and quiet, and can easily be heard at a distance of 50 feet from any residential dwelling.


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Daniel Pink's new book, "Drive:The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us," just came out. I found it to be a very interesting "read," though have to admit I was a little bit disappointed that — as far as practical applications to teaching — it didn't have that much beyond what could be found in his must-see TED Talk (see My Thoughts On A Very Intriguing Video On Motivation & Incentives).
As I wrote in that post:
He cites a lot of research debunking the effectiveness of extrinsic rewards on motivation. This isn't news to the many of us whom have read Alfie Kohn's excellent book Punished By Rewards. However, he seems to provide a slightly more nuanced critique.
Pink basically says that extrinsic rewards do work — for mechanical work that doesn't require much higher-order thinking. But he says research says that it will not work for anything that requires higher-order thinking skills and creativity.
This analysis mirrors my own experience in the classroom. In Have You Ever Taught A Class That Got "Out Of Control"? I shared the challenges I faced last year in using extrinsic motivation to get students into a new pattern of behavior, and then moving them back toward intrinsic motivation. Using "points" was definitely effective in getting the class under control. They received them for being focused and doing their work.
However, I didn't think students started doing their highest quality work until they were "weaned" off the point system and began to gain what Pink calls "autonomy, mastery, and purpose." Pink says that those are the three essential elements in generating higher-order thinking skills.
One thing I did learn from the book was that behavioral scientists define these two categories into "algorithmic" and "heuristic." Here is how he defines the difference on page 29:
An algorithmic task is one in which you follow a set of established instructions down a single pathway to one conclusion. That is, there's an algorithm for solving it. A heuristic task is the opposite. Precisely because no algorithm exists for it, you have to experiment with possibilities and devise a novel solution. Working as a grocery checkout cleark is mostly algorithmic. You do pretty much the same thing over and over in a certain way. Creating an ad campaign is mostly heuristic. You have to come up with something new.
I was struck by the similarity of algorithmic and heuristic to what Gladwell and others have framed as "puzzles" and "mysteries." I've written more about that at Is Figuring Out How To Make Schools Better A Puzzle Or A Mystery?
Another particularly useful part of the book — related to teaching — is a good review of Carol Dweck's research and writing, though I think you can get the same information directly from her — see What Kind Of Feedback Should We Give Our Students?; The Difference Between Praise & Acknowledgment; and Reading Logs — Part Two (or "How Students Can Grow Their Brains").
The nice thing about Pink's book is that he shares a lot of neat research in an accessible way. I was also impressed by his explanation of Edward Deci's work on self-determination theory. I also use Deci's research in my book that will be published in April, English Language Learners: Teaching Strategies That Work (Linworth Publishing).
You can read an interview with Pink at the Wall Street Journal, which also has published an excerpt from his book.
I'd be interested in hearing other people's reactions to the book. Please leave a comment…


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I'm working on a website redesign. I have suggested that we should add a tagline to the logo to make clear what this page is all about.
The client argument is that most people already know what this site is all about when they land on the home page and therefore a tagline will have no benefit.
Any thoughts about adding a tagline to a logo? What are the pros and cons?
(For context, the website is www.pipl.com - The suggested tag line would be 'Pipl - People Search')


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There was high drama Sunday night at Boston's Fenway Park. In the second inning, Red Sox pitcher Ryan Dempster threw four straight pitches that sure seemed to be designed to hit New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez.
Rodriguez, of course, is appealing a 211-game suspension for allegedly violating baseball's Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. He's not the most popular person in baseball these days — at least not among players who haven't used performance-enhancing drugs. And being a Yankee, he was already hated in Boston.
It was on the fourth pitch that Dempster plunked Rodriguez in the elbow and side. That led to warnings to both teams and an angry tirade from Yankees manager Joe Girardi (because Dempster wasn't ejected). Girardi was the one who ended up being tossed from the game. Boston fans loved it all.
But the story doesn't end there. As ESPN explains, A-Rod "responded to being hit by a pitch the best way he knows how — with a home run." His sixth-inning blast "carried New York to a 9-6 win."
After the game, Rodriguez was asked if he thought Dempster should be punished. According to ESPN, A-Rod responded with a smile and said, "I'm the wrong guy to be asking about suspensions."
Dempster, by the way, says he wasn't trying to hit Rodriguez. "I was just trying to pitch him inside," the pitcher said after the game.
Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Notebook-Size Platform For Tethered Shooting
Aug 11, 2011
Notebook-Size Platform For Tethered Shooting
Recently I treated myself to the Manfrotto 131DDB Double Head Support (USA) / (AUS) which allows me to mount both my camera and a laptop on the same tripod, for when I'm shooting tethered.
Now all I needed was a platform for my notebook; but all I could find available were platforms for laptops. Too big for what I needed and I also wanted something a little more secure so that my notebook would not be easily knocked over.
What Will You Need?
- A Lamington baking tray or similar
- A drill and highspeed drill 3/8″ bit[the standard size of a tripod mounting pin]
- A Reamer
- A medium size screwdriver
- A hobby knife
- A sheet of plain paper, a pen and sharp sissors.
- A 1/2″ high wingnut and washer to fit 3/8″
- A 1/2″ thick piece of compressed foam
- A hacksaw [Not shown]
- Metal File [Not shown]
- Pliers [Not shown]
- Tin Snips [Not shown]
- A "Martin" [or any other assistant handy with drilling/sawing etc. :)]
1. Trace around the notebook on a piece of plain paper and cut out the shape. This allows you to buy the right sized baking tray and piece of compressed
2. Use the advertising paper inside the baking tray [showing the make, brand etc] to trace the inner size of the baking tray on the foam.
3. Cut out the traced foam shape using sharp scissors and place inside the baking tray. This is important so that the notebook is at the right height for the next step.
4. With the tethering cable plugged into the USB port of the Notebook, place the notebox in the tray. With this in place mark with the pen where a hole needs to be cut for the cable to fit [including both width and depth]. This is marked on the tray using the pen [or you could score it using scissors].
5. Use the hacksaw to cut down the two marks. If your baking tray also has a curled edge, after cutting through the edge use the pliers to straighten
out the curl, before continuing to saw. Once you have reached the required depth, use the tin snips to cut the piece out.
[Hint: If possible clamp down the tray before cutting as it tends to move around. In this case we didn't have this option, so the tray was on the bench up against the wall, with a towel or rag between it and the wall to protect the wall surface. I also held onto the far end out the tray to help stabilize it but making sure I was out of harms way should the hacksaw slip].
6. After checking to make sure the hole is correct, remove the foam and use a metal file to remove any burrs or rough edges.
7. Drill a hole 3/8″ in the very centre of the tray. Place the foam inside the tray, turn the tray over and mark where the hole is. Then place the wingnut over the pen mark and trace around the outside. This will give you the size of the hole you will need to cut in to the centre of the foam.
8. Cut out the hole in the foam using the hobby knife.
9. Place the tray on the Manfrotto support and secure with the washer and then wingnut. Finally place the foam into the tray. You can glue it down, although in the end I decided not to, in case I ever need to clean or replace it.
And there you have it – a Noteboox-size platform for your tripod or support. :)
Special thank you to Martin Creely for assisting with this project. :)
About The Author
Morgana Creely is a fine art photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. Morgana specializes in alternative portraits and conceptual images, and also runs workshops to create Images That Tell Stories. You can check out more of her work, tips and image at her blog or at her website.
Udi Tirosh
Udi Tirosh is an entrepreneur, photography inventor, journalist, educator, and writer based in Israel. With over 25 years of experience in the photo-video industry, Udi has built and sold several photography-related brands. Udi has a double degree in mass media communications and computer science.
Join the Discussion
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Be nice, be on-topic, no personal information or flames.


