text:
Veterans at ONU Law
Active Military & Veterans
Thank you for your service
Recognized as a Military Friendly School – G.I. Jobs Magazine
Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 15% of schools that are doing the most to embrace America's military students and ensure their success on campus.
Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law thanks all veterans for their service to our country and would like to assist students in taking the next step to become a successful attorney.
ONU Law believes that Veterans, like you, can apply the skills learned in the military to your legal education. Veterans who attend ONU Law find an exceptionally supportive community comprised of skilled professors who will help you succeed. Our incredible academic support program, high bar passage rates, low 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and guaranteed clinical placement programs provide students with the necessary skills to become proficient practitioners.
In addition to support within the classroom, Ohio Northern University has committed to support Veterans financially as a member of the Yellow Ribbon Program. For Veterans approved to receive Yellow Ribbon Program benefits, Ohio Northern University will cover 50 percent (up to $20,000 per year) of any tuition and fees that remain after Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits have been used by an eligible service member. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will then match Ohio Northern's contribution, which means eligible military veterans can attend ONU Law tuition-free.
- Eligibility Requirements: http://benefits.va.gov/gibill/
- ONU's Office of Financial Aid
- Apply for educational benefits
- Work study for veterans
- Job search tools for Veterans
Post-9/11 GI Bill – Chapter 33
This benefit was implemented on August 1, 2009 and provides educational assistance to individuals who have served on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Persons eligible for Chapter 30 or REAP benefits may elect to receive benefits under this new Post-9/11 GI Bill.
Veterans that are 100% eligible to receive full benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill are also eligible to receive benefits under the Yellow Ribbon Program. Under this program, the VA will match whatever contribution is made by Ohio Northern to cover tuition and fees 100% based on months of entitlements.
Montgomery (New) GI Bill – Chapter 30
Veterans who entered Active Duty after June 30, 1985 are eligible. Must have completed at least 2 years of continuous active service; contributed $1200 to the program; received a high school diploma or GED; and received an honorable discharge.
Reserve GI Bill – Chapter 1606
Any person who enlists, re-enlists, or extends an enlistment in the Selective Reserve for not less than 6 years, in addition to any other period of obligation after June 30, 1985 and completed high school or GED, IADT, 180 days of service in the selective reserve and is satisfactorily participating in required training in the selective reserve.
Dependents Educational Assistance – Chapter 35
This portion of 38 U.S.C. authorizes educational benefits to dependents and survivors of certain veterans who have serious disabilities as the result of their service, (100% disabled), or who have died of a service-connected cause, were a prisoner of war, or missing in action.
Vocational Rehabilitation – Chapter 31
Veterans who have been declared disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs due to service related injury are eligible for this entitlement. For more information on Vocational Rehabilitation contact your VA Representative in your community.
Activated Reservists after September 11, 2001 – Chapter 1607 (REAP)
Certain reservists who were activated after September 11, 2001 may either be eligible for education benefits or eligible for increased benefits.


text:
Tracking the daily headlines for the month of July.
July 31-- Balsillie NHL's lone wolf
July 30-- NHL to delay Coyotes auction
July 29-- Balsillie vows to press on
July 28-- BMO steps in to help Molsons with Montreal Canadiens sale
July 27-- Desert dogs or prairie dogs, the Coyotes are still a mess
July 26-- Group vying for Coyotes wants to bring some games to Canada
July 25-- Reinsdorf submits bid for Coyotes
July 24-- Former RIM executive behind competing offer for NHL's Coyotes
July 23-- Coyotes lost $60-million
July 22-- Islanders' signing of Biron raises interesting questions about DiPietro
July 21-- Kovalev wants Heatley to stay
July 20-- Putin pushes KHL expansion
July 19-- NHL participation in the Olympics - is there a future?
July 18-- New offer for Coyotes
July 17-- NHLPA recommends players skip on-ice camp activities
July 16-- Supreme Court rules Aquilini is Canucks' owner
July 15-- Bettman says NHL is strong despite economy
July 14-- Free agency debacle costs Blackhawks GM Tallon his job
July 13-- Jacques Lemaire is the 'right man' for the job
July 12-- McGrattan gives Flames enforcer
July 11-- Numerous free agents available
July 10-- Gretzky fights release of financials
July 9-- 'So many great memories'
July 8-- Tavares welcomed as new face of the Islanders
July 7-- Joe Sakic: A class act hangs 'em up
July 6-- Kovalev signs two-year deal with Senators
July 5-- Gretzky caught off guard
July 4-- Canucks make room for Samuelsson
July 3-- Heatley deal in 'no man's land': Melnyk
July 2-- Breaking down Team Canada's summer squad choices
July 1-- NHL free agency roundup

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Flywheel - Clutch Basics
What You Need To Know
When you pay good money for horse-power, you want that power to go to the wheels as planned. Cars with manual transmission have a virtual Twilight Zone of variables, so to speak, that can rob you of those hard-earned horses. A car's flywheel, clutch, pressure plate, and, yes, even the throwout bearing, can be one of many complex problems. As the mechanism for transferring the engine's revolutions to the transmission, there are always opportunities for loss. That loss can happen when you are in a restart or other critical times on the track. There's never any insurance against blowing a restart, but you can try to make sure your equipment is not the cause.
With so many different types of cars racing under different rules, the amount of information on these components would quickly fill the pages of this magazine. Taking the time to ensure your clutch assembly is put together right and utilizes the right components can be complicated, so you need to know about clutches and their respective components. Remember, there is no "off the shelf" system for your application. Also, because knowledge is power, the best tip we know is to call the tech line of a supplier to get the perfect application for your needs. It helps to have a little background before you make that call.
General Tips* The ring gear flywheel size determines your clutch size, 1011/42 or 11 inches. The flywheel has to fit within the bolt circle of the crank and match up to the pressure plate. It's only one part of a system. If you remember that, you'll make fewer trips back to the parts store for the right pieces.
* Should you use a steel or aluminum flywheel? Generally, when you run a higher rpm (6,500 and up), you'll need an aluminum flywheel. Less reciprocating weight and less spinning mass equals higher recovery rate, or the time it takes to get both the flywheel and your tranny up to matching speeds. For comparison, here are some weights to remember: stock Chevy flywheel-25 pounds; steel aftermarket, SFI approved-25-40 pounds; aluminum aftermarket-15 pounds.
* If you're running a Street Stock or some form of heavy car, you'll need more torque to move its weight. A steel flywheel can help. The same holds true for classes with engines that don't turn the higher rpm (less than 6,500). If your class has a cam rule limiting your engine to a 440-460 lift cam, you can use the steel flywheel.
* On the other end of the scale, cheater pressure plates-made especially for circle track-weigh only 12 pounds, or roughly half of a normal pressure plate's weight. They're made for rules that stipulate use of a stock-appearing pressure plate. Couple this with a 15-pound flywheel and you shave off quite a bit of reciprocating weight. These components are made for higher-revving motors, so more of what you've paid for reaches the rear wheels.
* If you're looking for a standard configuration aluminum flywheel that can hold up to the rigors of racing, there are some available that use friction materials consisting of bronze and iron. The different material allows for better contact between the clutch disc and flywheel while the aluminum saves weight. Those contact areas can be replaced when needed.
* When changing a clutch or pressure plate, always change the throwout bearing. It's cheap insurance. Throwout bearings are responsible for 85 percent of clutch wear.
* Throwout bearings require an air gap between the bearings and the pressure plate. The recommended size is usually 31/416-11/44 inch, but the gap will depend on the style of clutch. If it's not spaced properly, it will hang up. We all know what can happen to an engine when a shift is missed. This clearance is even more critical on the longer styles. The wrong gap will wear out the bearing faster and take other parts with it.
* A throwout bearing can be installed backwards. To install correctly, the larger end goes to the front or pressure plate, the smaller end toward the rear. Also, the clutch fork fingers must be located properly on the wear surface to be installed properly.
* Check the spring clip on the clutch fork where it holds the throwout bearing. Make sure it's working before you install it. They sometimes break off or bend out of position.
* Adjust the clutch fork to work in the center of its range. Adjust the clutch linkage if it's mechanical. With hydraulic clutches, check for any possible binding. The idea is for the entire assembly to function smoothly and consistently without binding.
* If you're having trouble lining up the clutch fork, there is an adjustable clutch fork pivot ball available. It can adjust 151/416-1111/416 inches.
* If you've bent the clutch linkage, there are replacement units available made from heat-treated, 4140 chrome steel.
* Use only approved fasteners when mounting the flywheel to the crank and the pressure plate to the flywheel. The same holds true for automatics and mounting flexplates. Always check the length of the bolts so they don't bottom out. Use the crisscross method of tightening, and they'll need to be torqued. Also, do a rotation check so they don't impact the block after they pass through the crank.
* If you have a damaged ring gear, it can usually be replaced. Manufacturers sell replacement ring gears that fit both steel and aluminum units.
* Make sure the new clutch disc is installed correctly. It has an offset. If it is in backwards, it will bend and run out of balance. It could take the pressure plate with it when it goes, too. Always make sure the sprung center of the disc is facing away from the flywheel.
* A pilot tool is a good thing to have. You can make one from the input shaft of a broken tranny or buy a metal or plastic one locally. There are many different sizes out there. The spline and the length and diameter of the tip have to match. Clutch kits usually come with pilot tools. Always use the tool instead of your tranny to line up the components.
* When inspecting the flywheel, make sure the crank's flange is clear of all burrs.
* Sometimes there are lever blocks in a new pressure plate. After it's torqued into place, remove the blocks from between the levers and cover.
* Check your shifting linkage and replace all worn pieces, pilot points, and bushings.
Using OEM Parts* On stock cast-iron flywheels, small heat cracks often appear on the surface. It is normal unless they extend to the center of the recess, in which case it's junk and you need to get it off the car.
* On Fords it is advisable to beef up the bellcrank with some triangulation. Welding on some reinforcement can help this piece work better under higher pressure. Take the piece off the car and wash out the grease. Blast the part, inspect for cracks, and weld on the extra reinforcement. Paint the part, install it into the car, grease it, and you're done.
* Certain engines come with a counterweight in the flywheel to compensate for the lack of counterweight in the crankshaft. This is known as Detroit balance, and those parts usually have a different listing in the catalogs. Make sure you know if yours has such a weight.
* For all types of cars, using a simple stud kit for attaching the pressure plate has benefits. It's easier overall. Put the clutch disc in place with the pilot/spline tool. Hang the pressure plate on studs and you won't have to hold up a heavy steel pressure plate while working the bolts into the flywheel. If you mess up the threads on the studs, the flywheel is still good. It makes good sense, considering how inexpensive a stud kit can be.
Musts And NeversMust: Clean your hands before installing or even handling the clutch disc to prevent contamination of the fiber surface. After you clean your hands, clean the surfaces before installing the clutch disc. The same holds true for the pressure plate and its mating surface. It's made of metal so dirt and grease won't absorb like the clutch, but any contaminants on the surface will get pushed into the clutch material. Use a good solvent and dry all parts.
Must: Make sure the style matches when replacing throwout bearings. Mate Borg and Beck pieces with Borg and Beck, long style with long style, and so on. Double check when you buy it and keep all the parts together. You could mix them up with the clutch from your tow vehicle or another project.
Must: Always check your pilot bearing for play and/or excessive wear. The one-piece, non-roller units are hard to check for wear. For as little as they cost, buy them by the handful and you'll always be sure by changing them out. Also, is it time for you to upgrade to a roller pilot bearing?
Must: When installing a new disc and pressure plate, use a new flywheel or at least have the old one resurfaced. New metal making contact with seasoned or used metal is asking for trouble. Also, always use a new disc with a new pressure plate.
Must: Always use the correct hardware-flywheel bolts for standard and automatic transmissions are different. Flywheel bolts are usually longer as flywheels are thicker than flexplates. But if the bolts are too long, they'll hit the block and stop rotation.
Must: Use only flat washers with cap screws on aluminum flywheels. Lock, star, or any other washer types can gall and scrape the aluminum.
Must: Use the threadlockers. You don't want any of them coming loose. Make sure you've got the right strength threadlocker. Some require heat to remove.
Must: Always torque correctly51/416-18x1-inch bolts to 25-30 ft-lb;31/48-16x1-inch bolts to 30-40 ft-lb;71/416-20x1-inch bolts to 70-80 ft-lb;11/42-20x1-inch bolts to 100-110 ft-lb.Make sure your torque wrench is accurate.Must: Check your motor and transmission for oil leaks. They can contaminate the clutch material and severely affect the performance and life of the system. The same holds for a hydraulic clutch.
Never: Weld on the clutch lever to balance a pressure plate to a flywheel. It can weaken the molecular structure of the metal and ultimately break. Instead, remove metal from the flywheel where necessary.
Never: Use the transmission and its input shaft to line up the clutch disc. The weight of the transmission can bend the metal center disc, affecting the balance of the clutch.
Never: Allow the clutch to wear below a compressed thickness of 0.280 inch. You're asking for trouble, and slipping is the least of it.
Tow VehiclesDid you know that car and truck clutches are different? Truck clutches have 10-12 percent more grip. Aftermarket truck clutches usually have a higher clamp load than OEM units. They use a better coefficient of friction material or a more aggressive friction material. Truck units are heavier and larger than car versions. The shudder frequency, or that jerking until the clutch is completely engaged, is reduced by the small springs on the clutch disc. The higher number of springs means a tougher clutch. Most truck kits include a spline tool and throwout bearing. Some offer a pressure ring for heavy-duty towing.


