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Pets, Pets, Pets
Feral cats, society's discards and their progeny, as many as 70 million in the US alone, share our world. Beautiful creatures to some; intrusive pests to others. Catch the cats, sterilize them, and bring 'em back? The idea seems counter-intuitive. However, TNR (Trap/ Neuter/Return) when combined with proper colony management and community cooperation is the only method proven to curb cat overpopulation and improve quality life for both the cats and the people they encounter.
Convincing neighbors, merchants and government authorities that all will benefit from TNR is the first step that many cat caretakers overlook. They rush in to "fix" the cats without assessing the situation. This puts both their hard work and cats in peril. There need not be "cat fights" between feeders and residents. Everyone can be on the same page if caretakers lay the groundworkcanvas the area and educate locals about the rationale behind TNR before initiating a trapping project. They need to dispel the myths and explain why the alternatives- doing nothing, trapping and removing, and feeding bans- do aggravate the problem.
"You're not just working with cats; you're working with people," said Bryan Kortis, founder of Neighborhood Cat while speaking at CW Post last weekend. "Cats don't live in isolation. They interact with people. You'll have the full range of attitudes." Kortis, our instructor on implementing a community-wide TNR program for feral cats, shared his successful organizational, practical and diplomatic strategies.
Bryan is a cat's Kissinger. With a calm, articulate approach, he knows how to think outside the litter box to get feline folks, government, and the public to team up. He reminds us that mindsets need shifting on both sides. Welfare volunteers can't regard animal control and municipal officials as the "evil empire", rather as allies who can contribute skills and facilities already in place to address a common concern. It's also in the tax payers' best interest to cut the birth rate of unwanted cats. The Doris Day Animal League estimates it costs shelters $100 for each cat ultimately euthanized. Limited town shelter resources could be better spent.
Bryan, stumbled on his activism in 1999 when trying to help stray cats in his Upper West Side neighborhood. As an attorney with a background in film, Bryan had no idea what a feral was but soon realized few options were available: the shelters were overflowing; the unsocialized cats not adoptable; the rescue groups overwhelmed; the low cost clinics non-existent. A lot has changed. Since then the NYC based Neighborhood Cats has grown from a tiny grassroots group to global TNR guides. By partnering with larger humane groups such as the Mayors Alliance, HSUS, and ASPCA, the fine- tuned Neighborhood Cat group is able to reach many people.
Basically TNR involves humanely trapping ferals, having them spay/neutered and vaccinated for rabies, then returned after a short convalescence in a holding area to their same territory where a caregiver provides food, shelter and monitoring on a daily basis. Kittens and newly abandoned (or long lost) pet cats are adopted into homes whenever possible. Those cats returned are eartipped while under anesthesia- and is painlessly cut from the left ear- the universal sign that a cat is already altered. Recently 300 NYC cat colonies have been registered into a database for closer checking.
At first Neighborhood Cats set up model colonies. The 30 original Upper West Side cats have dwindled to 1, and cat intake at shelters nearby fell 73%. Later the group shifted to mass trappings including the publicized Rikers Island project that showed what could be accomplished with joint efforts. Long Beach and Atlantic Beach have feral totals under control with the help of Neighborhood Cats too.
TNR works. The act of neutering stops the reproductive explosion, and often eliminates nuisance behaviors like spraying, yowling, and fighting. The cats are healthier and content so they wander less in search of food and mates. Vaccinated cats are protected now that raccoon rabies has touched LI. Disease, suffering, and malnutrition subside. Creative solutions exist for other complaints- even ultrasonic and infrared devices that deter cats from digging up gardens and sleeping on cars. TNR advocates have worked with conservationists so the cats and endangered species can co-exist peacefully.
Do you have feral cats needing your intervention? Neighborhood Cats (212- 662-5761) is www.neighborhoodcats. org. The NYC Feral Cat Council at www.nyc feralcat.org/services contains a complete list of services. The Long Island Cat Project (www.licp.org) is an educational referral network. It lists a hub of organizations, traps on loan, trappers, and participating vets.
Space only allows me to 'scratch' the surface of TNR. Dr. Gay Senk of the LICP (516-626-3020) will be doing a power point Feral Cat Lecture on Mon. 5/7 at 8 p.m. at the Syosset-Woodbury Community Center in Woodbury.
Special Beagles Looking for Homes: "Sophia" and "Angel" are not Town shelter dogs because a kind vet tech intervened, yet their saga is like so many other pets in shelters. They are discards- victims of the "Out with the old, in with the new" mentality. "Sophia", an 11 year old lady, and her 6 yr. sister Beagle, "Angel" belonged to a woman and her son in a trailer park who abandoned them before moving upstate…but first they bought a Husky puppy in a pet store. They just left the older gals behind. The Beagles need forever homes, and can be separated. Both will be spayed and have their teeth cleaned this week. The dogs are heartworm tested and on preventive. Call 631-694- 0330.
(Hope someone helps the poor Husky when they get tired of him.)


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GoMiles.com necesitaba un nuevo diseño de logotipo y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 191 diseños de 56 diseñadores freelance.
We're a startup working on solving the problems associated with frequent flyer accounts. Managing passwords, understanding what points are worth, keeping rewards from expiring redeeming and earning rewards for travel.
We're a startup who love our customers, and are working hard and moving fast to build the best product we can for their needs. Personality-wise think of a helpful concierge who will ask what you are looking for then find you the perfect restaurant.
Alternatively, we are building the building the machine that churns through all the complexity of frequent flyer miles, hotel points, car rental points - figures out all the rules, the alliances, the redemption rates, the quirks - and shows it to users in a dead-simple way a) what they have, and b) what they should do to unlock the value of these assets.
we're help frequent travelers and family travelers manage all their loyalty accounts. In other words, it's for the ultimate road-warrior who's on the road 200 days a year (a la George Clooney in "up in the air")... and it's also for the family of 4 who flies 5 times a year (and has 4 different accounts with each airline, one for each person).
we want to be presented as a professional, secure company, think Apple of point management. we're more high-end than mass-market. slick, simple and sexy.
To see the site in action today, go to gomiles.com and sign up using the referral code "99-DESIGNS"
we want a logo that reflects our brand and purpose. the artwork would ideally be vector-based so we can scale it up when necessary, but a super high resolution (4K width) PSD would be fine as well.
- no odometers please
- please don't make it look like kayak.com
- no "Ask Jeeves" type of butler/concierge logo
- provide versions for a white and black background.
The logo will go in place of the existing one on the site, as far as location. It'll also go on business cards of course.
Descubre cómo funciona un concurso de diseño u obtén más información sobre nuestros servicios de diseño de logo.

subset: commoncrawl


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Mastro Lindo
First ascended from the ground-up in 2007 with stainless steel bolts, Mastro Lindo takes a line to the right of Linea d'ombra. The second pitch is hard but well protected, all remaining pitches are fun up a series of pockets and threads. Take care though, the long run-outs are not to be understimated.
Take the motorway A22 Modena-Brennero and exit, after Bolzano, at Ora. Drive up the Val di Fiemme to Predazzo, then up the Val di Fassa to Canazei. Continue on up to Passo Fedaia.
From Lake Fedaia take the lift to Pian dei Fiacconi, then continue along the path which leads to the Marmolada Via Ferrata. reach the end of the scree and cut right to enter the gully which descends from the col Forcella del Vernel. Aim for the large 'missile' which seems to be detached from the main face. Calculate 1 hour from the refuge.
P1: 6a+, 55m, 3 bolts
P2: 7c+, 25m, 7 bolts
P3: 6b, 40m, 6 bolts
P4: 6b+, 55m, 4 bolts + 3 threads
P5: 7a, 55m, 6 bolts + 2 threads
P6: 6b+, 20m, 2 bolts
Abseil down the route. The first abseil is best shared done from Linea d'ombra, all others are equipped.
10 quickdraws, some threads and a cliff
7a + with one pitch climbed with aid on cliff. The setting is spectacular, close to the north Face of the Marmolada but far from the tourists and traffic. The sun receives the sun from the early morning to the early afternoon.


