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I am pleased to be the second Designer at the shop to be Spotlighted at Pickleberry Pop. You will find my entire shop on sale with a saving of 40% and I will give you a little hint to save even more. Check out the Pickleberry
Pop facebook page where you will find a gift from myself. Inside you will find a special coupon just for you!
So please make sure you grab both before the sale ends on April 15th. In addition if you haven't signed up for my newsletter, you need to. I have some big news coming out in the next couple of weeks and you won't know about it without signing up to the newsletter.
Now on to the newest product! I think you are going to adore these pieces especially if you have a special male in your life. Not that you can't use this for a female page as you can easily, the product is very versatile.You will only find this at my Pickleberry Pop shop during the month of April. You will also find the coordinating products to Master of Disaster and Race Zoom Zoom in the shop. You gotta go take a look at this adorable products.
Now in the shop and again on sale with 40% off through Sunday! Don't miss this sale!
I will be back very soon with other new products! And remember to grab the freebie with the coupon that expires on Sunday night!


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Original URL: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/04/12/map_of_tasmania_redrawn/
Map of Tasmania to be redrawn
State government kicks off Spatial Information Foundations project
Posted in Policy, 12th April 2012 22:27 GMT
Tasmania will spend $AU3m to refresh the technological framework that underpins the State's Land Information System (LIST).
The new project aims "develop a contemporary platform for the management and distribution of spatial information across all tiers of government and the private sector and facilitate the improved use of spatial information for key priorities of the Tasmanian Government."
Deliverables from the project will include:
- A new web interface for the LIST – for improved access to a wider range of spatial information
- A web-based spatial data and services directory – providing improved discoverability of spatial data and services for use, analysis and reuse by more users
- High speed image servers – with rapid delivery of remotely sensed imagery through LISTmap and web services
- A data management and delivery system for planning data – providing new web-based capabilities for the visualisation and spatial integration of planning information
- An address validation service – for automatic verification and more efficient management of address information within government agencies
- A web-based spatial data delivery service – providing new capabilities for downloading and delivering spatial data
- A web-based, emergency services Common Operating Picture (COP) for Tasmania – providing emergency management organisations with an authoritative, shared view of critical emergency and incident information
- A new Tasmanian land parcel and property boundary database (numeric cadastre) – an enhanced cadastral dataset that is able to maintain boundary alignment with core administrative data, eg planning zones
- A sustainable strategy for the ongoing acquisition and delivery of remotely sensed imagery for Tasmania – allowing the detection of changes in natural and built assets over time
The project is expected to run for two years and has been divided into seven sub-projects, each with a dedicated manager. An information sheet about the project (PDF) says "Common and/or compatible technological components" will be used across the sub-projects.®

subset: commoncrawl


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text: Hello forum!! I have the Alpine CDE-102 head unit and I hooked up my WD MyBook 500Gb external hdd to it. It's a decent hu but the only problem I have with it is that the USB source is only able to read 100 folders and 100 songs per folder! I know if I were to spend a little bit more money there are other HUs out there that goes beyond 100/100 but I was wondering if there are any head units out there that are capable of reading a multi-partitioned external hdd? Thanks!