text: Im only asking this cause I just drated him in my most important fantasy league yesterday and got him in the 13th round. My question to all of you is where do you think he will end up by the end of the week or this weekend or by opening day. Im hearing he is either going to go to Philly,Minnesota,Denver or Seattle if he doesnt resign with the Pats. Personally I hope he does leave the Pats because everytime he has faced the Steelers on there he has been virtually impossible to defend. But where do you guys think he will end up here by weeks end before the September 1st deadline the Pats gave him??


text:
Gays sue state to marry
"I want security for my family if something happens to either of us," Howard said. "My partner has a pension plan, and if she died and left it to me, I'd half to pay half of it in taxes. If I was her spouse, I wouldn't pay anything."
Thanks in part to Howard and Martin, Connecticut is the next battleground in the nationwide debate over gay marriage. Seven Connecticut couples filed a lawsuit in New Haven Superior Court on Tuesday challenging state laws barring gay marriage.
The couples are backed by the group Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders - which has won same-sex union cases in two other New England states - and the Connecticut Civil Liberties Union. The suit argues banning gay marriage violates the state constitutional right to equal protection under the law.
If the lawsuit takes the same route as similar cases in other states, it will work its way to the Connecticut Supreme Court. The high courts in Massachusetts and Vermont sided with GLAD and provided legal recognition to same-sex couples.
In November, Massachusetts justices ruled the state was discriminating against gay couples by not recognizing gay marriage. Despite vehement protest from religious and conservative groups and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, hundreds of marriage ceremonies for gay couples have been performed since May. The Massachusetts gay marriage situation has become an issue in the presidential campaign.
In 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled the state had to provide same-sex couples with equal rights and benefits, but left it up the legislature to determine the remedy. So Vermont recognized civil unions - which give gay couples the same right as heterosexual couples, but fall short of marriage.
The Connecticut case will also likely have political fallout. State lawmakers expect to debate measures in the next legislative session that would grant additional rights to same-sex couples. Meanwhile, one lobbying group wants to push for a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
The couples who filed the Connecticut lawsuit are from Colchester, West Hartford, Wilton, Stratford, New Haven, Woodbridge and Middletown. Five of the seven couples are raising children.
All applied for marriage licenses in the southern Connecticut town of Madison and were denied. The suit is filed against the state Department of Public Health, which supervises the registration of marriages, and Dorothy C. Bean, the Madison town registrar of vital statistics.
Mary Bonauto, a lawyer representing Boston-based GLAD, was the lead attorney in the Massachusetts and Vermont cases. She expects the Connecticut case to go on for about three years.
"In the end, this is a case about real people with real families asking their government to treat them fairly," said Bonauto.
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal in May issued an ambiguous opinion on how Connecticut would respond to marriage licenses issued to gay couples in Massachusetts.
On Tuesday, he was more clear. Blumenthal, whose office will defend the state in the lawsuit, said the legislature has not authorized the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples or approved same-sex marriage ceremonies.
"Several statutes and court decisions indicate clearly that the General Assembly has authorized a marriage relationship only between a man and a woman," Blumenthal said. "These laws, like any duly enacted state statues, are entitled to a presumption of constitutionality."
There are actually two references in Connecticut law to gay marriage.
A law approved in 2000 that allows gay couples to adopt children also states the "current policy of the state of Connecticut is now limited to marriage between a man and a woman." That provision was the basis of a 2002 Connecticut Appellate Court decision that said Connecticut has "a strong legislative policy against permitting same-sex marriage."
In 1991, a law prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation said nothing in the statute should be construed to recognize gay marriage. Also, Blumenthal pointed to marriage statues in Connecticut that refer to "husband" and "wife."
Martin Margulies, a law professor at Quinnipiace University School of Law, said the lawsuit would likely reach the state Supreme Court, and could be successful.
"This court has certainly shown no bias against gays," Margulies said. "This Supreme Court has already held that gender classifications are suspect like racial classifications. If you can't prohibit interracial marriage, how can you prohibit this? I would find it very hard to get around that parallel."
Maureen Mollahan, vice president of the Triangle Community, a gay and lesbian organization based in Norwalk, said the gay community welcomes the lawsuit.
"We are dealing with inequality here," said Mollahan, a Bridgeport resident. "It's an issue of people in this state and this country being treated as second-class citizens. This is critical to the quality of life and affects society as a whole."
However Brian Brown, executive director of the Family Institute of Connecticut, said gay marriage advocates are trying to do through the courts what they couldn't do legislatively.
"It has now moved from the realm of democracy to anti-democracy," Brown said. "It is now clear to everyone we need a state constitutional amendment to protect marriage. In Massachusetts, we saw judicial tyranny. The courts had no right to make same sex marriage law out of thin air."
Five states have passed state constitutional amendments banning gay marriage. The latest was Missouri.
In 1996, Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act, which gave states the authority not to recognize a gay marriage license from another state. So far, 38 states have passed their own laws.
Still, Brown said GLAD may have an edge in Connecticut because it has more money than the anti-gay marriage forces.
"We have always understood this is a David vs. Goliath battle," Brown said. "Our funds, compared to GLAD funds, are a pittance. But this is about right and wrong. What happens to marriage defines the future of our children and grandchildren. If two daddies are as good as a mommy and a daddy, why do we need a mommy and daddy?"
State Sen. Andrew Roraback, a Goshen Republican whose district includes Brookfield and New Milford, said the legislature would likely have discussed gay and lesbian rights issues in the coming session even without the lawsuit.
"My judgment is that it is appropriate for us to extend additional benefits to same-gender couples," Roraback said. "It's really not whether we will extend but a question of how much we will extend those rights."
Ann Stanback, executive director of the pro-gay marriage Love Makes a Family, said the lawsuit may pressure the legislature to take action moire quickly. "We believe the easiest route for the legislature would be to extend benefits and protect our marriages rather than waiting for a court case to go through the system."
But Rep. Lewis Wallace, D-Danbury, said the Connecticut legislature typically waits for the court to rule on such matters.
"The legislature likes to see what the court says the law says," he said. "Then we pass legislation along those lines that represents the will of the people."
Contact Fred Lucas
at firstname.lastname@example.com
or at (203) 731-3358.


