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Joined: 05 Jun 2012
Posts: 1935
Location: Wisconsin USA
Posted: Sun 30 Sep 2012, 20:19
Post subject:
I have the All CDs except for CD 5 and 6 (those have the sources and aren't needed for installation). I burned the CDs @ 4x or 8x, so it may be the CD drive.
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Joined: 22 Nov 2010
Posts: 5056
Location: Everybody knows this is nowhere...
Posted: Sun 30 Sep 2012, 21:13
Post subject:
Just FINALLY got to trying out DamnSmall (the new one). It's a definite improvement! They need a nicer desktop font, and it looks like they're still using GTK1 (not sure, honestly) but for a 50mb distro... not bad.
My main complaint, which is one I have of a LOT of distros (not Puppy!) is the wireless config. It looks like they have a few built-in drivers, which is nice, but folks -- if you're advocating independence from Windows, why are you still using their drivers for a critical part of your OS? Especially with a CLI tool? (ndisgtk is at least graphical!)
I dunno. It just doesn't make sense to me.
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Colonel Panic
Joined: 16 Sep 2006
Posts: 2117
Posted: Mon 01 Oct 2012, 04:36
Post subject:
I've just downloaded OpenSUSE 12.2 (the DVD version) and tried to install it to hard disk, but I found the hard drive partitioner awkward and confusing. There didn't seem to be any way to select which partition I was going to use as my root and which one as my home partition (and to be left unformatted), as there is with Mint. I didn't want to overwrite any more of my existing Linux partitions than the one I'd be using as root, so in the end I gave up and installed Mint 13 XFce instead
I think Open SUSE needs more work, and Dedoimedo. who's just reviewed it, clearly thinks so too;
Packard Bell iMedia 6020 (AMD Athlon 3800+, 4 GB of RAM, 250 GB hard drive) running Sparky 2019.08 (current), Absolute 64, Mint Debian 3.0, CrunchBang++ 10.1, Siduction 18.3.0, VLocity 7.2, Puppy Precise 5.7.1 Large and Pardus 17.5 Deepin.
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Joined: 24 Oct 2009
Posts: 774
Location: Montreal
Posted: Tue 02 Oct 2012, 13:00
Post subject: Knoppix 7.0.4 LiveDVD EN is out
Have just downloaded (from Kernel.org), burned, and successfully installed to flash card the English version of Knoppix 7.0.4.
I'd been relying on Knoppix exclusively for internet connectivity for two weeks recently, while staying in hotels with only Wifi connections. Puppy was unable to configure my Toshiba Laptop's Realtek Wifi chip. None of the included drivers worked, and Ndiswrapper declared the Windows7 drivers on my Windows installation "invalid". Knoppix 7.0.2 configured the wifi connection automatically.
I went looking for a later version of Knoppix when I found I couldn't access my new camera's 64GB SDXC flash memory card with either Puppy or Knoppix 7.0.2., and discovered two updates had already been released.
I downloaded the 7.0.4 iso, checked the md5sum, and then burned it with Burniso2CD (as Pburn failed to recognize my writable media - as described in the Pburn thread). The verify function of Burniso2CD was unable to verify the burn, but I decided to try booting the DVD anyway, and it worked. It also failed the Knoppix "testcd" function, but continued to boot and load without evidence of problems, so I decided to install it to flash, using a Class 4 8GB microSD card in a Delkin USB3.0 card reader attached to the Toshiba via a Sabrent expressbus USB3.0 adapter.
I chose to preserve the data on the card, and the installation took well over an hour, including the creation of a 2.5GB storage space (needed to hold any new applications you choose to install). Presumably using USB 2.0 would have taken much more time, unless perhaps one chooses the option of dedicating the entire card to the OS.
However, the installation booted without problems from the USB2.0 port, and I was able to configure and save the Knoppix Firewall and then go online with Software Center to install RawStudio and UFRaw to support the RAW files on my 64GB flash card.
However, the SDXC card support was a bit of a disappointment. When inserted in the Toshiba's internal SD/XD slot, the SDXC card was accessible, but in the USB3.0 card reader, it was not. It would appear for a fraction of a second as either "64MB file system" or "sde1", then vanish. Numerous attempts to open the folder failed with the message "..not found".
This is a major disappointment, since the USB3.0 card reader typically reads at least twice as fast as the Toshiba's internal slot.
A 16GB Dane-elec SDHC card WAS readable in the Delkin Card reader.
Despite this setback, I believe Knoppix 7 is a winner. Klaus Knopper has hit another home run after a long dry spell. And he seems to be keen to run with it, judging by the pace of revisions. And I'm hopeful the SDXC issue will be fixed by a new Linux Kernel fairly soon.
Certainly it's worth a try. But one word of warning regarding the flash install - my first two Knoppix Flash installations were to thumb drives with sliding USB connectors. I strongly advise against them, as they've given me hours of frustration. Many times the Bios has simply failed to detect the media, whether booting or not, even though the plug is firmly inserted in the jack. The exercise reminds me of the terrible experience of loading programs from a cassette recorder, back in the days before even floppy drives.
I boot my 7.0.4 install from an 8GB (the minimum size required for the LiveDVD) microSD card installed in a solid USB adapter (the little rectangular box, the size of a baby's finger). Another option would be the tiny solid "key drives". The inherent instability and leverage of the standard thumbdrives with sliding connectors puts both the medium and your USB port at risk.
I don't know if it makes sense to shop for a faster card than the Class 4 SDHC ones most commonly available. In my area (Calgary hinterland), speed ratings on thumb drives have only just started to appear in a few models.
But if you have a PC with an internal USB3.0 connector that allows booting (my expressbus adapter doesn't), media speed might be a worthwhile consideration.
I haven't tried the LiveCD version flash install, but for those with bootable USB3.0 capability, that might be an inexpensive way to test the speed gain, as I believe you can install the LiveCD to a flash card as small as 2GB, certainly 4GB is more than enough, as the LiveDVD installation only takes up 4GB of my 8GB card.
firstname.lastname@example.com facebook.com/otropogo
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James C
Joined: 26 Mar 2009
Posts: 6734
Location: Kentucky
Posted: Wed 03 Oct 2012, 01:31
Post subject:
Manjaro Linux....... based on Arch and using k-3.4.9-1.
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Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 10548
Location: SwedenEurope
Posted: Wed 03 Oct 2012, 06:20
Post subject:
otropogo , I like something about Knoppix too
so I am tempted to use it as an alternative to Puppy
for to install such Debian programs as MakeHuman
Do you know how Knoppix deal with saving to the USB?
Is it like Puppy that one can wait until shut down or
does it save each minute or something?
8GB is too much for me. I have several 2GB and some 4GB
so I will have to use the CD live version instead of DVD?
Did you join the Knoppix forum?
I use Google Search on Puppy Forum
not an ideal solution though
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Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 10548
Location: SwedenEurope
Posted: Wed 03 Oct 2012, 07:07
Post subject:
I installed PCLinuxOS on a 4GB USB
and it boots but I have forgot why I have
HWMonitor.exe on it too. Is that something
that comes with the install for free or why is it there at all?
Very surprising to me to find it now I've had that USB
laying around as a rescue USB if something happen
to the HD on that old computer. Did not know I had
that HWMonitor.exe on it at all. I've googled and
find no good reason why it should be there.
Any clue? Does any of you remember it if is usual
them add that program?
I use Google Search on Puppy Forum
not an ideal solution though
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Joined: 22 Nov 2010
Posts: 5056
Location: Everybody knows this is nowhere...
Posted: Wed 03 Oct 2012, 12:12
Post subject:
*.exe is a Windows Executable (binary). You can't use it in Linux without Wine.
Does that help any?
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Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 10548
Location: SwedenEurope
Posted: Wed 03 Oct 2012, 13:16
Post subject:
Thanks but Nope it does not explain why they put it there.
I can try to reinstall the program on another 4GB USB
and see if it appear there too. Maybe they felt generous
and included it for to help people out I have no idea how
it ended up on that USB memory. it looks odd and mall placed.
Thanks for giving it a try. I know it is a windows program that is
why I found it odd to be there.
I use Google Search on Puppy Forum
not an ideal solution though
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Joined: 24 Oct 2009
Posts: 774
Location: Montreal
Posted: Thu 04 Oct 2012, 00:37
Post subject:
nooby wrote:
otropogo , I like something about Knoppix too
so I am tempted to use it as an alternative to Puppy
for to install such Debian programs as MakeHuman
Do you know how Knoppix deal with saving to the USB?
Is it like Puppy that one can wait until shut down or
does it save each minute or something?
8GB is too much for me. I have several 2GB and some 4GB
so I will have to use the CD live version instead of DVD?
Did you join the Knoppix forum?
If you want to use Knoppix 7xx as a day to day OS (as opposed to a simple reference or demo Live
cd/dvd) you must either install it to hard drive or install it to flash. Otherwise there's no way to save your configuration or newly installed aps.
I've never tried the first, but I've done three successful installs to flash now. The process has become much smoother in v. 7xxx.. There's a simple tab in either preferences or "knoppix" on the start menu. You must burn the livecd or dvd and boot with it, then have a flash memory card or stick available. I don't know if you can do it with a card reader or in an internal SD slot, I've only tried it on the USB port.
When you select "install to flash", Knoppix asks whether your want to dedicate the whole card, or leave the existing data intact. I chose the latter, both because I had some data I couldn't move, and also because it leaves me the option of saving data on the stick that would be accessible without running Knoppix. If you choose the first option, everything on the card or stick is erased.
With the second option, after the installation is complete, Knoppix asks whether your want to dedicate some space for expansion (ie. to hold your configurations and additional apps). I gave it 2.5 GBs, leaving 1.5GB for external data. It then formats the space you've allotted (which seems just as slow as the installation).
