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Vol: 3 • Issue: 12 • December 2013 [contribute] [archives]
Cross-language editors, election predictions, vandalism experiments
With contributions by: Daniel Mietchen, Maximilian Klein, Piotr Konieczny and Tilman Bayer
Cohort of cross-language Wikipedia editors analyzed[edit]
Analyzing edits to the then 46 largest Wikipedias between July 9 and August 8, 2013, a study[1] identified a set of about 8,000 contributors (labeled multilingual) with a global user account who have edited more than one of these language versions (excluding Simple English, which was treated separately) in that time frame. It tested five hypotheses about cross-language editing and editors and looked, for instance, at the proportion of contributions that any of these Wikipedias receives from multilingual editors versus contributions from those only editing one language version. The research found that Esperanto and Malay stick out with a high proportion of contributions from multilinguals, and on the other end, that Japanese has few contributions from multilinguals. Overall, in terms of edits per user, multilingual users made more than twice the number of contributions to the study corpus than monolinguals did; they often work on the same topics across language; and in any given language, they are frequently editing articles not edited by monolinguals during the one-month period analyzed here. They thus serve a bridging function between languages.
Two existing write-ups are good starting points to putting the study in context.[supp 1][supp 2] In the long run, it would be interesting to extend the research to (a) cover a longer time span, (b) include contributions from non-registered users, despite technical difficulties, (c) include smaller Wikipedias, and (d) explore the effects of that bridging function in more detail, perhaps in search for ways to support its beneficial effects while minimizing the non-beneficial ones. It would also be interesting to focus on some aspects of those multilingual users (e.g. how do the languages they edit in match with the languages they display on their user pages) or their contributions (e.g. how do their contributions to text, illustrations, references, links, templates, categories or talk page discussions differ across languages, or how contributions from multilinguals differ across topics or between pages with high and low traffic – or to entertain ideas for a multilingual version of editing tools like User:SuggestBot. The paper is one of the first to make use of Wikidata; comparing such cross-lingual Wikipedia contributions with contributions to multi-lingual projects like Wikidata and Commons may also be a fruitful avenue for further research. (See also earlier coverage of a CSCW paper about a similar topic: "Activity of content translators on Wikipedia examined")
Attempt to use Wikipedia pageviews to predict election results in Iran, Germany and the UK[edit]
A new paper on arXiv asks the question "Can electoral popularity be predicted using socially generated big data?"[2] Operating on the assumption that 'sentiment data is implied in information seeking behaviour,' the authors Yasseri and Bright compare Wikipedia page views and Google search trends to election outcomes in Iran, Germany and the UK. In Iran and the UK, where the researchers were able to use the articles of individual politicians, the page view and search trend data correctly pick the winners of the elections. In the UK, the data polled even correctly picks the orders of the runners-up, but the same is not true for Iran. In the German case, no correlation is found between search data and election results. Yasseri and Bright defer to the argument from previous studies on Twitter prediction that conclude that the sample data is too self-selecting. Overall, it is shown that "people do not simply search in the same proportions that they vote." Still the researchers note that these techniques react "quickly to the emergence of new 'insurgent' candidates."
Integrity of Wikipedia and Wikipedia research[edit]
A book titled Confidentiality and Integrity in Crowdsourcing Systems contains a chapter on the integrity of the English Wikipedia as a case study of integrity management in crowdsourcing systems.[3] To test the integrity of Wikipedia, they first tried to start a new article with "invalid content" (it got deleted) and then turned to vandalizing pages systematically, both of which violates Wikipedia policies (cf. Wikipedia:Vandalism). They noted that simple cases were caught by automated counter-vandalism tools (ClueBot and XLinkBot, whose user pages – one of them with a typo – are the only references cited in the chapter), whereas more subtle cases ("incorrect information containing words related to the page's topic" or adding external links present in related Wikipedia articles) were not. No indication was given as to whether these inappropriate edits had later been removed (by the authors themselves or by other users), nor what the affected pages were or what IP address(es) they had used to make those edits.
In a next step, the authors went through dumps of the English Wikipedia from 2001 to 2011 and analyzed revision histories for "100 good and featured articles" (which refers to Wikipedia:Good articles and Wikipedia:Featured articles – later, they call this set "high-quality articles") and "100 non-featured articles" (by which they mean neither good nor featured – later, they refer to this set as "low-quality articles"). In this sample (of which no further details are given), they observed that the number of contributions to high-quality articles is about one order of magnitude higher than that of low-quality articles and "that there is a highly active group of contributors involved from the creation of high quality articles until present", while most editors to low-quality articles never contributed to those pages again. They then looked at revert rates, at the overlap between sets of top contributors to a given article across years, and at the range of topics edited by top contributors to an article, observing that "the top contributors have become the owners of high quality articles and their engagement has increased" (which runs contrary to WP:OWN), "[T]his results in higher quality for a small portion of articles in Wikipedia" and "[T]op contributors of high quality articles are more like- minded than the top contributors of low quality articles", concluding "that the main difference between low quality and featured articles is the number of contributions."
From that, they venture into extrapolating to crowdsourcing systems more generally: "[w]e observe that to have higher integrity in crowdsourcing systems, we need to have a permanent set of contributors who are dedicated for maintaining the quality of the contributions to the articles. For systems with open access such as Wikipedia, this can be a huge burden for the permanent editors. Therefore, we need new mechanisms for coordinating the activities in a crowdsourcing information system." No discussion of these new mechanisms is offered.
The chapter has a few simple tables and plots but no link to the underlying data nor the code used for the analysis, nor links to relevant literature or Wikipedia policies, but it is paywalled behind a price tag of $29.95 / €24.95 / £19.95. Given that the experimental edits to Wikipedia actually damaged the project, it is hard to imagine that an ethical review panel involving Wikipedians might have approved the study in that form. In fact, such a panel does exist in the form of the Research Committee, which had not been contacted about the project. Considering further that the conclusions of the study are not new, their possibly interesting implications for crowdsourcing more generally are not discussed and neither the paper nor its materials are available to those concerned about the integrity of Wikipedia, it is hard to see any benefit of this study that would outweigh the damage it caused (cf. earlier coverage: "Link spam research with controversial genesis but useful results", "Traffic analysis report and research ethics").
"How we found a million style and grammar errors in the English Wikipedia"[edit]
The abstract[4] of a keynote talk with this title at the upcoming FOSDEM conference reports on the application of "Language Tool", an open source grammar-and-style error checker for multiple languages – including English, German and Polish – that has been in development since 2003, to Wikipedia articles (example). Its method is like regular expressions except it takes into account parts-of-speech. When it was applied to 20,000 English Wikipedia articles, 37,000 errors were found. However, the false positive rate was high, as only 29 of 200 manual inspections were human validated. Begging the question, does Wikipedia need to be grammar and style checked differently from other texts?
"Evaluation of gastroenterology and hepatology articles on Wikipedia"[edit]
In this paper,[5] the author was concerned about "the tendency of medical students to use Wikipedia as their preferred learning resource", so he and his assistants assessed 39 articles on topics related to gastroenterology and hepatology for a number of quality indicators (e.g. length, depth, accuracy, readability, number of tables or illustrations, topicality of listed references, missing important references). He concludes that "Wikipedia is not suitable for medical students as a learning resource for gastroenterology and hepatology topics" and suggests they turn to the peer-reviewed literature instead. The study is hidden behind a paywall, which reflects current practice in the field and is one of the reasons why some of the articles in the study do not contain suitable illustrations. The article has been discussed at WikiProject Medicine but taking concrete action is difficult, as the details of the assessment are hidden further away in an appendix not available "ahead of print".
Overview of research on FLOSS and Wikipedia[edit]
