text:
I don't get the whole point of this version.
Is it some mix of Anti-Google, so "we must go to Bing, which somehow is related to former Yahoo Search?"
What about the third party providers, ones who could use the traffic metrics? Ask.com comes to mind. Or StartPage that (supposedly) doesn't record your ip address. Or DuckDuckGo. Or something.
Why are there only like 12 players in all of Tech?
The whole point of that version is, "Microsoft paid Mozilla enough to release a Binged version of Firefox".
Most of Mozilla's income comes from Google paying Mozilla for every time someone searches Google using the Firefox start page or the search bar.
The whole point of that version is, "Microsoft paid Mozilla enough to release a Binged version of Firefox".
And that having an alternative lined up puts Mozilla in a stronger bargaining position for any new Google contract negotiations.
The point of it is diversification. Mozilla is still heavily dependent upon Google for revenue, and even with this switch that will remain the case, but it will somewhat lessen the need for Mozilla to keep in good with Google to keep the dollars flowing.
Also it gives those of us that avoid using Google an alternative that helps fund Mozilla.
I'd much rather see a version of Firefox that used DuckDuckGo by default (http://ddg.gg)
Me too, but that's not quite exactly what I said:
I'd much rather see a version of Firefox that used DuckDuckGo by default (http://ddg.gg)
It also probably doesnt provide financial support to mozilla, which they need far more than you need to be saved from the effort of setting your own search engine.
Unless of course those 3 clicks are worth millions of dollars to you, in which case Im sure you could convince Mozilla to switch engines by providing said financial incentive.
As opposed to Google which is the main source of revenue for Mozilla. The point is that diversification is good, it was always somewhat of a risk to be getting that large a portion of total revenue from a competitor.
My guess is this is a shot across the bow of Google. Letting Google know that it's pretty easy for them to switch the default search traffic to Bing is just good business. I'm sure Microsoft is going to be bidding pretty heavily to get Firefox's search user base.
In the end it's just going to keep Google honest and make sure they pay a fair price for the search traffic Firefox sends them. I think Google pays something like $60 or $70 million a year for all the Firefox user searches. That's chump change to someone like Google. I suspect after this, the next contract renewal might be a higher number.
Yeah? Even now Chrome has overtaken FF in the UK [reuters.com] with the writing clearly on the wall for the rest of the world?
I think we're settling in to a browser renaissance here. With all the major browsers being mostly equivalent feature wise people will just choose what works best for them. I suspect we'll have a three way race for browser usage between Chrome, IE, and Firefox. I suspect the market share will level out, and there won't be a CLEAR winner like there was when IE6 dominated.
Even if Chrome gets market share Firefox will still have its place, and still be relevant.
Pink from sunrise to sunset, old boy...
Why does everyone have to immediately call troll these days? Germany is a good counter-example for the claim that the world follows what happens in the UK. I'd also generally consider Germany to be more of a trend-setter than the UK. And if you believe that, it's a clear example of how one small country does NOT typically set the trend for the world as the stats for Germany don't look like anything we're seeing globally.
In all, calm down. He made some good points if you actually follow the train of thought
You went trough all the countries, then followed up with how Opera has a tiny user base even in Norway... yet somehow completely missed Russia [statcounter.com]. Point is, the global trend isn't global, the different countries have their own distinct trends, that the UK is similar to the average doesn't mean much. Brazil seems to be absolutely in love with Chrome. In India Chrome is neck to neck with Firefox and both are going up in favour of IE. Chrome is gaining in Europe overall, but slowly with IE and Firefox battling fo
In the end it's just going to keep Google honest and make sure they pay a fair price for the search traffic Firefox sends them.
Maybe. Or maybe it's going to piss them off when somebody they have had a business relationship with for years goes "hey, just because we have a deal and you give us tens of millions of dollars and like 90% of our revenue, we'll still find ways to make pretty much the same deal with somebody else at the same time."
If somebody had grabbed the source, changed the default and offere
In the end it's just going to keep Google honest and make sure they pay a fair price for the search traffic Firefox sends them. I think Google pays something like $60 or $70 million a year for all the Firefox user searches. That's chump change to someone like Google
It may be chump change for Google, but it is life and death for the Moz Foundation.
95% of its annual income,
Mozilla and MS are clear that this is a joint venture
RIP Mozilla
This sort of thing should just be called "pulling a Novell".
Or, they could be competing with Netflix for the "Worst technology business decision of 2011" award.
I heard that they have a statue this year!
I must admit I haven't really used Bing much until I read this article. Just as a test today I set my default search engine to Bing and it's surprisingly decent! It's a very decent alternative to Google now. Seeing as Microsoft loses money [searchenginewatch.com] on search I don't mind using it either.
With Google being as big as it is, and having it's finger in EVERYTHING, makes me nervous. Having a viable alternative just serves to keep them honest.
I love google as a company. I love android, I love gmail, and I love google calendar. I use and heavily rely on all three.
However google's search engine as of recent is very disappointing, largely as a result of a few so called "fixes."
Google recently did away with the ability to add + before a word to prevent from using synonyms for that word, so when you want to do a literal search for anything, you MUST surround it in quotes. Very annoying.
I've been finding that as of late, google appears to be omitting some kewords from my search. The page summary doesn't include some of the words, and worse is that when you go to the page, and hit ctrl-f, you can't even find one of the omitted keyword! Frustrating as hell.
The most annoying, is when you type a search term with google instant, and sometimes when you arrow back to inline edit your search while instant is coming up, or if you accidentally move the mouse over one of the search suggestions, it removes your original search and replaces it with one of the search suggestions, causing you to have to re-type the whole thing! And turning off google instant isn't a reliable solution, because when you lose the cookie, or move to a computer that doesn't have one, you have to go and turn it off again.
I've been using bing lately and thankfully it doesn't suffer from these problems. I'd like to go back to google, but until they can solve these problems I'll be using bing for a while.
Google recently did away with the ability to add + before a word to prevent from using synonyms for that word, so when you want to do a literal search for anything, you MUST surround it in quotes. Very annoying.
Um, so you're very annoyed by the fact that you have to type two characters ("") instead of one (+)?
Anyway, what makes moving away from Google surprisingly hard is that it really does learn from your search history (and probably all the other stuff that Google gathers on you) - in my case, at least, it consistently gives me better results, but only if I'm logged in. It probably helps that my primary email is GMail and my primary IM is GTalk, and, more recently, my primary social network is G+ - and I don't
Um, so you're very annoyed by the fact that you have to type two characters ("") instead of one (+)?
Having to type double the characters is a pretty huge degradation in usability. Google seems also to be getting increasingly suspicious of human input, which will require more and more coded notation to override...until the search box simply isn't there one day.
Um, so you're very annoyed by the fact that you have to type two characters ("") instead of one (+)?
Yes. I don't care when I know that I need the literal modifier when I'm initially typing the query. I DO care when I typed a reasonable query and Google does some dumb interpretation of it. With quotes, I now have to either switch to my mouse twice to insert the pair, or use a lot of arrow keys to move across the word. Either way is more annoying than using a single +.
I also don't like overloading the String operator with Literal functionality.
I'll grant that fuzzy-search-default is a benefit to average
I just changed my home page from google to duckduckgo. It's been set to google for over a decade, but this shit with removing the + operator was the last straw. Some of the other stuff (like the black bar and the preview and moving the cache link to the stupid preview thing) was basically cosmetic, but doing away with the plus operator decreases the functionality of their core product. This has really created a lot of extra, stupid work for me (super frustrated that it was all because of the google+ crap).
You wouldn't believe how much I agree with you about Google's features being a seriously irritating downgrade. But switching to bing is like driving around in a dump truck because your car rattles a little bit...
I discovered Google early, and jumped on it instantly, converting everyone I knew. Google seriously raised the bar from the cespool of lousy search engines, and I'll be forever greatful for that.
However, google undeniably values quantity over quality, so they've serious deprioritized the sites you
I'm giving Bing a try for a while myself. It seems to do a better job of finding Canadian government sites and documents, but Google is better for finding tech references and API documentation.
But what really surprise me is how much more readable the results of Bing Translate are than Google Translate. Bing is lightyears ahead on this one. Score one for Microsoft.
and the release of Firefox with Bing indicates that Mozilla is now confident in Bing's ability to provide a top-notch service to Firefox users.
I think it clearly indicates that they are willing to take Microsoft's money to distribute a product with different defaults, I don't think its all that clear that it means anything more.
It doesn't even indicate that. All it indicates is that Mozilla allowed Microsoft to use the "Firefox" trademark for this particular modification of an existing open-source browser. Just like Twitter, Yahoo, Yandex, and various other parties are already doing. See http://blog.mozilla.com/blog/2011/10/26/offering-a-customized-firefox-experience-for-bing-users/ [mozilla.com]
Becoming the default search engine on a secondary version of another browser with a declining market share. Is MS trying to implode or are they just clueless?
Becoming the default search engine on a secondary version of another browser with a declining market share. Is MS trying to implode or are they just clueless?
Maybe MS is smart about the future, and TFS is wrong about the direction this points. Maybe its not about the future of Mozilla -- dumping Google -- but instead about the future of Microsoft's browser. Maybe after testing the water with "Firefox with Bing", MS just adopts that in place of IE. Given the plethora of devices with browser, Microsoft's wani
release of Firefox with Bing indicates that Mozilla is now confident in Bing's ability to provide a top-notch service to Firefox users.
Users can set whatever search engine they want, this has nothing to do with "Bing's abilities". The biggest income of browser developers comes from search sites paying to be default. In this case, Microsoft payed more than Google.
i've used mozilla stuff since 2002. i used mozilla then pheonix then firefox. i was around for the good and the bad but this tears it. seriously, it seems like 2011 is the year of bat shit crazy decisions over at mozilla. nay, 2011 is the year of bat shit crazy decisions at mozilla. all mozilla has done lately is follow everything chrome does and now this! what is this, google envy?
the people steering mozilla need a swift kick in the pants because they are acting like a drunken bard out on sunset boul
Firefox is suffering from a decline in market share, over fixable technical issues, massive memory leaks, and you spend your time making firefox with bing? Not to mention that the last few releases have been nothing but cheap knock offs of chrome. I want my browser back!
What kind of massive development effort do you think it takes for Mozilla to set the default search provider to Bing that it will literally take away from fixing "massive" memory leaks and "technical issues"? Should they just say to hell with it and take whatever scraps Google offers them and lay off half their developers because Google doesn't want to pay them much for the next contract?
You must live in some kind of utopian version of reality to think that they shouldn't have to run their organization like
Your experiences do not speak for everyone's. I do use Firefox 7, and occasionally test aurora (nightly). I have not had memory leaks until 6, now it takes over a gig of ram to display 5 tabs after a few days. It's also grown crashier, and the general quality is declining. I too, have used firefox since before it was called firefox, and I can say without a doubt that you're wrong. Either that, or you're not running a *nix based OS, where the memory leaks seem more prevalent.
As for the bing thing, I think it
The reason many Slashdot-readers might dislike Firefox usually has absolutely nothing to do with why normal people switch. Do you honestly think that memory leaks would make the average Joe switch to something else? No, it's because:
1) Chrome gets a LOT of advertising. It's on Google's front page, ads on web pages, included as "bonuses" for some software installs (like those pointless toolbars), etc.
2) Chrome has a simpler UI than Firefox somewhat. It's not "Traditional", but what do most people who are wil
I use firefox as well, it's just getting irritating.
So, this is the FF 'permanent fix' for Google Instant?
If so.. I give it a 7/10 - worth trying to protect users from the utter crap that is Instant.
I can't say I like M$, I can't say I've really used Bing, but I could really get to hating google if this continues.
If google don't stop messing with their front page they are going to lose a lot more people.
I would not be surprised if Bing took over from Google as the default. If google continues on this path.. I might even welcome it.
...always looking for another dog to tie bricks to the head of...
You know why they're doing this, right? For years, the only thing that has really made Mozilla Corp. any money is their Google partnership. In fact, they got a little greedy over the years because of it, and have really whored Firefox out with lots of changes primarily to lure in people, and rushed out versions to look competitive with other browsers (sometimes even dropping features just to meet unnecessarily rushed release dates), to the point that they turned it into the same bloated mess which was the
So I guess they bumped the version number up because of this major change.
This raises the question: when do we get an "open" open-source* search engine?
*one we have the source-code to, so we know that our search results are genuine; and also one we can rely on for not sharing our thoughts with other parties.
I THINK MAN INVENTED THE CAR by instinct. -- Jack Handley, The New Mexican, 1988.