After that, configurations that you choose, such as the firewall setup, the desktop configuration, any apps you install, etc., are written to the dedicated space. There's no special save procedure. I don't know yet whether there is any option to expand the dedicated space if you need more space, so it's best not to be too stingy.
With the LiveCD version, you should have plenty of room left on a 4GB card. A 2GB card may be a bit tight. Prices are dropping quickly on these items here, probably because people are becoming aware of the speed factor due to the spread of USB3.0. A flyer from Staples I got this week advertises an 8GB CoreMicor USB drive for $4.25. A friend tried the 7.0.4 LiveCD and found it lacked too many apps that he needed, and switched to the LiveDVD version. So if you can find an affordable 8GB thumb drive, it would be much preferable. An SD or microSD card may also work, but it could depend on the adapter used to connect to the USB jack. I haven't tried booting from a card reader on the USB port, only a straight-though USB adapter. I do know I can't boot my laptop from the SD/XD card slot, nor from a card reader attached to the expressbus USB3.0 adapter. But I believe this is a BIOS limitation.
And yes, I'm registered in the Knoppix forum. It's not terribly busy, but Klaus Knopper is definitely monitoring it, as are one or two other knowledgeable users. There are even users using much older versions of Knoppix still getting support there.
Although I've posted to the German forum a few times, I only do this if I can't get a response on the English one. Klaus and at least one of the other German regulars follow and respond to postings on the English forum as well as the German one.
If you have a problem registering, as has happened to me a couple of times over the years, send an e-mail to the moderator, and it will be fixed in a day or two. If not, drop me a line, and I'll try to help.
email@example.com facebook.com/otropogo
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Joined: 12 Dec 2011
Posts: 1061
Posted: Thu 04 Oct 2012, 03:01
Post subject:
That Tiny Core looks interesting, wonder if anyone has knocked up the realtime kernel into something usable.
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Joined: 29 Jun 2008
Posts: 10548
Location: SwedenEurope
Posted: Thu 04 Oct 2012, 03:57
Post subject:
Thanks otropogo I have several 4GB so
I want to use them and spare the higher
16GB and 32GB for more important things
Yes them are much cheaper now here too.
I use Google Search on Puppy Forum
not an ideal solution though
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Joined: 05 Jun 2012
Posts: 1935
Location: Wisconsin USA
Posted: Sat 06 Oct 2012, 07:58
Post subject:
I finally got Slackware 14 to install (this time on my Dell Optiplex GX1). This time I downloaded the x86 DVD version and installed it from my USB Drive by following Alien Bob's tutorial for Windows users.
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Joined: 18 Jul 2008
Posts: 766
Posted: Sat 06 Oct 2012, 09:10
Post subject: Low Resource/Low Temperature Distro?
Looking for a frugal install/class10 SD card of cool-temperature linux. Regardless of the distros I've tried so far, my Lenovo S10-3t netbook burns at about 55C, which automatically sends the internal fan into hysteria. In turn, this depletes the battery.
Pemasu's dpup exprimo 5.1x, w/ its older kernel, burns the coolest, but it's still 7-10 degrees hotter than Windows 7. (Ubuntu and Mint are the hottest in my testing; even Knoppix 7.04 burns 60C +)
Any suggestions?
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Joined: 23 Mar 2010
Posts: 1157
Location: Tasmania, Australia in the mountains.
Posted: Sat 06 Oct 2012, 09:13
Post subject:
starhawk wrote:
Just FINALLY got to trying out DamnSmall (the new one). It's a definite improvement! They need a nicer desktop font, and it looks like they're still using GTK1 (not sure, honestly) but for a 50mb distro... not bad.
My main complaint, which is one I have of a LOT of distros (not Puppy!) is the wireless config. It looks like they have a few built-in drivers, which is nice, but folks -- if you're advocating independence from Windows, why are you still using their drivers for a critical part of your OS? Especially with a CLI tool? (ndisgtk is at least graphical!)
I dunno. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Its the supporting infrastructure that is way to big for a 50mb distro... all the graphical network managers available for debian for example need 75 MB of dependencies. You cant have that with a 50mb distro. Even an ncurses console/ terminal network client that lets you set all the options you find in the graphical ones are stupidly large with only a few MB saved by not going the X11 graphical alternative.
However if your using a desktop computer at home you can use a cable and let the auto detecting dhcp over ethernet do all the work.
However, firmware is firmware and drivers are drivers... there isnt a whole lot you can do to slim down firmware and or drivers. They cant afford to have 30mb worth of wifi drivers and wifi firmware in a 50mb OS.
Its annoying how they artificially deflate the size of the OS by forcing people to use ndiswrapper or similar drivers as once you hunt the correct driver down and use it, you are in effect adding to the size of the OS by using an external driver. But i spose DSL was never meant to be practical just an experiment to see what you can do with 50mb even if that requires you to use windows drivers to keep the size of the iso/ download to 50mb
DSL was the 2nd linux i used in the mid 2000's due to its small download size as i was using dial up internet then. The whole thing is full of mediocre apps that the desktop user will find completely inadequate. However, the only reason i tried DSL was to run a dead-souls MUD text game server and it did that ok.... after i downloaded an extra 120mb of dependencies so i could compile the damn thing. You could get Puppy with devx installed that did the job the same and it was smaller than the 50mb DSL + 120mb build development kit.
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In some still-to-be-discovered ancient civilization, there very well might be a cave in which hieroglyphics list the top 10 uses for fire. That means there likely were people in an adjoining cave who angrily disagreed with that list.
Call it list rage. While it lacks the higher profile of its cousins — road rage, computer rage and the still classic the-umpire-is-blind rage — list rage is just human nature.
The Twin Cities, and Minnesota in general, rule when it comes to lists.
We earn raves for our cleanliness, industriousness and urban green spaces. We're applauded for our passions, from biking and reading to music and theater. We've even been listed as one of the nerdiest places in the country, which we've decided to take as a compliment.
Nonetheless, when we encounter a list that leaves us out, it can be hard not to take that slight personally. We already have a chip on our collective shoulder about being flyover land, and it doesn't sit well when list-makers on the coasts ignore us, even if we're ignoring whatever it is they're listing. A snub is a snub, said Katy McEwen, artistic director at the Brave New Workshop, and we shouldn't put up with it.
"Why do we care about these completely arbitrary lists?" she asked rhetorically. "Because underneath our mild-mannered, snow-encrusted exteriors lie the hearts of warriors. Vikings! And Vikings don't back away from a fight, no matter how stupid or meaningless or how little bearing it has on anyone's anything."
Recently, Shape magazine listed the fittest cities in the United States, and we weren't included. But last summer, the National College of Sports Medicine ranked the Twin Cities as the fittest metro area. Two lists, two different rankings. That doesn't make sense — and that makes Minnesotans mad.
The anger doesn't surprise Carol Bruess, a professor at the University of St. Thomas who specializes in interpersonal communication.
"We want to feel like we matter," she said. "Because we are social beings, that sense of mattering comes from how others evaluate us. Whether it's a list published nationally or feedback from a friend, we all are seeking a sense of self, and when we find out others don't see us the way we see us, it can be a bit irritating and even upsetting."
Of course, there are some lists that we don't want to be on, such as Orkin Pest Control's ranking of cities with the biggest bedbug infestations. Other lists we don't mind missing, including the worst cities for spring allergies (recently reported by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America).
The psychology of list mania
Ignore the rankings, said John Tauer, men's basketball coach at the University of St. Thomas.
When the Tommies were ranked No. 1 in a poll last season, "I told the team that they should be proud of it and then move on," he said. "If we start to think too much about it, it can get distracting."
As a psychology professor at the college, he suggests that the rest of us do the same with lists.
"They're fun, and if that's their only purpose, that's great," Tauer said. But the lists often lead us to making comparisons.
"Upward social comparison is when we compare ourselves to those better than us, and downward social comparison is when we compare to those who are worse than us," he explained. Both can be positive: An upward comparison might inspire us to work harder, while a downward comparison can bolster sagging confidence. If we become fixated on comparisons, they can derail us, he warned.
Lists have long been a mainstay of journalists, said Brendan Watson, an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Minnesota. One of the main journalistic goals of a list is to start a "dialogue" — list-speak for argument. But he agreed with Tauer — don't put too much stock in lists.
"A lot of these rankings use meaningless data," Watson said. "We'd hope that the consumer would have enough skepticism to consider the criteria, but that's not always obvious to the casual reader."
Jenny Collins, a freelance writer in St. Paul, lists lists as among her favorite things to read. But she does so with her ego in check. "People get so offended by them," she said.
She divides lists into two categories: "Those that look at things with a different perspective than you and those that look at things with the same perspective as you. Lists either broaden or confirm what you already think. Sometimes it's nice to read a list of, say, the best movies that agrees with what I think. But I also like to look at lists that make me aware of movies I haven't seen."
Where do our cat videos rank?
The Internet is awash in lists. Websites like Ranker.com, Toptenz.com, Listography.com and BuzzFeed.com do nothing but run lists of everything from the best fake products featured on "The Simpsons" to the most unusual public festivals. Our cat video film fest didn't make that list (insert your own derogatory comment about the list-maker here).
No list about lists is complete without mentioning the modern-day guru — David Letterman and his nightly Top 10 list.
"The Letterman team has mastered the form," said Dave Walbridge, a Twin Cities comedy writer who also teaches writing (www.procomedywriting.com). Because of Letterman, the format "is incredibly popular. It's the No. 2 thing I teach after the traditional set-up-and-punch-line form. It's basically one set-up followed by 10 punch lines."