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Technology Transfer
The research and technology developed by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and engineers has benefited users in other federal agencies, universities, and industry since the Eastern Regional Research Center (ERRC) was opened in 1940. In response to the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986, ERRC established an Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) to provide an active process to move discoveries from the laboratory to practical application. In addition to ERRC, the office has technology transfer responsibilities for other North Atlantic Area (NAA) locations.
This web site is designed to show technology that has been developed by ARS scientist at ERRC and NAA laboratories that is available for licensing and/or collaborative research with CRADA partners. Technology that has been developed at other ARS locations can be found at the ARS Office of Technology Transfer website.
ARS scientists and others can find the legislative history, policy, transfer mechanisms, and documents that form the basis for technology transfer activities in ARS.
Technology Transfer Coordinator
|Victor (Vic) Chavez
|Phone: (215) 233-6610
|Fax: (215) 233-6777
|e-mail: email@example.com


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Indoor Chaise Lounges. Chaises are not only an outdoor furniture item but can also be utilized in different areas of your house like the living room or even your bedroom. They are also great for sitting in front of the fireplace during the long winter months. Adding scatter cushions and sofa cushions to your chaise lounge is also a unique way to make the feel of the room cozier. If you room lacks that warm and welcoming feeling adding a little luxury in the form of a chaise lounge chair will ultimately transform the look and atmosphere in your room.
One frequent feature in the contemporary item is a padded headrest to allow the user to really lie back in comfort. Other stylistic touches include removable cushions which allow you to instantly makeover the appearance of your lounger.
This French inspired romantic piece of fine furniture adds a feeling of warmth to a sitting room and can be dressed up with just a few small scatter cushions. One thing that seems to surprise a lot of people is that today´s chaise lounge has such a wide range from which to choose from. The first image that comes to mind for most people is something that´s all white and tinged with gold edging whilst this style is still available and would fit in comfortably with a formal living room; the modern and contemporary designs with their clean looking sleek designs are proving to be very popular. They come with a complete line of fabrics to choose from that will add a modern feel to a very classic design.
Gallery Of large chaise lounge sofa
While Louis XV reclined on an ornately brocaded chaise lounge today´s style-conscious homeowners can choose modern creations in chrome or steel and suede or leather that would be at home on the Starship Enterprise.Basic Design. Basically the chaise lounger is an elongated chair resembling a couch except for two things - first the back support portion of the lounge slants toward the back thus making for a reclined position with the feet fully elongated possible; and second; the armrests may or may not be present in the chaise lounge. The individual was expected to lie on his back while using the lounge furniture. In contrast the recliner chairs from ancient Greece had men and women lying on their sides.
Popular Posts In Chaise Lounges
So if you´ve ever wanted a piece of furniture for your living room or bedroom that allowed you to chill out in total relaxation look into getting a contemporary chaise lounge. You can find them in a vast range of styles to suit every home.
Most Viewed Gallery In Chaise Lounges
This French inspired romantic piece of fine furniture adds a feeling of warmth to a sitting room and can be dressed up with just a few small scatter cushions. One thing that seems to surprise a lot of people is that today´s chaise lounge has such a wide range from which to choose from. The first image that comes to mind for most people is something that´s all white and tinged with gold edging whilst this style is still available and would fit in comfortably with a formal living room; the modern and contemporary designs with their clean looking sleek designs are proving to be very popular. They come with a complete line of fabrics to choose from that will add a modern feel to a very classic design.Emphasis must be placed on the fact that the American spelling for the furniture differs from its French counterpart. In French it is "chaise longue" (long chair) but Americans altered it to "chaise lounge" because the user was expected to lounge in it.A chaise is often considered a particularly elite or luxurious item of furniture that is not on the list of essential home furnishing items. However they have evolved for present day use from the typical image of opulence into a functional and versatile item of furniture that can be incorporated into almost any style of interior. Chaise might be used as recliners that come with footstalls double recliners which can accommodate two people or sofa-like pieces that can provide additional space and comfort to both residents and guests.One frequent feature in the contemporary item is a padded headrest to allow the user to really lie back in comfort. Other stylistic touches include removable cushions which allow you to instantly makeover the appearance of your lounger.Chaise chairs are great chairs for relaxation and so you should always select the most comfortable chair you can find. Start by sitting on the chair in the store if possible so that you can get a feel for it. If the chair feels comfortable the moment you sit on it this is no guarantee that you will have the same feeling after extended hours of sitting on it. Remember that you can spend hours sitting on the chair so it must have adequate padding to protect your body from the hard surfaces of the chair.One of the best things about a lounge is the number of seating options that it presents. In the lounge you can choose whether you would prefer to sit up lay down or just recline a bit. Versatility is the key when it comes to this piece of furniture!The chaise lounge has been a popular piece of home furniture for many decades. Over the years they have evolved into many different styles ranging from the simple to the extravagant but have always been considered the one of the best pieces of furniture for an afternoon of relaxation. Today these unique furniture pieces can be found in just about every furniture store in the country as well as through many online retailers.You can find contemporary chaise lounges for your patio or pool too. These are made from lightweight aluminum tubular steel plastic or natural wicker or rattan.Did you know that there are even lounges that are made for outdoor living areas? This is a great way to create a welcoming environment for yourself and your guests when relaxing outside. Be sure that you buy a lounge that is specially created to be placed outside. The harsh element of nature will have quite a negative effect on furniture pieces that have been designed to remain indoors.Another difference is in the range of colors used. Modern items are often created in bold primary colors or else simple black and white. They resemble works of modern art with sinuous lines and stylish curves.They are most often manufactured from plastic metal and wood are best used outdoors because they can withstand the changes of weather without easily getting damaged.If you are in the market for buying some new furniture for your home then you may want to consider adding a chaise lounge to your collection! The chaise lounge has been around for many years and is constantly being reinvented. These are well known for being comfortable and stylish and make a great addition to any home decor!Brief History. The chaise lounge as it is also called originated from 16th-century France. It become popular in Europe and was later imported to the United States during the 1930s where it was primarily used an outdoor patio seat or an indoor recliner. Then and now the lounge furniture was designed to be versatile beautiful and functional on both sides of the ocean.Indoor Chaise Lounges. Chaises are not only an outdoor furniture item but can also be utilized in different areas of your house like the living room or even your bedroom. They are also great for sitting in front of the fireplace during the long winter months. Adding scatter cushions and sofa cushions to your chaise lounge is also a unique way to make the feel of the room cozier. If you room lacks that warm and welcoming feeling adding a little luxury in the form of a chaise lounge chair will ultimately transform the look and atmosphere in your room.The fact that these chairs were mainly the domain of the rich and fabulous they eventually became very much associated with luxury and wealth. This image was further magnified during the early days of Hollywood as they were a commonly seen in film with the era´s starlets draped seductively across their upholstered frames. However the early 20th century also served to make these furniture designs more accessible to the masses due to the industrialized process of furniture making in general. Being mass-produced had the effect of making them much less expensive and soon they could be found in middle class homes around the world.Day bed chaise lounges are designed for an upright sitting instead of a reclining position. Its design may not be as body-friendly as the other types but it has its purpose namely as a bench-cum-lounger.Indoor chaise lounges come upholstered in a variety of materials including leathers fabrics and microfibers for easy cleaning. Many include storage space beneath the lounger for added convenience great for those who are untidy or who often mislay their possessions. Chaise also come in a variety of designs that are best suited to a number of different locations. The French