text:
Rafael will document how to "publish" built-in XP applications so that they appear under Windows 7 with XP Mode (apps installed after the fact are auto-published), but here's a fun shot of IE 6 (XP) and IE 8 running side by side under Windows 7:
Good stuff.
(Note that, as you can see above, XP apps aren't [currently?] able to use Aero Snap, so I had to manually position that window.)
Hide comments


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Jennifer Lopez Shoots New Music Video in Acapulco
Generally speaking, most 42-year-old mothers of twins would find it difficult to pull off a look that involves skin-tight leather pants, a sparkling shirt, and/or cornrows, but Jennifer Lopez plays by a different set of rules — and to prove it, she danced around in the aforementioned wardrobe while shooting her latest video in Acapulco, Mexico.
The clip, said to be for Lopez's next single 'Follow the Leader,' was filmed with reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel. She tweeted from the set, telling followers, "2nd Video in Mexico with @wisinyyandel #FollowTheLeader Love it here! #LosLideres Siempre al frente!"
She was joined on the set by her latest boyfriend, 24-year-old former backup dancer Casper Smart, who is apparently directing the video. The Daily Mail snapped a steady stream of pictures of the lovebirds getting cozy between takes. They looked like they were having a fine time — which is pretty much how you look if you're cuddling up in sunny Acapulco instead of sitting cooped up at the 'American Idol' judges' table.
The new single will likely come attached to Lopez's next greatest hits release, scheduled for later in 2012. It's shaping up to be a busy year for the actress/singer/entrepreneur, who will appear in the upcoming films 'What to Expect When You're Expecting' and 'Ice Age 4′ while maintaining her duties on 'American Idol' and the Latin talent series 'Q'Viva! The Chosen,' which she's co-producing with her ex-husband Marc Anthony.


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Let's face it — rising food costs are negatively impacting our budgets — and that's especially true at Walt Disney World!
With years of Disney dining experiences between our "ears" ;-), we've learned some cost-saving measures that can truly help. And since we're all about sharing (unless we've got our hands on our favorite school bread), we want to let you in on great ways to save on food during your next Disney vacation.
In our The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 e-Book, we have a whole chapter about budgeting and saving at Disney World. Pick up your copy here for an extra $4 off using code 2013 for a limited time!
The legwork's already done! Reading our comprehensive DFB Guide will help you find great membership savings, coupons, and more ideas to help you save as much as you can on your trip.
3 Great Ways to Save on Dining at Disney World
Here are just a few of the great ways to save on food when visiting Walt Disney World that we included in the DFB Guide to help you stretch your vacation dollars.
1. Eat breakfast as your biggest meal.
Before heading to your first attraction, feast on a hearty breakfast. Breakfast can not only be exceptionally filling (and can be healthier than lunch or dinner), it's the least expensive time of day to dine in Disney World! So fill up on breakfast and have a few snacks instead of big lunches and dinners as you go through the day.
Even character meals are less pricey at breakfast!
2. Ask about an "entree-only" price at counter service locations.
Counter Service menus usually include side items, and the prices reflect those extras. Don't really feel like fries with your cheeseburger? Ask a Cast Member if there's an entree-only price. You may be able to knock off the extra cost (and calories!) of those fries when you order an entree with no sides!
3. Dine off-site or at non-Disney owned locations.
It's no secret that once you enter those purple gates of Walt Disney World that food costs soar. Dining at an off-site location will offer the greatest savings in your dining budget — even if you add the cost of taxi to get there.
Or you can seek out restaurants that are not owned by Disney but still conveniently located on Disney property. While not always a guaranteed slam dunk of savings, these can occasionally offer cheaper options. One great choice is Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney!
What Other Ways Can We Save?
These budget-busting tips are in addition to dozens of other money-saving strategies we list in The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 — like where to get free samples, how to quench your thirst for less, foods you can bring with you, where to get discounts and coupons, when to visit for the best savings, and more!
Be sure to check out The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 for extensive information on money-saving methods when dining at Disney.
Our up-to-date Disney Dining discount section will help you prepare for a vacation that's within your budget! Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 E-book — and use code 2013 for an extra $4 discount for a limited time!
What ways do you save on food while on a Disney vacation? Share your tips in the comments below and help us all have extra funds for cupcakes!