A draft paper titled "Peer Production: A Modality of Collective Intelligence"[6] co-authored by one of the pioneers of peer production/collaborative intelligence research, Yochai Benkler, discusses some of the developments in this field, using Wikipedia as one of several case studies, alongside free software (FLOSS). The paper, in essence, is a literature review of the fields of "organization, motivation, and quality" of peer production.
In battle over Walt Whitman's sexuality, Wikipedia policies "tamed the mass into producing a good encyclopedia entry"[edit]
The revision history and talk page of the Wikipedia article on American poet Walt Whitman are examined closely in a paper[7] by three scholars from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), two of whom have previously published research on Whitman themselves. The authors focus on how Wikipedians covered Whitman's sexual orientation, which "has been settled in a particularly ambiguous way" in the academic literature. The paper examines the talk page discussions on this aspect and how they were influenced by Wikipedia policies on e.g. original research, neutrality and verifiability, and concludes: "Significantly, and perhaps ironically, Wikipedia's evolving editorial codes have resulted in a Whitman page that, while curtailing open accessibility, or at least free-form contributions [the article has been semi-protected since 2008], generally reflects the nuance and complexity of the scholarly consensus regarding Whitman's sexuality. In this regard, Wikipedia has instituted something like the professional standards to which all scholars are subject: peer review, citations, and at least an affected tone of neutrality. Contrary to its democratic origins, Wikipedia has, at least in this case, tamed the mass into producing a good encyclopedia entry".
Elinor Ostrom's theories applied to Wikipedia[edit]
A French-language paper[8] in Management et Avenir (Management and Future) by two researchers from the University of Montpellier applies Nobelist Elinor Ostrom's analysis of self-organizing systems to the governance of Wikipedia.
New dissertation on Wiktionary[edit]
Wiktionary, "currently the largest collaboratively constructed dictionary project", is the subject of a dissertation at the TU Darmstadt[9] (cf. earlier coverage of publications by the same author and his doctoral adviser: "Can Wiktionary rival traditional lexicons?", "Wiktionary and OmegaWiki compared")
- ↑ Hale, Scott A. (2013). "Multilinguals and Wikipedia Editing". arXiv:1312.0976
- ↑ Taha Yasseri; Jonathan Bright (2013). "Can electoral popularity be predicted using socially generated big data?". arXiv:1312.2818
- ↑ Ranj Bar, A. (2014). "Confidentiality and Integrity in Crowdsourcing Systems". SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology. p. 59. ISBN 978-3-319-02716-6. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-02717-3_6.
ignored (help) - ↑ https://fosdem.org/2014/schedule/event/how_we_found_600000_grammar_errors/ (abstract only)
- ↑ Azer, S. A. (2014). "Evaluation of gastroenterology and hepatology articles on Wikipedia". European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology 26 (2): 155–63. PMID 24276492. doi:10.1097/MEG.0000000000000003.
- ↑ Benkler, Yochai, Aaron Shaw, and Benjamin Mako Hill. "Peer Production: A Modality of Collective Intelligence". (draft paper) http://mako.cc/academic/benkler_shaw_hill-peer_production_ci.pdf
- ↑ Jason Stacy, Cory Blad, and Rob Velella. "Morbid Inferences: Whitman, Wikipedia, and the Debate over the Poet's Sexuality". Polymath: An Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences Journal, Vol. 3, No. 4, Fall 2013 https://ojcs.siue.edu/ojs/index.php/polymath/article/view/2857
- ↑ Bernard Fallery, Florence Rodhain. "Gouvernance d'Internet, gouvernance de Wikipedia : l'apport des analyses d'E. Ostrom". Management et Avenir, 65 (2013) 168–187, http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/92/05/08/PDF/2013_RMA.pdf (in French, with English abstract)
- ↑ Meyer, Christian M. Wiktionary: "The Metalexicographic and the Natural Language Processing Perspective". Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt Ph.D. Thesis], (2013) http://tuprints.ulb.tu-darmstadt.de/3654/
- Supplementary references:
Wikimedia Research Newsletter
Vol: 3 • Issue: 12 • December 2013
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I've been thinking: are Daft Punk the most universally adored dance act of the modern age? Whereas peers like The Prodigy and The Chemical Brothers are more than happy to play anywhere with a big enough field and accessible glowstick warehouse, there has always been something ephemeral about Daft Punk that set them apart from the herd. The legend, the myth, the robot personas, the ability to reach across the divided tribes to make rock fans, indie kids, dance heads and casuals salivate at the very mention of their name. In keeping a fleeting sense of unattainability, they have maintained their aura in a world where dance acts sprout and die in the span of a season. Yet their recording career is curiously unbalanced. Few with correctly aligned ears and a handful of brain cells would deny that 1997's debut Homework is anything besides a classic call-to-arms for a genre which had sat apathetically scratching its head since Acid House. And though its heart of melting, shimmering synth-pop initially polarised opinion, 2001's Discovery has grown pleasantly into its own skin over the years. 2005's Human After All however, was horribly misconceived. An aimless, wandering and vacuous collection of half-conceived loops and cyclical motifs, it lacked any notion of warmth, heart or soul.
Five years later, they return from the mist. Tron: Legacy is, of course, the soundtrack to this December's sequel to 1982's sci-fi classic. As such, these tracks should realistically be impossible to appraise without the benefit of the cinematic action they will accompany. But the highest compliment that can be paid to the album is that in isolation, it retains a profound musical and emotional spectrum that dazzles and delights throughout. By adapting their sound, scope and personality, Daft Punk defy convention to create a record that is as beautiful as it is intelligent and in doing so, finally come of age as genuine artists. Yes, it is fundamentally a soundtrack and should be appreciated in that light. Even so, its coherence as a standalone body of work is nothing short of breathtaking.
Recorded with an 85 piece orchestra, Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo have crafted a record that vibrates with the energies of both past and future tenses. If you're looking for an album stocked with anthems, you'll leave disappointed. Tron: Legacy relies on the swell, the build; anticipation for the moment of clarity. For one, the first third of the album consists of compacted vignettes of tension, mostly lasting less than two minutes. And on listening, the main surprise is how much the album eschews immediate gratification in place of slowly unfurling, multi-layered classical ambiences and atmospherics. The second surprise is just how sensitively, cerebrally and touchingly these arrangements are developed and executed: Daft Punk can score and arrange majestically. A case in point is the gorgeously flowering 'Adagio for Tron' where the puzzle pieces of strings slide slowly and poignantly together with utter conviction, so much so that you half expect to hear Maria Callas breaking in through the gilded, gliding notes. But within and between the passages of the record, Daft Punk never quite forget their electronic genotype. And this clash of cultures is what makes Tron: Legacy so relevant and engaging. Within the delicate architecture runs a threatening undercurrent of dark chords and uneasy bleeps, the crackles and hisses of static electricity threatening to explode at any second. And when they do flick the red switch, the eventual deployment of their heavy artillery proves a stunning, synapse-prickling delight. This is used to quite astonishing effect on the pairing of 'End of Line' and 'Derezzed', when you suddenly find yourself wrenched from ambient textures and plunged headlong into a furious, unforgiving maelstrom of electronica, as good as anything they've ever created.
It is unnecessary to overanalyse specific tracks because this is a singular entity; a record where each ingredient compliments the other from first to last note. The strength is in numbers; the magic is in the contrast: the bipolar cloud of positive and negative charges. And its eventual denouement is a sheer masterclass of sonic precision and wire-strung tension (though hidden between the closing clatter sits one of the album's principal gemstones: the beautiful, Eno-brushed 'Arrival'). The final two tracks are a summation of the record's majesty. In beautiful contrast, you have the roaring electro kraken of 'End Credits' and the swelling classical wonderment of 'Finale'. Completely dissimilar; they are separated by 200 years of musical evolution. Yet they manage to sound perfectly mated and matched; brought together in a stunning, luminous juxtaposition.
What Daft Punk have done is to metaphorically cast off the robot masks for the first time and show their unadorned faces to the world. In taking two genres of music: classical and electronica (though electronica can, in effect, be considered the modern progression of classical music in its reliance on motifs, recurrent themes, dynamics and layering) and fusing them into a beautiful, elegant hybrid, they break new, mercurial ground for a mainstream dance act. Granted, we've had movie score composers such as Hans Zimmer and Vangelis attempt to meld the two, but never have we had the task so fluently handled by major league artists. In succeeding so immediately, unexpectedly and brilliantly in their goal, they laser-cut the inscription to their greatness in platinum. Tron: Legacy is a remarkable reminder of how electronic music can equal the emotional nuance and resonance of any ballad, torch song or symphonic pop track. Daft Punk have finally proved that after all, they indeed are human. And it is a wondrous, spellbinding epiphany.
9David Edwards's Score

