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Impacts de l'activité des entreprises chinoises dans la filière bois gabonaise
Le présent rapport fait le point du niveau de contribution des sociétés asiatiques en particulier les entreprises chinoises dans la filière bois gabonaise notamment par segment d'activité (exploitation et aménagement forestier, transformation du bois et exportation et la commercialisation des grumes et des produits dérivés) ainsi que le degré de leur implication dans la mise en oeuvre des textes et règlements (code forestier, code du travail et code de l'environnement) en vigueur au Gabon. …
16 Jan 2012 | Downloads - publication
1 Comment | Write a comment
Collaboration and multi-stakeholder dialogue: A review of the literature
29 Dec 2011 | Downloads - document
New brief on findings from national forest governance assessments
Between 2005 and 2009, the IUCN project Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC) sought to improve the effectiveness of forest governance in six key tropical forest countries: Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), Ghana, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Viet Nam. …
07 Dec 2011 | News story
arborvitae Issue 44 - Forests: a legal challenge
- Where there is no title: Security of tenure is neither a sufficient nor a necessary condition for trust and confidence about future benefits.
- Feature: Customary laws can have a significant influence on access to – and use of – land and forests in many countries.
- Tigers or tribals: The rules set down in the law certainly fall short of expectations and make its implementation difficult.
31 Oct 2011 | Downloads - publication
A broader view of forest law enforcement
Much has been written about forest law enforcement, both during the FLEG policy push of the past 15 years, and earlier, when enforcing laws properly was no less a concern. We have known for some time that an effective law enforcement strategy will focus not just on the mechanisms of enforcement, but also on the content of the law and how it is made. Yet knowing something is not the same as doing it. Many countries still follow a narrow, compliance-based approach to enforcement, and, despite some recent gains, continue to struggle with forest crime as a result. …
09 May 2011 | Article
Multi-stakeholder dialogues in IUCN's work on forest governance
IUCN supports multi-stakeholder dialogue (MSD) in forest governance reform as a means, first, to widen the source of knowledge and ideas for tackling a problem, and second, to build the support and capacity for collective action needed to implement reforms effectively. Dialogue is also valuable in itself, particularly if it gives a voice to vulnerable or marginalised social groups often excluded from policy and decision making. …
26 Nov 2010 | Article
Forest Governance and Law Enforcement: Findings from the field
IUCN has published a new report on forest governance structures, systems and stakeholders in six key tropical forest countries: Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Viet Nam. …
15 Oct 2010 | News story
Lessons learned from improving forest governance in Acre, Brazil
This new publication not only analyses the lessons learned in Acre, Brazil, from IUCN's global forest governance project Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC), but is itself part of an ongoing local process of social learning about governance and forests. …
24 Jun 2010 | News story
IUCN publishes FLEGT resources in Thai
IUCN has issued Thai versions of two publications describing important legal and policy changes in the United States and Europe that will affect Thailand's forest resources and industry. …
25 Mar 2010 | Downloads - publication
IUCN releases final evaluation report of Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC)
IUCN has made available in full the final report of the external evaluation of Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC), its global forest governance project. …
08 Dec 2009 | News story
Multi-stakeholder arrangements for improving forest governance and accountability
IUCN and Wageningen International (part of the Wageningen University & Research Centre) have just published the results of a joint study of forest governance and accountability arrangements in Equator province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). …
06 Nov 2009 | News story
IUCN's role in forest governance reform processes
This new brief provides an overview of the roles that IUCN can play in support of national and regional forest governance reform processes, particularly those that address illegal logging, its associated trade and other predatory practices. …
13 Oct 2009 | News story
What role do multi-stakeholder dialogues play in forest governance reform?
IUCN has just published the results from an interactive discussion organised by the Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC) project at Chatham House in London, June 2009. …
13 Oct 2009 | News story
Strengthening capacity for effective participation in forest governance reform processes
From the Strengthening Voices for Better Choices (SVBC) project, a timely and tested guide to conducting a capacity needs assessment and developing a capacity-strengthening strategy for stakeholders in forest governance reforms. …
13 Oct 2009 | News story
New! arborvitae special issue in five languages!
From the Strengthening Voices for Better Choices project, a review of the lessons and experiences of IUCN's global multi-stakeholder forest governance project in five different languages. …
29 Jul 2009 | News story
New report published evaluating multi-stakeholder consultation in Cameroon
The report is produced by The Keystone Center and is titled 'IUCN's role as facilitator in Cameroon's multi-stakeholder consultations for a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA)'. …
06 May 2009 | News story
3 new publications from the Strengthening Voices for Better Choices project
SVBC has issued three new publications on its forest governance work in Asia... …
09 Apr 2009 | News story
0 Comments | Write a comment
"Voting on REDD": The essential ingredients needed for a successful REDD recipe?
IUCN has just published the results from a "Cast your Vote Live" workshop held at the World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, October 2008, in which participants were asked several questions relating to REDD. …
30 Jan 2009 | News story
5 new publications from the Strengthening Voices for Better Choices project
SVBC has issued five new publications on its work in Asia, Africa and Latin America …
14 Jan 2009 | News story
What does forest law enforcement & governance (FLEG) mean for civil society in Southeast Asia & the Pacific?
Representatives from 25 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and institutions, working in 11 countries in Southeast Asia & the Pacific met in Khao Yai, Thailand from November 11-14, 2008, to participate in the IUCN Asia Regional Office Regional Forest Programme (RFP) initiative, "Enhancing FLEG in Southeast Asia & the Pacific: Capacity Building Workshop for NGOs." Participants also included a small number of government officials from selected countries.
20 Nov 2008 | Project description
New publication: Strengthening Voices for Better Choices in Ghana
Enhancing forest governance capacities at national and community levels …
03 Nov 2008 | News story
New publication: Strengthening Voices for Better Choices in Vietnam
Supporting the national dialogue on forest law enforcement, governance and trade …
03 Nov 2008 | News story
New report: Promoting China's Engagement in Africa
Chinese forest delegation study tour to West and Central Africa, 24 April–10 May 2008 …
03 Nov 2008 | News story
New publication: When all voices are heard, communities work together!
As the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recovers from its war-torn past, IUCN is strengthening local voices to conserve the nation's forests, which not only suffered during wartime but are still threatened in a time of peace. …
31 Oct 2008 | News story
New report: EC–Vietnam Round Table on Meeting Market Demands for Legal and Sustainable Wood Products
18 April 2008, Hanoi, Vietnam: Summary report. …
03 Nov 2008 | News story
China explores ways to support sustainable trade in forest products with West and Central Africa
From April 25th to May 9th 2008, a Chinese delegation visited Ghana, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Gabon to explore potential collaboration and to learn more about forest sector reforms in these countries, including the European Union's ongoing FLEGT1 efforts in Africa. …
06 Jun 2008 | News story
Illegal logging estimated to cost world more than US$10 billion pa
Illegal logging is estimated to cost the world more than US$10 billion annually – more than six times the total amount of development assistance directed towards sustainable forest management. …
29 Feb 2008 | News story
China important to African timber producers
China's role in Africa's timber trade is an important one. Although imports from Africa make up a small proportion of China's total timber imports, China is the main destination of up to 90% of timber for some producer countries on the continent. …
29 Feb 2008 | News story


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HANNIBAL, MO. – Kara Harris (Sr.-Barry, Ill.) had three hits and three RBIs as Iowa Wesleyan College won the opening game of a softball doubleheader against Hannibal-LaGrange (Mo.) College Thursday afternoon.
The Tigers rolled to a 10-2 win in the first game of the twinbill before falling 2-1 in the second game. Wesleyan, playing for the first time since returning from its spring break trip in Tucson, Ariz., is now 4-10 this season.
IWC opened the afternoon with 13 hits in the first game led by Harris. The Tigers' number nine hitter was 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and two runs scored. She drove in two runs with a double in the fourth inning and added an RBI single in the seventh inning.
Leigha Strong (Jr.-Muscatine, Iowa) and Ashley Mysliwiec (Fr.-Antioch, Ill.) also combined for four hits and five RBIs near the top of the IWC order, including the Tigers' first three runs driven in during the third inning to erase an early 2-0 lead for HLG. Lauren Konop (Fr.-Plano, Ill.) also had an RBI single and Sarah McCleary (So.-Elgin, Ill.) added two hits.
Ayla Serrano (Fr.-Rock Island, Ill.) backed up the hitting with a terrific performance on the mound, throwing a complete game and allowing just six hits while striking out four. Serrano allowed two unearned runs in the first inning and picked up her first collegiate win.
The Tigers could have used a few of those hits in the second game, as IWC had just four hits in the nightcap. Strong had a pair of hits and Molly Ward (So.-Baylis, Ill.) singled in Strong in the fourth for the only run, but the Trojans won in the bottom of the seventh when Marissa Foreman scored the winning run on an error.
Mallory Crane (Jr.-Des Moines, Iowa) started the second game and allowed eight hits but just one earned run in five innings. Trisha Stogdill (Sr.-Winfield, Iowa) pitched one-plus innings and took the loss after allowing the unearned run in the seventh.
The Tigers were scheduled to play at a tourney at McKendree University in Lebanon, Ill., this weekend but have cancelled that trip due to rain. IWC next will attempt to open Midwest Collegiate Conference play on Tuesday against Clarke College at 3 p.m. at the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.
For more information regarding the IWC basketball programs or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; email@example.com e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
Box score Game 1 IWC 10 HLG 2
Box score Game 2 HLG 2 IWC 1

