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…For the first time ever, two-thirds of new phone acquirers are buying smartphones.
Smartphone use is exploding in the United States, while PC sales are dropping. If 66 percent of mobile phone buyers purchase smartphones, and 36.3-percent of them get the iPhone, then that means almost a quarter of all phones bought in the U.S. are iPhones. That also means 36 percent of the purchased phones run Android OS.
More from Nielsen, including the incredibly skewed graphic, is below—which gives Symbian, Palm and Windows 7 devices almost the same amount of "fill" at 2.8-percent as Apple's 34 percent.


text:
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subset: commoncrawl


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Living & studying in Lappeenranta - Finland
Up North!
For quite some time, foreign journalists have been flocking to Finland to find out just what it is that makes the world's best education system tick. One of them asked a Finnish official about the number of children who do not complete school in her city. The official replied, "I can tell you their names if you want."
This "leave-no-student-behind" attitude penetrates the entire field of education from the first day of kindergarten to the moment you get your Ph.D. In fact, Finland's commitment to education is so exceptional it became the key reason why the American magazine Newsweek declared Finland "the Best Country in the World" in its 2010 study.
Newsweek's broad-spanning study examined living conditions in 100 countries around the world. Finland did not come out on top in any other department besides education, but gave a strong performance in health care, quality of life, economic dynamism, and political environment. (Finland came in fourth in quality of life.) In the overall ranking, the runners-up behind Finland were Switzerland and Sweden; the United States narrowly missed the TOP 10 (placing 11th).
And this, too: UN report discovered Finland to be the Happiest Place on Earth.
All these fireworks, however, do not mean that Finland is perfect. Actually, far from it, we say.
Because you're still not here (not yet, anyway).
Find out more about studying and living in Finland at www.studyinfinland.fi


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Rural road maintenance may accidentally push spread of invasive plants
Road maintenance may accidentally spread the seeds of invasive plants, according to Penn State researchers. "The road graders that are used during these operations can act like a plow, pushing seeds along the road," said Emily Rauschert, senior project associate and applied ecologist in crop and soil sciences. "They can pick up seeds of an invasive grass and spread them several orders of magnitude further than the natural dispersal." The researchers created a computer simulation based on field experiments that showed how road regrading in the spring could play a role in the rapid spread of Japanese stilt grass -- an invasive plant that can grow up to 5 feet tall -- in the Rothrock State Forest area. The plant is considered a threat because its dense growth can prevent trees and native plants from growing. "Initially, this plant wasn't present locally," Rauschert said. "But within 10 years or so foresters noticed that the plant had spread throughout the area."


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Queens Place, formerly Macy's Queens
In the early 1960s, Macy's New York, a subsidiary of R.H. Macy & Co, commissioned Skidmore, Owings and Merrill to design an outpost in Queens oriented to car traffic. Macy's already owned a branch in the Jamaica section of Queens, but the store could not be expanded due to parking and traffic concerns. The newly selected location in Elmhurst was situated in what the New York Times called "the heart of one of the fastest-growing sections of Queens, surrounded by new high-rise apartment developments" including the then in-progress Lefrak City, which was slated to open with 6,000 dwelling units. (Fowler) In 1963 Macy's acquired an irregularly-shaped lot valued on its proximity to Queens Boulevard and the Long Island Expressway, the two major traffic arteries serving the area.
Permits were secured on the condition that Macy's provide sufficient parking and access in the increasingly congested area. Parking was therefore key to the design of the new store. SOM presented a set of design options, each addressing the parking issue. Alongside the more conventional layouts proposed was an innovative circular design combining sales area and parking facilities in a single cylindrical building, 426' in diameter. In this design, three selling floors were circled by five levels of 56'-wide parking rings, accessed and exited by two double-helical ramps adjoining the structure. From each parking level patrons would walk no more than 75' to the nearest entrance. A half flight up or down stairs would take patrons to the department of their choice, allowing for an approximation of the "curb-side" parking experience. The client did not immediately take to the idea. However, it was determined that to provide via a more traditional plan the same amount of parking space as the circular design, Macy's would have to purchase an additional twelve acres of land. (Fowler) Macy's was convinced, and the "store in the round" design was selected. ("Macy's Customers to Park In Elmhurst Store Building") Construction began in 1964 and the department store opened for business on October 11, 1965.
The store as realized in 1965 was uncompromised from the original design save for the issue of the corner lot on Queens Boulevard and 55th Avenue. The owners refused to sell, forcing SOM to cut a notch into the side of their otherwise perfectly cylindrical building.
88-01 Queens Boulevard is set on a five-acre irregular-shaped site bordered by Queens Boulevard to the south, 55th Avenue to the west and 56th Avenue to the east. To the north, the site is bordered by Justice Avenue and a small section of 90th Street, rendering it almost pentagonal.
The cylindrical building is 426' in diameter, situated on the southern portion of the site. The perforated façade is formed by poured-in-place concrete which has been sandblasted to expose a coarse white aggregate. The perforations permit the natural ventilation of the garage areas which surround the inner core sales floors. The second floor parking area overhangs the ground floor entrances, creating a pedestrian arcade supported by concrete piers. Sections of the arcade were walled off during the 2001 renovation to create additional ground-level storefronts. The sales floors are windowless and there is no exterior glazing to the façade. To the rear of the building are two double-helical ramps which provide access to the parking levels. (Drexler and Menges 42) A 2001 renovation saw the addition of a sixth parking level and fourth sales floor. The additional levels are concealed behind a maroon fascia built above the original parapet.
The most significant change to the original façade comes in the form of extensive colorful signage hanging above the main entrance on Queens Boulevard. A walk around the building to the unadorned east and west façades gives the observer a better sense of the original design of the building.
The site is located slightly west of the heavily trafficked intersection of Queens Boulevard and the Long Island Expressway, in the Elmhurst section of Queens, a borough of New York City. Elmhurst is approximately bordered to the north by Roosevelt Avenue, to the east by Junction Boulevard, to the southeast by the Long Island Expressway, and to the southwest by the Long Island Railroad. The neighborhood is bisected by Queens Boulevard, a large commercial strip. Elmhurst developed rapidly in the early 20th century due to the expansion of the subway system into western Queens. The area is known for its large apartment complexes, most notably the Lefrak City development. To accommodate the growing population, Queens Boulevard became a retail corridor and the location of several department stores, including this Macy's location.
The site's high water table prevented building an underground garage, requiring parking to be accommodated above ground. (Stern 1073) Innovative use of a circular building shape maximized usage of an irregular-shaped lot. The garage "rings" constructed around the perimeter of the central core solved the parking issue as well as created a "curb-side" shopping experience.
The vertical design and layered parking take into consideration both the high-cost, densely populated land upon which it is built and the two types of customers it hoped to serve: those in cars and those on foot. Popularity of the automobile and the desire of people to go shopping with their cars lead to this aesthetic choice, as well as the client's desire to attract those same customers away from suburban shopping centers. The design, "in both size and emphasis on the automobile was clearly intended to compete with nearby suburban shopping centers" (Stern 1069).
The innovative design and successful execution of a practical yet elegant solution for meeting shoppers' needs was praised in both the local press and architectural journals. The New York Times wrote that the store was built with the "car-borne shopper first in mind" while at ground level display windows and decorative mosaic tile walls welcomed "the occasional shopper who comes on foot" (Fowler). Progressive Architecture noted, "The store will function as a civic monument, with light shining through the slits of the façade – a Queens Coliseum of sorts." The reinforced concrete curtain wall reflects a technique typical of the Modern Movement. Criticism was minimal, and centered on the notch cut out of the façade near the southwest corner, which altered the approach and limited development of a planned outdoor plaza.
The building represents architectural innovation not only in technical design but also in social design, where form follows function, and the needs of the end user are taken into consideration during the design process.
Drexler, Arthur and Axel Menges. Architecture of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, 1963-1973. New York: Architectural Book Pub., 1974. Print.
Fowler, Glenn. "Macy's To Build Circular Store." The New York Times 13 Feb. 1964. Print.
"Macy's Customers to Park In Elmhurst Store Building." The New York Times 23 Feb. 1964. Print.
Montgomery, Paul L. "Macy's Opens Big Drive-In Store In Elmhurst." The New York Times 12 Oct. 1965. Print.
"The New Macy's Store Gets Good Marks in Traffic Flow ... but Fails Geometry." Progressive Architecture 44 (1965): 45. Print.
Shaman, Diana. "Commercial Property/Queens; Circular Building Adding 2 Floors and Big Retailers." The New York Times 14 Jan. 2001. Print.
Shaman, Diana. "Plans for Site Near Macy's." The New York Times 19 July 1981. Print.
"Shopping Centers and Stores." Architectural Record 139.April (1966): 149-70. Print.
Stern, Robert A. M., Thomas Mellins, and David Fishman. New York 1960: Architecture and Urbanism between the Second World War and the Bicentennial. New York, NY: Monacelli, 1995. Print.