text:
Anthony Evans, Jesus and 'The Voice'
There has been a lot of back and forth regarding Christian artist auditioning for reality singing shows. This was especially pushed to the forefront a few weeks ago when Christian recording artist and worship leader, Anthony Evans, auditioned for the hit NBC show, "The Voice." Some of Evans' supporters questioned his actions. Some expressed confusion as to why he would audition for the show when he was already a successful Christian artist. There was no surprise when he made the show (if you have ever heard him sing then you would know this to be true) and was placed on celebrity judge, Christina Aguilera's team. The action of Evans auditioning and making the show has led to the belief that he is looking to cross over and sing popular music. Apparently, Evans felt some push back from his appearance on the show from his fans as he sent out this tweet last week, "To all of my core supporters…I'm not going 'Secular.' I just can't sing 'How He Loves' or 'Let It Rain' on The Voice stage." Evans then proceeded to tell his followers "don't worry." He later did a television interview where he said, "I'm not trying to pursue some other career."
This brings to the forefront a much needed conversation. Should Christian artist be able to take their artistry outside the four walls of the church? Can Christian worship leaders and artist stay true to themselves and their beliefs if they are on a non-Christian singing reality show? My answer is yes.
One of the biggest mistakes that we make as Christians is thinking that God only resides in the church, but this could not be further from the truth. I was once told that God doesn't just exist within the four walls of the church and that He (God) has people everywhere. In the case of the singing reality shows, Christians should audition for them. They should be a presence on these reality shows. I can hear the counter argument being made that these artists won't be singing worship songs, so they aren't showing people Jesus. Though I think this is a valid argument, I think it's a moot point. Firstly, singing a worship song doesn't necessarily show non-believers Jesus anymore than you standing in a garage makes you a car. Secondly, I have come to find that showing people Jesus makes it easier for you to tell them about him. No, Christians most times can't and won't sing worship music on these shows (there have been a few exceptions). But who they are, how they are and how they conduct themselves can speak Jesus a whole lot louder than a song ever could.
I remember during season 5 of "American Idol," then contestant Mandisa confronted Simon, a judge on the show, about a comment he made about her weight. I can't remember what she said verbatim, but she said something to the effect of, "if Jesus can forgive me then I can forgive you." Millions of people watched her handle what was a hurtful situation with dignity and class; her reaction to Simon showed millions the heart of Jesus. Now, Mandisa is one of the leading voices in Christian music. Though she has touched thousands through her music, I guarantee you; she was a greater witness for Jesus during that moment with Simon than at any other time in her career.
I once heard a speaker say, "There are two types of people in this world: a missionary and a mission field. A missionary tells people about Jesus and a mission field needs to hear about Jesus." Let's not judge someone's mission field. Hollywood is a mission field; someone has to go. Instead of judging, can we pray and ask God to lead them and to their light shine wherever he sends them? I don't know Anthony Evans' heart, but my hope is that he lets his light shine brightly on the mission field of "The Voice."


text:
- This event has passed.
Public Skating – Adult Only – CANCELLED
April 2 @ 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm$2.00
Public skating runs from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm at the A.J. LaRue Arena. The cost is $2.00 per person.
If you need to borrow a pair of skates, you can check in advance at the snack bar to see if they have your size available.
If you would like to sponsor a public skate, please contact Andrew Wilbee at email@example.com or phone 705-457-2083.


text:
Chocolate wafers are the Pringles of the cookie world – once you eat one paper thin chocolate wafer, you just can't stop. These chocolate wafers taste like sugar cones with a touch of chocolate or chocolate fortune cookies (I've always held the belief that sugar cones and fortune cookies are the same thing).
Fans of Italian pizzelles should also note that these chocolate wafers use a pizzelle recipe. I could have made them in a pizzelle maker (which would have given them a much more decorative pattern). (View on Amazon)
Instead, I made the chocolate wafers in my mini waffle cone maker. (View on Amazon)
I realize that not everyone has a pizzelle maker or a mini waffle cone maker; I guess April is as good a time as any to start your Christmas list.
If I had wanted to, I could have rolled the chocolate wafers up into little cones like I did with last year's mini ice cream cones.
Or, perhaps I could have folded them like fortune cookies and put a note inside. But, I left the chocolate wafers as little circles, ate some, and put some on top of my waffled cupcakes.
Chocolate Wafer Recipe
Full credit for this recipe goes to Andrea of Andrea's Recipes. She made this recipe in a pizzelle maker, but other than that, I didn't make any modifications. I am reprinting the recipe below with my notes:
Chocolate Wafers
- 1/2 C granulated sugar
- zest of one orange optional
- 3 large eggs beaten
- 1/2 C cold water
- 1/2 C 1 stick unsalted butter, melted and brought back to room temperature
- 1/2 t vanilla
- 3/4 C sifted all-purpose flour
- 1/4 C dutch process cocoa powder
- Warm the mini waffle maker while you mix the ingredients.
- Optionally, in a small bowl, work the orange zest into the sugar with your fingers.
- In the bowl of the stand mixer (or bowl with hand mixer), beat the eggs and sugar together until the mixture is light.
- Add the cold water, cooled butter, and vanilla.
- Whisk together the flour and cocoa powder, making sure there are no lumps (I had limited time and I skipped this step. Don't do what I did. You could see the little lumps in the end product.)
- Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture.
- Mix on low until the batter is smooth and the chocolate color is even throughout.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of the batter for each cookie onto the heated and greased waffle cone maker and close the top.
- Cook according to the manufacturer's directions, usually 30-60 seconds.
- Gently lift with a fork or silicone spatula and transfer to a wire rack.
- Store in a tin, not airtight, away from other cookies. They need some exposure to air to stay crispy.


text:
Move over Tiny Tears, there's a new tot in town. At Tokyo Game Show last week Office Create, makers of the successful Cooking Mama series, unveiled a game that takes playing mommy to new heights of sophistication. Made for the Wii, Babysitter Mama allows young children to hone their parenting skills on a stuffed baby doll that comes included with the game disc.
The games begin after you've unceremoniously stuffed the Wii remote into the doll's back, making the pretend infant sensitive to movement. Hold and rock it gently and your baby will slowly drift off to sleep onscreen; drop the brat and all hell will break loose, as the speakers in the remote emit a lifelike simulation of an unhappy baby crying out. The nunchucks double as a bottle with which to feed the infant and a rattle to make him/her laugh.
The fun doesn't stop there. There are around 40 mini games to play that allow you to practice other homemaking skills. The games include: making soup; giving your child a ride on a seesaw; and getting the washing in from the garden on a rainy day. There's even a two-player mode for competitively minded young parents. Throughout the game play you can take photos of your smiling baby's face and compile it into an album to coo over during quieter moments.
While the mama of the title appears as a woman onscreen, according to Game Watch, Office Create is marketing this product, with appropriate political correctness (and perhaps with an eye to the global market) at young boys as well as girls. Further indications that the makers eventually hope to go global with the product, is the fact that the doll's ethnicity is indeterminate, leaving it up to players to choose the skin tone of the virtual baby that appears on screen.
Baby Sitter Mama goes on shelves in Japan in December, with a ¥6,090 price tag. With so many bells and whistles, the game looks set to take the baby doll market by storm; meanwhile yesteryear's plastic tots quietly shed a final tear at the back of the toy closet.


text:
It is easier than ever for consumers to know if they're really getting a good deal. Dallas-based Big in Japan has just released a faster version of its ShopSavvy mobile phone application.
To find the best deals, a shopper uses the camera on their smart phone to scan the barcode of the item they're considering buying. ShopSavvy then searches for the best prices on the item and sends the information back to the phone. "It finds all the best prices on the internet and at nearby stores," said ShopSavvy developer, Rylan Barnes.
In just nine months, ShopSavvy has caught on fast. It now includes more than 20,000 retailers and 20 million products. Users make up to a million scans a day.
ShopSavvy is currently available for Android-powered mobile phones. A version for Apple's iPhone should be available by mid-August. ShopSavvy is free to download.