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Vol. V, No. 3, Summer 1992 |
Summer 1989
by Russel Gerlach
To some the suggestion that there might be such a thing as German Ozarks will seem strange. The popular image f the Ozarks is one of a region reflecting a British heritage brought by descendants of early English and Celtic settlers who had slowly trekked west from the Atlantic coast to the hills of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. To be sure, the British heritage of the Ozarks was the dominant cultural force throughout much of the region in past times, and to some extent remains so to this day. Yet, a second tradition is suggested by Ozarks place names such as Frankenstein (Osage County), Rhineland (Montgomery County), Freistatt (Lawrence County) and Altenburg (Perry County). These and other Teutonic place names suggest a German presence in the Ozarks, and it was and continues to be a major presence.
Germans first entered the Ozarks in the 18th century at a time when the Louisiana Territory was under the control of the French and then the Spanish. Some Germans were mixed in with the English, Welsh and Scotch-Irish who moved west from the Alleghenies in the early 18th century. Through intermarriage and separation from ethnic kin they soon lost the trappings of their Old World heritage. These assimilated Germans found their way to most parts of the Ozarks and their descendants remain in the region to this day. Along with descendants of many European nationalities, they form part of what one might call the old-stock American population of the region.
The first distinctly German settlement in the Ozarks occurred in 1798 when a group of German-Swiss from North Carolina located in the Whitewater Creek bottoms of Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties. The Whitewater Dutch, as they were known, remained distinctive for some generations and their farms were said to be the best in that section of the territory. Over the next several decades Germans trickled into Missouri with most locating along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers west and south from St. Louis. By 1818, in anticipation of a large number of foreign immigrants, an Immigrant Aid Society was organized in St. Louis, especially for the Germans and Irish.
A particularly notable early German settler in the Ozarks was one Gottfried Duden, an educated Rhinelander who immigrated to Missouri in 1824 and took a farm near the present location of Dutzow in Warren County. Duden published a book in 1829 entitled Reise nach dern Westlichen Staaten [Travel Through the Western States], in which he described the lands along the Missouri River as geographically similar to southern Germany, but without the social drawbacks -- a region where one could practice hillside horticulture and yet be free of the convention-ridden society of 19th century Germany. In subsequent years thousands of his countrymen emigrated directly to Missouri as a result of his glowing and somewhat exaggerated description of the State. Many of those attracted to Missouri by the writings of Duden were men of means and education. Known as "Latin Farmers" because of their knowledge of Greek and Latin, they came to Missouri seeking a utopian life. Many of them failed. Some returned to Germany; others settled in St. Louis; and a few committed suicide. In addition to the writings of Duden, at least a dozen other travel books in the German language that focused on Missouri were in circulation in Europe by 1830.
Despite the failure of some of the followers of Duden, Missouri became a center of German settlement in America after 1830. St. Louis evolved as the primary distribution hub for Germans in the middle Mississippi Valley and, as a result, became a major center of German culture and influenced the location of many German communities in the vicinity. German immigration to Missouri proved to be highly organized with many settlers coming directly to St. Louis from Germany by way of New Orleans, and large numbers were associated with organized settlement societies.
Some Germans came to Missouri with the hope of establishing a "Germania in America." The first
such effort was organized by the Giezner Gesellschaft which brought 500 settlers recruited from
throughout Germany to a location near Duden's farm in Warren County in 1834. Over the next
several years other organized German groups settled in the same area, including the Berlin Society
in the town of Washington in Franklin County, and the Solingen Society which established a
settlement at Tavern Creek in the same county. The largest and most ambitious effort to establish
a German state in Missouri occurred only a few years later. In Philadelphia, the cradle of German
colonization in America, the German Settlement Society of Philadelphia was formed in the 1820s
to establish a German colony somewhere in the "Far West." The society selected a site in northern
Gasconade County and thus was begun the colony of Hermann. German settlers continued
coming up the Missouri River leading one observer to characterize the route from St. Louis to the
west as "a veritable German highway." The Germans continued moving west along the river,
buying out Americans as they went, eventually reaching Kansas City.
In addition to settlements along the Missouri River, other Germans moved south from St. Louis establishing communities along the Mississippi all the way to the Missouri Boot Heel. The majority were Catholic. In Ste. Genevieve County, German Catholic communities were established at New Offenburg, Zell, Coffman and Weingarten in the 1840s, and Germans moved into formerly French settlements such as River aux Vases and even Ste. Genevieve itself. The settlement of Germans continued south into Perry and Cape Girardeau counties where large numbers from Baden located in the 1840s and 1850s.
Some Germans were attracted to the Ozarks seeking religious freedom. Osage County attracted several thousand German Catholics whose principal reason for emigrating from Germany was religious. Their spiritual leader, Father Helias, established a parish in Westphalia in 1834, and in subsequent years seventeen settlements, composed primarily of Rhinelanders, were established in Osage, Cole, Miller and Maries counties. In Perry County, a large settlement of "Old Lutherans" from Saxony was established in 1839. They came to Missouri with the goal of establishing a semi-autonomous theocratic community, and from their original settlements of Altenburg, Wittenberg and Frohna have come to dominate eastern Perry County.
A filling-in process followed the initial phase of German settlement in the Ozarks. As word filtered back to Germany, more Germans came. In most cases they settled in areas already having large German populations. More than most groups, Germans placed great value on land quality. The areas initially occupied by Germans in the Ozarks were, in most cases, those with high quality soils. By the time of the Civil War German settlements were confined to the northern and eastern Ozarks borders where the hills were capped with loess, a rich material deposited by winds during the time of the glaciers. Inland, where the loess was absent and the soils were thin and rocky, Germans established no significant settlements. Even though thousands of Germans continued to enter the Ozarks annually, the areas of German settlement did not expand significantly with the exception of several small settlements associated with the railroads in the 1870s and 1880s.
Ozarks Germans, more than most groups, have remained where they originally located.
Locational stability, as Carl Sauer observed, has been a distinguishing characteristic of this
particular group. The German areas of the Ozarks are as heavily German today as they were in the
mid-19th century if not more so. The core areas of Ozarks German settlements, such as those in
Gasconade, Osage and Perry counties, are often 90 percent or more German, and usually unmixed
German. As a result, a sense of ethnic group or community has persisted among Ozarks Germans
to a remarkable degree. Not only do they share a common historical bond, but they continue their
participation in Old World religious denominations. Lutheran, Evangelical and Reformed, and
Catholic churches in the rural Ozarks remain for the most part ethnic German churches. The use
of spoken German, while in decline in German settlements throughout the United States, has held
its own among the Ozarks Germans. In these and other ways, ethnicity is an active part of life for
Ozarks Germans rather than being simply an historical legacy put on occasional view in the form
of festivals and other commemorative events. (That the Ozarks Germans still have them is
evidenced by the annual Maifest at Hermann, and the Erntfest at Freistatt.)
German cultural landscapes in the Ozarks reflect their Old World heritage in both obvious and subtle ways. They did bring to the Ozarks some distinctly German settlement features. Old World string villages, or Strassendoffer, are found in several Ozarks locales such as Westphalia, Altenburg and Frohna. While most Germans abandoned traditional Old World architectural styles, there are examples of half timbering, combination house barns, and side opening threshing barns in the German settled areas. Their landscapes reflect order, long-term investment and a neatness that appear to be lacking in the region as a whole. Their buildings were large and often constructed of brick or native stone, suggesting a desire for permanence. In fact, many of their original structures remain occupied to this day. They were grain farmers in a region better known for its livestock, and their carefully fenced fields continue to reflect this emphasis. They were known as good and careful farmers who developed land in a region better known for the exploitation of its land.
In these and other ways Ozarks Germans have retained their distinctive character. Their
settlements look different whether one is looking at place names, structures, field patterns or
churches. They maintain traditions that set them apart from others in the region whether in the
churches they attend, the amount of beer they consume, or to whom they will sell their land.
However, like most hyphenated Americans, Ozarks German-Americans have experienced
enormous pressures to assimilate. Over the last century the emphasis has shifted from German
prior to World War I, to German-American up to World War II, then to American in the years
that followed. It is likely that we are nearing the end of a living German Ozarks which will soon
pass to a relic German landscape. Then, like Ste. Genevieve and the French, we will remember
our Ozarks German heritage primarily through the material culture they left behind rather than
through the people whose ancestors originally brought it.
Gerlach, Russel L., Immigrants in the Ozarks (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1976)
Settlement Patterns in Missouri (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1986)
Marshall, Howard W. and Goodrich, James W., eds., The German-American Experience in Missouri, Publications of the Missouri Cultural Heritage Center, No. 2 (Columbia: University of Missouri, 1986)
Copyright -- OzarksWatch
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April 2, 2012
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture speaking April 10 at McCain
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will present Kansas State University's spring 2012 Landon Lecture at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 10, in McCain Auditorium.
Vilsack has served since January 2009 as the nation's 30th secretary of agriculture. His focuses have been on strengthening the American agricultural economy, revitalizing rural communities, protecting and conserving our natural resources, and providing a safe, sufficient and nutritious food supply.
For more information, read the news release about this lecture.