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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Praises came from all across the state May 4 during a retirement ceremony for Wythe Morris.
Morris, who has served as the Commercial Horticulture Extension Agent for Carroll, Smyth, Grayson and Wythe counties for the past nine years, will certainly be missed judging from the glowing remarks he received at the ceremony, held at the Carroll County Extension Office.
Danny Peek, District Director for the Southwest District of Virginia Cooperative Extension, spoke truthfully, saying he felt inadequate to talk about Morris. In speaking to county agents, he said they all had a hard time saying enough good things about Morris.
"They would say things like, 'His shoes are going to be so big, they're almost impossible to fill.' And some of it is because having somebody like that who has a passion for what he is doing, and has the knowledge to do it, and has the communication skills to communicate it to the growers. That is kind of a rare find," Peek said. "And his background as far as an educator, I've always heard people say if you want to teach somebody how to do things you have to have done them yourself. And I think that is important for Wythe because he has done it himself."
Peek said agents also told him Morris has always been a team player, always willing to work with people and go the extra mile. Perhaps some of the things you never hear Morris say speaks the most about his character.
"That is not my job. That is not my role. Somebody else can do that. You wouldn't hear him say that," Peek said. "He would say, 'Okay, I am willing to help.' And I think that kind of makes Wythe who he is."
Dr. Ed Jones, State Director of the Virginia Department of Extension, said he heard many things about Morris before he moved from North Carolina to Virginia from his colleagues.
"The picture they kept painting, I was expecting this guy to be about 10 feet tall because of how good he was, how helpful and always accommodating he was. Wythe, you are not 10 feet tall in stature, but you certainly are in reputation, and you have done a great job for us," Jones said. "I just want to say thank you for what you've done. You've gone above and beyond what is expected. You've helped develop a statewide presence."
Locally, Southwest Virginia Farmers' Market Manager Kevin Semones said Morris has been invaluable with helping area farmers meet food safety requirements. While Morris has meant a lot in the local arena of agriculture, Semones said Morris has helped Carroll County go from being known for more than just cabbage and apples.
"I don't know how we would be where we are today without him. If you are talking about greens, for example, that is probably close to a million dollar crop in the county. And it wasn't nothing five years ago," Semones said. "Without those growers being GAP certified, Wythe helped every one of them get to that point. Somebody said we are at about a 100 percent rating of everybody we worked with passing. That is great. I don't know how else to say it but thank you sir."
Without Gap certification, Semones said local farmers wouldn't be getting their product into chains such as Food City, Kroger and Wal-Mart as they are currently doing.
"We really appreciate what you have done," Semones said. "We wouldn't be GAP certified without you. Thank you."
Christiansburg farmer Dan Brann said Morris helped him become GAP certified. Things have improved dramatically become of him, Brann said, noting Morris helped make what seemed like the impossible task of becoming GAP certified an easy one.
"When I first came to the meetings and started with all this stuff, I thought it was going to be a mountain, but with Wythe's help it became a molehill. Not a molehill that wasn't important, but it was something accomplishable," Brann said. "We do appreciate very much what Wythe has done, and not only what he's done, but how he's done it. There was never, 'I don't want to do this today, I can't come today, I will be there next week sometime.' There was never that feeling at all. It was, 'We've got a job to do and we will work with you to get it done'. So thanks very much for all you've done for us."
Morris then thanked everyone at the reception for all they've done over the years. He said his blessing from the job came from being able to be in the trenches with farmers and helping them solve problems together.
"A person said a long time ago, and I will always remember this, the only way you can be successful is to help other people be successful. So hopefully I have helped some of you all, and I know for me it has made me feel very, very successful," Morris said. "And I just thank you from the very bottom of my heart for everything and for the relationships we've had. Hopefully that won't end."


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- Baseball: Rutgers Drops Opener of BIG EAST Tournament to USF, 5-2Rutgers dropped its opener of the BIG EAST Tournament to USF, 5-2, Wednesday night in Clearwater, Fla. The Scarlet Knights will play Louisville Thursday at 5 p.m. in an elimination game. […]
- Women's Basketball: RU Women's Basketball To Open Barclays Center Women's Invite with LSUThe Rutgers women's basketball team will open up the Barclays Center Women's Invitational on the home court of the Brooklyn Nets' arena with LSU in non-conference action over the Thanksgiving weekend. […]
- Baseball: Rutgers Drops Opener of BIG EAST Tournament to USF, 5-2
- Rutgers rises in the rankingsRutgers received a bump in Rivals.com's recruiting rankings this week, moving up to the No.26 spot in the country after a few of its commits added an extra star. Thus far, the Scarlet Knights have 10 commitments, including a newly-christened four-star prospect. […]
- Miami CB holds Rutgers offerThis recruiting cycle, the Rutgers staff hasn't been shy in extending offers to secondary players from the Sunshine State, particularly during the spring evaluation period. One of the most recent offers went out to Miami Central cornerback Deatrick Nichols […]
- Rutgers rises in the rankings
- Canteen Has Leader, Talks Summer VisitsEastern Christian (Elkton, Md) wide receiver Freddy Canteen has Rutgers on top of his list going into a busy June of visits. Set to visit more than 10 schools in June, Canteen discussed why Rutgers is his leader coming out of the spring evaluation period. […]
- White Closing to TrimmingMillville (N.J.) High defensive lineman Antoine White talks about a few recent offers, a few programs that have been recruiting him for a while and when he may trim his list. […]
- Canteen Has Leader, Talks Summer Visits
Bleed Scarlet
- Eddie, Julie, and the RACIn a conversation with Jerry Carino, Eddie Jordan--the new coach of Rutgers basketball--said he told Julie Hermann--the new AD at Rutgers--he didn't want anything other than to win. That's all he wanted. He didn't want major upgrades to the RAC, he didn't want a brand-spankin' new practice facility. All he wanted was to win. But, as […]
- Not our athletic directorCan you imagine the media firestorm to come? Rutgers just, willingly mind you, hired an athletic director who was subject to a lawsuit for discriminating against pregnant women. An athletic director who, while nominally the #2 official at Louisville, did not supervise the football or men's basketball programs, which are the only revenue sports at most u […]
- Eddie, Julie, and the RAC
SNY Rutgers
- Dalip Bhatai hired as Rutgers' director of basketball operationsRutgers has found a new director of basketball operations. St. Peter's assistant coach Dalip Bhatai has been hired as Rutgers' director of basketball operations, sources told SNY.tv. Bhatai has been a St. Peter's assistant for the past five years. Prior to his time at St. Peter's, he was an assistant coach at Kean University. Bahati […] […]
- Memphis likely to host the American Athletic Conference basketball tournamentIf Rutgers fans want to see the men's basketball team in the postseason tournament next year, they may have to travel a bit. While there was no official announcement after the league's annual spring meetings this week, Memphis is the overwhelming favorite to host the American Athletic Conference's first postseason basketball tournament, according to ajerseyg […]
- Dalip Bhatai hired as Rutgers' director of basketball operations
Art Forst Audio Betim Bujari Brandon Bing C. Vivian Stringer Charlie Noonan Chas Dodd Dan Donigan David Rowe De'Antwan Williams defense Desmond Stapleton Edmond Laryea Eric LeGrand Gary Nova Greg Schiano Howard Barbieri J.T. Tartacoff Jawan Jamison Jeremy Deering Joe Lefeged Joe Martinek Jordan Thomas Khaseem Greene Kordell Young Kyle Flood Mark Harrison Mason Robinson Mike Rice Mohamed Sanu offense receiver running back Rutgers San San Te Savon Huggins Scarlet Knights Scott Goodale Scott Vallone Steve Beauharnais Temple Tim Wright Tom Savage Top 25 VideoAbout the Author
Keith Sargeant is a graduate of Middlesex County College and Kean University. A Home News Tribune staff writer since August 1997, Keith has been covering Rutgers sports since 2000, serving as the Scarlet Knights football beat writer since 2006.
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TweetHere is the Gannett New Jersey write-up on Pennsylvania product Kevin Snyder: "A good-sized kid that can move and a good leader" Tweet
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TweetRochester, N.Y. standout Quentin Gause comes aboard. Here is the story from today's Gannett New Jersey papers: Had offers from Louisville and Syracuse In addition, Brian Dohn of ScarletReport.com reports that Pennsylvania linebacker Kevin Snyder also committed late Friday: Plays for Cumberland Valley … Continue reading
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'Won't Back Down' passes the test
"Won't Back Down" Starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Holly Hunter. PG (language, dramatic elements).
Inspired by true events, "Won't Back Down" stars Oscar nominees Gyllenhaal and Davis. Gyllenhaal plays Jamie, a single mother of a third grader who attends a public school in Pittsburgh that has a terrible track-record with its students. The school has gotten failing grades for years but the administrators and most of the teachers don't care and so the students aren't learning.
One of those teachers who has pretty much given up is Nona (Davis). She's a third grade teacher who's dealing with marital problems and with a young son who has some learning difficulties. Jamie convinces Nona that they both want the same thing: a better school and a brighter future for their children. So they decide to team-up to fight the system in an effort to take over control of the school and give it a complete makeover. It's a long, difficult process with many obstacles (the biggest being the powerful Teachers Union). Can the two mothers get enough support from parents and teachers to defeat the union and convince the school board to let them start their own school?
At times, "Won't Back Down" is quite effective. The film makes some strong points about the current state of public education and there are some nice, honest moments on screen. But fixing this school isn't the entire focus of the film. There's an inevitable relationship between Jamie and the school's music teacher. A few of their scenes together are goofy and this entire storyline is both distracting and unnecessary.
Even though she gets second billing, Davis owns this movie. Her performance throughout is outstanding, including a few scenes in the third act that are quite powerful. The early Oscar buzz she's getting is deserving. A pleasant surprise is Hunter, who's very convincing as the Vice President of the Teacher's Union. Gyllenhaal has her moments, but is a little preachy.
While "Won't Back Down" is a bit forced and predictable, the performances stand-out and the movie succeeds in making its points while also being entertaining. And there are more than a few impactful moments, including the final scene.
The film is getting a lot of criticism for being anti-union and for its portrayal of bad teachers and administrators. What everyone needs to remember is that this is a Hollywood movie and not a documentary.
LCJ Rating: C+
Also In Theaters
- "Hotel Transylvania" (PG) Frantic, but worth checking-out. B-
- "The Master" (R) Good performances, but not much of a story. C-
- "Trouble with the Curve" (PG-13) Swings and misses. C
- "Finding Nemo 3D" (G) The perfect animated film in third dimension. B+
- "Robot & Frank" (PG-13) Story too robotic. C-
For all of LCJ's reviews go to lights-camera-jackson.com and watch him every Saturday on YNN.
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Mets reliever Feliciano has hole in heart
UPDATED 10:59 AM CST Feb 23, 2013
New York Mets left-handed relief pitcher Pedro Feliciano is taking a break from baseball activities after being diagnosed with having a hole in his heart, according to ESPN New York.
The small hole is located on the exterior of Feliciano's heart. The pitcher said it is not life-threatening. Surgery has not yet been discussed.
Feliciano's condition was discovered after he reported having an irregular heartbeat, according to Newsday. He will wear a heart monitor.
Feliciano, 36, has not pitched in the major leagues since 2010. He has a 3.31 ERA and 1.37 WHIP over his eight-year career.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting and The Sports Xchange. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced he would depart from the Obama administration Wednesday. (Karen Bleier / AFP/Getty Images / January 16, 2013) |
WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced Wednesday that he plans to step down and return to Colorado, leaving another opening in President Obama's Cabinet.
"Colorado is and will always be my home. I look forward to returning to my family and Colorado after eight years in Washington, D.C.," Salazar said in a statement.
As Interior secretary, Salazar oversaw the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management, among other agencies. He had previously served as Colorado's attorney general and senator, before being unanimously confirmed as secretary by the Senate in 2009.
Salazar drew sharp criticism for his department's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, largely for his advocacy for a drilling moratorium in the Gulf of Mexico after the disaster. But Salazar stands by his decision.
"Today, drilling activity in the gulf is surpassing levels seen before the spill, and our nation is on a promising path to energy independence," he said.
Obama, in a statement, praised Salazar for his work on domestic oil and gas production, along with renewable energy. "Ken has helped usher in a new era of conservation for our nation's land, water and wildlife," the president said.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) also applauded the former Colorado senator, who served from 2005 to 2009. "I have never worked with a better steward of our nation's precious natural resources than Ken Salazar," he said in a statement.
A successor for Salazar is yet unknown. With some criticism arising after he nominated three white males to the most prominent open Cabinet positions, Obama may cast a wider net in his search for a new Interior chief.