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From time to time, we wonder about the professional photographer know-how that helps them take great pictures of these wonderful night scenes. Below you can find out about some of these secrets.
What can be so different about taking pictures at night? When we take a camera and step outside of our houses after sunset, we try pointing our cameras here and there at the ambience that vibrant lights create among the dark shadows of the night. However, unfortunately - and also as can be expected - the results are not so luminous. And, unlike pictures taken during daylight when the light is strong, there are various unseen obstacles waiting for us when we attempt to take night-time photos.
The amount of light that barely reveals the background, the extravagant contrast between lit and unlit areas, the long exposure required, noise, not to mention the mixture of various unwanted lights from everywhere with never-seen-before colours, and shaky, out-of-focus objects... Yes, there are plenty of problems that need solving in order to take a decent night-time picture. But where there's a will, there's a way. Furthermore, instead of considering these issues as obstacles, we could perhaps take advantage of them. In this way, we can create photos with the atmosphere and ambience that are peculiar to and very distinctive of the night-time. Let's hear some know-how tips from the members of "Night View," the club for night-time picture specialists.
Articles provided by "www.nightview.co.kr"
Written and photographed by Jaehong Chung (Nickname: pimpman)
Although astrophotography is quite a specialised field of photography, it could be considered as a sub-section of night-time photography since most of the photos are taken at night. However, there are also astrophotos taken during the daytime, such as ones of the sun or the moon in the morning sky. First of all, there are two main types of astrophotography techniques - using a fixed tripod and guided photography.
Simply put, the guided photography technique simply involves taking pictures of a star cluster, nebula, planet or Messier object by following the object carefully while using a long exposure. This is known as the piggyback method. Secondly, a telescope and camera can be used to take a picture (the prime focus or indirect method). Lastly, pictures can also be taken using an equatorial telescope or astronomical telescope instead of our handy camera. Guided photography is a field that is not very familiar to the general public. So let's focus solely on the fixed tripod photography.
The fixed tripod photography method involves fixing a camera to a tripod to take picture of an object in the sky. For the fixed tripod technique, there is the fixed focus method and the diurnal motion method. Due to the earth's rotation, we perceive stars as drifting and flowing in the sky. Since the earth rotates a full 360 degrees once a day, it moves 15 degrees per hour. Therefore, from our perspective, we also see the stars at night move 15 degrees per hour in the opposite direction. The fixed focus method uses a short exposure to take a picture of a star that looks more like a spot than a stream of light, leaving a trail behind. Photos of numerous stars and constellations, and even to some extent the Milky Way, can be taken using this method.
Assuming that you are using a 35 mm camera, a camera equipped with a 50 mm standard lens can take a picture of a star that is standing still for 15 seconds (at 0 degrees declination). The wider your lens becomes, the larger the angle of view becomes, resulting in a longer exposure time required. Conversely, the higher the power of the telephoto lens you use, the narrower the angle of view becomes, resulting in a shorter exposure time.
The diurnal motion method uses a long exposure to take a photo of a star leaving a trail behind it. When using this method, it is better to include a landscape such as a building, mountains, background scenery and so on in your picture, instead of taking only the stars. Good photographs also depend on the direction of star trail, speed and other factors being considered. The stars in the northern hemisphere rotate counterclockwise from the east to the west with the North Star at the centre. The closer they are rotating toward the North Star, the more slowly they appear to rotate, and vice versa - the further they are from the centre, the faster they seem to rotate. When you take an astrophoto, you can also enjoy learning about various constellations and watching the night sky. It should also be more interesting to take pictures of comets or meteors (shooting stars) using the diurnal motion method.
①Photography method: diurnal motion method
Date: Jan 31, 2008
Location: Naksan Park in Seoul Daehakro
Time: 8:20 pm to 10:40 pm
(Total picture exposure time: 2 hours, 20 minutes)
Lens used: Pentax SMC DA FISHEYE 10-17
# of total cuts: 254 pictures with exposures of 30-second intervals (Photoshop composite used)
Accessories: a tripod and a time lapse recording tool
②Photography method: diurnal motion method
Date: Feb 02, 2008
Location: rooftop of Koresco Condominium (Chiaksan branch) in Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do
Time: 9:17 pm to 11:23 pm (Total picture exposure time: 2 hours, 6 minutes)
Lens used: Pentax SMC DA FISHEYE 10-17
# of total cuts: 228 pictures with exposures of 30-second intervals (Photoshop composite used)
Accessories: a tripod and a time lapse recording tool
This picture shows the International Space Station (ISS) passing by.
③Photography method: fixed focus method
Date: May 05, 2008
Location: Anmyondo, Taean
Lens used: Pentax SMC DA FISHEYE 10-17
Accessories: a tripod
I have never seen the Milky Way this beautiful and this detailed.
The photos described above were taken with a 35 mm film camera and, of course, the results can vary depending on the type of lens, ISO and other factors. This also assumes that you are taking pictures in mountain, rural, coastal or desert areas where the light pollution is not as severe as in urban areas.
In cities such as Seoul where the light pollution is severe, it is possible to use the fixed focus method to some degree. However, it is difficult to take pictures of the constellations or the Milky Way simply because it is rare to see the stars. It is possible to take pictures of the moon or sun using the diurnal motion method with an ordinary film camera. However, taking pictures of the stars using this method is again difficult due to the light pollution.
When using a film camera, you need to develop and print (scan) the film. Often photo studios do not print or scan the film, thinking that there was nothing in the film. It is therefore better to let them know in advance that the pictures are astrophotos when taking the film for processing.
When using a digital camera (DSLR), you can take several pictures of a star using the proper intervals and then composite them in one picture to see the star train to a greater or lesser extent.
First, use a wide-angle lens to include a larger number of stars and consider the viewfinder composition to create harmony with the background scenery. For the aperture value, use a shutter speed of 30-60 seconds within the correct range to prevent overexposure. You can then take your pictures in succession over the desired amount of time. For the camera setting, use the manual mode for the photo mode; use manual focus (unlimited) for the focus setting; set the noise reduction to OFF; select a low ISO speed; and lastly set the white balance to your preference. You can then take pictures using a solid tripod and the release cable or a time lapse recording tool. You will need to have a fully charged battery.
The next step is to import the picture files taken with your digital camera (DSLR) into Photoshop and perform layer composition. First, choose the photo that will be the main photo, before opening the picture files one by one in the correct order and overlapping them on the same spot as the main photo. When overlapping two pictures, another layer is created on the layer palette, and as a result you will see two layers. There should then be a small white window on that layer palette window. This is for the layer blending mode to allow you to select a blending method for both of the two upper and lower layers. Select "Lighten," which should be in the middle. "Lighten" allows the light areas of the layers to be emphasized so that the star trails are not overlapped but rather shown as they are. As you continue composing the layers in this manner, the star trails are getting clearer and finally emerge in a single picture.
Photography tip: During the winter, your camera or lens may freeze up or become covered in dew. You can cover your lens with a heat pack to prevent it to some degree.
Fascinating Festival of the Night - Fireworks
Written and photographed by Jungdae Kim (Nickname: danny)
The basic equipment for taking pictures of fireworks is a DSLR camera equipped with bulb mode, zoom lens, tripod, release cable, and black paper board or a hat. Since we do not know the exact spot where the fireworks will detonate, it is better to use a wide-angle zoom lens instead of a prime lens for the flexible screen composition. Since fireworks can be much larger and detonate at a higher level than expected, using a wide-angle lens becomes a must, especially when taking pictures from a close distance. Use the zoom lens to secure the desired angle of view or composition. After the angle has been decided, you can change to a prime lens for a clearer picture.
Fireworks usually detonate after spending up to five seconds in the air. You can therefore get great firework photos by using an aperture setting of F8 to F16 and an ISO speed of 100 to 200.
In order to take picture of multiple fireworks, set the camera to bulb mode, open the shutter, and cover the lens with either a black paperboard or hat. Then expose the lens only when the fireworks detonate. By repeating this, you can get several fireworks in a single picture. The use of a lens cap should be avoided since it can cause a slight movement of the camera and result in a shaky background. The use of a release cable is also a must when using the bulb feature, since it prevents the camera from moving.
The AF (auto focus) setting may fail to focus on the fireworks, so use MF (manual focus) for setting the camera focus. Since the spot where the fireworks detonate will also differ slightly from time to time, it is recommended to use smaller aperture values for a deeper depth of field even when you are using manual focus. You can use the auto mode for the WB (white balance) but using the tungsten mode or manual WB, or setting the Kelvin (K) value manually, can result in a better, bluer background colour.
Photography tip 1: You can get much clearer firework pictures during the early stages, because the fireworks later on are often covered with smoke that prevents better shots.
Photography tip 2: Instead of taking pictures of only the fireworks, you can get better shots by including the cityscape in the background. To do this, check the exposure of the cityscape first. Then take the picture using the bulb feature. You may use the paperboard to cover the lens when it is adequately exposed. Then expose the lens when the fireworks detonate to take a picture with both the fireworks and the cityscape.
The Essence of Night Photography - Interchange (IC) Pictures
Written and photographed by Jungdae Kim (Nickname: danny)
The key merits of taking IC pictures at night are the light trails of vehicle headlights and the splendid city lights. In order to include an entire IC in one frame, you will need a wide-angle lens; in some cases, you may need to use a fish-eye lens. Of course, the angle of view and composition will differ depending on the area you are shooting. The range of the photograph is also a matter of a choice, and so many photographers often use a standard prime lens. To get a great picture with a nice light trail from the vehicles, you need a longer shutter speed. As a result, you do not necessarily need to increase the sensitivity, even for a night-time photo, and this can be set to around 100 ISO. In general, the shutter speed needs to be more than 15 seconds to get a decent light trail, so the aperture needs to be set appropriately by considering the shutter speed. Often pictures are taken with an aperture setting of F8 to F16 or more. If necessary, the shutter speed can also be increased by using the ND (neutral density) filter. Fans of night-time photography love to take pictures during the so-called "magic hour" - 30 minutes before and after sunset. This time is indeed quite appealing, for you can take pictures of both the setting sun and nightscapes. However, IC pictures do not necessarily need to be taken during this magic hour. Although you may get better colours by taking advantage of the magic hour, I think darker, later hours are more appropriate when considering only the IC as a subject: the darker background emphasizes the white headlights and red taillights of the vehicles much better. I prefer the method of half-pressing the shutter with focusing on the object using AF and then changing to MF. If possible, using a release cable and selecting manual WB instead of auto WB or setting the Kelvin (K) value manually results in a picture with better and more splendid night scenery. Photography tip 1: Set the WB to manual by focusing on the centre line of the IC where the cars are passing by. There are many accessories for setting the WB. Personally, I most often use a "white balance disc" to set the WB and take night-time IC pictures. Photography tip 2: The ambience of a picture changes according to the shutter speed. You need to decide how much of the vehicle light trail to photograph. An ample shutter time can make the road full of various lights, or you can simplify the light trails with few lines. Comparing those pictures should then tell you the characteristics of each and give you some ideas.
The New Focal Point of the Seoul Landscape - A Night View of Hangang
Written and photographed by Yongmin Lee (Nickname: mutro)
People usually include its bridges when they take a picture of a night view of Hangang. You can get a great picture with vibrant sky colours by shooting pictures right before or just after the sunset. The visibility, which really affects photography, may differ according to the weather conditions, so you should consider the weather beforehand. The circumstances when I was taking this picture meant that the sky was too bright, which made the shutter speed very fast. This was also not enough to capture the light trails of the cars passing by Banghwa Bridge. As a result, I slowed down the shutter speed from ISO 100 to 50 to shoot the light trails of the cars, while using a smaller aperture of about F13 to also include the faraway mountain. By setting the camera to clear mode, I also managed to create stronger colours in the picture.
Banghwa Bridge
1. Location: middle of a mountain where the north end of Banghwa Bridge was visible
2. Date & time: Feb 16, 2008 about 6:30 pm, right before the sunset
3. Setting info: 135 mm F2.0 Light metering: Multi-aperture: F13 Shutter Speed: 10 secs ISO: 50 Mode: Clear
If you are taking pictures during the period between the sun setting and night completely falling, using the tungsten mode is a good idea since there are some bluish hues remaining in the sky. The camera settings for the night scene that I mainly use are tungsten mode, to give a clear and bluish colour effect; manual setting of the Kelvin value; and AWB (auto white balance) that nowadays results in a decent white balance due to increased camera performance. Regarding the focus, I focus at the spot in between 1/3 to 1/2 that is in mid tone (for an object without the mid tone, I focus at the spot that is half in shadow and half-highlighted) when looking through the viewfinder. By doing so, I secure a proper exposure with the depth of field and get a clear picture overall.
Sungsan Bridge
1. Location: at the north water's edge of Sungsan Bridge
2. Date & time: Mar 8, 2008 about 7:00 pm after the sunset
3. Setting info.: 50 mm F1.4 Light metering: Multi aperture: F11 shutter speed: 8 secs. ISO: 100 Mode: Tungsten
Lighting the Blossom with Light - Night Photos of Cherry Blossom
Written and photographed by Heonguk Son (Nickname: Sonddadadak~)
MF 50 mm F1.4S / Exposure mode: M / Aperture: F8 / Shutter speed: 10 secs. / ISO: 100 / White balance: Kelvin value 2780 / RAW file shooting / sRGB
The difficulty of photographing night-time cherry blossom is that the object is not still but rather sways slightly when the wind blows. The end part of the branch may therefore blur compared to the other areas of your picture when you use a longer exposure. This means that you need to either increase the ISO or use a wider aperture for a faster shutter speed.
However, when you are trying to get a clear picture of the entire branch of fully blossomed flowers from the front to the end, the aperture setting needs to be small for a deeper depth of field. The result of this is a longer shutter speed. Of course, the depth of field gets deeper as you use a wider angle lens. You can therefore get this result with a deeper depth of field - even with a lower aperture setting - by using a wide-angle lens instead of a telephoto lens. Depending on what the photographer focuses on, the aperture value, shutter speed and ISO setting also become different. Personally, I use settings of ISO 100 for image quality, an aperture value of F8 to 16 for proper depth of field, and a shutter speed of 10 to 15 seconds. Furthermore, you need the patience to wait for a windless moment when the branches are still, since the exposure is quite long. During the period of the Cherry Blossom Festival in Korea, in most cases the blossoms are lit up with direct lights. You therefore need to be cautious of getting an unwanted white "hole" in the picture due to overexposure of the flowers. If the colour of the lights changes, taking multiple pictures is a good idea to create pictures with various effects and moods.
When using auto white balance, you may end up with less satisfying pictures because the colours of the pictures differ in each cut even when the other settings are identical. Manually setting the Kelvin value to set the colour temperature before shooting would be your best choice.
AAF 180 mm F2.8D ED / Exposure mode: M / Aperture: 11 / Shutter speed: 15 secs. / ISO: 100 /
White balance: Kelvin value 2500 / RAW file shooting / sRGB
Trail Photos Taken Indoors - Pendulum Motion
Written and photographed by Heonguk Son (Nickname: Sonddadadak
MF 50 mm F1.4S / Exposure mode: M / Aperture: 16 / Shutter speed: 246 secs. / ISO: 100 /
White balance: Kelvin value 3130 / RAW file shooting / sRGB
Taking pictures of geometric flow of the lights using a pendulum motion can be very interesting. First you will need a string and a mini flashlight (a small light with one bulb is better, as the light plays the role of a weight), a camera, tripod, and a release cable. First, tie a 1-1.5 m string to the end of the flashlight, then attach the other end of the string to the ceiling. Set the height of the tripod as low as possible and then set the camera angle by aiming the camera lens toward the ceiling. You should make sure that the camera has the proper angle of view by checking through the viewfinder. Adjust it if necessary. Try to locate the weight at the centre of the viewfinder and set the focus at the end of the weight. Then set the camera to MF. Set the shutter speed to bulb mode (B). Keep in mind that the more you open the aperture, the thicker the lines become, and vice versa - the smaller the aperture is, the thinner the lines become in the picture. I recommend making the line very thin by using a small aperture setting, because the distance between the lines becomes narrower as the weight circles toward the centre. Regarding the format, take the pictures as RAW files and then change the light colour using a RAW file correction program for a better result.
AF-S 17-35 mm F2.8D ED / Exposure mode: M / Aperture: 16 / Shutter speed: 340 secs. / ISO: 100 / White balance: Kelvin value 3130 / RAW file shooting / sRGB
After connecting the release cable, turn off all the lights for complete darkness then turn on the flashlight (the weight). If you simply pull the weight then release it, you will get a linear motion. Instead of doing so, try to make a circle by pushing the weight lightly to one side to make the shape shown in the above picture. Once a circle with the desired size has been created, press the release cable to start shooting. When the aperture is set to 16, an exposure setting of about 3 to 6 minutes is correct, and you should decide the appropriate exposure setting by watching the pendulum motion of the weight. Note that you may need several less satisfying attempts before you get a great picture. Keep trying, though, and you will succeed.
A Light Trail Passing through the Night Silence
Written and photographed by Minseok Son (Nickname: hooligan)
Title: Line Location: Jianjae, Hamyang-gun ISO100, F8, 30 sec
Taking a picture of the light trail made by a vehicle driving along a mountain road without any artificial lighting is the essence of night-time photography. Especially if the road has a sharp curve or downhill slope, the light trail made in the night-time picture has a dynamic quality that is rarely found in other night-time pictures. In general, cars driving on unlit mountain roads tend to drive at a slow speed. Since the maximum shutter speed supported by DSLR AV, TV and M modes is only 30 seconds, the bulb feature and a release cable become a must to secure the shutter speed of more than 30 seconds that is needed to get an uninterrupted light trail. Regarding the lens selection, a wide-angle lens is much more appropriate than a telephoto lens to give you a complete light trail instead of partial trails. Keep in mind that ultra-wide lenses - below 20 mm - will result in wider and much clearer light trails on the picture. For the white balance setting, it is best to select fluorescent or tungsten mode. The sharp contrast of the white light trail and the pitch-black night sky will grab the viewers' attention at once. Also keep in mind that the colour of light trail becomes whiter as the colour temperature decreases, and try setting the WB to fluorescent or tungsten mode. You can also observe the different results created and try applying various colour temperatures. Regarding the exposure, a slight underexposure is desirable. In some cases, you may also need to emphasize the light trails by making the background darker to bring out the dynamic quality of the car's motion under the dark sky. You therefore need to acquire the know-how to pick out the light trails compared to the background by applying an exposure compensation that is 1 to 2 stop darker, instead of relying on the optimal exposure value. Considering the nature of the shooting, I recommend going out with two or three friends instead of taking pictures alone. Finding a car driving along a mountain road late at night is quite difficult, so you may need to drive your own car to take a picture instead of waiting for one to come by. If you have a friend or two who will press the release cable for you while you are driving, this would be perfect. Make sure to check the path of motion and composition of the picture beforehand. Finding a perfect composition in complete darkness only by relying on your senses is not an easy task. I recommend visiting the site before sunset to check various possible motion paths and decide how and where to take pictures with possible light trails in advance.
Title: Enjoying the Silent Location: The Local Motorway between Nonsan and Wanju
ISO100, F8, 221 sec
The Climax of the Night-Time Cityscape - Buildings
Written and photographed by Yui-jeong Choi (Nickname: hongdangmu)
M mode / ISO: 100 / F8 6s / White balance: Kelvin value setting / Picture taken in sRGB jpeg / Compensation: 8211 / Sharpened and colour balance adjusted using Photoshop
One of the merits of taking night-time pictures is taking pictures of glamorous city lights. If the weather is right and you can even see some clouds passing above the lit-up city, you might feel like you could take pictures of everything, including a night city, a nearby river, and streets with moving lights. However, even in bad weather, you should not leave your home without your camera and a tripod. It is better to be prepared than disappointed when you are faced with an opportunity. It may not be as easy as it sounds to take pictures of the great buildings in Seoul at night-time. Although you can climb a nearby mountain in the city, there are occasions when you need to go to the roof of tall buildings to find yet-to-be-discovered objects and create unique and interesting compositions. You should only visit the roof tops after obtaining proper permission from the manager of the building. Generally, you should use the lowest ISO to take your pictures, with an aperture setting of F8 to 13. When taking a picture of a fully-lit building, you should set the shutter speed from 2-6 seconds to 8-13 seconds. To prevent camera movement, always use the release cable and also the mirror lock-up setting to prevent mirror shock. To express the clean and vibrant light effects, I use the clear mode on my camera. I also use a fish-eye lens with the extreme angle of view quite often because of its unique characteristics and effect. When the object of which I want to take a picture is too close and I cannot move backward any further, it is time to use the fish-eye lens to take a picture of the intended object without making any scarifies. I find this very satisfying. Some people avoid this lens because of the distortion, but I rather like the interesting effect. One of the strengths is that it allows the reconfiguration of objects that cannot be photographed using any lens other than a fish-eye lens. As shown in the above picture, tall buildings or multiple objects can all be contained in one picture, which is another strength of the lens. When you are taking pictures of well-lit buildings, a long exposure is not required. Since the conditions were quite dark when I was taking the picture, I used a slower shutter speed to brighten up the sky more.