text:
SCOTT Keeley and Darren Whitton were supposed to be enjoying a day off when the temperature rose and the flames arrived.
The two Aberdare residents became the defenders of Comerford Close for the day, holding the fort as spot fires threatened to raze homes along the rural street.
As well as hosing off their own homes, they protected neighbours' yards and battled blazes from the rooftops.
"We were here from the start and then basically stood here all day hosing it down," Mr Keeley told the Newcastle Herald.
"All it took was just one gust of wind and everything turned to chaos. Then it was just a scramble to save everything and everyone went into action."
One of their neighbour's gutters caught on fire and the two men rushed to stop it spreading.
Mr Whitton even fell from the roof but escaped injury.
He said he had lived in the street for 30 years with wife, Sonia, and had never seen such a blaze.
"We have seen four or five fires but this is the worst one yet," Mr Whitton said.
"You have got to give it to the firies, they did a fantastic job."
Mrs Whitton added that the emergency services deserve high praise for their work.
"Australia Day has to be all about them," she said.
"Not individuals, just them as a whole."
Mr Keeley said he saw a huge tree explode just 50 metres away.
"I could feel little hot embers falling down and burning my skin," he said.
"Just from the heat, if we had marshmallows on sticks we could have roasted them easy."
"This just makes me feel even more for the people of Coonabarabran.
"We are here and we are still OK, but their houses have gone."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A reasonable person could conclude that at some point the Bears' offense will have to participate in the 2012 NFL season, especially when they begin playing quality opponents.
But thus far reason has nothing to do with it.
The defense continues to score at a record pace and Sunday the special teams got involved, creating a very bad combination for Tennessee as the Bears blew out the Titans early and cruised to a 51-20 victory.
The 7-1 Bears are all the NFL rage right now and a convenient pick to win it all. It's understandable considering the way they frustrate opponents and destroy a team's confidence by taking away the football.
Each week you think some football team is going to be coached to protect the ball, and each week the same Bears players steal the pigskin.
Eventually, they might run into a team that is convinced by its boss to guard the football, but with every passing victory you wonder if the Bears can't win the Super Bowl with a very simple formula that involves consistently punching loose the ball.
It was laughable Sunday after Tennessee gained 23 yards on the first play of the game and Charles Tillman hammered it out for a turnover.
First play of the game? I mean, do these teams watch film?
The Bears get beat plenty in coverage, but they go for the ball on every single play. Every single play, and yet opposing players carry the football like they're on a Sunday stroll in the park.
Tillman forced 3 fumbles in the first 20 minutes Sunday, 2 for turnovers, and a total of 4 during the blowout.
Matt Hasselbeck threw a pick-6 to Brian Urlacher when all Urlacher had to do was stay upright on his way to the end zone, and Urlacher poked free another fumble when running back Chris Johnson had a big gain and forgot Urlacher was right behind him.
The Bears are not as fast as they claim and are often behind their adversaries, but once trailing they are incredibly quick and ferocious to the ball, looking to strip it immediately. They did it 4 times on defense just in the first half against Tennessee.
So what were the Titans thinking? Not about how to stay in the game, that's for sure.
Of course, there was also Sherrick McManis left unblocked on a punt, and he easily stuffed it for a Corey Wootton touchdown.
At only 7-2, a terrible punt -- after penalties put the Titans in a deep hole -- led to a big Devin Hester return and a short field for Matt Forte.
At that point Tennessee simply quit and the Bears poured it on, but their offensive numbers came in garbage time after the game was over, and it was over in a hurry.
When it was 31-5 at the half Sunday, Tennessee had 148 net yards to only 136 for the Bears, and time of possession was dead even.
Still, the offensive contribution won't matter much if the Bears continue to win the turnover battle by huge margins. They suffocate teams with their relentless attack of the ball, and it not only creates fumbles but it also takes away from an opponent's ability to run effectively with the ball.
If Jay Cutler can simply manage the game and avoid his urge to throw caution to the wind and the ball up for grabs, the Bears can win the Super Bowl with scoring on defense, great special-teams play and Forte on the ground.
It's easy to get caught up in a single NFL game and place too much significance on one week, so the Bears won't spend a long time remembering the Titans.
But the Bears have won six straight since the Green Bay debacle with a very simple game plan. They take the ball away and score points on defense, or leave the offense with a field so short that not even they can mess it up.
Sunday was just another example of it. It was an unfair fight from the start, and the Bears showed no mercy. This is the NFL, after all, where you pound your opponents into submission.
And this game was so one-sided that even Cutler smiled.
Seriously, it happened. You can check the tape.
•Hear Barry Rozner on WSCR 670-AM and follow him @BarryRozner on Twitter.


text:
California Healthcare Foundation/Mercer Small Business Health Insurance Survey, 2000 (ICPSR 3383)
Published: Apr 4, 2002
Principal Investigator(s):
William M. Mercer, Inc.
Version V1
This study examined employee health plan sponsorship among California businesses that employed between 2 and 50 individuals to determine why some employers offer health insurance plans and some do not. Businesses were divided into two groups: employers that offered health insurance and those that did not offer health insurance. Separate questionnaires were used for the two groups, but many questions in the two surveys were identical so that the two groups of businesses could be compared. Respondents were asked whether health care coverage was available to full-time and/or part-time employees and retirees, and whether domestic partners (same-sex and/or opposite-sex) were eligible as dependents. Employers who offered health care coverage to their employees listed the types of medical plans that they offered, in both 1999 and 2000, and the number of employees enrolled in the plans. The plan types were traditional indemnity, Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), Point-of-Service (POS), and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). Employers also described employee and employer contributions toward health care premiums, the kinds of freestanding plans (e.g., vision, dental, substance abuse / mental health) they offered, and whether they expected health benefit costs to increase or decrease. Respondents also rated the likelihood of their organization reducing benefits and raising employee contributions. Employers that did not offer their employees health care coverage were asked if they had ever offered coverage, whether they had seriously considered starting to offer health insurance to their employees, whether they had gotten a quote for health insurance, and how likely it was that they would offer health insurance in the next two years. Employers that did not currently offer health insurance were also asked to estimate the cost to their company of health insurance, how much they would be willing to pay for employee health insurance, and whether they would need to reduce wages or benefits to pay for the insurance. All employers were asked whether they had applied for insurance and been turned down, the number of years they had been in business, and whether the Internet had been used as a source of information about health insurance. Respondents described other benefits they offered their employees and answered a number of factual questions about health insurance, such as whether employer contributions to health insurance premiums for employees were tax-deductible. Respondents also gave their opinions on a number of other items, such as whether an HMO could meet the needs of their organization. Employers were asked whether they were familiar with various means of purchasing and providing health insurance, such as Section 125 plans or purchasing alliances, and, if they provided health insurance, which method they had used. General characteristics of each business were recorded, including number of employees, type of business, the proportion of full-time, part-time, and seasonal/temporary employees, how many employees had been hired and how many had left in the previous 12 months, number of employees at different salary levels, whether the owner of the organization was a woman, and the proportion of employees that were female or members of ethnic minority groups.
Export Citation:
California HealthCare Foundation (99-4014)
Subject Terms
Geographic Coverage
To protect respondent privacy, ZIP codes and detailed industry classifications of responding establishments are restricted from general dissemination. Users interested in obtaining these data must complete an Agreement for the Use of Confidential Data, specify the reasons for the request, and obtain IRB approval or notice of exemption for their research. Apply for access to these data through the ICPSR Restricted Data Contract Portal, which can be accessed via the study home page.
A random sample was drawn from a database of private employers, stratified by employer size (3-9 employees, 10-24 employees, and 25-49 employees), single-site versus multiple-site employers, and location (Los Angeles versus the rest of California). In the case of multi-site establishments, only the parent company was sampled. Employers with either 2 or 50 employees -- one less and one more than the targeted size -- were also eligible.
California employers with 2-50 employees.
Data Source
telephone interviews
survey data
Data in this collection are available only to users at ICPSR member institutions.
This study is provided by ICPSR. ICPSR provides leadership and training in data access, curation, and methods of analysis for a diverse and expanding social science research community.