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Editing Wikitext/Headings
Formal heading styles are used in nearly all WikiBooks pages and for that matter, for all of the sister projects' pages as well. They clearly show a degree of organization in the work, and they are absolutely essential if the user intends to take advantage of the automatically generated table of contents, (TOC).
The following notes explain how to make wiki headings, and introduces the table of contents. Notes are provided on moving the TOC around, and constraining its behavior. For those who intend to put the TOC into a table cell at the top of a page, refer to Images in Containers, and Templates Ready to Use.
Heading levels[edit | edit source]
There are six levels of heading styles and all of them are made by surrounding the heading text with an appropriate number of equals signs. The HTML heading styles are equivalent and so optionally, the heading text can be surrounded by the HTML tags instead. As an example; to make a level two heading, the largest practical heading, write either of the following at the left margin:
==Heading Text==

Heading Text

To make smaller headings just increase the number of equals signs, or use larger numbers in the HTML tags. It was stated above that there are six levels but the first level is usually reserved for the page heading, and making a table of contents with more that three levels can be messy. As a result it is most common to stick to levels two, three and four, or to use the HTML equivalent, h2, h3 and h4. By insuring that smaller headings come below larger headings in the text, the TOC will indent the sub-levels accordingly, and automatically insert the required links.
At times a heading is needed for text in a table. Wikitext heading codes can have an adverse effect on tables and templates. When this happens, changing to the HTML versions of the heading will often solve the problem.
The level two heading style inserts a line across the page whether it is needed or not, but to add a similar line with the other headings, just type four hyphens at the left margin as follows:
Summary of Headings[edit | edit source]
The following table contains a summary of the headings that can be made.
Wikitext | Result | HTML | Description |
=Text= |
Text |