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Original URL: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/12/13/rim_sues_samsung/
Samsung dealt RIM lawsuit over BlackJack
Handset's name too close to BlackBerry, plaintiff claims
Posted in Personal Tech, 13th December 2006 08:52 GMT
Research in Motion (RIM) has taken Samsung to task over the name of the South Korean giant's latest smart phone. RIM reckons Samsung's BlackJack has a name that's too close to its own smart-phone brand, BlackBerry, for comfort - and it's asked the US District Court for Central California to force a change of handle.
RIM filed its complaint with the court late last week. It accused Samsung of "misleading the public" by calling the device BlackJack - RIM alleges Samsung's trying to hoodwink potential buyers into believing BlackJack is connected to RIM's own business.
Samsung launched BlackJack in the US last month. The QWERTY keyboard-equipped device is black in colour and uses a similar form-factor to the one adopted by RIM's own BlackBerry 8700 series, though the two devices are not identical and run different operating systems.
RIM also objects to the Samsung brand name 'Black Carbon', used for a slimline phone. It wants the court to stop Samsung using Black Carbon and BlackJack in products sold in the US. ®


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December 4, 2012 > Local Teens Use Entrepreneurial Skills to 'Beat Diabetes'
For many average American high school students, summer is a time to sleep in, hang out with friends and just relax away from school, homework and responsibilities. But that's not what Mission San Jose High School seniors Howard Liu and Vishak Menon did last summer. "We wanted to do something to help our Fremont community," explained Howard.In talking over their ideas, Howard and Vishak realized they had something more in common than their friendship. They both have grandparents who have diabetes - Howard's grandmother and Vishak's grandfather.The two friends created a plan to design and sell t-shirts with a dual purpose: First, to increase awareness about the seriousness of diabetes and encourage people to get screened. Second to raise funds to fight diabetes.Next, the young entrepreneurs had to figure out where they would donate the money they planned to raise. "We could have donated to the American Diabetes Association, which is a very fine organization, but we wanted to do something that would have local impact in our community," Howard recalled.When they contacted Washington Hospital in Fremont, they found the perfect opportunity. In the summer, the Hospital's Washington On Wheels (W.O.W) Mobile Health Clinic offers free diabetes screenings for anyone who comes in. If testing indicates the person needs treatment, and if they are uninsured and unable to pay, the Hospital provides care through the W.O.W. clinic and diabetes self-management education classes. For people who have diabetes, Washington Outpatient Diabetes Center offers the BASICS Program, which provides individual assessments and comprehensive group classes to teach people how to successfully manage their disease. The classes are free for people who have no health care coverage. Howard and Vishak decided this is where funds raised by their t-shirt project should go - to help more people get screened for diabetes and receive treatment and education, if needed. Next, the teens got together with another friend who is a graphic design student. Together, they developed an eye-catching red and white "beat diabetes" logo completely from scratch. Then, they had it printed on black t-shirts. Their creative idea for fighting diabetes locally was off to a great start.What Howard and Vishak may not have realized is that, for several reasons, their project is perfectly suited to meet the unique needs of the Tri-City community. For instance, they may not have known that a 2004 Community Needs Assessment of Alameda County revealed that Union City, Newark and Fremont ranked near the top of the list of local cities with the highest mortality rates from diabetes. The study is conducted every three years by Washington Hospital Healthcare System, in conjunction with the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California, to help identify crucial health issues affecting residents living in Washington Township Health Care District. The most recent assessment shows diabetes mortality rates in the Tri Cities have decreased, however, the number of people being diagnosed with diabetes has increased.Another little known fact is that, of the nearly 26 million Americans who have diabetes, many don't know it. According to the American Diabetes Association, 7 million people in the U.S. have diabetes but have not been diagnosed. Another 79 million people have prediabetes, which means their blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough to be diagnosed as having diabetes. For these groups, it is vital that we get the word out about diabetes and what can happen if it is not identified and managed effectively. For people with prediabetes, preventive measures may enable them to avoid getting the disease in the first place.This November, Diabetes Awareness Month, Howard and Vishak were busy promoting their project. On Nov. 17, they participated in Washington Hospital's Fifth Annual Diabetes Awareness Health Fair. Their t-shirt booth was one of many offering services, screenings and information about diabetes treatment, self-management and prevention."Some people bought shirts," reports Howard. "But, others just wanted to give us a donation so less fortunate people could be screened and receive services. It was very heartwarming."The following week, Howard and Vishak targeted a younger population. They sold their t-shirts on the quad of their school during lunchtime. Reaching out to teens with a message about diabetes is a great idea. Once considered an older person's disease, more and more children are now being diagnosed with diabetes and those youngsters will have to learn how to manage this chronic disease for the rest of their lives. Prevention through health eating and regular exercise is a much better option.Washington Hospital is excited about the support it's receiving from the sale of the t-shirts. With the ongoing economic struggles in this area and many people out of work, there are a great many more people who have no insurance coverage and looking to the W.O.W. clinic for care. The need for free or low-cost diabetes-related services has never been greater."Our goal is to provide detection, treatment and education to anyone in need, especially those without insurance who don't have many options," said Ruth Traylor, director of Community Outreach for Washington Hospital Healthcare System. "Diabetes can lead to many complications and hospitalizations, and our goal is to prevent that. The money raised will allow more people to benefit from these important services."To learn more about Washington Hospital's Outpatient Diabetes Center and the Washington On Wheels Mobile Health Clinic, go to www.whhs.com. For more information about diabetes, visit the Web site of the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org.


