text:
NOTE: Wow! Microsoft is thinking about bringing back the Start Menu and Modern apps on the Desktop. This is perfect timing! Here you'll see why it's a good idea and how they should do it.
DISCLAMER: This is a non-functional concept prototype of Windows 8 built from scratch in Adobe Fireworks CS6 and rendered in Adobe After Effects CC. There is no download link or ways for you to use this right now.
UPDATE: Microsoft just showed a new Desktop focused Start Menu with Tiles. Some good friends at Microsoft confirms to me that this is the current design but it may not be final.
ANNOUNCEMENT: I worked with ReviverSoft to release a Start Menu solution!
Let me begin by saying that I love Windows 8. I have it on all of my computers and I find that is the best OS for productivity and awesomeness.
OS X is good looking and polished, especially with the Mavericks update (A.K.A. fake leather killer), but I find that it is lacking some productivity details that makes it less comfortable. That was my experience with OS X as my main OS for a year and a half on the amazing 2011 MacBook Air. Yes everything can also be done on OS X and you can take the time to learn all of that to switch, but so is the OS X to Windows transition; it's just a matter of where you are more comfortable. Linux is a usability nightmare the second you get out of the fake easy-to-use illusion layer they added with the new GUIs. Unless you're a coder, don't even think about it.
Back to Windows 8 now! I love Windows 8 and it is my favorite OS to date, but that thing is filled with massive flaws. Some even said that W8 is a usability nightmare and even if I don't really like that expression they are kinda right in a way.
Confusion. Here's that magic word!
Microsoft has a lot of great ideas and they smashed them together to create Windows 8. They have some pretty amazing blocks, it's just a matter of arranging them the right way.
This research project started September 24th 2013. I had access to Windows 8.1 thanks to my dear friends at Microsoft and my main on-the-go general computer was a Dell XPS 12, I replaced it for a Surface Pro 2 right at launch October 25th. My test computers were always high density convertible tablet/laptops; the perfect candidate for the Windows 8 vision.
My goal here is simple: Research and design an improved Windows 8 that doesn't change the whole OS, something that could be easily pushed in a near update based on the feedback of the users and respects Microsoft's strategy and vision.
Trust me on this, I would LOVE to do an awesome new Metro style, blend both environment together or simply reinvent the whole damn thing and form the next big change in user interface design. Unfortunately, I want to find solutions that are incremental to the current version of Windows; something that would be an easy update to please everyone first.
I talked to a lot of users, developers and even people at Microsoft for their feedback over W8 and what they like/dislike (special thanks to the Apple Core and Microsoft Tribe forum at The Verge for their feedback). From there I came up with 5 rules that needs to be respected at all time to insure that users are happy and their feedback is respected, but at the same time that Microsoft can go on with their planned strategy for their OS and the future of the company.
Let's stop with all the history and background crap and jump right into the laws, notes and the designs.
When designing anything you need to lay a couple of rules that you need to refer to for every single decision. If there's a problem with anyone of them, it's a big fat no!
Here's my 5 rules for my W8.2 prototype design.
1) Microsoft wants to create a coherent store experience and ecosystem for Windows with the Windows Store.
Let's be honest here, when Apple showed the world how awesome a central managed application store is, everyone had to do it. Like the mouse, touchscreen and GUI interface, it's something that can't really be considered as a stolen idea or copying the other since it's just an obvious thing that nobody got before. The Windows Store is here to stay and the design of those apps are to be structured for a coherent and unified experience. It doesn't make sense anymore to scout the web through bad website and installers that want to fill your computer with crap by default when you can have a one button purchase/install/update/manage for your apps.
2) Microsoft is adopting a company-wide design language with Metro and the Live Tiles.
Screw you Metro AG! I don't care come sue me if you want to and Microsoft I'm keeping that Metro name! We need a way to call that new design language and "modern" simply doesn't cut it. So yes, I will be using the Metro name throughout this research project. The Metro design language is here to stay and people gotta live with it. On the other hand, it is Microsoft's job to make sure that it is relevant and useful and not to just stuff it down users' throats.
3) Windows 8 needs to work on both touch-input devices and pointer/keyboard based computers.
Look, there will be touch devices running Windows and no, splitting the OS into a separate Desktop and Tablet OS is not a solution. Windows needs to be flexible and work on all type of computers. You may be wondering why the OS on your Desktop computer needs to be tablet ready. Simple! Because we are evolving to convertible/hybrid devices. All-in-one desktops can transform into a big ass tablet and tablets into mobile workstations with their docks, flippy screens and keyboard covers. Having two OS for the same device under the same name is out of the question.
4) Users with mouse and keyboards do not want a touch-optimized experience.
You have a tiny pointer that can aim on 1x1 pixel elements. We are talking about your main workstation where a lot is happening at the same time. You optimize everything onscreen to maximize screen space organization and you resize your windows to a perfection level. Then, you open the Music app and it takes the whole 1080p display just for your song selection. You need weird gestures to access the Charms bar, mimicking a simple touchscreen swipe that you can't do and of course if you try to multitask with any Metro app, the whole Desktop with all your apps opened are treated the same way as your Twitter app. Not very optimized. Learning all the keyboard shortcuts is not an option for the average user guys, forget it.
5) Users with touchscreens do not want to go through a Desktop interface.
You have an 8 inch tablet. You're moving fast through the terminal and you need to get an information very fast. The last thing on your mind is to stop and try poking the tiny menu buttons of the Desktop. You should at all times stay inside of a touch-optimized interface and the fallback to Desktop should not even exist. Metro shouldn't be on top of the Desktop; it should be your interface.
Yes there will be a lot of spelling mistakes, unfortunately you will have to leave with it. The goal was to put out the information of my research, not to write a perfectly checked novel.
Metro refers to the new design language from Microsoft and also the touch-optimized experience.
A lot of people will disagree and please share your disagreements with me, but don't say "It sucks" or "Buy a Mac". Tell me "It sucks because…" or "I prefer the way Apple does it because…". Explain your opinion.
All screenshots shown here are designed with my Surface Pro 2 in mind, so with a 150% DPI. Everything will look scaled up if you don't have a small screen with a high resolution.
This research project or I are not affiliated with Microsoft in any way.
All right, so here's my big solution!
You separate the Desktop and Metro as completely different environment you can switch between. This way mouse/keyboard users won't need to use weird mouse gestures, giant start screens and full screen apps and touch users will never have to see the Desktop ever in their life if they don't want to.
Your files and apps sits in the middle and you choose which environment/interface you want to use to access them. At the end of the day, I want to see my pictures (HDD stored), work on my documents (Cloud/SkyDrive) use Fireworks (desktop app) and listen to my music on Xbox Music (Metro app). The thing is that I can now choose where and how I want to interact with all of them.
How? This is particularly difficult knowing the big app problem right now on Windows. Let's analyze this.
From my research I see three big categories of applications. We'll name them Classic, Modern and Hybrid.
Classic apps are your good ol' Desktop apps that you've been using since, well Windows. The majority of them are a freely resizable quadrilateral with 1:1 pixel content that can be minimized to the Windows Taskbar, maximized to fit the screen or simply closed thanks to a standard three button on the top right. The standard navigation is a top menu bar and right-click contextual menu. The apps can be rearranged by moving and resizing the windows on top of an empty canvas zone called the Desktop.
Modern apps, commonly referred as Metro applications, are the full screen apps that everyone can download out of the Windows Store. Modern applications are flexible on pixel density, size allocated on screen and even some with screen resolution. The standard navigation is a scrollable horizontal panorama of content or a sidebar focused layout. The right click or border swipe gesture brings a hidden menu and options bar on the top and bottom of the app. The apps can be rearranged by sharing the screen space with a vertical separator that can be multiplied for more apps simultaneously. The separators can also be moved around so, one app could take 40% of the screen while the other two shares 30% of it.
Hybrid apps are the interesting ones. Skype for example exists as a Classic application and a Modern application. So as of now, you can load Skype on the Desktop and on Metro at the same time and access two very different apps simultaneously, each with their own notification system and design language. Same with Internet Explorer, you can actually open 2 tabs on the Classic app and the Metro app will be like a completely different app that has no idea that he exists with the same name and mission next door. This is a big problem, but a big opportunity!
Then we have two environments. We'll call them the Desktop and Metro.
The Desktop environment is basically Windows 7. Take everything you know and love about Windows 7, make it a tad faster and better with improved file management, a more powerful Task Manager and some refined menus and complete it with a kill of the classic Start Menu and there you have the Windows 8 Desktop app. Yes I said Desktop app. You see the Desktop now isn't the main interface of Windows anymore, they decided that our good ol' Desktop is more of a place where you will go inside of a new Windows where you want to use all your pesky old ugly Classic applications.
The Metro environment is the raison d'être of Windows 8; the reason for this whole debacle and confusion. Metro is a modern looking touch-optimized experience that is taking over Windows. The design language with vivid flat colors, generous spacing and big typography doesn't need to be limited to a touch interface, in fact it looks great in numerous Classic apps that are adopting it. Yet, the Metro environment is the only part of Windows that got the redesign memo and they built the whole thing on top of the existing Desktop. You'll go through that environment with a lot of "finger" and gesture navigation like the Charms bar where you can access a lot of settings, search and interact with the OS and the app you are currently using. It's a great idea… as long as you're not on the Desktop or using a Classic app.
That's where the whole experience breaks down: Metro is trying to be a superior entity on top of Windows.
Metro is treated like it's the core of Windows; that everything is attached to and passes through it. The Desktop in Windows 7 gave you a single level where you could access all your files, apps and settings, but since Metro can't really replace your Desktop yet, because Microsoft didn't work out a way to use the Classic apps in it, you're now stuck with two levels to access everything in your computer. The whole Desktop including your Classic apps is now considered an app inside of Metro; that is messed up!
When you're multitasking inside your Desktop, you're using a couple of floating windows as usual. When you're multitasking with a Modern app though, well half of your screen is, let's say, my Mint.com app and the other half is the whole Desktop environment with all your Classic apps inside of it.
The whole Desktop is a Modern app and treated equally as your Music or Calendar application... and all of the Classic apps are stuck inside of it.
Since Windows runs everywhere, mouse and keyboard users are stuck using weird click top-to-bottom gestures to close Modern apps the Metro way and tablet users needs to aim at a tiny icon to close a Classic app the Desktop way.
Adding insult to injury, Hybrid applications do not communicate in any way since they run in completely separate environments. So if you open a tab in IE Desktop and you use Skype Desktop, your tabs will be completely different on the Metro app and you will receive the calls in both environments at the same time because they're completely independent.
Where are your files in all of that? Technically… they're on the Desktop level because Metro does not have a File Explorer. Yes, Metro is the main environment on top of everything, the Desktop is an app inside of it that runs other apps and your files are on this level because the top level can only interact with them without any way to properly manage them…
DOS applications ran in a window to fit the new way Windows managed applications back then, they adapted and were treated as they really were: Different and older, yes, but another app on your machine nonetheless. Windows 8 is a blindfold to the past to move as quickly as possible to a new world and generation of computers. A brilliant idea and concept, simply poorly executed because they didn't offer a smooth transition or simply took the time to find a way to integrate those apps with the new Windows. Imagine putting aside Windows 95 to use a full screen DOS interface to use your old important apps, that's what they did here.
Look, I'm not revolutionizing the world here, in fact it's quite an inelegant solution. But it works! And even if it's not the nicest thing in the world, I think that it would work great because we're respecting the 5 rules/laws established previously: Users are happy, Microsoft is still in their strategy and you can get there easily from the current version of Windows, 8.1.
If I'm using a mouse, I don't want a touch interface, but as of now you need that touch interface for some of the apps. If I'm using a touchscreen, I don't want to pass through a pointer interface, but you don't have the choice to get through the pointer interface to use some of the apps. An app is an app. Modern apps are no better than Classic apps and by that same logic Metro is no better than the Desktop.
So why not separate the Metro and Desktop interface, put them on the same level and you choose how you want to interact with all of those apps. Yes some of them are not optimized for a touchscreen or a pointer, but do you need to be stuck in an unoptimized interface on top of that?
"That wouldn't work because those apps are not designed to be used like that!"
I understand that point of view, but the basic requirements to adapt these apps for their opposite environment isn't that big.
Modern apps need gestures. You can already use a Modern app with your mouse and keyboard, the problem is killing the Charms bar gesture. This is why you add all of the Charms on the top beside the Classic "Close, Maximize, Minimize" buttons. They are already resizable (just change your screen resolution you'll see) and worst case you make them snap during the app resize between a set of different sizes (a balance between the different screen resolution the Modern app can run and adapt in and the different layouts from the snap multitasking resizing). There you go, you can now interact with a Modern app in a window in the Desktop.
Classic apps are even easier to adapt to the Metro environment. When using the snap multitasking, you will just maximize the Classic application inside its designated space either 20%, 40%, 50%, etc. of the screen. You don't need to minimize the app, you don't need to maximize the app and you already have a gesture in Metro to close applications.
Give Metro a File Explorer, let it interact with files, folders and devices its own way. Get rid of the Charms bar and Start Screen for Desktop users, give them that nice design and Live Tiles, but in an interface that suits their navigation devices and guide your users in the process to make sure they understand what's happening and where they should be.
There you go, everyone is happy now. You can switch between both environments at any time and your apps will follow. So, I'm on my Surface Pro 2 using all my windows on a 1:1 scale when working, but when I need to move, I switch to the Metro tablet interface, everything gets scaled up and it's easier to interact with them on-the-go or leaned back.
My mother is getting used to the Desktop now, she doesn't need to know that Metro exists!
You want to sell tablets that can compete with Android and Apple, show consumers that they can use it as a tablet and only a tablet if they want to.
How will this solution look and feel like? Let me show you.
(Some screenshots might feel like Windows is a bit big for 1920x1080. Please remember that this is on a Surface Pro 2 with a 10.6 inch screen so scaling is an important factor here.)
Let's begin with the installation process!
So to be honest, I think the installation process of Windows 8 is wayyyyy better than any other versions of Windows. The steps are clean, simple and easy to go through. I just want to add two important steps.
First, an environment selection screen that actually explains both of them. It's important for the users to understand that there's two environments on their computer and which one is best for them. Simple examples, illustrations and put the best one by default if it's a tablet or a laptop/PC. Also, add a simple list on the top to show users where they are in the setup process. Just a little recommendation to show the users what's coming in the process and how many steps are remaining.
Second, a "don't worry" screen. With Windows 8.1 you added a new Help and Tips section, great! But, in your head you though that the users who will have some troubles using your operating system will know by themselves that there is a help section between all those multicolored bright squares, the exact squares that are scaring them, not so great. Tell them that there's a big nice orange rectangle filled with tips if they need help. If they look at the Start Screen and they're lost, they'll remember that orange rectangle and they'll look for it. They won't really need to do that since "Open the Help app after the installation" is checked by default. In case they uncheck it, they'll know it's still there.
Here it is! The Desktop we all love. Now I think that Windows 7 nailed the Desktop and since this project is about fixing Windows 8 and not refining/rethinking it, I did some simple obvious modifications to our beloved environment. The Desktop will now use the color from your personalization settings. In the future why not sync the color between your PC, tablet, phone and Xbox; that would be awesome! The time, date and icons got a little bigger and makes it easier for the users with a super small/dense screen like me with my Surface Pro 2 or even my Dell XPS 12. You can pin Classic, Modern and Hybrid apps on the Taskbar. If you're wondering why there's a padding or dead zone around the Taskbar you will see that this is an aesthetic choice first, but there's a feature behind this. Of course, an option to disable it would be there and some shots even have the dead zone disabled to show it.
The File Explorer in Windows 8 looks like crap. You're pushing flat digital design and I'm still seeing Vista-inspired 3D super icons from the WOW era of Windows (remember when you failed to deliver the awesome Longhorn concept with WinFS). Also, keep that ribbon closed by default, it works and looks great with just the titles. Every folder and detail will use your chosen color for a uniform design with the exception of the main folders, special folders and SkyDrive. I'm taking the same app colors you used in the Modern version of the corresponding app and making it standard across the OS. Your Videos folder and Xbox Video app now uses the same color for subtle reconnaissance. Otherwise, it's the best File Explorer out there and one of the big reason I couldn't live with OS X. Sorry guys, but when I save a file and I need bigger icon previews, there's no way I go in a sub menu to change it, I want my CTRL+MOUSE WHEEL shortcut!
Here's some more shots of the Desktop and File Explorer adapting to your wallpaper or chosen color.
Oh boy here we go: I brought the Start Menu back. If we want to separate the Desktop and Metro environment we need a way for each of them to access apps, files and basic features like search, notifications and settings. Since we need to kick out the Metro Start Screen and Charms bar from the Desktop, let's just bring back the good ol' Start menu that worked so good for all these years. If you hate it, who cares, you'll be in the Metro environment anyways! This is not the old Start Menu, so please give me a chance to explain the idea here. You can make it bigger or smaller, pin your apps and live tiles, resize them, get a quick access to the Classic apps Jumplist (loved that feature from Windows 7), access the notification center, settings, power options and search. It makes sense. Give Windows 8 to any regular user that show him how to shut down his/her computer through a gesture to open a sidebar with three menus and his reaction will be my proof. Everything is there and easy to access and click, we're following all of the rules and you still get that Modern/Metro touch. Everybody wins.
