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[3] Here is the former head of the IMF's European department, on the need for both debt restructuring and the dangers of demanding larger primary surpluses.
Saturday 4 July 2015
Greece and the political capture of the IMF
[3] Here is the former head of the IMF's European department, on the need for both debt restructuring and the dangers of demanding larger primary surpluses.
44 comments:
I would argue that this has been and will be the cause of much suffering for the majority, and a tiny inconvenience for the wealthy (but we know that tiny inconvenience=huge suffering in the eyes of those pea princesses). If 25% unemployment isn't a lot of suffering, I don't know what is.
ReplyDeleteThe IMF doesn't speak with one voice. The legalistic, "German" view still persisted unter Strauss-Kahn. Yes, the research wing of the IMF speaks a different language now, but then, these people are the spearhead. It's going to be hard for any politician who has been in power for several years, to simply say, "oops, the economists of the IMF got it wrong the first time. We need to be more lenient." That would also not be good for economics either.
ReplyDeleteRepliesOn the contrary, it would be very good for economics. One of the very positive things to say about the IMF is that their ex-post economic analysis of their own decisions by staff members can be very candid - but this analysis is not necessarily accepted by those in charge.
DeleteFrom the point of view of a scientist, you're right, I think. But politicians like Mr. Schäuble will see it as a confirmation of their beliefs that "with five economists in one room, you get five opinions, and if a macroeconomists is among them you get six".
source in German: http://www.tagesspiegel.de/wirtschaft/diw-feiert-geburtstag-fuenf-oekonomen-fuenf-meinungen/11998460.html- Anonymous10 July 2015 at 18:34
That shows that Schäuble, though a lawyer, knows something about economists.
You say that "if the worry was contagion to other countries governments that was an obvious mistake, because it happened anyway but could have been solved 'at a stroke' by the ECB (as it eventually was)".
But that fear doesn't refer to 2012 when ECB stated the "whatever it takes" policy. If this latter had been said back in 2010 when the fresh greek wound was bleeding, it would have been analogous as letting any major US commercial bank to go under when the american crisis had begun.
As far as I recall two years after this event there was still serious concern about recovery, so that if the EU had cut Greece loose by then (2010), simultaneously announcing "whatever it takes", it would have been a little presumptuous to sustain the belief that every other EZ member were solvent in the long run. Worse, following your line of reasoning, the complaint would had been why Greece; and before the obvious answer, there would have given no 2nd chance to redeem herself from past accounting misdeeds.
Conflating policies that happened 2 years apart doesn't look appropriate.As an advocate of full reserve banking, I was much amused to see the fractional reserve bank system being rescued from its own follies in 2010 in Europe. Meanwhile across the Atlantic, the Fed had to lend $13trillion at sweetheart rates of interest to fractional reserve incompetents.
In contrast, under full reserve, banks or bank subsidiaries which lend (as opposed to accepting deposits) are funded just by shares. So when silly loans are made, shareholders get a nice big haircut. That happens automatically. No need for taxpayers to be robbed. It also means that silly loans would tend not to be made in the first place.
That would have meant austerity started earlier for Greece, but as SW-L suggested in an earlier post (probably rightly), a longish period of mild austerity is better than a shorter period of extreme austerity. And possibly the amount of cost cutting that happens under mild austerity is just as much per annum as under extreme austerity.RepliesOk but almost the entire political economy of the planet is centered on fractional reserve banking and any change would dislodge the ruling elites that run the system. Whatever happens has to happen within that structure and there are other avenues open for reform. I do agree that fractional reserve banking is toxic at this moment in history, btw?
- Anonymous4 July 2015 at 17:25
''There are two reasons why Germany might have wanted it to remain off the table. One is that it never wanted a deal; the other is that to include it would have been politically embarrassing for German politicians.''
third reason: to use as carrot (or stick if you want) approach, first reforms, than debt relief (Lagarde said this herself).
BTW: please stop using ''the Germans'' if you mean the troika. surely the troika and eurozone countries are agreement about this approach. - Anonymous4 July 2015 at 17:30
if the emphasis on a surplus is such a waste, and the output gap is easy to close with fiscal stimulus, bringing in additional tax revenues, why doesn't Greece ignore the troika, and loan money from the capital markets?
