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As we celebrate the 2021 National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, SWICKtech wants to help businesses learn to be safer and more secure online. Employees empowered with the resources and knowledge to protect organizations from cyber threats are one of the best lines of defense. Part of that training should involve breaking down often-quoted cybersecurity misconceptions. Employers and employees who believe any of the myths below could be opening their businesses to unknown risk.
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There are plenty of reasons a company might consider outsourcing IT. Small- to mid-size businesses experiencing growth often need IT services, but can't afford their own in-house department. Then there's the company with an in-house IT department that can't seem to get things under control. More and more companies are turning to off-site IT services to manage their technology needs.
The challenges of running a productive and secure company are more difficult and trying than ever before. When it comes to IT stability and security, whether you're running a small business or a large corporation, it's more important than ever to take responsible and proactive steps toward "running a tight ship."
Multi-Factor Authentication, Password Management, and Secure Cloud Backup Are All Necessary In Today's Crypto Security Landscape
Imagine an entire week at work where everything operates smoothly. Your employees are all relaxed and working hard, services and orders are quickly and efficiently processed, and there's not a whisper of a problem from your technology systems. Imagine a whole week—even a whole month—without a stressful work environment. Wouldn't that be great?
For those companies unable to afford an internal IT department or for those who simply don't want to deal with the hassle of maintaining a high quality IT team, IT managed services providers offer an alternative to going it alone. When choosing between in-house IT, managed IT services, or going with a lone IT guy, think about what your company needs for reliable, locked down network security.
When to know it's time for Server infrastructure improvements for your business.
Ah, the IT Department. Completely necessary—but sometimes their day-to-day duties are a bit of a mystery. As CEO, you understand you need them, but it can be hard to shake the nagging feeling at the back of your mind… You know, the question of whether or not your IT department is properly managed or entirely effective.
Good leaders understand the importance of delegation. Great leaders get feedback from their delegates and incorporate it into action. So, chances are you've hired your IT department to handle your technology because their expertise outweighs yours by a fair margin.
Finding the right IT professional to server your small or medium-sized business can be difficult. However, selecting a managed IT service provider can solve many of these headaches. Learn how to select a MSP to protect your IT infrastructure stability.
Outlining an IT strategic plan is one thing. Effective implementation is another. There are plenty of ways to get your IT strategy off the ground. Hiring an outside IT consulting firm can be a cost-effective approach. One of the best ways to save money is to invest in technology when there's a window of opportunity—and Q4 is a great time for opportunity!
Thinking about migrating your organization's IT infrastructure to the cloud? Learn about the economics and cost saving benefits associated with making the migration, including direct and indirect savings.
Communication is an important part of any business. Email has long been a critical tool to facilitate communication. To reduce cost and ease management, many businesses are looking at hosted communications services.
With the conclusion of the 2021 Vancouver International Privacy and Cybersecurity Summit one message is clear - all organizations applying for cyber insurance must add multi-factor authentication (MFA) to logins. Without MFA organizations won't receive coverage.
Computer technology is about as close to magic as we're going to get these days. It has revolutionized every aspect of our culture, from business technology to social communications. It's changed the way we work, play and even the way we think.
If your organization is transitioning to EDI, there are two options to choose from: direct EDI and EDI Van. Learn more about which option is right for you.
In the wake several ransomware attacks on Managed Service Providers (MSPs) in the past year, particularly ones serving small governments and municipalities, do you have trust in the people holding the keys to your castle?
SWICKtech SafetyNET provides reliable, secure, and stable cloud backups for your company data. SWICKtech will ensure nightly backups succeed by utilizing automated alerts and daily checks to assure the integrity of your data. Every night your data will be backed up to SWICKtech's Managed Private Cloud in downtown Milwaukee.
In today's fast-paced business environment, every organization aspires for an edge. Imagine if your team could get a digital helping hand, ready to transform the mundane into the magnificent. Enter Microsoft 365 Copilot: the next-gen AI assistant poised to redefine our interaction with office applications and offer unparalleled advantages, especially for small and medium enterprises.
Windows 7 systems will no longer have security updates
Improved reporting will greatly benefit accounting, operations and sales departments.
Your network firewall is the gatekeeper and a key layer of defense for your overall network security strategy. This layer must be managed, maintained and monitored to insure its optimal performance. This article will go over a few fundamental best practices that will help insure that your network firewall stays stable, secure and protects your network from malicious attacks.
Simply put, you need a strong firewall. Viruses, spyware, phishing emails, Trojan horses, worms, malware, bot armies, ransomware, scareware, hackers and cybercriminals…yeah, there's all kinds of dangers lurking out there. You'll hear these top network security terms used nearly interchangeably—and while they're not all the same, the reason for this is because every one of these threats attempts to do essentially the same thing: steal sensitive data for criminal activity.
Getting started with a new EDI system can seem like a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. Learn more about how to get started with EDI.
Microsoft has issued an urgent security notice regarding HiveNightmare (also known as SeriousSAM), which is a vulnerability that can allow a regular user unintended administrative access to an organization's network.
Computer systems are vital to the daily operations of any company, monitoring to prevent issues is the key to keep businesses running. A proactive versus a reactive approach makes a lot of sense. Overlooking or postponing maintenance because of a lack of monitoring can turn into huge issues.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer just the domain of Silicon Valley startups or tech behemoths. In the manufacturing sector, we're witnessing a groundbreaking paradigm shift where AI technologies such as generative design, intelligent automation, and predictive maintenance are driving efficiency like never before. In this journey towards digital transformation, it is crucial to go beyond merely implementing technologies. Leaders must navigate the labyrinth of workforce readiness, skills upgradation, and ethical considerations to unlock AI's full potential. Here, we lay out a robust roadmap to help your organization not just adopt AI but embrace it wholeheartedly, driving unparalleled efficiency and fostering a culture of innovation.
Both your body and your IT systems are made up of multiple layers of defense. These layers consist of many varied tools, system monitoring devices and recovery strategies. There are elements that focus on detection and identification, others that learn about new threats and evolve to destroy them, while others fight the problem head-on or work to repair the damage caused.
Manufacturers can benefit from implementing EDI, improving accuracy and efficiency, while saving money and time. Learn more about EDI for manufacturers.
Improve your business communication. Moving from paper to electronic communications can actually help your business connect easier while saving time and money.
An especially troublesome virus called CryptoLocker (aka ransomware CryptoLocker) has recently made the news and is something you should take steps to protect yourself and your data against.
Choosing or creating the right BYOD platform is essential to your company's success. Your BYOD policy should include set and enforced components, including: password enforcement, automatic update requirements, mobile device management services (MDM), and employee accountability.
Windows 10 offers some great enhancements that will benefit your business. Ensuring your business is ready will greatly reduce the risk of compatibility issues for applications and hardware and potentially save your business money. As they say, free is not always free.
From system security and disaster recovery to everyday efficiency and reliability, are you confident your IT environment is working, balanced and harmonious? If you're feeling uncomfortable, it's time to get back to your IT comfort zone—and that means getting back to consistently reliable IT stability.
Just how dangerous is an IT department operated by just one person. If your company puts all their trust in one person, a lot more than you realize may be at stake. We're not suggesting that all IT personnel are dangerous—we wouldn't have a functioning world if that were the truth.
Working with your IT professionals here is very important; you'll both need to do your research and be open to alternative solutions to determine how your day-to-day business processes will be affected by technology changes.
For many organizations, employee productivity has been decreasing for years. However, partnering with the right IT team can reverse the trend while increasing employee productivity and your bottom line. Learn more about these solutions.
Internet Explorer to retire after more than 25 years.
Summer has finally arrived! The snow is gone and the heat of the summer is here. However heat isn't good for everything. Heat is kryptonite for computers. It can make your computer go from working fast and efficiently to slow and unresponsive. What causes computers to overheat and what can be done to prevent your computers from overheating?
SWICKtech IT Consultants and Engineers connect people, processes and Line of Business applications to automate and streamline business workflows which would otherwise be time-consuming, error-ridden, and non-compliant.
Love is not always what comes to mind for a business owner when thinking about technology. Frustration, dread and fear can be common words associated with implementing technology.
Don't let the cold Wisconsin winter weather impact your day to day operations, leverage Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft Teams to enable a mobile workforce
Microsoft Teams is only the tip of the iceberg in regard to everything Office 365 has to offer to enhance daily office communications, collaborations, ability to sell and extract data in ways you never knew plausible.
Most people understand that using the same password for multiple accounts compromises online security, but many continue to use the same password anyways
Last month's article touched on several scenarios making a case for securing business networks. Today we will focus on what you can do as a business or technical decision maker to better secure and stabilize your business network and system security.
Cyber criminals are after employee paychecks that use direct deposit. Using phishing and other attack types, threat actors are tricking employees (including HR) into typing their usernames and passwords into fake payroll or "company" websites.
When left unchecked, changes to your systems can turn into problems, both long and short term. Any complete IT solution should include constant, proactive monitoring of your entire network's systems and operations. Proactive monitoring involves watching and documenting all incoming/outgoing data and activity so potential system threats like computer viruses, hacking attempts, and more can be caught before they result in catastrophic destruction.
Windows XP, Wikipedia and the first Harry Potter movie were all released in 2001. Over a decade has passed and technology is among the many things that have changed. Back in 2001 Windows XP was the twinkle in Microsoft's eye, their shining star, their flag ship operating system. It has been the most widely used operating system for quite a while, even surpassing some of Microsoft's other operating systems like Windows 98 and Vista. But every good thing must come to an end and technology keeps growing by leaps and bounds.
Why you should put MFA on your social media accounts
When consulting organizations to undertake the development of a network infrastructure, it's imperative to inquire further about the degree of its team's expertise and knowledge within the industry. Those with employees having only a basic understanding of IT support and maintenance may not be in accordance with your company's needs.
We all know the pain of slow IT: websites taking too long to load or timing out, your OS is out of date and makes everything a headache. Printers don't want to print. Anti-virus scans take days to complete and you can't run other programs while it scans your systems. Uploads/downloads never seem to finish. Frustration and irrational anger abound.
For every company there are different ways to perform the 'how' of strategic planning. While I can't speak for every industry, I can provide general guidelines as they relate to technology. We specialize in technology planning for many industries and these guidelines are universal across the different business segments.
SWICKtech is rebranding ourselves with renewed focus on IT Project Consulting and Business Application Management. Our Engineers and Analysts have all the expertise needed to integrate those tools into your company.
Presented by MMAC's Council of Small Business Executives (COSBE), the Future 50 Award celebrates the success of fast-growing regional companies!
SwickTech Stability Cube is six key steps necessary for achieving stability in your business computer systems.
The landscape of Information Technology (I.T.) has changed greatly in the past few years. One area that most organizations continue to be concerned with is security. Specifically, they are concerned with the seemingly never-ending ransomware attacks that receive constant news coverage.
As you know, in manufacturing and business in general there are sets of recognized standards and procedures on how to effectively conduct business and operations. For example, if your company is creating a part that another company will use in their finished product, it's even more important to get things right so the parts fit properly.
Beginning in 2025, all defense contractors will need to be assessed against the 5-tiered cybersecurity standard known as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). CMMC is a complex topic that cannot be summarized in a single blog post. So, what fundamentals does your organization need to know in order to stay or become compliant?
Our experienced team of technical business IT providers can comprehensively advise your company based on specified requests and requirements. We plan and execute the upgrade process to ensure the safety and security of existing files, software programs, etc., as well as mitigate or eliminate any company downtime.
Why Microsoft clients are choosing Microsoft Azure for their cloud solution.
[Video Tips Included] Now, with the IRS getting economic stimulus checks to all Americans, a new wave of scams are attempting to take advantage of unsuspecting victims.
Network security is of critical importance these days. The first step to ensuring your IT is working and protected is to analyze how your IT is currently set up, then identify areas that could be bolstered to prevent security breaches.
Many businesses still rely on phone calls, emails, or fax to complete everyday transactions. EDI gives businesses the opportunity to share documents via computer-to-computer interactions in a standardized format. Learn how EDI can help your business.
Early the week of July 6th, US-CERT, CISA, and Microsoft issued urgent security notices regarding PrintNightmare.
After April 8, 2014, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC. If you continue to use Windows XP, your computer might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses.
Protecting your company's sensitive information from data loss or data compromise is paramount. Employees can (whether knowingly or unwittingly) expose your organization to viruses and malware just by surfing the web. Unfortunately, this leads to weak points in your network security—plus, your employees can become a liability to your company's integrity, which in some cases, can lead to legal trouble.
Log4J is a free and open-source logging library widely used by companies large and small. Officially designated CVE-2021-44228, the 0-day vulnerability was first publicly disclosed on December 9th, 2021.
Swick Technologies jumped into 2013 as a continued Silver Sponsor at ActionCOACH's quarterly GrowthClub workshop for the third year running. ActionCOACH of Elm Grove held this quarter's GrowthClub at the Majestic Cinema of Brookfield which provided a welcoming venue for sponsors and motivated business owners alike.
Do you ever stop to think of how much your business depends on computers? How about the costs that you would incur if your business computer network failed? Many businesses do not fully understand how dependent they are on their computer network, until they experience some type of network downtime. Depending on the type of industry your business is in, the cost of the network downtime will vary.
In July 2019, Microsoft first announced its plan for the retirement of Skype for Business, and the transition to Microsoft Teams. Nearly two years later, this plan will become reality in a mere 2 months. Here's a refresher on what this may mean for your business.
It's another day and business is in full swing, as usual. Everything is running smoothly and your office is abuzz with activity. While at your desk responding to a few emails, you notice your internet has frozen and stopped responding.
According to a 2021 report from IBM and the Ponemon Institute, the average cost of a data breach among companies surveyed reached $4.24 million per incident in 2021, the highest in 17 years. The shift to hybrid or remote work was certainly a contributing factor, but what was the top contributor to these numbers? The answer: compromised credentials that led to compromised data.
Computer systems are vital to the operations of any sized company. While employees PC's and printers are important, typically the main "nuts and bolts" of the computer system are the servers, storage systems, network equipment, backup system, etc. that sit behind the scenes.
One of the most undervalued components of a successful Information Technology department is strategic planning. Involving the IT department in strategic planning allows organizations to align technology needs with its mission and vision. This helps create a road map for future resource, time and energy needs.
With digital attacks looming all over the internet, how exactly can you be certain your antivirus protection is enough? Whether you have an internal IT department, an outsourced managed IT services provider, or you're operating with only a paid (or even free) antivirus security suite, you must be certain your company's data is protected.
How much is your company's data worth to you? What is the cost to your business if either of the following occurred?
Battling against cyber-threats is constant and requires frequently updating protection services. Windows 10 is the latest operating system to include features that directly address global cyber security compromises. In this blog, we explore how this system can directly apply to your business and preserve secure information.
Now that Windows XP is no longer supported by Microsoft, people are debating between Windows 7 and Windows 8. You may be asking, what is the difference between the two operating systems? or which one is going to be the best for me? Here is a breakdown between the two Windows operating systems. You may find that with a better knowledge of the operating systems you will be more comfortable when making the choice between the two.
Pros and Cons of a Wireless-Only Office
What do we mean by IT stability? IT stability means your systems, your data and your network are all up-and-running, and stable and secure, so you can go about your day-to-day business without IT hassles. Sounds like a dream come true, doesn't it?
IT problems and their solutions can be broken down into a few categories. All hardware, software, information management, security concerns, and recovery after a disaster situation fall under at least one of these categories. Your trusted IT management team understands these issues intimately and should have multiple solutions in place, should you experience any of these problems.
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Help Desk: 414.257.9266