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Ruf, Cloyd push Phillies prospects
Award winners lead group that includes several recent picks
By Sam Dykstra / Special to MLB.com | November 26, 2012 3:14 PM
In a year that saw the Major League club drop from a 102-win total in 2011 to a disappointing 81 in 2012, there was at least some cause for optimism in the Phillies pipeline this year, especially due to two farmhands who had monster years.
Darin Ruf racked up both Eastern League MVP and Rookie of the Year honors after leading the Minor Leagues with 38 homers to go along with his .317 average and 104 RBIs for Double-A Reading. Meanwhile, Tyler Cloyd went 12-1 with a 2.35 ERA and 1.01 WHIP during his time with Triple-A Lehigh Valley en route to being named International League Most Valuable Pitcher.
On the team side, Reading, who are now called the Fightin Phils, qualified for the Eastern League playoffs after finishing as the Eastern Division runner-up, thanks to a host of quality bats and arms. Six of the players listed below spent time there this season, leading to the team's 76-66 record. As a whole, the Phillies Minor League system combined for a 423-404 record (.511 winning percentage), good for 12th among baseball's 30 organizations.
Phillies Organization All-Stars
Catcher -- Cameron Rupp, Clearwater (104 games): Two of Philadelphia's top seven prospects -- Sebastian Valle and Tommy Joseph, top prize in the Hunter Pence deal -- are home here, but the 24-year-old Rupp gets the nod here. His .770 OPS ranked second among all Florida State League catchers, thanks to a resurgent second half that saw the stat inflate to .932.
He earned spots on the circuit's midseason and postseason All-Star teams, his first pair of honors since being taken by the Phillies in the third round of the 2010 Draft. But it wasn't just some offensive numbers that earned the Texas native praise, according to Phillies director of player development Joe Jordan.
"If you're talking about our catchers, no one came further defensively than Rupp," Jordan said. "Talking to people before the year began and afterward, they all talk about how much he did behind the plate. People talked a lot about our arms in Clearwater, and he was a big part of that. Throw that together with his bat and he had a pretty good year."
First baseman -- Darin Ruf, Reading (139 games), Philadelphia (12 games): Along with the aforementioned power numbers, the right-handed slugger, who also spent time in the outfield, put together a .317/.408/.620 slash line that earned him eight accolades in all this season, including most recently a mention on Topps' Double-A All-Star Team. Still his 38 homers -- 20 of which came in August -- more than doubled his previous high of 17, set last season at Clearwater.
"Things just came together for him," Jordan said. "You could see his two-strike approach was better, and when he did a get a pitch he liked, he rarely made a mistake with it. There's nothing really magic about it. He just got to a point where he understood his approach. Sure, it's deeper than that, but this guy's good. He's dangerous."
Ruf eventually earned a September callup to the Majors, where he went 11-for-33 (.333) with three homers and 12 RBIs in 12 games. He is expected to compete for a spot in the Major League outfield come Spring Training.
"They were all very excited to see what he could do, and he didn't disappoint. There were some pitchers' pitches that he was able to get to, and sure, he was able to put some balls in the seats. But the big thing was in batting practice, when you're around a cast of established guys, he was hitting balls as far as anyone else. He was going the opposite way like anyone else. This guy fits in."
Second baseman -- Cesar Hernandez, Reading (103 games), Lehigh Valley (30 games): The 2012 season represented a bounceback year for the 22-year-old infielder. After batting just .268 with a .639 OPS for Clearwater in 2011, Hernandez rebounded to .291 and .733 between two levels. His 11 triples led the Eastern League, where he earned midseason and postseason All-Star mentions.
"I believe the guy didn't know how good he can be," said Jordan. "He can be an average-to-above average fielder, an average-to-above average runner. He's definitely going to be an above-average hitter. We challenged him in Spring Training, and we told him to show us something. This guy went out and did everything we asked him after that."
Shortstop -- Roman Quinn, Williamsport (66 games): The 2011 second-round pick batted .281 with a .370 OBP in his Minor League debut for the Crosscutters, but he made a name for himself with his speed. His 30 stolen bases ranked third and his 11 triples fourth among all Class A Short-Season position players. Quinn's 27 errors in 66 games make defense a concern, but Jordan thought those mishaps can be ironed out as the shortstop gains more experience in the full-season leagues.
"Roman Quinn has every physical ability to be an impact player in the Majors. Obviously, you look at the run tool, but there's also his ability to hit as a switch hitter. Every time you see him play, you learn something new about him. ... It's hard not to be a little giddy about his prospects."
Third baseman -- Cody Asche, Clearwater (62 games), Reading (68 games): Speaking of a player who improved with a move to full season, Asche owned a .324/.369/.481 slash line in equal time between the Threshers and R-Phils, a marked progression from the .192/.273/.264 numbers he put up in Williamsport a year earlier. His power numbers were much better in Reading, where he hit 10 homers and slugged .513 compared to two and .447 in Clearwater.
"In Spring Training when camp started, we didn't know exactly where he fit," Jordan said. "We liked his bat obviously but didn't know exactly where to place him. We decided to skip Lakewood, put him in Clearwater, and I couldn't have dreamed up a better year for him. When he started, he wasn't totally in a comfort zone, but he took care of us as the year went on."
Kelly Dugan, Lakewood (117 games): The only player on this list to spend his entire season with the BlueClaws, Dugan showed promise as the team's primary No. 3 hitter. He exhibited a little pop (33 doubles), some patience (.387 OBP) and an ability to move where needed (played first base until making a permanent shift to right field in early June). The 22-year-old particularly excelled in the second half, thanks to a .331/.415/.485 line in the last 69 games. The Phillies only hope he can carry that momentum into Clearwater, where Dugan is expected to start the 2013 season.
"I got a bad read on him in the spring," Jordan said. "He had a hurt hamstring, and we were playing him at first base where he couldn't do much of anything. We kept him back to get the leg healthy, but after that, he showed that he has some ability. He can throw, something we wouldn't see at first base. It was fun to watch my first impression be so wrong. ... He could have hit 30 homers in Reading if he were there."
Leandro Castro, Reading (133 games): Charged with protecting Ruf in the Reading lineup, Castro held his own in the No. 5 and No. 6 holes. He batted a solid .287 with 35 doubles (second-most in the Eastern League) and 71 RBIs (eighth). Despite a low .316 OBP, his All-Star nod in the middle of the season was his first since receiving the honor for Williamsport in 2009.
"A lot of the concerns we had with him were about him swinging too much," said Jordan. "But you could see that he grew and stopped getting himself out so much as the season went on."
Larry Greene, Williamsport (70 games): A lot of eyes were on the 39th overall pick in last year's Draft as he entered his first Minor League season, and the 19-year-old Georgia native certainly flashed some promise. Like Dugan, he exhibited an affinity for doubles (22, third in the New York-Penn League) and walks (41, fifth) during his abbreviated rookie campaign. Hitting only two homers, Greene's power isn't quite all the way there yet, but the organization is hopeful that he'll develop that too.
"He made a lot of progress and became a much better player by the end of it," said Jordan. "You could see what our scouts saw in him. He definitely understands more about himself, and there are no worries whatsoever that he won't be a real solid player."
Utility/DH -- Christopher Duffy, Lakewood (60 games), Clearwater (44 games): Duffy's season was rather bipolar, but his numbers with the BlueClaws were just too impressive. The first baseman, who got most of his starts as a designated hitter, batted .384/.466/.620 with 11 homers and 56 RBIs in 60 games with the Class A club, although that time was sporadic at best. His numbers at Clearwater -- .236/.314/.331, two homers, 15 RBIs -- weren't nearly as attractive, but his Ruthian stats in Lakewood can't be ignored.
"From Day 1 in Spring Training, he took a lot of pride in his appearance and what he looked like on the field and worked his [butt] off to get there. That's something Chris carried all the way year," Jordan said. "Listen, the kid can hit. What he's going to have to do is not give the Florida State League pitchers too much credit."
Right-handed pitcher -- Tyler Cloyd, Reading (four games), Lehigh Valley (22 games), Philadelphia (six games): As much of a slam dunk as Ruf was for this list, Cloyd was equally so. He ranked in the top 10 among all full-season Minor Leaguers in wins (15, third), ERA (2.26, sixth) and WHIP (1.01, sixth). He led the International League in the latter two categories en route to the circuit's most prized pitching award, along with two All-Star mentions and a spot on Topps' Triple-A All-Star Team.
"You can't run a guy out there for five months and do any better than he did," said the Phillies executive. "In my 15 years of experience, he was as good as anyone I've seen. He did such a good job at pitching to his strengths, and what you saw was such a credit to the work he did."
Because of that success, the 25-year-old made his MLB debut on Aug. 29 and finished 2-2 with a 4.91 ERA over six starts with the Phillies. For a pitcher who had difficulty breaking out of Double-A ball in 2010 and '11, Cloyd was able to accelerate his track to the Majors in '12. Now the trick will be sticking at the game's highest level.
"I don't think it was the plan, but that's baseball," Jordan said. "Sometimes you have to recognize what a guy has done. It's all about finding 25 guys who give you the best shot at winning, and given the way he pitched, he showed he could be one of them."
Left-handed pitcher -- Jesse Biddle, Clearwater (26 games): The Phillies' top prospect already had a nice story as a Philadelphia native taken in the first round of the 2010 Draft. But in 2012, he built on an impressive resume. He led the Florida State League with 151 strikeouts in 142 2/3 innings and finished with a 10-6 record to go with a 3.22 ERA.
"Being with some of the older guys in Clearwater, it was a good thing to help him get going," said Jordan. "But by the end, he didn't need anyone else to help him. There is not a better worker in our system. Jesse's very focused, hardworking and emotional. I'm not sure if being a kid that grew up here, that kind of plays into it more than most guys."
Relief pitcher -- Justin Friend, Reading (38 games), Lehigh Valley (12 games): The 26-year-old right-hander dominated Double-A bats this season, holding Eastern League opponents to a .178 average to go with his own 0.23 ERA. Those kinds of numbers led to 24 saves in 38 appearances for the R-Phils. A 12-game spell with Lehigh Valley between late June and early July didn't go as well -- 4.40 ERA, .339 opponents' average -- but that doesn't take away from Friend's masterful Double-A campaign.
"He's a big leaguer, a real bulldog," Jordan said. "You look into his eyes, and you can tell he knows he's good. He's not the sexiest guy perhaps; he's doesn't throw 95. But just watch him pitch and you can tell he's a big leaguer. His heart, his guts, it's what you wish all the others had."
Sam Dykstra is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.View More


