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major macro economic indicators
|2018 (e)
|2019 (f)
|GDP growth (%)*
|Inflation (yearly average, %)
|Budget balance (% GDP)
|Current account balance (% GDP)
|Public debt (% GDP)
(e): Estimate. (f): Forecast. *Fiscal Year 2019 from October 1 2018 – September 30 2019 (budget balance not including disbursement spending on state owned enterprises).
- Diversified and efficient production in fisheries, agriculture (40% of global natural rubber production), industry and services
- Regional crossroads open to its dynamic neighbours
- Strong external accounts
- Diverse exports: tourism, automotive components, agri-food products (rubber, seafood, rice, cane sugar, fruits), electronic components and organic chemistry
- High savings rate
- Uncertain political situation; antagonism between rural and urban areas
- Inadequate infrastructures
- Ageing population and shortages of skilled labour
- Mid-range positioning and lack of innovation
- Enduring links between private sector and politicians (corruption), underground economy
- High level of household debt
Strong growth supported by public investments
GDP growth is expected to remain strong in 2019. Household consumption (half of GDP) will grow by 4.5%. The adverse effects of high household debt (above 75% of GDP) and sluggish real wage growth on consumption will be offset by recovering consumer confidence, low interest rates, low inflation and the yet-again deferred increase of the VAT rate (from 7% to 10%) until September 2019. Private investment, both foreign and national, will continue to be dimmed by investors' fears of instability and regional competition. Public investments are therefore stepping in via the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2017-2036, which aims to enhance competitiveness through the development of rail, road, airport, and electricity infrastructures. The construction sector will therefore show a strong performance in 2019. Through investment, the government also aims to increase growth potential by accelerating the transition towards a service economy (currently 55% of GDP), starting with upgrades of the automotive and electronics industries. The service industry will continue to perform well, notably thanks to tourism-linked demand. Tourism will contribute largely to GDP growth, even if it will continue to be challenged by the decline in Chinese tourists, following a boat accident which led to 41 Chinese casualties (Chinese tourists count for nearly a third of tourism in Thailand). External demand will also drive growth, as slowing Chinese demand will be compensated by other markets: exports of goods and services are set to pass 70% of GDP in 2019. The automotive sector is the biggest sector for exports of goods.
The central bank plans to maintain the policy rate at 1.5%, targeting growth and inflation. However, a pickup in private investment is needed for growth rates to accelerate strongly while inflation remains below the brackets of the central bank's inflation target of 1 to 4%, especially given that the 0.9% growth of prices is mostly due to rising oil prices.
Resilient financial situation
Thailand is far from reaching the constitutionally-imposed limits of 60% of GDP for public debt and of 3% of GDP for budget deficit. Public debt remains contained: although approximately 20% of it is externally held, it is almost entirely denominated in baht and with medium- to long-term maturity. Public expenditure will continue to focus on addressing social challenges, including poverty, child-care assistance and a pension reform. Most of the planned infrastructure investments, such as the Eastern Economic Corridor or the linkage of the Andaman Sea to central Thailand, will be carried out via SOEs. Including these investments in the budget balance would bring the deficit to 2.5% in 2019.
Global monetary tightening triggered depreciation pressures on emerging markets' currencies, but the baht is expected to hold steady against the US dollar. Thailand has a strong external position and buffers, with foreign reserves representing over nine months of imports. The current account will remain in surplus, although it will deteriorate on the back of higher commodity prices, which means that Thais are investing more abroad than foreigners invest in the country.
Elections delayed by the military
Since the country's nineteenth coup d'État in May 2014, a Constitution institutionalises dominant military power and increases the power of the King. Parliamentary elections were promised after ratification but were postponed six times and rescheduled for February 2019. Currently, the Commander-in-Chief of the army, General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, governs as Prime Minister via a junta called the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). The Constitution limits political campaigning rights in the run-up to the elections and leaves a lot of control to the military, whatever the outcome of the elections. In addition to nominating Senate members, the junta retains the reins of policy making via the NSP, as all governments are constitutionally bound to carry out this development strategy until 2037, otherwise risking impeachment. General Chan-o-cha is the favoured candidate. His main opponent would be the yet-to-be-announced candidate of the Puea Thai party, which has won all elections since 2001 and represents the "red shirts" electorate. The billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra is the party's charismatic leader. He was Prime Minister until the 2006 coup, followed by his sister until the 2014 coup. They are both in exile to avoid jail sentences for corruption charges. Public protests, repressed by the army, between the "red shirts" (Northern rural population, students and workers) and the "yellow shirts" (royalists, nationalists and Southern urban bourgeoisie) are still commonplace. Elections may again be postponed until the junta is assured of winning the vote, but could be held in February for fear of public unrest.
Upon the United States' withdrawal and the promise of organised elections in 2019, Japan agreed to support Thailand's planned 2018 application for membership to the CPTPP.
Last update : February 2019
Credit transfer is the main form of payment used by large companies in Thailand. The majority of credit transfers are made electronically and the popularity of this payment method is growing as clearing systems have become more developed.
Cheques are still a popular form of cashless payment in terms of value. They are used by companies and consumers to make a wide range of payments. Post-dated cheques are a common mean of short-term credit.
Nevertheless, cash remains the dominant payment method in Thailand.
Debt collection
Amicable phase
According to the 2015 debt collection Act BE 2558 (AD 2015), the debtor is an individual person or personal guarantor. The Act was created to regulate collection activities carried out by creditors, or by collection agencies in cases of consumer debt. Commercial debt collection houses are also expected to follow the practices set out within the Act. For example, during the amicable phase, creditors can only communicate with the debtor or other persons as authorised by debtor. Creditors or collection agencies are also limited to identifying themselves with the details of debt to the debtor.
Legal proceedings
Thailand's Judicial Court System comprises three levels:
- the Supreme Court: this is the highest court authority in the country. All of its decisions are final and must be executed. It hears appeals and contests against decisions made by the Courts of Appeal, Regional Courts of Appeals and Courts of First Instance;
- Courts of Appeal: these are divided into Courts of Appeal and Regional Courts of Appeal. Both handle appeals against the decisions or orders made by the lower courts;
- Courts of First Instance: these lower courts comprise the courts in Bangkok, courts in provinces, specialised courts and juvenile and family courts.
A preliminary stage of legal action can be conducted if there is failure to reach an amicable settlement with the debtor. This phase includes communications, negotiations, meetings with debtors, letters of demand and notifying the police in cases where there is a criminal penalty.
Ordinary proceedings
If the debtor fails to comply with demand notices, the creditor can file a claim with the Court, depending on the value of the debt:
- if the debt does not exceed THB 300,000 (Thai baht), the complaint must be lodged at the District or Provincial Court;
- if the debt exceeds THB 300,000, the complaint must be filed at the Civil or Provincial Court.
Court policy is to screen unnecessary cases from court trial. Most Civil Courts have mediation centres for parties to negotiate and compromise on an arrangement. Once a case has been decided amicably, a compromise agreement is prepared and the court passes judgment in accordance. Each of the parties is responsible for documenting evidence and the burden of proof associated with their case. A judgement is made once the court has considered and weighed the evidence presented by both parties.
The time frame for proceedings with the Court of First Instance can take between one to three years.
Enforcement of a Legal Decision
If the debtor fails to comply with a domestic judgment, the creditor is entitled to apply for the execution of the judgment before the court. This can involve the issuance of an execution decree, delivery of an execution decree to the debtor, issuance of a writ of execution and the seizure and sale of property belonging to the debtor.
Thailand has no reciprocal recognition and enforcement agreements with other countries. Enforcing foreign judgments requires new legal proceedings, where the evidence will be considered and legal defence made available to both parties.
One exception is that Thailand is a signatory to the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards (1985). International arbitration awards by member countries of the Convention can be enforced if they are already final.
Insolvency Proceedings
Thailand has legislation on bankruptcy and reorganisation proceedings (Bankruptcy Act BE 2483).
Reorganisation Proceedings
Limited Companies, Public Limited Companies and Financial Institutions (Large Enterprises)
A petition can be filed against an insolvent corporate debtor who owes one or more creditors a known sum of THB 10 million (USD 333,000) or more. Once the court has accepted the petition for further proceedings, it appoints a planner to prepare and submit a reorganisation plan to the official receiver within three months. The court may extend this period up to a maximum of two times, for one month from the publication date of the court order appointing the planner. Secured and unsecured creditors must then apply for payment of debts within one month from the date of publication of the order for appointment of the planner. Once the official receiver is in possession of the reorganisation plan, he will convene a meeting with the creditors to consider the proposal. If it is accepted, the court needs to approve it and confirm the appointment of the plan's administrator. The latter is then responsible for the debtor company's reorganisation, as set out within the plan.
SMEs registered with the Office of SME Promotions or other government agencies for conducting business
Petition can be filed against:
- insolvent individuals who owe one or more creditors a known sum of THB 1 million or more;
- insolvent limited partnerships, registered partnerships, non-registered partnerships, groups of persons or other juristic entities who owe one or more creditors a known sum of THB 3 million or more;
- insolvent private limited companies owing one or more creditors a known sum of between THB 3 million and 10 million.
In cases such as these, the petitioner should file a petition, along with a proposed plan of not more than three years in length in execution.
Bankruptcy proceedings
A creditor can file a bankruptcy petition against a debtor if the latter is insolvent and owes one or more creditors a definitive sum of over THB 1 million (if the debtor is an individual), or owes more than THB 2 million (if the debtor is a legal entity).
Once a petition for bankruptcy has been filed, the proceedings normally include hearing the witnesses, temporary receivership of the debtor's property, the appointment of an official receiver, filing of claims for debt payments by creditors within two months from the publication date of the permanent receivership order, a bankruptcy order against the debtor (if no agreement can be reached with the creditors, issuance of a permanent receivership order, seizure of property, sale of property by public auction and pro rata distribution of the sale proceeds to creditors.