style lounge chair for example is best suited to a living room or bedroom interior while the more formal coaster design befits an office or showroom. Before investing in a chaise lounge it is recommended that you research the different options available to find one that best suits your space.Contemporary chaise lounges tend to differ from their ancestors in many ways. For one thing they´re often armless. This gives them that sleek modern minimalist look.The classic indoor chaise lounge screams French decadence with its flowing lines and hardly a straight line or ninety degree angle in sight. French furniture makers are well renowned for their artistic flair and of being able to bring a touch of romance to their furniture and this is nowhere more obvious than in the classic chaise lounge. So if you´re looking for a classy but somehow romantic piece of furniture whether for the bedroom sitting room or even your study the chaise lounge is your only choice its like buying two pieces of furniture in one. Firstly there´s the comfort the long chair allows you to stretch out lie down or sit virtually in any position so it´s great for reading a book or for taking an afternoon nap. Secondly it´s extremely good looks make it very difficult for an ordinary chair or sofa to match its plush smooth lines.A chaise lounge or to give it its proper French name "chaise longue" is the ideal piece of furniture for either your patio deck pool area or more likely an indoor setting like the bedroom or sitting room. A fully upholstered lounger is a very plush and comfortable item of furniture adding that touch of royalty to your bedroom. Outdoor loungers are usually not so heavily upholstered because of their setting but with some cushioning can be just as comfortable as their indoor counter-parts.Functional Uses. The beauty of chaise lounge furniture is that it is adaptable to just about any indoor and outdoor space. As a result it can be moved from the bedroom dining room and living room to the porch pool and even the outdoor deck. Of course most wooden chaise lounges have removable cushions.Materials Used. During its early years of development the lounge was made from natural materials like wood and rattan which were often carved with stylized designs. With the modern times also came the modern materials like plastic and metal although wood is still the most popular material mainly because of its beauty durability and versatility. Nowadays the most popular wood materials for use in pieces of chaise lounger furniture are cedar and teak. These woods are known for their weatherproof properties as well as their excellent grain patterns.Yes indeed and these classically styled antique chaise lounge are still popular and a delight to the eye. But the fact is that the chaise lounger is such an endearing (and enduring) piece of furniture that it constantly keeps reappearing in a dazzling set of modern designs.Since these lounging chairs come in all sizes it is vital that you know the measurement of the chair you want to purchase. So take out your measuring tape and measure the section where the chair will be placed. Make sure that you have enough space to move around so the chair won´t crowd the room or corner.Once you have made the decision that you would like to purchase a lovely chaise lounge for your home you can decide whether you would like to buy a brand new piece from a furniture store in your local area or look for something to buy from second hand shop. Many used furniture stores have a wide range of gently used items that you can purchase for a low cost.The chaise lounge should actually come with a warning; whilst most people will buy one for their good looks and classy appearance they will tend to make you spend a lot more time lounging than actually doing boring housework.First let´s look at what they are exactly. A chaise lounge is a reworking of the French phrase chaise longue which means `long chair´. It´s essentially an item of furniture about the size of a day bed but with a raised back to sprawl back on. It´s the perfect piece for someone who needs to relax totally.Homes and hotels feature chaise lounge furniture placed in various parts of the premises both indoors and outdoors. The versatility of a single unit of chaise lounger can be transferred from the pool during sunny weather to the den when the weather turns stormy and yet the furniture will look just as good in either circumstance.The outdoor loungers come in a variety of different finishes such as; wood metal plastic or the all time favorite wicker. The many colors you can choose from makes it very easy to get a chaise lounge that will blend in with its surroundings.This item of furniture can really take the edge off a tough day at the office or if you have been toiling in the garden. Chaise lounges are available in a multitude of designs styles and colors which makes finding one that will fit in with your surroundings an easy task. The unique design of a chaise lounge makes it an extremely comfortable place to kick back and unwind and whether your choice is for inside the home or outside they are a very functional addition.You may think the phrase `contemporary chaise lounge´ is a contradiction in terms. After all aren´t these the items of furniture that French noblemen and Hollywood vamps sprawled on in the long gone past?You can buy chaise lounges from a variety of retailers including your local department store or ecommerce websites. Depending on your budget or requirements it is also worth looking into buying a chaise lounge direct from the furniture manufacture as they can create bespoke pieces suited to your specific needs. For a cheaper option try consulting online furniture sales where products are frequently discounted and there are many bargains to be had. Chaise lounges are a great investment; providing a lifetime of comfort and luxury and are guaranteed to be the envy of your friends.Chaise lounges can also be adapted for both indoor and outdoor use and can make an iconic centrepiece for your garden party. They come in a variety of styles including the popular hammock style. This creates a feeling of floating as users are suspended as though on a swing allowing them to sway gently in the breeze as they relax and soak up the sunshine. Most of these come with umbrellas or canopies for shade and have plenty of padding for extra comfort. Some are even termed `day beds´ owed to how much they resemble the indoor bed; allowing for a luxurious and relaxing experience outside.Chaise Styles. Homeowners have many choices in chaise lounges including the following styles: One-arm chaise lounges obviously feature just one supporting arm either on the left or the right. This harks back to the Victorian times when the lounge was a place for a woman to appear relaxed and yet sophisticated. Armless chaise lounges are designed to conform to the natural body shape thus eliminating the need for the arms. The head and neck are supported by the back of the furniture while the body is supported by the seat itself.After a long stressful day at work we always look forward to go home and relax. At home we always have this special area where we loosen up. It could be the patio the living room or the bedroom. It is essential that you have furniture which will provide the utmost comfort to give you that relaxing feeling. A chaise lounge chair is a great piece of furniture that will aid in relaxation.What is a Chaise Lounge? This type of chair allows you to be in a reclining position without necessarily laying down. As you assume this position you are able to rest while still being able to see the surroundings. This is why this type of is so popular for outdoors as they allow you to enjoy the nice and relaxing view outside.For budding interior designers and home décor enthusiasts a chaise lounge is a must-have piece of luxury furniture that looks sleek and sophisticated in any interior. Chaise lounges are extended upholstered chairs which resemble couches but with open ends for a more laid back seating experience. Chaise lounges are of 18th century French origin but have evolved through the ages to come in a variety of shapes and styles to match the more contemporary interior. Chaise can be upholstered in the fabric of your choosing and are a great addition to your home furnishings scheme.The history of these chairs can be traced back several hundred years to 16th century Europe and the term "chaise lounge" is derived from the French term "chaise longue" which translates to "long chair". For most of their history these chairs were usually reserved for the wealthy for two primary reasons. Chairs especially those that well designed were almost always reserved for authority figures during this period of history with crude wooden benches and stools being used by everyone else. However this reason was often secondary as money was often a bigger factor. The average person living in Europe during the 16th and 17th century simply couldn´t afford such extravagant furniture and as such these chairs were far more common in upper income households.When shopping for your furniture you will undoubtedly find that they are readily available in a wide range of designs. They come in any design from antique to modern and contemporary so you are sure to find an item that will fit in with the theme and design of any room in your home.Today the chaise lounge is nearly as common as the sofa or coffee table. They can be found in just about every furniture store in America and are available in an ever-widening array of sizes and styles. Furthermore these chairs are not just for the living room anymore as many manufacturers also create versions intended for outdoor use as well. They can commonly be seen on backyard patios or positioned around a swimming pool and such designs are often built to withstand the weather regardless of the season. But whether you choose to lounge inside or out there is little doubt that the chaise lounge is the way to do it.Considerations. Things you need to think about before purchasing a lounge chair is the area where you plan to locate the chair as well as comfort and style.