subset: commoncrawl


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Ahh, the spring air is approaching and the cherry trees are blossoming! It's our favorite season here at Wild Curves. The hot hues that we love so much on our sexy dresses, tunics, and leggings are all around us now. Just look out your window or go for a relaxing stroll outside and peek at the colorful petals making their way out of the Spring buds on mocha branches. The hot hues engulf our eyes and the sweet breeze of the blossoming season seeps into our noses and lungs and we feel alive again. It's just about that time to put our warm coats and dark colors away and slip into lighter, brighter more invigorating looks, so we too can be as lively and fresh as mother nature. What will we wear this Spring? Creme Whites, Fuchsia Pinks, Sky Blues, Light Mochas, Tasty Turquoises, Rich Fire Orange and even our classics Midnight Indigos and Beauty Blacks. Slipping into Cottons, Silks, Linens and Nylons never feels as good as it does after the Winter Blues ends and the Spring Sunshine begins.
All posts tagged L33
April 3, 2016
Cherry Blossoming Spring Styles
Posted by doubledigitdiva on April 3, 2016


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How to configure Wireless MAC address filter on wireless router
This Article Applies to:
Step 1
Open the web browser and type http://tplinkwifi.net or IP address in the address bar (default is http://192.168.0.1 or http://192.168.1.1). Press Enter. The username and password are both "admin".
Step 2
Go to IP & MAC Binding->ARP List page, you can find the MAC address of the all the devices which are connected to the router.
Step 3
Go to Wireless->Wireless MAC Filtering page, click the Add New button.
Step 4
Type in the MAC address you want to allow or deny to access the router, and give a description for this item. The status should be Enabled and at last, click the Save button.
You need add items in this way one by one.
Step 5
At last, about the Filtering Rules, please choose Allow/Deny and Enable the Wireless MAC Filtering function.
Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.
Is this faq useful?
Your feedback helps improve this site.


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Some months ago, professor in Social Pedagogy Xavier Úcar approached Francesc Balagué and I and told us he was very worried: after many years working in the field of community action, the Internet had come and changed every definition we had on what a community was, and changed every definition we had on what interaction (or action) was too. He had just found out that community action might be lagging behind the pace of times. And he invited us to write a book on the new communities and how did they interact on the net, so that he and his colleagues could use it to catch up with new scenario after the digital revolution.
An appealing invitation as it was, we had grounded reasons not to accept it: one of us is a pedagogue specialised in instructional technology and the other one an economist specialised in the impact of ICTs and development. Thus, we knew almost nothing about community action, and only had a chaotic approach to new expressions of communities working together in the most different types of ways and goals. That is precisely the point
, stated professor Úcar.
Hence the heterodoxy of the inner structure of the book that has just seen the light. Acción comunitaria en la red (Community action in the net) is neither a book on community action nor a book with very clear ideas. It is, but, a book that invites the reader to think, to elaborate their own conclusions, and to find out which and whether these conclusions can be applied and how to their own personal or professional cases.
The full book has been written by 15 authors and presents 8 case studies that depict and analyse how a specific community used the Internet and its different tools and platforms to share information, communicate amongst them, organize themselves and coordinate actions in order to achieve their particular goals. The structure of the chapters analysing the cases was totally free, but some relevant questions had to be answered somehow:
- What were the history, motivations, goals of the community?
- What led the community to use the Internet? How was the community articulated digitally? what provided the Internet that could not be found offline?
- How was the process of adoption of digital technologies, what tools and why?
- What happened to the sense of membership, identity, participation?
- What was the role of the mediator, facilitator, leader and how does it compare with an offline leadership?
- Is self-regulation possible? How was conflict handled?
- How is digital knowledge, experiences and learning "brought back" to the offline daily life and put into practice?
The cases are preceded by two introductory chapters, a first one on the social web and virtual participation, and a second on digital skills, as we thought some common background would help the reader to better understand some digital practices (and jargon). The book closes with what we, both authors, learnt during the preparation of the book and from reading other people's chapters. This concluding chapter can be used too as a guideline for the preceding cases.
Table of contents
From the official page of the book Acción comunitaria en la red at Editorial Graó.
- Introduction, Francesc Balagué, Ismael Peña-López.
- What is the Web 2.0? New forms of participation and interaction. Francesc Balagué.
- Brief introduction to digital skills. Ismael Peña-López.
- APTIC. A social networking site for relativos of boys and girls with chronic diseases and conditions. Manuel Armayones, Beni Gómez Zúñiga, Eulàlia Hernández, Noemí Guillamón.
- School building: new communities. Berta Baquer, Beatriu Busquets.
- Social networking sites in education. Gregorio Toribio.
- Networked creation and the Wikipedia community. Enric Senabre Hidalgo.
- Social networking sites in the Administration: the Compartim programme on collaborative work. Jesús Martínez Marín
- Local politics, organizations and community. Ricard Espelt
- Towards cyberactivism from social movements. Núria Alonso, Jordi Bonet.
- Mobile phones, virtual communities and cybercafes: technologicla uses of international immigrants. Isidro Maya Jariego
- Concluding remarks. Ismael Peña-López, Francesc Balagué
There is a lot of people to be thankful to for making the book possible.
The first one is Xavier Úcar. I have only seldom been granted such a degree of total confidence and trust, not only in my work but in myself as a professional. He was supportive and provided guidance to two ignorants in the field. He totally gave us a blank cheque and one of my deepest fears during the whole process was — and still is — to have been able to pay him back with a quality book. I really hope it has been so.
The authors of the case studies were just great. Some of us did not know each other and I can count up to three people which I still have to meet personally (i.e. offline). They also trusted in us and gave away a valuable knowledge and work that money won't pay. Many of them won't even make much use of adding a line on their CVs for having written a book chapter. I guess this is part of this sense of new communities that the whole book is talking about.
My gratitude (but also apologies) to Antoni Garcia Porta and Sara Cardona at Editorial Graó. I am fully aware that we made them suffer: we succeeded in transferring some of our chaotic lives to them when they had not asked to. Being an editor today must be both a thrilling and a difficult challenge. We all gave away time in the making of the book but the published they represent invested money too, and that is something that we quickly forget these days.
Last, but absolutely not least, it has been a real pleasure working with Francesc. I think we only met once during the whole process: when Xavier invited us to coordinate the book. Francesc then packed and went around the world for 14 months. Luckily he took his laptop and would connect every now and then. Our e-mail archive and Google Documents can testify that almost everything is possible if there is the will to do it.
And it was fun too. Oh, yes it was!