text:
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Joystiq reports on the GDC announcement of PhyreEngine, a new free cross-platform game engine from Sony (thanks Mike Martinez). More details are expected today, but for now they point out this development environment powers the recent releases of flOw, GripShift, and DiRT, demonstrating it can create games for PC and Xbox 360, as well as PS3. They point out an obvious motive for Sony to support cross-platform development, in that using PhyreEngine will guarantee PS3 versions of games that are least the equal of their counterparts on other platforms.
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Chatbear v1.4.0/blue++: Page generated 21 May 2018, 09:21.
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text:
Historically Low Tuition Increase, Gen Ed Milestone, STEM Complex Headline May Board Meeting
- 05-21-2013
- By University Communications
At its May 2013 meeting, UVM's Board of Trustees approved the lowest tuition increase in 36 years, put in place the first component of an ambitious General Education initiative, and adjusted the university's debt limit policy to accommodate the potential construction of proposed new and renovated facilities in science, technology, mathematics and engineering (STEM).
Trustees approved a 2.9 percent increase in tuition, the lowest since 1977. The increase brings in-state tuition to $13,728 and out-of-state tuition to $34,656 for the 2013-2014 academic year.
Further lowering the real cost of tuition for Vermonters, UVM president Tom Sullivan announced that all of this year's $1.2 million increase over last year's state appropriation will be used to create scholarships for in-state students, fully offsetting the rise in their tuition.
Trustees also approved a 2.9 percent increase in room rates, an average 4.2 percent increase in meals, and 2.6 percent increase in student fees, bringing an increase of 3 percent in the overall cost of attendance.
A vote to approve the general fund budget of approximately $300 million was deferred until early June, when more up-to-date data is available on the incoming class and how much financial aid will be needed by the approximately 2,400 first-year students.
A milestone for Gen Ed
Major progress on UVM's General Education initiative was announced in the Educational Policy and Institutional Resources (EPIR) committee, leading to a resolution passed by the full board to approve a three-credit foundational writing and informational literacy requirement for all first-year, first-time students, beginning in fall 2014.
A writing and information literacy framework that was successfully piloted in eight courses last year served as the basis for the new requirement, the first of six proposed learning outcomes in the Faculty Senate's Gen Ed initiative to be implemented. The General Education committee believes the process used can serve as a model for the development of proposals for the other learning outcomes and will facilitate and speed their implementation.
While writing requirements for first-year students are not unusual, UVM is distinctive and innovative in linking writing to information literacy and in teaching students to access, critically evaluate and ethically use print and digital research sources.
A pilot is underway to develop and assess writing and information literacy skills throughout the remaining undergraduate years. Faculty development workshops are underway to help incorporate and evaluate writing within the academic disciplines.
A revised debt ratio and a new STEM complex
UVM's debt ratio – the proportion of the university's annual debt service payments relative to annual expenses – also came up for discussion. Because of earlier board action, the current ratio of 6 percent was scheduled to be reduced to 5 percent in 2017. Administrators proposed lowering the current ratio to 5.75 percent and rescheduling the reduction to 5 percent for 2023.
The change, which the board passed on Saturday, gives the university the flexibility to borrow as much as $125 million for the bonding of future capital projects, if funds are made available to pay the additional debt service.
In anticipation of the debt ratio discussion, the board had asked for an example of how the university would use its extra debt capacity.
President Sullivan and Robert Vaughan, director of capital planning and management, presented a conceptual plan for a $100 million phased overhaul of the university's current STEM facilities, one of the top priorities in the Strategic Action Plan the president issued in November 2012.
In Phase I of the plan, the Angell Lecture Hall would be demolished and replaced with a 112,000 square foot, $53 million building that would house laboratories for chemistry, physics, and psychology, as well as general purpose classrooms and utility space.
Phase II would focus on the Cook Physical Science Building. Once the Phase I building was completed, all the occupants of Cook would be moved into it, and Cook would be totally renovated at a cost of $37 million. The renovated Cook would serve the non-laboratory needs of the STEM program, housing classrooms and administrative offices. Once both phases were complete, faculty and staff would be redistributed between the two buildings.
Phase III would be a $9 million renovation of Votey Hall that would address both deferred maintenance and incorporate upgrades. The new building would house teaching and research labs and general purpose classrooms.
The overall plan would also consolidate the Department of Mathematics, now housed in three buildings on Colchester Avenue.
Vaughan estimated that the project would take five years to complete. The university will present more detailed programming for each building, which could include conceptual diagrams, at the October board meeting.
In other developments
Vice President for Student and Campus Life Tom Gustafson initiated an engaged discussion in the Educational Policy and Institutional Resources committee on the new Career Success Action Plan, noting that President Sullivan "raised expectations for less talking and more action." Abu Rizvi, dean of the Honors College, spearheaded the development of the plan, working closely with Pamela Gardner, director of Career Services, and constituencies from the SGA and graduate student senate to alumni and parents. He and his colleagues also visited a number of universities to review best practices.
Rizvi identified five key components of the plan for EPIR committee members:
- Internships, employment and other experiential learning opportunities are critical;
- Employers, alumni, parents and other stakeholders are needed to build a culture of career success;
- Students must be engaged in career preparation throughout their college education;
- A centralized physical location is important for student engagement (a careers hub is under renovation in the Davis Center and will open in the fall of 2013 );
- Progress must be tracked to ensure accountability and inform any necessary mid-course corrections.
Much of the plan will be implemented in the coming academic year.
President Sullivan and Shane Jacobson, vice president and chief operating officer of the UVM Foundation provided the full board with an update and status report on the comprehensive campaign. The provisional goal of the campaign is $500 million, double the last campaign's goal, Jacobson said, an objective the university is on track to achieve. Jacobson cited four reasons why the campaign will be successful. The campaign is:
- Strategic, aligned with the university mission and vision;
- Inclusive, offering an opportunity for donors at every level to participate;
- Comprehensive, incorporating a wide range of campus priorities; and
- Meaningful, with every gift valued and celebrated.
The comprehensive campaign is "absolutely essential and transformative," Sullivan said. "Our success -- and we will be successful -- is going to enhance quality and will build the very thing we all cherish: the reputation of this great university."
Sullivan is an "outstanding fundraiser," Jacobson said. "Individually and in small and large groups, he hits home run after home run." Sullivan has visited all 14 counties in Vermont and has made more than 25 fund-raising trips outside the state. The Foundation expects to announce the public phase of the campaign in October 2015.
The Socially Responsible Investing Advisory Council informed committee members of the Budget, Finance and Investment committee that a group led by graduate student Elizabeth Palchek is researching the Student Climate Culture's proposal to divest from fossil fuel companies. The Council will present a report to Richard Cate, vice president for finance and administration, by June 1, 2013, summarizing the research and providing recommendations for strategic investments in the energy sector. The board also voted to reaffirm divesture from Sudan, acting on BFI's recommendation.
Read a PDF of the consent agenda, itemizing all action items approved by the board.


text:
Pamela Geller More Incoherent Than Usual: "Hitlerian Press: Obama's 'The Second Coming'"
On any given day, Pamela Geller's site is overstuffed with hatred and incoherent ranting, but since today marks the second inauguration of the person she hates most, she's in a proper frenzy. Her most recent semi-literate tirade: HITLERIAN PRESS: OBAMA'S 'THE SECOND COMING'!!!!!
See if you can count the grammatical, spelling, punctuation and word usage errors in her crazed Hitler-laced diatribe; it's fun! I'm picturing a row of little empty airplane bottles of gin next to her keyboard.
The Propaganda Ministry, through the Obama Press Chamber, has jumped the shark.
The new issue of Newsweek online (the print is understandably defunct), President Obama's inauguration is deemed "The Second Coming." Clearly the editor of the magazine, the goosestepping Obama Tina Brown has take the Wehrmacht Oath of Loyalty to the Obamessiah.
The writer of the article, Evan Thomas, has imbued the divinity of Christ on Obama before (but I think Muhammad is better suited to Obama, IMO.) Back in June of 2009, naturally on MSNBC, Thomas asserted: "In a way, Obama's standing above the country, above — above the world. He's sort of God. He's going to bring all different sides together."
And we see how Obama has brought different sides together. No President has done more to divide the nation outside of Lincoln but that was to free a nation. Obama means to enslave it. Only the left could paint the epic failure that defines Obama's reign as godly. The big lie, that's what they do.
And the more consistnetly wrong they are, the more accolades and power they get. The more right we are (and I have been proven right time and time again, the marginalized and demonized we are. Truth is the silver bullet to these vampires.
Wow! I'd add little [sic] notes, but they'd have to be after every other word. The constant hatred is eating away at her brain.
And by the way — silver bullets are for werewolves.