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Gamifying Training of All Types
Gamification to drive engagement for events, K-12 and higher education, wellness, and employee outreach has been discussed on this blog before and this post will focus on demographic/topic specific training.
Pew Internet recently published a report entitled, The Future Of Gamification, in which over 1k experts were interviewed with some university researchers indicating that gamification principals could actually improve creativity, learning, participation and motivation. So no surprise that K-12 and higher education has been an early adopter in trying out gamification tactics on programs. In the last month there has been a lot of buzz about gamification opportunities for training on more niche content areas for specific demographics. Let's dive into some examples.
Financial Education
According to a recent press release, "Wall Street Survivor's online financial education platform offers a series of engaging, rewarding "missions" that guide users through a range of stock market concepts, from portfolio basics to investment strategies. The platform is geared toward millenials who consider themselves novice investors. Today, 30 percent of millenials turn to social media for information on the economy and investing strategies."
The program incorporates a number of gamification techniques including badges and virtual as well as real world rewards. Learn more about the program via the video below.
Executive Training
Another recent press release explores the idea of gamification for executive training.
According to the release, "Deloitte Leadership Academy, an innovative digital executive training program for more than 10,000 senior executives at over 150 companies around the world, added Badgeville's gamification and reputation solution to reward participation, lesson progression, and to certify program completion with an optional diploma."
The program includes leader boards, predicatables badges, and random variable rewards and enables global participants to engage along individual, team, or enterprise tracks, with certification and completion rewards associated with each. So far executives in 14 countries have engaged with the program through the Deloitte professional network and through individual company sponsorship.
The program is also up for a GAward at this years' Gamification Summit in San Francisco.
Seems to me like the possibilities to apply gamification tactics in intelligent ways is endless. What scenarios do you think gamification could be applied to make an improvement on the program or the process?
In an effort to keep conversations fresh, Cisco Blogs closes comments after 60 days. Please visit the Cisco Blogs hub page for the latest content.

subset: commoncrawl


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Are You Ready for a 'Jersey Shore' Set in Silicon Valley?
If you love 'Jersey Shore,' this is going to be great news. If you hate 'Jersey Shore,' this might ruin your day.
Business Insider reports that producers are looking for cast members for a new reality show that is being described as 'Jersey Shore: Silicon Valley.'
There is an ad on Craigslist that says the show is looking for "big personalities," which probably means they're not looking for people who just sit and code all day.
They're also looking for someone who "parties even harder after dark" and people who have a "secret wild side," so maybe some web geeks will show the world what they're like after they leave the office.
No word on who the "major cable network" is, but this sounds like something you'd see on MTV. Unless CNBC is starting to change its programming.
[via Business Insider]


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Geophysical Monitoring for Climate Change (NOAA)
Project Description
GMCC (Geophysical Monitoring for Climate Change) is part of CMDL
(Climate Monitoring & Diagnostics Laboratory). This project
involoves aerosol measurements which began in the mid
1970's. Since the start of the program, scientific understanding
of the behavior of atmospheric aerosols has improved
One lesson learned is that human activities primarily influence
aerosols on a regional/continental scales rather than global
The goals of this regioanl-scale monitoring program are to
characterize means, variability, and trends of climate-forcing
properties of different types of aerosols, and to understand the
factors that control these properties.


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With this summer's Star Trek Into Darkness now available on home video, and director J.J. Abrams hopping the asteroid fields to take on Star Wars: Episode VII, there remains a bit of uncertainty for the future viewing pleasure of Trekkies. The 50th anniversary of the iconic Star Trek franchise approaches in 2016 and what better way to celebrate boldly going where no one has gone before than a three-quel to the film trilogy about young Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and crew beginning their adventures on the U.S.S. Enterprise?
A new television series, of course! And that's exactly what could happen.
In a potentially wondrously joyous tweet for Star Trek fans, Sky News reporter Joe Michalczuk shared word that Bob Orci told him he's met with CBS to talk about bringing Star Trek back to the small screen.
Bob Orci just told me they've had a meeting with CBS to revive @StarTrek on TV...This made me v excited
— Joe Michalczuk (@joemichalczuk) October 8, 2013
With Orci taking meetings - or as we're told, inquiring about the rights - that would suggest that a new Star Trek TV series - if greenlit - would be in the same timeline as the film franchise, when the Enterprise begins its 5-year mission. A series in the quasi-rebooted Trek universe (thank you, time travel paradox) would allow CBS to pull a Disney and have a television show based in the same cinematic universe as the films, a la Marvel's Agents of SHIELD on ABC.
Then again, Orci is loyal to his brands, evidenced by his work on the Transformers Prime animated series which is not in the same universe as Michael Bay's movies - which he and writing partner Alex Kurtzman left after two installments. Orci and Kurtzman are busy producers/writers, with Sleepy Hollow starting strong on Fox, Ender's Game preparing for its theatrical release, and development beginning on a new Van Helsing and a Mummy reboot, not to mention work on the Amazing Spider-Man sequels.
Talk of a Star Trek TV series hasn't settled since Enterprise concluded its final season in 2005, marking the first time in two decades where there wasn't a Trek series on the air. The movies thankfully reinvigorated the brand in 2009, making it "cool" again, but talk of a TV show hasn't far gone beyond The Next Generation/Deep Space 9 star Michael Dorn expressing desire to making a series centered around his character of Worf, a show that would take place in the "old" universe.
There were also attempts to create a new Star Trek show by Bryan Singer (X-Men) and Bryan Fuller (Hannibal) but as of late, word on the street is that any such project would need to get the J.J. Abrams go-ahead. Then came a report that claimed rights issues between Paramount (on the film side) and CBS (on the TV side) prevented such a show from developing and in turn, helped in Abrams' decision to take on the Star Wars franchise, effectively ending his directorial responsibilities in the Trek series.
Update: To be clear, Star Trek is not currently in development for TV and this is a case where the potential is there and inquiries are being made about the rights.
Would the series follow the traditional formula of following a crew of new characters? Would it need to tie-in with the film franchise? Is the timing right for Star Trek on TV?
Follow Rob on Twitter @rob_keyes.
Enterprise-D art by The Light Works.Fleabag Is NOT Returning for Season 3
Leave A Comment


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All Girl
All Sex Porn - All Sex Movies - All Sex DVD
Straight Up Hot Sex
Straight-up sex with no plot to get in the way. These DVDs get right to the sex without a lot of talking and script. If you want just fucking and sucking, All Sex is your category. Many complain that porn DVDs can be too slow with too much conversation. You won?t be disappointed if all you want is nothing but screwing.
All your favorite porn stars are banging in these DVDs and the dialogue is kept to a minimum. If you are not interested in what they are saying and want to skip the talking, All Sex gets right down to it.
Euro Porn - European Sex - Euro Porn Movie - European Porn Movies
Looking for Some Hot Euro Babes?
Porn stars from across the pond. These DVDs are typically filmed in Europe or contain Euro performers. European studios and directors also make up a large portion of this section as well.
Just because they come from across the pond don't think that means theses Euro porn movies are tamer than the American movies. The European actors and actresses are willing to get just as kinky and dirty as their American counterparts


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Scrapbook, a set on Flickr.Hetty Walker recently lent an old scrapbook to Jamie Rustad Meagher. Jamie is a fellow local historian, and she was interested in scanning some of the scrapbook's photos to share online.
The scrapbook was originally put together by a third, unknown person, who gave it to Hetty and Chuck Walker, two other local historians, for safekeeping.
Part of its contents are newspaper clippings, documenting many of Pembina and St. Vincent's WWII veterans during their service in the 1940s.


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Follow RFF News on your cell phone. Text follow rff to 40404 you will receive txt messages with RFF News
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You folks are wonderful every year! I'm sorry I didnt' have the means to help this year and have the feeds myself. As a result, I appreciated you guys more than you'll ever know. I was able to get through my feedless summer. Especially HUGE thank you to Ugot who I'm sure has giant blisters on each of her fingers from the large amounts of updating she has done. Again, you are all wonderful and it wouldn't be a big brother season for me without you guys! : ) Much Love!
Want to say thanks to the updaters? Here's your opportunity. There have been 24 amazing updaters bringing RFF THE best Big Brother coverage on the web. Kudos!
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Hawaii Roof Shampoo® Contractors
Authorized Roof Shampoo® Roof Cleaning Businesses in HI
Only those contractors listed on this website are authorized Roof Shampoo® service providers.
If you don't see a Roof Shampoo® roof cleaning contractor in your area, please contact the Roof Shampoo® Contractor closest to you. Many Roof Shampoo® Contractors are willing to travel to provide you with state-of-the-art, eco-friendly Roof Shampoo® roof cleaning services.
ATTENTION Entrepreneurs and Contractors: If you do not see a Roof Shampoo® Contractor listed for your area and you are interested in receiving information on how you can add eco-friendly Roof Shampoo® roof cleaning services to your business, click here.