text:
Ali Gilliams
It's fun to be one!
On Saturday, Melissa Joan Hart welcomed 55 friends and family (including 35 kids!) to the backyard of her Connecticut home to celebrate her youngest son Tucker McFadden's first birthday – and the unbearably adorable afternoon went off without a hitch.
"This is the first party I've gotten excited about in awhile because I had the energy and the time to spend on it," Hart, 37, tells PEOPLE exclusively.
With her teddy bear picnic theme in mind, the mom-of-three started planning the perfect party for her baby boy, turning to her latest obsession – Pinterest! – for inspiration.
"My new love is pulling together a theme by posting ideas on my boards and making it come true," she says. "It was such an easy theme to work with and it's all doable at home, which I liked."
In an effort to keep it kid-friendly, Hart – who wore her Posh Mommy necklace for the big day – and her husband Mark Wilkerson served finger foods with a little help from Katie's Kitchen, including mini PB&Js, mac and cheese bites and fruit skewers. Adults sipped on sangria while the younger guests enjoyed lemonade.
As the infant and toddler guests lounged on blankets adorned with stuffed animals in the grass, the older children enjoyed sack races, bocce ball, croquet, bubbles and time on the trampoline.
Ali Gilliams
The Melissa & Joey star lightened her workload by checking off much of her to-do list the night before the big event. "The drinks can be preassembled and then put on ice, snacks can be divided out," she says. "We kept it simple, but everything looked beautiful."
The hardest part proved to be inserting the straws into her milk and chocolate chip cookie set up, which included glasses topped with the sweet treats. A dessert table offered an assortment of bear-shaped cookies stored in Itzy Ritzy snack bags and take-home Dine food jars from Zoli, where guests could stock up on goodies from the colorful candy buffet.
"I tried to keep it as trash-free as possible. Most everything was recyclable – the drinks were in mason jars, the cake was served on plates and with utensils the kids could take home after," the actress says. (She used items from Skip Hop's Zoo collection.) "Even some of the snacks were served in reusable bags."
Ali Gilliams
For the birthday boy's big treat, Hart came across a cute cake on Pinterest and then asked a local bakery, The Cake Boutique, to tweak the design by adding a teddy bear topper to the tiered creation.
"Tucker had his own – it didn't have any strawberry or Oreo pieces in it like the rest of the cake, so nothing to choke on and a little less sugar," she shares.
Come time to blow out his birthday candles, Hart says, "Tucker was so confused! He was so mesmerized by everyone looking at him that he didn't know what to do."
Ali Gilliams
She continues, "He just started clapping! Once everyone sang to him, Mark and I put his fingers in the cake. He was shy at first, but then figured out what to do and went crazy."
After Tucker took his time taste-testing the dessert, his proud parents began to tidy up – only to realize the family dog had joined the cleaning crew.
"When he was done, we ran him inside to clean up and when we came back out, Copper had eaten the rest," she says with a laugh.
While each child went home with a goodie bag filled with Mabel's Labels and Funkins products, the family asked guests to forgo gifts. Instead, those that wanted could make a donation to Save the Children in Tucker's name.
Ali Gilliams
Now having celebrated the major milestone of a first birthday with each of her boys – Hart is also mom to sons Mason, 7 , and Brady, 5 – she admits she has yet to shed a tear during the fun festivities.
"I'm not a super emotional person, except when I'm pregnant. I've never been one to cry happy tears – even at my wedding. Mark had tears down his face and I was just so excited to actually get married," she explains.
"I'm very in the moment, but both Mark and I really try to relish the baby days because we know how fleeting they are."
Ali Gilliams
Hart's most recent reminder of Tucker's fast-approaching toddler years include the coming addition of a few teeth – plus the possibility of showing his loyalty for the family's favorite football team.
"He's really into pointing, clapping and waving good-bye – those are the newest things," she says. "My husband swears he can say, 'Roll Tide' (the University of Alabama's rally chant), but I don't know about that. Although he certainly hears it enough!"
The family of five has been enjoying their summer on the East Coast, but will return to Los Angeles for a few months once Hart's show Melissa & Joey starts filming. Despite the temporarily bicoastal schedule, the actress makes it a priority to put her children's childhoods first.
Ali Gilliams
"Now that we have Tucker, everyone will come out. We tried with me going back and forth and it was just too much – it's not an easy schedule. The boys like traveling, they adapt easily and make friends all over, but we really try not to let the business of life get in the way, no matter how hard it is," Hart shares.
"They know Connecticut is their permanent home. I want them to have as much normalcy as possible, to feel grounded and grow roots."
She adds, "I love that they go to great schools, take their classes, play with the neighbors and then sleep in their own beds at night. It's important to me."
Adding to her already full plate is the Oct. 29 release of Hart's memoir, Melissa Explains It All, an autobiography she penned while pregnant with Tucker.
"I was trying to figure out what to do with my time, since I wouldn't be on camera. I pitched the book, they were interested and I ended up spending most of my pregnancy with a computer on my lap typing up chapters between errands and naps," she says.
Ali Gilliams
Despite her good girl reputation, Hart reveals some of the pages are anything but, touching on the highs and the lows.
"I've led a very blessed life and that's reflected in the book, but I am a little nervous because I seem to have this girl-next-door vanilla reputation – and I'm lucky to have it! – but I've definitely had my fun and made some mistakes, so I couldn't leave those out," she explains. "It's a very honest book – there are shoutouts to everyone who has molded my life, both good and bad. I'm excited to see what people think."
As she continues to achieve both personal and professional success, Hart – who says she's "always wanted four kids" – plans to enjoy her fit form for just a bit longer.
"To be honest, I'm enjoying my body too much! I have so much energy lately, and I feel really lean. Plus, I don't mind the compliments," Hart, who regained her svelte shape with the help of Nutrisystem, jokes. "I worked too hard and I'm not ready right now to get pregnant."
– Anya Leon with reporting by Sarah Michaud


text:
In "The Art of Unix Programming", on the topic of The Terminfo Database I read:
If you look in the terminfo directory, you'll see subdirectories named by single printable characters. Under each of these are the entries for each terminal type that has a name beginning with that letter. The goal of this organization was to avoid having to do a linear search of a very large directory; under more modern Unix file systems, which represent directories with B-trees or other structures optimized for fast lookup, the subdirectories won't be necessary.
I wonder if there are widespread (i.e. production ready) filesystems with this quality.


text:
Join me as I take you on a musical journey through time as I share the albums from the 80s, 90s, etc that are a must own or at least a must listen!
Year of Release: 1993
Essential Tracks:
- "Light"
- "A Drug Against War"
- "Sucks"
When I say the word "Industrial" when it comes to musical genres, what comes to mind? Groups like Nine Inch Nails, I'm sure. Maybe you even think of Stabbing Westward or, more recently, Korn and a whole crop of Nu Metal groups. All these answers are acceptable. There are even hundreds of other groups that I don't even know.
Well, there is one group that always comes to mind for me. Straight out of Germany, it's KMFDM! The band which started as a project of artistic expression and whose full name,<Kein Mehrheit Für Die Mitleid, loosely translates as "no pity for the majority" originated in 1984 and released 18 albums and countless singles. All the albums are great but one stands out to me as an essential album you must own or at least listen to before you die.
Angst came out in 1993 and solidified the group as a mainstay in the metal scene at the time. They were featured in metal magazines and even had one of their songs, "A Drug Against War," featured in Beavis and Butthead.
The album is completely mindblowing. It opens with "Light" and gets you pumped with a grindingly heavy guitar riff blending with some synthesizers that sound like the 80s and 90s are fighting each other with no clear winner. The refrain of the song will get you prepared for the album as a whole too with the line "KMFDM. Doin' it again. A treat for the Freaks." Yup. Get in and get pumped. The second track on the album, "A Drug Against War," may very well be the best one and is easily the definitive track with fast paced, seizure-inducing guitars and drums, distorted vocals, sampled lines which distinctly sound like George Bush Sr saying "Bomb the living bejeepers out of those forces" and a random "Kill everything." This is easily the most over-the-top speed metal track the band ever did and when people think of them or at the very least of this album, "A Drug Against War" is what comes to mind.
The angry and distorted lyrical style continues through the majority of the album mixing with guitar riffs that sound like they belong to classic rock greats before them like Black Sabbath (Listen to the guitars in "Blood") and bands that came after like Rammstein mixed with 80s and 90s synth programming that could easily come from a Depeche Mode album ("Lust"). All in all, the mix of speed metal and synth is what makes the band fantastic and I feel it's best expressed on this album.
Aside from "Light" and "A Drug Against War," this album brought us the definitive moment in KMFDM's history. The second to last song on the album is "Sucks." Leave it to a band that started as a performance art project to produce a techno song discussing how much they suck. The lyrics are rapped over some of the cheesiest and most hollow sounding synth pop. "Our music is simple. Totally fake. It's done by machines 'cause they don't make mistakes." There are references to hating all music "especially rap" which adds to the irony since the lyrics are rapped and a mention of hating Depeche Mode which has become a running joke as there was a rumor that the band's name stood for "Kill Mother Fucking Depeche Mode." (It doesn't.) Why is this song so pivotal aside from being hilarious and dangerously catchy? Look at any band shirts from KMFDM in the 90s and look at any fan posts online about them. You'll see this: "KMFDM SUCKS!" This is especially funny when non fans see it and think people are bashing the band (they aren't)!
The band is one of my personal favorites and this album is my absolute favorite from them. I am happy to make this the first entry into my series of essential albums from the 80s and 90s. Even if you do not like them or this type of music, please do yourselves a favor and check this one out.
…And remember: "KMFDM SUCKS!"


