text:
Coffee Service
Music & Games
Bulk Vending
ATMs & Kiosks
Meetings & Events
Names in the News
Vend Product News
Bulk Vending and Crane Products
Small Business News
Video Content
Press Releases
Sponsored Content
Vending Podcasts
Classified Ads
Buy a Classified Ad
e-Newsletter Signup
Bookstore Sales
About Vending Times
Media Kits
Editorial Calendars
Circulation Data
Contact Us
FREEPORT, IL -- On display at the upcoming National Automatic Merchandising Association Spring Expo will be the Premium Collection from Seaga. The line now includes two snack machines of different widths, a refrigerated-or-frozen food and snack merchandiser, and a chilled packaged-beverage vender, all of which can control an adjacent satellite snack dispenser.
Seaga's Premium Collection, unveiled last fall at the NAMA National Expo in Orlando, integrates innovative technology into the durable, straightforward design for which the company is known. Low parts counts, extensive parts commonality and modular subassemblies all contribute to fast service in the field and efficient parts department operation.
This functionality is combined with cutting-edge technology. Premium Collection machines are compliant with the industry-standard DEX (data storage and external communication) and multi-drop bus (internal communication) protocols. The controller records cash insertions, individual vends and sales totals, along with time stamps from the onboard clock.
Premium Collection machines also feature Seaga's Vigilant positive vend detection system, which uses infrared beams and sensors in the product delivery bin to verify delivery of the product, and a bright two-line 20-character vacuum fluorescent scrolling information display.
Entirely new is high-brightness LED illumination -- patent pending -- for the product display. Light-emitting diodes consume little power, run cool and are much more durable than fluorescent lamps. According to Seaga founder Steve Chesney, an ongoing concern operators and route drivers express about vending machines is the need to replace lamps frequently and the inconvenience of doing so.
The LEDs, of the sort now finding wide use in large outdoor video displays, are compact, rugged and very long-lived. They produce bright, even, neutral white illumination that displays selections to their best advantage.
Also new on the Premium Series is field reprogramming by means of the Seaga Smart Card. This system -- a standard feature of the new line -- allows the operator to set machine functions, such as column pricing and energy-saving modes, with a standard desktop computer. A simple interface allows the new program to be downloaded to a Seaga Smart Card, which the driver carries into the field to reprogram the chosen machine or machines automatically.
The magnetic-stripe card has many other uses. For example, it can be used to diagnose location-specific problems by logging data over one or several days, transferring the record to a Smart Card and transmitting it to Seaga's Customer Care Team for analysis. It also is able to actuate tests including keypad, motor/vend, current (with programmable high and low amperage points), and spiral home-position and sold-out (stock) switch operation.
The machine's operating firmware can be updated when enhancements are published; the operator need only download the new version from Seaga and transfer it to the Seaga Smart Card for upload on location. The system is designed to make life easier for new and veteran operators alike, and for their field sales and service personnel, too.
Premium Collection venders ship with card capability built in; operators who wish to use the system can obtain the hardware interfaces from Seaga distributors.
All Premium Collection venders are 72 ins. high and 37 ins. deep for easy mix-and-match banking. The Collection includes 35-in. (four wide) and 39-in. (five wide) snack machines. The narrow model (nominal 32-select) is available in a configuration optimized for vending DVDs.
The 4-wide (35-in.) refrigerated vender can be adjusted to accommodate frozen, refrigerated or chilled products, and thus can merchandise a very wide assortment of food, cold beverage, dessert, snack and novelty items. The available can/bottle shelves hold and display the packages upright, not tilted backward as is common in other spiral venders for packaged beverages.
Chesney explained that the Premium Collection was developed over several years, on the basis of experience with the company's popular line of snack, food and cold drink machines, careful evaluation of available new technology, and extensive discussions with operators.
The goal of the development process, he emphasized, was an equipment line that gives operators all the technology they need, either onboard or available for straightforward installation, while avoiding features that are not needed and that will not be used. "Our philosophy is to provide the necessary technology, packaged in a form that anyone can use," he told VT.
To that end, Seaga has worked with the leading telemetry developers, Cantaloupe Systems and Protel, to make sure that their remote monitoring hardware and software will interface smoothly with Premium Collection machines. Control boards are compatible with cashless payment systems, both existing hosted internal (closed) and major credit/debit card (open) architectures. They also can work with other payment systems presently waiting in the wings, such as biometric identification.
An international company with European and South Asian sales and service facilities and business partners, Seaga also is alert to technical developments beyond those currently finding application to full-line equipment in North America and Western Europe. It is developing technology that will be compatible worldwide with the GSM mobile telephony protocol and its packet-switching data transmission companion, GPRS.
The line also has been engineered to provide a variety of energy-saving options, while the parts count has been kept low to streamline production and to keep the cost of ownership low.
Premium Collection equipment is carefully designed for fast service and maintenance. The refrigeration system used in temperature-controlled models is fully modular and configured for service through the front of the machine. Electronically controlled for intelligent temperature maintenance, the refrigeration system does not waste energy by running when it's not needed. Machines are insulated with an environmentally friendly material with "ozone depletion potential" of zero.
The Seaga founder observed that the present vending market, characterized by strong demand for service by locations that do not meet classical full-line vending volume norms, has not been kind to traditional machine manufacturers. However, he said, "We feel that this is the most opportune time to introduce new and exciting technologies and features on attractively priced machines."
Since its inception, Seaga has thrived by looking at the marketplace in a different way. "Our focus always has been to embrace change, and to seek loyalty not through distributors' contractual obligations, but through enhancing the operator's experience and the distributor's business model," Chesney added.
"Seaga has earned its distributors' loyalty by offering the right product at the right price, with excellent service," he reported. "Many distributors have looked at the Premium Collection and contacted us, because we let them maintain their independence. Over the past year, we have signed on more distributors than at any other time in our history."
Seaga, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, has a long history of innovation and a tradition of responding quickly to unexpected demands (see VT, April 2004). "We go where the market leads us," Chesney said. "We have a good idea what we'll be doing next week, but we're always receptive, and we can respond quickly."
The company's worldwide presence now includes manufacturing facilities at its Freeport, IL, headquarters and in New Delhi, India, as well as a sales and distribution center in Llandudno, Wales. This strategic global coverage reduces manufacturing and shipping costs for a clientele in the world's key vending markets.
"Seaga is a growing, thriving organization with excellent engineering, exceptional service and terrific equipment -- at a price point that's affordable by operators, large and small," Chesney summed up. "Distributors, operators and route drivers alike know that Seaga has manufactured equipment for more than two decades, that its finances are solid and its ownership is resolute in its commitment to our industry and our customers."
Connect With Us!