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giveMe Faces
- Publisher: dusan lazarevic
- Genre: Arcade
- Released: 21 Dec, 2009
- Size: 6.4 MB
- Price: FREE!
- App Store Info
DescriptiongiveMe Faces is simple but very challenging game. Your goal is to unlock photos of beautiful babes by playing simple puzzle-like levels. Each level introduces increasing speed and difficulty, so it's very challenging to remove last pieces of the puzzle. Once the photo is unlocked, you can save it to Camera Roll and use it for different purposes like wallpapers, email attachments, contact images, etc...
giveMe Faces is one more game from the FREE giveMe Series.
Search AppStore for more FREE "giveMe" games!
• Fast and reflex demanding gameplay
• Play along with your iTunes music
• Original artwork
• Integrated OpenFeint
• Facebook & Twitter shared achievements
• Real-time Chat with friends & worldwide community
• Find new friends directly from the game


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As you know that I try a whole slew of different types of skincare to make sure that I keep this 40+yo face looking as young as I can. (*I may not want to ever BE in my 20's again, but I can't help but want to have skin like that again, for sure.). Pretty much all of these are topical treatments that work on the top layer, the epidermis layer, of my skin.
So, when I heard about an anti-aging supplement that is specialized for women 40 years or older, that works down in the dermal layer of the skin, I knew I needed to know more. I headed over to the website for Imedeen® and took the "Lifestyle Skin Assessment". After a few questions about how I go about life, it decided that the Imedeen Time Perfection® skin care supplements would be best for me.
Read more about Imedeen Time Perfection®, and a giveaway, after the jump.


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Yemen: they found new livelihoods in small businesses
01-10-2012 Feature
Ali Mohammed and Baqla'a Hadi are among hundreds of heads of families who had to flee their villages and the fighting, and have ended up living for years in camps in Sa'ada. The ICRC is using income-generating projects help people rebuild their lives.
The story of Ali Mohammed
Ali Mohammed is a 45-year-old father of seven children. The war forced him, like other heads of family in his village, to take his children and flee their home.
"We were living a normal life," said Ali. "I was a farmer in my home town of Ghammer and I was working rented agricultural land and raising some livestock to make ends meet. We weren't rich but we were happy – we were satisfied with what we had. We didn't leave in order to improve my income; we left to save our lives."
When shelling started getting close to their house, they fled to the city of Sa'ada. "When we arrived, we heard about camps set up and run by the ICRC to help displaced people like us. We went to Elhsa camp. Once we were registered, the ICRC gave us shelter kits, mattresses, blankets, a tarpaulin and enough food for a month. I want to thank the ICRC for being there and helping us when we were in troubled times".
Like so many others, Ali's family spent four years in the camp. Then, following a ceasefire between the Houthis and the government, Ali decided to go back to his village and start rebuilding his life there. The ICRC helped him find a livelihood by providing him with a small three-wheeled vehicle to transport goods for people. Ali also received food rations for four months, shelter kits, and essential household items to help him live with dignity until he starts getting income from his new job.
The story of Baqla'a Hadi
Baqla'a Hadi is the mother of six children. Six and a half years have passed since the family fled to Sa'ada from Hydan district. Baqla'a speaks of the hardship during the fighting – and even after they had fled: how hard it was to find bread to feed her children, the problems of equipping a tent when people all around are living in poverty. She describes the sadness of losing her home and leaving behind her elderly parents. And she talks about the everyday problems of a large family and the shortage of money.
"I was married 20 years ago," she says. "We were happy, working to raise and educate our six children. Then my husband fell ill with diabetes. But the real problems began when we had to leave our home to escape the fighting. Other villagers were being injured and killed. All we thought of was saving our children and our lives. We left everything behind, with no idea of where we were going or when we might return." They joined a huge stream of people heading to Sa'ada.
After months of wandering, they found a long-term place at a camp for the displaced in Sa'ada. But their troubles weren't over. "Sadly, my husband simply couldn't accept our new situation and he began suffering from a kind of mental illness, in addition to his diabetes. This has obliged us to live apart."
No easy life in the camp
Baqla'a's family lived in the camp for six years together with 1,400 other displaced people. The ICRC set up shelters and water tanks and distributed monthly food rations. "It wasn't easy to live in the camp, in tents without the privacy that females need, in constant fear of being deprived of aid."
Return to the village
Today the situation appears more stable, so Baqla'a decided to return to her village. She found her home badly damaged. The ICRC provided her with building materials to repair her house and items needed to open a small grocery store to make a living. "This has freed us from the grim conditions in the camp. A grocery business won't meet all our needs but still it's our only source of income for the time being and I'm extremely grateful."


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CORRECTION: A previous version of this story misspelled Bryan Lingo's name.
No disciplinary action will be taken against a police sergeant who shot and killed a dog in a Broomfield street in June. The dog was shot after it attacked a bystander and the officer, who were trying to help his owner, who had collapsed in the street.
Tuesday morning, police announced via a news release that a review of the incident was complete and that "the officer acted within Broomfield's policies and ordinances. As a result, no further administrative actions will occur."
The release did not mention the name of the officer, but Broomfield City Attorney Bill Tuthill said the sergeant who shot the dog was Bryan Lingo.
The incident unfolded when an unidentified 83-year-old man was walking his dog — an 86-pound Staffordshire terrier, according to police — in the 1900 block of Dover Street and collapsed around 9:35 a.m. June 20.
A Dover Street resident saw the man collapse and called 911. She then ran out to help him, but was bitten on the forearm by the dog, Broomfield police Sgt. Steve Griebel said on the day of the incident.
When police arrived, Lingo also tried to help the man. The man told Lingo to take his dog by the leash, and when Lingo did so, he also was attacked by the dog, Griebel said in June.
The review — conducted by the Broomfield Police Department and the Broomfield City Manager's Office — looked at whether the officer's actions were in compliance with "Broomfield Municipal Code that authorizes the destruction of a vicious animal," according to the news release.
In situations where an officer shoots his weapon, Tuthill said the police department typically uses an independent, inter-agency "shoot team" to decide whether police acted appropriately.
After Lingo shot the dog, the police department called the District Attorney's Office to help assemble a shoot team investigation.
However, the DA's office declined to be part of the investigation, saying the incident did not qualify for a shoot team investigation, because the officer did not fire at a person, Tuthill said.
Instead of having a shoot team investigate the incident, Broomfield police and the City Manager's Office used the municipal code to decide whether Lingo acted appropriately.
Tuthill served as a legal consultant to make sure Broomfield was correctly following the statutes and policies, he said.
Lingo was hired with the Broomfield Police Department in 1992, and was promoted to sergeant in 1999. Most recently, he was an administrative sergeant who dealt with residents complaints, compliments and input, said police spokeswoman Joleen Reefe.
At the beginning of 2014, Lingo was reassigned to patrol, she said.
It is common for officers to rotate jobs in the police department to keep employees challenged and refreshed, she said.
In a summary of the incident, the release stated that when "the officer arrived ... he discovered the dog's owner lying on the ground. A (resident) had already been bitten while trying to render aid to the man.
"The officer attempted to gather the leash of the dog that was attached to the owner's wrist ... to secure the animal and allow medical staff access to the injured owner. The officer ruled out all other alternatives to secure the dog based on the potential risk of having the dog unsecured and aggressive toward others or affecting the owner's existing health condition.
"As the officer reached for the dog's leash, the dog bit the officer's left leg. The dog continued to hold the bite and the officer was forced to shoot the dog to prevent further injury."
Police have not released the names of the man who collapsed in the street or the bystander who was bitten.
When asked about the conditions of all the people involved, Reefe said "everybody involved in the incident is back at home."


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text: Metro Square Metal Wall Art Item #: 118427 $149.99 $79.97 Qty: Sorry, this item is currently unavailable online. Ship to Store (FREE) Resembling the hustle of a metro station map, the Metro Square Metal Wall Art is an abstract artwork crafted with textured metal pieces. This metal artwork looks fabulous in any space with neutral shades accented by bold reds. Artwork measures 40L x 60H in. Crafted of metal Abstract industrial design with textured squares and rectangles Features hues of bronze, copper, gray, and beige Comes ready for wall mount; no hanging hardware required Sorry, this item is currently unavailable online.