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After you've run Windows Easy Transfer and your files and settings are back on your computer, you can reinstall your programs and check for new or updated drivers.
Windows Easy Transfer provides a report detailing the programs you used in Windows Vista that you might want to reinstall. To reinstall your programs, you'll need to use the installation discs or setup files that you gathered earlier.
If your computer came with several preinstalled programs, you might see programs listed in the report that you've rarely or never used. When you begin reinstalling programs, start with the ones that you know and use regularly, especially new antivirus software. If you don't have antivirus software for your PC that's compatible with Windows 7, you can browse for new programs at the Windows 7 Compatibility Center.
If you have a program that you used in Windows Vista that isn't compatible with Windows 7, try using the Program Compatibility troubleshooter. For more information, see Open the Program Compatibility troubleshooter.
Some programs such as Windows Mail and Outlook Express are no longer included in Windows 7. If you used Windows Mail or Outlook Express as your e‑mail program, you'll need to install a new e‑mail program to read your messages or send and receive e‑mail. For more information about Windows Live Mail and instructions for importing your e‑mail, contacts, and calendar, see Importing your e‑mail, messages, contacts, and calendar into Windows Live Mail.
A driver is software that allows your computer to communicate with hardware or devices. Without drivers, the hardware you connect to your computer—for example, a video card or a printer—won't work properly.
In most cases, drivers come with Windows, or you can find them by using Windows Update and checking for updates. To do so, click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click Windows Update.
If Windows Update doesn't have the driver you need, check out the Windows 7 Compatibility Center, which has direct links to driver downloads and manufacturer support pages. For more information, see Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly.
Some netbooks and laptops that were running Windows Vista might not have specific Windows 7 drivers for features such as function buttons. If Windows Update doesn't find a driver, go to your computer manufacturer's website and search for a download or support page where you can find drivers for your PC.
You can try to install a driver made for Windows Vista on your PC running Windows 7. If the Windows Vista driver won't install, you can run the Program Compatibility troubleshooter to try and fix the problem.
Download or copy the driver installation file to your computer.
Right-click the file, and then click Troubleshoot compatibility.
Follow the steps in the Program Compatibility troubleshooter to change the compatibility settings for the driver.
During Windows 7 installation, if you don't format the partition, files that were used in Windows Vista are stored in the Windows.old folder. The type of files in this folder depends on your computer.
After you've used Windows 7 for a while—for example, one or two weeks—and you're confident that your files and settings are back to where you want them to be, you can safely reclaim disk space by using Disk Cleanup to delete the Windows.old folder.
You can also delete the Windows.old folder if you receive an error during Step 4: Moving your files and settings back to your computer that indicates that you don't have enough free disk space to transfer your files and settings back to your computer.
Before you use Disk Cleanup, make sure that all of your files and settings moved correctly to Windows 7 where you expected them to be. Deleting the Windows.old folder can't be undone.
Click the Start button, and in the search box, type Disk Cleanup. In the list of results, click Disk Cleanup.
If you're prompted to choose a drive, choose the drive that you just installed Windows 7 on, and then click OK.
Click Clean up system files. If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.
If you're prompted again to choose a drive, choose the drive that you just installed Windows 7 on, and then click OK.
Select Previous Windows installation(s) and any other categories of files that you want to delete.
Click OK, and then click Delete Files.
Windows 7 Upgrade Advisor
Getting started with Windows 7
Know what works: Windows 7 Compatibility Center