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We've had our fair share of quality Deals of the Week lately. Surely some Windows Phone gamers' wallets are aching and could use a rest. Well, this week's Deal should accommodate such folks as it's certainly of the less-exciting variety. Starting Wednesday, Earthworm Jim HD from Gameloft goes on sale for $2.99 for the third time, down from the outrageous price of $4.99.
Yes, with Gameloft's recent announcement of 12 big name Windows Phone 8 games, it would've been all too easy to forget the 'Loft had published a somewhat unimpressive port of Earthworm Jim as a Windows Phone 7 launch title.
Earthworm Jim originated on the Sega Genesis and Super Nintendo many years ago. After a stolen supersuit falls from space and lands on an ordinary worm named Jim, he finds himself able to talk, run, jump, and basically do heroic things. Jim must rescue Princess What's-Her-Name from the evil Queen Slug-For-a-Butt. Yes, it's a silly premise, and the game is chock full of humor. The game is quite lengthy with nine expansive platforming levels and a recurring minigame in which Jim must outrace the malevolent Psycrow while dodging asteroids.
The Windows Phone port of Earthworm Jim is not a terrible game, but it's awfully rough around the edges. The frame rate is just terrible (it doesn't run at 30 FPS, let alone 60) and there is no Fast App Switching. My biggest problem is the placement of the virtual stick and buttons are awful and can't be adjusted, making the controls worse than they should be. The final level is harder than it was on consoles and the Achievements can be tough too. Check out our full review for more details.
Earthworm Jim goes on sale for $2.99 on Wednesday, November 7th for one week only. If you're a patient fan of platformers, get it here on the Windows Phone Store.


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New vehicle pricing includes all offers and incentives. Tax, Title, and Tags not included in vehicle prices shown and must be paid by the purchaser. While great effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this site, errors do occur so please verify information with a customer service rep. This is easily done by calling us at (888) 242-8706 or by visiting us at the dealership.
**With approved credit. Terms may vary. Monthly payments are only estimates derived from the vehicle price with a 72-month term, 4.9% interest and 20% downpayment.
*Prices shown include a destination & handling charge but do not include taxes or license. Destination charges for ILX, TLX and RLX is $965.00, NSX is $1800.00 and MDX and RDX is $995.00. Actual vehicles/accessory costs, labor and installation vary. Please consult your selected dealer.


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Pakket: lifelines (3.0.61-2)
Verwijzigingen voor lifelines
Debian bronnen:
Het bronpakket lifelines downloaden:
Vergelijkbare pakketten:
text-based genealogy software
LifeLines is a genealogy program that runs on UNIX systems in text mode. It maintains genealogical records (persons, families, sources, events and others) in a database, and generates reports from those records.
There are no practical limits on the number of records that can be stored in a LifeLines database, nor on the amounts or kinds of data that can be kept in the records.
LifeLines does not contain built-in reports. Instead it provides a programming subsystem that you use to program your own reports and charts. Some standard report files are included in the lifelines-reports package.
The programming subsystem also lets you query your databases and process your data in any way. LifeLines uses the terminal independent features of UNIX to provide a screen and menu based user interface.
The program is able to read and write GEDCOM files, the de facto standard for genealogical data exchange.
Andere aan lifelines gerelateerde pakketten
- dep: libc6 (>= 2.7)
- GNU C Bibliotheek: Gedeelde bibliotheken
Ook een virtueel pakket geboden door: libc6-udeb
- dep: libncursesw5 (>= 5.6+20070908)
- shared libraries for terminal handling (wide character support)
- dep: libtinfo5
- shared low-level terminfo library for terminal handling


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Hostess Cupcake Candlestick
Hostess Cupcake Candlestick
Hostress Cupcake Candlestick, 2018
Porcelain, gold luster, glaze, 15.5"x4.5"x3"
Each piece from "Not For You, Bunny" is a unique sculpted original.
Influenced by feminist theory and the Rococo art movement of eighteenth century France, ceramicist Jen Dwyer's highly detailed, one-of-a-kind decorative sculptures grapple with non-traditional representations of gender and power. Teeming with references to notable women throughout art history, mainstream entertainment, Greek mythology, and contemporary girlhood culture, precieuse porcelaine is utilized as both a functional and allegorical medium, finished in a clear glaze and embellished with 24 karat gold.


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"The world always makes the assumption that the exposure of an error is identical with the discovery of truth -- that the error and truth are simply opposite. They are nothing of the sort. What the world turns to, when it is cured on one error, is usually simply another error, and maybe one worse than the first one." ~ H.L. Mencken
Emotion Over All
On Tuesday we have a national election that will no doubt greatly impact our future, but the one thing it cannot control is our nation's descent into emotocracy, which is my term to describe the way in which emotion has transcended thought and intellect within the polity.
Politicians now get elected only through promising to do something about every disease, threat, and discomfort that someone shouts to them while they're on the campaign trail. If they don't commit to having their bureaucracies oppose every shadow, then there's no way in which they will ever get elected. It is comical to think of how accepted government's role as magician is when one considers how many of those who validate statism at the ballot box dread the lines at the post office or the secretary of state's. Whenever I talk to those who are opposed to tax cuts and the slashing of government programs, I find that they know little about bureaucracies. It's shocking how many do not grasp the ineffectiveness of state bureaucracies, or, if they do know, then they assume that it's only at their job where the boss has been promoted to their level of incompetence and where workers are systematically punished for thinking up original solutions or showing initiative.
When government is idealized as protector and savior, it then takes advantage of the opportunity by acting like a virus to hollow out our spirits and leave us in a debilitated condition. Many of us who believe that logic is intrinsic to good decision making often are so overwhelmed by the weight of the conventional, emotional opinions that surround us that we only make nominal attempts to fight back.
I just had a representative conversation with an emotophile the other day about immigration. She said, 'I just can't stand the thought of people suffering, so that's why I'm for open borders.'
I said, 'Well, you realize, Miss, that they'll always be people suffering in the world. One country can't stop human suffering.'
She conceded that, but of course didn't change her view, and I'm sure that in the near future, she will say, because of the suffering in the United States , that we should create new programs for X, Y, and Z.
I see the 'emotions only/all the time' style in nearly every argument I ever have about public education. I always hear things like, 'we can't be a free country when we under-fund our schools' and that 'Bush is short-changing kids.' Yet, George Bush has spent more money on education than any other president in history. Where does it end? How much is enough? In the emotocracy, you're a bad person for even posing the question. As you may have guessed, the answer is very emotional. It's because with children, you can never spend too much. Well, there it is, take my house and everything in it.
I also hear that teachers have the most important job in America , so they should make way more than they do. Well, I'd agree that teachers in some areas are underpaid, but with emotion as our guide, there can be no conceivable ceiling for future salaries. When one concedes the importance of the job then what stops teachers from being paid as much as Pedro Martinez?
The real point here is that emotions are something to be harnessed and controlled. They should not have shrines erected around them. However, that's exactly what we have done in this culture and there's no end in sight. The average emotophiliac can turn on their television and get their fix from Dr. Phil, Oprah or John Edwards whenever their instability index becomes too low.
With politicians, most of us really don't feel pain until they begin to feel ours, and that's when the real hell begins. One day it's a coerced retirement scheme like Social Security. Tomorrow it's a prescription drug card for individuals whose net worth is miles above the mean. How long is it until we hear rhetoric at the national level about government taking care of us from cradle to grave? After we're done enacting government initiatives in response to every hiccup and paper cut that occurs among 290 million citizens, there will be no way to stop creeping towards socialism. The creep will end with our becoming a full-fledged socialist country. When it comes about, there will be no more technical advances or rich to tax out of existence, and, predictably, there will be no more welfare state, either. Emotions absolutely produce change, but nothing in this galaxy could ever make socialism work.
Regardless of what happens on Tuesday, our country is being held hostage to the most primitive of forces. Emotion comes from the reptilian area of our brain and could soon turn our land into a swamp fit only for alligators . . . and talk show hosts.