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Take a chess board. Add portals. Now you have Portal Chess. The concept is fairly straightforward. Each side has their own portal, which they can move one step in any direction.
Going through a portal means your piece's particular style of movement continues through your opponent's portal. There are a couple of other details and rules, so you should watch the full video for them.
Definitely going to try playing this one with my dad. Since, you know, I beat him that one time. And I may very well do so again.
How to play Portal Chess! [YouTube via Reddit]


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NEW YORK, N.Y. - There is no hiding from camouflage.
The print that at one time was only a tool for military troops to go unnoticed has become a front-and-centre look in fashion. It's been adapted in luxe fur, sequin sweaters, athletic wear and casual kicks. It's for girls and boys, women and men.
"The irony is that camo is anything but camouflaged right now," says Zanna Roberts Rassi, Marie Claire's senior fashion editor.
She points to recent examples where the runway has led to the trenches, including the oversized version on Michael Kors' fur jackets, on Christopher Kane cocktail dresses and Valentino shoes. "It comes from the military, but it's being made now for a night on the town," she says.
Some versions have maintained more utilitarian roots, including vests and parkas at J. Crew and jeggings at Aeropostale. For spring, North Face has camo-inspired workout gear.
"Camo is peaking," according to Emilia Fabricant, Aeropostale's executive vice-president of design, merchandising and production. "It's hitting everything, from sweaters to outerwear. It's so graphic. It's edgy but it's also completely neutral."
That's the beauty of it: it dresses up, it dresses down. It is as urban or as country as you want to make it.
"Think of it as the non-print print," says Heather Archibald, director of merchandising at online retailer Piperlime. "It's like the paisley of a million years ago. ... It has found a way into our wardrobe as a staple."
It's evolved into something like the cheetah print that was, at one time, considered edgy and a little risque but is now offered in everything from sweet ballet flats to toddler clothes.
Camo retains its cool, though, especially when it's worn with a wink, says Tom Mora, head women's designer at J. Crew. It's wearing the print in a feminine fabric — a georgette blouse, perhaps — or something like a parka over slim cargo pants and a lacy tank top or high heels, he says. "I like the sexy take on the classic hunter look."
Mora says he also likes the irony when camo is worn in a slick urban way. He likes to see it mostly in neutrals — maybe a version in makeup colours such as blush and beige — with a pop of navy or yellow. Orange looks good, too, but is maybe a bit cliche.
Adding the flash of colour, or the glitzy necklace, or the pencil skirt keeps camo from being too serious. Try a motorcycle boot or a "fierce" ankle-strap shoe, suggests Archibald, and accessories in metallic or camel will elevate the look and make it seem more ladylike.
Her other tip is a polished beauty look. "Paint your nails, put on your lipstick. You want an amazing look, not be sloppy."
For the guys, it's about the camo sneaker with dark denim, or a jacket or hoodie over more tailored trousers.
Not many prints — a plaid could be the exception — move so seamlessly between men's and women's clothes. Either way, camouflage evokes a lived-in look, so don't be fussy or too polished, advises Fabricant.
Even young children can wear it, but while adults and teens can do the muted, more realistic palettes, kids should do almost a cartoon-colour version, suggests Roberts Rassi, also a style consultant for Boden. It should be a clear message that it's about a great graphic, nothing more serious.
And, she adds, it shouldn't be worn head-to-toe — and that goes for everyone. The good news, though, is that those single pieces will have a long shelf life. "This isn't a trend for a single season. It 100 per cent transcends time."
Follow Samantha Critchell and AP fashion coverage on Twitter at @AP_Fashion and @Sam_Critchell


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David Adamson has been in business in Lynn Haven since 1992. On July 15, he opened a second designer jewelry gallery in Seacrest.
"I have quite a few customers out this way and was doing quite a few house calls out here. There seemed to be a need for fine jewelry out this way, so when a customer recommended this location, it seemed like a perfect fit," said Adamson.
Adamson specializes in old world, hand-made jewelry that are one-of-a-kind classic designs.
When creating a piece of jewelry, Adamson relies on a computer-aided design system that permits him to design and create his jewelry in minute detail. The system also allows his customers to see a full 3D photograph of the design they are requesting prior to its creation, which permits changes to be made in the design stage, so the customer always get exactly what they desire with no surprises.
Not only does he design jewelry using a microscopic welding system, Adamson can repair the most delicate jewelry and gemstones that traditionally would be damaged by the high heat of a torch flame.
He also offers jewelry appraisal and watch and repair service, and carries authentic reworked Rolex watches that come with a warranty.
Pearl restringing and the popular pearls on leather custom pearl and bead necklace designs are all offered at his shop, designed by his wife, Maria, using Tahitian and fresh-water pearls.
However, 75 percent of Adamson's business comes from his redesign services where customers bring in old outdated jewelry in need of an update.
"We do all the work ourselves, offering a tremendous savings and at a fraction of the cost," he said.
Adamson said when things settle down from his grand opening, he will be designing a couple of new exclusive lines. One will be high end using solid gold, platinum, and gem stones and another more affordable line featuring localized beach charms that can be added to charm bracelets.
David Adamson Designer Jewelry is a family owned and operated business. Adamson is a second-generation jeweler whose father was a master watchmaker and jeweler in Pomona, Calif.
"He worked at a time when we didn�t have high-tech gadgetry and if you needed a custom item you just had to make it by hand," he said.
Adamson started accompanying his father to work at a young age and developed a love for watches and jewelry.
"My father was a very intelligent, kind and patient man and he took the time to teach and explain every aspect of how things worked and why," said Adamson.
As a teen he helped his father at the family store and thanks to his father's training he became proficient at a young age. At his father's urging, Adamson apprenticed with a good friend of his Dad's who was an old-time jeweler. He made Adamson do everything by hand.
"At the time I really hated doing all of it by hand, but the friend told me that some day I would thank him for teaching me to make jewelry by hand," he remembers.
Five and a half years later Adamson went out on his own as a master jeweler.
"And yes, I do thank him, for now I could make anything," Adamson said.
After two robberies at his store in California, Adamson thought it best to move his family to a more peaceful place.
"We found Lynn Haven much by accident and fell in love with the people and the area. More than two decades later, I am still here and doing what I do best and where I love to be," he said.
David Adamson Designer Jewelry is located in The Alexander building in Seacrest next to Consign Mint Boutique.
He is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call 387-4645 for more information.


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Inspiring Olive Oils & Authentic Balsamic Vinegars
At Midtown Olive Oil, we believe delicious, gourmet foods depend on three things: Freshness, quality and authenticity. In our mission to bring you only the best tasting cooking ingredients, we've chosen traditionally aged balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy and the freshest extra virgin olive oils imported from around the world.
The difference is striking - you can taste the superior quality of our gourmet oils and vinegars. Use them to add an extra layer of interest to your favorite dish or get adventurous with a new recipe! Our ingredients are sure to wow new chefs and devoted foodies alike.
Midtown Olive Oil carries over 50 of the highest quality small-batch EVOOs, specialty oils and vinegars from around the world. Taste before you buy, then watch as your selections are freshly poured, corked and sealed.
Get inspired with flavors like Blood Orange Olive Oil, Milanese Gremalata Olive Oil, Lavender Aged Dark Balsamic and Grapefruit White Balsamic. We also carry specialty oils like Walnut, Dark Toasted Sesame, Italian White Truffle and French Black Truffle. Visit a store in Raleigh, Greensboro or New Bern to taste each one before you buy and maybe find a new favorite.
Find your inspiration: Taste in-store, order online or schedule a private tasting!
Midtown Olive Oil also carries unique gourmet foods, including fresh local bread, handmade chocolate and imported pastas and sauces. Stop by or browse online to find ingredients for a truly unforgettable meal.
Planning a dinner party? Searching for the perfect gourmet gift? Looking to bring fresh new flavors into your kitchen? Find your inspiration at Midtown Olive Oil.


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To bulk it up even more, I topped grilled salmon tacos with the Kiwi Salsa. Good choice. Definitely take the time to fry up some corn tortillas - the crunch is a great contrast to the fish, fruit and guacamole.
Kiwi Salsa
Recipe adapted slightly from Jessica at How Sweet Eats
4 kiwi, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
1 jalapeno, very finely minced (use 1/2 if you like it mild!)
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
pinch of salt
pinch of pepper
generous squeeze of fresh lime juice
Combine all ingredients and stir gently. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Eat over tacos, with chips, or just by the spoonful!


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FlyHigh needed a new logo design and created a contest on 99designs.
A winner was selected from 27 designs submitted by 18 freelance designers.
"The Children's Mission" is a part of a non-profit group who collect and redirect resources into children's needs worldwide.
The Children's Mission
Accepted File Formats:
Standard Web Formats (.jpg, .gif or .png); Vector Formats (.eps, .pdf or .ai); Layered Formats (.psd or .tiff)
We are looking for a logo for our children's effort named "The Children's Mission". What we do: our group is supporting orphan's in Thailand. We intend to expand the effort in southeast asia as well as to other parts of the world. In addition, we are looking at helping children who are disadvantaged in the United States as well. While our motivation is Christ based, we believe that most understand the importance of protecting little ones. We want our logo to be solid, classy and attractive. No cartoons but something that makes a statement about what we are doing without being negative.
Find out how a design contest works or learn more about our logo design services.