text: Steelsheen Posted September 30, 2012 (edited) Welcome to the Epic Critics Club!This topic is the special place for epic authors here on BZPower to have their work read, reviewed, and critiqued.WE ARE CURRENTLY ACCEPTING EPICSNote: Because of things like holidays or staff absences, we will not always be accepting requests. Check this post to see if we are accepting new requests.NOTICE: Cederak is back! We are currently transitioning the necessary positions internally, but your beloved (somewhat snarky) Head Critic has resumed his seat in the library halls.Guidelines and Regulations for Writers1.) Only one of your epics will be reviewed at a time. We will make every attempt to read through your work as quickly and thoroughly as possible, but for the sake of fairness, other authors will be on our agenda as well.2.) An epic will be reviewed one time by the ECC. However, because many of the reviews we do are for in-progress epics, if you believe a substantial amount of work has gone into your epic since its first ECC review, PM me to ask for a second. In your appeal, simply describe why you think you have done enough to garner another review and you will be notified of our decision.(Note that ECC critics are exempt from this rule.)3.) Requests for a review will be in a standard format. What you say within that form is your choice, but it must contain the format* if you expect a review.4.) Questions, comments, and general concerns should be sent directly to my PM box where I can handle them personally. Any complaints about a critic's review of your work go to Eponine. Please do not, however, PM me with a review request - I'll just direct you to this topic.5.) You cannot request a particular critic to review your work. That is a matter best left to PMing them directly. And even then, it's their call to say whether they have the time or not.6.) Be polite. We are kind enough to offer to help you grow as a writer - it seems only reasonable that we receive a degree of respect for our efforts. I am holding everyone to a high level of maturity on this matter.7.) Each request will receive a Tier Designation. Tier 1 requests are from writers, Tier 2 requests are appeals, and Tier 3 requests are from critics. A request's Tier Designation number also determines the number of weeks a critic has to complete the assignment.8. We will accept requests to review COT epics, but they are not included in the charity review cycles.*The following is the Review Request Format I mentioned earlier. Your post will contain the three listed requirements. If it does not, I will disregard your request.1.) Story name and link2.) Review topic link3.) Number of chaptersThis concludes the author-based portion of my post. The Epic Critics Club is looking forward to reading your work and assisting you in becoming a stronger writer. Reading on will allow you to learn more about our critic staff and the requisites for becoming a critic yourself.Q.) You want to become a critic? (NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS)A.) That's fantastic! A selfless volunteering service is always excellent news. Regrettably, we cannot accept every hopeful out there. To ensure quality reviewing among our staff, I simply ask that you fill out the application below and PM it to me under the subject: Critic Resume.Application FormUsername/Nickname: Most of you will prefer your username, I'm sure, but reviewing under a nom de plume is absolutely fine.Why do you want to be a critic? - It doesn't have to be a long reason, but I do need to know.Describe yourself - Outline your personality for me, and tell me a little bit about what you've done around the BZP Library.After you send me this basic application, I will respond with an excerpt of work from one of the ECC members that you will critique. Your critique will be a major deciding factor in whether or not you are accepted.Staff BiosCederak: ECC Director, MentorAbout Me: I'm a fairly sarcastic person at times, something I distance myself from when I need to be serious. I am particular according to some, but I think I just know what I like. And what I like are nice things. ...And there begins the sarcasm.On Critiquing: I'm looking for flow. Spelling errors are quick fixes, but grammar can outright ruin the flow to a story and break immersion for the reader. I try to be helpful though, and I'm constantly looking for alternative ways for a writer to express what they want to say.Velox: ECC Co-Director, Human Resource Management, Intern TrainerAbout Me: I am currently the Curator of the Short Stories Critics Club and a Forum Assistant here on the forums, Previously I have held the positions of Curator of the Comedies Critics Club and Co-Curator of the Epics Critics Club. Unfortunately, my time is very limited nowadays, and as such I am not able to be a critic here at this time -- I will, however, be helping out on the administrative side of things, so feel free to PM me with any questions. I enjoy reading, writing, and a bunch of other things -- take a look at my blog, profile, or staff bio on the main page if you want to know more about me.On Critiquing: Probably the main thing I look for is proper grammar/spelling, along with awkward-sounding sentences and the like. I'm a big fan of characterization, great plots, and a good flow of writing, and so I try to comment on those as well. Basically when I review something I'm just trying to find every single thing I dislike -- even if only slightly -- in order to help writers become the best they can be. Because let's face it: we can all always get better.Steelsheen: ECC Lieutenant, Public Relations CoordinatorAbout Me: I read classic books from two centuries ago and spout off obscure facts that no one really cares about. I peruse my old science text books for fun and don't spend enough time outdoors. I suppose you could categorize me as a card-carrying geek, but that's okay. Geeks are cool.On Critiquing: I'm looking for the spirit of your work, the ideas you're attempting to flesh out on paper. If you have a story worth telling, there's going to be a way to make it a good one. Characters, personality, and plots are what's important to me. While grammar is definitely important, it's also something that can always be fixed later. But trust me, spell check is not evil. Eponine: ECC Internal AffairsAbout Me: Well, let's see... I have a soft spot for ducklings and cheesecake brownies. But that's not exactly relevant. Okay, so I've been writing in the Bionicle fandom since sixth grade, and let me just say, I am not proud of my first attempts of an epic. That being said, you will have to write something truly atrocious to faze me. Back in the day, before I joined BZP, I was more of the "Yay, nice story, update soon, keep up the good work *smiley face* " type. But really, what help is that? I've had enough of those types of reviews in my past to make me barf. So don't worry about shallow reviews (though you might still see a smiley face or two )On Critiquing: Okay, you got me. I confess, if I see a story that takes up a gazillion pages (and a gazillion hours to read), yes I'm intimidated. The only way I'll keep reading is if the story is gripping from the start and has enough flow to keep me reading through and wanting more. But reviewing as part of the ECC, ditching the story if I lose interest isn't a choice. So what I look for is flow, character development, intrigue, and plot advancement, outside of the usual spelling/grammar etc. What really makes a good story is an author who knows just how to guide their readers through their imagination and make them see things their way. Give me an all around good story, you'll get a good review, but give me a story that needs work, you'll get an even better review.TNTOS: ECC Charity Review CoordinatorAbout Me: I've been writing BIONICLE fanfiction on BZP almost since the day I first joined, so I think I have a bit of experience when it comes to writing. Because I wish to be a novelist someday, I am always looking for ways to become a better writer myself.On Critiquing: I will basically point out anything I think is a flaw, but I primarily focus on character and plot. Another major thing I look at is point of view (POV) and consistency with the POV of your story. Dialogue is another aspect I focus on, too.GSR: ECC Review LibrarianAbout Me: Occasionally I sit down, lay my head on the keyboard, and then sort of roll it back and forth for a while before running spellcheck. I've been informed that this is apparently called "writing". In any event, it's quite fun. I have joined the ECC to help others master the art of smashing letters onto a page and then passing it off as meaningful. On Critiquing: Solid prose and wordplay is a huge, huge plus - a good story should never make you feel like you're working to get through a paragraph. If your story is clunky or just doesn't gel for some reason, I'll probably pick up on that. That isn't to say plot and characters and the like are unimportant; you can write some very fancy, enjoyable-to-read descriptions, but without a strong plot or character or something to back them up you're not writing a story, you're writing advertising copy. As for orthography, I'm not really the kind of guy to track down every single spelling or grammar slip-up - instead, I'll try to ID patterns in any mistakes I see and let you know about those. Furthermore, I do try to provide examples and reasoning for my critiques so you can have a good starting point for addressing them in the future. And if I seem harsh, just remember - I critique because I care.Nick Silverpen: ECC CriticAbout Me: Once in a blue moon poster, I'm always browsing, seeing what's going on in these forums. A member of these forums for almost 9 years, I've not been the most active, but I've always been into writing, but I tend to plan my writing more than I actually write. A writer betters himself by reading, and I feel like I should get to know the other authors of the forums.On Critiquing: I like to look for flow. I'm looking for a good story, one i can roll around in my head. A page turner. While I say I like to see stories on a consistent posting schedule, I don't do what I preach- whenever a writer can get something written in the time that they have is good. Keeps the reader waiting anxiously. Style is a biggie that I look at; whether you're long and descriptive, or short and quick, or even somewhere in the between, I like to see the perspectives people have on storytelling. Grammar is good, but not overly important. Vocab is helpful, but over fluffing it is unnecessary.The Affably Evil Automaton: ECC CriticAbout Me: Cynical, snarky Brit by day. Cynical, snarky Brit by night. Basically I guess I'm an all-around sarcastic bloke. You'll generally find me roaming around the BZP blogs and CoT, along with the library from time to time. Once in a blue moon you may even see me updating my own epic or posting a short story, though I wouldn't get your hopes up.On Critiquing: What I enjoy looking at is how writers use their characters to affect the tone of the narrative. When reviewing I put the most focus on the story, as thats what the writers trying to get across in the first place, though I do help as and when I can with grammar and spelling. I find it easiest to evaluate what the writer has done best and then see how it can be applied to any areas that I feel might need improving.Critic RulesAll critics will be held to the following rules. If you feel a critic has overstepped one of these boundaries, please PM Eponine and action will be taken accordingly.1.) Your reviews will be constructive. This is open to interpretation, but if I am alerted that your criticism was entirely negative in scope with nothing to offer, Velox and I will work to correct the issue and PM you regarding it.2.) Post in this topic once you have finished reviewing an epic. Including a direct link to your review post is appreciated, though optional.3.) Any information on changes, new hires, or departures will be shared with all critics. I want to keep you in the loop as much as possible.4.) Termination is a possibility. I'd like for everyone who leaves to do so of their own accord, but termination will be on the table if a critic has a history of problematic behaviors.5.) Being a critic means being available. If you are busy, tell me. If I never hear from you, I don't know your situation and termination may become a possibility.6.) Be the model of maturity. I want this club to be fun, yes, but it is intended to help other people. I'm trusting you to act your age.7.) If you are a critic assigned to review an epic by a fellow member of the ECC, you will have 3 weeks to complete the task. A request placed by a critic to the ECC will be treated like any other - with professionalism.Once again, welcome to the Epic Critics Club! Best wishes to all writers and a big thank you to the critics!-Steelsheen (ECC Lieutenant)Previous ClubsEpic Critics Club 6 - Leader: Cederak (October 21, 2011 - September 29, 2012)Epic Critics Club 5 - Leader: Alena Spirit of Hyperness (March 9, 2011 - April 24, 2011)Epic Critics Club 4 - Leader: (July 31, 2010 - February 15, 2011)Epic Critics Club 3 - Leader: (May 5, 2007 - July 31, 2010)Epic Critics Club 2 - Leader: Twenty-Two (July 27, 2006 - May 5, 2007)Epic Critics Club 1 - Leader: Sws4 (May 6, 2006 - July 27, 2006)Request Agenda Edited July 30, 2013 by Steelsheen Current Epic: Life is a Blank - last post Jan. 22 My Library: The Esoteric Athenaeum Member of the Epic Critics' Club Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


text:
Connect Four is a game where you try to get four pieces in a row. For this problem, you are given a grid of numbers that represents a game between Mr. One and Mr. Two. Your job is to return 1 if Mr. One wins, 2 if Mr. Two wins, and 0 if there is no winner yet. There will never be a two-winner state.
Note that this is a generalized game of Connect Four in which the board might vary in dimension (it is guaranteed to be 4 or greater in each dimension). Also in Connect Four the pieces fall to the bottom of the grid, but in this problem the pieces can appear in any position.
In the board below, the pieces are 1s and 2s. Empty spots are zeros. Mr. Two wins because the third column has four consecutive twos. So the output of your function should be 2.
b = [0 1 1 0 2; 0 1 2 2 1; 1 0 2 2 2; 1 1 2 2 1; 1 1 2 1 0];
Can someone please tell me whats going on?!
The reshape function creates a matrix with the vector [1 3 9 27] placed vertically, horizontally, and diagonally; the conv2 function does sort of a dot product of these with all sets of four elements in the test matrix; if [1 1 1 1] or [2 2 2 2] appears, the result will be 40 or 80, respectively.
This code is referenced in the following blog post: http://blogs.mathworks.com/community/2015/01/19/robot-game-playing-in-matlab-part-2/
Return elements unique to either input
614 Solvers
168 Solvers
We love vectorized solutions. Problem 1 : remove the row average.
595 Solvers
491 Solvers
363 Solvers


text:
13 Sep
Circus Wonderland
Horley Recreation Ground
Connect with Ticketline
Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest event info, plus access to exclusive presales and competitions
To purchase discount tickets you will need a discount voucher. One voucher is valid for one transaction, you can use it for everyone in your party.
Child tickets are for ages 2 - 16 years old.
Under twos can go free, but must sit on an adult's lap. No pushchairs are allowed inside the seating area, but can be left inside the entrance.
Shows last approximately 1hr 45minutes
Start Time - 4.30pm. Doors open approx. 30 minutes before start time
Please note this is an unreserved seating event