As a reader, Walbridge likes lists because "they're a great way to convey a lot of information in a hurry." But as a writer, he worries that we might be getting close to list overkill.
"It's probably going to happen," he said. "We're being bombarded with them."
But in the meantime, we need to be ready to rally to the cause whenever some misguided list doesn't give us the respect we know we deserve, McEwen urged. For instance, we were recently left off Amazon's list of most-read cities — because we don't buy enough books online.
"It's not about the list, it's not about the status, it's not about the win," she said. "It's about the fight."

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A crowd of more than 100 family members, friends and uniformed service members marched slowly and quietly Friday down a hill at Arlington National Cemetery following Army Sgt. Aaron X. Wittman's coffin, draped with an American flag and carried on a horse-drawn caisson.
On a bleak, cloudy afternoon, Wittman, 28, of Chester, Va., was buried with full military honors in Section 60, where those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan lie. The crowd gathered around the coffin and bowed their heads as Army Chaplain Maj. Boguslaw Augustyn spoke to Wittman's family.
The silence of the crowd was broken by three rifle volleys from a firing party and a solemn chorus of taps by a bugler from the U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own." Wittman's parents, Bertha and Duane, were then given the American flag by Maj. Gen. Thomas C. Seamands as the band played "America the Beautiful."
Wittman's parents were also given two cards by Bobbi Green, a representative of the Arlington Ladies, a volunteer group representing Army leadership whose members attend every soldier's funeral at the cemetery. One of the cards was from Green herself; the other was from the chief of staff of the Army, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.
Wittman was killed Jan. 10 while serving in the Khogyani District of Nangahar province in Afghanistan, becoming the first U.S. casualty of this year. While on mounted patrol, he was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, the Defense Department said. He was with the 3rd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Ga.
Wittman was a 2007 graduate of the Citadel in South Carolina. According to the military college's Web site, Wittman's father, brother and sister-in-law are also graduates. Wittman's sister Amber served in the Navy, according to the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
"I'll never forget Aaron's humor and optimism, even in the worst of situations," Wesley Walker, a classmate, was quoted as saying on the Citadel's Web site.
Wittman joined the Army in 2008 and arrived at Fort Stewart in 2012, according to Kevin M. Larson, a spokesman at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield. Wittman was on his second deployment when he was killed. His awards included the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.


text:
Export 8 results:Title [ Type] Year
Filters: Author is Héctor Muñoz-Avila [Clear All Filters]
Conference Paper
"A case study of goal-driven autonomy in domination games", in AAAI Workshop on Goal Directed Autonomy, Atlanta, GA, 2010. Download PDF (339.6 KB),
"Case-based goal-driven coordination of multiple learning agents", in International Conference on Case-Based Reasoning, Saratoga Springs, NY, 2013. Download PDF (1.84 MB),
"Case-Based Learning in Goal-Driven Autonomy Agents for Real-Time Strategy Combat Tasks", in Case-Based Reasoning in Computer Games: Papers from the ICCBR Workshop, London, 2011. Download PDF (590.07 KB),
"Goal-Driven Autonomy with Case-Based Reasoning", in Proceedings of the Eighteenth International Conference on Case-Based Reasoning, Alessandria, Italy, 2010. Download PDF (425.97 KB),
"Integrated learning for goal-driven autonomy", in Proceedings of the Twenty-Second International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Barcelona, Spain, 2011. Download PDF (504.79 KB),
Conference Proceedings
"Applying goal directed autonomy to a team shooter game", Proceedings of the Twenty-Third International Florida Artificial Intelligence Research Society Conference. AAAI Press, Daytona Beach, FL, pp. 465-470, 2010. Download PDF (785.73 KB),
"Guiding the Ass with Goal Motivation Weights", 2015 Conference on Advances in Cognitive Systems. Atlanta, Georgia , 2015. Download PDF (491.36 KB),
"Learning and Reusing Goal-Specific Policies for Goal-Driven Autonomy", Proceedings of the Twentieth International Conference on Case-Based Reasoning. Springer Berlin Heidelberg, Lyon, France, pp. 182-195, 2012. Download PDF (769.27 KB),


text:
How and Why You Must Host a Live Internet Worldview Weekend Seminar with Brannon Howse
Worldview Weekend is pleased to offer your church, Bible study, Christian school, Sunday school class, or home-school group the opportunity to host a Live Internet Worldview Weekend Seminar with Brannon Howse.
Worldview Weekend has hosted as many as fifty Worldview Weekend Conferences a year in cities throughout America. While that is a lot of cities, Worldview Weekend cannot accept all the invitations we receive. Brannon also must turn down most of the teaching invitations he receives because of the constraints of a daily radio program, weekly television program and most importantly because his wife and three children are his first ministry.
Worldview Weekend has been waiting for many years for the internet technology to be developed that would allow us to offer a Live Internet Worldview Weekend Seminar. We are pleased to report that we have now conducted many such seminars via Skype.
Another reason we want to offer this new ministry is because Worldview Weekend has become an international organization, thanks to the internet. On a daily basis we receive e-mails from people living in such places as Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America that listen to our daily radio program or stream one of our online videos.
Many of our international friends want us to travel to their country to conduct our Biblical Worldview Weekend seminars. Until now, that has not been possible because of the reasons mentioned above. However, now we are able to fulfill most of these requests without leaving our home town.
Please read the testimonials from two church leaders that have hosted a Live Internet Worldview Weekend Seminar with Brannon Howse and see how easy it is for you to host such a seminar for your church, Bible study group, home-school group, Christian school, Sunday school class, men's retreat or youth group. This training is so vital and yet so easy to offer that you may want to host such a seminar in your home and invite your family and friends.
Plug your computer to a video projector and host a live seminar on a screen or plug your computer to a flat screen television in a class room or living room. Host a live seminar on a Sunday night, Wednesday night or whatever time is best for you. Since Brannon can offer this seminar from his home office, he can be very flexible so as to fit your schedule.
Worldview Weekend is pleased to offer you a one time, one hour seminar with a question and answer session at the end of Brannon's teaching. In addition, we offer Biblical worldview training for three or four Sunday nights or Wednesday nights in a row.
Christian schools and home-school groups can use this technology for Brannon to teach a weekly Biblical worldview class for several weeks or even for a quarter of the school year.
As you can see, this technology allows small and large groups many options. Take the first step now and send us an e-mail with your questions or potential plans. Our e-mail address is[email protected]
We look forward to working with you by offering this ministry of a Live Internet Worldview Weekend Seminar with Brannon Howse.
Pastor Jiovanne Del Cristo
Having Brannon speak to our group via Skype was both uplifting and spiritually refreshing. With all of the deceit, falsehoods and false gospels going around, it's enough to confuse the masses and lead them down a path of sin. Brannon is one of those individuals who has a knack for presenting the folly within these various erroneous beliefs and dogmas as well as explain a proper worldview in a concise and easy to understand manner. His emphasis on preaching the Gospel is a call to return to what Jesus stated is our great commission. Disseminating the truth of the Scriptures is of supreme importance in a world enthralled by the revisionist and relativist mantra which leads to uncertainty. We thank the Lord that He is using Brannon to unmask the falsehoods of our age and to deal with the most critical and crucial topics of our age.
Rob Blair of Harbour Shores Church in Cicero, Indiana:
I've had the privilege of being able to listen to Worldview Radio for a little more than 5 years now. I've also been able to attend 4 Worldview Weekend seminars when they've come to our area. I was even able to take my entire family down to Memphis and attend Brannon's 2 day Worldview Training Institute.
I can personally attest to the blessing the many facets of his ministry has had on my family in exposing, equipping and establishing us with a Biblical worldview. Yet I recognize as much as it is needed, this may not the case for the majority of people who desperately want to be trained but CAN'T.
Even with all the technology today, there are still many who are not able to tune into the Worldview radio program; stream it live or download the podcasts. In addition, it's not possible for Brannon and his family to physically get to every region of the country, never mind every major city. And though hundreds of people from all over the nation, even several from other countries have found the two day Training Institute to be well worth the time, money and effort to get there, not everyone can attend with the situation God may have them in at the time.
So what can the body of Jesus Christ do if none of these options are possible? Give up? No way! There is NOW another way you can bring Brannon into YOUR church, LIVE and have him PERSONALLY speak to a you. Our church has done it twice now and it has been an HUGE SUCCESS!
A brother in our church simply called Brannon and set up a SKYPE meeting with him. But instead of it being between just the two of them, he had Brannon Skyped directly into our church. Brannon spoke to EVERYONE in our auditorium LIVE. It was even set up where he was able to do a live Q&A, giving the event an exiting interactive dynamic that would have NEVER been there if we merely popped in a DVD. Watching a DVD presentation works great for a Sun. school format or a home Bible study group but how many people will come out to the church to watch a DVD on a Sun. night or week night? Not many.
But if you get the word out that a nationally know radio host and author of several ground breaking books will be speaking DIRECTLY to your church LIVE and answer your questions through a closed circuit connection, it takes on a whole NEW sense of vital importance and with a personalized touch.
In fact, after the last Streaming Worldview Weekend with Brannon, an elderly woman shared in our Sunday School class how this was the first time she had heard the Biblical worldview teachings given by Brannon. She most likely wouldn't have set up something like that by herself, but because someone else in the church did, she benefited tremendously and she's spreading the word about what she's learned already.
How about in your church? All you need is a computer with high speed Internet access and a camera and monitor or projector hooked up to it. If your church doesn't have all those pieces maybe another church in your area does and you can make it a multi-church effort.