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Beware bloodbags: 7ft 4″ tall, 330 pound metal beast will eventually act autonomously
Steve Watson
July 12, 2013
DARPA, the technological arm of the Pentagon, unveiled its latest humanoid robot this week, demonstrating how the 7ft 4″ tall beast can dodge obstacles and act intelligently to stay upright, even when knocked off balance by heavy weights.
The robot, named ATLAS, presumably after the primordial Titan of astronomy and navigation who held up the celestial sphere, was designed by long time DARPA subsidiary Boston Dynamics.
"Articulated, sensate hands will enable Atlas to use tools designed for human use," Boston Dynamics says. "Atlas includes 28 hydraulically actuated degrees of freedom, two hands, arms, legs, feet, and a torso."
The robot's head encompasses two hi-tech cameras and a laser range finder. At the moment, ATLAS is tethered to an off-board, electric power supply.
A video released by the company, as part of DARPA's Virtual Robotics Challenge, shows the robot in action:
Six teams of engineers that made it through to the end stages of DARPA's "competition", will now all be given ATLAS as it was deemed to be the best robot for potentially "helping" the military.
The teams will ALL work on software algorithms for the robot. A statement on the DARPA website notes: "Like coaches starting with a novice player, the teams now have until late December 2013 to teach ATLAS the moves it will need to succeed."
DAPRA expects the robot to be able to complete tasks including breaking through a wall, driving a car, removing debris blocking doors, climbing a ladder, finding and closing a valve, and connecting a fire hose.
Whichever teams of engineers perform the best in December will then be given the funding to further work on ATLAS, with the view of having the robot perform all the expected tasks autonomously, that is "intelligently" without supervision, during the challenge finals in late 2014.
The engineer teams are based at:
– The Florida Institute of Human & Machine Cognition in Pensacola, Fla.
– Worcester Polytecnic Institute in Massachusetts
– Massachusetts Institute of Technology
– TracLabs in Webster, Tex.
– The Jet Propulsion Laboratory
– Virginia Tech
In the video DARPA demostrates the advancement of ATLAS from its predecessor, the PETMAN robot, which not only looked human but also sweats to regulate body temperature.
A recent video showing PETMAN in action depicted the robot dressed up in a post-apocalyptic chem-bio suit with sensors embedded to detect hazardous chemicals.
Other videos charted the advancement of PETMAN. As it developed further, it began to look more and more human.
DARPA claims that the goal is to deploy the robots during natural disasters or other dangerous situations. Of course, critics believe the machines will inevitably end up being used by the military on the battlefield.
Numerous robotic experts are on record with their concerns that the Pentagon's fleet of cyborgs is being developed with one primary goal in mind – to pursue "suspects" and kill large numbers of people.
Noel Sharkey, professor of artificial intelligence and robotics at the University of Sheffield, has repeatedly warned that the robots currently being developed under the auspices of DARPA will eventually be used to kill.
"Of course if it's used for combat, it would be killing civilians as well as it's not going to be able to discriminate between civilians and soldiers," said Sharkey.
Award-winning military writer and former intelligence officer Lt. Col. Douglas Pryer also recently wrote an essay warning of the threat posed by remorseless "killer robots" that will be used to stalk and slaughter human targets in the near future.
In a 50-page report published last year, Human Rights Watch also warned that artificially intelligent robots let loose on the battlefield would inevitably commit war crimes.
Last year, experts at the prestigious University of Cambridge announced a project to conduct research into the "extinction-level risks" posed to humanity by artificially intelligent robots.
Flying drones that communicate with each other are also being developed for "hunting terrorists" and other "homeland security" purposes, as well as UAVs that could one day snatch humans off the street.
DARPA funded drones are already able to autonomously dodge obstacles and even fly into buildings through windows and doors.
DARPA also recently developed a robotic arm that can perform precise actions using tools, a huge leap forward in the evolution of robotics, but one that comes with potentially destructive implications.
As highlighted in the following video, the DARPA robotic arm can perform detailed tasks such as using a pair of tweezers to pick up objects.
Gill Pratt, a program manager at DARPA, told the New York Times that developing the ability to move like a human hand has a lot of important military uses.
Boston Dynamics also announced last year that it now has a robot that can run faster than the fastest human on the planet, with a flexible spine to help it "zigzag to chase and evade."
At the time, Professor Sharkey commented "It's going to be used for chasing people across the desert, I would imagine. I can't think of many civilian applications – maybe for hunting, or farming, for rounding up sheep."
Indeed, the Pentagon has, in the past, issued a request to contractors to develop teams of robots that can search for, detect and track "non-cooperative" humans in "pursuit/evasion scenarios".
Issued in 2008, the request, called for a "Multi-Robot Pursuit System" to be operated by one person.
The proposal described the need to
"…develop a software/hardware suit that would enable a multi-robot team, together with a human operator, to search for and detect a non-cooperative human subject.
The main research task will involve determining the movements of the robot team through the environment to maximize the opportunity to find the subject, while minimizing the chances of missing the subject. If the operator is an active member of the search team, the software should minimize the chance that the operator may encounter the subject."
It is seemingly important to the Pentagon that the operator should not have to come into contact with the person being chased down by the machines.
Professor Sharkey has previously warned that the world may be sleepwalking into a potentially lethal technocracy and has called for safeguards on such technology to be put into place.
In 2008, Professor Sharkey told listeners of the Alex Jones show:
"If you have an autonomous robot then it's going to make decisions who to kill, when to kill and where to kill them. The scary thing is that the reason this has to happen is because of mission complexity and also so that when there's a problem with communications you can send a robot in with no communication and it will decide who to kill, and that is really worrying to me."
The professor also warned that such autonomous weapons could easily be used in the future by law enforcement officials in cites, pointing out that South Korean authorities are already planning to have a fully armed autonomous robot police force in their cities.
Paul Marks at The New Scientist pointed out such proposals are somewhat concerning, because they inevitably will be adapted for domestic purposes such as policing and crowd control.
"…how long before we see packs of droids hunting down pesky demonstrators with paralysing weapons? Or could the packs even be lethally armed?" Marks asks.
Marks interviewed Steve Wright, an expert on police and military technologies, from Leeds Metropolitan University, who commented:
"The giveaway here is the phrase 'a non-cooperative human subject'.
What we have here are the beginnings of something designed to enable robots to hunt down humans like a pack of dogs. Once the software is perfected we can reasonably anticipate that they will become autonomous and become armed.
We can also expect such systems to be equipped with human detection and tracking devices including sensors which detect human breath and the radio waves associated with a human heart beat. These are technologies already developed."
Indeed, noted as PHASE III on the Pentagon "Multi-Robot Pursuit System" proposal was the desire to have the robots developed to "intelligently and autonomously search".
Boston Dynamics has enjoyed a long working relationship with DARPA, during which time it has also developed the rather frightening BigDog. This hydraulic quadruped robot can carry up to 340lb load, meaning it can be effectively weaponised, and recovers its balance even after sliding on ice and snow:
The Big Dog now also has an arm, and has been demonstrated picking up and throwing heavy objects significant distances:
The company also developed RiSE, a robot that climbs vertical terrain such as walls, trees and fences, using feet with micro-claws to climb on textured surfaces:
What do you think? Are these robots really being developed to help out Americans during earthquakes and hurricanes? Or is the military intent on another use for the machines?
Steve Watson is the London based writer and editor for Alex Jones' Infowars.com, and Prisonplanet.com. He has a Masters Degree in International Relations from the School of Politics at The University of Nottingham, and a Bachelor Of Arts Degree in Literature and Creative Writing from Nottingham Trent University.


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R2-D2 confirmed for Star Wars Episode VII
- Bang Showbiz
- 20 November 2013
Lovable droid R2-D2 has been confirmed to be appearing in 'Star Wars: Episode VII', and two members of the worldwide R2-D2 Builders Club have been hired to operate the character
R2-D2 has become the first character officially confirmed for 'Star Wars: Episode VII'.
The lovable droid has appeared in all six previous instalments of the science-fiction franchise and now Disney - who bought Lucasfilm and the rights to the series from creator George Lucas in 2012 - have revealed the robot will definitely be part of the new movie.
Rumours were rife R2-D2 would be appearing after a behind-the-scenes photo was posted on Twitter last week showing director J.J. Abrams, the blue-and-white astromech droid and two mystery men at Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, England.
The men have now been revealed as Lee Towersey and Oliver Steeples, two 'Star Wars' fans who are members of the worldwide R2-D2 Builders Club who build movie-accurate astromech droids from the franchise.
They have been hired on the recommendation of Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy to be part of the creature effects team for the movie at Pinewood Studios and they will be responsible for operating R2.
Steeples told StarWars.com: "It all started when Kathleen Kennedy toured the R2-D2 Builders area at Celebration Europe this past summer in Germany. She posed for pictures with us, looked at all the droids we'd built and was very complimentary. I mentioned that the R2-D2 Builders in the UK were available if required, as a semi-joke. When I was contacted to work on the film by [executive producer] Jason McGatlin, it was on her recommendation."
Both Steeples and Towersey have operated an R2 unit on screen before for a series of commercials for British electrical store Currys and admit there are various challenges to keeping a droid working because of the various gears, lights and electronics that it needs to move.
Towersey revealed: "What we do need to do is improve on the mechanics."
But the two experts are ready for the challenge and feel honoured to be working on the franchise they have loved for so long.
Towersey said: "It's fascinating to see the whole process of filmmaking as 'Star Wars: Episode VII' grows around us. I feel very privileged to be in the working environment I'm in at the moment. It's something I will never take for granted."
Steeples added: "It's a dream come true and I hope I can live up to the expectations of the thousands of R2-D2 builders around the world, let alone the millions of 'Star Wars' fans."
It is not yet known if actor Kenny Baker - the man who was inside R2-D2 for the previous six films - will take control of the robot again or whether C-3PO, his droid sidekick, will appear.
'Star Wars: Episode VII' will hit cinemas in December 2015.