Text
 |
h1 is mostly for page headings |
==Text== |
Text |

Text
 |
h2 heads a section |
===Text=== |
Text |

Text
 |
h3 heads a subsection of h2 |
====Text==== |
Text |

Text
 |
h4 heads a subsection of h3 |
=====Text===== |
Text |

Text
 |
h5 is rarely used |
======Text====== |
Text |

Text
 |
h6 is rarely used |
Hiding Headings[edit | edit source]
As was mentioned above, the headings are used to make the table of contents, (TOC). Sometimes, when the TOC is looking a bit full, or when a heading does not seem to warrant listing, it would be useful to have the benefits of the heading's formats, but to miss it out on the TOC.
A set of templates has been made to do this. They are the six templates Hiddenh1 through Hiddenh6. The way to use say, a level three heading style without a TOC listing is just:
Just choose a different template for other heading sizes.
As an alternative, set the limit parameter on the table of contents to display only major headings.
Numbered Headings[edit | edit source]
Numbered headings are made only by typing them yourself, and the nested heading sizes are made in usual way.
The conventional numbering method is to assign a separate number sequence to each level of heading. Although an automatic method purports to exist in the user's preferences, it affects only the local view and will not be seen by others. A fairly standard approach for numbered headings is seen below, but the indentation that is preferred for numbered sub-sections cannot be obtained with a simple use of tags or wiki code. Templates could be made to indent the sub-sections properly, setting left margins for the paragraphs accordingly, and for those who might attempt it, the existing CSS styles for headings have been provided below.
Drop Capitals[edit | edit source]
Drop capitals are used for work where heading styles are intrusive, though the rules for their use are by no means clear.
here is no drop capital code in Wikitext at this time, but a template exists. The drop capital at the start of this paragraph was added using the Drop template. Users who need a different drop capital can find the basic coding on the template's editing window. The code used to call this template into use was just:
Notice that only the first character of the paragraph was included within the double curly brackets, and that the remainder of the text was dressed tightly to the left.
The Table of Contents[edit | edit source]
The table of contents habitually resides at the top-left of the page. In fact, it will position itself at the left margin and just above the first heading that is made. The TOC lists all of the headings and makes links to their positions in the page. Selecting a link causes the page to shift so that the selected heading is at the top of the screen. A table of contents will not be generated unless at least four headings are made.
The width and length of the TOC adjusts as more heading text is added. The width adjusts to the longest heading and the box extends downward as more headings are added. At some point the text is wrapped rather than continuously widening the box. The default behavior of the TOC is not always appropriate, so methods exist to customize it.
It is possible to remove the TOC by typing:
anywhere on the page.[1] (Note that there are two underscores on each side). The usual Wiki page includes a table of contents, but it is unclear how strict the convention is. Note the section above on Hiding Headings to avoid individual headings being added to the TOC, or the note on the limit parameter below
To move the TOC to a place that it would not normally appear, for example, in a table cell at say the top of the page, just type the following code in the cell as if it were text:
Such a method can be used to position the TOC with some accuracy, as well as running text or images level with it in the top section. The table of contents can only appear once; if __TOC__
is used multiple times, the first use takes priority.[1]
The template Tocright can be used to place a table of contents at the right side of the WikiBooks page. The TOC will appear adjacent to the position on the page that the template is called. To call the template type {{tocright}}
. Other suitable templates for repositioning the table of contents include {{TOC}}, and {{TOC left}}. All three of these templates have a limit parameter, which allows lower-level headings to be omitted.
The colors of the TOC are fixed, set by the toc class and element ID.
CSS Heading Styles[edit | edit source]
At times, for example for templates, users need to know the details of certain wiki styles. These can be found in the wikibooks style sheets. An example of these styles for the main wiki headings can be found in the drop-box below.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ a b MediaWiki reference: mw:Help:Magic_words#Behavior_switches


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I've had my hybrid 24-speed for a bit over 3 years now, and just last weekend, when looking for a bike for my wife, discovered internal gears. Suffice to say it blew my mind when I saw 7-speed internal gear hubs, for example on this This Giant Suede Women's bike.
So the question is, what are the trade-offs between the internal gear hub and an external gear hub and derailleur?
I'm assuming they'll be more expensive? but what about the set of gear ratios they provide? the reliability? the serviceability? tuning/maintenance? other effects on the chain/sprockets?
Going back to the bike linked above, there's a near-identical model (picture) with 21-speed external gears that's considerably cheaper, and I'm wondering whether the extra money for the internal gears would buy any real benefits (e.g. longer lasting chains/sprockets or fewer services), or whether it's just for fashion?


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Veins in Rocks on Mars and Earth
January 15, 2013
This set of images shows the similarity of sulfate-rich veins seen on Mars by NASA's Curiosity rover to sulfate-rich veins seen on Earth. The view on the left is a mosaic of two shots from the remote micro-imager on Curiosity's Chemistry and Camera (ChemCam) instrument on Dec. 14, 2012, or the 126th sol, or Martian day, of operations. They show a view of "Sheepbed" rock in the "Yellowknife Bay" area of Mars. The sulfate-rich veins are the light-colored veins about 1 to 5 millimeters (0.04 to 0.2 inches) wide. The image on the right is from the Egyptian desert on Earth. A pocket knife is shown for scale (image courtesy of Pierre Thomas).
On Earth, calcium sulfates like gypsum form frequently in veins when relatively dilute fluid circulates at low to moderate temperatures.


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The Los Angeles Times praised Adrianne Pieczonka's role debut as Tosca with Los Angeles Opera in 2008 as "radiant," noting that "she sang with effortless purity and impeccable taste."Uh-oh. Radiance, and even purity, I can deal with, but impeccable taste? Tosca's not the Countess Almaviva, after all; what I want to hear is little filth, and some willingness on the part of the soprano to get down and dirty with the music and the role. It's melodrama, for crying out loud.
Lisa Hirsch's Classical Music Blog.
The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve. Lovers, to bed; 'tis almost fairy time.
Berce mollement sur ton sein sublime
Ô puissante mer, l'enfant de Dindyme!
Opinions expressed on this blog are mine and not my employer's.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Tosca, San Francisco Opera
5 comments:
- Gavin Plumley said...
Hmmmn... I don't think any of the Puccini works are easy to pull off. Have you ever seen a satisfactory performance of Bohème? I never have... the productions are either too drab, too dull or too post-modern. And getting singers who can do justice to Act 3 is nigh impossible.
- June 28, 2009 at 4:13:00 AM PDT
- Lisa Hirsch said...
Yes, I've seen several satisfactory performances of Boheme - one at the Met and either 2 or 3 (I truly can't recall) at San Francisco. Traditional productions, but lively and well-staged, with good to excellent singing and, in one case, spectacular conducting (Luisotti, last fall).
The Met production is a problem in one way, the Act II traffic jam, which made it almost impossible for me to figure out who the principals were before they start singing.
Boheme will be effective and moving, given acceptable conducting, singing, and direction. Tosca seems to need greatness, and Butterfly also has to have a terrific leading lady. - June 28, 2009 at 8:19:00 AM PDT
- john banville said...
Hi. Thanks again for your last advise. I have a question: Could you recommend a recording of Schubert's Sonata for Arpeggione, but with viola instead of cello? I have the britten/rostropovich and martha argerich/ mischa maisky versions. Thank you!
- June 30, 2009 at 10:44:00 AM PDT
- Lisa Hirsch said...
Now there's something I know nothing about. I'll put up a posting asking for recommendations.
- June 30, 2009 at 10:15:00 PM PDT
- Narconon Arrowhead said...
- This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
- July 20, 2009 at 8:00:00 AM PDT