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NirajS needed a new web page design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 75 designs submitted by 26 freelance designers.
We need a new Web 2.0ish design for our home page. We are a 6 person software developement firm working on various development projects.
ENTech Solutions
Brief Description:
We are a small New York-based software and Internet technology consulting firm. We specialize
in reservation systems and
scheduling applications for the travel industry. We
focus on finding
innovative ways to use new technology combined with our particular attention
for designing applications that are both scalable and usable.
We need a good home page design to reflect what we do.
The EPS version of the logo is located here. The included PDF has more info on what we do and can be downloaded from here:
The current website is:
Sites we like:
- Fresh look
- Nice light colors
- Web 2.0 ish design
- Original
- Do not use other templates
- Do not use copyrighted images


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Hollywood's trick to slimming down fast
A healthy diet and regular exercise are the key to staying in shape. But if you'd like to lose a couple pounds before you're satisfied with staying where you are, staying in shape is only half the battle.
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Provider of World's Most Widely Used Integration Platform Expands Partner Ecosystem and Introduces Dataloader.io, the Most Popular App on Salesforce.com AppExchange
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Nov 19, 2012) - MuleSoft, provider of the world's most widely used integration platform, today announced another record-breaking quarter, increasing bookings 191 percent year-over-year. In Q3 2012, MuleSoft built upon strong customer momentum with notable enterprise wins across its leading Mule ESB and CloudHub platforms -- including BT, Echostar, Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) -- as well as significant expansions by existing customers worldwide.
MuleSoft continues to establish its dominance in the SaaS integration space by expanding key relationships with leading SaaS providers and systems integrators (SIs) such as Zendesk, ServiceSource, Bunchball, Cloud Forward and MetraTech. MuleSoft has built a rich network of global cloud partners that provide unique SaaS applications and services to address Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Human Resource Management (HRM), Project Management, eCommerce, Social, Mobility and additional customer challenges.
"The mega-trends of SaaS, mobile and Big Data are creating an explosion of endpoints and data from a myriad of sources," said Greg Schott, president and CEO of MuleSoft. "MuleSoft has emerged as the clear leader in providing the platform for the new enterprise -- we are seamlessly connecting applications, systems and data on a single platform, spanning on-premise and the cloud, and our continued growth signals that we are leading this industry transformation."
Q3 2012 Highlights:
"MuleSoft's CloudHub platform has allowed us to enter new markets and is helping us to rapidly expand, removing friction from sales and implementation cycles and ensuring customer success," said Ken Haigh, COO of PeopleMatter. "Without the connectivity to third party applications we wouldn't have been able to achieve our rapid growth rates."
About MuleSoft
MuleSoft provides the most widely used integration platform for connecting SaaS and enterprise applications in the cloud and on-premise. With the rise of cloud and mobile, enterprises face a choice: get overwhelmed by the resulting explosion of end points or seize the opportunity to gain competitive advantage. Founded on the idea that connecting applications should not be hard, MuleSoft lets organizations harness the power of their applications through integration. MuleSoft's Anypoint™ technology eliminates costly, time-intensive point-to-point integration, enabling business agility. Delivered as a packaged integration experience, CloudHub™ (formerly Mule iON) and Mule ESB™ are built on proven open source technology for the fastest, most reliable integration without vendor lock-in. Supporting billions of transactions per day, MuleSoft is used in production by thousands of enterprises, including Walmart, MasterCard, Nokia, Nestlé and Honeywell, and powers integrations with leading SaaS vendors such as Salesforce.com, NetSuite, Workday, Intuit and Zuora.
For more information: www.MuleSoft.com
Follow us on Twitter: @MuleSoft
Contact Information:
Media Contact
Bhava Communications for MuleSoft
Melissa Czapiga


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All but two of South Carolina's delegation to Washington, D.C., voted against a Senate bill to avoid the effects of the so-called "fiscal cliff."
U.S. House members voted 257-167 to support a last-minute Senate bill put together by the White House and Senate Republicans, including U.S. House leader John Boehner and 84 other Republicans.
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Join us at Cristi Fer Art Studio in San Miguel de Allende
for a Special Intro to Sketching workshop 2 Days $100.00 includes taxi to the studio from your hotel or condo in San Miguel
If you always wanted to learn how to sketch or you want to gain confidence in your sketching, join us!
July 1 and 2. 9 AM - 12 PM
Contact us ASAP at cristiferart(@)yahoo.com
Presents original paintings. Representational and abstract. Oil, acrylic, mixed media, cold wax, urban sketches and more. Also painting workshops are offered to artists of all levels of experience, one day to one month
Original Paintings Inspired by Mexico, Aztec and Mayan topics. Realistic, Expressionistic, Abstract Art.
Our Teaching Philosophy: We employ a mentorship approach. Each participant receives individual guidance, one day to one month workshop participants. Abstract, realistic, expressionist or sketching all have equal importance in your development as a Sunday painter or a professional artist.
Monday, June 15, 2015
4TH of July Special 2 Day Sketching Workshop
Posted by Cristi Fer Art at 6:06 AM


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A symbolic resolution declares that individuals worldwide have the right to online privacy.
U.N. member states unanimously adopted a symbolic resolution Thursday that declares a worldwide right of individuals to online privacy, a slap at the U.S. National Security Agency's massive surveillance programs that have angered Washington's friends and foes alike.
The resolution urges an end to digital dragnets, without naming the countries known to be making the collections that rights advocates consider intrusive. It also calls on the world body's human rights commissioner, Navi Pillay, to report on "the protection and promotion of the right to privacy in the context of domestic and extraterritorial surveillance."
Pillay this year referred to the case of indicted NSA leaker Edward Snowden as evidence of the need for countries to protect those who reveal human rights violations. Snowden, who fled the United States in the spring in fear of reprisal, has been charged in absentia with three felonies in connection with his leaking of classified information on domestic and foreign data sweeps.
"The right to privacy, the right to access to information and freedom of expression are closely linked," Pillay said in defense of whistleblowers. "The public has the democratic right to take part in the public affairs, and this right cannot be effectively exercised by solely relying on authorized information."
Snowden, who was granted temporary asylum in Russia in August, absconded from his NSA contract job in Honolulu in April with computer data files showing U.S. collection of phone, text and email records of millions of people worldwide.
The disclosures spurred widespread denunciation of the NSA programs, which included monitoring of the personal cellphones of the Brazilian and German leaders. Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff canceled a state visit to Washington to underscore her country's dismay.
A U.S. federal judge ruled this week that the NSA data collections were probably in violation of constitutional protections against government intrusion on personal liberty.
On Tuesday, the Brazilian daily Folha de S. Paulo published an open letter from Snowden in which the 30-year-old fugitive expressed his surprise and pleasure at the global outpouring of support for his action in revealing the secret NSA snooping. He also offered to help Brazil combat foreign data collection if he were to be granted permanent asylum there.
Rousseff told journalists Wednesday that she hadn't seen the letter and couldn't comment on it. But the president of Brazil's Senate Foreign Relations and Defense Committee, Ricardo Ferraco, was reported by the Associated Press to be lobbying in favor of granting asylum to Snowden.
Rousseff would make any final decision on the fugitive's request for refuge, a granting of which another Brazilian government official told the AP would be "highly unlikely."
The U.N. General Assembly resolution served as an expression of pique by the countries targeted by U.S. surveillance, as well as tacit recognition that they can do little to force its end.
Thursday's resolution, drafted by Brazil and Germany, observes that "concerns about public security may justify the gathering and protection of certain sensitive information," alluding to the counter-terrorism objectives claimed by U.S. officials.
But the measure also asks member countries to ensure "transparency" of the domestic forces conducting the surveillance and "accountability" for the personal data collected.
While the resolution spotlighted what member states have identified as abusive surveillance practices by the United States, it has no legally binding force.
Snowden has been keeping a low profile in Russia since being granted asylum, and he is not known to have made additional disclosures of NSA practices while in Russia. New details have been reported by the Guardian and the Washington Post, though, based on information Snowden reportedly left with reporters before fleeing.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had made Snowden's silence a condition of his asylum. During the five weeks that the fugitive was stranded at Moscow's main international airport, Putin said Snowden would not be allowed to stay if he continued leaking classified information that was harmful to "our American partners."
Putin on Thursday described Snowden as "noble" for his role in exposing NSA surveillance excesses but said he hadn't met or spoken with the American.
"Thanks to Snowden, a lot has changed in the minds of people around the world, including politicians," Putin said during his annual year-end press conference. "And this is certainly his merit."
Putin said, however, that the surveillance was being done primarily to combat terrorism and was "on the whole" a necessity.
(c) 2013 Los Angeles Times