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From OLPC
Overview and demo
The project "OLPCities" is open and modular. Anybody can create a free available "Lot" having an address (it's really a webpage that can be at any web server, not the same of the "OLPCity" having this "Lot") and somebody can create an "OLPCity" and include the "Lots" they like. If the "Lot" was created in english, you can make a french version, by example, for your french "OLPCité".
A "Lot" contains an activity for kids between 11 and 18 years. Can be a game (educational or not), can be an article about some subject etc. etc. Like we have a prototype running NOW you will understand better our idea soon. Wait a little, read a little more...
The project target is the creation of an interface having the style of the GameBoy from Nintendo (using orthogonal 3D like "Zelda", "Mario Bros." etc.) where the kid's avatar (there are some, to choose one) will "walk" in "streets" of the OLPCity , founding many "activities".
If you know:
- 1 - a little programming;
- 2 - a little design;
- 3 - a little about some interesting subject
or if you can create a group having these skills, you can create a "Lot" or a complete "OLPCity".
It's possible to go from an OLPCity to other OLPCity using a "Portal". The system has "auto-save". If a kid set off his laptop when he is at the "Lot" X of the city, when he comes back, he will be at this "Lot" X.
The project is in alpha phase and we have now only a brazilian (language = portuguese) OLPCity (whose name is ALPHACity) having more or less 20 activities implemented in the areas of: Social Studies, History, English vocabulary etc. We hope that YOU can help us (better to say "to help the kids of poor countries") creating "Lots" or complete "OLPCities".
Using the Mesh network and the BulletinBoard, if a "lot" is shared between the Friends, they can chat about the subject of the "lot" or about any other thing. "Balloons of the dialog" appear over the scenery. Each kid's balloon has a different color.
The project uses JavaScript and is customized for the OLPC laptop, but can be accessed by any kid having a PC and an internet conection.
There are here, at this Wiki, some lessons about how to use specific JavaScript libraries that support the project. And details about the architecture of the application. The link is OLPCities/Tutorials
A "Lot" can be integrated with a database at a remote server and we can, by example, capture the opinions of the kids about some questions and publish the results in realtime. This 2nd tier can be created using ASP .NET or Java Servlets or PHP etc. It's available now, at our alpha version, an research of opinions about the OLPC project. You can vote, if you like :-)
"ALPHACity Brasil" is the name of the brazilian alpha prototype and it's NOW on line. If you have the Microsoft IE browser you only need to go to the address: http://www.dmu.com/olpc.
At the figure we see a "Lot" that is an activity of History, where tha avatar needs to "talk" to some characters. The "date" is the year 3000 A.C !
At ALPHACity you find (AVAILABLE NOW!) a daily newspaper, the "JORNAL DE ALPHACity" (at the figure), created for kids between 8 to 18 years, having explanations of some subjects for their better understandment of the context of the notices.
I know that it's not easy to understand portuguese, but you can take a general look.
The first time you enter at this page you need to choose an avatar.
You can change you avatar at any moment clicking it.
To "walk" use the arrow keys. If the avatar goes near an icon that is an OLPC laptop, occurs a link to a "normal" web page - that can be the "JORNAL DE ALPHACity" or another thing. At this web page there are another icon to be clicked, to return to the orthogonal 3D environment.
At the second "Lot" of the prototype there are a game and an explanation about a "brazilian religion" whose name is "Candomblé". You need to go inside the house and talk to the "mae de santo". When you go out, begins a game. Only after to gain the game - the avatar needs to make contact with all the static balls (representing the main 4 gods) and avoid the contact with the "black ball" (representing the devil) - the avatar can go to the next "house".
At the 3th. "Lot" there are a game about english-portuguese vocabulary. You need to click the correct pairs to go ahead.
At the 4th "Lot" you can vote. ayour opinion is about the OLPC project. Will it be a success? You can see the actual results.
There are, at this "Lot", a "Time-Space Portal" that will transport you to the 5th "Lot" at the year 3000 A.C. After "to talk" with all the characters, the "Time-Space Portal" will open again and you can return to the present.
And etc. etc.
At the tutorials you will find many demos, all in english... AND THEY CAN BE VIEWED AT THE EMULATOR AND AT Windows Internet Explorer.
Comentaries and ideas? You can use this Wiki (discussion).
When someone create a new OLPCity or only a Lot, he can put it available at this page
And now, let´s go to the tutorials about how you (knowing programing) can create YOUR OLPCity. You find the lessons at:
--- Discussion item: OLPCities and adapting to the future --- Submitted by G., 26 September 2007.
The OLPCities idea is brilliant and I agree that it will be an important education/interaction tool. I would like to suggest a potential theme from which additional OLPCities can be created:
By now it is quite clear that climate change is a real problem that will grow more significant throughout this century. It is one of many population/resource problems the world will have to face, among them the decline in petroleum supplies, declines of other critical minerals, shortages of fresh water, and so on. The children of today will be adults when these problems are critical and are having substantial impacts. They will need to be ready to go into action to work on the solutions, reduce impact, and adapt to new conditions.
A simulated physical-space environment offers tremendous opportunities to develop the scenarios, skills, and strategies that will be vitally needed throughout this century. Age-appropriate activities will enable children and young adults to gain practice in thinking about and responding to these issues. For example, when given the scenario of living in a rural village where rainfall is decreasing each year, what will the kids come up with as ways of meeting the need for water for human use, and adapting agricultural practices in order to continue to provide food? For example when given the scenario of living in a coastal city facing rising sea levels, what would the kids suggest as ways to adapt, and how will they respond to each others' suggestions? For example when given the scenario of two countries sharing a common bioregion and critical resources (such as a river that crosses the border), and encouraged to think like the leaders of the two countries, how will they resolve their mutual need for the shared resources?
In each of these cases, kids can be encouraged to do online research and reading, collaborative writing and media production, and what-if ("pretend") thinking from the perspectives of different stakeholders.
"Practicing" to address the crises we know are likely, will provide kids with the experience and confidence to educate themselves in appropriate directions, and tackle these crises head-on as adults.
--- end of comment, G., 26 September 2007 ---


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Eat Last, Get Promoted First
The popular paleo diet would have you eat like a caveman. Why not work like a caveman, too?
That, in part, is the premise of Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don't, recently published by Portfolio/Penguin Group USA. Its author, Simon Sinek, analyzes biological evidence from the era of hunter-gatherers, holding up these early clans as a model for creating an optimal modern work environment. Mr. Sinek has advised companies like Walt Disney and JetBlue Airways, presented his work at the United Nations and to the U.S. Congress, and gave a TED Talk that became the second-most viewed of all time.
At Work spoke with Mr. Sinek about what we can learn from antediluvian leadership tactics. Below, edited excerpts:
If I'm an executive, why is it important for me to understand evolutionary history?
There are systems in our bodies that incentivize us to repeat behavior that's in our best interest. So feelings of happiness, pride, status, joy, fulfilment, accomplishment—are all produced by chemicals inside our bodies.
When we create the right conditions for the way our bodies were built, we naturally cooperate and trust each other—and it feels really good when we do. However, the vast majority of corporate environments these days short-circuit our natural systems, and more likely promote paranoia, cynicism and self-interest.
If you're capable of creating the right environment, not only do levels of trust and cooperation go up, but so does problem-solving, innovation and productivity; we work hard because we want to, and we help each other.
What can we do in the workplace to make colleagues feel safe and valued?
You can make someone feel safe by making them feel heard—by listening. When someone asks to speak to you, take your cell phone off the table and put it in a drawer. Close your laptop. Turn off your monitor.
Similarly, try using the phone—instead of email—to respond to someone's ideas, or to deliver criticism or a compliment. Show your colleagues that you're willing to give up time and convenience to interact with them. Even better, swing by their desk.
And if someone is underperforming, or is difficult, ask if they're okay rather than criticizing.
But why do I have to eat last?
The concept comes from a practice in the United States Marine Corps, where officers eat last. To be a leader in the Marines, you have to make the decision to put the care of others ahead of yourself. So if you go to any Corps chow hall anywhere in the world, you will see that Marines line up in rank order, most junior first—and it's not in any rulebook.
Is your book aimed primarily at executives, or are there ways that junior workers can make use of this mentality?
Let's be very clear about what I mean when I say "leader." A leader isn't necessarily the person at the top of the organization—that's the authority. There are plenty of people who run an organization who are not leaders. And there are plenty of people in the middle or lower levels of the organization who absolutely are leaders.
I think there's a very clear anthropological definition of what a leader is: a person who's willing to put the interests of others before their own. When you look at some of these early homo sapiens tribes, among the criteria that produced the alpha, or leader, was a commitment to the well-being of the group. When we feel safe amongst our own, we're much more willing to commit our energy and our skills to the good of the group.
It's exactly the same in the modern business world. When we fear our colleagues or don't trust our authority figures, we have no choice but to redirect our time and energy towards protecting ourselves and our interests.
What does this type of leadership look like on a larger scale?
Leaders would sacrifice the numbers to save the people—and not vice versa. For example, Barry-Wehmiller Companies Inc. in St. Louis is a large global manufacturing company with about 7,400 employees. In 2008, when the economy hit the skids, they lost about 30% of their orders, and were considering layoffs.
But the CEO, Bob Chapman, absolutely refused. Instead, they implemented a furlough program. Every employee had to take four weeks of unpaid vacation whenever they wanted, and it didn't have to be consecutive. Mr. Chapman said it was better that they should all suffer a little than some of them suffer a lot. And morale skyrocketed.
Did their numbers recover?
The company needed to save $10 million, and they saved $20 million—much better than they expected. The company continues to grow an average of 18% year-over-year as it has for the past 20 years. And it's impossible to steal their employees.


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The week in review
Biggest capital campaign: UVA announces plans to raise $3 billion by 2011.
Biggest donation to Monticello: $15 million from Robert and Clarice Smith to endow the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies.
Trendiest philanthropy: State legislators who couldn't make a budget during the regular General Assembly session are donating their $115 per diems from the special, extended session. Locally, delegates Rob Bell and Mitch Van Yahres are giving away their checks, Bob Gibson reports in the Daily Progress.
Worst loss of a music icon: Ray Charles dies June 10 of liver disease.
Worst loss of a football Hall of Famer: Charlottesville native Roosevelt "Rosie" Brown, who played offense for the Giants in the '50s and '60s, dies June 9 of an apparent heart attack.
Latest crime-fighting recruits: Attorney General Jerry Kilgore is asking grocers to monitor shoppers who buy household goods that could be used to make methamphetamine. Last year, the AG asked hairdressers to be on the lookout for battered women.
Worst gaffe: Katie Webb tells six House of Delegates members that the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association will not be giving them campaign contributions because they voted against a bill the organization supported, J. Todd Foster reports in the News Virginian. Delegate Steve Landes calls it "unethical" and "bordering on bribery."
Best pat on the back: The school board raises Albemarle school superintendent Kevin Castner's salary from $126,492 to $135,979 and issues a resolution in gratitude because, among other things, 100 percent of the Class of 2004 passed its SOLs.
Best boys high school soccer team: Charlottesville High School's Black Knights win the state title June 12.
Worst hello for CVS: Walgreens plans to build a store at the corner of Long and High streets near Free Bridge, reports short-timer Elizabeth Nelson in the Progress.
Worst horsing around: Greene County riding instructor Ernest E. Pratt Jr. is sentenced to three years June 8 for inappropriately touching a young female student and videotaping another changing clothes, according to an Olympia Meola story in the Progress.
Easiest way to get a road paved: Pay for it yourself, as former SunCom exec Thomas Sullivan plans to do with VDOT's blessing on a 3.7-mile section of Blenheim Road near Scottsville, despite neighbors' protests, short-timer David Dadurka reports in the Progress.
Worst loss of a UVA grad: Army Capt. Humayun Saqib Khan, Class of 2000, dies June 8 in Iraq while inspecting a car that blows up. Khan joined the ROTC in college, and signed up for four years in the Army, in part to pay for law school, according to the Washington Post. His tour of duty was supposed to be up last month, but was extended indefinitely because of the war.
Worst setback for Henry Weinschenk: The Express Car Wash owner's appeal in his lawsuit against the city, which he claims unfairly rationed the water at car washes during the 2002 drought, is dismissed in federal court, cvillenews.com reports.
Most startling figures: Virginia ranks 8th for deaths and impacts from power plant pollution, which cause 1,000 premature deaths, 1,400 heart attacks and 24,000 asthma attacks, according to a release from the Southern Environmental Law Center that cites a study based on federal health data.
Best benefit for an long-time benefiter: Eure Communications raises almost $10,000 to help Tom Powell, a Toy Lift founder, and his family pay for medical bills from his battle with cancer.
Best nomination for a private-eye novel: Local writer Andy Straka receives a 2004 Shamus nomination for his third book, Cold Quarry. It's Straka's second Shamus nomination.