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Leading Web retailers such as Land's End and BMG Direct know a lot more about their customers than just their size, industry or geographical location. Instead, deeper knowledge of customer buying and behavior patterns allow the companies to respond to customers' changing needs in real time, more effectively targeting their offers and CRM resources.
The two companies are among the leaders in what some analysts are describing as the wave of the future. The Meta Group and its affiliate, IMT strategies, refer to this sales approach as "Customer Lifecycle Management" (CLM). The firms' recent study on the subject is based on 50 in-depth interviews with a sample of best-in-class CRM-user companies as well as a more generalized survey of almost 900 businesses.
"In a nutshell, CLM is using the customer as the design point for your business strategy," explains IMT's Steve Diorio, project director for the report. "The goal is to understand how various types of customers--be they individuals or businesses--want to be interacted with at each stage in the lifecycle. Once you have that understanding, you can tailor people, processes and technologies to respond to customers like never before."
Does this model represent the be-all-end-all? "No," asserts Michael Maoz of Gartner Group, which coined the phrase "Customer Relationship Planning" (CRP) to describe essentially the same paradigm. "CRP is essential in that it uses customer data to match an organization's resources with customer needs. In terms of grasping the concept, very few executives question the need for it. But actually getting there is an entirely different matter. A lot of things must happen before CRP can become reality."
Maoz predicts that most companies will spend the next few years planning CRP strategies but will continue to execute tactically--as they've done for years now--through at least 2005. "For some companies," he adds, "I even question whether they can ever bring this model to fruition, but it's what they should aim for."
stage 1: Put Technology Dots in Place
How will businesses evolve to a CLM model? For most, by playing a sort of grand-scale, corporate game of Connect-the-Dots. The "dots" are various technologies, processes and channels that must be integrated and optimized to render the big picture
Under the Meta/IMT scenario, the connect-the-dots strategy is a four-stage process. Right now, most companies are at stage 1, says Diorio. They can't link dots if the dots aren't there in the first place, so they've got to select and implement a mix of technologies that will meet their needs. The goal in doing so is to build what Meta and IMT refer to as a "CRM ecosystem," which consists of three categories of applications:
Meta Group's Liz Shahnam underscores that all three categories of applications are necessary to create a real CRM ecosystem and to ensure its balance. Given that such a mix represents a lot of underlying technologies, where should a company begin? As always, she says, with areas focused on the customer. These areas frequently represent the company's greatest pain points.
"Often companies have aging call centers or sales teams that have no way to track leads. In those cases, they should begin by deploying operational applications and then implement the analytics and collaborational pieces that go along with just that slice," she says. Such a piece-by-piece approach is far easier to digest--both strategically and financially--than is taking on everything at once.
stage 1 Challenges: Beyond hassles typically associated with software selection and implementation, companies must decide whether to purchase best-of-breed point solutions or to buy software suites. Analysts tend to prefer point solutions but acknowledge that cost can be prohibitive for mid-tier and small companies. Companies purchasing suites should still look to point solutions to address mission-critical areas.
stage 2: Link the Technologies
If deploying operational, analytical and collaborative applications gives a company the backbone for its CRM ecosystem, linking those systems is what makes the ecosystem hang together. This connecting of technology dots represents the second stage in progressing towards a CLM model, and to date, only a small percentage of firms have done so.
Some of the major cataloguers--like BMG and Lands End--are among the handful. They're using call center systems on the operational end, various Web technologies that are collaborative, and analytics that do marketing segmentation and create a personalized experience. "With these technologies integrated," explains Shahnam, "call center agents can see that you cruised the Web site and aborted your shopping cart. They can also see that you've been targeted for a campaign and so can ask if you'd like to buy the right sweater today."
Because it's so early in the game, most companies that have accomplished a degree of integration are hard-pressed to quantify benefits. "For many, the incentive for integrating in the first place wasn't so much to get ahead as it was for damage control," asserts Diorio. "So the benefits they're citing are soft--things like improved customer service, fewer e-mails falling through the cracks and those kinds of things."
stage 2 Challenges: As companies begin tying together applications within each category and then linking different technology categories together, cultural issues that separate departments and divisions within the organization will become apparent. Beyond these issues, companies will have to determine the extent to which various types of data should be integrated--a task that can be far more difficult than it sounds.
stage 3: Introduce Hybrid Selling
Once the technologies are integrated and a CRM infrastructure is in place, companies will be ready to advance to stage 3. This is where they pull their channels together to develop what Meta and IMT call "hybrid selling systems"--a highly coordinated mix of multiple channels that are managed dynamically to deliver both top- and bottom-line value.
"Down the road," asserts Diorio, "a hybrid approach will become inevitable for any business that expects to grow profitably and to effectively cover today's rapidly changing markets." IMT and Meta found that while most organizations currently have an average of three sales channels, they haven't figured out how to make these channels work together. The structures, policies and measurements they have in place aren't designed to support integration of the independent channels, nor can they adequately address the dynamic nature that channels exhibit.
"Sales channels are in a constant state of flux," explains Diorio. "They grow and contract at different rates, yet they are managed very statically." When channels are integrated and the integration is supported by a technology infrastructure, managing on the fly becomes much more feasible. The channels can truly work together towards a coordinated effort, and that's when companies begin to reap the real quantifiable benefits they've been seeking.
stage 3 Challenges: No pain, no gain--and companies are likely to experience pain as they begin pulling together their channel efforts. To minimize issues stemming from cultural differences and channel conflict, IMT recommends that managers do the following: define roles for specific channels within the selling process; create incentives for channels to work together; define specific boundaries for managing conflict; and create measurements and organizational approaches that reflect the new selling model.
Yet another big question mark for companies is the e-channel, which in most cases isn't ready to integrate with other channels yet. "E-channels need to stay in an incubator until companies better understand what they are and how to manage them," asserts Diorio. If companies jump the guns and put the Web on equal status with other channels too early, they stand to kill it.
stage 4: Execute CLM
As hybrid selling becomes reality, companies will begin progressing toward true CLM. Utilizing a combination of data pulled from their unified channel efforts and a host of analytical applications, they'll be able to identify specific behavior patterns throughout the client lifecycle. Then they can develop strategies for interacting with and responding to customers in real time, in accordance with those patterns.
"At this stage," explains Diorio, "we're no longer identifying clients in terms of vertical market, size or geography, but in terms of how they want to be serviced. We know how each will likely behave as we engage, transact with, service and support them, so we build a strategy of people, processes and technology using these behaviors as the design point.".
The CLM model represents the culmination of a lot of efforts and planning, meaning it won't be an overnight phenomenon. It's going to take time, and obviously, it's going to take money. "still," adds Diorio, "it is going to happen, and companies that want to maintain their competitive edge for the long-term should be planning for it now."
stage 4 Challenges: As Gartner Group's Michael Maoz points out, this new model implies reaching the right person in the right place at the right time with the right offer. "That represents a huge leap from where we are today. Boundary issues such as personalization, opt-in and data security have yet to be tackled. At the most basic level, companies must migrate from the tactical perspective they have today to actually seeking ways to build more effective customer relationships. While there's lots of lip service now, we see only select companies truly moving in that direction."
Chief Customer Officer
Given the numerous challenges inherent in moving from where we are now to the CLM model of the future, Meta's Liz Shahnam offers a final suggestion: Consider creating a new role--the Chief Customer Officer--to keep everything on track. "As the name implies, this role, be it an individual or a team, should be responsible for the customer," she says. "I'm not talking about customer satisfaction--that falls under the realm of the VP of Customer Service. I'm talking about everything that has to do with the customer being a design point for all efforts." Shahnam says that a handful of companies have already created such a position, and she expects more to do so in the future.
From a CLM perspective, "Last year was a planning year," concludes Shahnam. "This year is a doing and a spending year. We won't see full-scale integration yet, but it will be in the starting stages. Companies are beginning to realize that the only true competitive advantage is having a customer. Over time, that realization stands to overhaul the entire way they do business."