text:
Brown Launches Investigation into Credit Rating Agencies' Role in Fueling Financial Crisis
San Francisco – Launching an investigation into credit rating agencies' role in fueling the financial crisis, Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. today issued subpoenas to Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch to determine whether the firms violated California law when they recklessly gave "stellar ratings to shaky assets."
"Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch put their seal of approval on high risk mortgage-backed securities, recklessly giving stellar ratings to shaky assets that proved toxic to the entire financial system," Brown said. "This investigation is meant to determine how these agencies could get it so wrong and whether they violated California law in the process."
Moody's Investors Service, Standard & Poor's, and Fitch Ratings grade the creditworthiness of corporations and municipalities and the financial instruments (e.g., bonds and securities) they issue. Investors depend on these ratings to gauge risk and make investment decisions.
At the peak of the housing boom, these agencies gave their highest ratings to complicated financial instruments – including securities backed by subprime mortgages –making them appear as safe as government-issued Treasury bonds.
In rating these securities, the agencies worked behind the scenes with the same Wall Street firms that created them. For their work, the firms earned billions of dollars in revenue, at a rate nearly double what they earned for rating other financial products.
Banks, pension funds and other investors relied on these ratings when they purchased trillions of dollars of securities backed by subprime mortgages because of the high returns and apparent low-risk. Those purchases helped fuel the housing bubble by providing funding for lenders to issue ever-riskier subprime and other toxic mortgages. When the bubble burst, however, those risky mortgages defaulted in record numbers and investors were left holding worthless securities, unable to sell them.
Subsequently, the agencies downgraded the credit ratings of $1.9 trillion in residential mortgage backed securities, a tacit acknowledgement of their failure to adequately assess the risks of the debt they rated. The rating agencies either ignored or did not understand the risks of the debt they rated.
Given the role the rating agencies' played, Brown is directing the agencies to provide by October 19, 2009 information that will help answer the following questions:
• Whether the rating agencies failed to conduct adequate due diligence in the rating process;
• Whether the rating agencies gave high ratings to particular securities when they knew or had reason to know that high ratings were not warranted;
• Whether the rating agencies failed to comply with their own codes of conduct in rating certain securities;
• Whether the rating agencies profited from giving inaccurate ratings to particular securities;
• Whether the rating agencies made fraudulent representations concerning the quality or independence of their ratings;
• Whether the rating agencies compromised their standards and safeguards for profits;
• Whether the rating agencies' statistical models captured the risk inherent in subprime and other risky assets and, if not, what was the rating agencies' response; and
• Whether the rating agencies conspired with the companies whose products they rated to the detriment of investors.
Brown's investigation of the rating agencies is one of many actions by his office to address financial practices relating to the mortgage meltdown, including his 2008 lawsuit against Countrywide and recent crackdown on foreclosure consultants and loan modification scams.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
How the Digestive System Works
The digestive system begins at the mouth and ends at the rectum and anus, where solid waste is expelled from the body after water and nutrients have been absorbed.
The inside of the anus is lined with glands and four to six crypts, or pockets. Several muscles ring the anal canal and work together to control bowel movements. The inner muscle, just beneath the lining of the anal canal is called the internal involuntary anal sphincter. This muscle is usually contracted to close the anal canal. When a bowel movement occurs, the muscle relaxes to allow the stool to pass.
Anorectal Disorders
Anorectal disorders can be caused by body structure, diet, lifestyle and bacteria present in the waste produced by the body. The most common of these are:
Although many people are reluctant or embarrassed to see their doctors about anorectal disorders, doing so is a critical step to maintaining good health. Diseases, such as colon or anal cancer, have symptoms that can be mistaken for those of less serious anorectal disorders, such as hemorrhoids or fissures. Only a physician can make an accurate diagnosis of what is causing the symptoms. Some anorectal disorders, such as abscesses, can be lead to cancer of the colon, anus or rectum.


text:
Ute Restraint Chain with quick release
Sold Out
We post Australia wide.
All of our goods are shipped from Brendale, Queensland. Orders that are received before 4.00pm will be shipped the same business day. Orders received after 4.00 pm will be shipped the following business day.
Orders over $50 will be sent via Express Post delivery
Return & Warranty
Should you have a problem with your product please contact us on 0430 456 683 and we will arrange for repairs, replacement.
Most warranty claims must be placed through Brisbane Hunting Supplies. Expect for Garmin Warranties. Return postage to Brisbane Hunting Supplies is the responsibility of the customer, however we will arrange for the item to be sent to the supplier and returned to you at cost of $10
Welcome to Brisbane Hunting Supplies
To improve your shopping experience, we are now offering lay-bys as an additional payment option.
To arrange your lay-by, please email us at email@example.com
If you place an order on lay-by, the following Lay-By Terms and Conditions (Lay-By Terms)
To the extent that there is any inconsistency between our General Terms and Conditions and this Lay-By Terms, this Layby Terms shall prevail.
Terms and Conditions
The lay-by period is for a maximum of four (6) weeks.
A deposit must be a minimum of 30% of the total purchase value.
The minimum lay-by sale is $100.
All prices are final upon placement of your order and no discounts are applicable to all existing lay-by orders.
Your order will be delivered to your shipping address within 7 business days from final payment date (Final Payment Date) set out in the Tax Invoice email sent to you upon confirmation of your lay-by order, upon condition that the final payment has been made by you by the Final Payment Date, unless otherwise specified.
Payment Terms
Lay-by instalment payments may be made by way of internet bank transfer into an account nominated by Brisbane Hunting Supplies or by way of credit card.
An automatic email will be sent on a weekly basis to your stated email address to ensure that you do not forget about your order. Please check your spam/junk folder in case the emails are filtered through. Please note that Brisbane Hunting Supplies is not liable for any emails not received by your stated email address.
A receipt will be sent to your stated email address within two (2) business days after each payment has been received by Brisbane Hunting Supplies.
Cancellation of lay-by
The cancellation charge on a lay-by is 20% of the total purchase price.
There are no returns or exchanges on lay-by items with the exception of faulty goods or if required by law.
You or the Site has the right to cancel a lay-by. Please email us on firstname.lastname@example.com if you wish to cancel your order at any time before the Final Payment Date.
If you cancel the lay-by within three (3) weeks, you have the right to a refund of payments made, less the cancellation charge.
If the Site cancels the lay-by within three (3) weeks, you will be given seven (7) days notice and will be entitled to a full refund of all payments made.
The cancellation charge is applied to compensate the Site's selling, storage and administrative costs.
Default in Payments
You will be contacted for all lay-bys that are not completed by the Final Payment Date. After the Final Payment Date, the lay-by will be automatically cancelled and you will be given a refund for your payments made, less the cancellation charge.
Customer Reviews
Great quick postage
Ute Restraint Chain with quick release
Ute Restraint Chain with quick release
Very well made, strong lead