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Americans and Pakistanis are putting pressure on their governments to downgrade bilateral relations following the US raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
At Pakistan's request, the US is pulling out some of its soldiers from the country. With only 200 soldiers on the ground, the cuts are mostly a symbolic effort aimed at easing Pakistani frustration. Today, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stepped in to calm tensions by announcing the US wants "long-term" security ties with Pakistan.
Meanwhile, responding to popular American anger, Congress is threatening substantial cuts to US aid and Pakistani populists are saying good riddance. Beyond the angry rhetoric on aid, experts see a mismatch between US hopes and where the dollars have gone.
How much US money is in Pakistan?
The US has provided $20.7 billion to Pakistan since 2002. A little more than two-thirds of that went to military use, the remainder to civilian.
The biggest ticket item, at $8.9 billion, is something called "Coalition Support Funds." These are reimbursements for Pakistan's military assistance in the war on terror.
The second-largest chunk, $4.8 billion, falls under "Economic Support Funds." Most of this has gone to shore up the government's budget, either as revenue or to pay off debt to the US.
Much less is spent on seemingly major US priorities: The Frontier Corps, the Pakistani force doing most of the fighting, has received $100 million. Antiterrorism and nuclear nonproliferation efforts: $90 million.
"One of the things we should be doing is training the police, but we're not doing it.... Pakistanis are not letting us. They want the Army to do everything," says C. Christine Fair, assistant professor at Georgetown University in Washington.
What has Pakistan's Army done with the money?
The short answer is: No one quite seems to know. The US reimburses Pakistan for costs associated with the numerous military operations launched following US goading.
But the Defense Department has failed to obtain enough information to judge whether $2 billion in claims were valid, according to the Government Accountability Office. Their 2008 report found evidence of double billing or repayment for unrelated or nonexistent efforts, including $200 million for radar upgrades – even though militants have no air force that would require such radar.
Former President Pervez Musharraf later confirmed suspicions that aid had been diverted to defend against India. "Whoever wishes to be angry, let them be angry," he said in 2009. "The Americans should know … that we won't compromise our security, and will use the equipment everywhere."
The United States has gotten tougher on reimbursements, rejecting 44 percent in 2009, compared with 1.6 percent in 2005, according to The Wall Street Journal.
"Reimbursement claims are reviewed carefully and decisions are based on a combination of agreed formulas," says a US official in Islamabad, via e-mail. "However, we do not control what the government of Pakistan does with reimbursement funds that go into the state bank."
Hasn't the US boosted civilian aid?
In 2010, the US committed to providing $1.5 billion annually for five years in civilian aid. But only $285 million of this Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act money has been spent so far, according to the US embassy.
Sen. Richard Lugar (R) of Indiana, a cosponsor, chalked it up to difficulties determining which projects to fund and how to account for them.
The sluggishness is partly due to reforms at USAID, says Ms. Fair. After years of complaints that development dollars wound up enriching US companies, the agency moved to channel funds through the Pakistani government and small nongovernmental organizations. "When we moved away from institutional contractors to small NGOs, we are basically moving into an unknown," says Fair.
The US embassy provided a breakdown of how Kerry-Lugar-Berman Act money has been spent. It includes $32.16 million for two dam projects, $54.8 million on flood relief and recovery, $39 million for students to study in the US, $45 million for higher education, $75 million for income support to poor Pakistanis, and $10.34 million for small infrastructure projects.
Such figures are not readily available on the website and take some time for USAID to produce, frustrating those tracking the projects. The lack of transparency worries Pakistanis who often distrust NGOs, says Fair. Previous efforts by the Monitor to observe USAID projects in Pakistan have been met with ambivalence. The agency says it wants to show how the US is helping Pakistan, but it worries about drawing militant attention.
During hearings earlier this month, Sen. John Kerry (D) of Massachusetts said: "We have raised this issue forcefully ... there needs to be a much more effective communications strategy."
What US goals has the money accomplished?
Military aid to Pakistan is aimed at cooperation in the war on terror.
Since 2001, Pakistan has launched offensives against Islamic-militant havens. Pakistani intelligence has helped the US nab some top Al Qaeda leaders. Islamabad has also risked popular discontent by allowing the US to base drones and more CIA operatives on its soil.
Yet the help dries up when it comes to targeting groups most active in fighting the US in Afghanistan. Insurgencies are hard to defeat when they have sanctuary across a border. Meanwhile, Pew Research Center finds that just 11 percent of Pakistanis have a favorable view of the US, up one point from 2002.
"In the past decade, we've seen $14 billion [in] military aid come in, but has militancy changed? If anything, it has become more acute," says Aasim Sajjad Akhtar, a political economy professor at Quaid-i-Azam University in Islamabad.
What if the US cut aid?
US lawmakers have said the most likely targets for cuts would be civilian, not military, aid.
Cutting civilian aid would have only a 0.14 percent impact on Pakistan's GDP growth, calculates Shahid Javed Burki, a former World Bank vice president.
But the real concern for Pakistan's solvency would be loss of support from international lenders such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
"If the US pulls out of the relationship, the IMF and World Bank look to the US before deciding, and private investors will take a huge hit," says Moeed Yusuf, South Asia adviser at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington. "Pakistan won't fail if aid disappears. But for a country in trouble, do you really want to isolate it?"
In 2008, the economy took a nose dive and the IMF kept it afloat with loans. Pakistan's former representative to the IMF board, Ehtisham Ahmad, said recently that the IMF was going to deny the bailout request until a last-minute intervention by the White House. (The IMF in Pakistan declined to comment.) "As long as the multilateral aid continues, it won't impact Pakistan's economy," says Sartaj Aziz, a former finance minister.
A US official in Islamabad argues that yanking civilian aid would undermine the US message of a long-term commitment to Pakistan. It would also affect the civilian government's ability to provide services, further undermining it.
Rescinding military aid would involve a larger chunk of money, deepening the economic impact to the country. It would also lead to a cancellation of Pakistani military help along the Afghan border.
"Pakistan would say we are pulling out our troops. Handle this border yourself, but don't violate the border," says Imtiaz Gul, a strategic analyst in Islamabad. "I would only hope that better sense would prevail."


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Robin van Persie continued his epic goal-scoring campaign in the Premier League today, scoring both Arsenal goals—the second in stoppage time—to lead his team to a road win at Anfield today. It gave van Persie 25 goals on the season in as many matches, and sent this Arsenal supporter into an ecstatic whir. [ESPN2]
This is a Deadspin Video, in which strange sports moments are slowed down to ridiculous speeds and matched with indie music. This video features "You're Lucky I'm Skinny" by Wolfie. See previous episodes here.


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PayPal, owned by eBay, is one of the oldest online payment solutions. While anyone can get an account for free, it also includes merchant accounts to give you the ability to process payments online. Services are available to customers in well over 100 countries, making it the ideal solution for those with a global business.
Merchant Services
PayPal's merchant services include the following:
Website Payments Standard: This simple solution includes easy HTML you can install on your website. Choose a buy now, add to cart, donate, or buy gift certificate button. It is already integrated into all third-party shopping cart systems, or you can get a shopping cart directly from the site if you don't have one. Their Virtual Terminal feature allows you to accept payments via phone, fax, mail or in-person. Also supports recurring or subscription payments. This option also allows you to automatically calculate sales tax and shipping, as well as print out postage. When you're done for the month, download your data to your accounting software such as Quick Books.
Website Payments Pro: All the features of standard, plus a built in shipping center to allow you to print packing slips, Express Checkout for those who already have a PayPal account, risk protection, and more.
Email Payments: You don't even need a website to use this feature. Send an email payment request to anyone with an email address in 190 countries and they can pay you directly through email. You can generate QuickBooks or Outlook invoices to send to your client. Fast processing and includes the shipping center feature as well as many others.
Payflow Gateway: There are two versions to this option. With the Pro option you can let customers make payments without ever leaving your site. Powerful reports and management tools included with PayPal manager. You must have a merchant account to use this option.
Express Checkout: This can be used with other options. Basically, if a customer already has an account with PayPal, they can check out quickly and easily. Customer's without one can sign up or use another payment option.
International Sales: This is not a service per se, but an area of the site to help you learn more about selling internationally.
Keep in mind though, that PayPal does not allow you to sell leads, it is against their terms of service. Also, PayPal has been known to shut down accounts selling business and multi-level programs without warning, and as a rule release the funds 6 months or later.
How to Sign Up
To open a Premier or Business account with PayPal is easy. Simply go to the website and enter your information. Opening an account and withdrawing money into a US bank account is free. Adding funds if you want to shop are also free. For all other transactions, the fee is 1.9% to 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction. Transactions can be from a PayPal Balance, Instant Transfer, eCheck, Credit Card, Debit Card, or Buyer Credit.
You will need to call about opening a merchant account. Some of the services, such as Virtual Terminal and Website Payments Pro, have monthly fees depending on the package you are using. Payflow Gateway has a one-time set up and a monthly fee.
If you are looking for a global solution that will allow your company to reach almost 200 countries, look no further.