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Ukraine has banned Russia's entry for the 2017 Eurovision song contest, Yulia Samoilova, from entering the country for three years, because the contestant had previously visited Crimea.
Olena Gitlyanska, a member of Ukraine's security service, announced the decision on Wednesday via a Facebook post. She included photos of 27-year-old Samoilova at a concert in Crimea.
Entering Crimea through Russia without passing through the border on the east of Ukraine, or gaining Ukrainian authority's permission, is illegal under Ukrainian law.
The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs told state-owned news agency RIA Novosti that the decision was "cynical and inhuman."
Russians on social media have had a mixed reaction to the news.
Some have declared a boycott of the show, while others have said Russia's decision to send Samoilova, a wheelchair user, was a tactical move to cause controversy.
The contest is due to take place in Ukraine's capital Kiev from May 11–13.
The European Broadcasting Union gave BuzzFeed News the following statement on the ban:
It has been confirmed to the EBU that the Ukrainian authorities have issued a travel ban on the Russian artist chosen for the Eurovision Song Contest, Julia Samoylova, as she has been judged to have contravened Ukrainian law by entering Crimea in order to perform.
We have to respect the local laws of the host country, however we are deeply disappointed in this decision as we feel it goes against both the spirit of the Contest, and the notion of inclusivity that lies at the heart of its values.
We will continue a dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities with the aim of ensuring that all artists can perform at the 62nd Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv in May.
Channel One and VGTRK media — who are responsible for Russia's Eurovision entry selection — released a statement to Russian outlet Meduza vowing that Samoilova will represent Russia in the 2018 Eurovision contest, no matter where it is held.
On Thursday, the European Broadcasting Union released a second statement, saying it would be offering Samoilova the opportunity to participate via satellite.
Taking into consideration that this ban might be upheld by the Ukrainian authorities, and in order to maintain the non-political nature of the Eurovision Song Contest, the EBU has been working hard to find a solution to this situation and has taken the unprecedented move to offer Channel One Russia the opportunity for Julia to still participate in this year's Contest by performing live in the 2nd Semi Final via satellite. Should the Russian entry qualify for the Grand Final the same solution would apply. This is something that has never been done before in the Contest's 60 year history but, in the spirit of Eurovision's values of inclusivity, and this year's theme of Celebrate Diversity, the decision has been taken to ensure that all 43 entrants are given the opportunity to participate.
Eurovision Song Contest Executive Supervisor, Jon Ola Sand said: "We are continuing our dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities with the ambition to have all artists present to perform in host city, Kyiv, which is, of course, our preferred option. It is imperative that the Eurovision Song Contest remains free from politics and as such, due to the circumstances surrounding Julia's travel ban, we have felt it important to propose a solution that transcends such issues. We have offered Channel One Russia the opportunity for Julia to perform live via satellite as it is the EBU's intention that every broadcaster that has chosen to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest does so, as has been the case for all previous events in the contest's history."
Frank-Dieter Freiling, Chairman of the Reference Group, the governing body of the Eurovision Song Contest, expressed his hope though, that the political leadership of Ukraine will not implement the travel ban and find a solution in line with the contest's slogan, Celebrate Diversity.