text:
Inspired by the Range Rover, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport was created with off-road performance in mind. But the five-passenger four-wheel drive luxury SUV also brings a new set of on-road capabilities to the table.
When the four-door Sport hit the market in its 2006 model year, it was the first Land Rover fitted with the company's new computer-controlled Dynamic Response suspension system. Essentially a modified version of the Land Rover LR3, the Sport is eight inches shorter than the original Range Rover. In appearance, the Sport blends a distinctively low-slung silhouette and sloping rear roof with classic Land Rover contours.
In spite of its road-oriented refinements, the Sport still offers Land Rover's signature fulltime four-wheel drive, two-speed transfer case, center locking differential, and terrain response system. As of 2012, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport came equipped with a base 5.0-liter 375-horsepower V-8 engine and a supercharged 5.0-liter 510-horsepower V-8. The supercharged is Land Rover's largest engine yet.
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is best known for combining classic Land Rover luxuries with the body style and handling of a modern sport utility vehicle. Though decently equipped for off-road driving, the Range Rover Sport is primarily a premium road-going SUV.
Curved contours, a shorter wheelbase, and a sloping hatchback provide a more athletic look than the classic Range Rover. A sharper suspension and handling are intended to make on-road driving more comfortable, while the Sport's shorter body is more practical for city driving.
The 2012 Range Rover Sport comes standard with a 5.0-liter V-8 capable of 375 horsepower and a six-speed automatic transmission. Trim levels include the base HSE, HSE Luxe, and Supercharged. New features for 2012 include body-colored door handles and a glossy black grille and fender vent surround.
Base features offered on the 2012 Range Rover Sport HSE are leather seats, wood trim, a power sunroof, darkened privacy glass, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector, a power tailgate, keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone climate control, stability control, and foglights. Technology amenities include an integrated instrument display with 5-inch LCD screen and 7-inch touch-screen, a 9-speaker CD player, available satellite radio, touch-screen satellite navigation system, a rear view camera, a USB and iPod port, rain sensing windshield wipers, and parking assistance.
An optional Luxury package provides all trim levels with heated front and rear seats, piano black trim, premium leather seats, a heated windshield, and 20-inch wheels.
Upgrading to the HSE Luxe adds subtle sophistications such as 20-inch 15-spoke alloy wheels, premium leather seating, a black lacquer trim finish option, electronically adjustable seat bolsters, and a climate comfort package with heated front and rear seats.
In addition to the amenities offered by the HSE Luxe, the Supercharged trim comes with perforated premium leather seats detailed in contrast stitching, 20-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, a bright Noble-finish grille and side vents, rear exhaust extensions, Dynamic Response suspension, high performance brakes, and steering wheel-accessible paddle shift levers.
A limited edition Autobiography model is also available with the Supercharged trim. With the Autobiography package comes a distinctive tailgate badge, 20-inch 10-spoke diamond turned wheels, automatic high beams, adaptive headlights, a rear spoiler, a titan mesh grille, a 360-degree parking assist camera, premium leather, and a 14-speaker surround sound audio system.
The Range Rover Sport is available in 11 metallic exterior finishes, as well as in solid white.
The Range Rover Sport debuted as a 2006 model with the choice of two trims. The base HSE model was powered by a 4.4-liter 300-horsepower V-8, while the Supercharged version featured a 4.2-liter V-8 with 390 horsepower. The smallest Range Rover yet, the Sport came with pavement-focused features such as a sharpened suspension and Land Rover's new Dynamic Response System.
Few changes occurred during the first few years of the Range Rover Sport's life. In 2007, Bluetooth connectivity became a standard luxury. 2008 brought power-folding exterior mirrors, a power tilt-telescoping steering wheel, and an eight-way adjustable passenger seat. A limited edition package introduced in 2009 provided Supercharged models with a special grille, distinctive upholstery, and an extended spoiler.
The Land Rover Range Rover Sport received a subtle redesign in 2010, gaining a sleeker front end, new taillights, and a reshaped rear bumper. Inside, the dash was given a more sophisticated and pared-down appearance. Leather details were increased and the fascia, steering wheel, seats, door linings, and instruments were modified.
Land Rover introduced three new engines in 2010. A more powerful base 5.0-liter V-8 offered 380 horsepower, while a supercharged 5.0-liter provided 500 horsepower. Also introduced was a 3.0-liter TDV6 diesel engine option based on Jaguar's AJ-V6D Gen III. By 2012, Land Rover had increased the output of the supercharged engine to 510 horses.
Performance refinements in 2010 included an upgraded six-speed automatic transmission, active damping, and revisions to Land Rover's signature Terrain Response system. A new navigation system, a 360-degree parking assist camera, and paddle shifters in the Supercharged model were also added.
2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Hybrid, SUV, Utility/Offroad
2017 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
SUV, Utility/Offroad
2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
2015 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
2014 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
A luxury vehicle that delivers on every level, the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover Sport features a host of great interior and exterior features, excellent options, solid safety equipment, lots of style, and high performance.
2012 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The Range Rover Sport enters 2012 with minimal tweaks both inside and out. Last year saw the introduction of more leather and some minor changes made to packages offered.
2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The 2011 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is a five-passenger luxury SUV that is a full eight inches shorter than the Range Rover model.
2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The launch of the 2009 Land Rover Range Rover Sport saw a premium midsize SUV that changed little from the models of previous years.
2008 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
The 2007 Land Rover Range Rover Sport is quite a bit shorter than its sibling, the Range Rover, and is lighter by several hundreds of pounds.
2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Land Rover's first performance model, the 2006 Land Rover Range Rover Sport departs from previous models' focus on off-road driving.


text:
Don't see your question? Visit our help section.
Get access to great in-store deals and local pick-up
Sign up for our email deals newsletter!
The game that helped make Metal Gear into one of the biggest franchises in video game history has been re-born! Experience the first Metal Gear to appear on the PlayStation® platform, Metal Gear Solid, marking the series' jump into 3D graphics and true stealth action gaming.
Guide Solid Snake, an elite government agent, through this tense cinematic saga as he attempts to regain control of a nuclear weapons base from terrorist hands. Lightly armed and facing an army of foes, you must stay silent and in the shadows to avoid direct enemy contact as enemies intelligently react to sight and sound.
Download this gaming classic and re-live the history today!
METAL GEAR SOLID © 1998 Konami Digital Entertainment. Konami is a registered trademark of KONAMI CORPORATION. All Rights Reserved.
Purchase or use of this item is subject to the PLAYSTATION®Network Terms of Service and this item's use restrictions. If you do not wish to accept all these terms, do not purchase or use this item. One time fee for downloads on up to 2 activated systems. Memory Stick Duomay be required.
If you are a fan of the Metal Gear Solid franchise, check out all the latest Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain games and accessories available for PS4, Xbox One, PS3, and Xbox 360 now.
Pro Price