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|Dragon Bowl: a no-brainer, healthy meal with options for everyone
|Dragon Bowls, aka "Bowls"
- They are quick to prepare
- They are efficient leftover user-uppers
- They are frugal [But if you're feeling extravagant, you can easily make them budget burners by using store-bought, fancy-pants ingredients]
- They can, in small ways, be modified to fit each diner's preferences – which makes them a fun, weekly meal theme for families with fussy eaters
- They require no fancy equipment
- They require little cooking ability
- They are ever-changing; you can have a different bowl every night!
- There are no Bowl rules – no strikes or spares – only suggestions.
|For my bowl, I chopped up some Romaine lettuce that was on its way out...
|...I boiled some shiritake noodles, shredded carrots, edamame, and leeks.
|Bowl size is important. Left one's too big. Bottom one's too small. Right one is just right.
[Which is why it's on the right.]
My Dragon Bowl Formula for One
- About 1 cup of grain [quinoa, millet, traditional pasta, ramen or soba noodles, shiritake noodles, buckwheat, kamut, etc]
- About 1/2-to 1 cup of protein [Cubed, cooked or uncooked tofu (seasoned is best!), tempeh, seitan, legumes, soy curls, etc]
- About 1 cup raw veggies [Chopped lettuce, onions, peppers, spinach, kale, etc]
- About 1 cup cooked veggies
- Up to 1/4 cup sauce [Tahini, salad dressing, hummus watered down with some broth or water, Romesco sauce, pesto, salsa for Mexican-inspired bowls, etc]
- Toppings [Sesame seeds, nutritional yeast, non-dairy cheese
- Seasonings
Layer the grain in the bowl. Top with your protein and veggies. Add sauce to taste, then season. Mix very well and enjoy. Doesn't get much easier, does it?


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The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) announces the availability of an updated, free brochure, the "Visitor Information Map and Guide for Touring the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River: New York & Pennsylvania."
– The Upper Delaware Council (UDC) announces the availability of an updated, free brochure, the "Visitor Information Map and Guide for Touring the Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River: New York & Pennsylvania."
A shipment of 35,000 copies has been received at the UDC's office in Narrowsburg to prepare for the kick-off of the 2013 visitor season.
Supplies of the popular brochure first published by the UDC in 1989 and last revised in 2008 had long been depleted, but fell victim to budgetary restraints.
The Council committed to publish a new version in 2013 as a public service to coincide with the non-profit organization's 25th anniversary year.
The four-color guide features a comprehensive, 17 x 22-inch fold-out map of the federally-designated Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River corridor stretching 73.4 miles from Hancock, N.Y. to Mill Rift and its surroundings, newly created with the assistance of Geographic Information System technicians at the National Park Service.
Twelve informational panels offer tips on river safety, conservation, recreation, fishing, boating, camping, eagle watching, hunting, tourism, emergency phone numbers, directions and agency contacts.
There is also a new chart of river accesses that identifies the amenities offered at each public area, and numerous reminders that the majority of land in the Upper Delaware Valley is privately owned and should be treated with due respect.
Surrounding the map is a directory of businesses located within the river corridor boundaries. These listings, provided as a public service, pertain to the visitor-oriented categories of Accommodations, Restaurants/Food, Liveries and Campgrounds, and Bait & Tackle Shops.
"Eighteen businesses generously contributed a total of $925 to help the UDC to offset the printing costs," said Executive Director Laurie Ramie. "We're grateful for the support and the recognition that this brochure fills a void in the Upper Delaware for a bi-state, river-oriented brochure to benefit visitors to this unique region."
Businesses submitting voluntary donations, as denoted with an asterisk next to each listing in the guide, were:
• River Partners ($100) – Indian Head Canoes, Rafts and Campground, Barryville, N.Y.; Kittatinny Canoes, Rafts, Kayaks & Campgrounds, Barryville, N.Y.; Lander's River Trips, Narrowsburg, Lander's River Café, Callicoon, N.Y., and Wild & Scenic River's Edge Campground, Barryville; Silver Canoe & Raft Rentals, Pond Eddy, N.Y.; and Sylvania Tree Farm Guest Cottages and Camping, Lackawaxen.
• River Sponsors ($50) – China King, Narrowsburg; Matthew's on Main, Callicoon; River Market, Barryville; and The Heron, Narrowsburg.
• River Boosters ($25) – Café Devine, Callicoon; ECCE Bed & Breakfast, Barryville; Hagemann's Tackle & Variety Store, Shohola; Peck's Markets, Narrowsburg and Callicoon; Reber River Trips and Cedar Rapids Inn, Barryville; Sandercock Bed & Breakfast, Equinunk; Smith's Colonial Motel, Hancock, N.Y.; Stickett Inn, Barryville; and Twin Spruce Lodge, Equinunk.
The brochures will be distributed by tourism promotion agencies, welcome centers, chambers of commerce, interested local businesses and the National Park Service Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River.
To request individual copies or inquire about obtaining a supply, write to the Upper Delaware Council at P.O. Box 192, Narrowsburg, NY 12764; visit the office at 211 Bridge St.; call (845) 252-3022; fax (845) 252-3359; or e-mail Secretary Cindy Odell at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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George W. "Bill" May
George W. "Bill" May, 89, passed away Sunday evening, June 26, 2011, at Rolling Plains Memorial Hospital.Military and Masonic graveside services will be held at the Garden of Memories Cemetery on Thursday, June 30, 2011, at 11 a.m. with memorial services at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, with the Rev. Phillip Thomas officiating.George W. "Bill" May was born Dec. 11, 1921, in Pyron, Texas. He moved to Sweetwater in 1924 with his family. Attending the Sweetwater schools, Bill was active in Sweetwater athletics. When in school, Bill had the Fort-Worth Star Telegram agency; Bill would get up each morning at 4 a.m. to meet the train at the old local train depot to get papers to deliver before school.Bill attended Angelo State University before joining the United States Air Force in WWII serving the China-Burma India area, as an armored gunner who was responsible for all guns and maintenance of guns while in flight. He was also in charge of the bomader scope.When returning from WWII, Bill was associated with his brother S.J. in construction business. They owned and operated May Brother Lumber Bin, Town and Country Concrete and other business interests. On Jan. 1, 1956, May Brothers bought a track of land, one of the largest single residential real estate transactions in many years. This being the Monticello addition, many homes in Sweetwater were built by Bill and S.J. On Oct. 18, 1951, Bill married the former Bettye Joe Brown, a long time Sweetwater resident.Bill is survived by his wife, Bettye May of Sweetwater; a son, Walt May and his wife Kerri of Sweetwater; a daughter, Caye (Kay) Davis and husband Paul of Hudson Oaks, TX; six grandchildren, Brandon and Kim Kuss of Fort Worth, Bryan and Nathan Davis of Hudson Oaks, Whitley and Sharla May and Anne Marie and Max May of Sweetwater; and two great-grandchildren, Allison Acebedo and George Weston May.Pallbearers will be his six grandchildren, Brandon Kuss, Bryan Davis, Nathan Davis, Whitley May, Anne Marie May and Max May.There will be a family visitation from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday evening at McCoy Funeral Home.


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MINNEAPOLIS (CBS/AP) — Yoenis Cespedes had his first career four-hit game, including a homer and three RBIs, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Minnesota Twins 9-4 on Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep.
Jonny Gomes, Chris Carter and Seth Smith also homered for the A's, who have won nine of 11 to climb back into the wild-card conversation in the American League. Jarrod Parker (6-4) gave up four runs and nine hits in six innings.
Brian Duensing (1-6) gave the Twins another dreadful start, lasting just two innings and getting tagged for six runs and seven hits.
Gomes finished with three hits and two RBIs.
Duensing got off to an ominous start when he needed 41 pitches to get through the first inning on a steamy afternoon. Cespedes singled in a run and Carter walked with the bases loaded to give the A's a 2-0 lead.
Laboring through the inning clearly sapped the left-hander, who was making his fourth start after moving from the bullpen. Without much juice on his offerings, the Athletics pounced in the second.
Gomes hit a two-run shot to left field, Cespedes went deep to straight-away center field and Carter's solo drive hit off the facing of the second deck in right-center to give the A's a 6-1 lead and draw boos from the home crowd. Duensing needed 67 pitches to get through the two innings and didn't have enough left to come out for the third.
The Twins had to be surprised by an Oakland offense that was perhaps the worst in the league when the Athletics last came to town in May. The A's scored just six runs in the three-game sweep, helping struggling Twins starter Francisco Liriano get some confidence back and giving the Twins a reprieve after hitting a season-worst 17 games under .500.
The Athletics look like a completely different team these days, one that is finally giving a very good pitching staff the kind of run support it deserves. They scored 24 total runs and hit nine homers in earning their first road sweep since taking three games in Colorado from June 12-14.
With a pitching staff that leads the AL in earned-run average, the Athletics could be a formidable contender for a playoff spot. Veteran Bartolo Colon could be swapped for another bat before the deadline to bolster those chances.
Parker was solid on Sunday, giving up just two runs in the first five innings while the A's built a 9-2 lead. The right-hander has allowed two runs or fewer in 12 of his 15 starts. He gave up a run in the first when Darin Mastroianni scored when the pitcher's throwing error ended any chance at an inning-ending double play.
NOTES: Athletics OF Coco Crisp rested for the second day in a row because of a sore left shoulder he aggravated on Friday night. He's listed as day to day. … The last time the A's hit three HRs in one inning was June 17, 2008, at Arizona when Bobby Crosby, Rajai Davis and Mark Ellis went deep during the ninth in a 15-1 win. … Twins DH Justin Morneau extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the sixth. … Newly signed Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise threw out the first pitch before the game. The Minnesota native recently signed a 13-year, $98 million contract to play for his hometown team. … The Twins will open a series against Baltimore on Monday night, with LHP Scott Diamond (7-3, 2.62 ERA) facing Orioles RHP Chris Tillman (1-0, 0.00). … The A's head home to face Texas. Colon (6-7, 3.80 ERA) will face Rangers RHP Roy Oswalt (2-1, 6.26).
(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed)


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Linked by Thom Holwerda on Sun 9th Sep 2012 22:58 UTC
"A little more than an year ago I wrote my rant post The Linux Desktop Experience is Killing Linux on the Desktop and for the first time in 8 years I wasn't a desktop Linux user anymore. I spent about a month wrestling with Windows 7, but let's face it - Windows is ill suited for professional Ruby programmers like me (and it's ill suited for most programmers, except maybe Java & .Net I guess). Anyways, it was never my intention to stick with Windows - I was just doing my Mac due diligence. Now with 1+ year of OSX usage I'd like to share a few things about my experience thus far with you."
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RE[3]: Windows is ill suited...
by Neolander on Tue 11th Sep 2012 08:59 UTC in reply to "RE[2]: Windows is ill suited..."
RE[4]: Windows is ill suited...
by moondevil on Tue 11th Sep 2012 09:55 in reply to "RE[3]: Windows is ill suited..."
OSX also has developer-friendly package managers (fink, homebrew...), though they are not officially supported. And if you want to nitpick, pretty much any BSD has them too.
Try to find there user software related packages, instead of the typical vi, gcc, gimp and friends.
Thus, I tend to agree with the OP that Windows is indeed weak on this front as compared to competition.
There many more operating systems out there than Linux, OSX and Windows. Sadly Windows happens to be much better than many of them.