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Another little-known result of forced federal budget cuts: Some 300,000 households will be scrambling to find ways to heat their homes this winter.
This is the second year that so-called sequester, or deep government spending cuts, will hit a federal program that pays the tab to heat and cool homes for the nation's poorest.
The dollars won't stretch far.
It means Lyman Curtis, single dad of five kids, will only be able to reliably heat his home in Dexter, Maine, for the first half of this winter, maybe through February.
After that, Curtis will drive to the local gas station to buy kerosene oil in 5-gallon increments -- all he can afford to buy at one time.
"I know a lot of people who do it that way, because there's just not enough money to heat your home and pay for groceries in your everyday life," said Curtis, 38, who is the primary caregiver for his kids and relies on disability benefits and food stamps to survive.
The cost of heating the four-bedroom home he's staying at runs 600 gallons or around $2,100 from November through April or May, based on current prices. His heating benefit is $800.
Still, Curtis is one of the lucky ones. He's among the 6.3 million who will at least get some help this year through the federal program called the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Related: Federal cuts hit seniors who want to live at home
It's tougher this year for everybody because the cost to keep homes warm is up about 6% on average, according to a lobbying group for state directors who divvy up the government money and federal energy estimates.
"We're purchasing a product that is volatile and contingent on weather conditions," said Mark Wolfe, executive director of National Energy Assistance Directors Association. "The problem is the economy is not getting better fast enough and energy prices are going up."
This year, under sequester, the program will deliver $3.1 billion in heating help, down from the high of $5.1 billion during the recession, which went to 8 million households. The problem is, the need for heating help remains high, say many state directors.
A November Census Bureau supplemental report on poverty noted that this is one of several federal programs that help keep families out of poverty, while also noting the poverty rate hasn't budged over the past two years.
"Our ability to help these folks is diminished. . .A few years ago, we could cover two tanks of fuel, now we can't even cover one," said Joseph Diamond, who runs the Massachusetts Association for Community Action, which administers the program in Massachusetts.
And when the money runs out, families turn to candles, gas stoves and space heaters, which pose major fire hazards, warn administrators of the program. Last month, a day after the power company cut off electricity for unpaid bills, a fire caused by a candle swept through a Bronx apartment killing three young brothers.
Related: Poverty level doesn't budge
In Boston, the program last month helped Sylvia Fearon, 71, who ran out of money for heating oil during a cold snap.
On Oct. 24, she was shivering so badly, she had started to pack up to head for a shelter. Action for Boston Community Development came to her rescue and arranged the delivery of 150 gallons of heating oil to heat her home, thanks to the program.
"I wouldn't be able to heat my house without them. I really appreciate the program," said Fearon, a retired nursing assistant.
Yet 150 gallons isn't going to last very long, said Fearon, who is retired and lives on $11,000 a year from social security benefits.
"I'm trying to be very careful to keep my thermostat low, to around 68 degrees inside," she said.
Meanwhile, Curtis emphasized that he didn't consider himself a person who is sitting around expecting a handout.
"We are single parents raising children the best way we can ... but just do not have the financial means to do it all," Curtis said. "We do not want to have to depend on programs like this, we just do not have a choice."


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i just give them a nice coating of olive oil and some s and p. let them come up to room temperature. toss them on the grill over medium high heat for about 12-15 minutes. wrap in foil for 5-10. unwrap, slice.juicy as all get out!cheers.ryan
I like this cut grilled on a med/high heat after a coating of EVOO/salt/pepper or your favorite marinade (2-4hrs min.). I keep rotating until I get a nice sear on each side of the tenderloin. A little smoke while cooking also adds a nice flavor dimension.