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Anyone can learn to paint and draw! Art Academy: Lessons for Everyone! is a Nintendo 3DS XL title that offers art lessons and art-on-the-go for everyone. An in-game tutor walks you through step-by-step lessons as you explore art theory and concepts behind drawing and painting. The stylus and Touch Screen controls offer a lifelike feel, whether you're layering paint on stroke by stroke, blending pastels, or shading with the side of the pencil. You can also use these tools in Free Paint, where you can sketch and paint pictures of any subject in a variety of mediums. You can even take 3D pictures of subjects when inspiration hits in the real world and reference them later to turn those subjects into works of art. Then share your artistic creations with friends through a number of simple and easy means. This game is also perfect for use on Nintendo 3DS XL's larger screens.


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Perfect Campgrounds for First-Timers
Photo by Kerrick James
You want to be wowed with big views, yes, but not until you've had a hot shower
Lake Powell, UT and AZ
- Wahweap Campground Glen Park National Recreation Area: What better payoff for taking the camping plunge than the finger canyons of Lake Powell? A waterfront campground comes with basic creature comforts (hot showers, shaded picnic tables). After breakfast, the main event: Rent a boat or kayak at the marina to explore what looks for all the world like Zion National Park filled halfway with water. From $23. Book it: 888/486-4665.
Thomas J. Story
Mt. Hood National Forest, OR
- Hoodview Campground: The name pretty much says it all: the shark's tooth summit of Oregon's signature peak rising from an alpine forest and mirrored in aquamarine. A prime position on the south shore of Timothy Lake makes Hoodview the most popular of the five campgrounds on this reservoir, where anglers, paddlers, swimmers, and water-skiers proliferate like mayflies. Newbies, wrap your hands around a steaming mug of cowboy coffee and just take in that surreal view. $17; opens Memorial Day; 503/622-3191. Book it: recreation.gov
J.P. Greenwood
Orange County, CA
- Live Oak Grove Campground at Caspers Wilderness Park: Camp out under the oaks and sycamores in the Santa Ana Mountains without forgoing life's little necessities—like flush toilets. Get oriented to the great outdoors at the Saturday night campfire talk or on the Sunday morning ranger walk. The 2.5-mile East Ridge Trail makes a great beginner's hike. $27; 949/923-2210. Book it: 800/600-1600.
Near Santa Cruz, CA
- New Brighton State Beach: Set on a pine-shaded bluff above an endless white beach, New Brighton's 100+ sites get snapped up by those itching for a beach weekend—without the triple-digit nightly tab. The beach is the real draw, and the hot showers don't hurt, but another bonus is that if you forget your matches or just don't feel like cooking, you can easily grab takeout in town, a five-minute drive away. After all, this is vacation, right? From $35; 831/464-6330. Book it: reserveamerica.com
Outside Denver
- Golden Gate Canyon State Park: Yes, this campground 20 miles from Boulder or Denver has extras like electricity, plumbing, and laundry. But wander beyond the campsites and you'll find big mountain appeal in nearly 12,000 acres of forest, rocky peaks, aspen-laced meadows, and miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking. If tent camping is a little too … rocky for you, reserve one of the cozy cabins or yurts ($60). $16; 303/582-3707. Book it: 303/470-1144.


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GoPro HERO LCD Steadicam Curve for GoPro HERO Action Cameras Silver 32GB Memory Card 64GB M
Contact Seller
Product Description
The b GoPro HERO LCD b expands upon the all in one design of the HERO model by adding the convenience of a built in touchscreen LCD. Like the HERO, the HERO LCD is waterproof to depths of 131 39; without requiring a separate housing; simply secure the Touch Backdoor in place for a watertight seal. The camera also sees a boost in its imaging capabilities by offering 1080p video at up to 60 fps and 8MP still photos in single shot, time lapse, and 5 fps burst modes. Built in Wi Fi and Bluetooth lets you connect the camera to the GoPro Smart Remote or to the GoPro App on your mobile device for shot preview, complete camera control, and easy content sharing to social media sites. br br b Bonus Bundle Items Include: b br 1 GoPro HERO LCD Brand New br 1 Steadicam Curve for GoPro HERO Action Cameras Silver Brand New br 1 32GB Class 10 Memory Card br 1 64GB Class 10 Memory Card br 1 Custom GoPro Case for GoPro HERO4 and GoPro Accessories Floaty backdoor and other additional accessories not included with case br 1 USB SDHC Card Reader br 1 Memory Card Wallet br 1 LCD Screen Protectors br 1 Lens Care Cleaning Kit br 1 Mini Table Top Tripod br
- Item Package Quantity:
|Base SKU
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Shipping Options:
How do product returns work?
If you are not satisfied with your order and wish to initiate a return, please contact us via email@example.com. All returns must be accompanied with an RA number assigned by a Sixth Avenue Electronics Express representative. Products must be in Brand New condition, including the manufacturer's box with all included accessories. We will not accept any returns without the recorded serial numbers and upc numbers intact on the box. Returned items will be subject to a restocking fee of 20% of the total price. If the item is damaged and does not comply with return standards as per our store policy and in compliance with Marketplace policies, we reserve the right to refuse the return. Shipping price is not refundable. The buyer is responsible for shipping charges to return an item back to us. If an item arrives Damaged, please contact us immediately. We will file a claim with the shipper, and ship a replacement as soon as the claim is approved (between 1-6 business days). We hope items never arrived damaged, but unfortunately it does infrequently occur. We thank you in advance for working with us. Certain products are not eligible to be returned at all. Those include hygienic and personal care products (e.g shavers), a/v equipment, and special order products.
Tax Policy:
New Jersey residents are subject to sales tax.


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text: This is a catchy,fun,upbeat, tune that will make you whistle. It includes Mandolin, Clapping, Finger snaps, Electric piano, Marimba and Drums and whistle. There is also a full version without the whistle sound which is the 2nd version on the preview. 5 Files included 1 Full version 1:44 2 Full version 1:44 (no whistle) 3 Short version 34 seconds 4 Sting version 8 seconds 5 Loop version 1:36 (no whistle)


text:
Gold Round TablecoverItem: 203-689
A Pretty Addition To Your Table
Make sure your table is perfect with this Round Gold Tablecover. Use this tablecovering for wedding receptions, Mardi Gras celebrations, New Year's Eve bashes, graduation events, picnics, and barbeques! Your table will look spectacular and be protected with this gold covering.
- 84″.
- Reusable, washable, and waterproof.
- Made of plastic.
Stock up on disposable tableware for all of your special occasion needs! If you want a simple cleanup for your next gathering, use paper and plastic tableware for a fun and casual look.