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Comment posted Lochgilphead primary pupil's internet exposure of poor school meals goes viral by B Tyson.
I know this school very well, and I know that the school kitchen has to follow guide lines, therefore the menus are set for them. Baked potatoes are served every day, and the choice of salad is fantastic.
The food is made fresh every day. I don't know what all the fuss is about.
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SOURCE: Birch Gold Group
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2012 ECG: selections
You will find here the participants who have been selected for each country. This list twill be updated everytime new selections take place!
Selections in each country
France: Japan Expo
Paris-Nord Villepinte, July 2, 2011 - www.japan-expo.com
- Solo: Constance C. D. in a costume of Female Numan from Phantasy Star Portable 2
- Group: Floria N. and Vanina N. in costumes of the fighting sisters from Warhammer 40 000
© Tako Presse/2011/Damien BOREL
Portugal: Anipop Kyuu Ti
Lisbon, September 18, 2011 - evento.anipop.org
- Solo: Leonor G. in a costume of Mirka Fortuna from Trinity Blood
- Group: Sara C. and Patricia B. in costumes from Panty & Stocking with Garterbelt
© GOMA COMMUNICATION/2011/Benjamin ZAFRANY
Italy: Lucca Comics & Games
Lucca, October 29, 2011 - www.luccacomicsandgames.com
- Solo: Massimiliano C. in a costume of Rikuo Nura from Nurarihyon no Mago
- Group: Gabriella O. and Nadia B. in costumes from Cloth Road
© GOMA COMMUNICATION/2011/Benjamin ZAFRANY
Spain: Salon del Manga
Barcelona, October 31, 2011 - ficomic.com
- Solo: Stefany M. in a costume of Shiva from Final Fantasy X
- Group: Julio A. , Ruben T. and Ivette P. in costumes from Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
© www.cooladn.com
Belgium: Japan Expo Belgium
Brussels, November 6, 2011 - www.japan-expo.be
- Solo: Laurent R. in a costume of Xanto from Legend of Zelda Twilight Princess
- Group: Sofie P. , Eri U. and Ellen C. in a costume from Petshop of Horrors
© www.cooladn.com
Denmark: J-Popcon
Copenhaguen, November 12, 2011 - www.j-popcon.dk
- Solo: Liv W. in a costume from Avatar: The Last Airbender
- Group: Ida K., Anne Sophie A. and Sigge L. in costumes from Puella Magi Madoka Magica
© GOMA COMMUNICATION/2011/Benjamin ZAFRANY
United-Kingdom: Hyper Japan
London, March 25 & 26, 2012 - hyperjapan.co.uk
- Solo: Naomi T. as Son Gohan in Dragon Ball Z
- Group: Erin B. et Ria B. as Vanille and Hope in Final Fantasy XIII
© GOMA COMMUNICATION/2012/Benjamin ZAFRANY
Germany: Leipziger Buchmesse
Leipzig (March 15-18, 2012) - www.leipziger-messe.de
- Solo: Annabell H. as Esther Blanchette (Trinity Blood).
- Group: Jessica Plaumann and Eugenia Korel wearing costumes of Card Captor Sakura.
Crédits photos : GOMA COMMUNICATION/2012/Benjamin ZAFRANY
Switzerland: Polymanga
Lausanne (April 7-9, 2012) - www.polymanga.ch
- Solo: Nicolas P. as Rinzler (Tron Legacy).
- Group: Jenny G. et David K. wearing costumes from Dynasty Warriors 7.
Crédits photos : GOMA COMMUNICATION/2012/Benjamin ZAFRANY
Netherlands: Animecon
Almelo (May 19-20, 2012) - www.animecon.nl
- Solo: Melissa V. wearing a costume from Magna Carta
- Groupe: Marlies K. et Wendalyn V. wearing costumes from Dynasty Warriors.
Crédits photos : GOMA COMMUNICATION/2011/Benjamin ZAFRANY
JAPAN AIRLINES, sponsor de l'ECG
AOJI, partner of the ECG


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Epoxyn* Open End and Beehive Overflows
Thermo Scientific* Epoxyn Overflows are available in two types, resin and polyolefin.
The same built-in strength and durability of Epoxyn work surfaces are molded into every component we manufacture. Epoxyn sinks, pegboards, balance tables and fume hood work surfaces can be created in any color and custom size to meet your design needs.
For the Architects and Engineers Document Library (literature) and CSI Master Specifications, please access the Architects & Engineers Information Center.


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Poznań, Poland
The main theme of the symposium is 'Plants in hydrosystems: from functional ecology to weed research'. The symposium holds:
The following sessions are planned:
- Biology, ecology and distribution of aquatic plants,
- Aquatic plants in biomonitoring,
- Nature conservation of aquatic and riparian vegetation,
- Management of aquatic vegetation and side effects,
- Invasive plants and their ecological effects,
- Environmental management in relation to aquatic plant cover,
- Aquatic vegetation and environmental relationships,
- Hydrobotanical systems in waste water treatment.
We encourage any proposal of new topics and sessions. Please contact the symposium organizers.


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UNH Aging Center launches Direct Care Career Guide
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Direct-care workers provide personal support and assistance that helps individuals maintain independence and connection to their community. New Hampshire's population is aging faster than the national average, creating an increased demand for services provided by direct-care workers. |