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Written by Matt Hickman
While home furnishings behemoth IKEA has been up to a lot of interesting, positive stuff as of late — releasing a lovely PS collection, giving randy Chinese seniors a place to congregate, cracking down on inadvertently raunchy product names in new markets, etc. — the company's wholly owned production subsidiary, Swedwood, continues to be plagued by controversy. Last year, it was allegations of awful working conditions at Swedwood's sole U.S. production plant in Danville, Va. Now, according to a recently released report from the Global Forest Coalition, the sustainable forestry-minded company that's long touted its love of wood is responsible for some rather irresponsible logging practices in a large swath of ancient forest in the Russian Karelia.
As detailed by the report, two different environmental groups, Sweden's Protect the Forest and Russia's SPOK, conducted field surveys in the area and concluded that Swedwood is actively clear-cutting old-growth trees in an environmentally sensitive area of northwest Russia on the Finnish border that's considered to be of "high conservation value." Some of the trees in question range in age from 200- to 600-years-old. Ouch.
"During our field visits to Russian Karelia, we have documented the reality of IKEA's forestry, and it's a far cry from the fine words in their advertising," explains Protect the Forest chairman Viktor Säfve. Adds board member Linda Ellegaard Nordström: "This is nothing but a scandal!"
I sometimes forget that many IKEA products are actually made of wood and not glue, fairy dust, and magical lingonberry fiber. According to The Guardian roughly 60 percent of the furnishings found in IKEA stores across the world are made from wood of some form. To produce them, the company logs about 1,400 acres of forest annually.
Olga Ilina, head of the forest department at SPOK, the Karelia Regional Nature Conservancy, told IPS that only 10 percent of the ancient trees remain standing due in part to Swedwood's logging activities. "We have a (limited) amount of old-growth forest in the north of Russian Karelia with high conservation value. IKEA says they don't operate in old-growth forests but it is not true."
While IKEA hasn't exactly confuted the findings, the company is on the defense. A statement issue Swedwood and published by the Los Angeles Times reads: "Karelia is an area with high nature values and the decision to source wood in this area brings on great responsibility. We take that responsibility very seriously. We source with long term consideration and we want to make sure that the way we source helps protect biodiversity. In Karelia, IKEA has taken the lead to develop responsible forestry together with authorities, NGOs and local interests. This is paving the way for a more responsible forestry, in our lease and in Karelia as a whole." (Click here to read the official response from IKEA forest manager Anders Hildeman).
Although Swedwood is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, there's been a whole lot of rather confusing back and forth about gaping holes in Russian FSC regulation that have allowed Swedewood to clear-cut old-growth forests under the banner of responsible forestry. FSC spokesperson Sasha Hughes tells the L.A. Times:
In Russia, as in many countries, the age of a tree or trees is not the single factor which determines whether a forest area is considered to have 'high conservation value' (HCVF, a term which was developed by FSC in 1999 to help define forest areas of outstanding and critical importance). The classification of HCVFs is highly dependent on the particular socio-cultural and ecological context. HCVFs are determined following a broad and inclusive stakeholder consultation process. In Russia, this was determined by a group of stakeholders which included Russian NGOs and an equal representation of environmental, economic and social interests.
Whatever the case, Protect the Forests is adamant that Swedwood has violated both international and Russian FSC standards and demands retribution. Protect the Forest has staged several large protests at stores in IKEA's motherland and issued a five-point petition urging Swedwood to stop logging old-growth forests (and to stop lying to customers). The group has also issued a series of photos documenting the destruction.
Protect the Forest board member Robert Svensson, the fellow who documented much of the clear-cutting in Karelia, explains the group's wishes in an official release:
We demand that IKEA ensure the protection of the remaining forests with high conservation value on the lands they lease. This is the least they can do to compensate for the losses of valuable forest and biodiversity that they have caused. There is already so little old-growth forest left that it threatens the long-term survival of many plant and animal species, so continuing to log such forests is deeply irresponsible.
Simone Lovera, executive director of the Global Forest Coalition, has Protect the Forest's back, announcing in a media release: "Whoever is responsible for this destruction, in this case the owners of IKEA and Swedwood, must be held responsible for the social and environmental costs of their companies' actions. I suggest Protect the Forest and SPOK should consider all possible options, including legal action against IKEA, in order to correct the situation."
Oy vey. Will these revelations — it's been a huge story in the international forestry industry — change the way you shop at IKEA and view their sustainability initiatives?
Matt Hickman blogs for Mother Nature Network
Related on MNN:
- Get on your Soapbox with new flat-pack furniture line
- Infographic: 5 strange signs the economy is improving
- Can 1 miracle plant solve the world's 3 greatest problems?


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Goooooodly Morning Stampers and a very happy Sunday to you all! As ever, hoooge thanks for all your birdy entries for last weeks challenge, I say this all the time, I know but... I love that so many peeps have so much fun joining in with my little challenge. As a thank you for all your entries I have some candy to giveaway today. More of that in a mo though. Firstly! The theme for this weeks challenge is... FACES. To join in is simples: make a little something, it can be anything you fancy. Add in the theme and some stamping and then pop back here to leave a link to the place you are showing your entry. If you haven't got a blog/web-photo-hosty thing, you can join in via Facebook or email me with a photo of your entry. The challenge will remain open until 21:00 Saturday 24th November 2012.
So. The candy. Creative Expressions have just launched their very first Project Book - it is chock full of gorgeous inspirational projects, all with step by step instructions and close up photo's too. There are projects from Sue Wilson, Sam Poole, Dee Paramour, Tracey Laughton, Tracy Evans, Gabrielle Price, Julia Watts, Lynne Gilbert, Sharon Nettleship.. oh and a couple from me too :O)) To be in with a chance of winning a copy of this gorgeous book, just leave a comment and make sure you tell your friends about it... oh and if you join in with the challenge too, you will be entered twice. The winner will be announced on next Sunday's post. Oh and... this tag is also part of the candy too :O) If you are after buying a copy of the book, a list of stockists is available on the Creative Expressions website HERE.
My tag is one of the samples from last weeks shows. Using the Stampers Anonymous Classics #5 stamp set, stamping the pretty lady onto a tag using Black Archival, I then added the zia-zag stamp and binding stamp from Classics # 6. I dried the ink with a heat tool and then coated some Rock Candy Cracklepaint over it. Once dried I used Milled Lavendar Distress Stain to colour the whole tag and then used a paintbrush to add Aged Mahogany Stain to the zig-zags and then... Tarnished Brass Metallic Stain on the rest of the tag. I used a fine paintbrush to add the Metallic Stain - and gave it two coats, look how shimmery it is though... FAB! Finishing touches... colouring the Festive Foliage with Metallic Stain... then adding Aged Mahogany Stain to the little Foliage and Pine Needles to the leaves... hey, Metallic Stains sticks to metal.. who knew!!! And, it gives a "key" to the metal so you can add other colours over the top... cool huh?
Right, I shall away... thanks for looking... hope you have a fabulous week! Thanks for looking... TTFN
Hels x