subset: commoncrawl


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Storm 6
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Sample image. Colors may vary. Subject to technical changes.
The Storm 6 is a 30% Carbon pole with AV Race Strap, Carbon Grip, and Flash Basket for energetic skiers. It offers the necessary support and comfort in all types of snow conditions to enjoy your next tour on the tracks.
DetailsItem no. OZ42721
- Shaft Diameter Combined
16:9 mm
- Shaft Material
Carbon 30%
- Lengths
130 - 175 (5cm)
- Swingweight
185 kgm²
- Balance Point
683 mm
- Breaking Load
- Stiffness
35 mm
- Weight per meter
100 g
The Storm 6 uses the following technologies:
AV Race Strap
Strap with high wearing comfort and adjustable volume.
Carbon Grip
Fibre-reinforced Grip with 360° cork shield.
Composite Carbon Shaft
Shaft made of a combination of carbon and glass fibre laminates.
Directional Sintered Tip
Directional high performance carbide tip.
Flash Basket
Race baskets in different sizes with shortened shaft and carbide tip.
Softtouch Finish
Particularly high-quality shaft surface with a unique feel and especially high-contrast colours.


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ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Aspects call for care in preparing material for submission. Although you might find it bothersome to go over what you've done, the fact is, rechecking could be worth your time and effort.
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) The week is favorable for Bovines who welcome change. New career opportunities wait to be checked out. You might also want to get started on that home makeover you've been considering.
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) You might have to be extra careful to protect that surprise you have planned, thanks to a certain snoopy someone who wants to know more about your plans than you're willing to share.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Family ties are strong this week, although an old and still-unresolved problem might create some unpleasant moments. If so, look to straighten the situation out once and for all.
LEO (July 23 to August 22) Although the Lion might see it as an act of loyalty and courage to hold on to an increasingly shaky position, it might be wiser to make changes now to prevent a possible meltdown later.
VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Your gift for adding new people to your circle of friends works overtime this week, thanks largely to contacts you made during the holidays. A surprise awaits you at the week's end.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Don't hide your talents. It's a good time to show what you can do to impress people who can do a lot for you. A dispute with a family member might still need some smoothing over.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Be open with your colleagues about your plan to bring a workplace matter out into the open. You'll want their support, and they'll want to know how you'll pull it off.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Trying to patch up an unraveling relationship is often easier said than done. But it helps to discuss and work out any problems that arise along the way.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) While your creative aspect remains high this week, you might want to call on your practical side to help work out the why and wherefore of an upcoming decision.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) Dealing with someone's disappointment can be difficult for Aquarians, who always try to avoid giving pain. But a full explanation and a show of sympathy can work wonders.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Getting a job-related matter past some major obstacles should be easier this week. A personal situation might take a surprising but not necessarily unwelcome turn by the week's end.
BORN THIS WEEK: You can be both a dreamer and a doer. You consider helping others to be an important part of your life.
© 2011 King Features Synd., Inc.