Maybe someone in your church already does meetings like this all the time for their business and would like to host it at their office for their company after hours. A family with a good size living room and a flat screen t.v. could bring Brannon in to speak to Bible study group of a doz., two doz. or as many friends as can fit for a special neighborhood event. Can you see the possibilities?
And the beauty of this format is that YOU get Brannon and ALL his wisdom, giftedness and enthusiasm for discipling the bride of Christ no matter how many are able to attend. Brannon has always put in his full commitment, expertise and energy whether there were several hundred in the auditorium such as the first time we did it on a Sun. night or even a fraction of that (due many being away on summer vacations) like we had this last time. It was still worth everyone's time because people were being equipped and Brannon was able to do it all without ever having to leave his the comforts of his home!
Consider the incredible opportunity which the body can fully utilize now that the technology is finally available and while we still have time to use it for the equipping of the saints to do the work of the ministry, to the praise and glory of Jesus name, Amen.


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|Doctors and Hospitals
|Success Rate
|Rating & Patients Recommendation
|Treatment Cost (Hysteroscopy)
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Hysteroscopy Centres and Doctors in Zhubei are well equipped to provide the best possible treatment to their patients. Due to huge competition within the industry, there is always some other clinic who assures better treatment at lower cost. Due to the competition, patients may find it confusing to choose a trustworthy clinic to visit. Elawoman comes up with the best solution for patients by providing a list of recommended hysteroscopy centres and doctors in Zhubei. These recommended clinics and doctors are sorted through our team of researchers, analysts and healthcare experts to provide our patients with only the most trusted Hysteroscopy Centres and Doctors in Zhubei.
Ela recommended hysteroscopy clinics in Zhubei are among the best in terms of quality service, facilities and hospital standards. Elawoman also ensures that the centres have access to modern medical technology to produce positive results. The doctors who rank on our recommended list also meet all the parameters laid by Elawoman. Their experience, patient feedback and qualifications are considered before positioning them on our list. Only the best doctors who hold the expertise and skills to perform advanced hysterectomy procedures including biopsy and treatment of adenomyosis and miscarriage problems are recommended to our clients. The background and history of each doctor are investigated by Ela analysts to ensure they hold the expertise and skills to perform the procedures. The clinics are also specially visited by Ela officers to confirm their standards and services so that our clients do not feel misguided and get what is promised to them.
Elawoman is the most resourceful platform to find the best hysteroscopy centres and doctors in Zhubei. We help our users discover and connect to multiple hysteroscopy centres and doctors in Zhubei by analyzing them on Ela laid parameters. We make sure that the doctors and clinics we recommend meet the requirements of every patient and provide a satisfactory experience.
Following are the factors, which Ela considers before suggesting hysteroscopy centres in Zhubei:
Ela recommendation and support is based on extensive research. With a team of researchers, healthcare experts and technicians, we are able to find the best hysteroscopy clinics and doctors in Zhubei. In 40 years of our expertise, we have gathered an extensive list of reliable doctors and clinics in Zhubei. Based on your specific health problem and your budget, we present you with a list of only reliable doctors. Our research team distinguishes experienced doctors from newcomers in the industry and presents you with a list of only reliable doctors. Patients' reviews and feedback are also considered while determining the service quality of clinics and doctors. The shortlisted clinics and doctors of Zhubei are further investigated through a multi-level verification system to authenticate his/her profile and background. If the information provided by a doctor is correct, it is when that hysteroscopy doctor of Zhubei is recommended to our clients.
Ela recommended hysteroscopy centres and doctors in Zhubei include some of the most respected hospital systems, private practices, and health organizations. Our team conducts extensive research and produces evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable and affordable. Ela Recommendation Engine is an AI-driven platform based on complex algorithms that compare doctor's experience, treatment costs, hospital infrastructure, centre facilities, convenience, doctor's ratings and medical history to determine the best possible hysteroscopy clinics and doctors in Zhubei. Elawoman also frequently updates the recommended list of hysteroscopy centres and doctors in Zhubei based on patient reviews and recommendations. We follow strict guidelines to ensure the clinics and doctors, we recommend meet all the parameters.
Ela Woman not only helps you find the best hysteroscopy centres and doctor in Zhubei but also provide multiple opinions across the nation. Ela is dedicated to providing a platform where patients can consult with doctors to understand each other. By doing an initial consultation, patients can understand the doctor's treatment philosophy. Ela can arrange a meeting or book an appointment with many hysteroscopy doctors in Zhubei so that couples can determine the language of communication, doctor's experience, approach on your condition and friendliness before proceeding for the treatment. Doctors practicing in different states can also be consulted through the telephone.
When choosing the best hysteroscopy clinic or doctor in Zhubei, make sure you have a clear idea about your condition and your approach. For patients requiring treatment of endometriosis, uncontrollable vaginal bleeding or fibroids, a qualified hysterectomy surgeon is a better choice, whereas if one has cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovaries a gynecologist who is practicing hysterectomy may do a better job. Patients can contact Elawoman at +91-8929020600 and consult Ela's in-house fertility specialists for their advice. You can also go through the reviews and ratings on a doctor's profile, which are based on treatment satisfaction, value for money, doctor's friendliness, explanation of required treatment and experience. For hysteroscopy centres in Zhubei, you can check out the service quality, treatment responsibility, amenities, cleanliness and location accessibility by going through the clinic's profile and decide according to your requirements.
Q.1 - How is the ranking of a clinic and doctor calculated?
Ans.Ratings of hysterectomy doctors in Zhubei are calculated on the basis of treatment satisfaction, value for money, doctor's friendliness, explanation of required treatment and experience whereas the ratings of clinics are estimated by cleanliness, location accessibility, service quality, amenities and treatment responsibility. The parameters are rated out of five and the average of total ratings is calculated to determine the overall grade of the hysterectomy clinics and doctors in Zhubei and thereby their ranking in the Ela recommended list. The rankings of the doctors are automatically updated by the Ela Recommendation Engine according to the votes given by patients.
Q.2 - Will I be charged extra for using Ela recommendation engine for hysteroscopy doctors in Zhubei?
Ans.We never charge patients and users for the services we provide, as our mission is to provide an open platform where couples can discuss, consult and educate each other. We tend to keep our technology platform free and accessible to all its patients. We make sure that all of our clients are satisfied with our service and also get end-to-end assistance through the entire journey of parenthood in the most transparent and independent way. The cost of treatment only includes doctor's fees, the cost of procedures involved, cost of medications and room charges. In fact, ELA guarantees the lowest treatment cost for all fertility needs.
Q.3 - Can I get a list of Ela recommended hysteroscopy clinics and doctors in my area?
Ans:Ela covers hundreds of hysterectomy hospitals and doctors in Zhubei for the convenience of patients. Couples going for endometriosis treatment can find the list of Ela recommended hysterectomy doctors in Zhubei by choosing the nearest city or state. Ela is the most resourceful platform to align you with the top hysterectomy clinics and hospitals in Zhubei based on your specific health problem, budget and location. For patients suffering from uncontrollable vaginal bleeding or chronic pelvic pain, it is more critical to choose a doctor who is associated with nearby hospitals as traveling during these conditions can have an impact on the outcome. You can yourself choose your doctor according to your convenience through elawoman.com.
Q.4 - What are the costs inclusive of?
Ans: ELA guarantees to provide the lowest treatment cost for all fertility needs. The costs may vary from city to city, according to the standard of the clinic and the experience of the doctors. The costs mentioned at Elawoman platform include the cost of procedure, injections and pre-screening tests. Costs of rooms, amenities, and prescription medications are charged separately. These costs are directly obtained from every hysteroscopy centres in Zhubei. We also try our best to keep the changes in costs up-to-date to maintain transparency. The cost of hysteroscopy surgery in Zhubei can also vary depending on the risks involved during pregnancy, medications used and the facilities provided. Our Fair Treatment Cost page is approved by hysteroscopy doctors and clinics across Zhubei and can help you find the most relevant estimation of treatment cost for hysterectomy surgeries in Zhubei. We also make sure that we are able to facilitate our patients with the best treatment packages and deals wherever possible.


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Book Review: 2-time Pulitzer winners tackle the economy
"The Betrayal of the American Dream" (PublicAffairs), by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele
The highly decorated investigative team of Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele return in their eighth book to their core topic, U.S. economic policy. But "The Betrayal of the American Dream" is no rerun.
The avuncular pair, renowned for chillingly accurate, if uncomfortable, observations, have meticulously sharpened their analysis. Now, four decades of mistaken tax and trade policy, declining public and private investment and willing disregard of existing laws have crippled many American industries and sent thousands upon thousands of U.S. jobs overseas without cause, they say. Given the power of their past groundbreaking work on health care, the economy and other political hot potatoes that shape how all Americans live, "Betrayal" merits a careful read from anyone concerned about the nation's economic future. It is almost haunting.
Barlett and Steele argue that Washington policymakers, Republican and Democratic alike, have collaborated with leaders on Wall Street to create an economy that caters only to the biggest multinational corporations and very wealthiest households, leaving most Americans and most U.S businesses to scrap for limited leftovers. Much of their information, including many of their most damning quotes and assessments, comes directly from government reports. In some cases, short-term gain sought by bankers and investors is the clearest problem. In others, simple shortsightedness is to blame. And in most, better-reasoned and fairer tax and trade policies and public investment would have prevented lots of pain, according to Barlett and Steele.
They dissect one industry after another with the precision and narrative flair that have won them many awards, including two Pulitzers. The most comprehensive example of how politicians and big business leaders have shaped recent decades is in the multibillion-dollar rebuilding of the Bay Bridge that connects San Francisco and Oakland, Calif. It was the largest U.S. public works project when it opened in 1936.