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There was a problem with your request
(Please do not include any account numbers, passwords, or sensitive data material)
By clicking "Submit" you agree to authorize Bank of America, N.A. to contact you at the telephone, email or direct mail contact data you have provided above for purposes of fulfilling this inquiry about mortgage financing, even if you have previously registered on a Do Not Call registry or requested Bank of America to not send marketing information to you by email and/or direct mail. You agree we may use automatic telephone dialing systems and prerecorded voice messaging in connection with calls or texts made to any telephone number you provide even if the telephone number is assigned to a cellular/mobile telephone service or other service for which the called party is charged. You understand that you are not required to consent to receiving autodialed calls/texts as a condition of purchasing any Bank of America products or services. If you do not wish to authorize Bank of America, N.A. to contact you in this manner, you will need to call the number provided on this form to complete your request.


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Primary Benefits
- Helps provide grounding and balanced emotions
- Helps ease stressful feelings
- Packaged for convenient application in a roll-on bottle
Wintergreen Leaf, Lavender Flower, Peppermint Plant, Frankincense Resin, Cilantro Herb, Marjoram Leaf, Roman Chamomile Flower, Basil Leaf, and Rosemary Leaf essential oils.
Aromatic Description
Fresh, mint, herbal
PastTense is a distinctive blend of essential oils known to help provide grounding and balanced emotions. Known for their soothing effects on both the mind and body, the essential oils in PastTense quickly, promote feelings of relaxation and calm emotions. PastTense comes in a convenient 10mL roll-on for easy application when at work, school, or home. Simply apply to the neck, shoulders, or behind the ears to help calm emotions while breathing in the cooling, distinctive aroma of PastTense.
- Massage into shoulders, neck, and back for a cooling, soothing sensation.
- Add to temples and back of neck before taking a test or presenting in public.
- Apply to the wrists while traveling to help calm emotions.
Directions for Use
Diffusion: Use three to four drops in the diffuser of your choice.
Topical use: Apply one to two drops to desired area. Dilute with doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to minimize any skin sensitivity.
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.
To purchase now, (retail pricing) click below:
If you would like to get wholesale pricing,
please email me at firstname.lastname@example.com or click below to join:


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Please visit our Open House at 511 1050 BOWRON CRT in North Vancouver.
Open House on Sunday, September 11, 2011 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Amazing and massive 2 bedroom, 2 bath gem. Made for entertaining indoors and out and room for all your house sized furniture. Fantastic outdoor space with views of the Islands, glimpses of downtown and North shore mountains. Each well laid out bedroom has its own ensuite and access to great outdoor space. Not like an apartment as it has a separate exterior entrance. Ample sized laundry room with work bench and storage as well as separate storage locker. This home comes complete with 2 parking stalls. Well run building with new exterior, elevated walkways and fencing. This unique home is a must see. Please call now for your exclusive viewing. Open House Sunday September 11 from 2-4 pm.


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Do you feel that now is the time to implement search engine optimization (SEO) for your website?
Would you like to leverage the internet to have 100s to 1,000s of additional customers:
- Landing on your site before a competitor?
- Trusting your content as an expert opinion?
- Giving you direct contact for more information?
If this is the case, you're going to benefit significantly from these free SEO tips.Professional search engine optimization comes at a heavy price, however the amateur can be effective with the SEO tips provided throughout this article. This information is meant for entrepreneurs, marketers, managers, and small business who would like to benefit from free SEO rather than spending thousands of dollars.
Upon completion of this article, you will be able to implement these SEO strategies on your website immediately in a step-by-step fashion.
These free seo tips encompass the fundamentals of boosting page ranking, and even the experienced internet marketer will probably benefit from the following information.
Free SEO Tip #1: Definition of a Keyword
Keyword [kee-wurd] n. – the words that your audiences will most likely input into a search engine
Newbie tip: Since "keywords" are the words that people search for in Google, each page should target a set of "keywords" most relevant to their product or service
Examples: If you're a local home remodeler, a target keyword for you may be "kitchen remodeling annapolis" – if you're a computer repair shop, a target keyword may be "laptop repair maryland"
Every business has a set of target keywords. The website should reflect each keyword on an individual basis, dedicating an optimized page for each one of them.
Free SEO Tip #2: Choosing the Best Keywords
In the industry, we refer to the activity described here as "keyword research" which is short for the process that best identifies the web real-estate a business will want to go after.
Here are some free SEO tips for performing "keyword research":
- Go to Google and perform a search for "Google Keyword Tool"
- After a brief brainstorm, input your suspected keywords into the tool. Avoid using geography, so if you are a small business consultant in Baltimore then just type "small business consultant".
- The tool will return a list of related keywords and how often each is searched for on a monthly basis.
- A great keyword has a combination of relevancy and search volume. The volume is provided for us generously by Google. The relevancy, however, requires the human element.
- Select 5-10 of the keywords with the most relevancy and highest search volume. You are now ready for the next step.
Free SEO Tip #3: Where to Put Keywords
There are different places on each page that should include the targeted keyword. This is information that we discuss in these free SEO tips as well.
We refer to these places as "SEO Points" and some of the most critical are:
- Page Title – search engines factor the page title heavily into their rankings
- Page URL – this is another crucial location for target keywords. If your page URLS resemble YourSite.com/services, you will want to consider adjusting them to something along the lines of YourSite.com/target-keyword-services
- Page Headline – this is a tricky part of SEO since it is important that the keyword be present, while at the same time remaining catchy and interesting to reader.
- Page Meta Description – It is of moderate importance to include keywords for search engines to pick up but, like the headline, a good meta description remains catchy and relevant.
- Page Copy – it is of extreme importance that a keyword be distributed throughout the actual visible copy of the page.
- Page Meta Keywords – although Google no longer considers meta keywords in their algorithm, smaller search engines still credit them so it doesn't hurt to input target keywords there as well
Free SEO Tip #4: Optimizing Your Site for KeywordsNow that you've targeted keywords and learned about the "SEO Points", it is not time to implement the changes which will yield a decent increase in the traffic and leads received by your site.
First, ask yourself, "Do I have pages on my site that already contain my target keywords?" and "Do these pages focus on my set of target keywords on an individual basis?"
If the answer to both of these questions is "yes", then modification of the SEO Points (titles, URLs, headlines, etc.) to include the target keywords is all that is required.
If the answer to either question posed above is "no", then just create new ones.
SEO Tips for Creating New Pages:
- Create one page per target keyword and include it in the SEO Points we've previously discussed.
- For the best results it is imperative that each page provides information that the reader is seeking. A short page with irrelevant information will do little to serve our purpose. Take some time and put yourself in the reader's shoes.
- A new page should be 300-500 words, including the target keyword 2-4 times throughout the page copy.
- Create a link from your homepage to the new page or else Google will never find it. Deciding where to link the page is important for SEO and is more of an advanced practice.
Of course, many of the strategies utilized by an advanced SEO professional have not been mentioned in this article and some of them can make a tremendous difference. However, if you were to follow all of the steps outlined for now…Even if you do nothing else…
They would likely result in an increase in traffic and leads as soon as a week from implementation. Expect a jump anywhere from 10% to 100% of the course of the next few weeks and months.
Free SEO Tip #5: Consult a Professional
It is our hope that if you need SEO for your site, but are on a tight budget, or are more of a do-it-yourselfer, that this post gets you started in the right direction for free SEO.
If you want to know more about the ideal way to write SEO Points, advanced keyword research analysis with behavioral search targeting, or content structure and architecture, you may contact me directly for more free SEO tips.