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By Fred on Thu, Feb 28, 2013 7:42 PM PSTI am embarrassed that a major network would blast such a holy man, letterman should be chastised for such a breach. Moreover, the network is culpable. No wonder that the populace has no regard for the validity of your news reporting. I guess Letterman …more»1 of 2 people found this review helpful
By Sunlace on Thu, Jan 10, 2013 7:21 PM PSTI loved the musical guest last night, but can't find the name! Who was he?
How do I find out?
He was very distinctive. Don't know what his style would be called. Maybe bayou blues? He kind of had a Willie Nelson look.
Also enjoyed Josh Brolin …more»0 of 1 people found this review helpful-
By G on Sat, Dec 22, 2012 6:51 AM PSTThe Meatball Toss is a GREAT Skit.......why didn't you show the entire clip??? What's the point of TALKING about the infamous "toss" and then not even show Jay Thomas actually knocking the meatball off the top of the tree??!!! The …more»0 of 0 people found this review helpful
By Jon on Fri, Oct 26, 2012 4:35 PM PDTI think you should stay totally out of politics. unless you could put down the demorcrats with the same equallity that you put down the republicans, One Big Ass Mistake America. Letterman, stay out of politics, you and your buddy Leno also. Shame on …more»2 of 0 people found this review helpful
By Stephanie on Fri, Oct 26, 2012 1:55 PM PDTHUMAN RIGHTS TOPS DOCKET.OPENING CASE EYES US SUITS OF FOREIGN FIRMS.-WASHINGTON!THE SUPREME COURT OPENING ITS 2012-2013 TERM OCT.I WITH ORAL ARGUMENT IN A CASE EXAMINING WHETHER A FOREIGN CORPORRATION CAN BE SUED IN THE US COURT FOR ALLEGEDLY AIDING …more»0 of 0 people found this review helpful
By Quickdraw on Thu, Oct 18, 2012 9:55 PM PDTDavid: How did you like the smoke Obama just blew up your ass. You ask him one hard question and he tapdanced all around you and never answered the question. He gave you the video thing again and the State Dept. has already said that was not it. How are …more»0 of 0 people found this review helpful
By JimC on Fri, Sep 28, 2012 8:30 PM PDTHe needs to be on HBO with the other dumb ass. If I wanted polictics on the late show I'd watch CNN, PMSNBC or Fox News. Rush Limbaugh is a lot funnier with the polictical satire. If Mitt Romney wants to talk to an [profane] he can have anybody …more»0 of 0 people found this review helpful
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A late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman.Latest Videos
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ESTATE NOTICE DECEDENT: Lois Lee, Late of Bellefonte Borough, Centre Co- unty, Pennsylvania EXECUTORS: Connie Eckley 110 East Drive Boalsburg, PA 16827 ATTORNEY: Robert A. Mix, Esquire Lee, Green & Reiter, Inc. 115 East High Street Bellefonte, PA 16823... More info Email a friend |
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As some of you know, I've never written tactical battle AI before. Galactic Civilizations and Stardock's other games didn't have tactical battles. War of Magic had tactical battles but I wasn't involved in that portion of the game.
This series of journals will take you through the journey of how to write AI for tactical battles. In my experience, games have tended to have pretty crummy AI when it comes to tactical battles (War of Magic no exception).
So for starters, I've got help. Seasoned developer Charles Lentz, who has been at Stardock for some years now, is assisting me on this project. The first thing I asked him to do is make it easy for me to do mock battles. When I was working on War of Magic v1.4, which was the first build I even got to look at how tactical battles were done, I noticed that there was no way for me to conduct mock battles. I'd have to "get lucky" and find an AI player who could cast spells to see if it even worked which was time consuming.
So for Fallen Enchantress, I asked Charles to set up a cheat key that would create opposing armies and that it would read from an XML file that I could mod to decide what powers those units would have. That way, I could test out all kinds of combinations.
Since I come from the modding world, I prefer to have my games let me, the player, mod as much as possible. My AIs have not been very moddable in the past because, frankly, the coding necessary was far outside my area of expertise (i.e. making it read variables and data from external XML files rather than just hard coding it in C++). But with Fallen Enchantress, Charles is going to take care of that for me.
So one of the things I intend to do is stuff as much data as I can in XML files. I want to be able to have the AI gather as much data as it can about who it opposes and then look at the XML data to help it decide what to do.
That means I want to make it so that every spell, ability, weapon, etc. in the game has in its XML AI data that I (or others) can mod with good things to go against it.
Does the enemy side have a spell that rains down a fire storm on me? Then I want that spell to include in its XML what spells are good counters to it. Then, the player comes in with his fire mage and the enemy casts a frost shield on her first turn.
Moreover, this gives me the excuse to request the UI team to let both sides see what spells/abilities each other have easily because a good tactical battle, in my opinion, should be a real battle of wits making use of terrain, spells, counter-spells, and maneuver. And the more data the player gets to see, the more data I can let the AI see without "cheating".
Man, if I can come away from a FE tactical combat feeling like I just played a Magic: The Gathering duel I'll be one happy camper.
I just finished playing Tactics Ogre on my PSP, just a couple of days ago. Maybe most games don't have good tactical AI, but Tactics Ogre is one that is reasonably okay, or at least has withstood the test of time as being enjoyed by many and still played today which isn't bad for a game that first came out in 1995 (kind of like Master of Magic now that I think about it). Final Fantasy Tactics isn't too shabby either and gets a little 3D action, kind of. Not that I'm saying Stardock isn't on top of this, but I hope people on the team are at least familiar with these staple games of tactical strategy role playing, and aren't just looking at the games that don't have particularly good tactical AI.
I like what I've read here, but just want to throw this out. Fearzone mentioned Tactics ogre (amazing game). I mention final fantasy tactics and disgaea. If you had a fantasy game with tactical combat that matched the depth and polish of disgaea and the city building and storyline you've been working on, I'd think this would be a game I'd play the crap out of and love. I personally care more for tactical combat than most aspects (FF Tactics is one of my fav games). IMO, one of the best games of all time (kinda off topic, kinda not) is Actraiser. This was one of the first of its types. An action game that was also a city builder hybrid. But the main thing was that it did both things well and was entertaining. I'd love playing the action part and I'd love working on my city. Never really got old. It just ended before I'd have liked it to.
I guess I just don't want things to just be OK in FE. I want it to be great. Personally, I'd have one team (4-6 folks) working on tactical battles and another team (4-6) working on everything else. I'd think a huge amount of the ground work was already covered for the main game (non tactical), so perhaps less there. I'm not looking for "improved elemental." I'm looking for a brand new game that not only refines concepts, but innovates as well (eg I don't want madden 2000 compared to madden 2001).
Thanks for the post and sharing where things are. If you haven't played a game like disgaea, Brad, do it. Sell .1% of the electricity on your solar array, pick up a ps3, and play disgaea 4 for an hour. What do you think of tactical battle then and what enhancements could you come up with? Always good to look at successful turn based tactical battles (step MORE outside the box of the civ4/5 venue). They are one type - FF tactics and disgaea are a whole other beast.
If you somehow captured the uniqueness that characters have in disgaea in your turn based combat, that would be huge.
Anyway, my 2 cents.
Sounds very promising.
Really looking forward to the Beta.
to be fair, disgaea's tactical AI is not very good Pacov
Plus the first hour is all the tutorials zzzzzzzz. But Disgaea does have a great flavor, and 3 is one of my favs.
My concern:
I could see this AI being gamed a bit, though I think it's impossible to avoid gaming an AI unless the AI has a bit of randomness, or pre-knowledge that a player likes to play games.
I really think AI should adjust to the player's tendencies from game to game, how hard would that be to implement? I remember VF4 on the PS2 having that in its AI code- where if you kept doing certain things, the game would counter it and force you to mix it up.
i like iarienna's post... i think puts out alot of good ideas. im also feeling a ogrebattle like concept of giving units orders and that unit pretty much does its own thing according to the strategy given. i mean im not saying that on the world map you dont move around your pieces but when in tactical combat you dont directly control each action your armies just set the strategy for their behavior. the only thing that should be player controlled should be the soverign as how the game always advertised that you take took role as a soverign bit. i think that would give a unique flavor as the only unit in strategic combat you can directly control is the soverign ( yourself) and the rest of your armies do things according to the strategy do select for them.
any case i think the idea should be explored to some extent in the game as it would remove micromagement in the tactical battles... as i would find it rather boring to press a button 3 times in a row to make my line of pikemen attack. i would find it alot faster and funner to select a strategy that i see the pike men go at it for a round then themselves dig into a defensive position.
anycase + karma to iarienna's post
A note:
What's equally or even more important than the tactical AI is making sure that the AI controlled side arrives in battle with a mix of units capable of doing what's being discussed.
In most games the strategic AI sends armies to engage the enemy only to have the tactical AI withdraw.
Allow me to advise slightly against this. Instead I'd suggest allowing spells to be tagged, e.g. "Warming Aura" might be tagged with [defensive], [fire], [aoe]. The XML for "Deadly Blizzard" would specify tags as counters, for example [fire], [immunity], [resistance], [defensive]. The counter-AI would try to pick a spell with multiple appropriate counter-tags.
This way there's a lot of room for AI optimization by manipulating spell-tags; and makes it MUCH MUCH easier to add new spells without having to manually update 2mb of XML counter-data.
Basically the AI shouldn't work with spell-names, but spell-function-identifiers.
I disagree, general tags like that never reach the depth necessary. And the game won't consist of 10 spells doing the same thing slightly differently. It'll be one AOE fire spell, one AOE ice spell and so on. Each type would need a different tag anyway, such as CounterAoeFire and CounterAoeIce. You might as well link straight to suggested spells instead. You wouldn't have to update "2 mb" of xml data. You'd update one or two lines.
As with every piece of software, the possibility to create a test-case exactly how you want, and to rerun it ad infinitum is incredibly valuable. I am very, very surprised this was not present in War of Magic, but it does explain why the battles are so flat - there simply wasn't a huge investment in time there, at least not as much as should have been. Such is the life of the developer.
Thanks for the update Frogboy! I've grown enthousiastic about the WoM-line again, because of the FE-stuff... Hopefully, more for you than for me, it will pay off in the end. Of course, you already have my money, so no worries there
No, each type gets multiple tags. Instead of [CounterAOEFire] you'd have [AOE] and [Fire]. "Deadly Blizzard" would indicate that [Fire], [Defensive], [Resistance], [Immunity] are valid counter tags. [Fire] would fall under the category of Damage-Type tags, while [Defensive] and the rest are under category Protective tags. The AI's job is picking a spell that ideally matches at least 1 tag from every of the categories specified. So its not a matter of a single super-tag [CounterAOEFire], but having a list of viable tags and finding spells that match a suitable subset.
"Heart of the Sun" [self], [fire], [resistance], [permanent]"Aspect of the Immortal" [self], [all-damage], [immunity], [temporary]"Warm Aura" [aoe], [fire], [defense], [permanent]"Mass Elemental Shield" [aoe], [all-elements], [resistance], [temporary]
Would all qualify for countering "Deadly Blizzard". Note that [fire] is a child of tag [all-elements] which is a child of tag [all-damage]. So parent-child relations are accounted for in the counter-process.
This makes a massive difference when there's a substantial number of spells. Also it will make modding vastly simpler.
I can already see this bug happening: Fireblast is countered by Iceshield. But on release the AI doesn't use Iceshield because in its XML the counter spell specified is "Fireball" - but marketing decided that "Fireblast" sounds much better, so the name got changed but not updated into all its outlying fields.
HenriHakl has the right of it I believe. If you want people to be able to mod in a few extra spells without having to also modify EVERY existing spell in the game to update counter spells etc then you need it to be done through applying multiple generic tags to each spell.
Having said that I think there is a benefit in also allowing a spell to specify that it is a counter to a specific spell by name for a few special cases there there are very powerful or special spells which have odd effects and need to be linked. But the vast majority of spells should be understandable and useable by the AI with generic tags.
Yes. Mistwraithe has it right - there should be facility to specify specific spells as well. Sometimes it is just necessary because of complex spell-interactions that cannot be readily modeled in tags.
Yes. Mistwraithe and HenriHakl have it right, I believe. Not that I know anything about game AI, but this would make things a lot easier on modders.
HenriHaki, so you want to have spell tags AND unique spell counter information in the XML, in order to simplify it from having only unique spell counter information?
I'm with Heavenfall on this. Doing it by tags makes it a lot harder to make AI do the right choices. You need to balance the tags perfectly for it to know which spell is the best counter. There's also a big risk that the AI would cast a spell that is in fact not a proper counter at all. Simple example: Spell "poison immunity" has tags [immunity] and [poison]. You cast a spell "spread disease" which says that spells that have tags [immunity], [resistance] and [disease] are a valid counter. Now, in order to not make the AI use poison immunity which wouldn't work, you would have to have the XML say that the counter MUST have the tag [disease] in it. So you need to have logic operations in the XML now, instead of just listing the counterspells directly. With a little bit of imagination, it's not hard to vision examples that make the tag system even more complicated.
Direct counter information is a better system.
EDIT:To make modding spells as easy as possible, I would consider making the AI to go through both the spell the opponent has cast for COUNTER tags and spells he can cast himself for EFFECTIVE tags (for spells this spell is effective *against*). This way whenever you mod in a new spell you would only need to add the COUNTER and EFFECTIVE tags to the new spells to keep the whole database updated. It doesn't matter that there is duplicate data.
OR, I would just write a simple script that updates the spell XML counters whenever you make a new spell. Either case, I don't think adding new spells comes so often that updating the counter information is that big of a chore.
I like the initiative concept and the delay idea between choosing an action and it occurringvs the opponents' defensive/counter action. This should make magic more valuable in combat and perhaps more relevant to keep your units protected or toast the opponent. I look forward to seeing how it works in practice. Two thumbs up. I am curious how the interaction between defense, offense, range weapons and spells will work out and what variety results.
How about:
- Combat rules programmable via xml (in addition to data on spells)- Two levels of AI, Commander and Unit specific
The unit AI comes into play if the commander chooses not to do anything with it or decides to let the unit make a decision.This might help with the 'dumb unit behaviour' .
The Commander AI has the option to direct the priorities of the unit. (over-ride).
This creates a programmable combat engine.
Example Unit AI rule snippet
// Basic Sword Unit[Melee DPS] Basic Sword Unit
[Priority Target List] Attack directed, Attack Nearest, Attack Ranged, Combined Attack, Attack Magic unit. // Highest to lowest priority[Priority Defensive List] Defend directed, Defend self, defend closest, defend closest magical, defend closest NPC // Highest to lowest priority.[Orders Priority List] Attack, defend, fallback, avoid //initial priority list, highest to lowest.
[Decisions][Health<50%] Bump Defend up priority List[Health<75%] Bump fallback up priority list[Hit with AOE]Bump Avoid to top of priority list
Will it still be turn based? ie. will any game time elapse while you're choosing what a certain troop will do?
Best regards,Steven.
StevenAus, game time will not elapse while you think, no. It's turn based but it doesn't have game 'rounds', upon which all units act once.
I have a question about AI knowledge (which also applies to the strategic level as well). How does the AI know that the opponent has a fire storm spell unless they have faced the opponent before and it was used on them?
I also think that a player shouldn't be able to "know" everything about an enemy or, in particular, its cities unless it has somehow gained that knowledge.
The main way I see of obtaining this info is through spies. It may be too late to work this into the framework of the game, but it would be a neat touch and lend more logic to how players gain knowledge of the opponents.
Great news, looking forward to your further posts on this subjects.
I wonder if a modder will be able to create different tactical AI's for different fractions to reflect an AI sovereign's tactical bent - i.e. some might be cautious, others might be methodical and some might just charge in while some AIs might be sneaky and others forthright.
Mmm, perhaps link the AI used to the Sovereign's Intelligence (and/or level; battle experience)? A higher intelligence (and/or level) Sovereign/Hero accessing a more nuanced AI routine.
Perhaps: If an opponent is going to cast a spell you can recognize the caster's actions if you have that spell book OR you make an intelligence check (5% x Intel Level).
Are the AI players going to be attacked by wandering nasties? That was a big break in immersion in WoM - undefended pioneers having all sorts of monsters just walk past them, while the monsters head for the human player. In the more dangerous world of FE, it would be even more immersion-breaking to have AI players left alone by neutral nasties, purely because they are AI players, while the human player gets attacked without fail.
to the AI comment by XIA:
I disagree, I think this is a good way to start. If the AI knows that it has a counter it should use it, sort of reminds me of yugio when I was reading it and it sounded fun. The battle system has never been very good in elemental it was more about overwelhm the enemy with numbers or if you had a spell caster just bomb away on them before they reach you - fun but not truly tacticle.
The spell types and such in the game make it so that it should play more like a tacticalRPG in battle - which it sounds like they are trying to make it do now. So please have at it.
To the Comment above me:
Good point, monsters should be a problem for every one
There is a performance hit that has to be considered also, disc read and writes are intrinsically slower than any other type of access. If this becomes too complicated. That being said, create the XML files dynamically is a good idea and it pretty easy in c# (not sure what language you guys are using). This should be done one game load with the battle system querying the xml data for counters and attacks, returning the data should be ordered by effectiveness. Decent AI will select the most effective counter 50 percent of the time, Good 75% Great 100%. For this to be effective they need to also have an initiative roll to determine who gets the 1st attack.