The story opens with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, praising workers casting steel for the bridge and thanking them on behalf of California. The only problem: the workers were in Shanghai. The authors convincingly show why buying most of the new bridge's components from China wasn't necessary -- and ultimately saved California nothing, though it may have cost hundreds of Americans their jobs. It didn't even get the project done fast; the new span is slated to reopen in 2013, 24 years after the one it replaces was damaged in an earthquake. Readers will grasp exactly how poignant it is the next time a 60- or 65-year-old trainee -- someone who worked a lifetime at a job that's gone overseas or been deemed obsolete -- asks for patience as he or she tallies their groceries.
The writers conclude with a cogent plan for substantial, specific changes to rehabilitate the American dream and rescue the middle class.


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Spiritual home ... Tigers fans love their rugby league at Leichhardt Oval. Source: News Limited
Leichhardt mayor Darcy Byrne says the current proposal to rebuild Balmain Leagues Club would have no impact on keeping Wests Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.
Balmain great Paul Sironen on Monday handed nearly 5,000 submissions to the NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure in support of bringing the leagues club back to its Rozelle base.
Sironen said the development was crucial to saving rugby league in the inner west, and would shore up the future of Leichhardt Oval - which could stop hosting games after next year, Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys told a Sunday newspaper.
But Byrne said it was misinformation to suggest approving the 24-storey proposal at the Rozelle site would increase the likelihood of the Tigers retaining a base at their spiritual home, where they currently play three games a year.
"There's not a cent for the club in the redevelopment," Byrne told AAP.
"There's no cash payment to the club if this redevelopment is approved.
"The only benefit for the club is a 15-year lease at commercial rates.
"We had a representative of the club suggest in the paper on Sunday that this would be the last year the Tigers would play at Leichhardt Oval.
"Some people might interpret it as hypocrisy to suggest that we have to have skyscrapers in Rozelle to bring the Tigers home, whilst in the same breath agreeing to the government and the NRL's proposal to end rugby league at Leichhardt Oval."
Sironen admitted the future of the Tigers was in doubt if the latest proposal was blocked.
"It's dire alright. It could spell the end of (the fight to save the leagues club)," he said.
"That's how bad it is. We need support from the leagues club to help fund Tigers football.
"This has dragged on for a long time now. For the sake of Tigers football in the Balmain area we need some positive news."
While Sironen was pleased to have Byrne's support for keeping Leichhardt Oval operational, he urged the mayor to listen to the fans who want a rebuilt leagues club.
"It sounds like the mayor is fully supportive of keeping the football ground there and NRL games there, but I wish it was the same with the leagues club side at Rozelle," Sironen said.
"As the mayor said, listen to the fans. The fans want us to go back to Rozelle as well."
To which Byrne responded: "(The form letter) asks people to show their support for the Tigers return to Rozelle - you'll find no one who supports that more strongly than me.
"But to interpret people signing onto that statement as them supporting 24-storey skyscrapers in low-rise Rozelle is stretching the truth quite a bit."
Byrne said it was unlikely the latest proposal would be approved, saying independent assessors had given it the thumbs down.
"The independent advice that we've got from planning experts and the people who are most respected in their field is that the revised proposal will still have a disastrous impact on local traffic, local businesses and will draw Victoria Road to a standstill," he said.
"As desperate as I am to see the Tigers return to Rozelle through a sensible redevelopment, I'm not in a position to ignore the independent planning advice of experts.
"The proposal as it stands doesn't comply with a single one of the state government's own planning controls."
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Photographic postcards
ca. 1945
Robert Polich was born 28 April 1924 in Portland, Oregon. He graduated from Lincoln High School in Portland in 1942 and attended Oregon State University for one semester. Polich was drafted into the United States Army in December 1942 and inducted in February 1943. He was assigned to C Battery in the 84th Infantry Division. Polich served with his battery in combat in Europe from October 1944 to May 1945, then served with occupation forces until January 1946. Returning to Oregon, Polich attended the University of Portland. He was a elementerary school teacher for 29 1/2 years and served as time keeper for the Portland Trailblazers. Polich and his wife Eva had two children.
Bibliographic Citation
Photographic postcards, Robert Polich papers, Profiles of Honor, Virginia World War Iand World War II Commemoration Commission digital collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
Lent for scanning by Robert P. Polich of Glen Allen, Virginia


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Some men see the National Hockey League lockout and say "Why?"
Other men, like Jeff Fenuccio, say, "Why not build our own hockey rink in the front yard?"
For the Fenuccio family at 1 Wachusett Drive, the hockey withdrawal caused by the NHL lockout is made less painful by the 64-by-32-foot rink in front of their house that has become a neighborhood landmark.
"This is the third year in a row for the rink," said Mr. Fenuccio, 46, an electrician. "We started in '11. We built the rink and the Bruins won the Stanley Cup. We figured we better keep building it."
Mr. Fenuccio and his wife, Laura-Lee, have four children — Jake, 19, Meg, 18, Katlyn, 15, and Ben, 12 — and for the youngsters and their friends the rink has become a go-to place for winter fun. Spotlights are in place for night skating, and Christmas lights ringing the ice lend a holiday flair. Music is piped in via speakers in the bushes.
"The kids will be out there for hours and hours," Mr. Fenuccio said. "When there are 15 or 20 kids out there, a neighbor will bring over wood and they'll have a fire pit." A coffee urn in the kitchen keeps everyone in hot cocoa. Sometimes the hockey games go until late at night. Next-door neighbor Dennis Cote is very patient about pucks landing in his yard at midnight: "He's awesome," Mrs. Fenuccio said.
The Fenuccios are big hockey fans. On the wall in the den hang a Derek Sanderson jersey and autographed rookie card, and an autographed picture of Shawn Thornton. On the DVD of the Bruins Stanley Cup victory celebration, if you look fast, you can see the banner the Fenuccios were holding along the parade route outside the Garden.
"Hockey is a gathering for us," Mr. Fenuccio said. "The way some people get together for football, we do with hockey."
So the NHL lockout weighs heavily. "We're struggling," he said. "We went to the Sharks game last night, but it's not the same."
The rink is a consolation. Mr. Fenuccio and five kids put it up the day after Thanksgiving. "It went from a pile of wood to a completed rink in one day," he said. Daughter Meg painted the designs on the boards: a pink breast-cancer-awareness ribbon, a Dunkin Donuts ad, logos of the Bruins and of the Charlestown Chiefs from the movie "Slapshot."
Sunday afternoon, skating conditions were not ideal. The foot of snow that had fallen overnight had pushed the ice down, and the unfrozen water beneath, up: yesterday morning found the rink under 4 inches of water. "We shoveled and scraped and it looks pretty good now," Mr. Fenuccio said. "By tonight, it'll freeze again. It's going to get colder and colder."
Rink maintenance does require a devoted commitment. "She thinks I'm crazy," Mr. Fenuccio said, with a laugh. Mrs. Fenuccio said: "He … (spends) hours trying to perfect the thing. I'm in my jammies ready to go to bed and he's out fixing the ice."
Mr. Fenuccio has invented something he calls the "Handboni." A backpack sprayer with PVC piping that pumps hot water for dragging on the ice with a towel, it "makes the ice perfect," he said. His wife added, with a smile: "It looks like something from " 'Ghostbusters.' "
What does it cost to put in a rink? The initial cost was about $1,500 in lumber and plastic, Mr. Fenuccio said. Since then, it has cost about $200 a season to maintain it.
He said they've learned a lot along the way: how not to rip the plastic liner, when and when not to fill it before a deep freeze, how to get leaves out with a pool skimmer.
The effort and expense have been worth it, the Fenuccios said. "We don't have a hill for sledding, and it's expensive taking the kids skiing," Mr. Fenuccio said. "We can watch the kids skate from our window."
The rink is "getting bigger and better every year," said son Jake, a student at Northeastern. "People drive by all the time, as if we had a crazy light display. Four guys already stopped by this morning." Ben added: "The UPS guy was checking us out."
Mr. Fenuccio said: "Everyone else has little white lights in the window. We have this hockey rink."


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Star Wars location spotting in Tunisia
When you say Star Wars, most people think of galaxies far far away. But all these exotic planets from the movies were filmed on earth. Four of the Star Wars movies were partially filmed in southern Tunisia (the planet Tatooine in the movies) and the good thing is that many of the locations are still in relative good state.
You can stay in Luke Skywalker's home (now a hotel) and wander around the desert bumping into moisture vaporators and other Star Wars stuff around the Mos Espa set.
Because Star wars is not well known in Tunisia, this article will introduce you to some famous locations from the movies and show you how to get there. So when you go on vacation to Tunisia, check out some of the locations over there. Sometimes you'll think you are on Tatooine instead of Tunisia.
Hint: Open a new tab showing Google Maps next to this page. Copy/paste the given Lat/Long coordinates in Google map's searchbox to see the Star Wars locations on a map.
Djerba is a Tunisian island. It's well known for its resorts and beach vacations. Two movie locations can be found on the western side of the island. Ben's hermitage and Toshi Station.
Ben's hermitage
Lat/Long coordinates 33.740833,10.734951
This little house is actually used by fishermen as a storage. In Episode IV it can be seen as the house of Obi-Wan Kenobi.
Ben's hermitage (Photo by Hoylen Sue)
Toshi Station
Lat/Long coordinates 33.831411,10.747936
Sidi Jemour is a temple, located some miles north of Ben's house. It was seen in the movie as Toshi Station in Anchorhead, in a shot where the landspeeder rushes into Anchorhead on its way to Mos Eisley.