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Hevesi Co-Chairs Hearing on New York State Technology Infrastructure
Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens), Chair of the Assembly Oversight, Analysis, and Investigations Committee, Assemblyman Steve Englebright (D-Suffolk), Chair of the Assembly Governmental Operations Committee, and Assemblyman George Latimer, (D-Westchester), Chair of the Assembly Commission of Government Administration, held a hearing on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 focused on the state of New York�s information technology infrastructure, government usage, and civilian accessibility.
Several expert panels, including two State Agency Commissioners, internationally recognized academics from multiple institutes of higher learning, and good government groups, including Citizens Union, Reinvent Albany, Common Cause NY, and NYPIRG, testified. It was made clear that progress has been made in New York State toward achieving the goal of using information technology to enhance government services; however, a number of suggestions were made in several areas that will be reviewed for efficiency improvements.
�Advances in information technology, particularly since early 2000, have made it possible to achieve significant progress in government efficiency, fiscal responsibility, and openness, while enhancing multiple services to citizens,� Assemblyman Hevesi said. �It is now just a matter of being resolute in our pursuit of these goals.�
At the hearing, Office of General Services (OGS) Commissioner RoAnn Destito highlighted an initiative her agency is undertaking at the direction of Governor Andrew Cuomo. In order to streamline fundamental administrative tasks, such as payroll and attendance, among others, OGS is in the process of creating a Business Services Center, which will centralize these transactions, which are currently being done by individual state agencies.
�As we seek to make our state�s government more efficient and more responsive to the tax payers of the state, it is important that we continue to strive towards utilizing technology best practices to achieve these goals,� said Assemblyman Englebright. �New York State is a hub for technology innovation and our government should be no different.�
In addition, Acting Commissioner of the Office of Technology (CIO-OFT) Daniel Chan made a very significant acknowledgment during his testimony about current state IT operations. Mr. Chan spoke to current IT operations being highly distributed and highlighted his agency�s plan to move toward a �centralized governance structure that responds to the business needs of agencies within statewide technology standards and policies�.
�I applaud Governor Cuomo, and specifically Commissioner Destito and Acting Director Chan, for their work and vision toward streamlining our State�s IT infrastructure operations. New York State has the ability and the responsibility to be a national leader in the use of IT in government and I look forward to working cooperatively with the Cuomo Administration to explore the new and exciting opportunities presented by the growing technology field,� said Hevesi.


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Skip Top Navigation Skip to Content
Partnerships during
Other Useful Sites
Policy, Guidance, and Manuals
WSDOT is committed to making all our facilities accessible to all persons, regardless of abilities. Below are some useful resources.ADA Resources
WSDOT developed Standard Plans to comply with state and federal ADA laws. These standards deal with pedestrian facilities, such as curb cuts and driveways. The Design Manual has been updated to reflect the current laws.
WSDOT Standard Plans for sidewalks and curb ramps meet all current ADA requirements. They are accessed through the link provided below:
Below are other Standard Plans showing placement of ADA features or other considered ADA elements when addressing ADA compliance:
Plan Sheet Library (http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Design/Standards/PlanSheet/)
Below are links to ADA related Standard Specifications:
General Special Provisions:
If you have any questions concerning ADA and your project, please contact:
Kurt SielbachPO Box 47329Olympia, WA 98504-7329(360) 705-7937E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


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Linked by Thom Holwerda on Thu 18th Oct 2012 18:15 UTC
Ubuntu 12.10 has been released, sporting the rather... Interesting tagline 'Avoid the pain of Windows 8'. Two main features are that websites can now be treated as actual applications, integrating them into Unity. The divide between local and online content when searching has also been softened, which, they claim, makes it easier to find what you're looking for. On the server side, it includes the Folsom release of OpenStack, "Cinder, for block storage and Quantum, a virtual networking API. Ubuntu's Metal-as-a-Service bare-metal provisioning tool has been updated and now supports Calxeda hyperscale hardware based on ARM".
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RE[5]: Avoid the pain of Windows 8
by Lennie on Sun 21st Oct 2012 19:56 UTC in reply to "RE[4]: Avoid the pain of Windows 8"
When I use the system I work from home: system administration, network administration and programming.
Or as a hobby: fix issies with open source projects and other programming projects.
And yes also the normal things you might do with a home system: browsing and watching the occasional video.


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CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (CHIPPEWA FALLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS RELEASE) - The Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District School Board President, Jim Dimock, announced today that the school board has approved the selection of Dr. Brad Saron for the position of District Administrator. Dr. Saron was selected from a field of 22 qualified individuals.
Dr. Saron is currently the superintendent of the Cashton, Wisconsin, School District. "Brad is a perfect combination of a highly effective educational leader and a strong collaborator with community constituents." Dimock said.
Dr. Saron's contract with the Chippewa Falls Area Unified Schools will begin on July, 1, 2013. He will be officially introduced to the district and community at the March 21st board of education meeting, at 7:00 p.m.
CHIPPEWA FALLS, Wis. (WEAU) – The Chippewa Falls School District has narrowed down the top two finalists for superintendent and during a public forum, the community had the chance to ask some tough questions.
On Monday night, Dr. Brad Saron, the district administrator of Cashton School District, answered some of those questions, many of them regarding what he would do if he got the job.
Saron said he's ready to take on challenges like capacity issues. That's a problem he's dealt with in Cashton. He said he would make sure the public is visible and show that they have the power to come up with a solution.
Another concern was the size of the school district Saron comes from. Cashton has around 600 students while Chippewa Falls has more than 5,000.
Saron said he feels his qualifications will help meet the needs of the district.
"In serving Cashton public schools, what it's done is given me just the chance to understand full school operations from school nutrition to transportation to human resources to curriculum development to implement the vision and purpose of the school district," said Saron.
He also said his experience goes beyond the public school. He's been involved in statewide committees, taught as a professor at Viterbo University in the subject of superintendency and technology and served as director for statewide programs to help administrators better understand technology.
"I think all of those qualities paint a picture as how I would serve Chippewa Falls," said Saron.
Saron and his wife also have four children and his three oldest children would go to school in the district.
He said he can already tell the community is supportive and one that he'd like to raise his kids in.
Earlier in the day, Saron interviewed with the school board and toured the facilities and the community.
On Wednesday, the community will also get a chance to do the same question-and-answer forum with finalist Dr. Roger Rindo with the Tomahawk School District.


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THOMASVILLE | A former candidate for Thomasville City Council appeared Wednesday afternoon in Thomasville District Court and accepted a plea deal with the Davidson County District Attorney's Office.
THOMASVILLE | A former candidate for Thomasville City Council appeared Wednesday afternoon in Thomasville District Court and accepted a plea deal with the Davidson County District Attorney's Office.
James Dwight "Jim" Gay, 61, of 804 Valley Road, pleaded no contest to disrupting an official meeting, resisting a public officer and a harassing phone call. With accepting the plea deal, the state agreed to dismiss a charge of disorderly conduct.
Gay, who had no previous convictions, unsuccessfully ran for Thomasville City Council in 2011.
The charge of disorderly conduct stemmed from an incident on Feb. 26, 2011, in which Gay was alleged to have made harassing phone calls to Thomasville Mayor Joe Bennett. A criminal complaint filed by Bennett on March 1, 2011, alleged Gay made "individual threats" to him and made reference of a "terrorist attack on water system."
The matter went to Thomasville District Court on April 29, 2011, at which time Gay entered an agreement with his legal counsel and the Davidson County District Attorney's Office to defer prosecution. With deferring prosecution, Gay was placed under 12 months of unsupervised probation as part of the agreement. With violating the probation, the original charge was placed back on Gay again after a second incident with the mayor, according to the district attorney's office.
Less than three weeks from completing his probation, Gay had another run-in with Bennett. This time it was at a special-called meeting of the Thomasville City Council.
Karen S. Biernacki, an assistant district attorney for Davidson County, said the council called a meeting on April 9, 2012, to give Gay and his wife an opportunity to address a citation issued by the City of Thomasville. The district attorney said city officials cited the Gays for debris on their property after receiving complaints about the appearance of it.
During the April 2012 meeting, the Gays were given an opportunity to designate one person to speak on their behalf. Jim Gay, Biernacki said, decided to go before the council and address the complaint.
In giving comments to the council, Gay, the prosecutor said, made "disparaging" comments regarding the mayor. In return, the mayor called him out of order and a council member spoke up to stop what seemed to be a personal attack on the mayor, Biernacki said. The mayor, the assistant district attorney said, used his gavel several times, and eventually requested that Thomasville Police Capt. Darren Smith remove Gay from the council chambers.
Biernacki said video footage from the meeting shows Gay arguing with Smith, saying he was not leaving and insisting he was going to stay and speak his peace. The prosecutor said the captain moved the microphone away from him, placed his hand on Gay's arm and commented, 'You've got to go.'"
A second officer, Biernacki said, helped get Gay out of the council chambers. But during the course of being escorted out of the room, Gay made a couple expletive remarks to the officers, the prosecutor said.
Smith told Biernacki that Gay calmed down once he was out of the meeting room and apologized to a the second officer involved the incident who had fallen during the scuffle.
"Capt. Smith smelled a slight odor of alcohol on Mr. Gay's breath," the assistant district attorney said. "He actually said something to Mr. Gay and Mr. Gay denied he had been drinking, saying it was mouthwash. But Capt. Smith is certain it was alcohol."
As a result of the incident, Gay was charged with disrupting an official meeting, disorderly conduct and resisting a public officer.
Gay's attorney, Stephen Barnhill, said he has known his client for several years. He said Gay is "very passionate about his beliefs."
In regard to the harassing phone calls, Gay, Barnhill said, questioned why the City of Thomasville reinstated Kelly Craver as city manager after he was exonerated of two misdemeanor drug charges on Jan. 25, 2011.
"My client had kept up with all this and could not comprehend how the City of Thomasville would reinstate him, not for the fact he got found not guilty but the fact he would put himself in that position to even be associated with people who would conduct in this behavior," Barnhill said. "Ironically enough he got the mayor's telephone number out of an article published in the Thomasville Times. The reason he made these calls was to voice his concern and his displeasure over the reinstatement of Mr. Craver."
Speaking to the citation from the city, Barnhill said Gay was building a patio and debris had been dumped onto his property. There was a delay in the construction of the patio and Gay was cited, the defense attorney said.
"Mr. Gay for a number of years has had concerns about how the city government has been run, both at the mayor level and with the city council," Barnhill said. "He has been very vocal about expressing those concerns. I have had a number of conversations, going back to the harassing phone call incidents, even until (Wednesday) with Mr. Gay about his right to criticize to government, his right to criticize government officials. We actually need people like that.
"Our whole system is based on being able to criticize and say, 'This is wrong. Why are you doing it?'" Barnhill continued. "It's not the message Mr. Gay is sending. It's the way he is sending the message that has caused him the trouble."
Barnhill said Gay felt he was improperly given the citation and was being vocal about it. He said his client should have left when the captain was told to remove him.
"Mr. Gay is as nice as of a guy that there could ever be," the defense attorney said. "He is just very vocal about his beliefs."
Chief District Court Judge Wayne L. Michael consolidated the charges to one judgment. Gay received a suspended sentence of 30 days in jail, and was placed on unsupervised probation for 18 months. The terms of the probation prohibit him from attending Thomasville City Council meetings, City Hall or any city administrative office with alcohol in his system.
Michael ordered Gay not to disturb or disrupt any official meeting of the Thomasville City Council or any of its committees. He also is not allowed to visit City Hall without giving a 24-hour notice of his intended visit to allow city to make arrangements for security. Additionally, Gay was told pay court costs.
Michael said Gay is not to call any city employee or city official for the purpose of harassment or intimidation. He also is required to conduct routine business, such as the payment of utility bills, with the City of Thomasville by mail.
Darrick Ignasiak can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 217, or email@example.com.