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15,000 busy New Yorkers have learned with NYC Guitar School's positive and supportive step-by-step programs and expert teachers. You can, too.
Looking to learn online? Click here.
Never held a guitar before? No worries! In just a few weeks, you'll be strumming along to your favorite songs!
Enjoy a structured, step-by-step approach in a friendly, supportive atmosphere. Beginner-advanced, lead, ensembles, bands and more.
Get results with undivided attention—at your level, on your schedule. Try a guitar lesson in our Midtown or Queens studio.
Take one-on-one lessons form one of our professional, patient teachers in your Manhattan home or office.
"I've became such a better guitarist since the pandemic, thanks to the online group classes and the ability to play so often—(your online videos too!) a combination of both plus my private lessons with Curtis, an incredible and dedicated teacher. Vinnie, Dylan, David K. and Gabriel are so passionate, it's a joy to learn in their groups, thank you for the quality of your teachers. Many thanks again for building such a wonderful community!"
"Flexible...Service oriented...Knowledgeable...Patient...Excellent...Accommodating...
Free resources, tools, and anything else you need to get there. Cannot recommend enough."
"I am a fan of your school and have been attending classes for about 2 1/2 years. I cannot begin to tell you what your online classes have meant to me during this pandemic. Your school and all that you offer has been a gift to me! It has helped me get through these hard times. That's a real blessing for me! Thank you."
"I have been taking lessons with Nick for over a year now. My weekly lesson has become the highlight of my week. The school is great and Nick is an awesome teacher. He can teach any song or style, breaking it down into easy to learn bits. So far I can play Redemption Song, Wish You Were Here, Proud Mary, San Tropez, and Summertime among others. He teaches me how to correct mistakes and drill down more challenging parts and has the answers to any music related questions that I have. I highly recommend Nick and The New York City Guitar School. It's the best money I have ever spent! Try it, I am sure you will agree!"
"Thank you NYC Guitar School for nine years of engaging, professional, and fun lessons and activities. Our son Austin has grown to love his Suzuki guitar lessons with the ever-patient, encouraging, and amazing Rob. The children in his weekly group class have bonded into an endearing group of young musicians. The Suzuki camp offered each year is always a highlight of summer vacation and consistently scores two thumbs up! It's hard to imagine a time when NYCGS wasn't part of our child's life. It has definitely made his life fuller and has filled our lives with beautiful music! We look forward to many more years at the school."
"I want to tell you that I know how much you put into changing the school into a mostly virtual learning situation. I am overwhelmed by what you've done. I have had a couple in-person lessons with Tia along the way which have felt so safe to attend and I know how much work you put into making that possible. But the weekly classes have been so great for me and I feel I have grown so much from them. They are so cleverly created and so expertly taught. I send you all my best and want you to know how much I appreciate everything your school have done in this difficult year and how much it has meant to me."
"I can honestly say that I've made more progress in six months than in the 2-3 years prior, trying to teach myself with apps and YouTube videos. The entire staff is awesome, and my teacher (Michelangelo) is excellent: patient, passionate, and personable. His curriculum always offers choices about what to play next, and it's music you actually know and like: no Greensleeves here. Unless, of course, you like Greensleeves. And then, there's the website: a cornucopia of resources, videos, charts, and good old motivation. Look no further: this is the guitar school you seek."
" I have been a student of the NYC Guitar School for quite some time, about 5 years. I absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this school. Recently, my classes have been moved online. Don't be afraid of online classes. They are just as amazing as the classes at the school! Both of my classes are group classes and the transition to online group classes was seamless. I am thrilled to be able to continue forward on my musical journey and the NYC Guitar School are the best guides I could ever ask for."


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MFJ-266 Discontinued!
Replaced by |
Meters & Test Equipment |
The MFJ-266 covers all bases -- from 160 meters through 6 meters, the FM broadcast band, air band, 2 meters, 70 cm, plus VHF/UHF commercial 2-way frequencies: The 10:1 vernier drive and solid state varicap makes fine tuning a breeze, and a built-in dial lock prevents accidental detuning while making measurements. Switched backlighting makes LCD screen easy-to-read in any light. The MFJ-266 requires eight AA NiMH or NiCad cells (not included), or may be operated from the optional MFJ-1312D power supply (see below). Compact 3 3/4W x 6 1/2H x 2 3/4D inches. Weighs 1.32 lbs. Draws 30 mA in counter mode and 140 mA in analyzer mode. Includes N-to-SO-239 adapter. |
Copyright 2012-2024, Universal Radio, Inc. |


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Step Up Your Career!
Dance Instructor Positions with Fred Astaire Dance Studios
The world of ballroom dance instruction continues to grow in popularity. In fact, there's never been a better time than now to consider an exciting and rewarding career with Fred Astaire Dance Studios as a certified dance instructor! We are always looking for outgoing, enthusiastic individuals to add to our winning team. At Fred Astaire Dance Studios, you'll be part of a warm and welcoming community that will inspire you and your students to reach new heights, feel and look confident, and have fun doing it! Our teaching philosophy is simple and straightforward: learning how to ballroom dance should always be fun! You'll instruct students of all ages and abilities, and help them realize their ballroom dancing goals, in a friendly and inspirational atmosphere.
- Competitive benefits, flexible schedule
- Great earnings potential
- Regional & National Pro-Am and Professional Dance Competitions
- Over $580,000 in annual Pro and Pro-Am prize money awarded
- Access to top-level dance coaches helps further your dancing skills
- Expert training programs develop your dance and business skills
- Go on to become a studio manager, supervisor – even a dance studio owner!
- Stable, creative & FUN work environment… since 1947
So what are you waiting for? Contact us today, to learn more about job openings across the United States. We look forward to hearing from you!


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Sheila Vander Wier
"My Sweet Scarlett"
Portrait of artist's granddaughter
- Sheila is an award winning international fine art artist and has been painting full time for six years. Her works have been accepted into prestigious Open Juried Shows in the GTA and in collections as far away as United States and Europe. She has exhibits in the Autumn Art sale at the McMichael Art Gallery and yearly in the Pelham Fine Art Festival, Carmel Fine Art and Music Festival, and the Buckhorn Fine Art Festival. Sheila can be found painting at her home Studio in Pelham, Ontario.