The new Start Menu would be very flexible. You want it smaller, no problem. You want it to take half of your screen to make sure you get all the information you need through Live Tiles goodness like a dozen of stock market Tiles, no problem. You want the thing to be horizontal and give you all the recent thing you used on Windows like apps, people or search queries, no problem. Microsoft killed the Start menu because it wasn't flexible enough and didn't play nice with the new Modern vision. Why kill it when you can adapt it!
Personally, I think that it looks awesome. A modern, clean and flexible interface for work and play. Here you can see that I plugged my Nokia Lumia 920 and I have a quick access to the different folders and battery/storage information. Again, keeping the colors for documents, music, videos, etc.
So that's it for the Desktop. There's a lot more that could be done, but remember the objective here is to bring Windows 8 to a workable level, to get a solid base to build on and improve. Let's leave the Desktop and switch to the Metro environment shall we?
Here we are in the Metro environment! I highly recommend that you watch the video above to get a feel of both environments and see how you transition between them. Lots of little details, but in a quick and swift fashion. This is a pretty standard Metro environment with the exception of some apps redesigned here and there, better padding and alignment and a more defined look. On my Surface Pro 2, running in the "default" scaled version I only have 3 rows of medium sized tiles which I found too little. But, running in the "smaller" version which is native 1080p, the 5 rows of medium sized tiles makes everything super small on screen and unpleasant as a tablet. I use the "smaller" native 1080p because I like more information and space to place everything, but I honestly believe that 4 rows of icons like pictured above is the perfect balance/density for the Start Screen. Users should have more control over this. There's a new File Explorer icon which opens a Metro File Explorer, because that's an obvious thing to do if you don't want to see the Desktop and access/manage files easily on your tablet. Compared to the current Start Screen all the tiles are flat and without gradients. If you push a new design language, make it uniform through all of your platforms and stick to it entirely.
If we scroll to the right side, we can see the new "Computer" section at the end of the Start Screen. From there you have a better view and access at your computer's file structure and what is currently plugged on it. Remember, Metro must now be independent of the Desktop, so that's needed! My super Lumia 920 is taking advantage of the Live Tiles and showing me information about my device.
Let's open the Charms bar. First, let me ask who's the guy at Microsoft who decided that's it's acceptable for tablet users to fall back to the Desktop to poke at the tiny battery icon in the Taskbar just to know the battery level. Get his UX/UI license NOW! Now you can tap on it to get the obviously required and important information right there in Metro from any app through the Charms bar. A new addition is the Notification Center. On the Desktop you can check your Notifications from an icon in the Start Menu and on Metro, right from the Charms bar. That is the same Notification icon used on the Xbox One and it should be a standard icon for all Microsoft devices now. Windows Phone, you're next. You can rearrange them, flick them away or dismiss all of them. If you don't have any notification, the whole panel disappears with an option in settings to go check the history.
The Metro environment, like the Desktop, would be very customizable. From the dead zones, titles, transparency of the back shading and of course, color.
The dead zones is mostly an aesthetic choice that can be deactivated in case you want a very dense experience over a more breathing one. On the Metro environment through it serves a little purpose. In the Desktop you can switch between apps with the ALT+TAB command and you can see which apps are open and active with the Taskbar. On Metro I added some little details to complete that experience for the finger world. The left sidebar, currently in Windows 8 and 8.1, is great for multitasking and switching between apps, but nothing really took the job of the Taskbar. Now in the left dead zone you can have a small preview of the number of apps running and their color as an indicator. Think of it like a Metro Taskbar. You can take a quick look at them with a small swipe and go to the app by throwing it towards the middle of the screen. To complete that experience, Tiles of running applications have a white bar on their right side to show that they are currently open and running.
So we now have a great Desktop and a great Metro environment that can work without any need of the other. The last aspect that needs to be taken care off is application behavior in and between those two environments.
Here we go!
Classic apps works as they always did in the Desktop, a simple window to move around and resize, controlled with the top right buttons.
On Metro though, they are maximized and they will take the space you will give them. If you're multitasking with another app the Metro way, the application will be "resized" to the space you will allocate to that application. The top right buttons are now gone since there is no minimize or maximize feature in Metro and you do a downward swipe to close the app. The application might look blurry, but that is because in my settings I set that all apps by default run in 150% DPI scaling because of my Surface pixel density. Since the app does not support additional scaling it looks blurry, but on my Surface, it looks way better than an app running in 1:1 pixel with ridiculously tiny controls to poke with my finger. My Desktop is for work with full pixel density and I switch to Metro when I'm moving around so I want bigger controls and text.
Here's a Modern app on the Desktop. Some apps could be a little bit taller to accommodate the new required buttons, others like games could simply fade the buttons in when you're approaching your cursor. Since a Charms bar in the Desktop is out of the question, the 4 required buttons to access settings, search and sharing are added on top. If an app does not require one of those buttons, they can be removed for that app. ModernMix brought that functionality to the current users of Windows 8, but since you're still stuck with all of the other problems, 2 environments and a weird Charms bar opening in the individual app window in the Desktop, it feels more like a bad hack than a workable solution. The minimize, maximize and close buttons are also added on the top right. You can resize the application by grabbing the bottom right corner and the app could be set to either freely resize or snap to certain sizes mimicking the way the app would change depending on the users screen resolution. If you resize the width of the app, it would behave the same as if you gave it less space in the Metro multitasking, thus changing its layout to adapt to the new size. I understand that modern apps are not designed to work in a Desktop, but this is far more acceptable that being stuck running it full screen and losing Desktop space for a single Modern app.
I don't know what you think about this, but I personally think that it looks great and it would work great and from my research this is the best quick and elegant solution. The Steam app might feel a bit blurry, but this is because I wanted that app to be a bit bigger in my Desktop. Per-app scaling would be a blessing. 2 Modern apps and a Classic app living together in harmony on the Desktop. I would still recommend that Microsoft adds Classic applications in the Store and that the Store app itself becomes an Hybrid application with a design made for the Desktop and pointer interaction.
When switching between environments the transition is very smooth.
Apps will grow into the allocated space based on the active application on the Desktop; the active application will have more screen space. The multitasking separator now takes your OS color and will be closer to the active application.
P.S. I'd love an option where I can change the way background applications looks like. I find that it's nicer when your active application is more visible. Again and again, give more control and options to the users, you can't go wrong doing that!
Last but not least, Hybrid applications. Hybrids are awesome and Microsoft needs to open an API for this. Get ALL the apps in your Store including Classic apps and give developers the tools they need to easily push this kind of application. On the left we have the MetroTwit app running as a Classic version and on the right Classic Skype. Look where I am and what I'm doing in those apps. Let's press the Start button for a couple of seconds and…
…voila! They are now running as Modern applications in Metro and I can continue what I was doing in an app better designed for the environment I'm now in.
Give the option for individual DPI (scaling) settings for every app.
I don't care if Steam is bigger, but my designs apps needs to stay with 1:1 pixels. Same goes for some Metro apps that I want bigger for ease of use and some denser for more information on screen. On top of the general DPI setting with "smaller" and "bigger" add an individual option for all apps in their Settings menu. I like having 1080p worth of Live Tiles on my Start Screen with 5 rows, but it sucks to use the Metrotube app in 1080p that crams everything super small on the top left, same with Facebook (what's wrong with your font guys?).
Don't be shy with information
I don't know what the designers at Microsoft are thinking, but it's better to give a lot more information about how to use your new OS (and make sure you can turn off the help tips if you don't need them) than less. Windows 8.1 made it a tiny bit better with a great help section, but far far from acceptable since they don't even guide the users there; they need to figure out that somewhere there's help. At least, like shown on top, show them where they can find help. Help your users!
Fix Xbox Music
Xbox Music is awesome, yet flawed. There is no reason for the same song from the same album to be listed multiple times. And then -poof- one day it gives me an error when I want to play it from my collection and I have to delete it and go get that same song back from another "version" whatever that means. Also, there is no reason in this world why my Windows Phone shouldn't download automatically every new song I add from the website or my computers. For me to manually download every song, be stuck with cloud play or to wait to sync with my computer is unacceptable. And please, when I download an album on my Windows Phone, add it to my Xbox Music collections! If you're not sure how to please all users… give the option, you have a settings zone made just for that! And please fix all of the glitches, pauses between songs and frozen tracks on all your apps. P.S. Bring back the awesome Zune "Now Playing" cover art and visualizations!
Optimize Microsoft Office
Sorry, but I doesn't make any sense that Word 2013 freezes on me for 30 seconds every time I open a document, on all my computers. Maybe it's Adobe, maybe my HP Printer, I don't care! Optimize your software on multiple computers because I tried all of your tips and tricks online and it still hangs and stops responding at every document I open and I have to wait in from on my screen like an idiot for Word to unfreeze to continue working. It doesn't make sense for 3 different super computers including one of your own (Surface Pro 2) to freeze with your flagship software.
Simple productivity tips
When I have a notification on my desktop I have to aim for the little tiny "X" on the top right of the notification. Now, I understand that on a touchscreen it's fairly easy to just toss it away on the side, but with a mouse and keyboard it's frustrating. Right clicking on a notification does absolutely nothing right now, why can't you map that to "close". Same with the Start Screen, you have to aim the tiny little arrow to access the apps page, why can't you do a simple shortcut like double clicking between the tiles (anywhere around) to go to the apps view. Or the picture password screen where typing doesn't change anything, but I still have to get out and switch to PIN or password input if I want to use those...why not let me just use my PIN when I'm in front of the picture password if the keys aren't being used anyways. Simple tricks like that enhance the experience because they're quick little productivity shortcuts that help the everyday and does no harm since these shortcut does not affect regular operation.
Give more options.
If you're unsure about a feature, functionality, look or anything else about Windows, give the users a switch for it. You learned this the hard way with the default boot to Start Screen Metro, just give all users an option for it, NEVER force something down users' throats. It isn't failure if a user falls back to an old way that does no harm, in fact it's a win since you can please a broader audience at the same time. Facebook should learn from this!
Check the Sleep/Wake button behavior.
My Surface Pro 2 has this weird thing where I have no idea what's happening. I press the sleep/wake button to wake up the device, but it stays black for like 5 seconds. So, I press back on the button because I think that it didn't get it the first time, but now nothing happens like if it was actually waking up, but now I sent it back to sleep. Sometimes I play that wake/sleep/wake game for a good minute! Make it faster or at least light up the screen immediately to tell the user that the Surface is waking up. I had the same problem with my Dell XPS 12. Turning on and off my Surface Pro 2 is sometimes faster than getting in and out of sleep mode.
Check for weird application behavior.
I open the Facebook app and sometimes I will click on comments on a post to see them and the little box will just stay white. If I click on my messages to chat, they will simply not load. Closing and reopening the app doesn't fix the problem and I have to restart the whole computer. Now I don't care if the issue isn't from your side (I'm sure it is since apps gets weird when coming back from sleep mode from time to time), but find a way to fix or optimize it. People will still blame you on the lacking experience, especially when the majority of consumers have a list of apps in their head and not the general greatness of your device. Your own apps are having problems too! When a webpage does not load on Metro IE always searching, but it loads in a heartbeat on Desktop Chrome, that's an issue and your whole OS something feels unreliable.
Explore the Xbox One/Windows 8 link.
I want to plug my computer through the Xbox One. I could be writing this and then shout "Xbox, play Battlefield 4" and switch between my work and play in seconds. I'm sure there's a LOT that could be done if your Windows 8 PC is plugged in the HDMI IN of the Xbox. That's an idea to explore because it could bring some huge amazing features!
Check your Surface Covers "reset".
The Type Cover 2 on my Surface Pro 2 is amazing, too bad since I loved the feel of the Touch Cover especially when I'm flipping it for tablet use. Great stuff, but why is my touchpad unresponsive sometimes… for no reason. It really breaks the magic to unclick and click back the cover.
Fix Skype.
…but you already know all the problems and you're fixing it, so keep going!
Call Windows RT, Windows Lite.
I know you will hate that because Lite means cheaper or less… but that's what Windows RT is. By changing the name to Windows Lite at least it will explain what the OS on your tablet is just with the name and it fits nicely too with the rest!
Windows 8 Lite
Windows 8
Windows 8 Pro
Windows 8 Enterprise
It's super easy to say "Windows 8 Lite is the Windows you love with thousands of your favorite apps in the Windows Store". Of course the "Lite" moniker says that's it's a version with less features, but you're still WAYYY ahead of iOS in terms of function so you're good!
Kill the forced update restart.
If there's an update I want Windows to tell me, but I don't want to be annoyed by it. Limit your alerts (that blocks the whole damn screen on top of that) to once per session and use the regular notification format too. Also, it does not make any sense for me to "Restart to update". When you're asking a user to restart for an update it means that he's actually using the computer and you want him to close and stop everything for Windows to apply the update. Why do you wait to the point that it's critical in order to offer the "Update and Shut Down" option… this is the time where you're done with the computer and you don't really care if it updates. And please, kill the forced update alert with the countdown sequence where I clearly say LATER (because there's no other option) and that you take it as an "All right then, in 15 minutes in the middle of your work, close everything and update! Got it!" Whoever decided that this is a good idea should be revoked from his UX Designer license. I know that doesn't exist, but idiotic decisions/mistakes like that calls for a big push with this idea.
I really hate conclusions. They're supposed to close perfectly everything you described, wrote and showed on top of it, but I don't think that one is necessary for this research project slash design exercise. Microsoft needs a separate group of designers testing the product and getting all of the inconsistencies. That same group could also focus on advanced UX research and product development. Think of Pioneer Studios… but this time make sure that they work with Microsoft products, services and plans. You have a lot of talented people, but when I point out some simple problems in the OS like completely different looking dialog menus between the Search bar and the sorting options in the "All Apps" view and that can't even be fixed, you have a big problem. Your competitor is charging more for a childish looking OS that can't even run two things at the same time or even give any kind of useful information through the stretch iPod Touch interface. The day they will use all of their great Apple powers to design amazing things and not iterate to generate more cash, you need to be prepared. Consummers are getting more intelligent and more informed and they're buying less and less Apple products. The day Apple will demonstrate their superiority again, it's not with the current version of Windows that you'll be convincing. iOS has all the apps so at least compensate with a flawless interface. It works for me, but I am not the majority nor the target. And of course let's not talk about Google, they have Matias Duarte and the Android ecosystem is growing excessively fast: you'll get in big trouble pretty soon if you don't move your asses!
By the way… If you're an Apple user/fan and you're reading all of my rant and you're saying to yourself "Whew! That's why I use iOS and OS X", trust me, I find those two way worse and annoying and this is why I went back to Microsoft's world. I know where my place is now, but if I can do anything to improve my place even if it's a single little detail, then this is all worth it. To all users always whining about Microsoft's decisions, just think about it for a second. If they try to innovate and do things differently, you whine. When they listen to your feedback and revert the changes you say that they don't know what they're doing. So please, say something constructive or be quiet. It will sound funny, but the Apple forum at The Verge actually helped me a LOT. Whining gets nowhere, explaining your opinion actually does something.
I use Office, Xbox Music, Xbox Live, Skype Premium, Windows 8, a Surface Pro 2, even Azure, Windows Phone and soon getting an Xbox One on top of my 360, so I want to improve the stuff I use and help the people who's trying to innovate. Microsoft this is all yours, please take all of it. In case the whole world hates my ideas and designs, please ignore all of this. If they do like it though, I will accept a nice big check with my name on it or you know Microsoft money… I really want to get the new Xbox One with a nice collection of digital games!
Now what will be my on-the-side project? Fixing Windows Phone? Fixing iOS? Designing Windows 9? For now it'll be sleeping…
You can download all of the JPEGs in better quality right here.
You can also check the links on the side (or top for mobile) for my Twitter, Facebook page and YouTube channel!
Jay Machalani
UX/UI & Branding Architect
Thanks to Tom Warren from The Verge, users of The Verge forums,
My friend Carl Caron for some good ideas,
The wallpaper featured is from the great Jan Thoma called "Blue Mountains". It can be found on InterfaceLIFT.
Go check out MetroTwit of an amazingly designed Classic and Modern app,
Andrew Howell from Microsoft helping me with some very useful research material
...and eventually Rami Sayar from Microsoft the day you will have 5 minutes to respond to my emails.