text:
Personalized, one-on-one Tennis coaching is the secret to improved skills and increased confidence. Affordable and convenient private Tennis lessons in Bellevue for athletes of all ages and skill levels.
I'm a certified USPTA tennis professional with 20 years of teaching and coaching experience.
5.5 Miles away from Bellevue, NE
Offers online training
Join CoachUp today to provide athletes with personalized coaching!
With CoachUp you'll get:


text:
Final Four could boost UW-Madison recruitment
A trip to the Final Four could be a slam dunk recruiting tool for University of Wisconsin.
During a tour Tuesday of the Madison campus for prospective students Tuesday, father Pete Steiner had the Badgers' trip to the Final Four on his mind as he considered where his twin sons should go to college.
"When it comes to choosing a school, you want to be part of a winning culture, a winning team," Steiner said.
WISN 12 News wondered how much of what happens at the Kohl Center and in the post-season would impact a student whose primary concern is the quality of academics at UW-Madison.
"So as we want to get the best and brightest to come to school here. This definitely helps," UW-Madison Vice Chancellor Vince Sweeney said. "Whenever you have something like the Final Four come along or a Rose Bowl, it really add something to your stature, if you will, in a competitive higher ed marketplace," Sweeney said.
"Of course, academics first, but it sure adds excitement to a student that goes to a school that has a winning program," Steiner said.
UW student Isaac Sandberg from New York said the Final Four is even bigger than a Rose Bowl.
"This is huge. This is like a real national scale. Where the Rose Bowl is not something everyone watches. Especially on the East Coast," Sandberg said.
Imagine how a national championship would boost the Badger brand.
UW-Madison's students come from all 50 states and more than 130 countries.
US News ranks the school 11th in the nation. he school said it's ranked in the top 20 in the world.


text:
No products
Check out
Display all pictures
Availability date:
9,95 €
14,95 €
This product is not sold individually. You must select at least 1 quantity for this product.
Add to my wishlist
Guia de tallas
100% dralon
No customer comments for the moment.
Shipping free para pedidos superiores a 20 €*
Secure purchase
Do you want to keep up with our news and offers?
Producto añadido correctamente


text:
Joomla 2
Help with using Joomla CMS.
N8 Creates Apps 4
Documentation on how to create your own app
Most Popular Articles
How to create an article in the Joomla front-end.
Please follow these instructions to create a page or article in Joomla CMS. Login Click on the...How do I update my app?
Most of the features in your app are automatically updated once you make a change in your app...Add new font family to JCE Editor
The Font Family list contains the following font families by default : Andale Mono, Arial, Arial...How to add Twitter to your app
There are two solutions to integrate Twitter in your app: The best solution to get a beautiful...How to promote my mobile app
In this article we are going to show you how to promote your app on your website once it has been...
Powered by WHMCompleteSolution


text:
Jack Monroe Has Become Britain's Austerity Celebrity – NYTimes.com
Jack Monroe Has Become Britain's Austerity Celebrity
SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, England — First she stopped heating her apartment, putting furniture in front of the radiators to try to forget they were there. She unscrewed most of the light bulbs, turned off the hot water, and sold her iPhone, her watch, her television and even her curtains to feed herself and her 2-year-old son.
Then she wrote about it in a blog post titled "Hunger Hurts" that soon spread widely. "Poverty is the sinking feeling when your small boy finishes his one Weetabix and says, 'More, Mummy, bread and jam please, Mummy,' " she wrote, "as you're wondering whether to take the TV or the guitar to the pawnshop first, and how to tell him that there is no bread or jam."
Jack Monroe, a 25-year-old single mother who changed her name from Melissa because "I'm just not a Melissa," is an unlikely ambassador for the growing ranks of Britain's poor — and now one with a $40,000 book contract. Her sudden slide into poverty two years ago and her plucky online diary, A Girl Called Jack, chronicling the reality of life on the bread line have turned her into a celebrity in Britain. She is now courted by politicians, charities and even supermarket chains, and people regularly ask for her autograph.
Ms. Monroe, who left school at 16, has more than 31,000 followers on Twitter and now writes a weekly food column for the newspaper The Guardian, featuring recipes costing less than one pound ($1.64) a person. Her austerity cookbook is due out in February. More than once has she been told that she does not really "seem poor."
"My parents are still together, they've always worked, I've always worked, I had a decent well-paid job," Ms. Monroe said one recent morning in the kitchen of her new apartment, which has two bedrooms. "But within the space of six months I found myself going to bed hungry." For most of 2012, she says, she had about $12 a week for food.
There is no simple tale here about a broken home, bad schools, drugs or racial prejudice, no familiarity in her path into poverty. As one of her neighbors in this seaside town in southern England put it, "She could be anybody's daughter."
Her story has made her an emblem in the debate about the future of the welfare state, which the government of Prime Minister David Cameron, a Conservative, has been trying to slim down.
SINCE coming to power in 2010, Mr. Cameron has overseen nearly $100 billion in welfare and spending cuts, with more in the pipeline. Charities like the Trussell Trust, which runs 400 food banks, say half a million people relied on food aid in the final eight months of last year, three times as many as in 2012.
The Guardian called Ms. Monroe "the face of modern poverty," proof that in post-financial crisis Britain neither the job market, which is sluggish, nor the benefit system, which is shrinking, can be relied upon to maintain a basic living standard.
The opposition Labour Party was quick to recruit her for a campaign against high energy prices. The charity Oxfam just took her to Tanzania to visit one of their projects, and the supermarket chain Sainsbury's, long partial to featuring celebrity chefs with expensive tastes, picked her for a television piece on how to cook with Christmas leftovers.
But others, on the right, dismiss her as a fake or simply as "The Guardian's favorite poor person." In a scathing piece last fall that referred to her as a "poster girl of Welfare Britain," Richard Littlejohn at the pro-Conservative Daily Mail mocked her kale pesto pasta recipe for 48 pence, about 80 cents, a head.
"You couldn't make it up," Mr. Littlejohn wrote. "If I'd set out to compose a spoof Guardian food column aimed at those living in 'poverty,' I couldn't have done any better."
Ms. Monroe insists that she is "nobody's paid face." She turned down a lucrative offer from Tesco, another grocery giant. When the upmarket grocer Waitrose airbrushed out her tattoos in a photo they published with a guest column last year, she posted an indignant comment on Twitter.
She liked Sainsbury's leftovers campaign, and that is where she has always shopped and priced her recipes, she said. She says she is giving most of her fee to Oxfam, food banks and a local shelter, keeping only $2,600, the equivalent of a living wage for the six-week running time of the campaign.
For all her celebrity, she still lives modestly, keeping to a monthly budget of around $2,000 and trying to save a similar amount. Her benefits were stopped in May when the BBC publicized her book contract, briefly sending her back into a panic because she had yet to receive any money (she has since been paid about $16,500). She says she now earns about $325 a week from her column and freelance writing.
Growing up, Ms. Monroe never thought of herself as poor. Her father was a firefighter, and over the years her parents, who still own a small house in a neighboring town, took in around 80 foster children alongside her and her older brother. She passed the entrance exam for a selective public high school, but struggled there and dropped out when she was 16, working in shops and restaurants until she got a job as an emergency dispatcher, where she eventually made $44,000 a year, just over the average income in Britain.
BUT in November 2011, she suddenly found herself out of a job. Returning from maternity leave, she asked to be taken off the night shift because of difficulty finding child care. When that was denied, she felt she had no choice but to quit.
In the months that followed, Ms. Monroe fell into a spiral of mounting debt and growing panic. Bills piled up. Lacking money for a deposit, she could not afford to move to a cheaper apartment.
Often, there was little food left over for her. In her blog she wrote: "Last night when I opened my fridge to find some leftover tomato pasta, an onion, and a knob of stem ginger, I gave the pasta to my boy and went to bed hungry with a pot of homemade ginger tea to ease the stomach pains."
Her son would ask: Why aren't you eating, Mummy?
"I'm not hungry," she would reply, praying that he would leave the crust of his toast.
For eight months, she did not tell anyone. There was shame and a residual hope that one of the 300 job applications typed out on her mobile phone would come through. Above all, there was the fear that child services would take away her boy. "He was the reason I was still getting up in the morning," she said. "A cuddle on the sofa is free, reading a story is free. I didn't want to lose him."
WHEN she could no longer afford a haircut, she told her friends that she was growing it out. She kept her apartment tidy, her son's clothes clean. "You become really good at hiding things," she said.
It was not until July 30, 2012, when she wrote "Hunger Hurts," that she officially came out as poor. Her parents dropped off bags of food and clothes, and berated her for not telling them sooner. But with two young adopted children to feed, they could only help so much. That August, Ms. Monroe had a sale, parting with almost everything she had left, raising almost $3,300 to pay off her debts and put down a deposit for a cheaper house share.
"Where is my dinosaur toy?" her son asked when he came back later from a day with his father, who helps look after him.
"Mummy had a tidy-up," she told him.
Ms. Monroe started cooking. Cooking and sharing her hard-times recipes. Mumma Jack's Best Ever Chilli costs 50 cents a person, Oh My God Dinner 45 cents. At about 15 cents, the carrot-kidney bean burger is still a reader favorite.
As she settles into her new apartment, still modest but with a decent-size kitchen, her priority is to make her son forget their hungry spell.
At 3, he has developed a quirk: He saves food. When she made mackerel fish cake for lunch last week, he ate half of it and said he would have the rest for dinner. "You don't have to," she said. But he insisted.
One day, she will show him her blog, she said. For now, she makes a point of having meals together. "So he sees me eating," she said.
Jack Monroe Has Become Britain's Austerity Celebrity – NYTimes.com.