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Visitor Comments: 48
(42) Anonymous, November 16, 2014 6:59 AM
Let's remember to also thank G-d
(41) sree prasad shetty, April 12, 2014 3:34 PM
Machal pilots
(40) Ellen, December 27, 2013 5:50 AM
Israel is a nation of miracles
(39) Lloyd Herman, August 8, 2013 2:58 PM
A Free and Strong Israel
(38) Anonymous, April 17, 2013 8:48 AM
Not Only from USA
Anon Y Mouse, March 3, 2016 8:13 PM
South Africans second largest contingent after US
jeff hoffman, April 15, 2018 7:36 PM
EIN BREIRA: No Alternative
"4 Million Bullets: The Untold Fight for Survival" tells the little-known, first-hand courageous stories of young men and women—Jews and non-Jews—whose heroism, intrigue, and ingenuity enabled the fledgling Israeli nation to survive.
Central American "banana boats" evaded
an international embargo to transport
European refugees to Palestine;
Elite fighters trained to act like Arabs went
underground to infiltrate enemy areas;
A covert group of North American Jewish
business leaders secretly raised the
equivalent of $2.5 billion for the cause;
From ragtag Czech war-surplus aircrafts,
crew members dropped bombs by hand on
their targets.
An underground bullet factory operated for
two years, hidden beneath a fake laundry
(36) Anonymous, April 15, 2013 11:44 AM
P 51 Mustang fighter
Ellen, June 16, 2013 7:00 PM
If you find out who hired him, you can find out more about it.
(35) Aubrey Miller, April 12, 2013 8:22 AM
(34) Ellen, March 9, 2013 9:50 PM
Loved this video
Anonymous, April 24, 2013 2:54 PM
You are right
(33) M. Richard Meyers, March 3, 2013 1:55 AM
Nancy; My brother-in-law, Bob Luery, was part of the Diaspora flying supplies out of Czechoslovakia. In your research, did you come across his name? He was from Escanaba, Michigan, a U. of Michigan grad. I would appreciate any information that I could share with my nephews and niece. Bob died circa 1994. Richard Meyers 120 Grand Palm Way Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
(32) Steve Truschel, February 26, 2013 6:27 PM
Grumman F6F "Hellcats" in I.A.F. inventory???
Dear Mrs. Spielberg, Many years ago I watched a movie on T.V. about the founding of the state of Israel ( the name of the film escapes me, however). As an aviation enthusiast I could have sworn I saw a flight of ex-U.S. Navy Grumman F6F "Hellcat" fighter aircraft, piloted by volunteers, which conducted ground attacks against Arab forces during 1948. Am I mistaken or was that scene simply inserted into the movie without any historical accuracy? Thank you. Steve Truschel Austin, Texas
(31) Ruth Sobol, February 18, 2013 7:02 AM
(30) Benjamin Gal-Or, February 13, 2013 11:51 AM
Unballanced and Misleading Reporting
Ben Gurion contacted the SA PM who provided air transport to these WW-II experienced Pilot Heros, under the command of a high ranking pilot [see below] . At age 14 I detexted them inside secret ecaliptus woods in the Sharon Valley near Kfar Vitkin. They were assembling brand new parts, wings, engines, etc. of new Messerschmidts fighter aircraft that Stalin had sent from Czechia in response to Ben Gurion pleed. With German-Speaking Israelis they assembeled them, read flying instructions and then tookoff from a nearby dirt runway. They landed mainly elsewhere. BTW, the Commander of the SA Pilots has later been a supreme Judge in SA. As such I met him 27 years later. Enough said.
Benjamin Gal-Or, February 13, 2013 1:37 PM
Verifiable Facts on IAF, Ben Durion, Stalin and SA PM backed by historical References
In addition to the request for balanced historical reporting based on verifiable facts, as stated above, one may start by quoting Wikipedia and the various references cited there: "The backbone of the IAF consisted of 25 Avia S-199s (purchased from Czechoslovakia, essentially Czechoslovak-built Messerschmitt Bf 109s) and 62 Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk IXEs ferried from Žatec base code-named "Zebra" where pilots also received preliminary flight training. Creativity and resourcefulness were the early foundations of Israeli military success in the air, rather than technology (which, at the inception of the IAF, was generally inferior to that used by Israel's adversaries). Many of the first IAF's pilots in 1948 were foreign volunteers (both Jewish and non-Jewish) and World War II veterans"
(29) Berel, February 13, 2013 4:07 AM
Fantastic! Is this a full length feature film in the works already?
(28) Eden Maxwell, February 8, 2013 10:19 PM
(27) Marci Rapp, February 7, 2013 8:13 PM
(25) Elliot Mazer, February 7, 2013 8:16 AM
Is there a list of names somewhere?
(24) Anonymous, February 7, 2013 1:41 AM
Courage through faith
(23) Carlos, February 6, 2013 11:11 PM
It made me Cry
(22) Ellen, February 6, 2013 8:52 PM
An absolute miracle!
(21) Paul Kupetsky, February 6, 2013 6:29 AM
A true Democracy
(20) Anonymous, February 5, 2013 7:30 PM
Thank you.
(19) Russell Gaddin, February 5, 2013 5:30 PM
Tme Machalniks froom the USA
Thank you for a most inspiring and beautriful story about the founding of the Israeli airforce. I do not wish to lower the level of heroism of a single one of these wonderful volunteers. The Machalniks came from all over the Jewish world, not only the USA. The South African Machalniks were the largest contingent as a % of their countries Jewish population and were very major players in the establishment of the IAF. The story of the Machalniks should not be confined to one group only.
(18) Beverly, February 5, 2013 4:38 PM
I am utterly moved to tears....Ben Gurion...
took the words out of my mouth regarding the fighter pilots being the Diaspora's greatest contribution ever to the State of Israel. Brings to mind 2 Kings 6:16 - "Those who are with us are ore than those who are with them." and from Esther - "for such a time as this." Now, off to read Weiss book - I Am My Brother's Keeper.
(17) Renata, February 5, 2013 5:48 AM
(16) Ofra Bendavid, February 5, 2013 5:10 AM
In my hear you will never be forgotten!
Seeing this video with tears in my eyes, as I was so touched, this was new to me it made me proud to be Jewish However I couldn't help asking myself where R these kind of heart and soul and brave Jews today? as some of the Jews today R the worse enemy of the state of ISR. Thank you for your courage and help and G-d bless you all.
(15) Mordechai Rosenberg, February 5, 2013 4:42 AM
One thing missing.
I enjoyed the film and was inspired by the sacrifice of these brave men. However, as G-d fearing Jews, there is always ONE that we must include in our every effort and action. It is only because of G-d's Seyata Dishmaya (Heavenly Assistance) that this mission could succeed - not just because of "Israeli Determination to Win" as was suggested. Perhaps in the full version of this production, it would be wise to give credit where it is indeed due - and therewith create a Kiddush Hashem - raising the status of this production to a Holy offering - with just some simple recognition.
(14) Anonymous, February 4, 2013 11:00 PM
(13) Sharon, February 4, 2013 10:59 PM
great film
Many thanks to the American pilots for their brave contribution to the survival of the State of Israel at its fragile beginning. What this film also demonstrated so clearly was the miraculous proportions of Israeil's survival. A mere 600000 people with inadequate weapons attacked by five strong armies. Who can deny God's love for the Jewish people.
(12) Miriam, February 4, 2013 6:28 PM
Beautiful Film - What Courageous Men
(11) Marion Da Costa, February 4, 2013 9:09 AM
I am sad that my father did not live to see this film, he would have loved it. He was part of the group of British Machalniks who used their experience in the British Air Force to contribute to the birth of the State of Israel although he wasn't a pilot. He often used to talk about his time there but was sad that there were so few people left in the Machal Association and that they would all be forgotten in the years to come. I am very proud of him and hope that this isn't the case.
(10) Michael, February 4, 2013 8:47 AM
A whetted appetite for more.
An enigmatic motley crew , but all displayed real character, & most seem to have developed flavor. Truth is often stranger than fiction , & sometimes it is also infinitely more interesting. The pilots here, although elderly now , display such interesting characters , that it's better than the best of movie trailers, & leaves me craving for more.
(9) Judith Herzog, February 3, 2013 10:04 PM
Thank G-d
(8) Diana Farrow, February 3, 2013 9:37 PM
(7) Michal, February 3, 2013 9:28 PM
I am very moved..
when I came to Israel for the first time in my life, it was just 13 years later. Israel was so full of life, hope, pride, Not even being Jewish by that time, I knew this was my real home, I had been longing for all the time. Every single Israeli was somehow like these brave American solders, wo came to fly one of the five old planes. I was so lucky, to be with my group in a Kibbuz, founded by young Americans.When I think back at them... they all were like these 5 young men, proud of being Jews, proud of building Eretz Israel... I was blessed, to be with them at that time.
(6) ELAINE PRICE, February 3, 2013 7:35 PM
(4) DINA HOROVITZ, February 3, 2013 5:44 PM
(3) Arthur Gilman, February 3, 2013 12:10 AM
Palestine Airline was there first!
An American Zionist named Katz, at the urging of his son, formed this precursor to an Israel Air Force in 1940. His son Fred returned to the US after the entry into WWII and joined the US Navy and became a pilot. Fred was in a crash while ferrying a new plane, and survived with serious injuries, and was partially disabled, so was not able to join the Machal.
(1) Anonymous, February 1, 2013 3:43 AM
Lou, February 1, 2013 9:57 AM