Toshi Station in Anchorhead (Photo by eckart1)
Tozeur is an oasis and a city in south west Tunisia. The city is located North West of Chott el-Djerid, in between this Chott and the smaller Chott el-Gharsa. With hundreds of thousands of palm trees, Tozeur is a large oasis. The dates that are exported from Tozeur are well known. From Tozeur you can make trips on a camel, explore the Sahara and get to know the Chott el-Djerid, where you can see fata Morgana's. Furthermore Tozeur is the place to be for Star Wars fans, because there are lots of movie locations around the city: the Lars Homestead exterior, the Mos Espa set, the Sith infiltrator landing site and Star wars canyon.
Lars Homestead Exterior
Lat/Long coordinates 33.842823, 7.779038
Luke's home is located 35km out of Tozeur at Chott El Jerid. Chott El Jerid is part of the vast dry salt lake flats that cover 5,000 sq km on the West side of central/southern Tunisia near Algeria. The little igloo is standing here in the middle of nowhere. Because the Lars Homestead interior scenes were shot somewhere else, the crew had to dig some craters next to it, to make you believe there's actually an underground structure in the movie.
Lars Homestead exterior(Photo by Hoylen Sue)
The igloo was taken apart after the shooting of the first trilogy but was rebuilt for Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. Some memorable scenes were shot here, including Shmi Skywalker's funeral in Attack of the Clones, and the final shot of Revenge of the Sith. It's a good idea to visit this location near the evening. When the sun sets in the middle of the desert and with the little igloo as the only structure nearby, you'll get a spectacular view.
Lars Homestead exterior sunset(Photo by Könczöl Gábor)
Mos Espa
Lat/Long coordinates 33.994296,7.842677
This set was built from nothing in the middle of the desert, and still stands. This is not a typical studio tour. Most Tunisians haven't even seen the Star War's movies, but they recognize that there's more value in just leaving the props alone and keep them in good state, than removing them.
The Mos Espa set(Photo by Srdjan Djordjevic)
You can see the whole town: the gates of Mos Espa; the Pod-racing arena; the gallery and the Mos Espa streets with Watto's shop, the market and Sebulba's Café. Get there early in the morning and you could have the place to yourself.
The Mos Espa set(Photo by maciekke)
A few hundred meters away from the set you'll find the Yardangs: protruding bits of sandstone that look like shark fins peeping out of the desert. The Jedi duel between Qui-Gonn and Darth Maul in Episode I was shot here.
Yardangs(Photo by Vitaliy Kebin)
Sith infiltrator landing site (Oung Jmel)
Lat/Long coordinates 34.015353,7.911444
About 6km East of the Mos Espa set lies Oung Jmel, better known as the camel head rock. This was the site were Darth Maul arrived on Tatooine and released the Sith Probes to search for Queen Amidala's ship. The same location was used for Maul flying over the cliffs after having found Anakin and Qui-Gon.
Sith infiltrator landing site (Photo by Jennifer)
Juntland Wastes
Lat/Long coordinates 34.033572,8.281771
23km North-East of Tozeur you can find Sidi Bouhel, better known as the Juntland Wastes in the movies. This canyon was used in 1976 for no less than 9 shots. Lucasfilm named it "Star Wars Canyon". Also the canyon was used in Raiders of the Lost Ark and in The English Patient.
Star Wars Canyon (Photo by Roger Noguera Arnau)
In front of the canyon entrance, you'll see the Sandcrawler parking lot. The inside is a narrow gorge walled by two hundred foot high cliffs and a wide, flat wadi that runs from Jebel Krefane down to the chott. In the gorge Luke was being attacked by Tusken Raiders, and met Obi-Wan Kenobi for the first time. Just outside the mouth of the gorge Imperial Stormtroopers attacked and massacred the Jawas who sold the droids on to Uncle Owen.
Jawa Rock in Star Wars Canyon (Photo by Roger Noguera Arnau)
Ksar ouled soltane
Lat/Long coordinates 32.788361,10.514989
Our next destination is Tataouine, located in the south of Medenine. The planet Tatooine got its name from this town, and that's about the town's only contribution to the movie. Most of the scenes were shot in the hills and villages surrounding the town. A little further south is located Ksar Ouled Soltane a beautyful ghorfa (grain storage facility) that was used to as a background for some of the Slave Quarters shots in Episode I.
Ksar Ouled Soltane (Photo by Michael)
Anakin Skywalker's home
Lat/Long coordinates 33.347272,10.492051
Medenine is the major town in southeastern Tunisia. The main attraction in Medenine is Ksar Medenine, an ancient Berber fortified granary. North of Ksar Medenine is the granary that acted as the slave quarters in Episode I. It was used as the exterior the Anakin Skywalker's home in many shots.
Skywalker Alley (Photo by Bernard Gagnon)
Lars homestead interior
Lat/Long coordinates 33.54253,9.967341
In Matmata you can actually sleep in Luke's home. The Hotel Sidi Driss served as the interior of the Lars homestead. Aunt Beru's kitchen is still there, but except for some fiberglass and wooden frames, and the fresco on the dining room ceiling, you won't find any props. Even so, it is easy to get excited when sitting in the very same dining room that the Lars family used. The hotel also has a well stocked bar with lots of Star Wars memorabilia and a Star wars inspired menu.
Lars homestead interior (Photo by Jean-Marc Matthey)
Not only the Star Wars sites are worth a visit. Tunisia has lots of other things to offer. When you like to travel and want to see different desert landscapes, just rent a car and off you go.
Tunisian desert (Photo by roger beau)
Map marked with all Star Wars locations
Related articles
star wars trip
Hi all, we flew to Tunisia to visit those sites and it was amazing!
Here is our travel scheme:
Day 1: Arrive Tunis.
Stay overnight in Tunis. Catch a flight to Jerba the day after.
Day 2: Fly to Jerba (45 minutes), visit the island
Day 3: Jerba
Ben's hermitage
Toshi station
• El Ghriba Synagogue
• Houmt Souk
Day 4: Tataouine
Drive to Tatouine from Jerba. (2 hours)
Ksar Soltane
Chenini and Douret Berber villages
Day 5: Medinine, Mathmatha
Depart Tatouine to Douz
(Tataouine to Medinine is 1 hour, then 1.5 hours to Gabes, and then 45-min Mathmatha. then 1.5 hours to Douz. Total driving about 5 hours).
Anakin Skywalker's home – Ksar Medenine
Lars Homestead Interior – Called Hotel Sidi Driss
*Tamezret mountaintop village
Arrive Douz
Day 6: Douz, Sahara Desert.
Overnight in Douz. Possible overnight in Sahara Desert.
It is possible to drive to Tozeur via Gabes and skip Douz, saving a little time, but you would miss Mathmatha. If you want to see Mathmatha and Tozeur in the same trip, then you have to pass through Douz. Also, if you are interested, there is a terrific wonderful village called Toujane on the way from Medinine to Mathmatha.
Day 7: Tozeur
Drive to Tozeur
(takes about 1 – 1.5 hours to Tozeur from Douz)
Lars Homestead exterior is on the way in the Chott el Jerid
Ong Jemel / Mos Eisli / Sith inflitrator landing site – This is a minimum one-hour drive from Tozeur on a dirt and sand road. To get there you hire a LandCruiser (with driver) and they do some off-roading too. It's a lot of fun. Cost is about 40 – 50 TD per person, if I remember
Day 8: Tozeur
Juntland wastes. These are in the opposite direction as Mos Eisli near the popular Chebika and Tamerza mountain oasis. It's possible to see Ong Jemel and Mos Eisli and the Chebika mountain oasis in one day, but it's a lot of hard driving. I don't think you would want to come straight from Douz and try this.
• Tozeur oasis
• Chebika, Tamerza
Day 9: Fly to Tunis from Tozeur
Good luck!
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Day 10 probably get beheaded
Day 10 probably get beheaded on youtube
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This is so awesome! How much
This is so awesome! How much did the entire trip cost you?
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Did you visit The Cantina and
Did you visit The Cantina and Star Wars Canyon? Those places are amazing.
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well done david thanks for
well done david thanks for info thinkin a doin similar next month! kudos!
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umm, what about the Krayt
umm, what about the Krayt Dragon skeleton?
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On your http://www.losapos.com/starwarstunisia page you've spelled Obi-wan as Obi-one.
Other than that, great pics!
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Great article, I just would
Great article, I just would add a map just to have an idea of how far are the locations between them.
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Lars Exterior Lon/Lat Correction
I don't know if anyone tried this or not but the Lon/Lat of the Lars Exterior is 33.842823, 7.779038
LosApos edit: That's correct. I'll update the article.
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very nice photos. great.
very nice photos. great.
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Beautiful places
These are great pictures of beautiful places.
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Great places! Want to visit :
Great places! Want to visit :)
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Wow that's beautiful. I'd
Wow that's beautiful. I'd love to visit sometime and feel like I'm on the Star Wars set! Looks like a whole different world.
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this is such an interesting feature. thank u so much. i certainly wish to visit gabes, tunisia someday. not only the place i wish to visit but the man that i love...
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I am very interested to see all of these and will be travelling to Tunisia in a few days. Can I ask is Mos Espa and Juntland wastes accessible by a normal car? ie. are there paved roads to access these locations? It appears as though there are on google maps.