text:
Design project
Budget ₹12500-37500 INR
I need a logo designed.
33 freelancers are bidding on average ₹19025 for this job
Hi, Many thanks for spending your valuable time to review my bid. i assure you with great designs and fast turnaround. Multiple options and unlimited revisions will be provided to you. let me share the best deal More
Dear Client, Thank you for your time in reviewing our proposal and for the opportunity to bid on your project. We would love to take you through the process of designing your Logo. Our professional team of design More
Hi, Many thanks for spending your valuable time to review my bid. I assure you with great designs and fast turnaround. Multiple options and unlimited revisions will be provided to you. Please check my awesome p More
Graphic design is the main area of my focus and have many experience. I am passionate about clients success and go to the extra mile to ensure ultimate satisfaction. I am hoping to work with you. Relevant Skills and E More
Hello, I am a graphic designer and i have 6+ years experience in designing and developing, I am expert in Photoshop and Illustrator, I am also expert in brochure, logo, business card, banner, flyer, T-Shirt ,Mascot ,C More
Hello, Greetings of the Day! We are interested in your project. Please check our work samples from here, [login to view URL] Here is our offer included: Revisions >> draft + 2 File-forma More
Hi, I read your job description. I can design a logo for you. I can design professional and eye attracting logos. I have 5 years of experience in logo designing, graphic designs. I am a highly motivated logo designer More
hello Client need logo design Relevant Skills and Experience I have more than 5 year Experience in Graphics designing and Web development Proposed Milestones ₹12500 INR - initial
Thank you for the opportunity to submit our proposal for Project design. We are the professional designers and we will design Logo for Idoxl by using our best creative minds . I hope you will like our creative work. More
Hello Dear/ . I have a 5 year experience in graphic design so I can execute your request with my professional teacher with all the professionalism, creativity, accuracy, mastery and speed in achieving the required and More


text:
Worker Safety After a Flood
The danger of a flood does not end when the rains cease. Cleanup crews must work together and look out for one another to ensure safety.
For most work in flooded areas, workers will need hard hats, goggles, heavy work gloves, and watertight boots with steel toe and insole (not just steel shank).
Exposure to flood waters does not increase the risk of tetanus, and tetanus immunization campaigns are not needed. While documentation of vaccination is preferred, it should not be a pre-requisite for work. During flood cleanup, the risk of wounds may be increased. For this reason, cleanup workers should be sure that they are up-to-date with tetanus vaccination, ideally before starting cleanup activities. Adults need a tetanus booster shot every 10 years. Td or Tdap can be used; getting the Tdap instead of Td for one tetanus booster during adulthood is recommended to maintain protection against pertussis. Being up-to-date for tetanus vaccine can greatly simplify the treatment for any wound that might occur.
First aid, even for minor cuts and burns, is very important during flood cleanup. Immediately clean all wounds and cuts with soap and clean water. Talk to a doctor or other health professional on the scene to find out if you need more treatment.
Excessive noise from equipment such as chain saws, backhoes, tractors, pavement breakers, blowers, and dryers may cause ringing in the ears and subsequent hearing damage. If you must shout over noise to be heard, you should wear earplugs or other hearing protection devices.
Additional Information
Storm, Flood and Hurricane Response
Work-related hazards that could be encountered include electrical hazards, carbon monoxide, musculoskeletal hazards, heat stress, motor vehicles, hazardous materials, fire, confined spaces, & falls. From the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
Traumatic Incident Stress: Information for Emergency Response Workers
Members of emergency response teams may be at risk for experiencing traumatic incident stress.
- Page last reviewed: August 28, 2017
- Page last updated: August 28, 2017
- Content source:


text:
- Written by webmin
More than 180 vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles will converge on the campus of the Kansas City Art Institute this Sunday, June 26, for the fifth annual Art of the Car Concours, an event that draws exceptional vehicles from collectors in eight Midwestern states. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Marshall Miller, the Kansas City attorney and vintage car aficionado who founded and serves as chairman of the event, said that the concours has grown to become the largest concours focusing on original vehicles in the Midwest. "There is no similar event in Chicago, Minneapolis, Denver, St. Louis or Dallas. As a result, exhibitors, sponsors and visitors from around the country will be traveling to Kansas City for the Concours. This year we have many new vehicles that will delight our guests. We especially encourage multi-generations of families to attend, as that is how I started my interest."
Spectators can expect to see cars that have appeared at such prestigious concours as Pebble Beach and Amelia Island, as well as cars from private collections that have never been shown before.
The Art of the Car Concours succeeds by breaking with the usual way of doing things. For instance, there is no judging, and there are no vehicle classes. Instead, the top five finishers in the "People's Choice" balloting will receive trophies created by a KCAI alumna, while other trophies will be awarded by the event's corporate sponsors, the president of KCAI and Miller, the chairman. These special trophies will be for such categories as "best color" and "car we'd most like to insure." "The intention is to provide a wide range of very high-quality, original, vintage vehicles in an eclectic, informal setting, without the pressure of traditional Concours events," Miller said.
Tickets may be purchased for $12 at the Concours website, or for $15 at the gate on the day of the event. Children 10 years old and younger, as well as active duty military (with identification), will be admitted without charge. For those who'd like to watch the cars roll onto the field, early-bird tickets are available, too.
The Kansas City Art Institute is located at 4415 Warwick Boulevard in Kansas City.
Posted in Blog
Tagged Art of the Car Concours, concours d'elegance, Hemmings Daily, Kansas City, Kansas City Art Institute, originals


text:
Transportation Operations
The purpose of the Transportation Operations Division is to effectively manage, operate, and maintain the City of Raleigh's existing transportation and parking infrastructure. The division is broken into three major programs.
Traffic Engineering
The purpose of the Traffic Engineering Program is to ensure the safe and efficient flow of traffic through the oversight of traffic signals, traffic signs and markings, and the elimination of vision obstructions.
The division utilizes four support sections and administers several supplemental programs including:
- Vehicle accident analysis;
- Intersection inventory;
- Vision obstruction program; and,
- School/pedestrian crossing inventory.
The Traffic Signals Section is responsible for the installation and maintenance of traffic signals within the City of Raleigh corporate limits. It also is responsible for oversight and operation of the city's Computerized Traffic Signals System which controls 500 traffic signals throughout Raleigh.
The Traffic Services Section is responsible for the installation of traffic control signs and pavement markings within the City of Raleigh corporate limits. In addition, the section installs and maintains street name signs at public and public/private street intersections. In addition, the section collects automated traffic count and speed information for use by city staff.
For more information, contact Jed Niffenegger or learn about Neighborhood Traffic Management, Streetlight Program or Safelight Program
Parking Management
Parking Management responsibilities include:
- The administration of the City off-street parking program under contract;
- Supervision of the on-street parking program;
- Responsible for processing requests for the placement and removal of parking signage;
- Responsible for the maintenance and repair of City parking facilities; and,
- Oversee the allocation of parking space Inventory in City parking facilities.
For more information, contact Matthew Currier or learn more about the ParkLink Program
The Transit program administers the City of Raleigh's public transportation system:
GoRaleigh has been publicly supported since 1975, when the City purchased the bus fleet from Raleigh City Coach Lines.
Raleigh's citizens have had access to public transportation since Christmas day 1886, when the first transit trip on the City's brand new streetcar line was taken. Buses replaced the trolley lines in 1933.
For more information, contact David Eatman