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Wednesday, April 4, 2012
McKinty and Doyle For The Win!
Adrian McKinty...No question, THE COLD, COLD GROUND is an exciting launch for what is sure to be an anticipated crime series. Great detective stories are built on three key elements—setting, story, and protagonist—and this one deploys each one magnificently. The setting—Northern Ireland in 1981, during the hunger strikes—is portrayed with frightening detail. The clever story evolves slowly as plot points are pinned to cultural biases that transcend "The Troubles"—for example, homosexuality and unwed motherhood. Police detective Sean Duffy wins us over chapter by chapter with his tenacity, his swaggering, witty dialogue, and his record collection—he spins The Velvet Underground when in need of a lift. The audiobook exceeds all expectations because of narrator Gerard Doyle. His storytelling is understated, and his dialect work is remarkable. This is the ninth collaboration between author and narrator, and this team totally rocks. R.W.S. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: APRIL 2012]
21 comments:
McKinty "totally rocks"! Brilliant, well done and well deserved. I gave my sister-in-law the audiobook for Falling Glass, forgetting she'd read the book. Interestingly, she said knowing the plot didn't detract from the enjoyment of Doyle's delivery. It hadn't really occurred to me that there might be a separate experience to be had.
- April 27, 2012 at 11:25 AM
- speedskater42k said...
Yay! Great!!
(I had to look up "chuffed.") - April 27, 2012 at 11:26 AM
- adrian mckinty said...
Sometimes audiobooks ruin you for the real thing. Its very difficult for me to read any of those Patrick OBrian novels without Patrick Tull's voice lulling me into the story. - April 27, 2012 at 12:09 PM
- adrian mckinty said...
Its a tricky word is chuffed.
"I was well chuffed" is a common expression in the north of England/British Isles meaning pleased or happy.
However "taking it up the chuff" means something completely different. - April 27, 2012 at 12:13 PM
- seana said...
That's fantastic. I love how the reviewer loses his or her reasoned critic's voice there at the end a little and just has to say "totally rocks."
- April 27, 2012 at 12:23 PM
- seana said...
Just adding that for those who have never heard it read, like me, there is a small audio sample here.
It's much better than the narration in my head, but I might have to stick to that for awhile as it is pretty different. - April 27, 2012 at 12:42 PM
- adrian mckinty said...
I've talked to Ger on many occasions. His provenance is quite interesting. He's English but has Irish parents and cousins and he lives on Long Island, so he's well placed to do English, Irish and American accents.
I'm going to have to try and throw him in the next book by having a hitman "with a pronounced Johannesberg accent" or something. - April 27, 2012 at 2:17 PM
- seana said...
Well, you're the one who was complaining about those late night punctilious phone calls, but sure, go ahead.
- April 27, 2012 at 2:27 PM
- adrian mckinty said...
He is very punctilious but thats a good thing, right?
I am certainly not as high maintenance as some of his authors. I shall name no names... - April 27, 2012 at 2:42 PM
- seana said...
It's an excellent thing, I'm just saying consider what you might be letting yourself in for.
None of us out here know whether you are high maintenance or not. I expect it will all come out in the unauthorized biography. - April 27, 2012 at 2:48 PM
- StevieD said...
I agree with the review. Congrats!
- April 27, 2012 at 8:15 PM
- Dana King said...
Congratulations to you both. I've not heard any of the recordings, but your books seem to lend themselves to that medium, given the accents and some of the language used. Off to listen to the sample now.
- April 28, 2012 at 1:19 AM
Pleased for ya - and for getting my copy of Falling Glass.
- April 28, 2012 at 3:44 AM
- lil Gluckstern said...
I'm so happy for you as I always am when you and your "voice" get the accolades you deserve. I was describing your writing to a friend, and I believe the word I used was bewitching-how you put us right in the scene.
- April 28, 2012 at 6:04 AM
- Richard L. Pangburn said...
Congratulations again! Keep 'em coming.
- April 28, 2012 at 7:50 AM
- adrian mckinty said...
Thank you! - April 28, 2012 at 8:05 AM
- adrian mckinty said...
I think all books can be turned into talking books if you get the right narrator. Even that chart heavy Pinker book about violence got recorded in the end. - April 28, 2012 at 8:06 AM
- adrian mckinty said...
Thank you. - April 28, 2012 at 8:06 AM
- adrian mckinty said...
I dont think it works for all my titles but The Cold Cold Ground I think is pretty atmospheric. - April 28, 2012 at 8:07 AM
- adrian mckinty said...
I'm working on book 2 as we speak. - April 28, 2012 at 8:07 AM
- Peter Rozovsky said...
Another accent that might flummox him is that spoken by the wife of a crime writer I've run into at conventions. She's English, and I asked another English member of our party one evening what kind of an accent it was.
"It's part Irish, part Glasgow, part Geordie, and part something else."
That might have been after she said at dinner: "I couldn't sound posh even if I tried."
Detectives Beyond Borders
"Because Murder Is More Fun Away From Home"
http://www.detectivesbeyondborders.blogspot.com/ - April 28, 2012 at 5:32 PM