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Nothing seems to stop the Hadoop train. Despite seemingly "anemic interest," complex setup, and a crazy quilt of different projects that ostensibly comprise the unified "thing" that is Hadoop, demand for Hadoop talent marches stolidly on.
Why hasn't the market moved on to something better? Perhaps the answer, as Google Cloud solutions consultant Sandeep Parikh puts it, is that Hadoop offers a "broad framework for enabling distributed compute," one whose breadth ensures its relevance for an equally broad class of big data needs.
A mishmash of "icing"
Among Hadoop's manifold problems, perhaps the most foundational is its very definition. Wikipedia, for example, says this: "Apache Hadoop is an open-source software framework written in Java for distributed storage and distributed processing of very large data sets on computer clusters built from commodity hardware."
The problem, however, is that "Hadoop" covers an ever-increasing array of subprojects. Back in the day, Ian Murdock (then CEO of Progeny Linux) told me that "Linux is Linux is Linux." While Red Hat and (Novell's) Suse might talk up how different they were, the reality is that they were very similar -- and still are.
Not so Hadoop. An enterprise buyer in the market for Hadoop will discover it's pretty different depending on whether they're looking at Cloudera, Hortonworks, or MapR, the three dominant distributions.
Plus, it's only getting worse, as Gartner analyst Merv Adrian points out, with significant consequences:
This year, the expansion process has continued -- and it does matter. Why? Because it shows how differentiation and positioning are shaping the evolution of the commercially supported stack -- which will help mainstream buyers decide what direction to go in making choices. Commercially supported open source software is now chosen for production applications. And integration, cross-porting, backporting, and supporting an ever-increasing stack of projects that they do not "own" or exclusively develop is a cost for distributors -- who are not charging more as they add more projects to the stack.
How this hodgepodge may affect customers depends on your view of it. Parikh, for example, highlights that everything in Hadoop beyond distributed compute is essentially "icing," which "is kind of a mess with diff[erent] projects supporting diff[erent] versions, but they're all basically storing and computing."
Some of the complexity derives from a community that "keeps experimenting," as Cloudera co-founder Mike Olson describes. Things may become more complex, but they also potentially become much more powerful. Using Spark as an example, Olson continues: "That's why the meme of 'Spark kills Hadoop' is so wrong: Spark has added new capabilities to Hadoop, making it stronger."
As such, the nuances of the icing around Hadoop may differ from distribution to distribution, but the core meaning of Hadoop remains the same: "a framework for using massive amounts of data across a distributed network," as Gartner styles it.
Even so, for newbies, Hadoop can be a maze. Yet newbies keep coming.
"Anemic interest"? Maybe not
Gartner cited lukewarm interest in Hadoop in a recent report, but its survey data may not tell the complete story. That survey data is somewhat damning, with 54 percent of those surveyed having no plans to touch Hadoop, and 26 percent currently deploying it (in production or pilot).
Part of the problem, insists Gartner analyst Nick Huedecker, comes down to overkill: "Hadoop [is] overkill for the problems the business[es surveyed] face, implying the opportunity costs of implementing Hadoop [are] too high relative to the expected benefit."
Yet jobs data for Hadoop paints a different picture.
Even compared to other hot big data technologies, Hadoop continues to see blazingly hot demand within the enterprise:
That's absolute growth in Hadoop jobs (compared to MongoDB and Apache Cassandra). But when we look at relative job demand, Hadoop really stands out:
I'm not as familiar with Cassandra, but I know MongoDB well, having worked there for a few years. Tens of thousands of companies run MongoDB in production. It enjoys millions of downloads.
Yet Hadoop job growth significantly outpaces it. Clearly, "anemic interest" in Hadoop is not very anemic, because interest in MongoDB and Cassandra is sky high.
Because it works
For those starting out, Hadoop looks like the promised land. As Ewan Leith, a data architect at RealityMine, notes, "YARN + HDFS are amazing architectural building blocks [that] let you do almost anything with distributed data." That's the hook.
But that's only the beginning, as Val Bercovici, member of the office of the CTO at NetApp, posits: We're "scratching [the] surface of [Hadoop's] potential."
That potential is buried in that messiness of an ever changing lineup of Hadoop's cast of projects. As Hadoop founder Doug Cutting told me, "It's an evolving ecosystem, with a fuzzy, changing, ill-defined edge. Get used to it. It will keep mutating."
While that complexity may bedevil some, it points to a very bright, expansive future for Hadoop. In the meantime, vendors are scrambling to smooth out the path to adoption. They happen to be smoothing in diverse directions at times, but that's a plus, as Twitter's open source guru Chris Aniszczyk declares, as "competing vendors improv[e] the technology so it doesn't [get] stale."
In short, Hadoop is complex. But that's part of its charm. Enterprises understand this and aren't dissuaded from trying it out, as the jobs data suggests.


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Coloring Princess Mirah Batiks is a patient process. It begins with the first color bath applying the dominant color. Then, having been washed, the textiles are folded onto screens in open air providing abundant sunlight. Strings of color are then applied to make the characteristic blends that Princess Mirah is so famous for.
Knowing how to fold the fabrics and apply the color requires both experience and method. The workers are from generations of batik workers, where the experience of coloring and stamping runs from father to son for generations. Soda is applied to preserve/enhance color, and bathing in the tropical sunlight makes the colors both deep and vibrant.
Timing is of the essence. The fabrics need to bathe in the sun to get the right tan of color, neither staying too long nor too short in the sun to get exactly the color Princess Mirah is looking for.
Batik by Mirah, All rights reserved


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Choose Generations Hall for your Wedding Reception in New Orleans
Are you looking for the perfect place to have your wedding reception in New Orleans? Well look no further because at Generations Hall in New Orleans, we have the perfect venue for you and your loved ones to celebrate your big day! Our venue is located right by the French Quarter so you and all of your guests will be able to soak up all of this great city's culture. Contact us online or give us a call today and a member of our staff will help you set up the wedding reception of your dreams!
The Venue
Generations Hall was originally built to be a sugar refinery in the 1800s and has been decorated with artwork showing the history of New Orleans Jazz. Generations Hall has been given a unique French Quarter style to it, and has also been given a top of the line audio and video system, so that your wedding reception or party will definitely be one for the ages. At Generations Hall, you do not have to worry about how many people are on the guest list because we have three different rooms you can rent separately or together. These three rooms are called The Metropolitan One, The Metropolitan Two, and The Big Room. All three of these rooms include service bars and three sets of bathrooms, so whether you choose to rent one room or all three, you can be sure that your guests will have the time of their lives.
Wedding Receptions
If you are looking to have your wedding reception at our venue, then you can be sure that it will be a smooth and stress free process. Our staff will work with you to help make your big day exactly how you planned it down to the smallest detail. You can also make sure that your guests are well fed thanks to our onsite kitchen and we also have an outside catering policy available to you at no extra cost. So if you are thinking about having your wedding reception in New Orleans, be sure to check out Generations Hall so that we can help make your big day the best it can be.
Come Check Out Generations Hall to Plan your Wedding Reception in Nola Today!
If you are looking for a place to have your wedding reception in New Orleans, then look no further because Generations Hall is the perfect place for you. Not only do we host weddings, but we also have different concerts and events, so whether you are looking for a venue for your next party or are just looking to catch a concert on a Saturday night, Generations Hall has everything you are looking for. So be sure to give us a call or come by today and we will help you plan your wedding reception or get you tickets to our next concert!


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New airplane car
The company claims on its site that the vehicle transforms in seconds from an automobile to an airplane by using existing infrastructure…Read More
Airplane info
22-year-old Mussie Weinfeld most likely saved the lives of a plane full of people when she suspected a malfunction with the aircraft…Read More
One person airplane
An explosion blasted a hole into the fuselage of a commercial airplane as it flew over Africa on Tuesday, forcing an emergency landing…Read More
Water Airplanes
Questions over options for drinking water on airplanes have been burbling around the blog since US Airways began charging passengers…Read More
Two person airplane
Story highlights Paperclip Design envisions an armrest that can be shared by airplane passengers The design incorporates vertical…Read More
Aviation license
NASA is offering commercial startups initial no fee access to hundreds of its patented technologies as a means of creating greater…Read More
ICON aircraft for sale
As residential aviation properties are growing in popularity, so is the demand for high-quality and innovative aircrafts. Ridge Landing…Read More
Airplane with folding wings
To save space aboard the deck of U.S. flattops, aircraft built for carrier operations can fold their wings making room for more planes…Read More
General Aviation aircraft list
Single and twin engine airplanes have a long history in general aviation. Check out this list of the 10 best general aviation aircraft…Read More
Special Airplanes
The FBI is warning of a dramatic increase in laser pointers targeting airplanes in the New York City area, temporarily blinding pilots…Read More
New Seaplane
The Landing Craft, Air Cushion vehicles, with two giant fans for propulsion, are more often seen hitting the beach at Bellows during…Read More
Folding an airplane
Fold a piece of paper in half lengthwise. The best type of paper to use is an ordinary 8 ½ in (21.5 cm) by 11 in (28 cm) printer or…Read More


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XirenaDraper Pants in Sweet Pea
For your convenience, clothing sizing is shown with the US conversion next to the brand's sizing.
We always go back to Draper, a pull-on pant cut from Xirena's Cotton Poplin. Wear it low on the hips with your favorite Beau to achieve that classic Xirena girl look. Everyone's favorite, worn on the hip with a slight drop rise. We say buy in your true size or size down for a slightly less oversized fit.
100% cotton, made in Los Angeles.
Machine wash cold on gentle cycle, tumble dry low.
Try On Program
Try on your favorites in the comfort of your home. We send you a box of pieces you want to try, and you keep only what you love. We only charge you for what you keep. Click here for more information.
Hampden's goal is to support and empower you, even in some small way, to find your voice. Fashion can be a suit of armor that allows you to stand a little taller, face your day, and love the person on the outside just as much as the inside. Show the world you believe in yourself and they too shall follow.
We will happily accept returns or exchanges on full price, unworn, unwashed, unaltered merchandise with original tags (except Beauty, Swimwear, Jewelry, Sunglasses, and Lingerie) within 14 days of the purchase date. All Sale merchandise is FINAL SALE and not eligible for return or exchange.
Call or Text Us at 843.724.6373
LiveChat Us or Email Us
Hours: Monday – Saturday 10am – 6pm EST, Sunday 12 – 5pm EST