text:
Rumer Willis turned 21 with a little help from her friends — and Las Vegas.
The "Sorority Row" star was spotted celebrating the milestone on Saturday night at TAO at the Venetian in Las Vegas.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Young Hollywood Starlets!
Rumer was joined by her famous family at her birthday soiree including her mom, Demi Moore, and stepfather Ashton Kutcher; dad Bruce Willis and stepmother Emma Heming; and younger sisters Tallulah, 18, and Scout, 15. The not-yet-legal girls stayed for dinner and left before the rest headed up to the club.
And Rumer celebrated with not one, but two cakes – including one delivered on the dance floor by an Elvis impersonator.
VIEW THE PHOTOS: Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore
The star was also joined by boyfriend Micah Alberti, "Sorority Row" co-star Audrina Patridge – who brought ex-boyfriend Corey Bohan – and Holly Madison, among others.
The partygoers closed out the night with the help of a bottle of Cristal delivered by another impersonator, one copying Madonna – who shares a birthday with Rumer. The Material Girl turns 51 today.
Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
VIEW THE PHOTOS: What Happens In Vegas…
PLAY IT NOW: Can 'Bionic' Bruce Willis Win Against 'Sorority' Daughter?
PLAY IT NOW: Ashton Kutcher's Hollywood 'Spread' Premiere
MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Rumer Willis - Las Vegas - Demi Moore - Ashton Kutcher - Bruce Willis