text:
Two decades ago Jerry built Eagles Nest Recording Studio in the heart of the Rockies. Under the inspiration of this setting, he has recorded every imaginable style of music. That variety has carried over into his concert ministry as Jerry has obviously discovered the rare secret of connecting with people at both ends of the age spectrum simultaneously - a rather formidable challenge.
Full Screen Video - Probably the most effective tool Jerry uses for capturing a broad audience, is his use of video. No longer a rush for those few seats with a look at the keyboard. Now everyone enjoys the view as he plays "in-sync" with the keyboard on the big screen. Very close shots of the orchestra will put you in the middle of a row of trombones. These close-ups are further enhanced by stunning videography from all around the world.
Styles running the Gamut - Typically Jerry includes, as you'd expect, majestic traditional hymn arrangements like "How Great Thou Art" or "A Mighty Fortress." But he also has a very intuitive feel for jazz which he creatively applies to familiar spirituals and certain hymns. In addition, he rather seamlessly moves from a high-energy Hebraic style to, perhaps, a quiet sensitive rendition of "Jesus Paid It All."
For many people, inspired Classical music becomes a worship experience. So Jerry typically includes a touch of Classics such as an excerpt from Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto. Do you wonder if Classical music has universal appeal? Wonder no more. This piece, which he's played on all six continents, often garners a standing ovation. The key, he's discovered, is choosing well-recognized Classics that everyone can identify with, but having a good bit of flambuoyant energy.
Improv - Being a master of 'improv,' Jerry will often solicit audience favorites, spinning them into a creative medley that one might guess was pulled directly off of one of his dozen CDs. For some, this spontaneous moment is the peak of the concert or worship service.
Jerry resists the temptation to do "cookie-cutter" concerts because every audience is different. Different culture - different challenges - different demographics - unique tastes. Having performed in denominations from Baptist, Free Church, Nazarene, Seventh Day, Assembly and Covenant, to more liturgical churches such as Methodist, Lutheran and Presbyterian, once he gets a sense of the setting, he can develop a flow that fits that unique audience. For example, in one environment, he will bend toward Classics. In another, he'll lean toward Country and Gospel, while in the next, Jazz appeals to their taste buds.
Novelty moments - In some settings where greater freedom is encouraged, he will perform his 'round-the-world" variations on "Jesus Loves Me." On one occasion in the Congo, he sensed a cold, extreme anti-American sentiment. So he pulled out a rousing rendition of "I'll Fly Away" - upside-down on his back with arms crossed. It definitely broke the ice and virtually melted the crowd, opening their hearts to be receptive to the Word. His unbelievable arrangement of "Rejoice In the Lord, Always," performed by six pianists on one keyboard, definitely grabs the attention of a crowd.


text:
Arrived in Taipei, got to the hotel room, and called into the Spokesmen for another roundtable discussion about bikes. Was distracted for 1/2 of the show by a mosquito that landed on my arm until… splat.
While Taiwan produces most of and the best bikes in the world, their wealthy youth are into the bling just like everywhere else. This hotel is a scene where they show off their cars. When I stepped out of the taxi, stumbled first into a Lamborghini, then a Ferrari all while a crowd watched to see who else showed up.
Into cars
I didn't have much to show them back 'cept for a cool new Knog hat, my fav merino wool jersey, Hugga tee, and a set of manpris. After more coffee and before the event starts, going to look for my old friend the Traffic Robot today.


text:
The HTC 8S, though widely praised as exceptionally designed, has been MIA ever since the Windows Phone 8 launch a few weeks back. Rumor that we heard was HTC was finishing up a few last details to the software and may even had some early issues to fix before release. Regardless, it was just a matter of time before that mid-range device sees the light of day.
Images coming out from the forums at WPXAP show was appear to be some new customizations that HTC is instantiating on the upcoming phone. Two new features appear to be a keep-WiFi alive and SMS draft. The first feature is something that Microsoft has publicly acknowledged as an upcoming fix for the OS in general while the latter is something we've heard a few people ask for as evidently storing pre-written text messages is important.
Another interpretation would be the 8S, since it is coming out later, is running a newer version of Windows Phone 8 OS and these are new OS features from Microsoft and not HTC. As of now, there is just too little information to conclude.
Group shot: Huawei, Nokia and HTC
In conferring with our China-based writer Chassit, he says the images are legit and we can confirm that some NDA meetings with HTC were recently held in the region, which explains the photos and info. Hopefully we'll have more info forthcoming.
Source: WPXAP Forums; Thanks, Talan1314 and hengxiang32401, for the images and links


text:
Structured Patterns: An Overview
Parallel Pattern 1: Superscalar Sequences and Task Graphs
A gather operation is a parallel random read of a set of elements from memory. It is often described as a "collective" operation, where an array and a set of indices are provided as input and the output is another array which is the result of all the reads. Gather can also be seen as the combination of a simple "serial" memory read combined with the Map pattern. Using a random read inside a function used in a map results in a gather. As with other maps, the order in which elements are read in a gather should not affect the outcome of the gather.
Gather is simple but there are a few variants which are worth thinking about, since some of the variants allow for specific optimizations.
First, are the addresses static or dynamic? If the addresses are (relatively) static, then it may be possible to do some analysis to reorder memory accesses to improve performance. For example, when performing many versions of the FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) a "scramble" operation is required that reorders the inputs or outputs. This reordering is given by taking the index of every element in the array and computing a new location by bit-reversing that index. For example, in an 8-point scramble with 3-bit indices, 0 maps to 0, 1 maps to 4, 2 maps to 2, 3 maps to 6, 4 maps to 1, 5 maps to 5, 6 maps to 3, and 7 maps to 7. When performing a map operation, we have some flexibility in the order in which elements of the map are processed. Modern memory systems are most efficient when data is accessed in large, coherent blocks. So we may want to reorder processing so that once a block is read into on-chip memory, we gather all the elements from it that we need before moving onto the next. Of course, a map operation may have multiple gather operations, and also has to write its outputs somewhere. Reordering the elements of a map needs to consider the effect on the efficiency of all inputs and the output. However, if the inputs are static AND the platform knows they are static, there may be significant opportunities for optimization.
There are also some patterns of Gather that are regular. For instance, a filtering operation may want to access certain neighbours of a pixel, but for every output pixel needs the same relative neighbourhood. This is a very common pattern in imaging and simulation, see the Stencil pattern. Another regular pattern, which I call the Partition pattern, results when input is explicitly broken into a set of coherent regions. Both of these can benefit from specific optimizations.
In general, though, addresses for a gather are computed dynamically, and are irregular. For instance, such a pattern may be needed when traversing a data structure for a ray-tracer. In this case, it is still possible to improve performance by using "extra" parallelism to hide latency. A memory system may have a high bandwidth, but may take a certain amount of time to satisfy each memory request. However, it is often possible to have many outstanding memory requests in flight at the same time. To hide the latency of memory access, we start one thread until it tries to access memory, then while that thread is waiting for memory we start another when, and when it reaches a point where it is accessing memory we start another one, and so forth until the memory request for the first thread can be satisfied. This approach may be supported in hardware: "hyperthreading", or simultaneous multithreading, is mostly useful for hiding memory access latency. However, the technique can also be implemented in software by unrolling loops and using software pipelining. These optimizations can and should be optimized by a code generator, however, since they are complex and make code hard to understand and maintain. Also, unrolling loops also increases the pressure on other resources, such as cache and registers, so a balance has to be struck.
In summary, the simple operation of gather has a couple of variants with associated optimizations. If a gather is static, we may be able to reorder it for higher performance. If it is dynamic, we may be able to use latency hiding, as long as we do not exceed other resource limits. And finally, if the gather satisfies certain regular patterns, we may be able to apply yet another set of optimizations.


text: This is a puzzle platformer in which players control a boy as he traverses side-scrolling landscapes, solves obstacle puzzles, and defeats occasional enemies. The game is rendered in black and white and the graphics are presented in a 2D side-view silhouette. Enemies throw fireballs, shoot arrows, or try to lure the boy into traps; traps and hazards contain giant boulders, saw blades, electric wires, spikes, and snapping bear traps. When killed, the boy gets flung around environments, impaled on spikes, or sliced into pieces. Black-and-white blood splashes accompany most attacks and death animations.