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Star Wars site viewing article
very good article, well written and beautiful photos
Thank you fpr posting
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yeah true and i'am from
yeah true and i'am from tataouuine the place that they filmed the "star wars" and i'am veryyyy proud of these ,that i'am from tataouine,.... :D :) ♥
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Nice article. I went to Italy
Nice article. I went to Italy, Lake Como. Beautiful location where they filmed Star Wars II. Must see :-) i filmed it:
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Governor Cuomo and HUD Announce Approval of New York State's Disaster Recovery Action Plan
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan today announced federal approval of New York States recovery action plan to help struggling homeowners and businesses following Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee. Funded through HUD's Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG DR) program, New York States recovery action plan calls for a combined $1.7 billion investment in a variety of housing, infrastructure and business recovery activities.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said, Following the devastation caused by the major storms to hit New York over the past two years, our state worked closely together with our Congressional Delegation and local communities to put together a comprehensive action plan to help our homeowners and businesses recover and rebuild. Todays announcement is a tremendous boost of support for homeowners, businesses, and local governments that lost so much in Superstorm Sandy but it is not the end of the road for our recovery. Secretary Donovan has been a great partner thus far and I look forward to continuing to work together as we build our state back better, stronger than ever before."
Secretary Donovan, who also chairs President Obamas Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force, said todays approval will allow the State to begin the long-term process of rebuilding damaged housing, restoring infrastructure, and stimulating business activity and job growth. Today we take another important step toward recovery and healing for hard-hit communities in New York, said Donovan. Weve worked closely with Governor Cuomo, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and the New York Congressional Delegation throughout the entire process to help design effective programs that will help families get back in their homes, jumpstart local economies and make communities more resilient as quickly as possible. We have also imposed additional internal controls and accountability measures and we will be working with the Inspector General to ensure that all funds are used as intended to help families, small businesses and communities get back on their feet and rebuild.
On January 29th, President Obama signed the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2013 into law, providing a total of $16 billion in CDBG Disaster Recovery funding. HUD quickly allocated $5.4 billion to five states (including New York) and New York City. New York State submitted its required action plan describing how the funds will be used on April 3rd and HUD conducted an expedited review to enable New York State to access these funds as quickly as possible.
The CDBG Disaster Recovery funding gives grantees significant flexibility in determining how best to use their funds to meet the greatest unmet needs. In general, the funds are intended for the restoration of housing and infrastructure as well as economic revitalization in disaster-impacted areas. The funds are to meet recovery needs that are not otherwise covered by other federal assistance, private insurance, or other sources.
New York States approach will focus principally on meeting the immediate recovery needs for housing and business assistance in the communities affected by Hurricane Sandy. These activities include $838 million to support a variety of housing programs and $415 million to assist economic revitalization programs. The full plan can be found at http://www.nyshcr.org/Press/ActionPlan/
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, "Now that this plan is approved, desperately needed dollars can start flowing to the homeowners and business owners who lost so much. It is a turning point in our recovery from the storm, but our work wont be done until houses are totally rebuilt, businesses are reopen, and roads, bridges, schools and other infrastructure has been repaired, stronger than it was before."
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said, "This is an important step forward for families and small businesses who were devastated by the unprecedented storms leveled across New York. These federal funds are critical for families who took the worst of Irene, Lee and Sandy so they can continue to rebuild and get back on their feet. We will keep working together to secure every federal resource we need for a full recovery.
Representative Peter King said, "I commend Governor Cuomo and Secretary Donovan for all their hard work, this is another important step in New Yorks recovery."
Representative Charles Rangel said,"I want to congratulate the Governor and Secretary Donovan for developing this comprehensive Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG DR) plan. I'm proud of the Congressional Delegation's united efforts in securing the funds. It is important that these investments are injected directly into local economies, so that every dollar we spend supports the families and small businesses that empower our communities. We still have a long way to go before fully recovery, but rest assured that New York will completely resurge and be even stronger."
Representative Eliot Engel said, "I am pleased to see that federal funds will soon begin to be distributed, through New York State, to the communities suffering from storm damage. I applaud Secretary Donovan and Governor Cuomo for their leadership. The families throughout New York State who experienced damage to their homes and possessions, and the businesses and communities, who were also hit hard, can finally begin the rebuilding process."
Representative Nita Lowey said, "New York States disaster recovery action plan is critical to helping the families, businesses and communities impacted by the storms of the past two years get back on their feet. Governor Cuomo, Secretary Donovan and my fellow New Yorkers in Congress have all been true partners to help the families and communities affected by Superstorm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee as quickly as possible. As the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, I will continue to fight to secure additional disaster aid for New York and to make sure these badly-needed funds get out the door and into the communities working so hard to recover and rebuild."
Representative Jose Serrano said, "I applaud the work of Secretary Donovan, Governor Cuomo and my colleagues in the NY Congressional delegation in developing this action plan and getting this funding flowing to New York. Our homeowners and businesses need long-term relief and help and with this agreement they will see it. This will help get affected parts of New York back on its feet and moving forward."
Representative Jerrold Nadler said, "The approval of these funds marks an important step in New York's ongoing recovery from Hurricanes Sandy and Irene. Thousands of families in communities across New York still face daily challenges of living in the aftermath of these devastating storms. The approval of this funding through HUD's CDBG Disaster Recovery program will be of great help to the businesses, homeowners, and families in these communities. I am grateful to Secretary Donovan and Governor Cuomo for their work in developing our state's disaster recovery action plan."
Representative Carolyn Maloney said, "This desperately-needed aid will be put to great use in the areas of our city and state most devastated by Superstorm Sandy. About half of this funding will be devoted to housing needs and another quarter for economic revitalization programs to help New Yorkers continue to get back to normal. I applaud Governor Cuomo and Secretary Donovan for making sure this funding is getting back to the community as quickly and as effectively as possible."
Representative Nydia M. Velzquez said, "Approval of this action plan is another step forward toward helping New Yorkers get back on their feet. These federal resources will help businesses, tenants and homeowners recover, making our communities stronger for the long term."
Representative Carolyn McCarthy said, "One of the most important roles the federal government can play after a disaster like Sandy is to help local communities cope with the cost of recovery and rebuilding. Im grateful to my colleagues across the country who voted for this funding and to Governor Cuomo and Secretary Donovan for doing everything needed for New York to get this help."
Representative Gregory Meeks said, "Todays announcement by Governor Cuomo and Secretary Donovan is positive news for communities that are in desperate need of CDGB-DR funds. The approval of the recovery action plan is a pivotal step in the effort to rebuild devastated communities of the Fifth Congressional district, and supports the economic revitalization on which so much depends."
Representative Steve Israel said, "I am pleased that Secretary Donovan has approved the CDBG Action Plan. Our communities are still recovering from Superstorm Sandy, and this funding provides much-needed resources to recover and rebuild. I am glad the plan includes vital programs like grants for small businesses to ensure the resources are reaching those who need it most as quickly as possible."
Representative Tim Bishop said, "The approval of New York's plan to deliver federal aid to communities devastated by Sandy is a critical milestone in our fight for the resources Long Island needs to rebuild and recover. This is an investment in Long Island's future, with robust aid to homeowners and small businesses to speed their recovery."
Representative Yvette Clarke said, "After Hurricane Sandy, the people of Brooklyn resolved to work with each other to rebuild their communities, from Gerritsen Beach and Sheepshead Bay to Canarsie and Red Hook. We need to provide support as quickly as possible, to allow homeowners to return to their neighborhoods and businesses to re-open. I commend Governor Cuomo and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Donovan on their work to secure this support for Brooklyn and other areas harmed in the storm."
Representative Paul D. Tonko said, "The waters of Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee have come and gone, but the pain and destruction recedes much slower. I made numerous visits to flooded sites immediately following the storm and saw firsthand what needed to be fixed. While time has surely passed since these disasters struck, we havent forgotten about the immense need for assistance and relief in the Mohawk and Schoharie Valleys. I fought hard for these funds behind closed doors in Washington, DC as well as on the floor of the House of Representatives, when many said we couldnt afford it. This investment from the federal and state government for repairing and rebuilding our communities is crucial. I commend Governor Cuomo for his partnership and laser-sharp focus on recovery and will continue to work with all our partners to make our comeback from these storms as strong as it can be."
Representative Bill Owens said, "New Yorkers have been hit hard by hurricanes over the past few years, from Lee and Irene in Northern New York to Superstorm Sandy downstate last year. Todays announcement is another step forward in fulfilling the obligation to help affected homeowners and businesses move forward and rebuild, and I applaud this effort."
Representative Tom Reed said, Todays announcement provides relief to thousands of families still rebuilding in the wake of these devastating storms. It is the result of close partnerships with fellow New York Members and the Governors office. We have been strong advocates for making emergency aid a priority to see that those impacted by storms Sandy, Irene and Lee get the relief they need and deserve. With this help, New York communities will be able to continue the rebuilding process following some of the costliest natural disasters in our countrys history.
Representative Chris Gibson said, "Following Sandy, our Congressional Delegation worked together with Governor Cuomo to ensure we secured the federal resources we needed to recover. An effective recovery plan is a critical component of this process, and todays announcement is an important step forward in getting these aid dollars into the hands of those who need them most. I appreciate the federal, state, and local partnerships that made this possible, and I will continue to be an advocate for my district and our state as we work to fully recover."
Representative Michael Grimm said, "HUDs expedited approval of the NYS CDBG-DR Action Plan will help jumpstart recovery efforts. While the reach of the State plan is limited in NYC, these funds will allow us to move forward with a buyout plan in the hardest hit communities like Oakwood Beach. I look forward to working with Governor Cuomo in expediting these acquisitions for redevelopment, and thank him and Secretary Donovan for moving quickly on the plan and its approval."
Representative Dan Maffei said, "Hurricane Sandy, Hurricane Irene, and Tropical Storm Lee had devastating impacts on communities and the economy throughout our region. Todays announcement is another important step towards recovery for so many New York families, homeowners, and business owners affected by these storms. I look forward to continuing to work together to get our regions economy back on track and help New York families and communities rebuild."