If they can't borrow on the capital markets (at least not at reasonable rates), isn't this evidence the capital markets do not have faith in your output cap predictions? Let me try to lay out the logical structure of the troika's argument, expressing the implicit premises that actually do the work. The creditors (i.e., the captured troika) say, 'What we want is the reduction or elimination of social programmes, and we want a government that represents the interests of us, the creditors, and not "the people", who are "scroungers and skivers" [as George Monbiot puts it], and we shall have it.' That is their argument in full; the claim that reduction of social programmes is the most desirable solution is logically based solely on that premise, i.e., that that's what they want, plus their moralising emotional impulse to punish the Greeks for being who they are. All the rest is dishonest nonsense which we all must accept anyway by force (of money). The key point indeed is that the creditors do not have the interests of the community as a whole at heart, and that only their own interests (specific or vaguely understood, it doesn't matter) are taken as axiomatic. The creditors, they say, should get what they want because they are more important and morally superior, more worthy as human beings. It is indeed childish. In the interaction with the people of Greece this creates an illegitimate imbalance toward the power of money; the principle of nevertheless recognizing the human dignity of a person who is struggling is ignored and overridden. Where is the love? The fundamental principle of equality is being violated here.
ReplyDeleteRepliesI don't think morality has much to do with it other than a propaganda used by the Euro elites. The real issue is that this crisis reflects the general trend towards fragmentation of power. The West is in disarray because various factions all have different agendas and lack common ground, ironically, because morality indeed is not recognized as a way to achieve common ground. Doing the "right thing" rarely enters into any political-economic issue other than as propaganda or a tool to manipulate others. The system, using a game-theory concepts, has already eliminated those who are swayed by morality using the Washington maxim "no good deed goes unpunished" because the game is set up to penalize those that do not act in a strictly Machiavellian manner.
DeleteThe fact that ethical principles are violated left and right, and even the fact that entrenched laws and institutions allow and encourage the continued violation of those principles has absolutely no effect on the validity of those principles. "No good deed goes unpunished" and "strictly Machiavellian manner" as attempts to express the principle actually being followed in the world economic system as currently set up are way too crude. You need a much more specific formulation, and it would be helpful if you could come up with a good formulation, because then "the people" would become aware of the gap and see clearly how unacceptable it is. Ethical principles work for "the people" and against the power principle. Your objections concern praxis; if "the people" were able to get a clear understanding of the current ethical situation, the power of public pressure might have a positive effect on the level of praxis. I admit it would be no easy task to bring about such an understanding. I think you are misunderstanding the role the the common awareness of ethical principles has in governing human activities, including economic interactions. (I distinguish between ethical principles, properly speaking, and "morality", which is what I adverted to in the case of creditor behaviour above. Actually, a conventional idea of "morality" in this sense on the part of the creditors (as opposed to a decentred ethical understanding) is one of the things getting in the way of arriving at a practically effective solution to the problem in this case.)
The IMF has had some good anti austerity posts. Apparently these folks are working in the basement. Then there's Germany . After WW1 France demanded severe debt reperations and we got you know who in Germany . Didn't go well.
Then after WW2, after a bit, the US had the Marshall Plan to help Germany. Because it was in OUR INTEREST. Communism and all that.
I think the referendum is a bad idea, it created uncertainty. But it will bad for the North if South atrophies or leaves.
I hate simplified macro metaphors. But if your neighbor is out of work, angry, resentful and desperate, is that good for you? They can't buy your goods. And why be mean them? Love thy._.You know.
Go US women's NT in WC final.RepliesThat France caused Hitler is an anti-French myth. Prussian imperial forces proceeded under orders, to destroy most of the economy in North-East France. Dynamiting factories, castles, flooding mines, even destroying all telephone poles.
The French government, naturally enough, asked the German government to repair some of the damage. However, it, and its central bank preferred to make its currency worthless. Then the French asked at least to send over telephone poles, to replace the ones they destroyed, but were told there were not enough trees in Germany, and so on.