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Building approvals hit highest level in decadeBy Miriam Hall
Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson says a jump in the number of building approvals is good news for the local economy.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics has reported that 177 building approvals were granted in the Territory in the month of May.
Mr Henderson says it is the highest monthly level in a decade and sets the Territory apart from the rest of the nation.
"The economy is struggling down south and we've got more people heading north to get a job," he said.
Mr Henderson says while he is encouraged by the numbers, he is cautious that it may be a spike.
"It is a big leap," he said.
"It certainly shows there is no shortage of demand there.
"What there has been a shortage of is finance in the marketplace.
"Maybe the banks have started to listen.
"I am acutely aware that we need more housing options to cater for a growing population."


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by John Calvin (compiled by John H. Kromminga)
Bible Text:
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. —Psalm 147:10
"Not in the strength of the horse." After the Psalmist has shown that there is proof of the divine goodness in every part of the world, he takes particular notice that men have no strength but what is given them from above, and this he adds with the express purpose of checking the pride by which almost all men are inflamed, and which leads them to trust in their own strength.
The meaning of the passage is, that let man come in the preparation of his own strength, and with all the assistances that seem to him most prevalent, this will only issue in smoke and vanity; nay, that in arrogating the very least to himself, this will only be a hindrance in the way of the mercy of God, by which alone we stand.
The strength of the horse is mentioned to denote any kind of protection. Not that God is displeased with those things in themselves considered which he has given us as helps, but it is necessary that we be withdrawn from a false confidence in them, for very commonly when any resource is at hand, we are foolishly intoxicated and lifted up with pride. He opposes the fear of God therefore to the strength of both men and of horses, and places his hope in his mercy, intimating that it is highly incumbent upon us to show our moderation in worshipping God with reverence and holiness, and depending on his grace.
Hence we learn that he only condemns that strength which would take from God the honor due to him. —Commentaries
John Calvin was the premier theologian of the Reformation, but also a pious and godly Christian pastor who endeavored throughout his life to point men and women to Christ. We are grateful to Reformation Heritage Books for permission to use John Calvin's Thine Is My Heart as our daily devotional for 2013 on the OPC Web site. You can currently obtain a printed copy of that book from Reformation Heritage Books.
Dr. Joel Beeke, who is editorial director of Reformation Heritage Books, has this to say:
"Calvin shows us the piety of a Reformed theologian who speaks from the heart. Having tasted the goodness and grace of God in Jesus Christ, he pursued piety by seeking to know and do God's will every day. He communed with Christ, practicing repentance, self-denial, and cross-bearing. Moreover, his theology worked itself out in heart-felt, Christ-honoring piety. The selections of this devotional bear this out, and hopefully will be used by God to direct pious hearts in our own day."
These devotional readings from John Calvin were compiled by John H. Kromminga. Be sure to read his "Introduction" to John Calvin's Thine Is My Heart.