Representative Sean Patrick Maloney said, "Hudson Valley families, communities and businesses have shown their resilience in their recovery from the devastation of Sandy, Irene, and Lee. I am grateful that this overdue and necessary assistance finally invests in the infrastructure, local communities and small businesses essential to our way of life."
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IBM announces SmartCloud Storage
Visits (11257)
Well, it was Tuesday again, and we had quite a lot of announcements here at IBM this week! Over 1,800 clients attended the [Live February 5 webcast]! The announcements were all part of IBM's SmartCloud Storage portfolio. Here are the highlights:
For more information on these announcements, check out the [IBM Smarter Storage landing page].
For a different perspective on this, consider Dave Vallente's thoughts on Wikibon, in his [Message to IBM's Ambuj Goyal: A Prescription for Storage Transformation]. Ironically, Ambuj Goyal was my fifth-line manager for the past two years, but since he took this new job leading Storage and System Networking, he is no longer in my management chain.
technorati tags: IBM, SmartCloud, Storage Access, XIV, STN7800
IBM Watson - Helping Doctors Reduce Costs, Manage Risk and Improve Healthcare Outcomes
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Happy [Valentine's Day] everyone! Love is in the air! There was plenty of evidence of this everywhere I looked:
Sadly, only 70 percent of doctors in the United States use Electronic Medical Record [EMR] systems. My own Primary Care Physician has made the switch, and told me he how much he loves having ready access to the information he needs. EMR systems reduce costs, help manage risk, and improve healthcare outcomes. It is no surprise that the U.S. government has taken a [stick-and-carrot approach] to encourage doctors to use them.
Two years ago this week, [IBM Watson won the Grand Challenge] on the popular Jeopardy! game show. I wrote [a series of blog posts on IBM Watson]. To-date, there have been over 90,000 downloads for my now infamous step-by-step instructions on [How to build your own "Watson Jr." in your basement]!
A frequent topic at the Tucson Executive Briefing Center where I work is how to make the most use of IT for healthcare and life sciences. For much of 2011 and 2012, I was also one of the technical advocates assigned to Wellpoint Insurance, in support of their adoption of IBM Watson technology for healthcare.
Consider [Oncology], the branch of medicine focused on cancer. IBM has just released a new 8-minute YouTube video [IBM Watson Demo: Oncology Diagnosis and Treatment] that shows how IBM Watson is being put to use at [Memorial Sloan-Kettering], a world-class cancer treatment facility.
This is just one of the many [IBM Smarter Healthcare solutions] that is helping to build a smarter planet!
technorati tags: IBM, Watson, Wellpoint Insurance, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, EMR, Oncology, Reviews and Ratings, Valentine's Day
Pardon our Dust -- Tucson EBC is Moving
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We're moving! We often joke that I.B.M. stands for "I've Been Moved", and the Tucson Executive Briefing Center is no exception.
Today is the last day for us in Building 9070. Starting tomorrow, the Tucson EBC will operate out of Building 9032 instead. While moving is always painful, there are some distinct advantages to the new facility:
For myself, as the lead Subject Matter Expert on the Tucson EBC staff, I get a much larger office with brand new furniture!
Now is the time to book a briefing in Tucson to check out the new facility. Go to the [Tucson EBC landing page] for contact information.
STORSever Enterprise Backup Appliances based on IBM hardware and Tivoli Storage Manager
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Recently, I spoke with Jarrett Potts, my long-time friend and former IBM colleague, who now works as Director of Strategic Marketing over at STORServer. If you have never heard of STORServer, it is a company that makes purpose-built backup appliances.
What is a Backup Appliance? It is an integrated solution of hardware and software that serves a single purpose: backup and recovery. STORServer Enterprise Backup Appliance (EBA) combines IBM's high-end x86 M4 server, IBM disk and tape storage, and IBM Tivoli Storage Manager (TSM) backup software.
(Fun Fact: The 2012 IBM year-end financial results were announced last month. IBM not only continues its #1 lead in servers overall, but has the #1 marketshare for high-end x86 servers, market-leading disk and tape storage hardware, and market leading backup software.)
To determine the appropriate size of your backup appliance, the folks at STORServer help you every step of the way. They figure out the number of TB you will backup every day, and even help configure all of the TSM server parameters to achieve the policies that make the most sense for your organization.
The appliance can backup every type of data, from databases and Virtual Machines (VMs) to documents, spreadsheets, and other unstructured data.
Are you then left with a solution too complicated to run yourself? No. The STORServer Console is an easy-to-use GUI for ongoing monitoring and maintenance. Plus, your friends at STORServer are only a phone call away in case you have any questions.
(FTC Disclosure: I work for IBM, and STORSever is an approved IBM Business Partner that uses IBM hardware and software to build their solution. I have no financial interest in STORServer, and was not paid by STORServer to mention their company or products on my blog. This post may be considered a celebrity endorsement of STORServer and its Enterprise Backup Appliances.)
Perhaps my readers feel that I am a bit biased in describing a TSM-based solution, and you want a second opinion. No worries, I understand. In the latest 165-page [2012 DCIG Backup Appliance Buyer's Guide], the STORServer models ranked very high. Here is an excerpt:
"Nowhere is this demand for purpose built appliances more evident than in the rise of purpose built backup appliances (PBBAs) over the last few years and their anticipated growth rate going forward. A recent market analysis performed by IDC found that worldwide PBBA revenue totaled $2.4 billion in 2011 which was a 42.4 percent increase over the prior year.
The STORServer is ideal for small and medium-sized business (SMB), but can scale quite large to handle business growth. If you are currently unhappy with your current backup environment, and feel now is the time to look around for a better way of taking backups, you won't go wrong choosing a solution based on IBM's market-leading server and storage hardware with Tivoli Storage Manager software.
technorati tags: IBM, System Storage, Tivoli Storage Manager, STORServer
Upcoming Storage Events - Spring 2013
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Here are some upcoming events related to IBM Storage!
If you sell IBM and/or Oracle solutions, please join me for IBM Oracle Virtual University 2013!
A few weeks ago, I recorded a session on IBM Storage: Overview, Positioning and How to Sell that will be available on demand starting tomorrow, February 26th, at the IBM Oracle Virtual University 2013.
It's one of 65 new sessions that will help IBM to surround Oracle applications with IBM infrastructure, services and industry solutions. Oracle software, after all, runs best on IBM hardware. Other highlights of Oracle Virtual University include a live executive State of the Alliance session with Q&A, Oracle keynote, updates by Oracle product managers, sessions on PureSystems, Selling IBM into an Oracle environment, Cloud, and much more.
Visit the [Orace Virtual University 2013 Registration page] to register.
(Update: For employees of IBM, Oracle and their respective business partners, the replays for this event is available until Feb 26, 2014. Visit the [Orace Virtual University 2013 Replay page])
There will be live technical teams on hand throughout launch day to answer your questions in real time, so I hope you can carve out 30 minutes or more on February 26th to take advantage of these available resources.
After helping launch the first Pulse back in 2008, I have sadly not been back since. Last year, I was invited to attend as a last-minute replacement for another speaker, but I was busy [having emergency surgery].
This year's [Pulse 2013] conference looks amazing. It will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada. Guest Speaker Payton Manning, NFL 4-time MVP football player, and Carrie Underwood, 6-time Grammy award winner, join IBM's Software Group executives and experts on how IBM Tivoli can help optimize your IT infrastructure.
Sadly, once again, I will not be there at Pulse. This time, I will be on the East Coast visiting clients instead, but my on-premise correspondent, Tom Rauchut, has informed me that he will be there. Hopefully, he will provide me something to write about.
Later in March, I will be in Brussels, Belgium for the Storage Expo. This is held March 20-21, at the Brussels-Expo venue. I will be presenting several topics each day, as well as visit clients in the area. This event comes on behalf of IBM Belgium in association with IBM Business Partner IRIS-ICT.
If you plan to participate in any of these events, let me know!
technorati tags: IBM, Oracle, Pulse, Storage, Expo, Payton Manning, Carrie Underwood, Las Vegas, Brussels Belgium


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CNBC's "Fast Money" puts the ball in your court this March. "Fast Money" wants you to find the best stock play in America right now.
Monday, March 14th, CNBC's "Fast Money," hosted by Melissa Lee, launches "Fast Money Madness," with a Twitter twist. The only way to play in this tournament is by following the show on Twitter. (Click here to go to our Fast Money Twitter page, twitter.com/cnbcfastmoney.)
Once we tweet that the game has begun, your replies will determine the winner of each match-up. The traders and the "Fast Money" producers will evaluate which side makes the best case for their stock.
And here's the exciting part, if your tweet catches our eye as particularly good, we will read it on air that night. You have 140 characters to name the stock and list the fundamental and technical proof that back your pick.
The 64-company bracket is seeded according to consensus analyst and investor sentiment from "Fast Money" guests and traders. Four major sectors are represented: Technology and Telecom, Home and Healthcare, Financials and Insurers, and Commodities and Industrials.
You can view the bracket by clicking here.
Just like the real tournament, the series will run through April 4th. But you have to follow twitter.com/cnbcfastmoney so you can see when each match-up begins. If you already follow us, retweet our match-ups to get your friends to follow along as well. And if your NCAA bracket got busted, no worries, you can join our tournament and get your tweets on air at any time through April 4th.
The "Fast Money" traders and Melissa will read your tweets on air and debate your pick live on "Fast Money Halftime Report" and "Fast Money", which air at 12:30PM ET and 5:30PM ET respectively.
Got something to to say? Send us an e-mail at email@example.com and your comment might be posted on the Rapid Recap. If you'd prefer to make a comment, but not have it published on our Web site, send those e-mails to email@example.com.
CNBC.com with wires.