text:
Ryan Spilborghs is returning to the Rockies. Not as a player but as a TV broadcaster.
A fan favorite and key member of the 2007 World Series team, Spilborghs will join Root Sports as part of the Rockies' pregame and postgame shows.
"It was an obvious next step in my career," Spilborghs wrote, in part, on a blog for denverpost.com explaining his decision to retire. "It's funny when you do things … you get presented with more opportunities, and it feels right pursuing them."
Root Sports is expected to announce its full baseball talent lineup at a later date.
The decision wasn't easy for Spilborghs. He considered resuming his career with the Rockies on a minor-league contract, but he couldn't pass up this opportunity. He played last year for Japan's Seibu Lions, chronicling his experience for The Denver Post in a series of popular blogs.
Spilborghs, 34, has a variety of media experience, including appearing in car commercials and hosting "Spillin' The Beans," a comedy short for the Rockies' website.
Spilborghs played seven seasons with the Rockies, last in 2011, hitting .272 with a .345 on-base percentage, 42 home runs and 218 RBIs.
"We are very pleased to announce the addition of 'Spilly' to our Root Sports telecasts," said Root Sports general manager David Woodman. "His background as a player, as well as his charismatic personality, add a new energy and insider focus to our Colorado Rockies broadcasts."
Troy E. Renck: firstname.lastname@example.com or twitter.com/troyrenck


text:
By COLLEEN LEDDY
In his column this week, I think David failed to convey the level of excitement in the vehicle when Maddie texted, "It's a girl!!!" (note there were three exclamation points) as we were racing to the airport nearly two weeks ago. Well, it was impossible to race when traffic was backed up on U.S. 23 due to accidents caused by icy roads, but my heart was racing and my mind was anxious as I willed traffic to disappear.
When "It's a girl!!!" appeared on my screen, I shouted to David, "It's a girl!!!!!!!!!" and then cried and then laughed, because we've known "it" was a girl for months. Still, Maddie's message made perfect sense. What else do you say when you already know the sex of the baby? "She's born!" just doesn't seem to convey it.
"It's a girl!!!" confirms that all those months of waiting have culminated in just what we expected…but it's a million times beyond your wildest expectations when the sweetest little baby is presented to you just a few hours after hearing those words.
I was so afraid it was going to be lots more hours if I didn't make my flight to Little Rock. I arrived at the airport about 25 minutes before the scheduled departure time. But when I flew out of the car as soon as David pulled up alongside Southwest's curbside check-in, the guy assured me he'd take care of my luggage, it and I would both make my flight and I'd be seeing my grandbaby right on schedule. He was the most reassuring kindly man, issuing my boarding pass, checking in my luggage, and congratulating me on my grandbaby in what seemed like just seconds.
I gave him a big hug, a bigger tip, and then moved on to security which looked like traffic on U.S. 23. The line for the new body scanner was slow and long and I was near tears as I told a security official that my daughter just had a baby and I wasn't going to get to see my new grandbaby if I didn't catch my plane. She said, "I hear ya, I feel ya, ain't nuthin I can do about it." I pushed my stuff through the screening machine, tears in my eyes, sure I was going to miss my flight, and headed for the end of the line.
Suddenly, the security official had a change of heart.
"Let this lady through, people, she's gotta catch a plane to see her grandbaby!"
I thanked her and them profusely as she directed me to go through the faster screening process.
I spent the whole flight talking babies with my seatmate, a young mother of twins.
On the second leg of my journey, when the seatmate on my left asked where I was getting off, still bursting with excitement, I told him I was going to Little Rock where my daughter just had a baby girl.
"My son just had a baby boy and I'm getting off in Little Rock, too!" the seatmate on my right jumped in.
"Is your son married to my daughter?!" I asked, matching her enthusiasm.
Even the people in the row ahead of us laughed.
"What are the odds?" the guy on the left kept saying. "What are the odds that you two grandmas would end up sitting next to each other?"
And what were the odds that I would leave my coat in the overhead bin? I didn't realize it until the next day and it was a couple more days before I realized I better work harder at getting it back because all my keys were in one of the pockets.
Southwest Airlines must have a policy of hiring the nicest people because Joanne at Central Baggage Services in Dallas offered to go search through all the tightly-packed racks of forgotten coats to see if she could locate mine. I had told her I was so excited to see my granddaughter I completely forgot my coat was in the overhead bin. I think it was the mention of the granddaughter that moved her, not the added information that my keys were in the unzipped pocket.
Grandbabies are just so distracting. All I want to do is hold her…or take pictures of her. I feel almost evangelical about Caroline Rachel, now eight pounds of pure love. I just want to share this beautiful experience with everyone. So, l posted photos on Facebook and sent e-mails with a link to my son-in-law Taylor's Picasa photos.
"Great photos of you and Caroline! Sweet little baby! I enjoyed Taylor's photo album," said a friend. "Does it seem weird to know that people they don't know are viewing private photos?" she asked.
First Taylor said, "Not at all." Then he thought about it and decided it was kind of weird. It is, really, but at the same time (and I know this is totally biased and presumptuous), how could we not share this incredibly amazing, beautiful baby?
Even Joanne at Central Baggage enjoyed viewing the photos.
"She's a little doll," she e-mailed back.


text:
Is there an artist out there who wants to commit to working with me on an Otaku Outreach Project? The spirit of the Project is to go to Anime Conventions and bring the Truth to people who have not heard it and educate them about incorrect assumptions they have about Jesus. I've had it on my heart for the past year to do this outreach and recently connected with the people at Gamechurch.com who have done some amazing work this past year going to videogame conventions.
As Mikee Bridges from Gamechurch.com put it:
"We as Christians have taken something simple and made it complicated. We have taken a very clear and consice book, the Bible, and use it out of context and force it down the throats of all who'll listen and sometimes to those who won't. I have struggled as a Christian to undestand why we do what we do in the Name of Christ. It's a tragedy that we feel the need to force, judge, cut, and manipulate people.
The saddest part of the whole thing is that most of us have it wrong. Church has taken what they want out of the Bible, and tried to "apply" it to peoples lives. The message that we have so completely screwed up is as simple as this: Jesus loves you. He wants to be a part of your life and wants to see you love, be loved, grow, be challenged and excel.
He has a gift to give to you and it's really a take it or leave it deal. You can't buy this gift. You can't earn it, win it, or work for it. He wants to give it to you. You can't be clean enough, you can't be ready enough , you can't give up enough for it. He doesn't want you to go home, take a shower, clean your room, stop doing this or that, etc. He just wants you to take this free gift. There is no magic formula.
A lot of people say they don't want the rules that come with it. But there are no rules. People think they are too bad to ever be a Christian. They say their lives are too messed up or their past is too horrible, but none of that matters. Frankly, no one is good enough for it but it has nothing to do with that. It has nothing to do with church, pastors, Bible study, being clean, other Christians or anything else. It ONLY has to do with one thing. Here is a gift. Do you want it? If you do, then take it. The rest will come."


text:
It was an emotional disclosure for Miguel Mendez, Housing Works' senior vice president for operations.
Standing in front of hundreds of peers last week at the Reunión Latina 2011, a yearly training convention for New York Latinos working to fight HIV/AIDS, Mendez shared -- 20 years after his diagnosis -- that he was living with HIV.
"Brothers and sisters, yo soy el esposo con SIDA, el hijo, hermano, primo, tío, compañero y vecino que tiene SIDA," he said during the speech. "I am the husband with AIDS, the son, brother, cousin, uncle, friend and neighbor who has AIDS."
"It was very important for us to have someone like him being so comfortable speaking about his experience in such an open way," said Daniel Leyva, general coordinator for the Reunión Latina Training Institute. "It really motivates others to find ways to disclose, if not in a gathering in front of a podium, then in front of their families."
Diagnosed in 1991, Mendez always had difficulty sharing his status with others, his fears heightened by stigma from his family and the Latino community. But when the Latino Commission on AIDS invited him to speak, he resolved to make a political speech that was also personal.
Mendez grew up in a drug-ridden section of Williambsurg and remembers watching the huele pegas -- the glue-sniffers -- from his backyard window. By 16, he was heavily into heroin and running with gangs. His speech tells the story of how he righted his life, eventually earning a Master's in Computer Engineering. Mendez rose through the ranks at Housing Works, starting as a case manager and ending up as one of just six executive team members at the largest community-based AIDS organization in the country.
The Reunión Latina is sponsored by the Latino Commission on AIDS.


text:
Best and Worst Buys of June 2013
You'll find lingerie, Caribbean cruises, laptops and more on sale this month.
Now that warmer weather has arrived in many parts of the country, you might be thinking about buying a grill for summer cookouts, maybe some outdoor furniture or a swimsuit for the pool. Unfortunately, because the summer season is just getting under way, many retail items associated with this time of year won't be on sale yet. However, that doesn't mean there aren't deals to be found. Here's what items will be great buys in June -- and what you should wait a little longer to buy, according to dealnews.com, which analyzes deals from past years to predict what will be discounted this year, and Deals2Buy.com, a site for discounts and close-out inventory offers.
What's on sale this month ...
Caribbean cruises and vacations. Because it's now hurricane season, you can find deals on cruises in this region (on top of already low prices). Flights to Caribbean destinations and hotel prices also are cheaper.
Laptops. Back-to-school laptop sales usually start in June. You'll see discounts on the laptops themselves, as well as bundle offers for laptops with a printer, gaming console or gift card. According to dealnews.com, though, you might see better bundles in July and August.
Lingerie. Victoria's Secret usually has its semi-annual sale in June. Last year, there also were deals from Bare Necessities, Frederick's of Hollywood, Macy's and Maindenform. You'll also find lingerie prices discounted October to December.
Tablets. Discounts on a few tablets have started to appear this month, says Mike Spankie, senior merchandising manager of Deals2Buy.com. Amazon has marked down the Kindle Fire HD, Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch and Kindle Fire HD 8.9-inch 4G by $20 through June 8. Dell has marked down its XPS 10 tablet by $50 through June 15.
Tools. You'll see plenty of sales on tools in advance of Father's Day. But you'll need to wait until October and November for deep discounts on large, pricey power tools.
Wait a little longer to buy ...
Apple products. Prices on current models might drop after Apple's annual developers' conference in June. So hold off on any Apple purchases to see if any new items are announced this summer.
Grills. Prices start to drop in June. But if you can hold out until later in the season, you'll see even better deals.