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This week, the Federal Highway Administration issued a Noticed of Proposed Rulemaking to promulgate performance measures to be used in evaluating federal funding of transportation projects. The requirement for performance measures stems from the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, aka MAP-21. MAP-21 requires the FHWA to establish performance standards in 12 categories, one of which is "on-road mobile source emissions."
The NPRM addresses this criterion, focusing largely on emissions of criteria pollutants. However, buried in the 423-page NPRM is a six-page section labeled "Consideration of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Measure."
And thus the FHWA drops a bomb that could revolutionize federal funding of transportation projects. It's important to note that this may not happen. If the next President is Republican, it certainly won't. Even if the FHWA goes forward, there would be legal challenges to its authority to use GHG as part of the performance measures.
If it does go forward though, it really would be revolutionary. As the NPRM states, transportation sources are rapidly increasing as a source of GHG emissions:
GHG emissions from on-road sources represent approximately 23 percent of economy-wide GHGs, but have accounted for more than two-thirds of the net increase in total U.S. GHGs since 1990.
The enormity of both the challenges facing the FHWA in attempting to establish a performance measure for GHG emissions and the potential impact implementation of a GHG performance measure would have is reflected in some of the 13 questions that FHWA posed for comment:
- Should the measure be limited to emissions coming from the tailpipe, or should it consider emissions generated upstream in the life cycle of the vehicle operations?
- Should CO2 emissions performance be estimated based on gasoline and diesel fuel sales, system use (vehicle miles traveled), or other surrogates?
- Would a performance measure on CO2 emissions help to improve transparency and to realign incentives such that State DOTs and MPOs are better positioned to meet national climate change goals?
- How long would it take for transportation agencies to implement such a measure?
Welcome to the brave new world of integrated planning to manage GHG emissions in a critical sector of our economy.


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June 17, 2008:
Besides the black bear on the side of Highway 105 shortly after leaving Red Lake today, the rest of the trip was relatively uneventful. We reached the Trans-Canada Highway and just put the truck into cruise control until we drew closer to the Provincial border of Manitoba.
We stopped briefly at the Visitor Information Centre to pick up maps and up to date information about Manitoba as well as Winnipeg then hit the road again for the final 160 kilometres to the city.
Once we were on the outskirts of Winnipeg, we turned off the Trans-Canada highway onto the Perimeter Highway - since we were early we had time to check in to the Conestoga Campground which is one of the closest campgrounds to the city centre, before heading into town for sunset and dusk.
Well the Perimeter Highway is a great idea for avoiding the inner city roads but "boy howdy" talk about bumpy. It was like driving on a wave which was accentuated by us driving in a pick up truck with a camper on the back ... next stop the chiropractor!!
We turned off the Perimeter Highway and found our way to the Conestoga Campground on St Anne's Road and checked in. After locating our site, we decided the length of our stay in Winnipeg warranted taking the camper off the back of the truck, so we worked quickly to unload it and get it plugged in before heading off into town to find a spot for sunset and dusk. We decided on the Forks National Historic Site which is located in downtown Winnipeg. The Forks NHS is situated right at the confluence of the Assiniboine and Red Rivers and is a place of great historic significance in the city. It has been a meeting place for centuries - for aboriginal peoples, traders, and for residents of Winnipeg.
After capturing images of the sculptures at the Oodena Celebration Circle, we set up the camera and tripod on the Historic Rail Bridge which spans the Assiniboine River and affords a view back towards the markets and marina of the Forks National Historic Site.
We stayed at this location until after dark then headed home to Conestoga Campground on the outskirts of town to where the camper was set up and waiting for us.
These travel blog entries related to Bumps And Forks In Winnipeg Manitoba Canada may interest you too:
|Bumps And Forks In Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
We drove nearly 500 kilometres today from the town of Red Lake in Ontario to the bustling metropolis of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada.
|Michelle Coats
Spectacular End To A Busy Day With A Sunset In Winnipeg
Royal Canadian Mint Building Winnipeg Manitoba
Stepping Back To The Sixteenth Century At The Mennonite Heritage Village
French Heritage In St Boniface Winnipeg Manitoba
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There are amusement parks, and then there are anime amusement parks. Amusement parks in anime are depicted as being fun places full of bright lights, tons of people, and lots of sounds and sights to take in. ...If they're open to the public, that is. Once a theme park closes down, it becomes a horror movie set.
If the fictional amusement parks below leave you craving the real thing, scroll down to the end of this article for some awesome real amusement parks based on anime.
Tickets please, it's time to ride the amusement park roller-coaster.
Great Place for a Date
Amusement parks are a favorite date spot for a number of anime. There's a tangible thrill and excitement in the atmosphere when you walk through the gates. Amusement parks provide an opportunity to go on a sugar high with some cotton candy, win prizes for your date, or even hold their hand… so you don't get separated, of course!
Lotte takes Naoya to an amusement park on their first date in Astarotte no Omocha. It happens to be the perfect spot for the two to bond, especially since the park turns out to be a private spot for them, with the couple as the only visitors.
On the other hand, some amusement parks seem like a bad date idea, like Clovisland in Code Geass. Rumor has it, any couples who go on a date in this theme park are doomed, and will soon break up. What a waste of a beautiful park…
Abandoned Amusement Parks are Creepy
Never visit an amusement park after it's closed down. Seriously. Even horror greats like Alfred Hitchcock recognize shut down amusemet parks as places of doom and despair.
Cowboy Bebop throws us headfirst into Spaceland to show the horrors of an abandoned amusement park. During the day when the crowds flood into amusement parks, the music and sounds of the rides are fun and festive. At night, when not a soul is around, they turn eerie. One glimpse at the half-alive amusement park in Cowboy Bebop is enough to send shivers down your spine.
In the Business of Fun
How does a park go from being full of life, to a decrepit old dump? It's all business, baby. Amagi Brilliant Park gives a unique glimpse into a park on the brink of closing down. Seeing the park from behind the scenes demystifies it a bit, even if Amagi is not exactly the most typical amusement park...
Anime-Based Amusement Parks in Real Life
Theme parks and anime don't just come together on the screen: there are a few places in Japan where you can see your anime come to life with rides and attractions.
Photo credit: Biglobe
The One Piece Tower, for instance, opened last year to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the One Piece anime. Visitors to the Tokyo park can play some carnival games, check out sculptures and recreations of some of the characters and locations in the anime (like the anime's ship), eat One Piece-themed food, and watch a live performance.
Photo by: Crunchyroll
One Piece is featured in another anime theme park, the Shonen Jump Park inside a mall in Ikebukuro. Aside from everyone's favorite seafaring crew, the indoor park also dedicates space to other popular shows like Dragon Ball, Naruto, and other Jump favorites. You won't find any roller coasters here since the space is indoors, but you can try your hand at obstacle courses and puzzles themed around the different anime.
Photo by: Crunchyroll
Of course, neither of these amusement parks compare to the anime theme parks you can find inside Universal Studios Japan. Here, you will find yourself in the middle of a battle between giants in the Attack on Titan attraction or surrounded by references to Neon Genesis Evangelion in the Evangelion attraction. The Attack on Titan theme park, in particular, is a wild one. Who hasn't wanted to see what it's like to be devoured by giants created with "the world's most advanced technique to recreate humans?"