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Miranda Lambert Shows Off New Puppies…and New Husband
Miranda Lambert has been notoriously stingy about sharing photos of her new husband, Brendan McLoughlin, since giving fans a glimpse of their wedding photo back in February. However, the superstar gave fans a good head-on shot of her love Thursday (May 23) on social media, showing off something equally as cute as he is.
Scroll through the Instagram post above to see Lambert and McLoughlin holding a pair of adorable hound puppies who apparently showed up at their residence recently. "Meet Smoke and Bandit! They showed up at the farm last week and we're bringing them to #CMAFest to get adopted," notes Lambert. "No vacancy in our Mutt Motel! #FarmLife."
The pups are held by McLoughlin in the final photo, and he's got a beaming smile. It's no secret that his wife is a huge animal lover, having her own organization to help dogs like Smoke and Bandit. "Register at MuttNation.com to join us at the #MuttNationMarch on June 6 in Nashville to save more pups like them," she finished out her post.
Lambert's MuttNation will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, and will kick off Nashville's CMA Fest with a charitable walk beginning at 8:30AM local time from Nissan Stadium. Fifty-five dogs were adopted at last year's event. No husbands will be up for adoption, however!
MuttNation was founded by Lambert and her mom, Bev, in 2009. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to "promote the adoption of shelter pets, advance spay and neuter and educate the public about the benefits of these actions." MuttNation also works with transport partners to relocate animals under threat of euthanasia and during natural disasters.
These Country Singers Sure Love Their Dogs


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I know standing in line to get a visa is never fun, but was wondering if any Americans had experience getting a standard tourist "L" visa in Hong Kong.
I'm leaving on a RTW trip in less than two weeks and I plan on being in China around June. So I either need to get a 6 or 12 month multi-entry visa before I leave the USA - which would entail booking all my flights and accommodation and securing an invitation letter in the next few days - or just fly to Hong Kong before going to China in June.
Hong Kong seems like the simplest answer, but China usually doesn't allow Americans to get visas outside of their home country (HK seems to be an exception). I just wanted to know if any Americans had done it successfully.
Update: The Chinese Visa Office in HK currently has this notice on their website: "If you don't reside or work in Hong Kong permanently, you are required to apply Chinese visa from the Embassy or Consulate-General of Peoples' Republic of China in your resident country." It seems practices may have changed. Any Americans with experience care to contradict this? Link: http://www.fmcoprc.gov.hk/eng/zgqz/bgfwxx/default.htm


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Duplicate tip
This tip is very similar to the following:
These tips need to be merged – see the merge guidelines.
created 2004 · complexity basic · author Suresh Govindachar · version 6.0
The following mappings help to execute "things" in win98.
1) If you are editing a file (eg, html file) file and want to view it, the mapping \xf
will do it.
2) If you want to execute the string under the cursor (<cWORD>
The mapping \x
executes the <cWORD>
"as is", whereas the mapping \xl
executes it after pre-pending it with the full path to the current file.
Example for \xf
-- viewing an html file while editing it.
Example for \x
-- the string under the cursor can be a google search for the word mail on this web-site: http://www.google.com/search?q=mail+site:vim.sourceforge.net
(It can also be things such as the name of a file (foo.pdf, foo.bat) or directory etc.)
"The mappings: " eXecute File being edited nmap \xf :silent !start rundll32 url.dll,FileProtocolHandler %:p <CR> "eXecute string below cursor nmap \x :silent !start rundll32 url.dll,FileProtocolHandler <cWORD> <CR> " eXecute string below cursor after prepending it with path to file nmap \xl :silent !start rundll32 url.dll,FileProtocolHandler %:p:h/<cWORD> <CR>
Executing a directory works, but this is not a good usage of the mapping -- since it is better to edit a directory. See :help netrw-explore
Although the example given above about searching this web-site for "mail" does work with \x, there is a bug in rundll32 that prevents \x from working on url's that end with an actual file -- see VimTip394:
nmap \e :silent !start "c:\program files\internet explorer\iexplore.exe" -nohome <cWORD> <CR>
Because sometimes URLs can be within a pair of brackets or <>, I'm using the following mappings:
nnoremap <silent> <C-L>e \ :exe ':!start cygstart '. \ matchstr(expand('<cWORD>'), \ '\%(.\{-}\zs\%(news:\\|mailto:\\|ftp://\\|https\=://\)\)\=[^:;,<>]\+' \ )<CR> vnoremap <silent> <C-L>e \ <C-\><C-N>:let w:a_save=@a<CR>gv"ay \ :exe ':!start cygstart '.@a<CR>:let @a=w:a_save<CR>:unlet w:a_save<CR>
Note as filenames may contains spaces, I haven't tried to support file:///
See also script#293, which does similar things (not only for Windows).


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Internet Archive Link
Document Type
Publication Date
The COVID Long Term Care Facilities page was obtained from Michigan's COVID-19 data page: https://www.michigan.gov/coronavirus/0,9753,7-406-98163_98173-526911--,00.html.
This report is created by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services from data self-reported by long-term care facilities into EMResource. Data is updated on an ongoing basis.
The data below represents a cumulative total of confirmed COVID-19 resident cases, cumulative total of suspected and confirmed resident deaths, cumulative total of confirmed COVID-19 staff cases, and cumulative total of suspected and confirmed staff deaths reported by SNFs in Michigan since January 1, 2020. Case numbers are provisional and may change as facilities correct or add data.
In addition, residents and family members should understand that the presence of COVID-19 at a facility is no way an indicator of a facility that isn't following proper procedures. Families should always feel free to ask questions of the facility where their loved one resides, and if not satisfied, contact their local ombudsman.
File Format
In the reporting period between August 25, 2020 - September 1, 2020, 99 percent of skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) in Michigan reported data to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (note: new facilities are included in the following tables but do not have reporting capabilities at this time). Facilities that have completed partial reports are included in this figure. Data will be updated daily, Monday- Friday.
WMU ScholarWorks Citation
Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, "2020-09-01_MichiganOverview_COVIDlongtermcare" (2020). Michigan COVID-19 Long Term Care Data. 114.


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By Dr. James R. Richards
With heavy heart, I must inform you that Dr. Mew (aka, the Mewser, Mewie, Little Buddy,…), the beloved black-and-white "tuxedo" kitty who lived at the Cornell Feline Health Center for most of his almost 17 years, passed away on Monday morning, May 1, 2006. His pictures appear in many of our publications, and although he never had much patience with photographers, fast shutter speeds allowed us to capture his charming features—usually! He'd much rather stay in my office with me, typically less than an arm's length away in his own office chair or on my lap helping me type.
He'd been successfully battling inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for several years, but lately he experienced a dramatic downturn. An extensive diagnostic workup at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals confirmed what we'd feared: he'd contracted intestinal lymphoma, a not-uncommon consequence of feline IBD. In spite of the diagnosis, we were hopeful that he'd respond favorably to treatment. His particular form of the disease—low-grade T-cell lymphoma—is a highly treatable condition in cats. A good quality of life extending up to two years is a reasonable expectation, and the side effects of treatment are quite manageable. But such was not to be for the good Dr. Mew: His cancer progressed rapidly and likely began to affect other organs. (Rightly or wrongly, I chose not to have a post-mortem examination performed, so we'll never know for sure.) He fought bravely and was responding to treatment in promising fashion, but his condition rapidly deteriorated, and he suffered cardiac arrest during his stay in the intensive care unit.
Dr. Mew came to us in a rather unusual way, back in 1990. His mother was infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), and he and his littermates were donated to a veterinarian studying the virus here at Cornell. (And no, we no longer accept donations of kittens, so don't ask!) He and his littermates tested positive too, but since the virus had been discovered only a few years before, we were still learning about how commonly the virus is transmitted from infected mothers to their kittens. As it turns out, it happens rarely. Because FIV tests look for antibodies produced in response to infection, kittens of infected mothers usually test positive as well (from the antibody they ingest in the milk), but only temporarily. Dr. Mew had countless tests to make sure he was "clean" over the years, and he was indeed uninfected, as were his littermates.
We found homes for all the kittens, but the Cornell Feline Health Center got the pick of the litter. We'd been interviewing for a feline staff member, and he really settled into his job. The origin of his name? We held a name-the-cat contest, and for a small donation, members of the Center could offer suggestions. We were offered many cute potential names, but Dr. Mew was the one that fit the best: His personality matched the appellation.
Up until the end, he was happy to sit on my lap, purring contentedly as always. I think he still enjoyed being a cat and being with the people who loved him. I'm glad we gave him every possible chance to fight his disease. Euthanasia was not an option I considered; even though he felt quite ill, I don't believe he was suffering, and in many ways, he was improving and giving us hope. But, his last moments came and passed very quickly. He didn't really give us a chance to ease his going.
The staff of the Cornell Feline Health Center and I extend our gratitude to the numerous people involved in the Mewser's care. We are deeply appreciative of the skillful and dedicated faculty, staff, and students at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals who generously gave him their best. They make me proud to be a veterinarian and their colleague.
Ah, the Mewser. A wonderful cat for nearly 17 years, and the best officemate a human could have. My dear, dear friend, you will be missed…
Dr. James Richards, Director, Cornell Feline Health Center