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The Colony Courier-leader > News
Slight change in financing on Nebraska Furniture Mart deal: city tweaks public funds
By Marthe Stinton,
Published: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 11:33 AM CST
The Colony City Council is perusing final documents that would change the initial public debt dollars on the Nebraska Furniture Mart. The council is expected to approve the changes at its Dec. 4 meeting.
According to city documents, the development was initially planned to use $425 million in public debt. However, after a working with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott for the past year and an extensive market and cost analysis, the development and the city have decided to use a blend of public debt with private funds for the capital contributions.
According to Tim Miller, assistant city manager, this is a positive development for the city as revenue pledges for the public debt burden will be eased. This will ease up the timeline on the development, he said.
"When we were looking at doing $425 million, they were going have to go from zero to 100 miles an hour in a very short period of time," Miller said. "What that does is really put a lot of pressure on them just to fill up the site with anything they could get in there. Now that we've got some private funds that will be put in there and reduce that public funding requirement, they can focus on maintaining that quality of development they had promised us to begin with - instead of trying to fill stuff in there just to service that debt."
The city will be paying interest during construction. However, the city will not be paying interest on private funds after the construction period. Maybe the only change, Miller said, is that Nebraska Furniture Mart will be taking on a substantial amount of debt on its own outside of the public debt. This does three things, Miller said: it reduces the city's debt burden, shows their commitment to the project and desire to have a quality development.
Before the changes, public debt was projected to be $425 million, $80 million of which would be Public Improvement District backed and $345 million would be credit enhanced. Now, after council approved changes, public debt will be $173 million, PID dollars would remain the same, $93 million would be credit enhanced and $252 million will be privately funded.
Miller said the city is finalizing the mechanics of that change, which is a drastic change to cut out a little over half of the public debt.
The development is expected to bring more than 4,000 construction jobs and 2,000 retail positions to North Texas within the next two years.
The 1.86-million-square-foot development will be part of the largest retail and entertainment destination of its kind in North America and will be situated at state Highway 121 and Plano Parkway in The Colony.
City officials said Nebraska Furniture Mart is expected to attract more than 8 million visitors from more than 200 miles way and generate more than $600 million in annual sales. The store is designed to house more than 160,000 items designed for homes.
Nebraska Furniture Mart assembled multiple tracts of land for its mixed-use development. The entire development is anticipated to receive 14 to 16 million visitors annually, the company said.
Copyright © 2013 - Star Local News


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Photo Gallery | Pet Paparazzi: Send Us Your Pics
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Wednesday, March 28th, 2012, 12:25pm
Got a rockstar pet? Share your photos in our 2 Your Town "Pet Paparazzi" photo gallery.
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APD Releases Name of Victim in Deadly Pedestrian Accident
By: APD Press Release
Updated: January 11, 2013
The original call indicated that a vehicle had struck a pedestrian in the roadway at this location.
Upon arrival of emergency personnel, it was discovered that a brown 1986 Chevrolet truck driven by Gabriel Borrego, 71, of Abilene, was traveling north in the inside lane of Sayles Boulevard when he struck a pedestrian in the roadway.
The pedestrian was wearing dark colored clothing and was not seen by the driver of the truck prior to the collision.
The pedestrian was identified as Zachery Joseph Melton, 32, of Abilene. Mr. Melton died as a result of injuries sustained in the collision.
He was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace A.L. Deatherage at 6:55 p.m. Next of kin was notified. Mr. Borrego was not injured.
Alcohol was present at the scene, but at this time, it is unknown if alcohol was a contributing factor in the collision. Blood samples were taken from Mr. Borrego and Mr. Melton.
The investigation is on-going, and more information may be released at a later date as it becomes available.
No criminal charges have been filed pending further investigation.


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EDITORIAL: Liberal arts colleges are losing their value
Liberal arts colleges are threatened institutions.
A liberal arts education has long been considered a key to entering any job or profession. English, philosophy, history, other languages, the natural and social sciences — all have been considered important for learning how to think, reason and evaluate the world around us.
But the value of such a wide-ranging education nowadays isn't considered all that useful for future employment. Why would employers consider an applicant who doesn't have the focused education they value? And if employers don't care for a wider education, why should students take the unneeded courses.
The rapid rise in tuition and other college costs amid a recession isn't helping. We see the threat to the institutions as a threat to the rest of us, an extension of the dumbing down of K-12 education.
And we have few suggestions to slow or stop the trend.
An Associated Press article pointed out that surviving liberal arts colleges are dropping that identity. A study early last year looked at 212 such colleges identified in 1990. Just 130 still met the definition. Of those no longer on the list, most were still around, but offering a pre-professional curriculum.
According to the article, the surviving institutions don't account for much of the college education in the nation: Just 2 percent of students attend them, even if their impact is greater. However, we gather that proportion excludes those students pursuing liberal arts degrees at larger institutions.
The value of a liberal arts education continues to garner praise, but much of it appears to come from college presidents and professors rather than those who might hire graduates.
At a newspaper, we value the results of a wide-ranging education. We don't want those who report, write and edit what you read to be limited in their comprehension. We prize knowledge, not ignorance.
But almost every day, we see the results of a lack of knowledge of such areas of study as science, history and economics by leaders and followers alike. Continued...
Perhaps the worlds of industry, business and education can get by if they accept college graduates who took just the courses they needed to get hired. But if that's all they've learned, we should worry for our future.
See wrong or incorrect information in a story. Tell us here
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How to Neutralize Radiation and Chemtrails From the Sky, Your Garden, and Your Body
November 1st, 2011 · by Ken Rohla · Filed Under: Nuclear Radiation
As I'm fond of saying, when you understand that the universe is a big matter-energy system, when energies manifest into problems, opposite polarities of the same energy also create the solutions. Regarding nuclear waste and radiation now encircling the globe from the 2,044+ atomic bomb tests, Chernobyl, Fukushima, and the many other nuclear accidents (many of which have gone unreported), there are multiple nontoxic technologies available to neutralize and clean up the radioactive mess. For example, here are a few:
Or just search online for "neutralize radiation" or such to see solutions. I worked with inventor Yull Brown in the early 90s and witnessed firsthand with a team of physicists, engineers, and extensive measuring equipment, his "Brown's gas" aka HHO, aka "hydroxy" torch neutralize radioactive samples within minutes. People often ask me, "If that's true, then why aren't governments, etc. using it?" Very simply for the same reasons that right now governments, including the US, Canada, and Japan are lying about the extensive damage being done by Fukushima fallout and turning off or reducing their environmental monitoring of radionuclides, or the same reason Texas oil spill response teams were not allowed to clean up the BP oil spill naturally before it got out of hand (see my article BP Oil Spill Capped (For Now)…. for details). These polluting toxic industries do not want the public to know about alternatives that would destroy not only their business paradigm, but also the control paradigm of the powers that be. There are also HUGE amounts of money made in the handling and disposal of toxic waste and the technologies that generate it. In the video below, I discuss some solutions for nuclear radiation that YOU can create for yourself. If you think that scientists, ETs, the tooth fairy, or running off to Hunza Valley are going to save you, think again. It's up to you to find your own solutions, not wait to be saved by someone else. There are no longer safe places on Earth to run to, only safe people who create solutions for themselves.
— Ken Rohla


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How do we make the courts run more smoothly? Cases take too long and are too expensive, mired in endless argument and counter-argument that are the hallmarks of our adversarial system. What if we were to set time limits? Would that work?
Well, let's try it. Each side presents their best evidence, and if magistrate or jury isn't convinced, they can ask for more time from each side. If it works for Cricket, that most venerable of British institutions, it should work for courts. Who knows, they may even become spectator sports?
Fantasy government - what would I do if I were in government? Well how about reduce corporation tax, increase income tax, increase minimum wage and invest in job creation in the regions? That would be a good start - create jobs where there are workers, then make sure that the right amount of tax is collected and at the same time reduce spend on benefits which are only used to increase profits of selfish organisations.
Would it work? Have your say.
PwC found that successful companies are getting more mature in their project management ability. This raises the game – successful companies have lower costs from fewer failed projects, and less successful companies have to work harder to catch up. There are some important lessons to take this report for everyone – Read more…
Every office has them - the tasks that have to be done that nobody likes doing. Whether it's the audit, the wages, standard letters, whatever it is - someone has to do it and it feels like a waste of time and money.
Why should you care?
So you employ somebody, so why do you care about how tedious the task is? Well they are costing money, to do something that could be done far more effectively.
Many public service changes have little basis in evidence. Their success (or otherwise) does not appear to depend on how 'good' the policy itself is, but rather on how it has been implemented. This relies on staff attitudes and relationships. My research falls into a number of broad categories: finding out what is currently happening; what people think about it; and what people think it will mean.