text:
|This article is written from a
Real World perspective.
|Cindy Morgan
|Cynthia Ann Cichorski
|Date of birth
|September 29, 1954
|Place of birth
|Chicago, Illinois, USA
|Yori, Lora Baines, Ma3a
Cindy Morgan (born on September 29, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American actress best known for her portrayal of the Tron characters, Lora Baines and Yori. In 2003, she lent her voice talents to the video game Tron 2.0 for the character Ma3a.
Early lifeEdit
Cindy's father was a Polish factory worker, and her mother was German. She attended Catholic School and was the first person in her family to attend college. She studied communications at Northern Illinois University.
While attending college, Cindy played records for a radio station. They eventually asked her to report the news as well. That was when she adopted the pseudonym Cindy Morgan. She got this name from a story about Morgan le Fay she read when she was 12 years old.
Cindy worked as a television weather anchor by day and at a radio station by night in Rockford, Illinois after she graduated from college. Eventually she returned to Chicago and worked as a deejay at what was WSDM at the time, WLUP currently, until she quit over a labor dispute. After that, she work at auto shows for Fiat.
In 1978, Cindy moved to Los Angeles, California and started working in television commercials. For a time she was the Irish Spring (bath soap) girl. She studied acting while doing commercials.
Cindy's first movie part was in Up Yours - A Rockin' Comedy, but she is best known for her roles in Caddyshack, as Lacey Underall, and of course, in TRON, as Lora/Yori. In addition to acting, she has been an associate-producer on several films including Sex, Lies and Videotape.
Cindy has been in numerous television shows and has had recurring roles in the shows CHiPs, Bring 'Em Back Alive, Falcon Crest, and Matlock.
She is currently finishing her first book, a story about how a nice Catholic girl became Lacey Underall in Caddyshack.
Personal lifeEdit
Cindy, whose father fought in World War II, feels passionate about supporting the US military [1] and helping to alleviate the financial hardship felt by those who have been called upon to serve in the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. She is director of the Caddyshack Reunion Golf Tournament [2], a sponsored celebrity golf tournament reuniting some of the cast of Caddyshack (Morgan included) along with other celebrities from the media and sports worlds. Subtitled "Playing for the home team" and hosted at The Willow Crest Golf Club in Oak Brook, Illinois, at the end of July 2006, the aim of the tournament is to raise funds (and awareness) to benefit the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund [3], an organization which helps the families of United States National Guard members and reservists on active duty.
External linksEdit
- Cindy Morgan Official Web Site
- Cindy Morgan IMDB Page
- Cindy Morgan's Facebook
- Cindy Morgan's Myspace


text:
Want to contribute events? Sign up here
Already a member? Click here to add events
- This event has passed.
Coconut Grove Organic Farmers Market
January 20, 2018 @ 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
|Recurring Event (See all)
Every Saturday
Event Navigation
Delicious and organic Farmers Market in Coconut Grove held every Saturday, hosted by Glaser Organic Farms. Come enjoy great food from the local community every Saturday. Sample our variety of appealing foods and products – ranging from fresh fruits and vegetables, nut butters, and ice cream to exotic flora, raw coconuts, and organic prepared foods. A lovely way to spend a gorgeous and sunny Miami Saturday!


text:
Tongue in cheek ? Perhaps you should read his work rather than "laugh" at that which contradicts your beliefs ?
Art: I assured him that he needn't give his lecture to me, that I was already
well acquainted with the problems scientists had accepting or even giving
consideration to new ideas
A bit ironic eh?
Art: Sidney Fox's work is now considered by most origin of life advocates I have
read to have been a tiny detour down a road that led nowhere.
Really ? Perhaps it's time for those people to read what Fox actually achieved ?


text:
Provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security.
Keep the great articles coming through your tax-deductible donation now.
A digital edition of the December issue of Naval History is available for current USNI members to view. The magazine image below is a link to the online magazine and will take you outside the USNI website.
This content is only accessible by current subscribers. Please
subscribe to view the full content.
Subscribe Today
Sat, 2019-02-23
David F. Winkler
Incidents at Sea
View Event
Sun, 2019-03-03
Stephen A. Bourque
Beyond the Beach
As an independent forum for over 140 years, the Naval
Institute has been nurturing creative thinkers who responsibly
raise their voices on matters relating to national
by Unleashed TechnologiesUSNI Customer Service 800-233-8764


text:
I've been trying to write this post since TnT started out but it has been incredibly difficult.
You see, even though I've seen Toy Story 3 around three weeks ago, the movie has had an impact on me and others of my generation like no other. I even walked out of the theater with tears in my eyes, forgetting my actual age for a moment, and allowing myself to be swept back to the time when I actually thought my toys (especially my beloved Minnie) would come to life when I left the house.
The movie in its actuality follows a fairly simple and routine-like plot-line for the trilogy and that is the toys venturing out on an adventure, only to go a bit too far, and have to find their way back home.
But this time around, the movie reflects the inevitable: growing-up, something the older fans (like me) can obviously relate to. Andy is now the one to step out of home bounds as he is going to college, like many of us. The toys are not. And in the midst of the confusion, they end up being donated to the local Day Care Center. That's where all of the action, the comedy, the heartfelt moments come into play taking you on an hour and a half long ride that you just don't want to come to an end.
But I'm not here to tell you the story. A lot of websites will do that for you, and even better, I recommend skipping the latest Twilight "movie" to see Toy Story 3 because nothing can compare to you seeing it.
I'm here to write just about how much we underestimate movies like this one. We are always looking for the bigger, the most expensive, and the most high-tech but they more often than one seem to disappoint us in terms of content (Ahem Avatar). But pieces like Toy Story 3 don't come around everyday. In fact, not since the first and second movies had there been anything like it, and many thought it could not duplicate the success of its predecessors. But it has, and it has charmed everyone.
Especially the ones who watched with wide eyes as Buzz came into Andy's room for the first time, believing he was an actual space ranger. Or memorized To infinity and beyond, a line that has become more than just a cartoonish catchphrase. Or when Woody and Buzz finally agreed to be friend, promoting You've Got A Friend In Me to blast out of the speakers. Or when Woody met Jessy, his female counterpart that you just couldn't but love.
But that was almost ten years ago. And we've all grown up since then. We've moved on to more responsibilities, abandoning the days of childhood play and make-believe. The days of watching Toy Story and Toy Story 2 were placed behind us, unless there was nothing else on tv and Disney Channel happened to be airing it once again.
And then the news came out that a third movie would finally come out and we all rushed to the cinemas, clutching our stuffed Woodys and Buzzs, and our hearts and fondest memories, jumping over the long line of children who had not been as fortunate as us to grow up with the series.
We were allowed to go back to those glorious days, even if it were for two hours, but it was something substantial. Otherwise, the last 15 minutes of the movie would not have had us all on the verge of, or in, tears, thinking about the old days and how far we've come along.
Sadly, this is the final one and all we have now are just fond recollections of the three films and every emotion we have felt throughout this almost 15 year long journey. And of course, we'll always remember that our dreams extend to infinity and beyond
PS: In case you've missed it, I've posted the delightful trailer to the film right here for your viewing enjoyment 🙂