subset: commoncrawl


text:
I'm a undergrad(third year, Manchester uni and want to do a PhD) that is thinking of doing a PhD in this area or category theory in general.(Sorry for asking it here, Maths exchange stack didn't help as asked twice last week and then today, I spend like an hour a day worrying about what I'm studying and what I should study). Imagine a chess board and you need to move a piece, how you know you are moving the best piece?, now times that by a thousand.
Just wondering, what branches of Maths should I focus on? As I've been told that topology particular Algebraic topology is the main area for this. A lecturer told me I should focus on getting down Algebraic topology before thinking of doing category theory as most of the examples of category theory are from algebraic topology.
However, another lecturer told me I should be doing logic and particular model theory. I can take a course in it this year, but would mean not doing commutative algebra.
So before you delete this can you please tell me what I should be studying? As it would save me countless hours of worrying if I'm doing the right subjects.
P.S. I can do most of the stuff in Conceptual Mathematics category book. I don't understand topoi through.


text:
The debut trailer for Fight Night Champion, published an hour ago on IGN, lists March 1 as the game's release date. If that's the case, it will take on MLB 2K11 and MLB The Show 11.
The first Tuesday in March typically belongs to the baseball simulations - if not then, then the second. (Release dates for neither have been formally announced.) Even if only seven days separate them, that's three huge sports releases crowding the beginning of the month.
Fight Night Champion doesn't concern a team sport with a fixed opening day, however, and as this trailer indicates, we may be seeing a lot more role-playing elements in the venerable EA Sports franchise. But parking it on March 1 makes it EA Sports' second bold call for this game in as many hours.


text:
Gordon S. Black necesitaba un nuevo diseño de otro y lanzó un concurso de diseño en 99designs.
Un ganador ha sido elegido entre 25 diseños de 6 diseñadores freelance.
IndieLitWorld.com (LABAL, LLC)
Gordon S. Black is the retired founder and Chairman of Harris Interactive, which was when he retired in 2005 the fastest growing market research firm in the world, and highly profitable. Harris Interactive owns the Harris Poll, which Dr. Black supervised and which polled for many national media companies including NBC News, Newsday, USATODAY, Businessweek, the Wall Street Journal and more than 30 other national and regional publications. Dr Black received awards For his role in making Harris Interactive into the pioneering Internet company in the market research industry, including "Research Executive of the Year in 2000" (Research Business Report), a" Demographic Diamond" by American Demographics Magazine, and "Entrepreneur of the Year" by Earnest and Young.
Prior to creating the Gordon S. Black Corporation, Dr. Black was a tenured faculty member in the Department of Political Science at the University of Rochester, where he taught from 1968 to 1978, full time, and until 1981, part-time. He was a Social Science Research Council Award winner in 1968 and a Ford Foundation Fellow in 1970. His curriculum vita includes some 30 articles written for professional journals.
Dr. Black received his BA in Political Science from Washington University in St. Louis in 1964, and his Ph.D. in Political Science from Stanford University in 1970.
This project has a complicated audience. On the one hand, the story is designed to be read by children between the ages of 10 and 15 years of age; andl to parents and grandparents of children these ages..
This is a novella, Most of the story takes place in one of the great theaters in the United States, the Fox Theater in St. Louis, Missoui. The theater can be found at: .http://www.fabulousfox.com/history.aspx.
The story is about a family, in financial trouble just before Christmas and living in a shelter for abused women and their children in St. Louis. The mother has two childen, including a young boy, 12, named Michael, who is blind, and a daughter, named Melody, who is ten. They are invited to a performance of the famous ballet, Swan Lake, two days before Christmas -- the gift of a generous patron on the arts who donates all of the theater to students and poor people for the performance. During the intermission, the boy asks his friend from the shelter, Antoine Flammonde, to take him to the orchastra pit to see the cello that is part of the orchestra. While he is being shown the cello, it turns out that he knows how to play and at the request of the Director of the Orchastra, he plays the famous song, Ava Maria, to the complete astonishment of everyone in the theater. The small, curly haired boy, with his large cello, becomes a celebrity almost overnight.
An 8.5 by 11 inch cover for a novella described below -- orginal work required, with no payments involved for copy righted materials. PSD and PFD files required. There should be no boundary showing on the page; no white borders. This will be added as the cover to the story when it is put on sale. The designer will be acknowledged on the inside page from the cover.