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McCain Sets Stage for Fight Over Drones
Sen. John McCain is planning to shift the CIA's secretive drone program to the Defense Department through the National Defense Authorization Act, setting the stage for a fight later this year with Senate Intelligence leaders and making him an unlikely ally of President Barack Obama. The Arizona Republican has been particularly critical of the program under the CIA's watch following recent revelations that a drone strike in January in Pakistan killed American aid worker Warren Weinstein and Italian aid worker Giovanni Lo Porto.
"We'll be looking at some kind of legislation on the defense authorization bill to see that that accelerates," McCain said. "I'm the chairman of the Armed Services Committee. We will be doing something in the NDAA."
McCain said on Tuesday that he would discuss the matter with Sen. Richard M. Burr, R-N.C., the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, but he anticipated the two would split.
"We work very closely together, but this is an issue that I've been very clear on for a long time; it will not surprise him," McCain said, who downplayed concerns of a fight over the issue. "We may have a disagreement. That's what votes are for in the United States Senate."
Burr on Tuesday wouldn't talk about the CIA drone program, which is an open secret in Washington.
"I didn't know we had a drone program," he said, smiling.
But Intelligence Committee ranking Democrat Dianne Feinstein of California, said on Tuesday the claims of the need to switch oversight was "premature," and that oversight of the program was best left as is.
"I think they're taking one incident and using it for this purpose," Feinstein said. "We have much more oversight over the intelligence program than they have over the military program, and that's just a fact."
Feinstein said the Intelligence Committee has already spent a considerable amount of time reviewing the program. She said a robust oversight system is already in place, with 61 staff sessions and approximately 350 real-time videos of strikes reviewed to date.
"My own view is that this is a weapon that's different from all other weapons and it takes long training of whoever is running the system," she said. "And they're attuned, and they are careful, and there are hundreds of hours of intelligence that goes into it. So it's not just 'Oh, let's just move it.'"
Feinstein suggested that McCain compare the two systems, the CIA drone program and the Pentagon's, and compare the collateral damage.
"Because that's really important," Feinstein said. "It's really important that we not kill innocent people."
Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, who sits on both the Senate Intelligence Committee and the Armed Services Committee, also would not comment on the existence of the drone program, but said he saw the issue from both sides.
"I think it's going to take a lot of discussion, because I'm on both committees," he said. "So I see that question from both sides. … I'm not confirming that there is a CIA program. It's one that I think requires a lot of discussion."
McCain has a strong ally in Obama — who has talked about shifting drone policy for years.
In a statement to CQ Roll Call, National Security Council spokesman Ned Price reiterated the president's desire for transparency over both the basis of counterterrorism actions and the manner in which they are carried out.
"Without commenting on any specific counterterrorism operations, the President has been clear on this issue," Price said. "Because of this, he has indicated that he will increasingly turn to our military to take the lead and provide information to the public about our efforts. We continue to work diligently toward this goal."
Niels Lesniewski contributed to this report.
The 114th: CQ Roll Call's Guide to the New Congress
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KRSLD aka Krysalid (Futuristic Concept Design) / Cki Vang
Introducing Cki Vang, he's a thirty-something award-winning freelance concept artist based in Paris, France. He has more than 13 years of experience in the visual effects industry and is currently working on his personal artbook.
As the legend goes:
KRSLD is the code name of the company formerly known as Krysalid which provided armaments and advanced technological products. Designed by human beings it became autonomous towards the end of 2090s and it now aims at protecting the human beings from possible alien invasions and as well as restoring the order on earth.
We just love Cki Vang's work, are jazzed to have reached out to him and feature his body of work. There are only a handful of impressive, next-level designers out there who are independent –Cki belongs in that fraternity. Wizards!
If you dig KRSLD, check out the work of Vitaly Bulgarov who dwells in the same genre of concept design.
Vang at CGHub
Images copyrighted © 2013 vangcki. All rights reserved. Please do not repost his images without his permission.


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Funny how things go.Sometimes you never intend on going down a path, but feelings or events seems to take your hand and lead the way. Let me tell you what I mean.
The 30th of April is my mother's birthday, something that has been on my mind all week. She has been gone for 20 years now. Seems unimaginable to be without her beautiful smile, her chatty nature, and her kind heart for so very long. I have a hard time remembering her voice now, but I do know I will recognize it when we meet again.
Today I was working on a project to share and was almost done, when I got some news that a good friend of mine's father in law passed away. In my sentimental state of mind the entire theme and feeling of the project changed (for the better) and I was able to create a piece that evokes the memories of my mother and the passing of a loved one. The "thread" between the two places is so very thin that sometimes I think we can catch glimpses of their hand in our lives.
Follow along and I'll show you the elements that make this piece complete.
I bought this little balsa wood house at Joann Crafts. It measures about 5 x 7".
Tim created a new cardstock that was released at CHA and is now in stores. The cardstock is metallic on one side and kraft on the other. The pad has copper, gold, and silver, which is what I'm going to use today.
side note: the metallic cardstock also comes in pre-folded cards with envelopes for all you card makers out there!
I cut 4 pieces for the sides of the house and ran them through my Vagabond machine using the "Tiles" texture fade. The Texture Folder worked perfectly. It may be hard to see in this shot, but in person they look just like metal.
I filled the bottom of the box with some cheesecloth before adding the pieces I had created. Once everything was in place, I added the small spool of thread that had been sitting on my display shelf (been saving that spool because of the size and color).
now carry on,


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Cadenshae Nursing Jumper, S
Cadenshae Nursing Jumper, S
Sale Sold out
Regular price $30.00
Regular priceUnit price per
Sale price
Cadenshare nursing hoodie in grey/black with side zips, size small. 100% cotton.
Good condition.
ShippingShipping policies
Flat rate shipping in Australia $9
Free shipping for orders over $100
Flat rate shipping to New Zealand $20
Free shipping to New Zealand for orders over $150
ReturnsReturns policies
We have a 14-day return policy, which means you have 14 days after receiving your item to request a return. Please note we do not offer a refund for a change of mind, and will only refund an item if it is faulty, or has been incorrectly described.
Selcted for you...


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Language: English
Plant-animal interactions, both mutualistic and antagonistic, play a crucial role in the diversification of plants and animals, and are important in functioning of communities in their natural habitats. The mutual interactions between flowering plants and animals, in pollination and seed dispersal, largely determine the reproductive success of the flowering plants. Maintenance of these ecoservices is critical for the sustainability of India's biodiversity. India, with its rich biodiversity and leveling of crop yields in recent years would benefit from research in the area of plant-animal interactions.
This volume includes chapters on various aspects of mutualistic plant-animal interactions. In particular the fundamental and applied aspects of ecoservices – pollination and seed dispersal are covered comprehensively. It also covers tritrophic interactions and the potential of genomics in studies on plant-animal interactions. The book will be of interest to post-graduate students, teachers and researchers in the areas of biology, ecology, botany, zoology, agri-horticulture, forestry, and conservation biology.


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Earlier today we noted that Greenwell Springs Baptist Church pastor Dennis Terry is now trying to claim that he is being misquoted and his views misrepresented over the heated rhetoric he used on Sunday evening at an event with Rick Santorum when he told those who "don't like the way we do things" that they can "get out" of the country.
Terry has now turned to CBN's David Brody to present his side of the story because Brody is the one Religious Right journalist that they can reliably count on to take whatever they say at face value and report it.
So here is the statement Terry released exclusively to Brody:
Sunday night our church was privileged to host Sen. Rick Santorum, a candidate in the Republican Presidential contest. As stated Sunday night, Greenwell Springs Baptist church has invited all of the candidates, including President Barack Obama to visit our congregation.
Prior to Senator Santorum speaking on Sunday night I gave a short exhortation to our congregation on why we as Christians should be involved in the political and public policy process. My message was based in 1 Peter 2:11-17. In my remarks I said the following:
"This nation was founded as a Christian Nation. The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, there is only one God. There is only one God! And his name is Jesus!
I'm tired of people telling me I can't say those words, I'm tired of people telling us as Christians that we can't voice our beliefs or we can no longer pray in public. Listen to me if you don't love America or you don't like the way we do things I've got one thing to say get out!"
These comments have been misreported saying that I suggested those who do not believe like me should leave the country. I said no such thing. I said those who do not love America and what she stands for should leave. Chief among the principles that America is founded upon is that of religious freedom, and that includes Christianity. I will not be made to feel as if we as Christians should apologize for our faith or that we should take the backseat as America is morally and spiritually being driven in the wrong direction.
Muslims, Hindus, people of different religions or no religions have the right to be here in America, but they do not have the right to force me to be silent while they work to transform our nation.
My comments on Sunday night were my comments as a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The validation of my comments is found in the response by those who are screaming separation of church and state.
You will notice that Terry conveniently left off the intro sentence of his statement where he declared "I don't care what the liberals say, I don't care what the naysayers say, this nation was founded as a Christian nation …"
That is kind of a key element to understanding what Terry was saying since he was not simply saying that those who don't love America should leave but was specifically talking about liberals, claiming that liberals are the ones who are telling him he can't pray in public and that if they don't love America and don't share his views, they ought to "get out" of the country.
The video speaks for itself, as anyone who watches it can see. But Brody, of course, simply accepts Terry's claims wholesale and reports that the controversy Terry has created is "a good example of how the mainstream media just doesn't understand the evangelical worldview."