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Coffee Beans Are Cheaper, Why Isn't Coffee?
Coffee-bean prices have fallen 54% in the past two years. So why isn't the cup of coffee any cheaper? Leslie Josephs reports.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
... coffee Bean Prices appalling fifty four percent in the last two years so why isn't your local couple coffee the cheaper ... with the choice of Joseph joins us on MoneyBeat road story ... you announce their What's Alexander WEXLER ... I in ... very inching story I wanna know why why why am I still paying someone for a couple of details read at your coffee in exactly what you're thinking is if you look of the supermarket that companies like smokers thinks falters and crafts makes Maxwell House is very common brands ... within those prices have dropped a little bit but you're still paying over five dollars and ... fifty four per se have notched up fifty four percent on the part of the reason for that is consists of a big run-up to places we're in a fourteen year high of two years ago and we just kind of into testing and that's been unraveling since then ... see a year earlier cup of coffee at Cafe Ibbotson varied the cost of the EU is a very small part of the cup so if you mention it up ... for in their their sugar there's milk containing away you're drinking these may recall says Labor chaos there's the rents I mean if anyone has looked to let the rents are in Brooklyn you know that if you're getting into the tiny little cafe near the big chunk of that money is coming to the overhead literally ... on the Soviet system into smaller ... parts and don't expect to know that those inching strange that you point out that praises the same spot prices were talking about rupees or two down fifty four ... bills prices to a long time to filter through no pun intended to ... help it that this is dumb ... and to your local roaster write a lot of time they're buying beans so far in advance that means an uneven on the screen let alone take similar steps the United States on ... so it's just ... they have to work through this pic stockpiles and because there is such a shortage of beans especially the high quality rather convenience that to three years ago ... Andrew really stocked up ... and then they had to get that stock to the public so they're not can automatically it's the same thing with other commodities like I've been there once it finally ends up thing ... in your clothes name or the coroner cereal box if it's the takes a few months is oversold and working through that ... um does that mean that we can expect coffee prices to come to Alaska with a kicker because the prices are so low that farmers are starting to get hurt in Colombia there below cost of production from other countries are ... just about there from Brazil's the biggest that produces a third world will be missed ... they're also the cost of production now ... they're starting to scale back their local scene fertilizer plants as they did enough to plant new trees as they did so ... after this bus the ideas that were probably can do to see prices climb over the next few years sustain this gal back and see production so ... you can with your coffee drinker but it so happened Penske ... by the ... audience I'd I'd ... on the McDonald's dollar nine for a couple of people think ... it's not that it's not that awful for dollar yen and I can't do that ... we chose this think you're a much thank you


text:
See this:
This blog is devoted to exposing the truth about supporters of the so-called Intelligent Design movement. The Intelligent Design movement is religious creationism in a poor disguise and is really just an intrusive, dishonest, religious and political agenda. The people promoting and supporting it are insane, narcissistic, hypocritical, dishonest religious-zealots who want to control the thoughts and actions of everyone on Earth.


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Today Carlos and I have been married 13 years. As usual, we don't have enough chirilicas to buy anything for each other – but that's okay. No amount of money in the world can buy what we have together and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
This isn't to say our marriage is perfect – far from it! Truth be told, we can be downright dysfunctional. There is passion – passion that leads to some of the hottest fights you'd never want to see, (though the passion is good for other things, too.) …One thing is for sure, it's never boring y ojalá our love for each other will always win out in the end.
Ya tú sabes, te quiero un chingo, Carlos.
El Guanaco + La Güera
(a poem for Carlos)
What more can I say,
que ya no te dijé,
me gusta como dices
"pata" en vez de "pie."
Tu Caliche makes me crazy
y tu familia de otra manera
aunque me llamen "Traisy"
I'm proud to be tu güera.
Sabes que te agradezco
for all the things you do
Tú trabajas muy fuerte
To buy mis Bubu Lubus.
The truth is that without you,
(and our two cipotes)
Yo ando bien perdida
igual a Don Quixote.
Ahora voy a decirte,
In front of all these gente,
Eres mi guanaco,


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What is Women and Gender Studies?
The Department of Women and Gender Studies (WGST) offers an undergraduate bachelor of arts degree, minor, and certificate in Global Gender and Sexuality Studies as well as a graduate certificate for students enrolled in another disciplinary master's or doctoral degree program. The department's faculty is composed of 11 core and 18 associated members from over 12 different departments or programs across campus. Our current chair is Dr. Lorraine Bayard de Volo. Our faculty's interests include how gender affects social movements and politics, the histories of sexuality and gender politics in Latin America, feminist political philosophy, global justice, violence against women, and feminist literature and cinema.
Over 100 students are enrolled in our undergraduate program, which strives to foster critical thinking skills applied to the study of women and gender, particularly in relation to our three key areas: race/ethnicity, sexuality, and global studies. Our department fosters a sense of community, offering speakers, programs, mixers, and many ways to get involved. Housed in one of the oldest buildings on campus, students have access to our large library of women and gender-related materials in a comfortable and inviting setting.
How Will I Use My Degree in Women and Gender Studies?
Employers hire people who can problem solve, write, research and think. Many of our graduates have pursued careers in law, medicine, public health, public policy, social work, teaching, counseling, advocacy, journalism, television production, union/labor organizing, public relations, academia, politics, fundraising for non-profits, small business developer, librarianship, arts administration, and in Foreign Service.
Many students incorporate their WGST degree with other departmental offerings across campus, either as a second major, a minor, or a graduate certificate. Paired with a Biology degree, a WGST graduate may attend medical school to specialize in women's health; combined with a Business degree, a WGST graduate will better understand how gender affects the workplace. Students have coupled the critical thinking skills they learn in WGST with majors in Sports Marketing, Journalism, Education, Sociology, Theatre, Psychology and Art.


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Home >> Course Descriptions >> College of Business Administration
International Working Capital Management.
Three semester hours.
This course focuses on decisions and problems faced in managing the short-term financing operations of firms on both a domestic and international basis. Major topics include cash management and forecasting, banking relations, management of short-term investments, receivables and inventory management problems, and the movement of funds both within various domestic economies and across national borders.
Home - General Information - Student Services -
Academic Undergraduate Regulations -
Undergraduate Degrees - Academic Graduate Regulations -
Graduate Degrees - Course Descriptions - Faculty -
Appendix A - Appendix B - Appendix C - Appendix D


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|2011-06-04, 22:28
|Link #41
singing heartbreak
Spoiler for chap 25:
|2011-06-04, 23:09
|Link #43
Senior Member
|2011-06-05, 02:42
|Link #44
Le fou, c'est moi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Age: 30
Oh those siblings. They're so close.
An unexpected rivalry! That attention-seeking act was HNNNNNGGG-
Someone's jealous Oniichan Aniki's having fun with his club. Hmm, sounds like a little vampire I know.
I can just imagine the son-in-law and family meeting.
|2011-06-05, 05:57
|Link #45
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
I do agree that Takao makes the manga so much enjoyable. I don't think I would be a fan of the manga without her having a big role. I've read the manga from start to finish twice in the past few months and I can't even remember any of the female characters names other than Takao.
|2011-06-05, 14:43
|Link #46
Know who you are
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Resides within the depths of Ned infested Glasgow
Hahaha a pretty good setup chapter for whats to come!
Even better that we get Noe thrown into the mix, love the Kazuma sibling relationship.
Noe's little bit at the end was great!
Hope my Takao is thrown in at some point as well
Btw seems like people didn't expect the woman that jumped from the roof to be Takao's mother?
But then I guess people would only make the connection if they had read that extra about the Takao famliy.
God I hope we find out what Takao's first name is!
|2011-06-16, 18:00
|Link #50
Le fou, c'est moi
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Las Vegas, NV, USA
Age: 30
Kazama failing the jump because of a tsukkomi -1
Genius girl gets to play the caring sibling instead of Noe-cchi (No-ecchi!) -2
Dandy Indy saves the day, plus the obligatory manly comment; gods he's so dandy I think I have a guycrush +5
Even the impeccable President is giving him the googly eyes! +3
Kazama and the club helps out Genius Girl in a friendly moment +1
Lara-mama escapes because of Indy's presence -3
Old grandpas failing at being cool after all -1
Old grandpas successfully bring Funabori into a chapter that has nothing to do with her +99+2
Kazama goes through the match with Funabori's photo around his neck +3
Not exploiting the above potential romantic misunderstanding -3
Pretty Boy got shunned by Roka even when he's not there +1
No-ecchi outruns Kazama x Co. because Kazama is a slowpoke -1
Kazama makes an insensitive comment on a girl's weight -1
Spiky hair eye stab! +1
Girl Genius admits she's having fun raising No-ecchi's oniichan jealousy meter +3
They got served by the other two's ruthless instincts after all -1
Indy-sensei exposes the obvious fraud (plus one for Indy, minus one for obviousness) +-0
The first years became friends, then fight over ice cream (by the way, I prefer milk) +1
Takao cameo ends the chapter +2
Chapter awesome meter: 9 don't ask me what it's supposed to mean
|2011-06-17, 09:28
|Link #51
Know who you are
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Resides within the depths of Ned infested Glasgow
Hahahahaha I loved how Funabori was thrown into the chapter like that, brilliant stuff! + many points!
Mr Shawn Conecone as Indy!!! + many more points!
And my Takao makes a cameo + many many many more points!
Roka's determination to ignore Hachi's existence, reminds me of the Sarge from Red vs Blue and his hatred, distain and disgust of Grif's exictence
And oh to the sibling quarrel between No-ecchi and Sakura
|2011-06-17, 09:49
|Link #52
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Dollars
|2011-06-18, 12:31
|Link #54
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Poland
Age: 34
Omg this manga is so random ;p
For me Ruka and Takao are equally awesome... But for romance relationship i prefer Takao, Ruka is just better the way she is now ;p
And Funabori is third, her reactions in chp 25 was too cute ;p
|2011-06-28, 09:05
|Link #57
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
|club, comedy, gag, school life, seinen, slice of life
|Thread Tools