text:
Loading ...
Your Gravely commercial mowers will cut better with a new set of Gator Blades. Gator blades raise the grass up as the blade cuts the grass multiple times. More cuts mean finer clippings. Finer clippings mean more bag capacity, less clumping, and ultimately a better looking lawn. We stock G3, G5, and G6 gator blades for your Gravely mowers. Review your blade measurements to select the correct sized replacement.
G3 Gator Blades:G3 blades offer faster and higher quality mulching capability than standard mulching blades. The teeth on the back of the blade redirect the grass clippings toward the cutting edge over and over again.
G5 Gator Blades:G5 blades combine a higher air lift with a longer cutting edge for a greater mulching performance than the G3. These blades also stay sharper longer than standard blades.
G6 Gator Blades:G6 blades are thicker and wider than the G3 and G5. This makes them more durable to cut through thick terrain. For heavy-duty mulching, consider using a G6 gator blade to get the job done right.
Subscribe to our email newsletter to receive promotions, helpful DIY articles, and special offers.
Copyright © 1994 - 2019
Jacks Small Engines
& Generator Service, LLC


text:
The Farm Service Agency (FSA) is offering specially-targeted farm loans, known as Socially Disadvantaged (SDA) and Beginning Farmer loans, according to Adams County FSA Farm Loan Manager Diane Drabish.
These loan programs are designed to help farmers purchase and operate family farms.
"With these loan programs, FSA hopes to help reverse the declining number of farmers and ranchers across the United States and especially here in Pennsylvania in Adams, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, and York counties", said Drabish. "These loans help to encourage and assist them in owning and operating their own farms and ranches, participate in agricultural programs, and become integral parts of the agricultural community".
FSA reserves portion of its loan funds each year for SDA Loans, said Drabish. USDA defines a socially-disadvantaged farmer as one of a group whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender prejudice because of their identity as members of the group without regard to their individual qualities. For purposes of this program, socially disadvantaged groups are women, African Americans, American Indians and Alaskan Natives, Hispanics, and Asians and Pacific Islanders.
Direct loans are made to applicants by FSA and include both farm operating and farm ownership loans. Repayment terms for direct operating loans depend on the collateral securing the loan and usually run from one to seven years. Repayment terms for direct ownership loans can be as long as 40 years, Drabish said.
Interest rates for direct loans are set periodically according to the government's cost of borrowing. The down payment loan program requires the applicant to provide a minimum down payment of 5 percent in cash and then the loan cannot exceed 45 percent of the lesser of the purchase price, the appraised value of the farm to be acquired or $500,000.
Farm ownership loan funds may be used to purchase or enlarge a farm, purchase easements or rights of way needed in the farm's operation, erect or improve buildings such as a dwelling or barn, promote soil and water conservation and development, and pay closing costs.
Farm operating loan funds may be used to purchase livestock, poultry, farm and home equipment, feed, see, fuel, fertilizer, chemicals, refinance debts, hail and other crop insurance, food, clothing, medical care, and hired labor. Funds also may be used to install or improve water systems for home use, livestock or irrigation, and other improvements.
Individuals, partnerships, joint operations, corporations, and cooperatives primarily and directly engaged in farming and ranching on family-size operations may apply. A family-size farm is considered to be one that a family can operate and manage itself.
Guaranteed loans also may be made for ownership or operating purposes, and may be made by any lending institution subject to federal or state supervision (banks, savings and loans, insurance companies and units of the Farm Credit system). Typically, FSA guarantees 90 or 95 percent of a loan against any loss that might be incurred if the loan fails. Guaranteed loan terms are set by the lender. Interest rates for guaranteed loans are established by the lender.
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for a given program before FSA can extend program benefits. For additional information or applications for all FSA direct loan programs contact your local FSA office at 670 Old Harrisburg Road, Suite 203, Gettysburg, PA 17325; or 717-334-4216 x104. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and provider.


text:
(USA TODAY) -- Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump stormed to crucial victories in a series of battleground states on Tuesday, widening an incredible but increasingly likely path to victory for the billionaire real-estate mogul and reality TV star.
One by one the swing states fell Trump's way: Florida, Ohio, North Carolina, Pennsylvania. Democrat Hillary Clinton was clinging to faint hopes as the election of the nation's 45th president neared a frenzied conclusion.
"Things that were true: undercover Trump vote; @mike_pence for VP; Hillary's floor & ceiling r same; rally crowds matter; we expanded the map," Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway tweeted at 1:30 a.m. ET.By that time, Trump had claimed more than 260 electoral votes to Clinton's 215. The magic number is 270, and swing states still too close to call included Michigan (16), Wisconsin (10) and New Hampshire (4).
Polling sites across the nation had closed after more than 110 million people cast votes in the historic race.
Trump's strong showing brought angst to world financial markets, with the Dow Jones industrial average falling as much as 500 points in after-hours trading. Brad McMillan, chief investment officer at Commonwealth Financial Network, said a Trump win would spark uncertainty and likely result in a steep fall in stock prices Wednesday.Trump claimed victories in Pennsylvania, Iowa, Utah, Idaho, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Missouri, Montana, Louisiana, Arkansas,Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Wyoming, Alabama, West Virginia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Indiana. Indiana is home to Trump's running mate, Gov. Mike Pence.
"Thank you Indiana for making our state first on the board to vote to Make America Great Again! @realDonaldTrump," Pence tweeted.
Clinton was projected the winner in California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Virginia, Illinois, New York, Connecticut,Rhode Island, Maryland, Massachusetts, Delaware, New Jersey, Vermont and Washington, D.C. Her running mate, Sen. Tim Kaine, is from swing state Virginia.
Trump and Clinton mostly shunned public appearances as the day wore on, although Trump conducted radio interviews and their social media accounts were far from silent.
"Don't let up, keep getting out to vote - this election is FAR FROM OVER! We are doing well but there is much time left. GO FLORIDA!," Trump tweeted before the state was won.
Clinton's account chimed in early: "This team has so much to be proud of. Whatever happens tonight, thank you for everything."
Voters faced long lines at many polling places but no major impediments. Fears of voting problems pushed voting rights advocates, conservative watchdogs and even international observers to monitor voting.
When Utah, a red state, reported problems, Trump pounced, tweeting "Just out according to @CNN: "Utah officials report voting machine problems across entire country."
Not so, CNN's Brian Stelter tweeted: "No. Utah officials reported machine problems across one entire COUNTY, not the entire COUNTRY."
In Congress, Democratic hopes to gain five Senate seats needed to achieve a majority collapsed as the night wore on. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., had said while running for president that he would not seek re-election. He changed his mind and provided his party with a boost.
"Congratulations on the great victory, @marcorubio! Florida is critical to keeping the Senate," tweeted Jeb Bush, a former Florida governor who, like Rubio, was vanquished by Trump in the Republican presidential primaries.
In Indiana, former Democratic senator and governor Evan Bayh lost to relative unknown GOP Rep. Todd Young. In Pennsylvania, GOP Sen. Pat Toomey fought back a stiff challenge from former state environmental secretary Katie McGinty.
Democrats did pick up a consolation prize, with Illinois with Rep. Tammy Duckworth ousting Republican Sen. Mark Kirk.
In the House of Representatives, Republicans were poised to maintain a solid majority.
Voters in several states had complained of long lines and computer malfunctions and other problems. North Carolina kept some precincts open passed the 7:30 p.m. ET closing time to allow voters slowed by glitches.
In California, violence forced a lock-down of two polling places. Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan tweeted that voters in Azusa should seek alternate polling sites after a shooting affected two voting locations, including an elementary school. A gunman shot several people, killing one, and scattered would-be voters, police said.
Across the nation, surveys of voters leaving their polling places revealed an electorate more diverse, more educated and more upset than four years ago.
The surveys also showed that black and Hispanic voters continued to grow as a percentage of the electorate, while the white vote slipped slightly. Still, white voters made up 70% of the electorate and supported Trump 55%-37%, the surveys showed.
The surveys, from National Election Pool Survey by Edison Research, also showed nearly a quarter of Americans described themselves as "angry" about the way government is functioning. Those people were at the core of Trump's support. In 2012, about a fifth of voters described their feelings toward the Obama administration as "anger."
The controversy over Trump's comments about women notwithstanding, the "gender gap" appears to be comparable to what voters reported in both 2012 and 2008 — female voters were more likely to support Clinton and male voters were more likely to support Trump. And while men favored Trump, his numbers appeared to be little changed from Mitt Romney's in 2012.
Contributing: Stephen Reilly, Adam Shell, Erin Kelly


text:
Movies in the Parks: 'Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted'
West Garfield Park | Website
This event occurred in the past.
Map | Find Parking
The 2012 animated film, directed by Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath and Conrad Vernon and starring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and David Schwimmer, is about Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman joining a European traveling circus on their journey home to New York. The movie begins at dusk.