text:
Expertise On Demand
17 Aug 2009, 11:59PM PT
10 Aug 2009, 12:18PM PT
Closed: 17 Aug 2009, 11:59PM PT
As you know, we've been running our CwF+RtB experiment for a few weeks now. We're looking to do new promotions and special "this week only" types of offerings, on a regular basis. Two weeks ago, the special offer was a free Techdirt hoodie or free lunch with Mike Masnick, with the purchase of both the Book Club and the Music Club packages. This past week, we tried separating out just Amanda Palmer's signed book and CD for those who didn't want the entire Music Club. We've got plenty of ideas for other promotions, but we thought, why not get some ideas from you? And we'll do it as an Insight Community case, as well, to demonstrate again how the Insight Community works. So, the way this will work is that you get to suggest ideas for promotions within CwF+RtB (or potentially new tiers that go beyond the 1 week promotion), and if we use your idea (this only applies to the first person to suggest that particular idea), you'll get a free Approaching Infinity package, with the book signed by Mike (that doesn't come with the regular package). So, you'd get Mike's signed book plus a free t-shirt. We look forward to your ideas!
19 Insights
Build your own tier by Aguy Whoneedstenbucks
Monday, August 10th, 2009 @ 12:36PM
Why not set up a "Build Your Own Tier"? People could pick the things they like most from the current available tiers. For smaller tiers (a few t-shirts, a hoodie, and a book for example) you could have an automatic system that builds a tier based on templates for each item plus a static base price. For larger tiers (lunch with Masnick, an Insight case, all of the CDs, and shutting down the blog for fourteen and a half weeks) you could actually get someone to quote a price since things like that are a bit harder to pin down with a template.
Mon Aug 10 2:02pm
|What do you mean by template? Are you basing it on the amount of items purchased, the total price, or some other metric?
Hugo Castilho
Tue Aug 11 2:15pm
|I was given this opportunity by the good people at techdirt (thank you) and couldn't agree more.
Maybe the best way to keep it simple would be to assign points to each item and allow the user to pick and chose until they reach the number of points for a given tier.
Sponsored Post by bulljustin
Monday, August 10th, 2009 @ 12:39PM
Any user who wants to sponsor a post can give a topic to the Techdirt writers to cover as the writer sees fit. The post can be clearly labeled as a Sponsored Post, as well as include a standardized initial request for coverage of a specfic topic.
Additionally this experiment could be a proof of concept for funding investigative journalism.
Stand out/advertise by Sam Erb
Monday, August 10th, 2009 @ 12:40PM
Aguy Whoneedstenbucks
Mon Aug 10 1:19pm
|The last two are really good ideas IMO. Both are low/no dollar cost to Techdirt but could be very valuable to the people that would purchase them. Even some of the detractors might buy a 'post highlight' for a certain number of posts.
Masnick is WRONG paraphenalia by bulljustin
Monday, August 10th, 2009 @ 12:50PM
Give your haters something to proudly show hoiw much they disagree with you. Tshirts that screams "Masnick is WRONG" on the front and "See why at www.techdirt.com" on the back, stationary they can hand out at music & news industry conferences, or something along those lines. You gave them the chance to shut you up, but it financially unreasonable to expect any of them to buy it. You could give these away at nearly cost and still come out ahead.
Rose M. Welch
Thu Aug 20 12:58am
|I like that. :) I like that alot more than the looooots of t-shirt t-shirt. Don't get me wrong, I bought one... But I don't like it.
connect with fans using fans by andrew giampa
Monday, August 10th, 2009 @ 12:57PM
What better way to connect with fans than with a fan. Specifically one of those little handheld fans with programmable LED lighting that spells words and phrases as it spins.
Teaching by Matt Reingold
Monday, August 10th, 2009 @ 1:28PM
So here is the gist of the idea I am mentioning:
There are a lot of topics worth teaching people, for those willing to lend an ear. Teaching is something that takes some experience, but I think for concepts such as digital music, piracy, educating the masses, common business sense, streisand effects, building up website interest, whatever. I'm sure some companies are completely daft about that.
As another topic of interest here, how to gain valuable feedback from your customers might be another thing to teach.
How about we teach them? Support techdirt, have Mike come play teacher for a day, albeit remotely or even over the phone or something if not in person. I think this sounds parallel to the concept of the insight community, and it is in a sense, although potentially broader.
Michael Ho
Tue Aug 18 6:40pm
|Interesting suggestion.. seems sorta like:
But obviously, we could do other topics as well...
Matt Reingold
Mon Aug 24 6:54am
|Basically, yeah, that's what I was thinking. There are a lot of things that could use being taught, p2pu is something cool I've never seen before but overall as an idea it's like a paid seminar but without the sales approach (since you know the people paying obviously want to learn).
Counter Point by Mike Martinet
Monday, August 10th, 2009 @ 1:54PM
The purchaser would given the opportunity to provide a rebuttal for a specified number of articles during an allotted time-period. They could also be offered the opportunity to rebut only articles on a particular topic. The rebuttal would be printed on the front page along with the original article, and follow the original into the archives.
Purchasers would have to abide by a code of conduct - obviously you couldn't tell them what to say, but you could limit the rebuttal to the word count of the original, forbid profanity and preclude adolescent behavior such as an entire argument consisting of the phrase "Mike is a butthead".
Aguy Whoneedstenbucks
Mon Aug 10 2:07pm
|I don't know that it would be a good idea to limit the word count because some would claim that it would limit their ability to properly rebut. Making money off of the anti-fan does give me a certain amount of warm-fuzzies though.
Brendan Moore
Mon Aug 10 7:12pm
|I was thinking of submitting a more generalized idea of this: Guest Writer.
Techdirt Supporter (from either side of a related issue, or just sharing thoughts about it) pays for the ability to have his article posted to the front page amongst all the other TechDirt posts. Perhaps he/she gets to post just one for the lower price, or can choose one a day for a week for a bit more.
Granted the Fan/Anti-fan could just put his thoughts in the comments, but this has some advantages for them:
- Their words are featured on the page
- They can argue/present in long form
- They can discuss something that may not hit the frontpage otherwise (and thus they could not comment on it)
Mike Martinet
Tue Aug 11 8:32am
| Granted the Fan/Anti-fan could just put his thoughts in the comments...
Also - and this may be obvious - but the person who has purchased the rebuttal, should be allowed to read the article before it is posted.
Brendan Moore
Tue Aug 11 3:04pm
|It took me a minute to understand what you were getting at, Mike. But, after reading it and your original post over I think mean that the Anti-Fan, in your case, gets to see this Article _before_ it hits the frontpage, and is given some time to create his Counter-Point post, which is then presented along side (or, linked from?) the Article in question.
Did I get that right? I didn't interpret the Insight this way originally.
Alternative to Book Club by Joel Cornell
Monday, August 10th, 2009 @ 4:40PM
This might sound ridiculous, but one of the problems I have with the Book Club is that all of the books are signed. While this increases their monetary value, it decreases their personal value as I can no longer underline or flag pages, write in the margins, or even read the books without worrying about damaging the product (for example, I wouldn't be able to take one of the books on an airplane to read it, as the chance of damaging it is too high). It would be great if either there were a cheaper option that offered the books unsigned, or an option that gave two copies: one signed, one unsigned. This would be a great alternative to buying the books on Amazon or at Barnes and Noble, because a portion of the money would go to Techdirt, so I would still get to benefit Techdirt and be a part of the community while ingesting the information in the books.
Suzanne Lainson
Mon Aug 10 6:25pm
|If you want unsigned copies and you want to contribute to Techdirt, can't you just buy the unsigned copies from Amazon and send a check to Techdirt as a contribution? You've accomplished your goal.
Original it is not... by David Widdick
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 @ 1:53AM