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This versatile dog kennel has multiple uses: playing, exercising, training, or simply keeping your dogs safe. It will be the perfect play paradise for your furry friends! This large dog kennel provides ample exercise space. The chain link fence helps prevent mischief or unexpected accidents, while enabling ventilation. Thanks to the sturdy steel construction, this high-quality dog kennel is durable. The gate is equipped with a lock to keep your dogs extra safe. Assembly is easy.
- Colour: Silver
- Material: Galvanised steel
- Overall dimensions: 570 x 570 x 195 cm (L x W x H)
- Inner dimensions: 565 x 565 x 195 cm(L x W x H)
- Gate with lock
- With 4 anchors
- Hot-dip galvanised chain link fence
- Easy to assemble
Color: Silver


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Welcome to Quinta Manjericao (Basil Farm) here in the beautiful Western Algarve.
We are a 10 acre smallholding growing fruit and vegetables and looking after our animals including chickens, ducks & dogs, cat etc.
We have dedicated a super area with outstanding views over the surrounding countryside for our small and personal campsite for touring caravans and motorhomes complete with electricity and water.
We are perfectly located only 5 minutes drive from beaches, restaurants, golf and supermarkets and only a 15 minute drive to Lagos or Sagres.
We very much look forward to welcoming you to our little haven in the sun.


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Photos: VOGUE
Isabel Marant Fall 2014
3 comments
Yes yes yes and yes!!!…. I want… wait, I need so much from this!… the footwear, the pants, the foot wear the jacket…the footwear!!!… swoon.x
Wow! I have never been so in love with an entire collection! I love every single piece. I wish this was my closet.
xo Denise
i have to say, I'm obsessed with Isabel Marant… Gosh i love almost every collection of her.. Almost a god damn hero for me! And so, I can't get over this collection!


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Chapter I: The Subject-Matter of Ethics.
§ 14.
Good, then, is indefinable; and yet, so far as I know,
there is only one ethical writer, Prof. Henry Sidgwick, who has clearly recognised
and stated this fact. We shall see, indeed, how far many of the most reputed
ethical systems fall short of drawing the conclusions which follow from such a
recognition. At present I will only quote from one instance, which will serve to
illustrate the meaning and importance of this principle that
good is
indefinable, or, as Prof. Sidgwick says, an
unanalysable notion. It is an instance to which Prof. Sidgwick himself refers in a note on the passage,
in which he argues that
ought is unanalysable. (§ 14
¶ 1)
Bentham, says Sidgwick,
explains that his fundamental
principle ; and yet
states the greatest happiness of all those whose interest is in
question as being the right and proper end of human action
his language in other passages of the same chapter would seem to imply
that he means by the word
conducive to the general
happiness. Prof. Sidgwick sees that, if you take these two statements
together, you get the absurd result that
greatest happiness is the end of
human action, which is conducive to the general happiness; and so absurd
does it seem to him to call this result, as Bentham calls it,
the fundamental
principle of a moral system, that he suggests that Bentham cannot have meant
it. Yet Prof. Sidgwick himself states elsewhere that
Psychological Hedonism is
not seldom confounded with Egoistic Hedonism;
and that confusion, as we shall see, rests chiefly on that same fallacy, the
naturalistic fallacy, which is implied in Bentham's statements. Prof. Sidgwick admits therefore that this fallacy is
sometimes committed, absurd as it is; and I am inclined to think that Bentham
may really have been one of those who committed it. Mill, as we shall see,
certainly did commit it. In any case, whether Bentham committed it or not, his
doctrine, as above quoted, will serve as a very good illustration of this
fallacy, and of the importance of the contrary proposition that good is
indefinable. (§ 14 ¶ 2)
Let us consider this doctrine. Bentham seems to imply, so Prof.
Sidgwick says, that the word
right means
conducive to general
happiness. Now this, by itself, need not necessarily involve the
naturalistic fallacy. For the word
right is very commonly appropriated to
actions which lead to the attainment of what is good; which are regarded as
means to the ideal and not as ends-in-themselves. This use of
right, as denoting what is good as a means, whether or not it also be
good as an end, is indeed the use to which I shall confine the word. Had Bentham
been using
right in this sense, it might be perfectly consistent for him
to define right as
conducive to the general happiness
provided only (and note this proviso) he had already proved, or laid
down as an axiom, that general happiness was the good, or (what is
equivalent to this) that general happiness alone was good. For in that case he
would have already defined the good as general happiness (a position
perfectly consistent, we have seen, with the contention that
good is
indefinable), and, since right was to be defined as
conducive to the
good, it would actually mean
conducive to general happiness.
But this method of escape from the charge of having committed the naturalistic
fallacy has been closed by Bentham himself. For his fundamental principle is, we
see, that the greatest happiness of all concerned is the right and
proper end of human action. He applies the word
therefore, to the end, as such, not only to the means which are conducive to it;
and that being so, right can no longer be defined as
conducive to the general
happiness, without involving the fallacy in question. For now it is obvious
that the definition of right as conducive to general happiness can be used by
him in support of the fundamental principle that general happiness is the right
end; instead of being itself derived from that principle. If right, by
definition, means conducive to general happiness, then it is obvious that
general happiness is the right end. It is not necessary now first to prove or
assert that general happiness is the right end, before right is defined as
conducive to general happiness—a perfectly valid procedure; but on the
contrary the definition of right as conducive to general happiness proves
general happiness to be the right end—a perfectly invalid procedure, since
in this case the statement that
general happiness is the right end of human
action is not an ethical principle at all, but either, as we have seen, a
proposition about the meaning of words, or else a proposition about the
nature of general happiness, not about its rightness or its goodness.
(§ 14 ¶ 3)
Now, I do not wish the importance I assign to this fallacy to be misunderstood. The discovery of it does not at all refute Bentham's contention that greatest happiness is the proper end of human action, if that be understood as an ethical proposition, as he undoubtedly intended it. That principle may be true all the same; we shall consider whether it is so in the succeeding chapters. Bentham might have maintained it, as Prof. Sidgwick does, even if the fallacy had been pointed out to him. What I am maintaining is that the reasons which he actually gives for his ethical proposition are fallacious ones so far as they consist in a definition of right. What I suggest is that he did not perceive them to be fallacious; that, if he had done so, he would have been led to seek for other reasons in support of his Utilitarianism; and that, had he sought for other reasons, he might have found none which he thought to be sufficient. In that case he would have changed his whole system—a most important consequence. It is undoubtedly also possible that he would have thought other reasons to be sufficient, and in that case his ethical system, in its main results, would still have stood. But, even in this latter case, his use of the fallacy would be a serious objection to him as an ethical philosopher. For it is the business of Ethics, I must insist, not only to obtain true results, but also to find valid reasons for them. The direct object of Ethics is knowledge and not practice; and any one who uses the naturalistic fallacy has certainly not fulfilled this first object, however correct his practical principles may be. (§ 14 ¶ 4)
My objections to Naturalism are then, in the first place, that it
offers no reason at all, far less any valid reason, for any ethical principle
whatever; and in this it already fails to satisfy the requirements of Ethics, as
a scientific study. But in the second place I contend that, though it gives a
reason for no ethical principle, it is the cause of the acceptance of
false principles—it deludes the mind into accepting ethical principles,
which are false; and in this it is contrary to every aim of Ethics. It is easy
to see that if we start with a definition of right conduct as conduct conducive
to general happiness; then, knowing that right conduct is universally conduct
conducive to the good, we very easily arrive at the result that the good is
general happiness. If, on the other hand, we once recognise that we must start
our Ethics without a definition, we shall be much more apt to look about us,
before we adopt any ethical principle whatever, and the more we look about us,
the less likely we are to adopt a false one. It may be replied to this: Yes, but
we shall look about us just as much, before we settle on our definition, and are
therefore just as likely to be right. But I will try to shew that this is not
the case. If we start with the conviction that a definition of good can be
found, we start with the conviction that the good can mean nothing else
than some one property of things, and our only business will then be to discover
what that property is. But if we recognise that, so far as the meaning of good
goes, anything whatever may be good, we start with a much more open mind.
Moreover, apart from the fact that, when we think we have a definition, we
cannot logically defend our ethical principles in any way whatever, we shall
also be much less apt to defend them well, even if illogically. For we shall
start with the conviction that good must mean so and so, and shall therefore be
inclined either to misunderstand our opponent's arguments or to cut them
short with the reply,
This is not an open question: the very meaning of the
word decides it; no one can think otherwise except through confusion. (§ 14 ¶ 5)
§ 14, n. 1: Methods of Ethics, Bk. I, Chap. iii, § 1 (6th edition). ↩