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General Motors was the first major auto maker to announce it would build a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The Chevrolet Volt will be a new-type of car that goes 40 miles on a single charge before a gasoline engine kicks in to recharge batteries. President Obama has said such vehicles are key to unhooking the nation from foreign oil dependence.
Yet finding battery technology with the right cost, safety, durability, and performance is critical. Robert Kruse, GM's executive director of global vehicle engineering for hybrids, electric vehicles, and batteries, explained his thoughts on emerging plug-in hybrid vehicle battery technology in an interview with the Monitor. For the full story on the worldwide race for better batteries, click here.
On how far lithium-ion battery technology has come on safety, cost, durability, and performance – and whether it is ready for prime time:
RK: When we introduced this concept not long ago, it seemed to resonate. So we said, 'Hey we've got to figure out how to do this. The battery didn't exist. We went through a very elaborate search of cell chemistry and construction. I want to say we looked at hundreds in the early days of the volt. And in that process, we developed what I would describe as probably one of the most rigorous cell assessment processes in the industry.... That enabled me a year ago to pick A123[Systems of Watertown, Mass.] and one of their cells, and [Korean chemical company] LG Chem and one of their cells, coupled with a couple of pack suppliers.... We selected LG as the cell source for Gen-one Volt; and we are also very intrigued and attracted to some of what A123 has to offer and are continuing to do advanced development with A123 for future applications – just not Gen-one Volt.
We also then got a lot smarter and looked at that whole value chain and understood the strategic nature of being able to take cells from a variety of sources and integrate those into modules and packs and deliver that to the vehicle. We decided this battery pack business was really core to being in the electric vehicle market. So part of our [January 12] announcement was that, in addition to announcing LG as the cell source, that GM is also moving to design internally, and engineer internally, and validate internally, and ultimately manufacture internally the battery packs. We will take cells from LG, do a whole bunch of value added to those cells with electronics and thermal ... and build the T-pack, as we refer to it. We will ship that to the Volts final assembly location from a General Motors facility....
On reports that the Volt battery could cost $10,000 or more:
RK: There's been a lot of speculation.... I will tell you, though, we've been able to meet the business team targets for the batteries and the cells themselves. And it does allow, from a financial standpoint, the early Volts to be viable. But I also will acknowledge that any of this new technology is very expensive, particularly in a Gen-one configuration. As we look to the future, to having larger and larger portions of our portfolio being electrically driven vehicles, it becomes increasingly clear we need to address the costs associate with the technology.... You're familiar with a concept of a learning curve. Well, there's a cost curve with any new technology and lithium-ion batteries are no exception.... So as knowledge and volume go up, costs come down.
Because costs are such a significant driver of the adoption of this technology, it's a very strategic issue to me. Traditional development would have me develop my Gen-one system, launch it, learn from it, figure out what I need to do to develop my Gen-two system, launch, learn, figure out what I need for Gen-three. To help jump start and accelerate down this learning curve, in addition to the Gen-one battery system, I'm right now also working on Gen-two and Gen-three solutions that have elements of both performance and cost that are part of my expectations of my team to deliver future-gen systems.
On safety, cell chemistry, and the critical issue of "thermal runaway" in which lithium batteries have been known to burst into flames:
RK: There are many layers of safety built into the Volt. That includes all the way down to the cell level. You can't look at chemistry separate from construction. But the large-format prismatic cells, together with the chemistry, together with the separator which separates the anodes from cathodes inside the individual cell, is absolutely key to making sure that you do not have thermal runaway. We have adopted [independent] safety standards and have employed those requirements into our cell and pack designs. I can assure you we've met those standards with what we've designed and what we've selected.
On whether it is important to have a US lithium-battery manufacturer for vehicles in the United States:
RK: GM is a global player, as we have a global supply footprint. We go wherever the best, most efficient parts are. If and when there is a lithium-ion cell manufacturing footprint in the US, they will come onto our radar and get appropriate consideration. It's important to recognize that other governments have recognized that this is of strategic importance and have made significant investment in developing this kind of capability. It is now beginning to come onto the radar of others. Other countries are a little bit behind. It doesn't mean they won't catch up, but for the first-generation Volt, there were a lot of advantages to what had already been created and existed outside the United States.
On GM's push to have nine hybrid models by this summer and how broadly lithium-ion battery technology will figure in the future GM fleet:
RK: Those nine vehicles you talked about, those existing hybrids, use nickel-metal hybrid technology batteries. I will tell you, all my advanced development is geared toward various lithium-ion chemistries and construction. We have previously announced that our next generation base system will be a lithium-ion battery that comes from Hitachi. If you look at the long-term cost projections for nickel metal, and what's going to happen for lithium, together with total reserves, energy density, cost, and mass – all favor lithium-ion technology. That's why you see the industry moving toward it.
On the longevity of lithium-ion batteries:
RK: Your cell phone is powered by a lithium battery – and that battery's capacity decays over time.... I've chosen a "life of the vehicle battery" and my terms of "life of the vehicle" are eight to 10 years. Our promise of 40 miles of electric range is an end of life requirement.... So how do I do that? I have more battery capacity than I'm using. There's a sweet spot in there. I won't over charge the battery, or over discharge the battery. The maximum state of charge, the minimum state of charge, I consider to be highly regarded intellectual property. I also understand the temperature range that I need to use this battery at so I don't reduce its life. I won't charge or discharge my battery outside a temperature window. That's also something I consider highly prized intellectual property. So by never overdischarging, never overcharging, never allowing the battery to charge or discharge out of a temperature range all unique to the battery chemistry I've selected, it allows me to have confidence in the longevity of my package.
On whether, if drivers persistently ignore warning lights about a battery problem, the car might be programmed not to allow itself to be started:
RK: GM has more production electric vehicle experience than anyone else, having executed the EV-1 program. One of the things we learned in EV-1 is that electric vehicle customers suffered from 'range anxiety.' Where am I when my battery goes dead? My development engineers in that time frame ... went out and bought motorcycle engines, coupled them to generators, put them on trailers, and towed them behind EV-1s to allow them longer periods of electric operation.... So as we looked at concepting the Volt, we basically took that development engineer's solution and integrated that into the Volt.... So, if there is an issue, the customer will always have his vehicle available at his disposal through the extended range capability built into the vehicle.
As it relates to individual cell reliability, having proven capability to manufacture cells with pharmaceutical-level cell quality so that each cell is identical is absolutely critical to my success formula. If you can imagine having hundreds of these cells fit together, and one is slightly out [of] spec from the others, you're going to work that cell harder than you do the rest of the cells. If you work it harder, it's going to wear out sooner. Then, in a battery where these cells are strung together in series to get voltage, the chain is only as strong as the weakest link analogy begins, and you lose a cell.... I do have a level of redundancy built into my pack in the way I have my cells configured both in parallel, and in series, to be able to protect that.
The other thing you have to watch out for is that as these cells begin to charge and discharge, that no matter how identical you manufacture them, they will start to deviate from each other... part of what I have designed into the pack is a very sophisticated cell balancing capability, so that as the pack ages, the individual cells age. I will adapt the cells to the pack, constantly rebalancing my pack.... The software and hardware, the algorithm that does that, and how we do that, is also highly prized intellectual property.


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Young starlets ensure bright Arsenal future
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Over the years, Arsenal have made a name for themselves in the successful development of promising young talent, and under the tutelage of manager Arsene Wenger, who celebrated his 15th anniversary in north London earlier in 2011, the club has continued to churn out stars of the modern game.
With the New Year fast approaching, it's time to take stock and look back at how the year unfolded for the Gunners - and whilst it may be most vividly remembered for the 'so near, yet so far' scenarios, which include the Carling Cup final defeat to Birmingham City, and the high-profile sales of two of the club's biggest stars - Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri - there is plenty of reason for optimism.
For 2011 is also a year that has seen the transition of a number of Arsenal's youth team players, who have gone on to establish themselves in Wenger's first-team.
Twelve months ago, Wojciech Szczesny had only just made his Barclays Premier League debut, but is now regarded as an integral part of the Gunners' senior side, and rated as one of the top goalkeepers in the country.
Meanwhile, midfield duo Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong have also made the successful step up - the former plied his trade in his native France last season, while 18-year-old Frimpong was sidelined through injury.
Only last week, all three of the aforementioned players lined up in Arsenal's first-team to face Aston Villa at Villa Park - a game that ended in a 2-1 victory, and continued the club's resurgence this season, to put them within touching distance of the top-four.
The players' development whilst attributed to Wenger, is also thanks to the hard work of the Frenchman's network of staff and coaches - including reserve team manager Neil Banfield and youth team coach Steve Bould, who spend endless hours working tirelessly at the club's London Colney training ground.
On site, there is a short stretch of hallway from the reserves' dressing room to that of the Arsenal first-team - a corridor that holds significant importance for the club's aspiring young stars.
"We always say to them it's the hardest 20 yards they'll ever have to walk," said Banfield, who revealed the hidden meaning behind a seemingly normal, 'run of the mill' corridor.
"Emmanuel has done exceptionally well, along with Jack [Wilshere], Kieran [Gibbs], Wojciech [Szczesny] and Johan [Djourou] - they've come through the club's youth development structure and done brilliantly," he reflected to Arsenal.com.
"When you get there you've done well, they know it and hopefully there will be some more following in their footsteps in the near future."
The development process is a continuous cycle, with wave after wave of young players coming into the club, seemingly with the footballing world at their feet. But at this point it is about separating the best from the rest - an unenviable task that Banfield and Bould are currently overseeing in north London.
Having reflected positively on the initial intake, and results that followed in 2011, the second-string coach sees no reason why 2012 should be any different.
"The changeover from one group to another has gone through seamlessly again and we're starting to see some young players making their debuts in the reserves," Banfield continued. "The future looks very promising for the young players at Arsenal football club.
"Obviously the manager is running the lot and I think you're seeing what he wants from his young players, how he wants them to play. It's a credit to how the club works and a testament to all the work that's gone in from the manager down."
However, like most things in modern-day football, there is little time to savour all the good work that has gone on beforehand, and the nostalgia of yester-year will quickly turn into a look ahead, and forecast of what is to follow in the future, and ultimately who will become Arsenal's stars of 2012.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is tipped for big things, and Spanish defender Ignasi Miquel is garnering an equally impressive reputation, but whoever the leading lights may be, Banfield is certain that the principles that are ingrained at the club will ensure continued success for the foreseeable future.
"The boss has always said since he came through the door, if you're good enough then it doesn't matter about age," he concluded. "That goes for wherever you come from, whoever you are - it doesn't matter because he will play you. He's been true to his word.
"I don't think people quite understand how high the level is though sometimes. We don't just try to produce a player who can survive in the Premier League, we're talking about players that can win it, win the Champions League and are going to make us quality."News Now - Sport News