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Biega has scored the game-winning goal in each of the last three games (photo courtesy Gil Talbot).
CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—Harvard men's hockey forward Michael Biega has been named U.S. College Hockey Online's national Third Star.
Biega, who was previously named ECAC Hockey MLX Skates Player of the Week, scored both game-winning goals in the Crimson's road sweep of Clarkson last weekend in the first round of the ECAC playoffs. The senior also assisted on a Pier-Olivier Michaud goal in Game 2 at Clarkson to total three key points on the weekend as Harvard extended its late-season winning streak to five games.
It is the second time in three weeks that a Biega brother has garnered selection as USCHO's Third Star. Crimson defenseman Danny Biega previously earned the honor.
The Crimson visits No. 18 Dartmouth this weekend for a best-of-three ECAC Hockey Championship quarterfinal series. The teams meet Friday and Saturday nights at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m., if necessary. The winning team will reach the league quarterfinals, being held this season at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., for the first time.
More on Biega and the Crimson:
Atlantic City Trip at Stake as Harvard Visits No. 18 Dartmouth
Michael Biega Recognized as ECAC's Best on First Playoff Weekend
This Week in Harvard Hockey: Goalies Galore


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First look: Cannondale 2010 mountain bike highlights
Scalpel, RZ One20, Flash 29er and more from Utah
Cannondale have unveiled their entire 2010 mountain bike line, including the new 16.56lb Flash Carbon Ultimate hardtail. To bring things a bit more down to earth, we're highlighting some other new models designed for all-mountain, cross-country and all-out racing.
RZ One20 1
The 2010 RZ One20 (say 'Rize 120') is Cannondale's newest trail bike with 120mm of front and rear travel, courtesy of a Lefty Ultra Carbon monoshock fork and rising-rate Fox RP23 rear shock.
The US$3,849 model 1 uses Cannondale's hydroformed 6061-T6 aluminium tubing and boasts an oversized BB30 bottom bracket shell, one-piece 3D forged 'Backbone' seat tube and Systems Integration (Si) head tube.
The RZ One20 has been designed to share many of the ride characteristics of its bigger brother the RZ One40 (see below) thanks to careful shock tuning and pivot placement.
Cannondale say the initial stroke has been optimised for small bump response/pedalling efficiency, the mid stroke for active travel and wallow elimination, and the end stroke for maximum travel and a "bottomless feel". Cannondale use size-specific links for true 120mm of travel in all frame sizes.
Four models will be available in November 2009, starting at US$1,919. Here's the spec for the top RZ One20 1:
- Fork: Lefty Ultra Carbon
- Shock: Fox RP23 with Boost Valve
- Wheelset: DT Swiss XCR 1.5
- Crankset: FSA Afterburner BB30 44/32/22-tooth w/ carbon spider
- Gears: SRAM X-9 shifters and rear derailleur
- Brakes: Avid Elixir CR
- Frame/shock weight: 2,300g
- Available: November 2009
- Price: US$3,849
RZ One40
For the 140mm travel crowd, the RZ One40 1 comes with a RockShox Monarch 4.2 shock with lockout and platform options. Front suspension comes courtesy of Cannondale's new lightest-in-class fork, the 2.83lb Lefty Max Carbon.
Five models in the RZ One40 family will be available in July/August, starting at US$1,919 and including a SRAM Hammerschmidt model, the US$3,949 3Z. Here's the spec for the RZ One40 1:
- Fork: Lefty Max Carbon
- Shock: RockShox Monarch 4.2
- Wheelset: Mavic Crossmax ST Lefty tubeless
- Crankset: FSA K-Force Light BB30 44/32/22-tooth
- Rear derailleur: Shimano XTR
- Brakes: Avid Elixir CR Mag
- Available: July 2009
- Price: US$6,199
For 2010, Cannondale set out to offer a full-suspension carbon fibre racer with 100mm of rear wheel travel.
Thanks to a revised layup schedule, the 2010 Scalpel Carbon Team's full monocoque carbon front triangle loses 100g. The pivotless chainstays and seatstays add some comfort while staying bearing-free.
Other performance-enhancers include Cannondale's oversized BB30 bottom bracket shell, which houses the lightest production crankset available, the Hollowgram SL Si.
Five models in the Scalpel family will be available in July/August, starting at US$2,899 for the Scalpel 4. Here's the spec for the Carbon Team:
- Fork: Lefty Speed Carbon SL 110
- Shock: Rock Shox Monarch 4.2
- Wheelset: Mavic Crossmax SLR Lefty tubeless
- Crankset: Cannondale Hollowgram SL Si 42/28-tooth w/ custom SRAM XX spider
- Groupset: SRAM XX
- Saddle: Fizik Antares carbon
Flash 29er
Cannondale carry over their rider-friendly geometry from the 2009 Caffeine series to the new Flash, with 1cm shorter chainstays for quick handling and climbing, and a one-degree steeper head angle for better steering. Highlights include an integrated head tube and BB30 oversized bottom bracket shell.
This is the alloy sibling to the new Flash Carbon 29er, coming in December. It features Synapse Active Vibration Elimination (SAVE) chainstays to reduce road buzz, and hydroformed 6061-T6 double butted aluminium tubing.
The Flash alu 29er family includes three models, starting at US$1,799, all available in November 2009. Here's the spec of the Flash FS29 1:
- Fork: Lefty 29er Carbon
- Rims: Stan's ZTR Arch 29
- Tyres: Schwalbe Racing Ralph 29 x 2.1
- Crankset: FSA Afterburner BB30 44/32/22-tooth
- Groupset: Shimano XT shifters, XTR rear derailleur
- Brakes: Shimano XT
- Availability: November
- Price: US$3,199
For more information, visit www.cannondale.com.


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There has been a longstanding debate within American politics going back to Thomas Jefferson (for populists, Andrew Jackson) and Alexander Hamilton about the role of the people versus the role of their leaders. Today the two sides of the debate can be called populists and elitists (the term elitist implies a lot more than what I mean it to). The populists view public policy as "common sense" and that leaders ought to just listen to the people. The Tea Party movement has been built off of populist sentiments. Many of its leaders have gone to great pains to deny that there is a leadership within the movement. It is all about the people.
Elitists, the Alexander Hamilton types, place a greater emphasis on leadership. They believe that ordinary people, who often spend long hours of their days working and taking care of their families, do not have the capacity to sift through the health care literature and understand sound policy. For the elitists, it is up to exceptional leaders to take their message and win over the people.
There are pros and cons to both sides of the argument, which is why this debate has been around for so long. The Founding Fathers tried to play these two opposing viewpoints off of each other. They did not create a pure democracy because they feared the masses. But they also made sure that the elected officials (especially the House of Representatives) were held accountable to the people. In essence, they knew that regular people cannot run the government, but they also knew that unaccountable leaders often become corrupt.
This balance must always be held or we face severe consequences. Today, however, the balance seems to shifting towards the populists. There is a huge problem with this shift. It is a problem that the Founding Fathers were quite aware of when they wrote the Constitution: the masses do not know how to run the government.
Consider the mounds of evidence compiled by Bruce Bartlett.
Recent Polls on Taxes and SpendingAn April 6 NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found that 61 percent of people favor a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, down from 71 percent in 1995. Support falls to 27 percent when people are told that this would require a 20 percent cut in entitlement programs.An April 4 YouGov poll found that an overwhelming majority of people favor large budget cuts. However, majorities also favor increased spending for education and medical research, and a strong plurality favor increased spending on clean energy technology.An April 1 CNN/Opinion Research poll examined peoples' knowledge of how the federal government spends its money. It finds that most really have no idea what percentage of the budget goes to various programs.A March 31 Pew poll asked people which among these programs the federal government spent the most on: Medicare, education, scientific research, or interest on the debt. Only 29 percent of people correctly said Medicare, 7 percent said education, 7 percent said scientific research, and 36 percent said interest.A March 16 Pew poll found sharply declining support for Republicans on budget issues. It also found strong opposition to cutting Social Security and Medicare, which Republicans have promised to do.A March 15 ABC News/Washington Post poll found that only 31 percent of voters support the Republican policy of only cutting spending to reduce the deficit; 64 percent believe higher taxes will also be necessary.A March 9 Bloomberg poll found significant opposition to many budget cuts proposed by Republicans.Also on March 9, the Harris poll found strong opposition to cutting Social Security or Medicare benefits to deal with the budgetary problems of those programs. People are also opposed to raising taxes to fund them.
And a March 9 Ipsos/Reuters poll also found strong opposition to cutting Social Security or Medicare to balance the budget.A March 7 Harris poll found strong majority support for every government program that people were asked about with the sole exception of foreign aid.A March 2 YouGov poll found that people want government spending cut, but only on programs that don't affect them.Also on March 2, a NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll found strong opposition to cutting spending for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, K-12 education, heating assistance for the poor, college student loans, Head Start, and unemployment insurance. There was majority support only for cutting nuclear power subsidies, aid to state and local governments, the EPA budget, and spending on transportation and infrastructure projects. The poll also found that 81 percent of people would support a surtax on millionaires to help reduce the budget deficit, and 68 percent would support eliminating the Bush tax cuts for those earning more than $250,000.On March 1, the Tarrance Group issued a poll which found that 63 percent of voters incorrectly believe that the federal government spends more on national defense and foreign aid than it does on Medicare and Social Security. Also, three-fifths of voters believe that the budget can be fixed just by eliminating waste, fraud and abuse.A February 16 Harris poll found that support for cutting spending is largely confined to small programs such as foreign aid, and that people favor increasing spending for big programs such as Social Security. The poll also shows that there is considerably less support for budget cuts today than there was in 1980.A February 15 CBS News poll found that only 49 percent of people believe that reducing the deficit will require cuts in programs that benefit them; 41 percent do not. Also, only 37 percent of people believe that reducing the deficit will require higher taxes on them; 59 percent do not.
Cross posted at The Cross Culturalist.