text:
May contain material that may not be suitable for anyone under 18 years of age.
No direct posting of pornographic materials is allowed.
There are no posts in this forum.
Use this control to limit the display of threads to those newer than the specified time frame.
Allows you to choose the data by which the thread list will be sorted.
Order threads in...
Note: when sorting by date, 'descending order' will show the newest results first.
Forum Rules


text:
Nile Perch
As fast as lightning, its leaps from the water are unforgettable. If you would like to catch this giant fish, we offer a VIP service in the last virgin territory of the Nile Perch in Africa. The Nile Perch (Lates niloticus), is the world's largest freshwater perch and probably the largest freshwater fish in Africa. It can weigh up to 200 kilograms.


text:
I used to type the website URL without the "www" and it works fine with almost all sites that I have tried, so far.
But I realize that my university's website never show up if you don't type the "www" before.
Typing this
shows a dead page, but adding the "www" works well:
Why is it not working for one's own site, or why is it working for the other website :)


text:
|Version 23 (modified by 7 years ago) (diff),
This text documents the implementation stages / components for adding SIMD support to GHC for the LLVM Back-end. The overriding requirements and architecture for the project are located back at the SIMD LLVM Page.
Based on that design, the high-level tasks that must be accomplished include the following:
- Modify autoconf to determine SSE availability and vector size
- Add new PrimOps to allow Haskell to make use of Vectors
- Add new MachOps to Cmm to communicate use of Vectors
- Modify the LLVM Code Generator to translate Cmm to LLVM vector instructions
- Demonstrate use of PrimOps from Haskell program
- Modify Vector Library
- Modify DPH Libraries
- Arrange that the other Code Generators continue to generate non SIMD code
Introduction of SIMD support to GHC will occur in stages to demonstrate the entire "vertical" stack is functional:
- Introduce "Float" PrimOps (as necessary to run an example showing SIMD usage in the LLVM)
- Add appropriate Cmm support for the Float primtype / primop subset
- Modify the LLVM Code Generator to support the Double vectorization
- Demonstrate the PrimOps and do limited performance testing to ensure SIMD is functional
- Modify Vector Libraries to make use of new PrimOps
- Modify the DPH Libraries
- Higher level examples using the above libraries
- Build out the remaining PrimOps
- Demonstrate full stack
- Test remaining code generators
Current Open Questions
These clearly won't be all of the questions I have, there is a substantial amount of work that goes through the entire GHC compiler stack before reaching the LLVM instructions.
Modify autoconf
Determining if a particular hardware architecture has SIMD instructions, the version of the instructions available (SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4 or an iteration of one of those), and consequently the size of vectors that are supported occurs during the configuration step on the architecture that the build will occur on. This is the same time that the sizes of Ints are calculated, alignment constants, and other pieces that are critical to GHC.
Backing up from the results to the location that the changes are introduced, the current alignment and primitive sizes are available in ./includes/ghcautoconfig.h, here is a sample:
... /* The size of `char', as computed by sizeof. */ #define SIZEOF_CHAR 1 /* The size of `double', as computed by sizeof. */ #define SIZEOF_DOUBLE 8 ...
These are constructed from mk/config.h* that are generated by configure.ac and autoheader. The configure.ac (or a related file) should be able to be sufficiently modified to determine if SSE is available and, consequently, the vector size that can be operated on and (later) how many pieces of data can be operated on in parallel (determined by the operation). SSE had an MMX register size of 64-bits and all later SSE versions (2 and above) have a register size of 128 bits. This implies that any type that is 32-bits can have 4 pieces of data calculated against in a single instruction.
There is an example of configure.ac modifications to detect SSE availability available on the web, the primary body of the check is as follows (xmmintrin.h contains the SSE instruction set):
AC_MSG_CHECKING(for SSE in current arch/CFLAGS) AC_LINK_IFELSE([ AC_LANG_PROGRAM([[ #include <xmmintrin.h> __m128 testfunc(float *a, float *b) { return _mm_add_ps(_mm_loadu_ps(a), _mm_loadu_ps(b)); } ]])], [ has_sse=yes ], [ has_sse=no ] ) AC_MSG_RESULT($has_sse) if test "$has_sse" = yes; then AC_DEFINE([_USE_SSE], 1, [Enable SSE support]) AC_DEFINE([_VECTOR_SIZE], 128, [Default Vector Size for Optimization]) fi
Once the mk/config.h is modified with the above, the includes/ghcautoconf.h is modified during the first stage of the GHC build process. Once includes/ghcautoconf.h is modified, the _USE_SSE constant is available in the Cmm definitions (next section).
There are more detailed explanations of how to use cpuid to determine the supported SSE instruction set available on the web as well. cpuid may be more appropriate but are also much more complex. Details for using cpuid are available at http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/using-cpuid-to-detect-the-presence-of-sse-41-and-sse-42-instruction-sets/.
It should be noted, that since the overall goal is to let the LLVM handle the actual assembly code that does vectorization, it's only possible to support vectorization up to the version that the LLVM supports.
Add new MachOps to Cmm code
It may make more sense to add the MachOps to Cmm prior to implementing the PrimOps (or at least before adding the code to the CgPrimOp.hs file). There is a useful Cmm Wiki Page available to aid in the definition of the new Cmm operations.
Modify compiler/cmm/CmmType.hs to add new required vector types and such, here is a basic outline of what needs to be done:
data CmmType -- The important one! = CmmType CmmCat Width type Multiplicty = Int data CmmCat -- "Category" (not exported) = GcPtrCat -- GC pointer | BitsCat -- Non-pointer | FloatCat -- Float | VBitsCat Multiplicity -- Non-pointer | VFloatCat Multiplicity -- Float deriving( Eq ) -- See Note [Signed vs unsigned] at the end
Modify compiler/cmm/CmmMachOp.hs, this will add the necessary MachOps for use from the PrimOps modifications to support SIMD. Here is an example of adding a SIMD version of the MO_F_Add MachOp:
-- Integer SIMD arithmetic | MO_V_Add Width Int | MO_V_Sub Width Int | MO_V_Neg Width Int -- unary - | MO_V_Mul Width Int | MO_V_Quot Width Int -- Floating point arithmetic | MO_VF_Add Width Int -- MO_VF_Add W64 4 Add 4-vector of 64-bit floats ...