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The Best Digital Cameras for Teenagers
Homecoming, roaming the high school hallways, first dates and best friends -- all these memories should be captured on camera, so it's a good idea for a teenager to have a digital camera of their own. But, selecting a camera for a teenager is a bit different than buying one for yourself. Most teenagers love the latest and greatest, so technology is important. But, along with the right tech on the inside, many teens will be excited over cameras with style and color on the outside as well. Here are our thoughts on the best digital cameras for teenagers.
- Order by:
- Price
- Title
- Grade
- Release Date
Olympus TG-5
Olympus' single-digit TG Tough cameras have long been a popular choice because of a bright lens and excellent macro mode and the company is continuing the tradition with the new TG-5. Like earlier models, the TG-5 features a waterproof design,...
Grade: A Price: $458.00
Panasonic Lumix FZ2500
All 4Ks are not created equal -- and the Panasonic FZ2500 sports a true cinema quality 4K video mode.4K is technically 4,000 pixels, but most manufacturers will classify 3800 as 4K. While Panasonic's bump up to 4096 pixels is a less noticeab...
Grade: A- Price: $998.00
Polaroid Snap Touch
The original idea behind photo sharing is back with a newly remained camera. the Polaroid Snap Touch is technically a digital camera -- it uses a 13 megapixel digital sensor -- but it spits out instant prints true to Polaroid's past.The camera...
Grade: B- Price: $179.00
Ricoh Theta SC
Ricoh has added a budget-friendly camera to their lineup of 360 options. The Ricoh Theta SC is designed to make 360 photography more accessible with a simpler interface and a lower price point.For still images, users won't see much of a gap be...
Grade: B- Price: $179.00
Nikon D3400
Nikon's 3300 is a solid beginner's DSLR and now the manufacturer is expanding on that with the D3400. The latest entry-level DSLR from Nikon wraps up much of the same features as the 3300. So what's new? Nikon has added Bluetooth...
Grade: A- Price: $796.00
Pentax K-70
The Pentax K-70 has two big things going for it: weather-sealing, and an $899 price tag.Like most entry-level DSLRs, the K-70 sports an APS-C sensor. The camera shoots at a respectable six frames per second, using up to a 1/6000 second shutter spe...
Grade: A- Price: $797.00
Nikon COOLPIX A900
The Nikon COOLPIX A900 is a small camera with a big zoom and even big video capabilities with 4K.While the A900 looks like a typical point-and-shoot and uses the standard 1/2.3" sensor, the 35x optical zoom is hiding in a pretty small camera....
Grade: A- Price: $397.00
Fujifilm FinePix XP90
Fujifilm didn't change much when they updated the waterproof XP80. The Fujifilm FinePix XP90 offers a higher resolution LCD screen and a new time lapse capture mode.The headlining feature for the camera is still the 50 feet waterproofing, well...
Grade: B+ Price: $200.00
Canon PowerShot G9 X
The Canon G9 X is the sleeker, lighter sibling to the G5 X. While it doesn't list quite as many features, it's also nearly half the weight and $300 less than the G5 X, introduced at the same time.Like the G5 X, the Canon G9 X sports a larg...
Grade: B+ Price: $400.00
Polaroid Snap
Move aside, boring budget cameras. The Polaroid Snap isn't just cheap, it's one of the more entertaining point-and-shoot cameras on the market. That's because, along with saving a 10 megapixel digital file, it also spits out 2x3 instan...
Grade: B- Price: $100.00
Ricoh Theta S
Forget a wide 180 degree perspective, the Ricoh Theta will do you one better with a 360 degree perspective. The third camera in the line, Theta cameras are unlike any other because they use two lenses and two sensors to capture a 360 degree spheri...
Grade: B- Price: $349.00
Olympus Air A01
The are really two types of cameras: the camera that can fit in your pocket, and the camera that can take great pictures. The Olympus Air A01 is an attempt to merge both, creating a tool for smartphone photography that doesn't rely on a tiny b...
Grade: B Price: $299.00
Canon EOS Rebel T6i
The Canon EOS Rebel T6i and T6s boasts the highest resolution the popular EOS line has seen yet, thanks to a 24.2 megapixel APS-C sensor. The T6i model is designed for affordability, while the T6s is a flagship model for more advanced users.Both o...
Grade: A Price: $549.00
Fujifilm XQ2
The Fujifilm XQ1 impressed us last year with category-leading speed--with a brand new processor, the XQ2 pushes that even further.While you don't see a jump in burst speed in the tech specs, the Fujifilm XQ2 has an updated processor, the EXR P...
Grade: B+ Price: $299.00
Polaroid Socialmatic
Thank you, Polaroid, for ensuring that the actually physical printed picture is far from gone. The Polaroid Socialmatic is a digital camera, yet in keeping with the manufacturer's past, can still spit out an instant image using the on-board pr...
Grade: B- Price: $230.00
Panasonic LUMIX LX100
The Panasonic Lumix LX100 is entering a crowded advanced compact category, but make way, because this stylish compact looks to be quite the competitor with big performance and a not-so-bad price tag to boot.The LX100 features a Micro Four Thirds s...
Grade: A- Price: $598.00
Sony QX1
It's a digital camera without a lens and without a screen--but it's likely to be a very popular option. The Sony QX1 essentially turns a smartphone into a mirrorless camera, complete with manual modes and even RAW compatibility. The QX1 is...
Grade: B Price: $598.00
Canon EOS Rebel SL1
Advertised as the smallest DSLR on the market, the Canon EOD Rebel SL1 has received positive initial reviews. The SL1 has the same sensor and processor as the popular but larger T5i, however it's 4 fps burst speed is slightly slower than the T...
Grade: B- Price: $574.00
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS
The Canon SX280 is truly a feature packed compact zoom, with a 20x optical zoom, wi-fi and GPS. Canon upgraded their processor over the previous model--a big change meaning better low light images and a faster burst speed of 14 fps (up to seven sh...
Grade: A- Price: $359.00
Fujifilm X-A10
The Fujifilm X-A10 has two big things going for it: a selfie screen, and a budget-friendly price tag.Fujifilm's budget shooter, announced in late 2016, is highlighted by a tilting LCD screen that, unlike earlier models doesn't block off an...
Grade: B- Price: $349.00


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Isidore Jules Bonheur (French, 1827–1901)
The Horse Fair, 1901, after an earlier model
Bronze, 31 1/2 x 64 1/2 in.
Signed lower right: Isidore Bonheur/Sculpsit. Inscribed lower left: Rosa Bonheur. Pinxit1849.
Gift of Mrs. Mervat Zahid
In her memoirs, Rosa Bonheur wrote of her brother, sculptor Isidore Bonheur, that she "did not want to risk hindering [his] artistic career, so I stopped exhibiting sculpture the day I became aware of his talent in this art." Although she refrained from showing her sculptures at the Paris Salon after 1848, the year Isidore had his first great success, she continued to exhibit them in provincial Salons alongside Isidore's work. They also collaborated on sculptures, and the individual works of the two siblings were often confused. Isidore won a gold medal at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1889 and, like his brother Auguste (whose paintings are also in the Museum's collection), was named Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (1894). Lacking his sister's assertiveness or career savvy, however, Isidore never achieved great fame. In 1866 he was awarded the commission to model two stone lions for the entrance to the Palais de Justice in Paris, which the renowned animalier Antoine-Louis Barye had declined. His second and final public work was a sixteen-foot monument to his sister, dedicated in 1901 in the town of Fontainebleau. He modeled a life-size bronze version of Rosa's Striding Bull of 1846, which was placed atop a pedestal adorned on four sides with bronze reliefs. Isidore also executed three of these reliefs, which reproduced Rosa's most popular paintings.Plowing in the Nivernais (1849, Musée d'Orsay, Paris), a powerful image of man and beast tilling the French soil, was Rosa's first great success. The Horse Fair (1853–55, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York), her masterpiece, established her international reputation and was shown in England and America. This bronze relief acknowledges the work of brother and sister with the inscriptions: Rosa Bonheur Pinxit / Isidore Bonheur Sculpsit (Painted by Rosa Bonheur, Sculpted by Isidore Bonheur). All of the bronzes on the monument were scrapped and melted down in 1941, and only two casts of Isidore's original bronzes have survived, including this pair.


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When news broke that some supermarkets' burgers contained horse meat, shoppers couldn't believe what they'd heard.
"What? Cheap supermarket burgers contain actual meat? From an actual animal? You mean they aren't a random mishmash of sawdust, water, ground hoof and factory workers' fingernail clippings? Amazing. I might buy some. Hey, it says in this report that their burgers also contain pig meat. Do you think their sausages do as well?"
Today Labour tabled an Urgent Question on the scandal. Evidently neither the Food Secretary nor the Health Secretary fancied the job of answering, so David Heath, the agriculture minister, was saddled with it. (Consumer warning: while every effort has been made to remove them, this sketch may contain traces of equine pun.)
"This is a very important and serious issue," began Mr Heath. "Consumers should have full confidence that food is exactly what it says on the label. There are strict rules requiring products to be labelled accurately."
Ah, so inaccurate labelling was the problem. If the labels had made clear that the burgers contained horse meat, it would have been fine. "Nutritional Information. Fat: 8g (10% of Recommended Daily Allowance). Salt: 1g (16% of Recommended Daily Allowance). Horse: 6g (12% of Recommended Daily Allowance)."
Mr Heath is a large, glowering, ursine creature with a beard as thick as a gorse bush. He doesn't look like a man you'd want to anger. Labour MPs felt differently. They barracked Mr Heath throughout, accusing him of caring more about big business than shoppers (on the grounds that he'd asked the House not to "talk down the British food industry", whose standards were "of a very high level").
In short, they thought his attitude was extremely blinkered. So they gave him a good shoeing.
"Does the minister understand that by his remarks and tone today," seethed Kevin Brennan (Lab, Cardiff West), "he gives the impression that he's been captured, stunned, trussed up and served to the nation as the minister for the producer interest?"
Mr Brennan's Labour colleagues bayed. They were in a foal mood. Some of them looked barely stable.
Still, they weren't alone in thinking a more senior figure should have been present. "I'm rather disappointed there isn't a minister from the Department of Health here," said Philip Hollobone (Conservative, Kettering).
"Exactly!" chorused Labour MPs.
"Likewise I notice there isn't a shadow minister for health here either," continued Mr Hollobone.
Labour MPs fell silent.
Mr Heath was growing irritable. "I am not personally responsible," he cried, "for having mislabelled horse meat in the Republic of Ireland!"
His opponents bridled. The man was having a mare. He clearly couldn't hack it. Surely it was his job to bring a halter this scandal. It had gone on furlong enough.
Mr Heath snorted. Typical Trots. He was sick of them trying to stirrup trouble. He was doing his best, and you can't say farrier than that.
All right, all right. No more puns. I'm flogging a dead horse.
A bit like Tesco.