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I see a lot of Frank Gore in this kid. I am pumped
Hello: DeVeon Smith
Photo via cu.tribtoday.com
As reported last night by Sam Webb, Warren (OH) Howland RB DeVeon Smith pledged to become the 16th member of Michigan's class of 2013. Smith is the second running back in the class, joining Detroit Catholic Central's Wyatt Shallman, and he's the 14th recruit among the Wolverine commits to garner a four-star rating from at least one recruiting service.
Smith has multiple Big Ten ties, as both his older brothers (Lance at Wisconsin, Maurice at Michigan State) played for schools in the conference before later transferring. Despite growing up deep in Buckeye country and having brothers play for two conference foes, DeVeon grew up a Michigan fan.
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#58 Ovr
Watch List
Early on in the process, there's quite a disparity in the rankings on Smith. Scout—the most recent service to update their rankings—is by far the most bullish, putting Smith up at #58 overall and the seventh running back in the class. ESPN has him on their top 150 watch list, but on the other end of the scale, 247Sports has him as a middling three-star and Rivals has yet to rank him. Expect this to change in the future; Smith has earned rave reviews from Midwest scouts covering Ohio.
All four sites list Smith at 5'11", and only Rivals (195) doesn't list him at 210 pounds. As a high school junior, he already has the size to see the field at the collegiate level.
Smith was in part sold on Michigan's post-Denard transition to more of a power running game based out of the I-form ($), and Scout's Allen Trieu believes he's fit to thrive in that offense:
"He's a powerful kid with a low center of gravity and he runs hard and with attitude. He can run between the tackles and he doesn't waste a lot of time getting north and south. He's a guy that you can feed the ball to throughout a game. His balance and ability to break arm tackles really stands out. He's not a burner, but I think his speed is better than advertised. He's a classic I-formation, pro-style tailback."
As you'll see on his film, Smith may not have track-star speed, but he has little issue tearing through tackles at the high school level. While that speed comes into question, Dave Berk says he's a home run threat in the writeup for Scout's top 50 players in Ohio, where Smith ranks #3 ($):
Two-way player who projects as one of the top running backs in the Midwest. Has good size at 5-foot-11, 210-pounds showing speed, power and balance. Capable of taking each carry to the house for a score or making the big defensive stop.
Size, balance, and power appear to be the main strengths in Smith's game, and he has enough speed to be dangerous when he breaks into the open field. This sentiment is echoed by Mark Porter as Bucknuts ranked Smith as the #5 2013 prospect in Ohio ($):
"He is a well built back. He can run well between the tackles. He can take a lot of punishment. He would be your traditional Big Ten back who can play in bad weather and grind out yardage. He would be a good fit in Ohio State's new offense. As a junior, he was much quicker than he showed the year before. He has some spring to his step. He is very powerful and thickly built."
Before Smith's junior season, Duane Long had some concerns about Smith's size and speed, but loved his natural ability as a runner ($):
I would argue Smith is the most naturally instinctive runner in the class. Very quick feet. Good balance and runs with good power. I think Smith stands a good chance of moving up this list because my reservations are about his body and speed. He is a very muscular kid at a very young age. I am concerned he will be a 'tweener. The older he gets without growing into a 'tweener the better his chances of moving up. His speed is a question. I think speed is the most overrated thing with backs but they have to be fast enough. We will see if Smith is.
Long had Smith listed at 6'0", 210, so I think he was worried Smith would grow into linebacker range. That didn't happen, so the only concern moving forwards is top-end speed. Given the rest of the package that Smith provides, plus the growing evidence that sprinter's speed isn't necessary to excel at running back—see: Mike Hart, among others—he still has the skill-set to be an excellent Big Ten back.
Smith's offer sheet wasn't especially long, but he has one that should stand out: Ohio State. Along with the Buckeyes and Wolverines, Smith had offers from Bowling Green, Indiana, Purdue, and West Virginia.
As a junior, Smith was second-team All-Ohio in Division II after amassing 2,150 yards and 25 TDs on 189 carries. That followed up an 1,800-yard sophomore season and a freshman year spent racking up just under 1,000 all-purpose yards at the varsity level.
Bucknuts lists a 4.5-second 40 time for Smith, which I'll give three FAKEs out of five considering the concerns about his speed.
Short junior highlight reel:
And film from a pair of Warren Howland games last season:
Smith certainly passes the eyeball test when it comes to a running back; his build and strength for a junior is impressive.
Smith is going to walk on campus in 2013 and have a chance to play. If his Scout ranking is ultimately the one that holds up, he'll be the highest-rated back on the roster barring a later commitment by Ty Isaac, and only Fitzgerald Toussaint (a senior in '13) and Thomas Rawls (a three-star in '11) really project as every-down backs in the classes in front of him. It wouldn't surprise to see Smith earn the backup role as a freshman before taking over full-time for Toussaint in 2014. With the Wolverines not picking up a true star at running back in the last couple classes, Smith will get every opportunity to earn time and excel in Michigan's evolving offense.
Ah, I was kinda dreading this section. First of all, Michigan now has 16 commits in a class that should get to 23 or 24. With the remaining spots, the Wolverines need two more receivers, a nose tackle, a strongside DE, and a linebacker (probably Ben Gedeon). That takes Michigan to 21, and a potential third tight end would move that number to 22. This leaves one or two spots for the best players available. LB E.J. Levenberry has a spot waiting for him. S Su'a Cravens likely would as well.
The big question, however, is what this means for Ty Isaac. I've been told Michigan will take just two tailbacks in the class—Wyatt Shallman very much included—but we'll see if that changes for a five-star like Isaac. Despite the rumors, it wouldn't appear that a crowded backfield would be an issue for Isaac:
"Competition makes you better. If you don't have someone behind you pushing you to be better, you might get sloppy. If I'm the only back in the class, yeah that's cool with me… but if I'm not, it's not a turnoff and I'm not scared of it. I would expect people to be disappointed in me if I was talking like that. As a coach if I heard somebody say that, I'd understand. But at the same time, to me that sounds like you're scared of competition."
Nor Smith:
Deveon Smith on #Michigan possibly recruiting another RB after his commit: "They didn't talk about that at all.It doesn't even matter."
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) March 18, 2012
We'll have to see how it plays out. Regardless, Michigan has a pair of four-star backs in the class who bring the MAN in MANBALL.
The vast majority of runs from scrimmage are for less than 20 yds, and this kid is built for grinding out punishing, physical drives. He's got enough speed to be very damaging, especially if guys like Drake Johnson or Dennis Norfleet were available as change-of-pace backs.
What does that make Shallman, a change of punishment runner?
in the second video was against warren harding this past year...there was an hour+ delay for lightning, and when they resumed howland had the ball down a couple with 3 minutes left. everyone left in the stadium knew what was going to happen: 7 straight carries for 60 yards and the go-ahead score.
deveon just doesn't go down, and is looking to hit someone. i told a buddy at that game that he reminded me of maurice clarrett in high school only maybe a little slower. he's always getting those extra 3 yards and makes cuts that high school running backs don't normally make.
he probably won't get a 4th star from Rivals any time soon. Helmholdt recently said he needs to see more speed from Smith first. I'd expect the rankings disparity to persist at least until Smith gets on the field again or starts hitting up camps.
I find that Helmholdt is very stubborn in his rankings early rankings. IMO, Speed is the #1 overrated thing coming out of HS for a RB. I'd much, much rather have a back that is CONSISTENT. Consistently holding onto the ball, consistently keeping their legs driving, consistently falling forward, and consistently getting past the line of scrimmage. As mentioned earlier, we need an every down back and this kid is it, especially with Norfleet and D. Johnson needing some open space, one cut, and gone.
People weren't complaining when he ranked McCray in the top 50. It's just another opinion. We'll see how it shakes out. It's still March.
It is extremely obvious to me (and the other three sites) that McCray is not a top 50 player. I'm not saying he is wrong, because who knows? But Helmholdt was in a meeting and he vouched for McCray because he is the midwest guy, he wouldn't want to back down from that now because he jumped the gun. He's not wrong on any prospect he ranks, but he is stubborn on moving them.
Rivals hasn't even updated their rankings yet. It's probably pretty absurd that any of these sites even HAVE rankings yet. Helmholdt didn't say "Smith won't get a 4th star." He said "I need to see more of a burst from Smith before he gets a 4th star." I think it's a bit silly to say that's "being stubborn" 11 months before signing day.
There are many more examples of him being stubborn and a burst of speed isn't to occur likely in one year with high school coaching and a high school diet/work out regiment.
He also said he doesn't think UM is doing any better in recruiting than MSU, that it was too early to tell. Not overly impressed with Josh.
Maybe it's "extremely obvious" to Helmholdt that DeVeon Smith isn't that great of a running back. You can't criticize a guy for ranking a guy you like too low, and then turn around and criticize him for ranking a guy you dislike too high. You have different opinions on these guys than Helmholdt, obviously. And that's allowed. But to say he's "too stubborn" and then say it's "extremely obvious" that he's wrong is just a wee bit hypocritical.
Stick to your guns. But don't criticize other people when they do the same.
I'm sure you will be grilled by some because you rated DeVeon Smith 63 on your scale over at TTB. I will always be a Michigan homer, but that doesn't mean that I don't want to hear the opinions of others more knowledgable than me.
One question: in some of the coverage on the NFL Draft prospects of Molk, the comment has been made that he would be great for "the right system." The implication is that he isn't a perfect prototypical center, but he could do very well in the right offensive scheme. I'm wondering how much this translates to how Hoke, Mattison & Borges are recruiting. Specifically, how often is it the case that a lower rated player is better for what we need than the 5 star rated guy who doesn't fit.
I can't help but think of "Moneyball." They built a team with the right guys for their system, and did very well. If Michigan is able to assess well what their needs are, I wonder if they are getting commitments for the right guys for Michigan, and choosing to pass over guys that are rated more highly on the recruiting sites.
I think that's always the case. Ratings don't mean a lot to me. For one thing, sometimes they vary wildly. Additionally, they don't take into account the system that's being put in place. A 5-star pocket quarterback going into a zone read option offense is probably going to have a hard time. A 5'8" slot guy going into a pro-style offense with two wideouts is probably going to struggle.
I do think there is some element of recruiting for "Michigan's system" going on. I don't know that Michigan has really developed a system yet, though, since Denard Robinson doesn't really represent what they want to do on offense in the long run.
I look at Wisconsin and see how well they've done with "middling" running back talent, and that is a possibility down the road. The only thing is, how well have those guys done at the next level? They get these big guys (Ron Dayne, John Clay, Montee Ball, etc.) who are very limited in what they can do at the next level. Obviously, the jury's still out on Ball, who's returning to Wisconsin. They have done a good job of producing at the college level, but generally they haven't been highly sought after NFL prospects.
It isn't critical for a RB to have great speed. Look at Mike Hart, among many other examples. What IS very important are running instincts, vision of the field, balance, ability to shake-off tackles, an explosive first step or two off the snap, and ability to hold onto the ball. If Smith can do most or all of these things well, I'll take him in a second.
I agree with these, especially vision. Mike Hart is the obvious example, but I grew up rooting for Jamie Morris, who was incredibly fast but had great vision as well - he never ran into the back of his own linemen like so many other fast runners did/do...
Top-end speed is nice, but it plays a major factor in only a small percentage of runs unless a team runs an Oregon-type open field system. Michael Bennett was (literally) a track star in Wisconsin's RB-friendly system but against top opponents like Michigan his speed never came into play.
Other successful RBs with surprisingly unimpressive top-end speed: Emmitt Smith, Terrell Davis... and Barry Sanders. Barry probably lost 10-20 career TDs getting caught from behind, and he's a first ballot HOF.
I suspect we will see a lot more photos like the first one in this post... with a dude wearing scarlet and grey on the ground in his wake. Go Blue!
I look forward to seeing you run over people.
you dont have to have break away speed. just get the tough yards and 1st downs. make the d respect the run. the homerun threats are needed for the spread.
Actually his 89 on 247 is the highest possible 3* as 90 is a 4*, so he is not a "middling three star".
Another quote that is a bit misleading: "Michigan has a pair of four star backs in this class". While Shallman is a 4* - and will be an asset - no one rates him as a 4 * running back: Athlete on Rivals, FB/DE on both Scout and 247.
I was going to make the same point about Smith not being a "middling three star" on 247. If by "middling" Ace means that three stars puts him in the center of the one-to-five star continuum, then "middling three star" is redundant. If he means that Smith is in the middle of the three stars, then that's inaccurate.
I'm not crazy about the star system, but it's not for the reason that most people dislike it (that the services are wrong sometimes). I just think there's an enormous talent gap between high three stars and low three stars, so these crude star ratings often don't provide enough information.
I am looking forward to the MANBALL that will ensue.
Smith's the type of back that will make defenders think a bit; a punishing runner. So after being pummeled by Michigan's O-line, the opposition gets to look forward to the likes of Smith and Shallman. I'm smiling while I type…
One of the 247 scouts said yesterday that Smith is likely to move into 4-star territory with the next update (he's already at 89, the highest 3-star score). Rivals will probably start him out at 3 stars when they get around to ranking him though.
check out the play that starts at 0:41 of the second video. At 0:49, the final block on the far sidelines... ouch.
The whole speed issue seems minor. As long as you have the speed to hit a hole before the defense can react, that's enough speed. I'd take Mike Hart any day of the week.
If you want your RB to regularly get 40 yard gains, you teach him to catch and run routes.
Runs right through guys! Protects the ball when he's on the run. He sure knows how to use the "stiff arm."
"Man ball" type of running back
Welcome aboard DeVeon!
Welcome DeVeon. May you have a great career and education experience.
On a side note, I was watching tv earlier and the program mentioned carpal tunnel syndrome. I thought of you, Ace.
Helmholdt is very stingy if he is wrong or right....he has seemed to be the only guy who saw absolutely nothing in Wormley. Not saying he is wrong, but when one guy is constantly holding out depsite stats saying other wise...I dunno I still think he tries to hard to not look like a "homer" for the other fan bases.
How would he be a homer? He's been saying this stuff from early on, before Smith committed. It's not like he just got around to talking about DeVeon Smith between Saturday and now.
Lots of high schoolers put up great stats. I remember a guy when I was in high school who put up over 2,000 yards rushing his senior year...and he played D-II ball. Stats don't tell the whole story.
ESPN and Rivals have yet to rank him; 247 Sports has him ranked as a 3-star. Everyone seems to be latching onto the Scout rating and thinking that's the One Truth, simply because Scout rates him the highest.
People are allowed to disagree. Time will tell who the best evaluator is.
The more I hear and read about this young man, the more that I like. I think and hope that he and Jaron Stokes can be two bigger recruits whose upside continues to be realized by our coaching and conditioning staff.
I hope Jaron Dukes becomes good enough for people to remember his name.
Nice execution.
Stokes..makes me miss Jeron and Daryl.
Looks a lot like UCLA single-season TD record holder Skip Hicks. If he can catch the ball out of the backfield it looks like he'll be a hell of a player.
The De'-Train cometh
Aw yeah we got our own mini version of Frank Gore! Nice...
Let me guess, OSU blogs won't count this as a head to head recruiting win for Hoke, since it's a running back who favors pro-style. Then when OSU gets another running back with a UM offer, they'll count that as a win, even though we likely told them that we're not taking another running back.
Let them talk, looks like Brady Hoke and staff are building a badass football team .And you can bet your last dollar ,them mouth breathers are fucking scared down in that shit hole known as columbu$
...for another recruit is more than a bonus.
Good move young man. Get in where you fit in.
Yeah that comment made no sense. I guess you only have to be super positive about the guy who just committed.
I would say the poster was trying to say he's not a fan of all the "situational backs." Vincent smith is a receiving 3rd down back, it seems Shallman is going to be a bruising short yardage type of back, etc. Within our stable, it seems like we could go further and start having ridiculous situational backs, like a specific 2nd and 7 back. I'm not a real big fan of situational backs solely because that makes your offense more predictable.
In modern football gameplanning there are already specific packages of plays designed for third down. The playbook looks entirely different for both teams, and the coaches have broken down specifically what a team does on that down. The utility of a third-down back is that he does more of the things a RB needs to do on passing third down situations, while still being able to run the "surprise" draw play occasionally.
The alternative is only to bring him in when you want to throw a screen or run him in a route, which would give away the play. So you bring him in every third down that's not 1 yard or less.
I'm not actually a big fan of this idea either, but I do understand the need. Here in Minnesota Adrian Peterson gets pulled on third downs and people are forced to agree with the choice because of how awful he is at things like passblocking.
I agree with you, and I understand. It's just like when you bring out a 5 WR set, you're probably passing the ball. But I like the idea of a single running back, because it takes away from any potential predictability.
It's just like having Denard as your QB for a 5 wide set. Takes away from the predictability of the pass, because Denard can break it loose if there's any hesitiation.
I understand what you're getting at with the "assign specific roles for recruits" idea. Mike Hart would be a classic example of a guy who was surprisingly suited for the every-down role when a look at his incoming profile would suggest third-down back type.
I think projections like this are more relevant for fringe recruits, and then only as a useful way of projecting "what this guy will actually do on the team." D Johnson is my key example here, a guy who isn't rated highly but is fast and who Ann Arborites are interested in due to his local roots. You don't need to ask the "will he play on third down?" question with Ty Isaac, but when you're dreaming of what a quick local kid will do in a few years in college, you try to project optimism by finding a specific role he can fill without being a dominant athlete.
At least, that's my .02
With many of us trying to guess the size of the 2013 class, will we be able backdate any potential early enrollees we may have for the upcoming class?
Others understand this better than I do, so someone should correct me if I'm wrong.
I think the relevant restriction for us is that we can't have more than 85 guys on scholarship in 2013. In addition to that restriction, the Big Ten doesn't allow teams to sign more than 25 scholarship players per class unless they have room under the 85-scholarship limit, didn't fill their class in the previous year, and have kids in the current class enrolling early, in which case they can get up to 28.
For us, unless we have major attrition, our limiting factor will be the 85 roster-wide scholarships, not the Big Ten-imposed limit of 25/28.
I know everyone is high on Isaac but this kid is a RB and a natural at that. Love the way he runs the ball, great vision paired with a great stiff arm. His running style is exactly what you want behind the O line we are assembling.