text:
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text:
The Cleveland Browns are looking for any shred of hope that the upcoming season will be positive. Cleveland is hopeful that they can revive the career of Robert Griffin III and that new head coach, Hue Jackson, can help turnaround a franchise that has been in turmoil for far too long.
Although not one of the 14 1st round picks in this year's draft was a running back, the Browns seem especially excited about the running game this season.
"If you look at (head coach Hue Jackson's) record," run game coordinator Kirby Wilson said per the Cleveland Plain Dealer, "in terms of running the football and the amount that he runs it, you're going to find out that he really, truly does enjoy running the football. We are going to be a run-oriented football team."
"We are confident in that group," Executive VP of Player Personnel Sashi Brown said. "It doesn't mean that it is necessarily as accomplished as other running back corps around the league are, but Isaiah (Crowell) has a great opportunity, along with the other guys in that room. Duke (Johnson) certainly impressed us his rookie year. We expect big things out of both of those guys — Glenn (Winston), Terrell (Watson) and the rest of that group as well."
The group will be headlined by the battle for carries between Isiah Crowell and Duke Johnson.
"I think Isaiah is a complete player, in terms of the tools that he brings to the game," Wilson said. "He's explosive, he's got really nice size, he's got the natural ability to play the position, and he's a bright young man, so football comes easy to him, in terms of the preparation part."
"I thought Duke has a lot of those qualities that a lot of great running backs have, in terms of being a receiver," Wilson said. "He's got receiver background, he played it in high school, and he's a playmaker whether he's spread out or coming out of the back field. He's very comfortable in space, he's got natural ability to catch the football, and he knows how to run routes."
"Duke Johnson was a draft pick a year ago who kind of burst onto the scene and had a ton of catches and made some unbelievable plays," Jackson said. "So I'm looking forward to working with him. I think he's very talented."
Labeling Johnson as the "ultimate weapon" is heaping both high praise and immense pressure on the young running back. But Johnson does have the potential to be the lead back and a successful one in the Browns' offense.
It's still early, but it does look like Johnson is the back to beat for the starting role simply by reading between the lines.
Whether or not Johnson seizes that opportunity and proves to be a success remains to be seem but we will know a lot more once training camp starts playing out.


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Coldplay have been announced as the opening act for this year's Brit Awards – with the band set to perform from the River Thames.
The band, who hold the title of the Brits' most nominated group – with 28 nods in total and nine wins – will play new single Higher Power from a pontoon close to London's O2 Arena, where the ceremony is being held.
Coldplay, fronted by Chris Martin, have not performed on TV for more than a year, and last played at the Brit Awards in 2017, with dance music duo Chainsmokers.
Other acts on the bill include Arlo Parks, Dua Lipa, Griff, Headie One and Olivia Rodrigo, as well as Rag'n'Bone Man and P!nk with the Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust Choir.
The Brits ceremony is due to take place on 11 May in front of an audience of 4,000 people, and will be the first major indoor and in-person live music event in the UK in more than a year as part of a government pilot scheme.
Some 2,500 of the spaces available for the show, hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, will go to key workers in Greater London.
Audience members will have to prove they have tested negative for COVID-19 before they arrive, as well as take a test after the event and provide details for Test and Trace, to build up evidence on the safety of indoor venues.
The 2021 awards will be the most diverse Brits in the event's history, and feature more women than men nominated in the album category for the first time.
Lipa, Parks, Celeste, rap duo Young T & Bugsey and DJ and producer Joel Corry are all up for three awards, while Jessie Ware, dance music duo Bicep and rappers AJ Tracey, J Hus and Headie One each have two nominations.
Winners this year will be presented with not one but two statuettes, with stars encouraged to share with someone important to them as an "act of kindness".


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The Workbook is a best-seller in the category and helps busy business owners, marketing managers, and advertising types to correctly manage ads not only on Google's "Search Network" but also on the so-called "Google Display Network" and YouTube.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, November 30, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ — The Jason McDonald Consulting Agency, an agency focused on search engine optimization, social media marketing, and Google Ads, is proud to announce Dr. McDonald's 2023 "Google Ads Workbook." The Workbook is a best-seller in the category and helps busy business owners, marketing managers, and advertising types to correctly manage ads not only on Google's "Search Network" but also on the so-called "Google Display Network" and YouTube.
"Google ads is powerful but complex," explained Dr. McDonald, Director of the Jason McDonald Consulting, Agency based in San Francisco. "I am excited to announce my '2023 Google Ads Workbook,' as the definitive guide to how to use Google advertising successfully. New coverage includes Google AI technology, 'responsive search ads,' and new campaign formats such as 'Performance Max.' Anyone who is spending a significant sum of money on Google advertising should consult the new workbook."Google Ads Workbook 2023 – a best book on Google Ads
Persons interested in learning more about the book can visit it directly on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Google-Ads-AdWords-Workbook-Advertising/dp/B0BL4VR5GN/ or on the JM Internet Group website at https://www.jm-seo.org/books/adwords-workbook/. The book focuses on Google Ads (https://ads.google.com/) and is an unbiased, non-sponsored source of true, objective information on how to use Google Ads. Unfortunately, many "official" tutorials from Google suffer from an overly optimistic view of how to use the platform and can encourage users to overuse Google Ads, resulting in spurious clicks and unnecessary spend. The 2023 Google Ads Workbook has found a niche among those who want a basic overview to how to advertise on Google yet do not want to waste money.
Here is background on this release. In addition to this announcement, it should be noted that previous editions of the "Google Ads Workbook" have been widely commended in the trade press. For example, the list from NIGCWorld of the "best books on Google Ads" at https://www.nigcworld.com/wp/10-best-books-google-adwords-2014-boost- … g-profits/ prominently features the 2022 Workbook. Similarly, a 2022 interview on YouTube (https://youtu.be/rC5hVNN8akw) situates Dr. McDonald and the book as at the forefront of how to advertise effectively on Google. Finally, it should be noted that Dr. McDonald is a recognized "Google Ads Expert Witness" (https://www.jasonmcdonald.org/adwords/adwords-expert-witness/), with extensive experience in reports, depositions, and even trials in federal and California court. Interested parties are encouraged not only to read the book but to reach out for a consultation with Dr. McDonald on his expertise in online advertising, including on Google (https://www.google.com/), YouTube, the Google Display Network, and even Google Shopping.
Jason McDonald is director of The JM Internet Group, a leading online training company. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1992, and now both teaches and consults to San Francisco Bay Area businesses in SEO, Social Media Marketing, and AdWords. In addition to those services, he has been recognized as an expert witness in litigation on Internet marketing. He has several popular books on Amazon on the topic of Internet marketing. Jason is known as an expert in social media marketing in the San Francisco Bay Area.
For the original version of this press release, please visit 24-7PressRelease.com here