text:
Brooklin, Maine, June 27, 2013 -- Atlantic Boat Company is pleased to announce the delivery of BANTRAM II, Hull No. 1 of the new DUFFY-29H. The foundation of this new design is in direct response to customer interest for a Duffy 26 with outboards.
BANTRAM II is equipped with two 150hp Yamaha outboards, giving an easy cruise speed of 26 knots. Seating in the cockpit includes a transom bench and two jump seats. The helm and navigation seats adjust fore and aft, and each sits atop a storage compartment. Ventilatilation includes a center-opening windshield, sliding windows port and starboard, and an overhead hatch.


text:
My Favorite Things 2010./
It is that time of year again gals - my favorite things. You know I love trying new products all the time, and I really do get hooked on many products. So much so that I recently started a "Current Favorites" section over in the sidebar. As it states, those are my current favorite beauty products that I am using. I do run into many favorites over the year. To be a true favorite though, and to make narrowing down my products much easier to make My Favorite Things list, I am listing the items that I keep purchasing to keep in my beauty rotation and routine.
Like I said, to make My Favorite Things list, these are products that I am constantly re-purchasing and use throughout the year. To make it even easier, I have divided my list into sections: makeup, skin care, body care, hair care, and nail care. These are tried and true beauty products that make my life both better and easier. Thus, I present to you My Favorite Things 2010.
- MAC Pro Longwear Concealer - This concealer is such a beautiful fluid that blends effortlessly onto my skin. It covers like a dream, wears all day with no creeping, creasing or caking, and looks beautiful wherever I apply it. I am using the shade NW15 right now for my pale winter skin, but I use NC 20 when I have my faux tan on.
- Giorgio Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation - Even though I do use different foundations throughout different times of the year, I always have Luminous Silk Foundation on hand for special events or occasions when I know I need to look my best. Other foundations have come close but have yet to replace this newer favorite of mine.
- Bobbi Brown Creamy Eye Pencil - This eye pencil has become a staple in my routine and I now own 7 different shades to suit every eye look. The pencil applies evenly with ease, so much so, and with so much everyday practice, I think I could get a perfect line with my eyes closed. The color blends out easily for a smoky look or stays fine if I wish, and lasts all day.
- Dior Diorshow Brow Styler - I keep coming back to this eye brow pencil as nothing perfects my brows and looks more natural than this pencil. The universal shade is perfection, and I can fill in, fill out or thicken my brows as needed.
- Lancôme Définicils Precious Cells Mascara - I do not know exactly how much more nourished or better my eye lashes are for using this mascara, but I do know that it gives me beautiful length, separation and fullness in just one coat, that it has become my favorite everyday wear mascara.
- Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara - When I need full on, look like false lashes that are not, I use this mascara from Mally Beauty. It is a very thick mascara that takes some work to apply evenly, but with practice and patience, lashes are false looking and full on glamorous, but my own.
- Dior Bronze Matte Sunshine - I use a bronzer each and everyday of the year. It adds the perfect healthy look to my pale skin or enhances a faux glow in the summer. As I usually get shimmer from a blush or highlighter, I like a matte bronzer best, and this matte powder bronzer is perfection.
- MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Intense - For the most true, highly pigmented colors, I have been more than pleased with every color choice I have made. I continually use #18 Pearly Beige and #32 Satin Soft Pink.
- MAC Lipglass - I am a lipgloss queen, and I never go wrong with the many MAC formulas that I have, but the original Tinted Lipglass is my all time favorite. I have loads of this on hand, but I am constantly re-purchasing Oh-Baby, C-Thru, Underage and Oyster Girl.
- CHANEL Glossimer - If MAC Lipglass is not on my lips, than it is probably CHANEL's best selling Glossimer lip gloss. The shine is thick and long-lasting, felling luxurious as it is applied. I have more than one tube of Maline, Mica, Wild Rose and Sunset Gold to make sure that I am never without.
Skin Care
- Clarisonic Skin Cleansing Brush - I swear that my skin looks so much better when use this every morning in the shower. It has made a such a difference in the cleanliness of my skin as it is simply more radiant. I use it with Purity (below) faithfully each day, and change the brush head every month.
- Philosophy Purity Made Simple - This cleanser makes my list every year as it is the facial cleanser that I swear by. It removes every trace of dirt, oil, makeup with just a very small amount. I have yet to find another cleanser that works as quickly and effectively on my face, while keeping it soft and smooth
- Talika Lash Conditioning Cleanser To remove eye makeup in the evening, I use this on a cotton square. It is extremely gentle to my eyes, makes my lashes feel great, and leaves behind no residue or oil - just fresh, clean skin.
- Clinique Comfort on Call - I use this thick, hydrating cream every night on my face, under a night cream or paired with a treatment. Nothing else comes close to calming my skin after the day or soothes it and locks in moisture like this cream.
- CHANEL Ultra Correction Line Repair Day Fluid - This has quickly become my day cream of choice. It is very light and smoothes out over my skin with ease. It has an SPF of 15, which is a must, and smells great. Since I have been using this and re-purchased my second bottle, I have noticed that my lines are really diminished, especially those around my mouth.
- Clarins Beauty Flash Balm - I depend on this toning and hydrating mask and use it at least once a week. It refreshes and uplifts not only my skin, but my whole outlook as my skin looks and feels fresher just after ten minutes.
- La Mer The Eye Balm Intense - This very moisturizing cream, that is light as air when it comes to a balm, instantly makes my eyes look brighter, more refreshed, with less lines and puffiness. I am addicted to this and probably use more than I really need to, but the results have spoken for themselves.
- Bobbi Brown Hydrating Eye Cream - I use this eye cream every night as it soothes and locks in moisture around my eyes. Between this cream and the La Mer Eye Balm Intense, I think I have found the perfect combination for my sensitive and delicate eye area, while greatly reducing the lines and creepiness around my eyes.
- Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel - I am on my second bottle of this gel and it has faded my freckles and age spots while helping to correct my hyper pigmentation. I know I will not rid of my discolorations without a prescription, but nothing has worked at fading more than this gel has. I use just a dab of it on my spots on both my face and hands every night.
- Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment - This is the last thing to touch my skin before I go to bed every night. I apply a small dab of this yummy lip balm to the bottom center of my lip and use my finger to spread it over the rest of my lips. My lips are kept soft and smooth all night and keeps them perfectly kiss-able and ready for my lipsticks and gloss.
Body Care
- Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter - As soon as my skin turned drier than ever this year, I was sent a small lab sample of this deliciously scented, whipped body cream. I quickly ordered two jars and have not stopped applying it to most of my body every day.
- First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream - I received a sample packet of this ultra rich cream with a Sephora order, and quickly picked up a "to go" sized tube to keep in my purse for my hands. Since then, I purchased two huge jars - one that sits on my nightstand and one kept by my tub in the bathroom. This thick cream, that absorbs instantly, hydrates the extra dry parts of my skin. I use it on my hands and feet, and quickly apply it to my legs just as I get out of the shower.
- Philosophy Amazing Grace Shower Gel - Not only am I am in love with the soft, feminine, sweet with a hint of musk scent, but this shower gel makes my skin feel softer and clean after using.
- Clarins Delicious Self Tanning Cream - I use this weekly on my legs during the faux glow months. No other self-tanner has given me the rich, golden tan color I crave, spreads so easily, while lacking the usual self-tanner smell.
- Secret CLINICAL Strength Deodorant/Antiperspirant - Maybe an unusual "favorite", but I do buy this every six weeks or so and use it daily to keep my fresh and dry. The original light and fresh scent is my scent of choice.
Hair Care
- WEN Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner - The concept of not "shampooing" was foreign to me until I tried this fabulous cleansing conditioner. I tried all of the varieties, and the Sweet Almond Mint is perfect for my fine, thin, color treated hair. Since using, I have literally hair that I have only had in my dreams until now.
- John Freida Root Awakening Strength Boosting Leave-In Spray - As soon as I take the towel off of my wet hair, I spray about 10 - 12 pumps of this wonderfully smelling leave-in conditioning spray on my hair. Since using, I have noticed that my hair is more manageable with much less fizz. In between hair cleaning, I mist another 10 - 12 sprays onto my hair, just to dampen and blow it out for a few seconds to look fresh again.
- MORROCCANOIL Original Oil Treatment - I use this as a deep conditioner of sorts just once a week. I apply about a quarter sized amount to wet hair and let my hair air dry. My hair is so much more manageable and frizzies are gone. I found that when I use it more often, my hair is almost weighed down or feels like I have a build up and need a good cleansing. But just using once a week, my results are perfect.
- Nice 'n Easy Root Touch Up - I use the shade Medium Golden Blonde about every three weeks to lighten my dark roots and cover the grays that come in around my temples. The formula is easy to work with and spreads nicely with the included brush.
Nail Care
- Zoya Anchor - I use this as a base coat faithfully on my nails. It provides for a quick drying base that helps color adhere well and glide on over it smoothly and evenly.
- Zoya Armor - I also swear by Armor, as this is a fairly fast drying top coat. I apply one coat of this about five minutes after polish and then in about 20 minutes, my nails are polished and hardened to perfection. To make my color look and last longer, I apply this every two to three days.
Now it is your turn. Tell me what makes your beauty favorites list this year. I have three very special $100 Sephora gift cards that I will be giving away to three of you that list your favorites in the comments. Rules: Three readers will be randomly selected from all of the comments left on this post. These readers will each receive a $100 gift card for use at Sephora stores or online at Sephora.com worth $100.00 each. You must be at least 18 years old to enter and must have a United States mailing address. Please, only one entry per person. Please leave an email address with the comment where required (only we will see this and never share!) so that we can contact you. Giveaway entries must be received by January 31, 2011 at 11:59 PM EST. Three random winners will be chosen and notified by email on February 1st, and will have just 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.
Thank you for all of your entries! I have chosen the winners and want to congratulate Lori, Crystal and Gammy7. I had so much fun reading what your favorite beauties of 2010 were.