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On approved credit (OAC). Rates subject to change without notice.
We can help you choose the mortgage type that suits you best. A few of the most common:
These mortgages can have fixed rates, or variable rates (which adjust with Bank of Canada Prime interest rates). To qualify for a conventional mortgage, you must have at least 20% of the purchase price of the home as your down payment.
If you have less than 20% of the total purchase price as a down-payment, you need a high-ratio mortgage. These mortgages must also be insured.
You can repay part or all of this mortgage any time without any prepayment fees.
A closed mortgage usually has a lower rate than an open mortgage. You can pre-pay up to 20% of the original mortgage amount. But there are costs to pay out early, renegotiate or refinance before the end of the mortgage term.
Find out about more types of mortgages or give us a call to inquire about the best mortgage to suit your needs.
When it comes to rates, the percentage makes a difference to how much you pay, but so does the type of rate.
Let us help get the best rate and type of rate for you.
The percentage interest that you pay on top of the loan principal. For example, you may take out a mortgage of $100,000 at a rate of 12%. Your monthly payments will consist of a portion of the original $100,000, plus 12% interest.
An interest rate that does not change during the entire mortgage term.
An interest rate that will fluctuate in accordance with the prevailing market prime rate during the mortgage term. There may be lender discounts with this type of rate.
See current rate information or give us a call to speak to us about rates .
Buying your first home is exciting – but can be stressful, too. We can make it easier as we explain your options, help you understand how much you can afford, and lead you through securing your first mortgage.
Start with this fact sheet, or contact us to ask questions.
Have you thought of using your mortgage as a tool to help you get on top of debts? With a lower rate than credit card debt, lines of credit and car loans, we can help you use your mortgage to manage debt.
Start with this fact sheet , or contact us to ask how it works.
Mortgage renewal can take a lot of your time. But shopping around for the best mortgage rates for you is worth it.
Durham Mortgage Centre agents can take care of the hard work so you can renew your mortgage easily and conveniently.
We're mortgage experts, but we draw on the knowledge of other experts in the field too. Here are just a few experts you may want to get to know.
Check out our growing collection of useful links.


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Patients can make their braces as individual as they are with the use of colorful bands and elastics! Some patients enjoy using colorful bands to show off their favorite team colors or school spirit. Others like coordinating their colors with an upcoming holiday or season. There are so many fun options to choose from, including patriotic colors, the rainbow, or your favorite color combinations - just to name a few!
To help you decide which colors you want, feel free to use this designer tool. Pick a color and click on the bands you'd like colored. You can choose multiple colors and preview your design before your appointment.


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Former President Donald Trump can return to Facebook. The social media company says in the coming weeks it will lift a ban it put in place more than two years ago after Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. But will Trump come back, especially now that the social media landscape looks very different? NPR's Shannon Bond is covering the story. Hi, Shannon.
SHANNON BOND, BYLINE: Hi there.
SHAPIRO: Remind us how Facebook made its decision in 2021 to suspend Trump's account.
BOND: Yeah, I mean, it happened just a day after the Capitol riot. They indefinitely suspended Trump because at the time, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said there was just too much risk of violence. Trump had posted praising the rioters. And not just Facebook but also Twitter and YouTube saw this as incitement, and he was kicked off all of these major platforms. And those decisions were just incredibly controversial. And in fact, for Facebook, it was so controversial, the company asked its then-newly formed oversight board to weigh in. It's a - that's a group of experts in law and human rights that the company asks for feedback from on its tough content decisions. The board said that Facebook was justified in suspending Trump, but it took issue with this idea of an indefinite ban. It said they needed to be more specific. So Facebook came back a little bit later and said, OK, it's a two-year ban. We'll take a look and then decide if it's safe to let him back. And now, those two years are up.
SHAPIRO: So two years later, what's changed? How is the company justifying its decision to let him back on?
BOND: Well, Meta says the risk to public safety has sufficiently receded. It didn't give a lot more explanation of how it reached that conclusion. But it does say it's going to put new guardrails in place. So if Trump breaks the rules again, you know, he could be suspended again for up to another two years. It says it could also restrict his posts even if they don't outright break the rules. So if he starts posting QAnon conspiracy theories, if he questions an upcoming election, Facebook could make it harder to see those posts unless you go directly to Trump's page.
SHAPIRO: Trump has started his own social media site, Truth Social. Does it look like he'll actually return to Facebook?
BOND: Yeah. I mean, that's a good question. And just now he took - he's taking a victory lap on Truth Social. You know, he says, you know, a sitting president should never be banned. He claims that banning him is why Facebook has lost a ton of market value. But look, the Trump campaign had petitioned Facebook to let him back on, but we don't know if he's going to use it again. You know, he was allowed back onto Twitter in November, but he has not been posting there. So far, he's only been using Truth Social. He actually has an agreement to post there first. But of course, Ari, his reach there is much lower - right? - than it would be on Twitter or Facebook. So, you know, we'll have to see if it's tempting to come back. And also, then there's this question of - if he does start posting again, how long will he last? You know, he has been posting lots of false claims about the 2020 election on Truth Social. He's been amplifying QAnon conspiracies. You know, and those are the type of posts that could trigger these guardrails Facebook is talking about.
SHAPIRO: Social media has changed so much in the last couple of years. If he does get back on these platforms, is he going to have the same reach he once had?
BOND: I mean, that's a real question. You know, Facebook does look weaker at this point than it did when it banned him. It has lost users and revenue for the first time. Twitter is in chaos under Elon Musk. You know, all of these smaller upstart sites, not just Truth Social but Parler, GETTR, Gab, you know, they have been fueled by, you know, appeals to conservatives who feel they are censored by big tech. But it's not quite clear if it's going be easy for Trump to stay away. You know, Facebook played a really important fundraising role for him. That's going to be important as he runs for president again in 2024. But I think this all, Ari, is just a reminder of how much power these big tech companies have to decide who gets a voice online.
SHAPIRO: NPR's Shannon Bond. Thank you.
BOND: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.