text:
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A new state law will allow Ohio retailers to hand out free samples of beer and wine.
Existing state law allows sampling of beer, wine and spirits at retailer such as grocery stores and wine shops, but customers have to pay for their samples.
The Dayton Daily News reports that the new measure — which takes effect July 10 — allows retailers to host free tastings. But it preserves a minimum 50-cents-per-sample charge for liquor stronger than 42 proof.
State Sen. Jim Hughes, a Columbus Republican who sponsored the legislation, says the law will lead to more sales, more state revenue and "ultimately aid in job creation."
Hughes says no opposition emerged to the bill as it made its way through the Legislature.


text:
Kentucky Hemlock Trees Threatened with Extinction
April 19, 2008 · Print This Article · Email This Post
Kentucky's hemlock trees are threatened with extinction by the hemlock woolly adelgid, a beetle originally from Osaka, Japan which has decimated East Coast hemlocks from Massachusetts to Georgia. It has no natural enemies in North America and, with global warming, may ultimately spread as far north as the Canadian Maritimes.
Massive stands of hemlock have died in both the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia — where an estimated 90 percent of hemlocks have been decimated — and the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, leaving skeletal-appearing standing timber. The aphid-like beetle has been spotted in the Eastern Kentucky counties of Bell, Clay, Harlan, Leslie, Letcher, Pike, Powell and Whitley, as well as in urban areas much farther west in Grayson and Oldham counties.
First introduced in the 1920s to the Pacific Northwest and in the 1950s to Washington, DC and Richmond, VA, the woolly adelgid feeds on hemlock needles, depriving trees of nutrients. Left untreated, the adelgid causes tree death within five to seven years of the initial infestation. The beetle has spread throughout the East Coast from Massachusetts to Georgia, and has been especially devastating to natural stands of hemlock such as those in forests: specifically, the Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis).
Alice Mandt, of the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, said that the state is "concerned that Kentucky may lose its hemlocks much like the American chestnut was lost." To prevent this, Save Kentucky's Hemlocks has been formed by a consortium of entomologists, foresters, land managers and other public officials and volunteers to identify areas with beetle infestations and to explore additional means of tree treatment.
The hemlocks are a source of food and shelter to several bird species and other wildlife, and their dense foliage also protects streams by filtering sunlight. Lacking the shading qualities of hemlock, oxygen levels in streams decrease as water temperatures increase, affecting fish species and other aquatic life. The blackside dace (Phoxinus cumberlandensis), listed as threatened in the Endangered Species Act of 1987, is federally protected and depends on just such a shaded habitat. Less than three inches long, the dace is found in only eight southeastern Kentucky counties and three Tennessee counties in the upper Cumberland River drainage area. They feed on algae and aquatic insects found in shaded streams. While the dace had been previously threatened by both coal mining and logging activities, the adelgid beetle's activity poses an additional threat to the dace.
Adelgid infestations are difficult to treat: aerial spray of pesticides — specifically, the chemical imidacloprid — could damage other trees and the residue could enter streams. A fungal growth which can be sprayed on trees is being studied at the University of Vermont, while entomologists at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia are studying a Japanese natural predator of the adelgid…but would introduction of yet another non-native species damage forest ecosystems and create further unanticipated problems? Insecticidal soap sprays are effective, but labor intensive and best suited for homeowner application.
Laricobius nigrinus, a beetle species from British Columbia which eats adelgids, has been introduced into some adelgid-infested areas with a degree of success. Both the as-yet-unnamed Japanese beetle and the British Columbian beetle are thought to feed only on adelgids. Very cold winters are also effective in reducing adelgid populations. At this point, the adelgid threat is great enough in Kentucky that officials have only modest hopes of saving a small portion of "heritage" hemlocks in selected parks.
A Science Daily study, which was based on two years of research in western North Carolina, indicates that remaining hemlocks may die within the next 10 years, and that water dynamics of the Southern Appalachian mountains will be affected. According to ecologist Chelcy Ford, of the Forest Service's Southern Research Station in Otto, NC, "No other native evergreen in the southern Appalachians will likely fill the ecohydrological role of eastern hemlock if widespread mortality occurs…With the loss of this species, we predict changes to stream flow, streamside forest structure, and soil moisture that will have to be addressed by land managers."
Have you seen the hemlock woolly adelgid in your area? For more information about joining "Save Kentucky's Hemlocks," contact either Donna Alexander at the Kentucky Natural Lands Trust (877-367-5658) or Alice Mandt at the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission (502-573-2886).
Read more environmental news.
Photo credits: Gary Braasch, R. Childs / University of Massachusetts and U.S. Forest Service
Copyright ©2008 pajamadeen.com


text:
Resolutions: VGA vs 720p vs 1080p vs 5MP vs 4K UHD
CCTV Video Resolutions Explained
Resolution in an analog or digital world is similar, but there are some important differences in how it is defined. In analog video, an image consists of lines or TV-lines since analog video technology is derived from the television industry. In a digital system, an image is made up of square pixels.
NTSC and PAL resolutions
NTSC (National Television System Committee) and PAL (Phase Alternating Line) resolutions are analog video standards. They are relevant to network video since video encoders provide such resolutions when they digitize signals from analog cameras. Current PTZ network cameras and PTZ dome network cameras also provide NTSC and PAL resolutions since such cameras today use a camera block (which incorporates the camera, zoom, auto-focus and auto-iris functions) made for analog video cameras, in conjunction with a built-in video encoder board.
In North America and Japan, the NTSC standard is the predominant analog video standard, while in Europe and many Asian and African countries, the PAL standard is used. Both standards originate from the television industry. NTSC has a resolution of 480 lines and uses a refresh rate of 60 interlaced fields per second (or 30 full frames per second). A new naming convention, which defines the number of lines, type of scan and refresh rate, for this standard is 480i60 ("i" stands for interlaced scanning). PAL has a resolution with 576 lines and uses a refresh rate of 50 interlaced fields per second (or 25 full frames per second). The new naming convention for this standard is 576i50. The total amount of information per second is the same in both standards.
When analog video is digitized, the maximum amount of pixels that can be created is based on the number of TV lines available to be digitized. The maximum size of a digitized image is typically D1 and the most commonly used resolution is 4CIF.
When shown on a computer screen, digitized analog video may show interlacing effects such as tearing and shapes may be off slightly since the pixels generated may not conform to the square pixels on the computer screen. Interlacing effects can be reduced using deinterlacing techniques, while aspect ratio correction can be applied to video before it is displayed to ensure, for instance, that a circle in an analog video remains a circle when shown on a computer screen.
At left, different NTSC image resolutions. At right, different PAL image resolutions.
VGA resolutions
With 100% digital systems based on network cameras, resolutions that are derived from the computer industry and that are standardized worldwide can be provided, allowing for better flexibility. The limitations of NTSC and PAL become irrelevant.
VGA (Video Graphics Array) is a graphics display system for PCs originally developed by IBM. The resolution is defined as 640x480 pixels, which is a common format used by non-megapixel network cameras. The VGA resolution is normally better suited for network cameras since VGAbased video produces square pixels that match with those on computer screens. Computer monitors can handle resolutions in VGA or multiples of VGA.
|VGA Resolutions
|Display format
|4x VGA
Megapixel resolutions
A network camera that offers megapixel resolution uses a megapixel sensor to deliver an image that contains one million or more pixels. The more pixels a sensor has, the greater the potential it has for capturing finer details and for producing a higher quality image. Megapixel network cameras can be used to allow users to see more details (ideal for identification of people and objects) or to view a larger area of a scene. This benefit is an important consideration in video surveillance applications.
|Megapixel Resolutions
|Display format
|No. of pixels
|1.3 megapixels
|1.4 megapixels
|1.9 megapixels
|2.3 megapixels
|3.1 megapixels
|4.1 megapixels
|5.2 megapixels
Illustration of 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.
Megapixel resolution is one area in which network cameras excel over analog cameras. The maximum resolution a conventional analog camera can provide after the video signal has been digitized in a digital video recorder or a video encoder is D1, which is 720x480 pixels (NTSC) or 720x576 pixels (PAL). The D1 resolution corresponds to a maximum of 414,720 pixels or 0.4 megapixel. By comparison, a common megapixel format of 1280x1024 pixels gives a 1.3-megapixel resolution. This is more than 3 times the resolution that can be provided by analog CCTV cameras. Network cameras with 2-megapixel and 3-megapixel resolutions are also available, and even higher resolutions are expected in the future.
Megapixel resolution also provides a greater degree of flexibility in terms of being able to provide images with different aspect ratios. (Aspect ratio is the ratio of the width of an image to its height.) A conventional TV monitor displays an image with an aspect ratio of 4:3. Axis megapixel network cameras can offer the same ratio, in addition to others, such as 16:9. The advantage of a 16:9 aspect ratio is that unimportant details, usually located in the upper and lower part of a conventional-sized image, are not present and therefore, bandwidth and storage requirements can be reduced.
High-definition television (HDTV) resolutions
HDTV provides up to five times higher resolution than standard analog TV. HDTV also has better color fidelity and a 16:9 format. Defined by SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), the two most important HDTV standards are SMPTE 296M and SMPTE 274M.
SMPTE 296M (HDTV 720P) defines a resolution of 1280x720 pixels with high color fidelity in a 16:9 format using progressive scanning at 25/30 Hertz (Hz), which corresponds to 25 or 30 frames per second depending on the country, and at 50/60 Hz (50/60 frames per second).
SMPTE 274M (HDTV 1080) defines a resolution of 1920x1080 pixels with high color fidelity in a 16:9 format using either interlaced or progressive scanning at 25/30 Hz and 50/60Hz.
A camera that complies with the SMPTE standards indicates adherence to HDTV quality and should provide all the benefits of HDTV in resolution, color fidelity and frame rate.
The HDTV standard is based on square pixels—similar to computer screens, so HDTV video from network video products can be shown on either HDTV screens or standard computer monitors. With progressive scan HDTV video, no conversion or deinterlacing technique needs to be applied when the video is to be processed by a computer or displayed on a computer screen.
Source = http://www.axis.com/sk/en/learning/web-articles/technical-guide-to-network-video/resolutions