text:
Boyfriends with Girlfriends by Alex Sanchez
Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd
I am J by Cris Beam
Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher
Bermudez Triangle by Maureen Johnson
Boy Meets Boy by David Levithan
Shine by Lauren Myracle
What They Always Tell Us by Marin Wilson
Pink by Lili Wilkinson
Every Day by David Levithan
Dairy Queen by Catherine Murdock
Between You and Me by Marisa Calin
Beautiful Music for Ugly Children by Kristin Cronn-Mill
Street Dreams by Tama Wise
Personal Effects by E.M. Kokie
email@example.com by K.E. Payne
Adaptation by Malinda Lo
Ask the Passengers by A.S. King
Crewel by Gennifer Albin
Huntress by Malinda Lo
*Parents are responsible for the reading materials of their own minor children.
Updated: 11/2012


text:
Joyful Master Healer: Druzy "Titanium Aura" Quartz
Joyful Master Healer: Druzy "Titanium Aura" Quartz
The master healer coated in color.
- Handmade item
- Materials: Druzy "Aura" Quartz (Coated Quartz), Silver Plated Wire, Divine Energy
- Ships worldwide from United States
This pendant comes fully charged and cleared. This pendant is 2 inches long. Please note that the while the crystal carries metaphysical properties, they are not promised to work for everyone and are certainly not healthcare information.
Additional fees may apply to shipping outside of the United States.
SPIRITUAL: Clear Quartz can help you become spiritually attuned. It can open and clear all the chakras to help you experience etheric balance, a sense of peace, and a spiritual awakening. It is a master healer, which means it can heal any ailment - physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally (you name it!). Clear Quartz cleanses the body on a deep spiritual level. This healing crystal can help awaken you and raise your vibration.
EMOTIONAL: Clear Quartz can amplify your good moods and heal your bad moods. It purifies the emotional structure to help you feel better. This healing crystal can provide very positive energy. It alters your perception of the world so you can experience it in a more positive way.
PHYSICAL: Clear Quartz is a master healer so it can stimulate and relieve several of the systems in the body. This healing crystal can boost the immune system, stimulate the circulatory system, stabilize vertigo, heal digestive system, boost metabolism, eliminate toxins, and more. This healing crystal can also reduce pain, injuries, bruising, and burns.
MENTAL: Clear Quartz can alter your mind to bring clarity and ease the flow of thought. It can help you make sense of the thoughts you are experiencing. Clear Quartz can also stimulate patience and perseverance toward any given task.


text:
Posts Tagged 'fear'
The Idolatry of Lesser Gods: Bogeymen and Heroes in the Bush Age
No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts. No just and loving god looks upon them with favor. — President Obama, speaking at the Fort Hood memorial service on November 10, 2009
Listening to the radio yesterday, I heard Obama speak at the memorial for the 13 slain soldiers at Fort Hood. I listened to another mourner call the shooting rampage a "mini 9/11." I listened to Obama.
At the risk of committing blasphemy, I'm going to state the obvious. When it comes to honoring tragedy, violence and death, Americans rise to the occasion. But only so long as these can be turned into a cause, of sorts: a cause for waving the flag and waxing patriotic about how great we are, as a people and a country — a cause, ultimately, for uniting against a common enemy. Because without our enemies, we'd be nothing.
I say this not to dishonor the victims of this horrible tragedy, but because it is incomprehensible that the American people have not embraced, with an equal degree of passion and mourning, the estimated 738 innocent American lives that have been lost — due to the simple inability to afford medical care — since the November 5th shooting rampage at Fort Hood.
Traditionally, Americans don't rally around common enemies like poverty, racism or injustice. Quite the opposite, in fact. Our enemies are whatever bogeyman currently embodies our centuries-long hatred of other races, of other cultures, and most especially of non-Christians. And — as we learned during the Bush-Cheney Administration — it makes no difference whether these enemies are real or imaginary. The important thing is that we have them.
Without our enemies, around whom would we unite? Against what would we fight? What would be our common cause? Certainly not a reverence for the living.
If we've learned nothing from the health care wars of 2009, it's that here in American, there are some folk who wouldn't give a slug nickel to buy a poor man 5 minutes with the doctor — and who would, in fact, fight to the death to ensure he doesn't get a red cent. By no coincidence, these are the same folk who have proved they don't give a rat's ass how big the price tag, when it comes to war.
The proof of this is in the pudding of the last 8 years. The rabid mobs who took to the streets this summer in protest against health care reform are the same folk who raised nary a squeak over the trillions of their grandchildrens' futures that were mortagaged by Bush, Cheney & Co. Not a single pip was heard over the trillions that have been squandered to foot the bill for two wars that were waged on false pretenses and lies — wars which have accomplished little more than generating new armies of enemies, while making billionaires out of oil men, defense contractors and the myriad other for-profit agents of modern warfare.
And in the wake the shootings at Fort Hood, we've learned something else. Americans easily unite to shed tears and decry the tragedy of 13 soldiers whose lives were brutally cut short by an irrational act of insanity. Yet we, as a people, are unable to extend this same level of sadness and outrage over the 123 Americans whose lives are brutally cut short each and every day — lives that could be saved, were these human beings simply given access to medical care.
In America, we readily unite around our wars, our enemies and our soldiers. We generously open our pocketbooks to bullets and bombs and missiles. And we turn a blind eye to the repercussions of our purchases — millions maimed and slaughtered, falsely imprisoned and tortured, the women and children forced by American mercenaries into servitude and sex slavery, the uncounted number of babies born grossly deformed and dead in the wake of our depleted uranium bombs. Even as we don't dare look our deeds in the eye, we rejoice in their righteousness.
Yet, we fracture at the prospect of peace; ridicule peacemakers as weak; label them "terrorist appeasers." We resent humanitarian causes, squabble over whose job it is — and isn't — to protect and care for the sick, the oppressed, the hurt, the weak and the hungry.
It should come as no surprise, then, that we were unable, as a country, to unite during the summer of 2009 to ensure that — never again — would any American citizen suffer fear, hunger, destitution, bankruptcy or homelessness due to medical bills — or, worse, that any American citizen would die for simple a lack of money to pay for medical care. It should come as no surprise, but yet it caught us all by surprise to find our nation split in two, with many citizens taking to the streets with guns and threats of violence, sedition, assassination and lynching.
Could it be that — for all our claims of being a godly nation — the moral pulse of our country is driven less by love than by hatred? Could this be the reason why Christians want to embed their religion into our laws, post their commandments in our national parks, plaster their piety on bumper stickers — cramming their hypocritical holiness down the throat of every non-Christian — so that we may, as a country, legitimize greed, ignorance, fear and intolerance? So that we may, on paper, divide the godly from the godless — and, in doing so, elevate our wars, our hatreds, and our petty missions into something they're not? Is this why — whenever our leaders have attempted to pass legislation to protect people from racism, discrimination, lynching and hate crimes, or to protect the earth, feed the hungry or heal the sick — the Christians are the ones who take to the streets, armed to the teeth in protest?
Could this be the reason why the American people seem almost obsessed with the need to know that the tragedy in Texas was not a random act of insanity but was, indeed, the long hand of the Muslim bogeyman reaching out to get us?
Here, the tension is palpable. Patriotic Americans everywhere are waiting with bated breath — flags in hand — for the answer to that question. The media and our leaders wait with us, their fingers on the trigger, ready at a moment's notice to shoot the answer to this all-encompassing question: Was Nidal Hasan's shooting rampage part of a *gasp* Muslim terrorist plot?
They hope the answer is yes.
They hope the answer is yes: permission granted to loathe and fear Muslims. Permission granted to believe that all Muslims are secretly planning to wage jihad against America. Permission granted to label all Muslims — and anyone who resembles, sympathizes or socializes with Muslims — as terrorists. Permission granted to elevate them all to the status of enemy. And because all foreigners look alike to Americans, permission granted to fear and loathe all foreigners.
They hope the answer is yes. Otherwise, Nidal Hasan's rampage wouldn't be so different than that of a disgruntled, white Protestant American worker who — perhaps suffering one more ounce of burden, stress or perceived injustice than he could handle — simply snapped. He succumbed to insanity; we went "postal" and slaughtered innocent people.
By the same token, what if Nidal Hasan were, indeed, on a self-appointed mission from God? Americans have never, in the wake of similar tragedies, waged war against postal workers or factory workers. Nor have they persecuted Christians in the wake of crimes by men such as Timothy McVeigh, Jim Jones, Warren Jeffs and others who have committed equally heinous acts, including mass murder, under the delusion that they were on a mission from God:
Gog and Magog are at work in the Middle East…. The biblical prophecies are being fulfilled…. This confrontation is willed by God, who wants to use this conflict to erase his people's enemies before a New Age begins." — George W. Bush in early 2003, before the US-led invasion of Iraq began, speaking to French President Jacques Chirac, in the hope of drawing his country into the "coalition of the willing."
I am driven with a mission from God. God would tell me, 'George go and fight these terrorists in Afghanistan'. And I did. And then God would tell me 'George, go and end the tyranny in Iraq'. And I did. — George W. Bush four months after the U.S. led invasion of Iraq, speaking before a Palestinian delegation in Egypt during the Israeli-Palestinian summit, four months after the US-led invasion of Iraq began.
As the child and grandchild of World War veterans, I am grateful to those who lay their lives on the line to protect America and our allies from real enemies. But being an American does not commit me to leave my mind and my conscience on the doorstep every time the decision is made to go to war. History has already shown — and one day the history books will catch up: America's invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan — be they Christian crusades, wars for oil, or a crude mix of the two — were unnecessary and avoidable.
Had the shoe been on the other foot — had, say, Timothy McVeigh et al been accused of flying suicide planes into the heart of Afghanistan, we would have responded exactly as the Taliban did in the wake of 9-11: Show us the evidence that these people committed this horrible crime, and we will turn the criminals over to the courts for prosecution. Specifically, America was told:
"Punishment must only be brought once clear evidence of the crime has been established, and that must come through the relevant judicial channels."
Judicial channels. What a novel concept. The Bush cabal cast such quaint notions aside, in what was to be their first successful abuse of the "state secrets" priviledge to deny accountability for their actions. To provide evidence that al Qaeda was responsible for 9-11 would have been "in conflict with the imperative of keeping intelligence information secret."
"The United States is going to do nothing that jeopardises the investigation," opined Condi Rice.
"The American people take encouragement from the fact that this government will not have loose lips," bragged White House spokesman Ari Fleischer.
But "In the near future," promised Colin Powell, "we will be able to put out a paper, a document, that will describe quite clearly the evidence that we have linking him to the attack." Of course, these documents never materialized. And the American people, it seems, didn't really care, anyway.
And as the 8 years wound on, around the world, in dark, secret places, America accumulated prisons full of accused bogeymen — prisoners for whom, we were assured, the normal judicial channels and international law didn't apply. Indeed, to have provided things like evidence, formal charges and jury trials against any man on the planet accused of terrorism would have also been "in conflict with the imperative of keeping intelligence information secret." These bogeymen were so very bad, that they didn't even deserve the normal channels of justice. In fact, these men were so evil that the only way to proving their crimes was to torture them into making confessions.
Imagine a court of law in Podunk, USA pronouncing a man guilty of murder, yet refusing to allow the evidence of his guilt, based on the argument that to do so would jeopardize the police investigation. Or that the only way to proving his guilt was to torture him — beat him, starve him, keep him awake for weeks on end, cut his genitals, rape him with broom handles, suffocate him with water, threaten to torture or kill his wife, his sons, his daughters — whatever means were necessary to making him 'fess up.
It would be equally unjust, under the scenario above ( with Timothy McVeigh being accused of flying a suicide mission into the heart of Afghanistan) if Afghanistan simply refused to follow judicial channels and, instead, chose to invade American soil and kill tens or hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children. Or if Afghanistan were to go on a worldwide crusade to round up and imprison whatever Christians they deemed terrorists. No evidence necessary, of course, beyond whatever confessions could be extracted under torture. After all, as we now know, Christians can and do commit heinous crimes under the delusion that they are on a mission from God.
My heart goes out to the victims and the families who suffered from the brutal violence and murders commited by Nidal Hasan at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009. My gripe is not with those who fight real enemies. My gripe is with people who hurt innocent people. My gripe is with those who try to elevate ignorance, fear, intolerance, indifference, greed and violence into something they are not. Namely patriotism, capitalist enterprise, or a mission from God. There is nothing noble or heroic in murdering or allowing harm to come to innocent people, no matter what your religion, nationality or office, and no matter how justifiable your fear, anger or rage.
A blind reverence to those institutions and individuals who claim license to kill innocents flies in the face of all gods. Obama got that much right yesterday.
No faith justifies these murderous and craven acts. No just and loving god looks upon them with favor. — President Obama, speaking at the Fort Hood memorial service on November 10, 2009
Similar words were spoken 3 years ago, by the United States Conference for the World Council of Churches, in their criticism of the Bush Administration's response to the 9/11 attacks:
We are citizens of a nation that has done much in these years to endanger the human family and to abuse the creation. Our leaders turned a deaf ear to the voices of church leaders throughout our nation and the world, entering into imperial projects that seek to dominate and control for the sake of our own national interests. Nations have been demonised and God has been enlisted in national agendas that are nothing short of idolatrous.
by Mantis Katz for canarypapers