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And so it is….
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Author: Ashtara
'All my life I have yearned…' Andre Breton For a period of 15 years, I was the Principle of a well-known school in South Africa, the 'Academy of Holistic Therapies' which over time transformed into a place of deep spiritual and personal development, known then as the 'Centre of Creative Consciousness'. My life changed suddenly and I moved to England in 1999. Not long after my arrival my long term reIationship ended abruptly and I developed serious heart issues. What followed was a 7 year period of death and rebirth... It led me along a path of deep introspection and growth. Through this experience including 2 near death experiences, I was forced to step into a new life, eventually giving me true understanding of who I AM and a more committed path. I moved to Glastonbury, believing then that it was to discover more of what I was searching for. Instead it has been yet another level of my own unfolding and my need to go deeper within, living a quiet solitary life, each day clearing the way to finding deeper levels of awareness and truth. All this moved at an ever changing pace towards truth and change as I released the past with forgiveness - gently guiding myself through all of the many challenges to a place of deep understanding and peace… This has allowed a very rich and beautiful connection to All That Is, an ability to tap into reservoirs of knowledge and wisdom, never before accessed. My desire is to support others in their 'Awakening' bringing love and understanding to many lives as they remember who they are. I care deeply about our planet, the animal kingdom and all sentient Beings during this time of dramatic change and Spiritual r/evolution on Earth. During the 7 years I realised that I enjoy being a 'modern day Alchemist' with a passion for working with colour, potions, remedies, tinctures, energy and vibrations. I was guided by Spirit to create a range of high vibrational colour essences, known as the ColourKEYS System. I see these 'jewels' as the unfolding of a 'story' yet to be revealed…They are a wonderful tool to support and assist those seeking the true path towards their destiny. I am at the completion stages of writing my first book, which will be published early next year. It is the story my extraordinary childhood in Africa.


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Looks like a dead Kate Moss makes for a lot of laughs.
In the new trailer for the upcoming "Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie," we see that Edina (Jennifer Saunders) kills the supermodel when she accidentally pushes her off a balcony into the Thames River during – what else? – a fabulous fashion party. (Note the trailer above contains expletives.)
"How bad could this be?" Edina asks her daughter Saffron (Julia Sawalha) in the clip.
Saffron replies, "You have killed Kate Moss!"
What follows is Patsy (Joanna Lumley) and Edina's attempt to get out of town by fleeing to the South of France to live the rest of their lives in hiding.
The trailer confirms a star-studded list of cameos, including Jon Hamm (when he sees Patsy, the "Mad Men" star moans, "Oh, God, I can't believe you're still alive!"), Rebel Wilson as a Taser-happy flight attendant and Stella McCartney, who throws a brick through Edina's window after the Moss mishap.
"Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie" hits theaters on July 22.
CLICK! Which new movie poster is your favorite?
PHOTOS: Kate Moss' Most Outrageous Quotes


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Sky Bet Championship: Matt Smith cancels out Simon Dawkins goal at Elland Road
Matt Smith's goal denied Derby victory as the Rams warmed up for the Championship play-offs with a 1-1 draw at Leeds.
Last Updated: 03/05/14 3:10pm
Simon Dawkins fired Derby into an early lead but Leeds dominated the second half, resulting in Smith's goal while they also had two penalty claims rejected.
The Rams were already assured of finishing third and will meet sixth-placed Brighton over two legs in the play-off semi-finals.
McClaren resisted the temptation to field a substantially weakened side in advance of the play-offs, although Craig Bryson and Supporters' Club Player of the Year Jake Buxton were handed places on the bench.
Leeds could hardly have made a worse start, falling behind in the sixth minute.
With the defence in disarray, Patrick Bamford's pass found Jeff Hendrick. His close-in shot was blocked by goalkeeper Jack Butland, but former Tottenham striker Dawkins reacted quickly to stab home his fourth goal of the season.
Conor Sammon should have doubled the Rams' advantage five minutes later, but he fired wide of the near post after breaking clear.
Leeds needed to step up their game and Lee Grant's goal was put under siege as the Derby keeper pulled off saves from Smith, Scott Wootton and Michael Brown, with Ross McCormack also going close with an inventive lob.
Michael Tonge claimed Richard Keogh handled his 20-yard shot as the interval approached but referee James Linington refused to award a penalty, and Tonge's luck was out again a minute after the break when his angled drive veered inches outside the far post.
Leeds, who replaced Luke Murphy with Aidy White at the start of the second half, saw their improvement rewarded with a 50th-minute equaliser.
McCormack broke down the left and timed his pass perfectly to Smith, who drew Grant off his line before clipping the ball into the far corner for his 13th goal of the campaign.
Leeds had their second penalty claim rejected two minutes later as Smith appeared to be impeded while running through the 18-yard box.
Derby had posed little threat going forward since their bright opening, but Hendrick thrilled the travelling support with a 30-yard drive which fizzed only just too high.
McCormack was denied his 30th goal of the season when Grant punched away the Scot's vicious free-kick from the edge of the box as Leeds continued to monopolise possession, and the unmarked McCormack then headed straight at Grant from Danny Pugh's precise cross.
Derby, who had won their last 10 matches against Leeds, settled back on defence for long periods and will need to show a more positive approach if they are to build a lead to take into the home leg of their play-off against Brighton.


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IUCN - The World Conservation Union, Gland, Switzerland, 28 February 2005. The results of the recently completed population and status assessment of the common and pygmy hippopotamus, undertaken in 2004 by the Hippo Subgroup of the SSC's Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Specialist Group, has highlighted some worrying trends in both species.
Common hippopotamus
At the time of the last complete assessment of hippo populations in 1994, the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) was described as widespread and secure, with an estimated population of at least 160,000 animals. One of Africa's most familiar large mammals, typically found wallowing in social groups in wetlands, rivers and lakes across sub-Saharan Africa, it was not considered threatened, using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. Unfortunately since then, there have been substantial changes for the worse in several key countries which suggest a revision of its conservation status is necessary.
The survey reveals mixed fortunes for the common hippo across Africa. It is found in at least 29 countries, and numbers are still high in its principal strongholds of eastern and southern Africa, with large stable populations reported in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. However, the situation elsewhere is more disturbing and declines have been reported in half the countries still supporting common hippos.
The total African population could now be as low as 125,000 (see map). The most catastrophic declines have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the ongoing political troubles have had a devastating impact. The population has been decimated as a result of unregulated hunting for bushmeat and for ivory (found in the hippo's canine teeth). From having the second highest estimated hippo population in Africa (30,000 in 1994 after Zambia's 40,000), numbers have plummeted by 95%. Other large animals in the DRC, notably rhinos and elephants, have also suffered serious losses because of high levels of poaching.
After the DRC, the most serious declines are in West African countries, where numbers were already low, with only an estimated 7,000 individuals in widely scattered populations in 1994. This is also the area in which enforcement of legislation is weakest. The distribution of hippo populations is as important as population size as far as conservation of the species is concerned. Continuing declines in West Africa are an increasing cause for concern as this may lead to local extinctions.
The main reasons for the decline across Africa are unregulated hunting for meat and ivory. Estimates of the amount of illegally exported hippo teeth ivory continue to increase, and have increased sharply since the international elephant ivory ban came into effect in 1989. There is also a rise in the number of hippo-human conflicts, as human pressure on freshwater resources and habitats increases. Evidence of declines and growing threats from human activities point to a higher level of risk for these populations.
Pygmy hippo in the National Zoo, in Washington DC, USA - Photo courtesy of Glenn FeldhakePygmy hippopotamus
Unlike its large and gregarious relative, the pygmy hippopotamus (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) is much less well known or studied, restricted to a handful of countries in West Africa. As its name suggests, it is considerably smaller and is a secretive forest animal, living alongside rivers in densely wooded areas, alone or in small groups.
The pygmy hippo, already classified as Vulnerable using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, is confined to four West African states: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Ivory Coast. In 1994, the population was estimated to be at most, 3,000 animals, with a very fragmented distribution (see map). Logging and subsequent agricultural encroachment has continued to eat away at the pygmy hippo's habitat throughout its range, and pushed it into ever decreasing and isolated parcels of remaining forest. In these fragments, the animals are increasingly accessible to subsistence hunters. Pygmy hippo populations have also been severely affected by the unrest and instability in the region, which has further reduced the effectiveness of pPygmy hippo in the National Zoo, in Washington DC, USA - Photo courtesy of Glenn Feldhakerotected areas and the enforcement of logging controls. In Liberia, for example, where most pygmy hippos are found, legal protection is incomplete and the level of protection poor. A key forest area, believed to support substantial numbers, the Cesto's-Senkwehn rivershed, has recently been cleared and protection in the Sapo National Park, another key area, has been suspended.
At present, little is being done to protect the pygmy hippo or its habitat and it is likely that it will be placed in a higher category of threat as a result of the survey's findings.
Conservation action required
Both species of hippopotamus have been severely affected by the consequences of political instability in key range states. The effectiveness of designated protected areas and protective legislation has been greatly reduced. However, populations can recover if viable populations remain and effective protection is introduced once political stability returns. In Uganda, common hippos recovered after serious poaching losses during the civil war in the 1980s.
Pygmy hippo in the National Zoo, in Washington DC, USA - Photo courtesy of Susan StoneImmediate action is required to ensure the survival of the pygmy hippo, which has an estimated world population of less than 3,000. Effective habitat protection is critical, through the extension of the protected areas network and adequate enforcement of legislation against hunting and logging in these areas.
For the common hippo, effective protection against poaching and control of the illegal hippo ivory trade is the main priority throughout its range. In addition, the protected area network, particularly in West Africa, needs to be extended and adequately enforced to safeguard core populations that remain, and to prevent range contraction and local extinctions. Measures to minimize human-hippo conflicts also need to be developed, as exploitation pressures on hippo habitat rise and threats to these populations increase.
For further information, please contact:
Dr Rebecca Lewison, Chair SSC Hippo Subgroup
Email: [email protected]
Andrew McMullin, IUCN Species Programme Communications Officer
Tel: +41 (0)22 999 0153
Email: [email protected]