Some existing Cmm instructions may be able to be reused, but there will have to be additional instructions added to account for vectorization primitives. This will help keep the SIMD / non-SIMD code generation separate for the time being until we have it working.
Add new PrimOps
Adding the new PrimOps is relatively straight-forward, but a substantial number of LOC will be added to achieve it. Most of this code is cut/paste "like" with minor type modifications.
Background: The following articles can aid in getting the work done:
- Primitive Operations (PrimOps)
- Adding new primitive operations to GHC Haskell
- Some guidelines for addition?, at least until I find something on the Wiki
The steps to be undertaken are:
- Modify ./compiler/prelude/primops.txt.pp (the following instructions may be changed a bit based on the direction)
- Add the following vector length constants as Int# types
- intVecLen, intVec8Len, intVec16Len, intVec32Len, intVec64Len, wordVecLen, wordVec8Len, wordVec16Len, wordVec32Len, wordVec64Len, floatVecLen, and doubleVecLen,
- Then add the following primtypes:
- Int : IntVec#, Int8Vec#, Int16Vec#, Int32Vec#, Int64Vec#
- Word : WordVec#, Word8Vec#, Word16Vec#, Word32Vec#, Word64Vec#
- Float : FloatVec#
- Double : DoubleVec#
- Add the following primops associated with the above primtypes. The ops come in groups associated with the types above, for example for IntVec#'s we get the following family for the "plus" operation alone:
- plusInt8Vec# :: Int8Vec# -> Int8Vec# -> Int8Vec#
- plusInt16Vec# :: Int16Vec# -> Int16Vec# -> Int16Vec#
- plusInt32Vec# :: Int32Vec# -> Int32Vec# -> Int32Vec#
- plusInt64Vec# :: Int64Vec# -> Int64Vec# -> Int64Vec#
- Repeat this for the following set of operations on IntVec#'s of various lengths, note that the signatures are summarized informally in parentheses behind the operation:
- plusIntVec#, (signature :: Int8Vec# -> Int8Vec# -> Int8Vec#)
- minusIntVec#,
- timesIntVec#,
- quotIntVec#,
- remIntVec#
- negateIntVec# (signature :: IntVec# -> IntVec#)
- uncheckedIntVecShiftL# (signature :: IntVec# -> Int# -> IntVec#)
- uncheckedIntVecShiftRA#,
- uncheckedIntVecShiftRL#
- For the Word vectors we similarly introduce:
- plusWordVec#, minusWordVec#, timesWordVec#, quotWordVec#, remWordVec#, negateWordVec#, andWordVec#, orWordVec#, xorWordVec#, notWord#, uncheckedWordVecShiftL#, uncheckedWordVecShiftRL#
- Float
- plusFloatVec#, minusFloatVec#, timesFloatVec#, quotFloatVec#, remFloatVec#, negateFloatVec#, expFloatVec#, logFloatVec#, sqrtFloatVec# sinFloatVec#, cosFloatVec#, tanFloatVec#, asinFloatVec#, acosFloatVec#, atanFloatVec#, sinhFloatVec#, coshFloatVec#, tanhFloatVec#
- Double
- plusDoubleVec#, minusDoubleVec#, timesDoubleVec#, quotDoubleVec#, remDoubleVec#, negateDoubleVec#, expDoubleVec#, logDoubleVec#, sqrtDoubleVec#, sinDoubleVec#, cosDoubleVec#, tanDoubleVec#, asinDoubleVec#, acosDoubleVec#, atanDoubleVec#, sinhDoubleVec#, coshDoubleVec#, tanhDoubleVec#
- Add the following vector length constants as Int# types
- Do NOT Modify ./compiler/prelude/PrimOp.lhs (actually, ./compiler/primop-data-decl.hs-incl) to add the new PrimOps (VIntQuotOp, etc...), this will be generated based on the primops.txt.pp modifications
- Modify ./compiler/codeGen/CgPrimOp.hs, code for each primop (above) must be added to complete the primop addition.
- The code, basically, links the primops to the Cmm MachOps (that, in turn, are read by the code generators)
- It looks like some Cmm extensions will have to be added to ensure alignment and pass vectorization information onto the back ends, the necessary MachOps will be determined after the first vertical stack is completed (using the "Double" as a model). There may be some reuse from the existing MachOps. There is some discussion to these extensions (or similar ones) on the original Patch 3557 Documentation
Example of modification to ./compiler/prelude/primops.txt.pp to add one of the additional Float operations:
------------------------------------------------------------------------ section "SIMDFloat" {Float operations that can take advantage of vectorization.} ------------------------------------------------------------------------ primop FloatVectorAddOp "plusFloatVec#" Dyadic Float# -> Float# -> Float# with can_fail = True
Here is an example of the update to ./compiler/codeGen/CgPrimOp.hs
-- SIMD Float Ops translateOp FloatVectorAddOp = Just (MO_VF_Add W32 4)
The above, after compilation, adds the following to the ./compiler/prelude/PrimOp.lhs file:
| FloatVectorAddOp
Modify LLVM Code Generator
Take the MachOps in the Cmm definition and translate correctly to the corresponding LLVM instructions. LLVM code generation is in the /compiler/llvmGen directory. The following will have to be modified (at a minimum):
- /compiler/llvmGen/Llvm/Types.hs - add the MachOps from Cmm and how they bridge to the LLVM vector operations
- /compiler/llvmGen/LlvmCodeGen/CodeGen.hs - This is the heart of the translation from MachOps to LLVM code. Possibly significant changes will have to be added.
- Remaining /compiler/llvmGen/* - Supporting changes
Once the LLVM Code Generator is modified to support Double instructions, tests can be run to ensure the "bottom half" of the stack works.
Example: Demonstrate SIMD Operation
Once the Code Generator, PrimOps and Cmm are modified, we should be able to demonstrate performance scenarios. The simplest example to use for demonstrating performance is to time vector additions and multiplications using the new vectorized instruction set against a similar addition or multiplication using another PrimOp.
The following two simple programs should demonstrate the difference in performance. The program using the PrimOps should improve performance approaching 2x (Doubles are 64bit and SSE provides two 64bit registers).
Simple usage of the new instructions to add to vectors of doubles:
Question: How does one create one of the new PrimOp types to test prior to testing the vector add operations? This is going to have to be looked at a little ... the code should basically create a vector and then insertDoubleVec# repeatedly to populate the vector. Without the subsequent steps done, this will have to be "hand" done without additional operations defined. Here is the response from Manuel to expand on this: I am not quite sure what the best approach is. The intention in LLVM is clearly to populate vectors using the 'insertIntVec#' etc functions. However, in LLVM you can just use an uninitialised register and insert elements into a vector successively. We could provide a vector "0" value in Haskell and insert into that. Any other ideas?
let x = ???? let y = ??? plusDoubleVec# x y
Using simple lists to achieve the same operation:
let x = [1,2,3,4] let y = [2,3,4,5] zipWith (+) x y
The above can be repeated with any of the common operations (multiplication, division, subtraction). This should be sufficient with large sized vectors / lists to illustrate speedup.
(Note that over time and several generations of the integration, one would hope that the latter path would be "optimized" into SIMD instructions)