Mugs. Not all offices have vending machines (mine doesn't) and a good old fashioned mug and pen set can go a long way.
Joseph Hunkins
Tue Aug 11 11:12am
|David I was about to give you a hard time and say "Mugs!" was an uninspired idea but a somebody else just noted how welcome they felt at a new job thanks in large part to the coffee mug placed thoughfully at their desk.
A chicken in every pot, a TechDirt Mug on every desk!
David Widdick
Wed Aug 12 7:19am
|I know its uninspired, but in my business where we do a lot of face-to-face. It is amazing how much those faces smile with a mug.
A physical item that no-one else has is even more desirable.
(I'll quit before I start sounding like Mike...)
Techdirt Swag by Phillip Sipe
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 @ 7:08AM
Something that has so far delayed my purchace of any package: I keep hoping that there will be a cheap option that allows me to get both a Techdirt T-Shirt and and Techdirt Hoodie. That way I can be a Techdirt-wearing fan all year round. (Without being freezing/overheated)
Currently the only package with both is $100,000 for ten of each with other stuff.
Greg Fenton
Wed Aug 12 9:25am
|I'd like to add to this: how about a cheaper t-shirt/hoodie option for those who already have purchased the Crystal Ball & Badge?
i.e. what about people who want multiple t-shirts (Loooooooots of them?) or would like to add a hoodie to their already proudly worn wears?
Connecting with Fans: Expanded Edition. by Robert Miles
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 @ 7:19AM
Admittedly, it was surprising to see Techdirt offer the "CwF + RtB" model. It's been using it since the site went live on the internet, so it really didn't need to "sell" t-shirts. The reason behind the model was understood, but something's missing.
The problem, from my position as a long time reader, is the model feels cold despite its attempt to connect with fans. How is throwing a list of items for sale connecting with fans? Unless a buyer is willing to shell out $1,000 or more, there is no "connection".
To help establish this connection, each tier, even the $5 edition, should allow buyers to ask questions to the staff of Techdirt. Once submitted, the crew can then answer them via a weekly post. If connecting is the goal, this is one step to help establish that goal.
The CwF + RtB model itself must be dynamic to change. Otherwise, it's nothing more than a weekly catalog of wares. Connecting with Fans should be the emphasis. Finding ideas for this dynamic change can be a challenge. It's going to be difficult to pass a new business model if this model only works once per buyer. Repeat customers is necessary to sustain it.
Given the travels Techdirt staff do, it would be nice to see a spontaneous "Lunch at [location]" tier in which the first 10-25 (depending on size of eatery) can really connect and gives a reason to buy (again). Not all readers live in California, nor can just get up and visit the state. Help make an effort the next time the crew is in New York, as an example.
In summary: focus less on the "Reason to Buy" and more on the "Connecting with Fans". The tiers, as presented, lacks the latter under the $1,000 mark.
A CwF+ RtB by any other name will smell sweeter by Joseph Hunkins
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 @ 11:20AM
My quick suggestion it to change the name to "Tech Connections" or "Tech Insiders" or "The Maz Special" or " anything that does not require such a high level of Techdirt familiarity. The name is too cleverly complex for me.
Agree with those suggesting links / mentions and counter points as good package items although since Google bans "selling links" this type of thing needs to be handled in good form to avoid pissing off the big G. Maybe just include a lot more TechDirt advertising in these packages.
CwF+RtB by Gene Cavanaugh
Tuesday, August 11th, 2009 @ 9:34PM
Treating something like this as an "all or nothing" thing - you either are so engrossed you will put out big bucks (relatively speaking) or you "don't care enough" is, I think, ignoring an opportunity!
Most of us would love to have lunch with Mike, and/or we are interested in some of the side benefits (or, as in my case, NOT!). However, we are not willing to fully commit for "half a loaf".
So, offer something special, but low cost, that gives you a ticket(s) in a lottery. I would buy a reasonably priced "this dirty shirt brought to you by TECHDIRT" or some such, if I also had a chance to win lunch with Mike (or Mike (Ho, that is)).
Case Sponsor
Mike Masnick
Wed Aug 12 12:54am
|We'd definitely thought about this, but unfortunately, as far as we can tell, doing so is an illegal sweepstakes or lottery in California... so it went out the window. :(
Michael Ho
Thu Aug 13 12:45am
|Ha! I didn't think anyone would really want to have lunch with me... Thanks! :P
Gene Cavanaugh
Thu Aug 13 8:48pm
|Thanks to both of you. Personally, I think you are both great (especially since my comments, which are sometimes a little barbed, don't seem to affect our relationship!).
Highlight User Comments by Brendan Moore
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009 @ 4:20AM
I'm choosing to focus on the "Connect with Fans" aspect a little more heavily here. In fact, this suggestion doesn't have any buying directly connected to it -- though, hopefully it might lead to better fan relationships resulting in giving them RtB.
It's simple: Read the user submitted comments attached to your stories, and highlight those that are particularly insightful or interesting.
It can be as simple as providing a coloured background to the comment. Perhaps it gets a little tag ("Mike likes this") or the comment gets bumped up to the top and is displayed immediately beneath the story (or even shown with the story on the front page!).
It costs Techdirt nothing (except a little time), but it would make the user/Fan feel like their input is valued at Techdirt when they put the effort in. They get the other end of the Connection which hopefully gives them a reason to stick around, and eventually a reason to buy.
There won't be great comments on every story -- maybe not even every day -- but, it takes very little effort to show them they are appreciated when they do show up.
Might even have the side benefit of taking the quality of all comments up a notch.
Brendan Moore
Wed Aug 12 4:56am
|Upon some reflection, I decided that I should provide a more pure "CwF+RtB" variation of this.
Pay for Highlighted Comment. Pretty straightforward, I think. You buy the package, your comment are highlighted in the comments section in some fashion for a designated period of time.
Has an entirely different effect from my original suggestion, but I think is still a good possibility. Users would like the idea of having more attention drawn to their comments. Again, this has value for the user at zero cost to Techdirt.
I stand by my original suggestion, but wanted to present this too.
Justin Honebrink
Thu Sep 3 2:14pm
|Me as a reader would not like this option. A comment that does not have much thought behind it that is highlighted would detract from the site for me. Just because someone has more money then thought they should not get a highlighted comment rather then the guy that actually is an expert in the subject but did not pay anything.
Brendan Moore
Sat Sep 5 11:54am
|I agree, which is why I prefer the former suggestion (of highlighting selected user comments of high quality). It actually better serves to connect with fans, and hopefully will entice them to commit to support in other ways.
I added "paid comments" mostly to provide a twist with something that can be purchased by the user/fan. While it is conceivable that it could be abused or misused, each abuse is in fact supporting the site. There are certainly people with more money than brains, but I find it unlikely that a person with nothing to add to the conversation would want the highlighted comments.
Think way cheaper by Devin Moore
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009 @ 5:12AM
Five bucks should get you a window decal or some kinda cubicle art, not just an online badge. If you want to sell something just online for very very cheap, why not put up a carpet page and sell squares for a dollar each to members, sorta like milliondollarhomepage.com did?
Rose M. Welch
Thu Aug 20 1:01am
|I'm cool with a badge and my face for five bucks. I would buy a decal for an additional five, tho.
Move From Products To Services Woven into the Techdirt Experience/Community by Phillip Baker
Thursday, August 13th, 2009 @ 2:59PM
Some CwF+RtB packages are not really that closely tied to use of Techdirt content and the Techdirt experience. Packages should offer something deeper for the most engaged Techdirt readers/commenters/insight community members. I also echo the commenters that have suggested CwF+RtB packages should move towards becoming ongoing services rather than one-off product buys.