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Who can use the clinical services at Geneva Centre for Autism?
Families who have a child with an ASD under the age of 18 and reside in the Greater Toronto Area (including Peel, Halton, Simcoe and York Regions) can access clinical services from Geneva Centre for Autism. There are also a variety of clinical services available for individuals with ASD over the age of 18.


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Sunderland striker Connor Wickham has joined npower Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on a month's loan.
The 19-year-old England Under-21 international will stay at Hillsborough until March 9.
Wickham, who cost the Black Cats ?8.1million when he joined them from Ipswich during the summer of 2011, is yet to establish himself in the first team at the Stadium of Light, but has shown signs that he is getting to grips with the Barclays Premier League in recent months.
Manager Martin O'Neill, who completed a ?5million swoop for Swansea's Danny Graham on transfer deadline day, has allowed him to go out on loan because the club has only three games between now and his scheduled return date.
He said: "Now that he has good confidence, maybe getting four or five matches in that month-period in the Championship would be good news all round if he stayed clear of injury.
"My slight concern is that something happens to us - but it is three games as opposed to a host of matches in the 28-day period."


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Holden Beach Town Manager David Hewett's proposed budget for the next fiscal year keeps the town tax rate at 6.9 cents per $100 valuation, but the water rate will go up by 20 cents.
Hewett presented his proposed $12,601,747 budget to Holden Beach commissioners last Wednesday during a budget workshop in the chapel fellowship hall.
Holden Beach gets its water from the county. It would be the first rate hike in the water bill in several years.
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Maybe the NHL will do away with fighting, maybe it won't -- but the standard line of response from people who want it to stay in the game has sprung a leak.
A day after a scary scene in Montreal -- Canadiens puncher George Parros tumbled over Colton Orr after a fight and smacked his face off the ice -- a few general managers and one hockey legend spoke out. They played the game. They are the game. And they're not media grinds or stats nerds.
MORE: The disappearance of the NHL enforcer
Personally, I'm in both of these last two camps. I also love hockey, in part because it's fast and tough and physical, and believe that fights, if not purely necessary, are not the end of the world. That said, I'd also rather not see someone die on the ice, nor do I accept any theoretical purpose behind guys like Parros and Orr lining up twice in the same game for whatever reason. That's not the hockey I love.
I'd like to see more game misconducts. I'd also like to see individuals face larger financial penalties the more they fight. Maybe make it proportional to overall ice time and force out the designated punchers. But whatever -- I'm not In The Game.
The guys who spoke out on Wednesday, though? They are The Game. We'll go with Steve Yzerman first. He's one of the great players of all time. Shared the Red Wings' lineup with guys like Bob Probert, too. Now the GM of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Yzerman told TSN's Darren Dreger that the league needs to do more to incentivize against in-game bare-knuckle boxing.
"I believe a player should get a game misconduct for fighting," Yzerman said. "We penalize and suspend players for making contact with the head while checking in an effort to reduce head injuries yet we still allow fighting.
"We're stuck in the middle and need to decide what kind of sport do we want to be. Either anything goes and we accept the consequences or take the next step and eliminate fighting."
-- 30 reasons you'll hate hockey soon | SN's Stanley Cup pick
Yzerman's "stuck in the middle" line of reasoning can also be applied to one of this season's new rules, which tacks on another two minutes to the standard five-minute major when a player removes his helmet. That, toothless and milquetoast as it may be, prevents players from cracking their heads on the ice. Not their faces, though, as Parros proved.
Ray Shero of the Penguins and Jim Rutherford of the Hurricanes also voiced similar concerns. A bit after Dreger's story was published, Scotty Bowman tweeted similar thoughts: "I support views of Steve Yzerman, Ray Shero and Jim Rutherford on their opinions for addressing most fighting issues. Poll all players."
Bowman's name is on the Stanley Cup 12 times. Oops, 13. Had to look it up. It's easy to lose track.
As for that player poll, the most recent put 98 percent against a ban. Their presence matters in a legal sense; any rule changes go through them, too. And it's indeed their lives -- or a portion of them, at least.
That fact alone -- that a majority of the players are still in favor, and are highly unlikely to vote their peers or themselves out of the game -- means that an outright ban isn't likely. There are other factors in place, too; fan preference, or the perception of such; the differentiation factor; inertia; all of those mean that fighting, in some form, is likely to stick around.
Plenty of people are going to be happy about that, and that's their right. In a perfect world, though, they'd be honest about the reality of their situation: the impact of fights on the game is, at best, debatable ; the role of the one-dimensional enforcer is relatively new; and the well-being of real, live human beings is at stake.
They enjoy watching it in person, on TV, on the league's official video player -- that's what's important to them. They like it. Period. A growing number of other people -- the kind whose opinion they say counts the most -- don't so much anymore.


text: we had a crap-ton of cap space last year and we kept our heads about it because we "knew" we weren't going to be a post season threat. Remember that? Well now that we have developed some guys and we again, have a crap-ton of money... What will we do? I have a feeling we will spend modestly but also sign a big name or 2 for a reasonable price. I think we have more leverage this year because last year FAs probably laughed at the idea of being a Dolphin. 1-15 does that to people. but 11-5 on little talent changes things a bit, eh? you may post.... now!