Modify Vector Libraries and Vector Compiler Optimization (Pragmas and such)
Once we've shown there is speed-up for the lower portions of the compiler and have quantified it, the upper half of the stack should be optimized to take advantage of the vectorization code that was added to the PrimOps and Cmm. There are two primary locations this is handled, in the compiler (compile/vectorize) code that vectorizes modules post-desugar process. This location handles the VECTORISE pragmas as well as implicit vectorization of code. The other location that requires modification is the Vector library itself.
- Modify the Vector library /libraries/vector/Data to make use of PrimOps where possible and adjust VECTORISE pragmas if necessary
- Modify the existing Vector code
- We will likely also need vector versions of array read/write/indexing to process Haskell arrays with vector operations (this may need to go into compiler/vectorise)
- Use the /libraries/vector/benchmarks to test updated code, look for
- slowdowns - vector operations that cannot benefit from SIMD should not show slowdown
- speedup - all performance tests that make use of maps for the common operators (+, -, *, etc..) should benefit from the SIMD speedup
- Modify the compiler/vectorise code to adjust pragmas and vectorization post-desugar process. These modifications may not need to be made on the first pass through the code, more evaluation is necessary.
- /compiler/vectorise/Vectorise.hs
- /compiler/vectorise/Vectorise/Env.hs
- /compiler/vectorise/Vectorise/Type/Env.hs
Once the benchmarks show measurable, reproducible behavior, move onto the DPH libraries. Note that a closer inspection of the benchmarks in the /libraries/vector/benchmarks directory is necessary to ensure they reflect code that will be optimized with the use of SIMD instructions. If they are not appropriate, add code that demonstrates SIMD speed-up appropriately.
Modify DPH Libraries
The DPH libraries have heavy dependencies on the previous vectorization modification step (modifying the Vector libraries and the compiler vector options and post-desugar vectorization steps). The DPH steps should not be undertaken without significant performance improvements illustrated in the previous steps.
- The primary changes for DPH are in /libraries/dph/dph-common/Data/Array/Parallel/Lifted/*
- VECTOR SCALAR is also heavily used in /libraries/dph/dph-common/Data/Array/Parallel/Prelude, these should be inspected for update as well (Double.hs, Float.hs, Int.hs, Word8.hs)
- Modify pragmas as necessary based on changes made above
Note to Self: Determine if the VECTORISE pragmas need adjustment or enhancement (based on previous steps)
Ensure Remaining Code Generators Function Properly
There are really two options on the remaining code generators:
- Modify each code generator to understand the new Cmm instructions and restore them to non-vectorized instructions
- Add a compiler step that that does a pre-pass and replaces all "length = 1" vectors and operations on them by the corresponding scalar type and operations
The latter makes sense in that it is effective on all code generators, including the LLVM code generator. Vectors of length = 1 should not be put through SIMD instructions to begin with (as they will incur substantial overhead for no return).
To make this work, a ghc compiler flag must be added that forces all vector lengths to 1 (this will be required in conjunction with any non-LLVM code generator). A user can also use this option to turn off SIMD optimization for LLVM.
- Add the ghc compiler option: --vector-length=1
- Modify compiler/vectorise to recognize the new option or add this compiler pass as appropriate
Reference Documentation
Reference Discussion Threads
From: Manual Chakravarty Q: Should the existing pure Vector libraries (/libraries/vector/Data/*) be modified to use the vectorized code as a first priority, wait until DPH (/libraries/dph/) is modified, or leave the Vector library as is? A: The DPH libraries ('dph-*') are based on the 'vector' library — i.e., for DPH to use SIMD instruction, we must modify 'vector' first. Q: How does one create one of the new Vector Types in a Haskell program (direct PrimOp?, for testing ... let x = ????) A: I am not quite sure what the best approach is. The intention in LLVM is clearly to populate vectors using the 'insertIntVec#' etc functions. However, in LLVM you can just use an uninitialised register and insert elements into a vector successively. We could provide a vector "0" value in Haskell and insert into that. Any other ideas? A: I just realised that we need vector version of the array read/write/indexing operations as well to process Haskell arrays with vector operations. Q: One discussion point was that the "Vector Lengths" should be "Set to 1" for non LLVM code generation, where does this happen? On my first survey of the code, it seems that the code generators are partitioned from the main body of code, implying that each of the code generators will have to be modified to account for the new Cmm MachOps? and properly translate them to non-vectorized instructions. A: Instead of doing the translation for every native code generator separately, we could have a pre-pass that replaces all length = 1 vectors and operations on them by the corresponding scalar type and operation. Then, the actual native code generators wouldn't need to be changed. A: The setting of the vector length to 1 needs to happen in dependence on the command line options passed to GHC — i.e., if a non-LLVM backend is selected. Q: Can we re-use any of the existing MachOps? when adding to Cmm? A: I am not sure.


text:
Very Conservative
Fund: NYC Seed
Posted by 6thtimeatbat on 2012-09-11
Pitched them because we had heard good things about them from the likes of Fred Wilson but ultimately came out unimpressed.
While they did ask a fair amount of questions about the technology we were developing, their insistence on longer traction made them act as if they were running a Series A fund instead of a seed stage one. Our CTO gave them a full run-down of the guts of our technology and we showed them how our first three customers were using it. Yet that didn't seem like enoughPRIVATE: Members Only (262 Characters)


text:
With Oliver Perez exiled to the bullpen, R.A. Dickey's knuckleball is being brought up from Triple-A Buffalo to face the Washington Nationals.
Dickey has been Buffalo's most effective starter and his date to pitch coincided with Perez's so this should be seamless.
Dickey has major league experience, but it would be wrong to say he's an accomplished major league pitcher. He was 1-1 with a 4.62 ERA in 35 games last year for Minnesota, all but one of them in relief. He is 0-1 with a 17.18 ERA in one start and one relief appearance against Washington.
The Mets have made no commitment to Dickey beyond today, but it is a safe assumption that a strong start should warrant the ball again.