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Wednesday, 14 March 2012
Children Having Children
Almost two years ago, a Chinese nine year old girl gave birth by Caesarean section. The story still gets passed around as though it were new, and people react with horror. A quick search of youngest mothers (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_youngest_birth_mothers) yields results that are nothing less than tragic.A mother just under six years of age is reportedly the youngest ever. In Peru in 1939. That seems so long ago, in a less evolved world. We should know so much better now, shouldn't we? And so far away, on other continents.
Online comments start "Where were the parents?" Yep, blame the victim by assessing lazy parenting in some far-off land, assuring that babies born to parents who still have their baby teeth won't happen in our neighborhoods, where we applaud helicopter moms for just a moment after reading such stories. Make a stop at the self-righteous claims of "There's a case for abortion!" End with "How did she get pregnant, and/or give birth?"
Those are some valid, reactive questions to ask. Sure, we can bring judgment, politics, social and physical environment, and human biology into the discussion. After that though, let's look at how many ten year old mommies "happened." Between 1834 and last November, over 60 ten year olds, the majority of them in the US, had the experience of childbirth. That's stunning. And these are just the cases that were reported.
Children are resilient, but how far can a child recover from such an experience, regardless of the circumstances that caused the pregnancy? What kind of conversation would we have with our own children, if this were her friend? Precocious puberty (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002152/) has different causes, and obviously is not readily apparent. The side effects of such an experience can be devastating to a child.
Although precocious puberty, and children birthing children may not be the norm, it makes the argument for body awareness from a young age, instead of having "the talk."
Does this article change your mind about how and when to educate your children about puberty and sexuality?
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Lenox Chirp Bath Rug
$29.99This whimsical bathroom rug features a colorful bird and flowing branch design. Learn More


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Tue., May. 28, 2013
Alex Henry and Georgina Meet and Greet
Come join Alex Henry and Georgina in their home for a conversation with Mayoral Candidate and Ward 6 Councilmember for a conversation about his vision of a Livable and Walkable DC.
Location: 723 7th St NE
When: 6:00 PM
Ends: 8:00 PM
Add to Google Calendar
Add to iCalTickets/More Info
Wed., May. 29, 2013
Tommy Wells Ward 6 Listening Tour
To build a livable walkable D.C., we will need work together to create a shared vision of our city's future. I am meeting with neighbors in every neighborhood and in every Ward to talk about what we want - a great city. Join me and your Ward 6 neighbors to talk about creating a more livable and walkable city for all.
Location: Smith Commons - 1245 H St NE
When: 7:00 PM
Ends: 9:00 PM
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Friday, March 30, 2007
For my second participation, I thought that it would be good to cook something from scrap, a dish that would cost practically nothing, but which would nonetheless be very luxurious taste-wise. So, I made an inventory of my cupboards and came up with this rather unusual recipe that I am very proud to present here!...
Pestos exist in a multitude of different variations, but I had never really seen anything like "Anchovy Pesto" before. It's quite unknown in our latitudes, unless you are of Italian origin. In fact, I was heavily influenced by a poor people's pasta dish ("Pasta Con Sarde") from Palermo in Sicily and which is made with chopped anchovies (that are plentiful in this region), pine nuts and raisins. As I wanted to use anchovies, but also wanted to eat pesto, it came to my mind that it could be possible to make a cross recipe between both specialities...
"Anchovy Pesto" might sound intimidating at first, because everybody thinks that it will be very fishy, but it has nothing unpleasant about it. All on the contrary!
This dish is generous, delightfully flavorful, delicate and absolutely nothing in it lets you think that it is cheap. The strong fish taste of anchovies is masked by the rafined flavor of the roasted nuts that add body as well as an exceptional roundness to the pasta...
Those "Pasta With Anchovy Pesto" are just simply exceptional and will surprise you positively without emptying your wallet!
~Pasta With Anchovy Pesto~
Recipe by Rosa @ Rosa's Yummy Yums
Serves 2
200g Dry tagliatelle
2 Tbs Sultanas, rehydrated in enough hot water to cover
For the pesto:
2 Tbs Cashew nuts, roasted
2 Tbs Pine nuts, roasted
1 Tin sardines, well drained
3 Cloves garlic
3 Tbs Parmesan cheese, grated
5 Tbs Olive oil
1 Tsp Red Tabasco sauce
Pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste (optional)
1. In a mortar, pound together the nuts, sardines, garlic and cheese until you get a paste.
2. Add the olive oil, tabasco, pepper and salt to taste.
3. Pound again until well blended. Set aside.
4. Fill up a big saucepan with water and bring to the boil.
5. Add the tagliatelle and lower the heat.
6. Cook for about 6 minutes, uncovered or until the pasta are "al dente".
7. Strain the pasta, reserve 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
8. Over low heat, add the pesto to the cooking liquid and stir, then return the pasta to the pan.
9. Stir well so that the pasta are evenly coated.
10. Sprinkle with sultanas.
Instead of sultanas, you can use raisins or dried cranberries.
If you prefer, you can replace the Tabasco sauce by chilli flakes or any other chilli sauce of your choice.
For more flavor, a few basil leaves can be added to the paste in the mortar.
You could use other pasta such as "spaghetti", "fettuccine", "bucatini", "linguini" or green (spinach), red (tomato)....
Before serving, green peas and a teaspoon fennel seeds can also be added to this dish in order to give it a Sicilian touch.
Serving suggestions:
Eat this dish with a light green salad (lettuce for example) .
If you desire, you can also sprinkle some extra Parmesan cheese over the pasta and/or grate some "Botarga" over this dish.
(Agrigento -Pic by Roberto Bellaccomo www.trekearth.com)
14 comments:
C'est original!
- 11:16 AM, March 30, 2007
- lolo d'abracadabra said...
Hmmmmm, ta recette me donne l'eau à la bouche!
J'adore le pesto, et le tien me semble très original... est-ce possible d'avoir la traduction en français, car mon niveau d'anglais n'est pas très bon et j'aimerais beaucoup tester ta recette...
Merci d'avance :o)
Lolo - 11:35 AM, March 30, 2007
- maycook said...
Sympa toutes ces saveurs!!! Jamais vu de "dry current" mais les cranberries devraient faire l'affaire...
- 1:35 PM, March 30, 2007
- Ruth Daniels said...
Rosa, what a cool idea. Maybe I can get my husband to eat sardines by hiding them like this.
Thanks for joining in Presto Pasta night fun and sharing this yummy dish. - 4:32 PM, March 30, 2007
- confituremaison said...
Et bien je ne doute pas un instant que ce soit un delice! Et quelle originalite! Merci Rosa, et bon week end!
- 3:12 PM, March 31, 2007
- Lannae said...
That looks delicious! The play of salty and sweet must have been good!
- 5:02 AM, April 02, 2007
- Gracianne said...
Je te crois que ca doit etre bon, sans les raisins pour moi, mais avec les cranberries, pourquoi pas?
- 3:49 PM, April 02, 2007
- pom d'api said...
HIHIH ! tres original, j'adore
- 5:29 PM, April 02, 2007
- Hélène (Cannes) said...
Une amie sicilienne faisait quelque chose d'approchant. Tellement bon, en plus. j'essaye ta recette très vite !
Sympa, l'idée de Ruth...
Bises et bonne journée
Hélène - 8:35 AM, April 03, 2007
- Rosa's Yummy Yums said...
MINOUCHKA: Merci!
LOLO D'ABRACADABRA: Merci pour ta visite et pour l'intérêt que tu portes à cette recette...
MAYACOOK: Merci ;-P! En fait, j'ai utilisé des raisins secs, mais les cranberries font aussi l'affaire...
RUTH DANIELS: Thanks for the kind comment, Ruth! Have you tried that pesto yet? Did your husband taste the anchovies?...
CONFITUREMAISON: Merci pour ton gentil commentaire! Bises...
LANNAE: Thanks for your visit and kind comment! It was indeed delicious...
GRACIANNE: Oui, c'était très bon! Avec les cranberries, c'est aussi délicieux...
POM D'API: Merci beaucoup ;-P!
HÉLÈNE (cannes): Tu me diras comment c'était, alors! L'idée de Ruth est vraiment cool... Bises et bonne semaine. - 11:32 AM, April 10, 2007
Hmmmm, ça y est, j'ai fait ta recette. Un vrai régal!
J'ai adoré, et je l'ai publié aujourd'hui.
Merci Rosa, bisous et à bientôt,
Laurence - 11:09 AM, January 09, 2008
- Rosa's Yummy Yums said...
LOLO ABRACADRA: Je suis contente de savoir que ma recette t'a plu :-D! Merci et bises!
- 11:24 AM, January 09, 2008
Great recipe!
Thanks for sharing it,
PS: The font color is almost impossible to read - 7:24 PM, June 09, 2009
- Rosa's Yummy Yums said...
MAKS: Thanks for passing by and for the comment! Sorry about the font color! My new posts have a different color now...
- 8:09 PM, June 09, 2009


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Developmental Screening for your Child (birth to age 5)
Event Details
Gain insights in your child. FREE DEVELOPMENT SCREENINGS for children birth to age five.
On the first Friday of nearly every month, we offer free developmental screenings in our Children's Activity Room from 9am-12pm. Come to find out where your child is developmentally!
Evaluations administered by certified therapists from area early intervention agencies.
The Winter and Spring 2013 Dates are: FRIDAYS January 4, February 1, March 1, April 5 and May 3.
No registration necessary!
The Major Developmental Areas Evaluated:
Motor: crawling, rolling, walking, eye-hand coordination.
Social: attention span, peer interaction, play
Cognitive: thinking and reasoning
Language: speech, understanding, pronunciation of words
Adaptive: eating, dressing, toileting
No registration is needed for this free yet priceless program at Schlow!


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@ Caihong - hope it is detox!!
Breakfast: strawberry & banana smoothie with Macs
Snack: pecans & kombucha
Lunch: flax crackers with grezzo cheese (we were out of salad)
Snack: leftover smoothie
Dinner: creamy broccoli soup
I didn't drink nearly enough water yesterday. Ugh. Today all I feel like is water and grapefruit....


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Building panel gives nod to new design for East Rochester School
Friday, November 2, 2012
ROCHESTER — After much deliberation, the Rochester School Board's Building Committee has decided recommend a new design for the East Rochester Elementary School, with a possible joint-renovation and construction building plan to implement it. |