text:
Get 5% OFF and receive the latest fashion & tech news
Wonderful! You have been added to our newsletter mailing list!
As a new member of the Ashley Chloe community, we're giving you an exclusive 5% OFF discount code on your next Helix Cuff purchase on our online store (Code: AC5). You'll also be the first to receive discounts, giveaways, and the latest fashion news.
Ashley Chloe


text:
So good I bought a second one!
A high quality base layer forms the foundation of your cycling outfit, even in warm weather, and the Craft Zero Extreme Windstopper base layer adds superior wind protection for beating the chill.
Swedish company Craft add a Gore Windstopper membrane to the chest panel of this base layer, which adds impressive protection against the wind. With wind protection next to the skin, it frees you up from having to wear a windproof outer layer and gives you a little more versatility.
The rest of the base layer is made from a polyester fabric with channels to help breathability with good air movement, and it's very soft next to the skin.
The fit is very good, but the Windstopper membrane lacks much in the way of stretch so it produces a slightly tighter fitting base layer. Once on though, it's very comfortable, with a tapered torso and short sleeves, and a comfortable collar.
It's been a good choice for the crazy spring weather with its rain one minute, heatwave the next. Because the base layer provides such good protection from the wind, I've been getting away with a long sleeve jersey over the top and coped where I would typically reach for a gilet to keep the wind at bay. For that reason the Craft base layer means you can wear fewer layers which is undoubtedly more comfortable.
The Zero Extreme is really a good choice for autumn right through to spring. Even as the weather has started warming up I've still found it a good choice on blustery days when the wind can provide a chill.
It costs a bit more than a regular short sleeve base layer because you're paying for the Windstopper material. The flexibility of clothing options it provides you with, not to mention the protection from the cold wind, makes it a very versatile choice. It's a premium base layer and does work very well, and is ideal for spring weather.
Versatile wind-cheating base layer that earns its keep.
If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website
road.cc test report
Make and model: Craft Zero Extreme Windstopper short sleeve
Size tested: Medium
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
Developed to keep you at the optimal temperature throughout any workout in fair , cold and windy conditions. Be Active Extreme Windstopper® is made of a thin, lightweight and elastic micro polyester fabric and Gore Windstopper® panels. The polyester combines CoolMax Extreme and Thermolite fibers to provide excellent moisture transport and body temperature management. The Windstopper® panels are placed in exposed areas and move individually, providing wind protection and freedom of movement simultaneously.
Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?
Windstopper® Front and shoulder panels
Seamless torso
Ergonomic fit
Soft feel
Temperature range: 0° to 10° Celsius
Top notch.
Fantastic, removes the need for a gilet on windy days. Good in the winter too.
No concerns here.
The polyester is very comfortable but the Windstopper membrane does prove a little restrictive when pulling it on.
It's more expensive, but then if you factor in the cost of the gilet it can essentially replace, it's not so bad.
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well, combining Windproof performance into a base layer is the work of a genius.
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
The Windproof front panel.
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
Nothing really.
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes.
Would you consider buying the product? Yes.
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.
About the tester
Age: 31 Height: 180 Weight: 67
I usually ride: My best bike is:
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert
I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,
David has worked on the road.cc tech team since July 2012. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds.
4 comments
I have a couple to, they are probably the best single item I have in my extensive cycling wardrobe. Even wore mine last Sunday when although it was 20c there was a cool wind, I knew if I went with a normal base layer I'd have a gilet on most of the day so used this instead and was comfy the whole ride in it + s/s jersey


text:
The Renaissance Center was completed in 1981 in an effort to revitalize the Detroit riverfront and downtown. This group of buildings is one of the largest office complexes in the world and the center hotel tower is the tallest hotel skyscraper in the Western Hemisphere. In 2004, a General Motors renovation included the construction of an atrium and plaza, which became part of Detroit's RiverWalk, an extended park-like area.
For more information, go to:
The United States is one of the most diverse countries on earth, jam packed full of amazing sights from St. Patrick's cathedral in New York to Mount Hollywood California.The Northeast region is where it all started. Thirteen British colonies fought the American Revolution from here and won their independence in the first successful colonial rebellion in history. Take a look at these rolling hills carpeted with foliage along the Hudson river here, north of New York City.The American south is known for its polite people and slow pace of life. Probably they move slowly because it's so hot. Southerners tend not to trust people from "up north" because they talk too fast. Here's a cemetery in Georgia where you can find graves of soldiers from the Civil War.The West Coast is sort of like another country that exists to make the east coast jealous. California is full of nothing but grizzly old miners digging for gold, a few gangster rappers, and then actors. That is to say, the West Coast functions as the imagination of the US, like a weird little brother who teases everybody then gets famous for making freaky art.The central part of the country is flat farmland all the way over to the Rocky Mountains. Up in the northwest corner you can find creative people in places like Portland and Seattle, along with awesome snowboarding and good beer. Text by Steve Smith.


text:
Upcoming Events
View Full Calendar
If you were to die today, would you spend eternity with God in Heaven? It is the most important question you will ever answer.
God loves you so much that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to ensure that you would have a way to spend eternity with Him. The Bible tells us in 1 John 5:13, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God: that ye may know that ye have eternal life and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
Click here to learn more about God's free gift of salvation.
Our purpose is to reach our community, our state, and the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The world needs to hear that God is good, Heaven is real, and that forgiveness and an eternity living with God is possible through his Son, Jesus Christ Through Bible-preaching and discipleship, we desire to help individuals grow spiritually, to please God, and to learn to live an abundant life.
Visiting a new place can be an unsettling experience, but we want you to feel welcome and at home. Our prayer is that you find a loving church family that strives to glorify the Lord. We want you to experience Christ-honoring, traditional music, honest preaching from the Bible, and friendly people. Please contact us if you have any questions or to learn more about visiting Faith Baptist Church.
Copyright 2015, Faith Baptist Church | Wesley Chapel, FL