I like some of the ideas already mentioned (my fault for not being fast enough) but I'd also extend or augment them in the following ways:
1. Paid 'Member' profiles: Sam Erb already mentioned this towards the top and I really like the idea to color/badge/highlight profiles for paid members to distinguish them from regular profiles. LinkedIn does this with paid subscriptions. Subscribers get a bunch of additional services there but I think the badge is valuable in itself. Memberships could be limited to a certain number of profiles to create exclusivity. Once filled, they only become available when existing members don't re-new. I'm not sure how existing Techdirt badges work but membership in an exclusive model would become more appealing if badges could be embedded into users' own blogs/sites etc. Alternatively, in an uncapped model, as the number of memberships go up there is the potential to introduce levels i.e. blue, silver, and gold in reducing numbers at higher price points to preserve status. However, this could also become less effective if seemingly every comment/profile is a different color.
Paid member profiles is also a no-brainer candidate to extend as an ongoing subscription. Perhaps Techdirt editors could promote (up to) one 'member' comment per post to the top of each thread as a 'featured comment.' This adds an incentive to become a paid member but might not corrupt the user experience as much as a paid service to promote comments directly, as Brendan Moore suggests, although that is another option:
2. Paid Comments: Brendan's idea for paid comments might also be a very worthwhile experiment and could be done a number of ways.
Users could pay for their comment to be badged/highlighted where they naturally appear in threads, or perhaps you make room for one paid comment per post at the top of each thread (or some other prominent position) on a first come first served basis. This avoids a slew of paid comments on any given thread.
Either way, paid comments is another great candidate for an ongoing subscription and could be offered as a monthly allowance (with rollover?) or as a flat-rate subscription (as well as piecemeal and all of the above).
3. Brown Bags/Open Days I am trying to think of more things that deepen the Techdirt offering and appeal to the most engaged users. It seems like having lunch with the Techdirt team has appeal for that reason. What if this access is formalized as brown bag lunches or open days at Techdirt offices or elsewhere? Paid attendees could discuss current issues/topics of interest to the Techdity community. Perhaps these could even be created as virtual discussions in order to remove any limits on geography. These might also appeal to your Insight Community clients as well, either as paid attendees themselves, or as lead generation for you if they get free-access to witness or participate in discussions with the Techdirt community before sponsoring a case.
"Case Study" feature by Lucciana Costa
Friday, August 14th, 2009 @ 10:33AM
This may be the independent musician in me speaking here, but I know I am absolutely not the only one out there who is their own entrepeneur, so I think a lot of people would find this as exciting as I would.
Select an independent business person, whether it be a musician or small business owner, or artist, or filmmaker, or whatever you choose, who is unknown to a mass majority of people. Conduct a few email interviews with that person and then feature them in a "Case Study." Each Case Study would be comprised of two articles. The first would be an introduction to who each person is, what they do, their thoughts/experiences with CwF+RtB, etc. The second article would be a follow up as to how being feautred in TechDirt increased their sales/website hits/exposure. Anything they've noticed from the TechDirt shout-out, you write about it in the second article. Hence, the case study!
It's sort of similar to what you have been doing with Amanda Palmer and Trent Reznor, but much more personal and grassroots and sort of a hands-on way for both you and the potential subject to truly see how CwF+RtB can work. I am not sure what a fair price would be for the feature...I would assume somewhere in the $250-$500 range. Even though I am a mostly broke musician, I would definitely shell out that much! I think a lot of other people would too. It would just be too cool not to. :)
Suzanne Lainson
Fri Aug 14 3:05pm
|I've known magazines that have tried the "pay-for-review" model and readers tend to discount it.
I suppose you could just sell a case study writing service. I've written case studies for industry clients for a fee. They use them in their business operations.
Muddying the difference between writing for a client and writing editorial content for Techdirt could be an issue. Essentially you'd be saying (whether you actually posted these words alongside the case or not): "This case study has been paid for by the company/artist profiled."
Suzanne Lainson
Fri Aug 14 3:21pm
|Thinking about this a bit more. Here is the problem. The artists/companies paying for getting case studies into Techdirt might not be the most interesting stories to tell. So will giving them special coverage devalue the overall quality of Techdirt?
Or, do you separate them into a separate section, devoted to special Techdirt members/cases? Chances are that if they aren't all that successful, then no one is going to read them. If there is no true story there, it's hard to write one even if they have paid good money for it.
When people try to offer stuff like this, it generally works better to offer something that does not imply any level of quality. For example, people might pay to be an extra in a film. They can be dropped in, or given a line or two, but there is no implication that they have acting skill.
Similarly you can sell advertising that runs alongside you copy, but which doesn't suggest that the editors are endorsing the advertisers. It's very clearly paid-for placement.
Product placement in movies/TV shows is a bit more dicey, though it is getting to be so common now that most audiences know that if they see a product in a TV show or film, the companies involved probably paid for that rather than a matter of it being an important element in the storyline.
Lucciana Costa
Mon Aug 17 6:30pm
|I suppose the main caveat to this would be the situation of a lack of good story. My first thought was to pay to be CONSIDERED for this feature, that way TechDirt would have control in selection. But that obviously negates the value for the person paying, unless you set up a way to give their money BACK, which is ridiculous.
Maybe change the idea a bit...reduce the price to $25 and you get to submit a proposal as to why you should earn a Case Study. That way there is some form of quality assurance, and fans of TechDirt can still feel good about helping out, even if their proposal isn't chosen.
The article wouldn't have less merit just because the subject paid for it. The person isn't paying for a review, or any sort of commentary on the quality of their work. The person is paying to become a test subject so TechDirt can gain even more insight into the concepts they discuss.
Michael Ho
Tue Aug 18 12:30pm
|Hi Lucciana,
I like parts of this idea... and I wonder if there might be a market for "proposal grading and proofreading" -- so that a starting artist can try to hone his/her case-study-pitch.
I'm reminded of this service offered by the scientific journal, Nature:
CwF+RtB by Gene Cavanaugh
Saturday, August 15th, 2009 @ 10:50AM
After giving this some thought, I think I see (IMO) a fundamental problem in the presentation of the problem. "Connect with Fans" gives the impression of "artists" from high on Mount Olympus connecting with "those little people". I am aware that is the feeling many in the industry have, but to me it Of course, I am unimpressed by things like "Idle American" (or is that American Idol?) and similar "icons". I like music, and some movies, but even though "artists" make more than what I consider to be important people (engineers are an example); to me, these are people with a job, and if I feel they are friends, and I like what they have to sell, I will buy; but I prefer buying from friends, not Gods.
Physical badge by Philip G
Monday, August 17th, 2009 @ 3:09PM
Not really suggested, completely, but one minor piece you could add is giving away a physical "Techdirt Insider" badge (think Boy/Girl-scouts) with the purchase of a higher level teir (say starting with the Club teirs). It's unique -- I don't know of any site that gives away, let alone sells, badges these days.
I don't see any ball caps in the deal, that's something else - shades, pants (gotta have pants!). Add-in some boxers and you'll be set! ha.
Subscription to some publications? I'm not a news guy, or anything near it, so this may be a bit out there. But I'm sure there are some, concidered good, publications that would provide some additonal insights to the market.


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