text:
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Base Coupe
Compare Dealer Clearance Prices and SAVE
2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Review
Proves that Mercedes-Benz has a team of wizard engineers at their beck and call.
Reviewed by Automotive on
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is not a regular sedan. Even though Mercedes-Benz usually makes understated sedans that are known for innovation and reliability, it isn't exactly known for its sportier fare. This vehicle is full of power, sportiness, and enough gadgets to get the biggest racing fans out there drooling with excitement. One ride in this powerhouse is enough to get drivers addicted to its superb handling and roaring engine. There are very few vehicles on the market that can compare.
The Range
Engines: 6.2-liter V-8
Transmissions: Seven-speed automated manual
Models: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
What's New
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a brand new vehicle.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is one sexy looking coupe. Like a lot of coupes on the market, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is going for a classic look with a pinched-waist and smooth curves. Some of the sharper angles of the grille and front fascia give away that this is a modern vehicle however. Exterior features include 20-inch alloy wheels, variable intermittent rain sensing wipers, rear defogger, power mirrors, heated exterior mirrors, rear spoiler, xenon high-intensity discharge headlamps, auto delay headlamps, and self-leveling headlights.
The interior of the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is impressive from the moment you open the doors. The doors are the first impressive feature; they swing up instead of out, giving them a larger opening to squeeze into. The sill is a little bit large, reducing some of the effectiveness of this clever design. There isn't a handle to close the door either, which somewhat exacerbates matters. Leather is hand-stitched throughout the cabin. The seats, dash and doors get this treatment. There is a lot of gear inside that is identical to that of the SLS, but there is a lot more brushed aluminum, giving the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG a sportier feel. There is a lot of legroom for the driver, but the front passenger has less legroom and feels a bit cramped. The trunk isn't that large either, only measuring 6.2 cubic feet in space.
Standard features for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG include park-assist with a rearview camera, leather upholstery, microfiber suede headliner, power seats, heated seats, memory function, dual-zone climate control, COMAND interface for controls, navigation system, audio system with six-disc CD changer, satellite radio, and iPod integration. Optional features include an 11-speaker Bang and Olufsen audio system, leather- and suede-wrapped steering wheel, and an indoor car cover.
Performance & Handling
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG comes equipped with a hand-built, 6.2-liter V-8 that produces an astonishing 563 horsepower with 479 pound-feet of torque. The engine is wed to a seven-speed automated manual clutch that has aluminum shift paddles with a choice of driving modes. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG can go zero to 60 in 3.8 seconds and run the quarter mile in 11.6 seconds. It has a top speed of 197 mph. Like almost all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a well-balanced car. It steers well, corners brilliantly, and performs more like a GT vehicle than and SLS. The stability control will keep drivers from going off the road, although some might find it a bit too intrusive for their liking.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG's suspension is a bit stiff, but it will still absorb most holes nicely. Ground clearance is pretty good on the SLS, meaning drivers won't have to worry about scraping the underside going over bumps or into parking lots. The V-8 roars to life, giving that exhilarating growl when the torque is low. The seven-speed transmission works beautifully. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is another marvel of the Mercedes-Benz perfect German mechanics and attention to detail.
The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG has a lot of standard safety equipment. It comes equipped with stability and traction control, side airbags, head airbags, knee airbags, and the Mercedes-Benz Mbrace emergency system. The brakes work exceptionally well keeping stop time to a minimum. The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG can stop in 98 feet from 60 mph, beating out most of the competition. Other safety features include four-wheel ABS, child seat anchors, ventilated disc brakes in the front and back, emergency brake assist, and turn signal mirrors. The government for crash safety has not tested the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.
EPA Fuel Economy
You'll Like
- Powerful engine and lovely growl
- Great handling
- Best braking capabilities
- Lots of safety features
- Door design
You Won't Like
- Weak transmission response
- Passenger legroom
- Tough to close doors
Sum Up
Proves that Mercedes-Benz has a team of wizard engineers at their beck and call.
If You Like This Vehicle
- Porsche 911 Turbo
- Audi R8


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Decision : 30 COM 8B.28
Nominations of Natural Properties to the World Heritage List (Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary)
The World Heritage Committee,
1. Having examined Documents WHC-06/30.COM/8B and WHC-06/30.COM/INF.8B.2,
2. Inscribes the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, Colombia, on the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criteria (ii) and (iii):
Criterion (ii): As the largest no-fishing zone in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, the Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is a globally significant and largely pristine marine protected area with unaltered and non-threatened ecosystems, free of invasive species, that is essential to maintain and replenish the population of sharks, giant grouper and billfish in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, whilst providing unique opportunities for ecosystem conservation, research, and recreational diving.
Criterion (iii): Malpelo's pristine underwater environment is of striking natural beauty because of the incredibly rich and diverse marine life; and major aggregations of large predator fish. Visitation to this site is an exhilarating experience for divers, and has been featured in specialized diving periodicals around the world.
3. Defers the examination of the nomination of Gorgona Natural National Park, Colombia, to the World Heritage List on the basis of natural criteria;
4. Commends the State Party for its continued efforts in conserving these important marine protected areas, as well as the NGOs, other institutions and private partners that are contributing to their conservation;
5. Recommends the State Party to:
a) Improve the management of Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary, including through the implementation of a programme to ensure that illegal fishing pressure is avoided permanently in the areas in and around the sanctuary;
b) Strengthen tourism management and develop the funding base for long term management of both Gorgona Natural National Park and Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary;
c) Commence research on the deeper waters in both areas, including seamounts within them.
DocumentsDecisions Report
Context of DecisionWHC-06/30.COM/8B


text:
- Australia's best town named
- Tourist mecca tops list for world's best quality of life
- Wyong to build $500m China theme park
- Read more from The Diary
China has the Great Wall, France the Notre Dame Cathedral and Egypt the pyramids. Australia's contribution to the world's wanderlust is less lofty.
Our top three tourist attractions are casinos, apparently, drawing more luckless losers from abroad than the Sydney Opera House.
A list of the world's top 100 tourist attractions marks Crown Casino as Australia's most popular destination, with 10.9 million people visiting the Melbourne ''integrated resort'' in 2010.
No wonder Crown recently relied on the flattering Euromonitor International report on visitor numbers as part of its successful tilt at a second Sydney casino.
Just behind Crown for tourists Down Under is the Gold Coast's Jupiters casino (10.6 million visitors) and the Star in Sydney (9 million). The Opera House attracts a piddling 7.4 million by comparison.
The visitor tallies have been unchallenged to date - and repeated ad nauseam by the good folk at Australia's gambling dens. But anti-gambling campaigner Tim Costello smells a rat.
''I think there's a bit of a fiddle in these figures,'' he said.
Indeed, Euromonitor, an independent market researcher, admits ''measuring visitor numbers to casinos is notoriously difficult''. Its list has a curious preponderance of casinos and children's theme parks.
The Great Wall of China was ranked first overall with 19.8 million visitors, followed by three Disney theme parks. Britain's greatest attraction was apparently not Stonehenge, the Tower of London or Buckingham Palace but a family fun park in Milton Keynes.
A spokesman for Australia's Tourism & Transport Forum, Rowan Barker, declined to dispute the visitor figures but suggested the Opera House had been short-changed.
''We know that people come to Sydney to see the Opera House,'' he said. ''There is no doubt it is an international drawcard.''
But this hand of cards appears to favour Crown.
Contact firstname.lastname@example.com or 92822029 or on Twitter @mrpetermunro


text:
Student or Learner
The Elephant Man
He liked to act like other people. It gave him pleasure to imagine that he was a young man-about-town were getting ready for a round of social events. He felt better when he didnt feel that he was different, that he was a beast.
- Why did Merrick want a dressing case as a Christmas present if he could not use it?
First, he could sleep lying down because of his large and heavy head. Therefore, because he desired to be like other people, one night, he decided to try it! However, the pillow was soft and his head, placed on it, must have fallen back and dislocated his neck.
- How did Merrick die?
Because it would be very difficult to live in this body. First, he could not speak and show expressions (so he seemed to have no emotion), what complicated his relationship because nobody could understand him. In addition, he didnt have self-confidence because everyone he met fell back in horror and disgust, and he was taken around the country to be shown off as a monster. He was lame, could use only one arm, and could not make himself understood. Who can live with these mental and physical conditions?
- Why did Sir Frederick Treves hope that Merrick was retarded?
First, because he found most delight in love stories when he read. Also, because he admired women to the point of worship. For example, when Queen Alexandra came, it was a delight beyond Merricks wildest dream. Moreover, when she sent him a signed picture of her, Merrick considered it as a sacred object. However, he knew that a woman who could not see him, only her, might fall in love with him. This is why we suppose that he was romantic.
- How can we know that Merrick was romantic?
Because he was now talking to duchesses and countesses, that they brought him presents, made his room bright with pictures, and supplied him with books, he was beginning to be less aware of his ugliness and to feel more important. The fact that there was no mirror in his room allowed him to not remember his real physical appearance, because of which his life was so difficult!
- Why could the fact that Merrick have no mirror in his room helped him to feel better?
World doesnt have eyes! In fact, this expression means that everybody wanted to see him, everywhere he was (they wanted to have a look on him). He could not live normally because he was always followed by some curious who hoped see that beast! He could not stay quiet during a long time. He could never be free from the ring of curious eyes, and the whispers of fear and disgust.
- What does it mean: `` It seemed to him that the eyes of the world still followed him``?
Because the great bony mass that stuck out from his mouth like a pink stump, turning the upper lip inside out, blurred his words.
- Why did it was almost impossible to understand his speech?
Because this spongy-looking skin had the look of a cauliflower and it was difficult to wash correctly that king of skin. In fact, it was impossible to clean perfectly every cracks of that cauliflower skin. In addition, at that time, personal hygiene was not the first concern, and that was even truer when you were considered as a beast!
- Why did the spongy-looking skin from the back of his head is brown?
First, he saw him like a creature, a disgusting object called human that he wanted to examine, to do some medical searches. Therefore, Merrick was like a scientific phenomenon. However, he began to get know him: so, he could realize, by talking with him, that he was very intelligent, gentle, loving and pleasant. In spite of everything, of what Sir Treves learned about his life or his conditions, he always perceived him as a beast, as the most contented creatures he had ever met. It is a sad thing because we believe that when we learn to know somebody, it doesnt matter his physical conditions, we can pass over the appearance barrier to really appreciate the person. Nevertheless, Sir Treves didnt succeed in spite of his experience and his qualifications.
- Through the text, how did the doctor perceive Merrick?
10. Why did the elephant man desire so hard to be like other people and he didnt at the end of the story accept his situation, his difference?
Because of the several life experiences he did during his last weeks, he forgot his particular situation, his difference, which made his life and his childhood so difficult to live. He was going to think that, maybe, he could live normally in his future because he did some usual activities and he mixed with ordinary people. In addition, he read many books, when showed to him a part of the real life. Therefore, he thought that, in spite of his physical condition, he was able to live like other people; he refused to face facts, so he didnt accept his important difference.
11. What is a sour thought?
It is when you think a bad, a malicious thing about somebody. In addition, it is to do something bas to someone because you dont like him or he did something bad to you and you desire take your revenge.
12. Many times in the text, Sir Treves compared Merrick to a child, why did he do it?
Because he never had normally contacts with the population before he went to the hospital, Merrick didnt have the chance to learn how live in society and how he should behave towards the others. Therefore, his social situation was the same of a childs one. He filled with wonder about some unpretentious things like a womans smile. In addition, he loved make-believe, pretending to be a hero.
You have a good grasp of the text, but need to do some refining of your writing.