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I tried to install different distros. I get the error "time out" and "…….helper".
Popular Guides
View more guides at Linux Wiki Guides
This is a compatibility guide to running Linux with the HP 550 laptop.
This guide is intended to provide you details on how well this laptop works with Linux and which modules you need to configure. For details on how to actually install and configure the required modules have a look at our guides section for distribution specific instructions.
This page is just for discussing using Linux on the HP 550. For a general discussion about this laptop you can visit the HP 550 page on LapWik.
If you would like to edit this page please first view our Editing Guidelines.
For full specifications see the HP 550 specifications page.
|Intel Core 2 Duo or Intel Celeron
|15.4" WXGA Widescreen
|512MB to 4GB
|120GB to 250GB
|Optical Drive
|Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100
|Ethernet, Intel 802.11abgn, Intel 802.11abg, Broadcom 802.11abgn, Broadcom 802.11bg, Bluetooth
|Optical Drive
|Hardware accel also works
|tested with alsa
|* Works out of the box with Intel 802.11abgn, Broadcom 802.11abgn will work after installation of the driver package
|56K Modem
|Not Tested
|ExpressCard Slot
|Not Tested
|SD/MMC Reader
|VGA Out
|Works, but may flicker heavily while on AC power!
You can enter any specific notes with running Linux on the HP 550 here.
You can enter a summary of how well the HP 550 works with Linux here.
I tried to install different distros. I get the error "time out" and "…….helper".
LinuxMint Cinnamon 18.1 ok.
Diagonal screen tearing, when watching Youtube-videos.
I can't get webcam to work in Skype but works fine in Cheese.
Done some reading but none helped.
Camera: Microsoft LifeCam Cinema
Skype test just give black square.
Any help would be appreciated.
I don't experience flickering but my external monitor, which works perfectly with other computers, shifts strongly towards red.
At default gamma the screen is a bit too washed out for my liking so I have "xgamma -rgamma 0.9 -ggamma 0.9 -bgamma 0.85" automatically on login.
Otherwise this laptop works pretty much flawless with Linux (Ubuntu 10.04 LTS). I dare say it was more plug and play with Ubuntu than with the preinstalled Vista :)
64-bit Ubuntu 10.04 works great with 2GHz Celeron version. Vista had fan noise problem (which fixed with DSDT config) but ubuntu works perfectly. Using 2.6.34 kernel.
my installation 64 bits ubuntu 10.04 is running sucessfully, aditionally in this machiche have an virtual installation of windows 7, and the performance is fine. anybody have information about tunning in i/o in laptop?
Works great with Puppy Linux 4.3.1 K18.104.22.168 - only problem is that I've been unable to get the modem to work.
Much much quicker than installed Vista.
I am having some problems with Linux mint… the installation goes OK, I have dual boot with vista. when I start linux, it loads OK but touch-pad and keyboard do not work.
any help is welcomed….
I have this notebook for a while running Fedora 11. Most of the things works great except for occasionally system freeze on lid close AND annoying graphic artefacts :(
i need to know how to
power save my laptop , the problem is that when i plug in the monitor becomes relatively dark , but when i'm running on batteries the monitor goes brighter…. i hope u understand…thx
Ubuntu 8.10 works great except the audio. I've notices that windows xp driver plays much better the song (i'd to try that cos i wasn't agreeing with the audio card performance (in ubuntu) and i had to state that using windows to see if it was a driver problem. And it was. Any solution?
Thanks, regards.
This notebook works flawlessly with Debian Linux 5.0 (Lenny). Excellent!
Full support out of the box for compiz-fusion, full IntelWireless function-
ality too. I have the Intel 4965AG, listed as (Kedron) model and the Intel
82562GT wired ethernet adapter.
Note: Initial install I opted to install only the kernel modules that
the installer found relevant to this hardware. This left me with no working
wifi. I had to do a manual install of the intel wifi drivers to get things
going. So, on reinstall, specifying to install ALL kernel modules, every-
thing worked. Not sure about bluetooth or vga-out as of yet. Sound: Alsa works
flawlessly! Not sure on any others.
This laptop works quite surprisingly out of the box with (K)Ubuntu 8.10 All goes automatically installed. Wireless works great. SD-reader also. Surely this is a recommended Linux laptop!
how do you make blue tooth work on 550 ph laptop. on the menu it has a bluetooth thing and when i click on it, it says it cant find any devices but mu phone was next to it and the bluetooth on my phone was on. its soo anoying.
please help
hi shaidia i have the same problem with my laplop too if you found out how get the blue tooth working would you please let me know as i am having troble, thanks
The type I bought is the FU410EA. Except for the broadcom wifi, it works with ubuntu 4.01 out of the box. The wifi can easily be set up by downloading and installing the b43-fwcutter (hope i made no spelling mistake) package. Also, there seems to be a minor (but quite irritating) issue with the lid hardware. It seems, that if you close the lid in some not appropriate manner (dunno what is considered not appropriate…) then the OS freezes, and you have to force a shutdown with the power button and reboot the whole system. I don't know if this is a problem with the hardware or the os. Since i only istalled ubuntu because my fedora DVD was scrached, i will test it with fedora once i have a suitable installer. I'll keep you updated with fedora and dreamlinux as soon as possible.
My wireless card doesn't work at all on Ubuntu 8.10, at least not out of the box. Right now I'm trying to make it detect it but it's not an easy job. Not for my at least. Everything else works just fine.
HP 550 with OpenSuse 11.0 part 2 … use Ubuntu 8.10 instead, it works great
Unfortunately I spoke too soon and this laptop has some issues with OpenSuse 11.0
which are actually entirely distribution specific e.g. power management simply does not work properly , unable to suspend to RAM or hibernate or whatever it is called , only suspend to disk works , however the whole pm is broken on OpenSuse 11.0 as it also locks/freezes the machine when e.g. lid is closed and nothing will get it back except removing the power source (battery/charger). Don't use OpenSuse with this laptop unless you're ready and willing to sort their (OpenSuse distribution) broken power management system and a lot of buggy software. Use Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid instead , everything just works(not tested VGA out and modem) out of the box , wireless/ wired network , power mangement works better than in MS, it suspends,hibernates, powersaves, the whole thing is just perfect. I can repeat enough everything works! After being with SuSE since version 6.3 its a kind of disappointment to see such a great distribution loosing a plot with such trivial issues. The Ubuntu rules supreme here, " IT JUST WORKS" and no headaches.
Here are the specs of this particular machine:
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo Processor T5470 (1.6 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 2 MB L2 cache) , 1GB DDR2 RAM, Intel wired and wireles adapters (haven't tested the modem), Intel graphics Mobile Intel® GME965 Express, DVD+/-RW SuperMulti with Double Layer e.tc.
HP 550 with OpenSuSE 11.0
This notebook works out of the box with Linux extremely well, the only problem is the usual "suspend to RAM" not working as yet , rest of the power management works reasonably well , everything else works brilliantly , WIFI and Ethernet,
SD card slot , haven't tested VGA out yet ( no suitable monitor) very good cheap laptop so don't expect miracles however for the money its better than any netbook out there. Testing continues however as I only have this laptop for 2 days but so far it has exceeded my expectations. Tested it with Ububtu 8.10 live cd and it too works well.
Also noticed one downside, worth mentioning. The power connector is next to the VGA connector, so trying to use an external display while on AC power is not recommended, because the display will flicker and jump around… I have a SyncMaster 940N and the picture doesn't look to healthy wile on AC. Note, that on battery, it's crystal clear.


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- Add photos ...
- Auto-fill
- Empty
- Templates
- Background
- B&W/Colour
10 Tips for creating a photo collage
- Find the most beautiful pictures on your hard drive with which you would like to create a photo collage. Make sure that the photos have a similar colour scheme. This will ensure that the photo collage looks harmonious. It would be advantageous if all photos were taken with the same camera.
On the "Photo collage templates" page of our photo collage maker, you can select a template for your photo collage. Depending on how many photos you want to include, you can choose from a selection of templates with between 3 and 29 images. You can also add text captions and select a square or 4:3 aspect ratio for your photo collage.
- by clicking 'Add photos'. You can upload several photos at once by holding down the CTRL-key in the dialogue box.
- The pictures will subsequently appear in the 'My Photos' area in the photo collage maker. From here you can create your photo collage online by simply dragging the photos into the desired position. If you want a different picture in this position, simply drag another image into this position.
By pressing 'Auto-fill', you can automatically fill your collage at random with the uploaded photos. You can repeat this as many times as you like until you are satisfied with the result or you can manually place the photos in the desired position.
You can tell whether the quality of your photos is sufficient by moving the mouse over the photos. The image quality will be displayed in the form of a smiley. Images showing a red smiley should be replaced in order to obtain good printing results, for example when printing your photo collage on canvas.
You can delete the photo in a particular position by clicking on the 'X' at the top right corner of your photo. This applies both to the photo collage configurator as well as the 'My Photos' area.
If the image format of a photo does not correspond to that of the collage, you can reposition your image whichever way you want. Click on 'Change image selection' and this will appear as soon as you move the mouse over the corresponding photo.
When you are finished creating your collage and the desired layout is ready, click on 'Finish collage' to create the finished collage. The picture is then processed and an image file is produced. Depending on the number of images, this can take a few minutes.
You can now decide what you want to do with your collage. You can simply download the finished collage free of charge or, for example, print it as a large photo collage on canvas or on any other attractive surface. Simply choose the material for your photo collage and click 'Order'. Help us spread the news of our free photo collage maker and recommend us to your friends. Enjoy creating your photo collage online!