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• chintzy •
Pronunciation: chint-see • Hear it!
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: 1. Made of chintz. 2. Gaudy, cheap, tasteless. 3. Stingy, miserly, niggardly.
Notes: Remember that this word is spelled with a Z, not an S, although S would make more sense, given the original plurality of the word (see Word history). Chintziness is the noun from the adjective, and chintzily is the adverb.
In Play: While the meaning of the noun has risen again from the ashes, that of the adjective has continued its precipitous slide from "tasteless" to "cheap" to "stingy": "Maude Lynn Dresser arrived in a chintzy dress," today would more likely mean that it was camp and cheap than made from chintz. The current end of the semantic trail for chintzy is "stingy": "Don't be so chintzy, Monroe; pay the extra dollar for the suit and get the spare pair of pants."
Word History: Chintz was originally the plural of chint, Hindi for "spotted, colored", derived from Sanskrit chitra "variegated". Chintz was a hand dyed cotton cloth (calico) made in India, glazed, with a floral print. Chintz was originally used as bedcovers called palampores; later dresses and other home decorations were made from the cloth. When Europe developed its own chintz industry, the material remained expensive and fashionable. As time drove relentlessly on, however, the patterns became more garish and repetitive, the size of the flowers diminished, and the glaze was omitted. Ultimately its was used for feed sacks. At this point chintzy went out of vogue, and the adjective made a sharp turn down a new semantic trail the end of which is what we have today. Chintz itself, on the other hand, is again today such a fashionable material that the Wall Street wives dubbed the decorator Mario Buatta, known for his use of chintzy designs, The Prince of Chintz.
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Elevation Partners co-founder and Facebook investor Roger McNamee, who is also a rock musician, gave an amazing talk recently where he goes over some of the biggest trends affecting the technology industry.
The talk was spotted by our friend Dan Frommer at SplatF.
McNamee's bottomline? Everything is changing.
More specifically, a few big themes:
- Microsoft is toast because we're moving to a post-PC era;
- HTML5, the new web standard that allows to make interactive web pages, is going to revolutionize the media and advertising industries;
- Social is "done", it's now a feature, don't go do a social startup.
Here's what we thought were the most interesting points and assertions from the speech (quotes are paraphrased):
- Microsoft's share of internet-connected devices has gone from 95% to under 50% in 3 years;
- Windows no longer provides measurable ROI to enterprises, who will shift spending to other products and services; this is a huge opportunity;
- Google is a victim of its own success: its search has become polluted by SEOs. What shows that Google has failed is all those "non-search" services that really solve a search problem, like Match.com or Realtor.com. If you add them all up, they account for 50% of searches.
- HTML5 is going to change everything. "In HTML5, an ad is an app, a tweet is an app, everything is an app." "It's a blank sheet of paper, and creativity rules again."
- For example, "my band is putting out a full HTML5 site. You can watch all of our shows on an iPhone, live." It's very cheap and it changes the game because they don't have to pay anyone anything.
- In HTML5, you don't need to have display ads: Amazon can have a section of its store as an ad. So if you're reading a book review, you can buy the book right from the page.
- Because HTML5 can make sites rich and interactive, engagement on a site can go from seconds to minutes.
- So a site could say: we have 5 sponsors today, which one would you like, and the sponsor follows you around throughout your experience on the site. "The fact that you can create and satisfy demand in the same place is only true in infomercials today, but it will be true on the web." This, in turn, is highly disruptive to TV advertising.
- "The iPad is the most important device since the IBM PC."
- "Apple will sell a hundred million internet-connected devices this year. That's two thirds of the PC market." If you add the other non-PC internet devices, that's more valuable than the PC market.
- The iPad is the training wheels for HTML5. iPad apps show us what we need to beat in terms of creating a better experience on HTML5.
- Apple is an unstoppable freight train. In terms of tablets, it has no competitors and will probably end up with iPod-like marketshare. "It's like IBM in the 60s; I can't predict what that means; you need to find a way to play with it, but you also need to find a way to play over it" with HTML5.
- The fact that most people now have more than one device means the cloud is vital, because you want to have all your stuff on all your devices. It also means the old PC paradigm is dead, because the old PC paradigm means everything stored on one device, instead of everything in the cloud synced to many devices.
- In terms of keeping your stuff in the cloud, "Google, Microsoft, Facebook and Apple have completely failed to get the mobile experience right." (We'll let McNamee stand by that statement.)
- "Facebook has decided that they're Twitter on steroids".
- Currently Facebook Connect is free; eventually they'll charge for it because it's access to their social graph which publishers need, and that's how they'l make money.
- Don't try to be "social": the big social platforms are created. You can't create a social company, it's just a checkbox. "The last 500 social companies funded by the VC community are all worthless. I'm serious."
- But this creates an opportunity: while everyone is focused on social distribution, there's a huge opportunity to get content right with HTML5. "Let's create a new product, the way music videos were a new product."
- Apple makes more gross margin per iPhone than most Android phones make in gross revenue, McNamee says.
- "Television is the last protected media business," but it's going to get disrupted. For one, once televisions are computers, analytics of who watches will get more accurate than Nielsen panels. "Everyone knows that if we go to actual measurement, ad rates will collapse because the numbers aren't as good as Nielsen makes them look."
- McNamee also had a few words about the economy: "we're about 40% of the way of deleveraging the global economy, but we're only 10% of the way of deleveraging the US consumer...I don't care what your politics are, removing government demand from the economy when it's struggling is ridiculous." And to prop things up, the Fed is printing money and inflating bubbles, "but for us, that's great!": capital is very cheap; consumers are acting like the party's on, so there's lots of opporutnities.
- McNamee says he does "full contact investing": he proves the concepts of what he invests in by trying them out with his band. So he knows HTML5 is going to work because it works for his band. Then he added, to audience laughter: "You're going to say it's a dipshit little band, yeah, it is, but we like it and our fans like it" and it works.
And here's the whole video, interesting throughout:
On February 28, Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, joined 31 other media groups and filed a $2.3 billion suit against Google in Dutch court, alleging losses suffered due to the company's advertising practices.