text:
Americans are getting more information about the drowning nuclear plant from civilians on YouTube than government agencies or media.
As the U.S. populace idles along in relative ignorance over the looming nuclear disaster in Nebraska, we turn our attention, quite naturally, to the agency in this nation that monitors and regulates these deadly energy sources, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or NRC.
Of course we count on agencies like this to ensure that people are safe and aware of potential developments, like the Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Facility that has for some time now, been surrounded by the waters of the overflowing Missouri River.
The river is significantly above safe levels and has been for some time now. The nuclear plant was closed in April.
The agency has talked about it, and in fact the NRC's director was at the plant today and NRC crews have been on the scene since yesterday.
The facility was built in a location known as the Missouri River flood plane.
Granted, the recent nuclear disaster at the Fukushima Nuclear Facility in Japan where water invaded the reactor areas, hadn't happened yet, but many still question the wisdom of the Nebraska location, in the most basic sense.
It is staggering to consider the lack of human safety this plant by the river logic might ultimately lead to. Or, to think of what background must exist that allowed this location called Ft. Calhoun to contain a nuclear operation in the first place.
I know red states are mostly behind nuclear power, but I suspect they may reconsider their feelings after this.
So back to the NRC; I thought I'd go to their site to see what the 'official' update is, since our information on Nebraska is coming through channels in Paris, Moscow, and through our Writer John McCarthy who has been watching these developments from Vienna, Austria, where the The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Safety Conference just concluded.
But the NRC doesn't seem to know about Nebraska. It has several rotating images with stories about many seemingly less important stories, but no mention of Nebraska.
Perhaps one could begin searching and locate information, I included the full size print from their site below and of course you can visit the site. Just be aware of the lack of response or awareness that this U.S. agency is displaying.
Of course I say this in jest, but sadly, this reported informational blackout that keeps coming up, seems to be patently true if the very agency that regulates nuclear safety doesn't mention it.
They mention Japan, boy do they mention Japan.
This is interesting because many people living there, including our Writer Maidhc 'O Cathail in Osaka, say life in their cities some distance from the coast, never did change over the tsunami and related nuclear disaster.
I thought I'd snap a picture of the NRC Website for posterity's sake, just to document how completely asleep at the wheel they must me.
Perhaps they could not even define the word transparency.
Today the nuclear lobby is powerful and it is doubtless that the agency has been infiltrated by nuke friendly types who ensure that the reactors keep reacting and the money keeps flowing, like the Missouri River.


text:
Our Corporate Mission »
Our goal is to make significant contributions to improving our clients' business performance
through our unique combination of commitment, talent, adaptive service models,
innovative resources and recruitment expertise. We provide tailored human capital
solutions that truly deliver on our clients' most critical recruitment challenges.
A Message from our CEO »
Whether your organization is a Fortune 500 mainstay or a start-up, you can profit from our guiding principle at CTR: Business relationships are for the long-term. Since our founding in 1987, we have established CTR as a premier provider of recruitment services across a broad spectrum of industry sectors.
From our specialty in Trades and Marine to Medical, Energy, Government, and Professional, to our expertise in dynamic Technical Service staffing, CTR employs a consistent strategy. We start by listening to each client as a total business. We then work with you to develop a plan that incorporates your vision for the future while meeting your firm's immediate recruiting challenges. With state-of-the-art technological know-how, a resource network and experience extending over two decades, CTR will assess your firm's needs and deliver solutions tailor-made to your goals.
Company-by-company, job-by-job, year-by-year, CTR has built relationships with clients who will attest to our adaptability, our focus on individual needs, careful execution, and commitment to each firm's lasting success. Whether you require basic staffing or are searching for top executive talent, CTR offers you the opportunity to partner with a team that will find the solution—quickly, creatively, and for the long-term.
I invite you to peruse our website to learn more about CTR, to discover companies who have worked with us for many years, and to see those who have recently taken advantage of our expertise. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly at any time.
Best regards,
Arn Boyd, Founder and CEO
(800) 945-9095
Strategic Search Solutions »
The right people are the modern organization's greatest competitive advantage. Those organizations that excel in today's complex and dynamic marketplace, do so through the achievements of the exceptional talent they attract and retain. Herein, business performance and talent acquisition are intrinsically tied.
We believe that our core business is not "staffing," but rather the increased performance of our client's operations. Our project teams combine the knowledge, talent and resources necessary to ensure the performance this success requires. At CTR we do not make empty promises, we merely ask for the opportunity to demonstrate our capabilities and the value we provide.
Our team utilizes an adaptive service model which affords full-service and turnkey recruitment solutions. We tailor our approach in order to fully address our client's needs across all stages of the recruitment process and spanning a diverse array of business units. We deliver the recruitment tools, insight and support needed to improve business performance, acquire a competitive advantage and ensure long-term sustainable growth. Whether you are seeking temporary help, skilled contractors, technical consultants, direct-hire professionals or top-performing executives, our firm possesses the network and expertise to assist you.
Please review the CTR Strategic Search Solutions Model for an overview of our service model and feel free to contact us for further information.
Who We Are »
Since our founding in 1987, the CTR Group has become a premier provider of effective recruitment solutions tailored to address the unique challenges of our client partners. We deliver a broad range of capabilities while retaining niche expertise and proficiency within the private and federal industry sectors we support. Our firm is committed to fostering long-term partnerships with our clients through unparalleled service. We constantly deliver innovative solutions and performance that will ensure our clients' continued success.
The CTR Group is comprised of six primary business units, serving clients both domestically and internationally. For additional information about each of these units, please visit their respective web pages using the links located on the menu below.
Business Principals »
Arn Boyd, CEO
Over 25 years ago, responding to needs he perceived in the local market, Arn launched Contract Technical Resources (now known as CTR Group). Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, CTR Group was founded as a regional/super-regional staffing provider of primarily "blue-collar" workers to area governmental agencies and private defense contractors. Within the first several years, CTR quickly expanded into additional markets supplying "white-collar" and technical professionals to similarly situated employers. Further, the firm grew out of the Virginia region, as a result of supporting government and shipbuilding facilities across the nation as clients extended their operations into new geographic markets.
What began as a small business, run by a few key personnel and focused on local needs, has today become a premier provider of human resources solutions serving a global client base and grossing roughly $30 million annually. Arn remains directly involved in the company's management and his dedication to long-term client relationships is a governing principle for all CTR personnel. It is a particular source of pride that CTR Group continues to serve Arn's very first clients.
Eric Dignan, President
Since CTR's founding, Eric has honed his staffing industry skills in accounting, business development, account management, technical and trades recruiting, and operations management. Beginning with CTR while working his way through college, he today serves as CTR's corporate President. He knows that success is not just about a "placement," but rather about finding the right person and the right corporate fit. In fact, his success has been achieved by first ensuring each customer's unique staffing needs are met and then exceeding expectations with exemplary service.
Contact Us »
CTR Group
11843-C Canon Blvd.
Newport News, VA 23606
(757) 873-5900
(800) 945-9095 toll free
(866) 597-0055 fax
Postal address
PO Box 12177
Newport News VA 23612-2177
Frequently Asked Questions »
What is the Talent Showcase?
Since our founding in 1987, CTR Group has grown to become a trusted advisor and an integral business partner to the federal and private employers we represent. Our established relationships include Small-to-Midsize Enterprises and Fortune 500 firms that are recognized leaders in their industry, both domestically and abroad. We take great care to ensure that we know the corporate culture of our client partners' organizations and are deeply committed to the consistent delivery of top-performing personnel and executives to their operations.
With this in mind, over the coming months our firm will be developing a Talent Showcase portion of our site to increase the exposure of best-in-class candidates and provide another value-added service to our clientele. Those candidates solicited to participate in this program will have a confidential professional profile added to our site in order to generate increased exposure to world-class employers and increase the growth opportunities available to these candidates. The bottom line is that CTR realizes that today's candidates face significant environmental challenges and one of the toughest job markets in recent history. For those exceptional and experienced candidates that meet stringent criteria, we would like to offer you the increased publicity you deserve.
As this project advances, CTR will be supplying additional information on this program, as well as the criterion for selection. For this reason, we recommend that you check back frequently to receive the most recent updates.
We are excited to be able to review your background and look forward to connecting with you soon!
Employer FAQs
What differentiates the CTR Group from our competition?
The CTR Group commitment is to provide solutions for companies facing today's challenges of cost effectively managing a workforce while maintaining a high level of productivity. We conduct business with the highest standards of integrity, resulting in "clients for life." We have had many of our clients since the 1980's. Because of this, our motto is "Known by the Companies We Keep." By tailoring our programs to meet the individual staffing needs of each client company, and by helping our valued associates achieve their career objectives, we nurture long-term partnerships. Simply put, we have built these relationships with decades of human resource experience and quality service. The CTR Group's employees average seven years service—a statistic almost unheard of in the staffing industry and one about which we are very proud. Our distinguished administrative staff and exceptionally qualified recruiters—strategically located throughout the United States—are the secret to our successful business relationships.
How many years has the CTR Group been in business?
Our CEO, Arnold Boyd, founded The CTR Group in 1987. We have been in the same Newport News, Virginia location for over two decades.
How much does your service cost?
Very competitive pricing, not just in comparison to the placement market, but also with most employers' traditional hiring methods is a hallmark of the CTR group. We want to be a strategic recruiting mechanism and a cost-effective one for you. Exact prices are just a phone call away. Giving attention to your unique requirements, your Professional Recruiter can design the best solution for your consideration. We offer preferential pricing programs for exclusive recruiting arrangements and large numbers of job orders placed at the same time. We are always open to discussing ways we can drive down your cost-per-hire.
How does using your service save me money?
Many hiring costs, such as advertising, recruiting, screening, fringe benefits, unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation are eliminated or substantially reduced by working with the CTR Group. Start-ups and companies without HR professionals risk the potential for significant EEOC related fines, tax penalties, and litigation in the absence of an expertly managed hiring process. With so much riding on it, the aid of an outstanding staffing partner like the CTR Group can be the best insurance your business ever obtains.
In what disciplines does the CTR Group specialize?
Our full-service capabilities encompass many fields and industries: Clerical and Administrative, IT Staffing, Technical Staffing, Accounting and Finance Staffing, Medical and Dental Staffing, all facets of Professional Staffing, including sales engineers, CEO's, plus many other professionals in a variety of industries. Our typical professional placement job order is for mid-level to senior-level positions. As well, we often search out professionals for executive management teams and recruit players for individual contributor roles too.
I know I need help, but we're a smaller firm and I've never been an employer before. How much will I have to pay somebody to do X?
Factors such as location, the scarcity of the needed skill, the work environment, and advancement potential are among the considerations that determine compensation. As a staffing professional with many years experience, your Professional Recruiter is a valuable advisor. Locate our Professional Recruiter nearest you, or call 1 (800) 945-9095. Once you have described your specific needs, he/she will be able to give you a very good idea of what you may expect to pay for a given position or skill in your locale.
I just need somebody for a few weeks. Can you help me?
Absolutely. The CTR group can help you with all of your temporary staffing needs. You can count on us to respond quickly and provide temporary help for as long as you need it.
What benefits are available for your temporary employees?
Our associates enjoy group health, accident, and life insurance plans, a pre-tax cafeteria spending plan, 401(k) retirement accounts, and paid vacation after industry-standard eligibility waiting periods. These benefits helps us develop and maintain a stronger relationship with our associates, reduce turnover, and improve quality.
What is CTR group's procedure when a temporary associate does not work out?
Our Professional Recruiters contact supervisors to make sure that an associate's work performance is satisfactory. When an employer notifies us of unsatisfactory performance during the first day of assignment, we do not charge for that day. Thereafter, if a temporary associate proves unsatisfactory for any reason, we will replace the employee. We will also discuss appropriate credit whenever an associate's work is unacceptable according to your performance standards.
I want to hire somebody for this position rather than using a temporary. Can you help me with that?
As your complete, full-service staffing partner, the CTR Group can help with all your employment needs, including Full-time Placements. Please see our warranties for full-time placements for assurance that hiring through CTR is the way to go.
What is the CTR Group new-hire procedure and how do you screen candidates?
All candidates must undergo intensive pre-employment screening and evaluation, including a match with your job order and the candidate's short and long-term career objectives. Candidates must meet quality standards for their disciplines. Reference checks ensure quality in every placement. In addition, optional background investigations and drug screening are available.
I think I would feel more comfortable hiring a woman (or a man, or somebody of a certain age, or particular ethnic background). Will you search for somebody matching those criteria?
The CTR Group is an equal opportunity employer; we cannot exclude anyone from consideration based upon gender, age, ethnicity, or any legally protected status.
Tell me more about your background checks. What is involved in that?
CTR Group has strategic relationships with several organizations offering criminal background checks, social security checks, and DMV verifications, for a small additional fee. A variety of drug screening tests are also available.
Do I have to pay your fee in one lump sum payment?
That is the normal procedure; however, payment options may be available to your company.
I need to make every dollar count, and I'm not sure I can afford your service. Why should I pay you a fee?
More then ever, when cost is a consideration, you can't afford not to entrust your search to a competent staffing professional. CTR has an established network of candidate referral sources and proprietary recruiting methods to find the right candidates. We reduce the risk of hiring the wrong person for the job, and we guarantee it.
What if I find someone I prefer over the candidates you present? Do I have to hire one of your people?
You are under no obligation to hire any of the candidates we send to you. The CTR Group really is the no-risk way to ensure you are seeing the best people for your needs.
What if I really like somebody, but I'm just not sure it's going to work out?
The CTR group provides options which make it easier for you to gain confidence in your hiring decision. GUARANTEE Because we represent only the most qualified candidates for your review, we have confidence that each will meet your expectations. However, if an employee, whom we have placed, leaves for any reason before ninety (90) days, CTR group will replace the employee without fee. WARRANTY Employers have the option to purchase our 365-day warranty any time before the first day of employment. The cost of this extended warranty is ten-percent (10%) of the employee's first-year salary.
Why should I use a service like the CTR group instead of just running an ad in the paper or on the Internet?
When you are ready to hire, CTR Group makes it simple, fast, and affordable. You Get the Best Person for the Job We extend your horizon of prospective candidates to include many quality candidates you may otherwise have never considered. We eliminate the challenge of getting your ad noticed by the right person. You Realize Savings CTR Group saves you time by filtering your applicant pool for you. Say good-bye to pouring through piles of resumes or wasting your time in interviews with applicants who clearly do not match your needs. You can go about your real job while focusing only on candidates that have been screened, tested, and referred to meet your criteria.
What is the process and timeline for presenting quality candidates?
After reviewing your job order and receiving approval to work on your behalf, we: post the position internally; search our candidate database, make inquiries throughout our extensive candidate referral network, and apply proprietary methods of candidate mining. Often, we can provide resumes from our pre-screened associates list for your review immediately. Otherwise, we deliver qualified, interested candidates as soon as we fully screen them. Requirements that are more complex may entail additional time. We typically complete exclusive assignments in 3 to 4 weeks. In any case, you may expect progress reports on a regular basis.
How do we get started? I need candidates now!
Send us your position requirements or direct us to a job posting on your corporate website. A Professional Recruiter will review your job description and contact you to discuss strategies. You can send your job specification via e-mail or fax. There is no cost or obligation for this review. We wait for your approval before we get started. Once we begin, you can expect regular contact, updating you on our progress toward locating your best possible candidates. Get in touch with us via phone or email. We can also schedule a meeting at your office to discuss your hiring needs in person. Thank you for your professional consideration.
What does the CTR group's service cost?
Nothing. Nada. Zilch. NO FEES to candidates—ever.
Don't you get what you pay for?
Yes, and you get that for which another has paid also—please, read on.
How does the CTR group make money?
The companies for whom you work pay CTR for our services. Most find our services more economical than using their internal human resources department.
If companies pay you, does that mean I could make more money on my own?
No, our fee does not come out of your salary. It is part of other costs employers face when hiring. These include advertising, recruitment, and their employees' time reviewing resumes and interviewing. Employers find the cost of hiring someone ranges from $3-10,000 over and above salary and benefits. Our focus produces economies of scale, so the CTR group can do these things more efficiently than most employers can. These employers pay us for the money and time we save them. In fact, in our experience you would get less money on your own because our professional recruiters act as your personal agent negotiating the highest possible salary.
Aren't all employment services the same?
We certainly do not think so. The CTR group is very different. We are one of the few services who can offer you either temporary or regular placement. However, more than that, we are the placement service that understands that you are every bit as important to our success as the employers. Because employers pay for an agency's services, most agencies view them as the client and you as a commodity. At the CTR group, we know that is just plain wrong. You are a unique individual, and satisfying your needs is just as important as satisfying the needs of the companies that pay us. Our goal is to keep you as a client for life, and as a client, we treat you with the respect you deserve.
What kinds of jobs are available?
Our employer companies have open positions that we are attempting to fill. Every week, we place many of our associates, but that is not the extent of our service. After all, you would probably like to find that dream job. Once we understand your needs, we make every effort to find an opportunity that will satisfy them. This makes us different from the other services out there. Current openings are available on our website-check them regularly.
How much will I make?
That depends on many factors including what you want to do, the marketability of your skills, the region where you live. Your CTR Professional Recruiter can help you evaluate thoroughly your earning potential.
How am I paid?
That depends on the type of placement. If you are hired by one of our employer companies in a regular full-time position (what we call a direct placement), that company provides benefits and paychecks as it would to their other employees. If we place you in a temporary, or temporary-to-hire assignment, you are on the CTR group payroll. Every Friday is payday for the previous week's work. We can mail your check, but recommend direct deposit to your checking account.
What if I want the freedom temporary assignments afford, but I need benefits?
Associates on temporary assignments enjoy the same benefits as our full-time employees. An industry-standard eligibility waiting period applies to each benefit:
- Group Health Plan (Medical and Dental)
- Pre-tax Cafeteria Plan (Childcare, Medical, etc.)
- 401k Retirement Account
- Flexible Scheduling
- Paid Vacations