Keynes and its ilk, supported racist prejudice in Germany at the time, with an anti-Polish, and anti-French campaign. That helped bring Nazism to power. As did the opinion that Germany was not responsible for its own destructions."Remember the Troika made a huge mistake in using their citizens' money to lend to Greece so Greece could partially repay these private sector creditors - that is where most of the Troika's rescue package went. The IMF's own internal analysis was deeply flawed...
The IMF should have been very worried about motivations here. After all, many of these creditors were banks from European countries, so the motivations of those bailing out these creditors were conflicted to say the least."
It maybe good to put it in one word, and introduce the concept of the banksterocracy we live under.
- Patrick VB5 July 2015 at 08:23
Hello Simon,
Remember that the Fund as often said publicly that Greek debt should be restructured; this option was rejected by EU member states. Given this rejection, the only way for Greece to balance its budget was more stringent austerity, even at the expense of GDP growth (an effectively binding budget constraint). So the IMF was maybe adopting this very hard line (being tougher than the EU) as a second best, BECAUSE the EU was refusing debt restructuring...?RepliesI think the IMF had, and still has, much more power than you suggest.
Delete- Patrick VB6 July 2015 at 09:46
Okay, thanks for sharing your view... Which thus means that the Fund's Managing Director (Lagarde) and its Executive Board have aligned with the EU institutions in rejecting the IMF Research Department work that is critical of Greek austerity. Could it be that it is the Lat Am and Asian countries that side with the "German view" because they do not want "Old Europe" countries to receive "better" treatment than they got from the Fund in the 1990s during their own crises, thinking that they were forced to go through very tough austerity and survived and so should Greece now? Of course, if this is the reasoning behind the Fund's hard line position on Greece, these countries forget that contrary to them, Greece has no independent central bank and no own currency...
- Anonymous5 July 2015 at 09:23
there is another reason why Germany (but shared by most eurozone countries don't want to offer debt relief (at least not now):
With taking over Greece debt, a first line was crossed: the no bailout clause of the Lisbon treaty. Private creditors took a haircut, but the eurozone governments did not. And I think this was on purpose, this was about trying to stay as close as possible to the Lisbon treaty that says that eurozone governments are not responsible for paying debt of others.
Now if the other eurozone governments would give Greece debt relief, than that would mean the no bailout clause will be dead and buried, a precedent has been shaped, and if there is a first, future bailouts can be expected. At least that is how voters in creditors nations will look at this, it will greatly undermine confidence in the eurozone. Until now the creditor nations can say to their taxpayers: yes, we took over debt, but Greece will pay it back. With debt relief, they can't claim this anymore.
For outsiders in the UK and US this may be difficult to understand how big this point is, but for the Northern creditor nations this is an important issue, as the thing they fear most is having to bailout more (much bigger) debtor nations.Replies- Anonymous5 July 2015 at 09:37
there might be a legal aspect to this too: with debt relief, taxpayers maybe could go to the European court claiming it's illegal to become liable for debts of Greece under the Lisbon treaty.
Delete But why were the private sector creditors only given a partial haircut (and so late in the day)?
If fear of bailing out bigger governments was the key, a better strategy would have been to offer Greece nothing, and let the IMF do all the work.
The actual strategy was almost certain to lead to the undesired outcome - by taking over unsustainable private sector debts, the EZ governments were almost certain to end up giving debt relief to Greece (or losing it when Greece defaults). I agree that the fears you mention are very real, and I have some sympathy with them, but the Troika is at fault for ignoring these fears at the crucial point when they bailed out private sector creditors.
Germany will never accept a realistic deal. There are only two ways, in real terms, Germany can be paid: By confiscating a large quantity of real Greek assets, or by accepting a long running trade deficit with Greece. That is Germany would elect to become a net importer of Greek production. This is unlikely in any case because Greek industry is in shambles after years of itself running a trade deficit and austerity.
The talk about money is just smoke and mirrors. German industry made out from the trade surplus with Greece. They don't want the unavoidable costs, the necessary depressed demand for domestic production, that come from running a deficit.
The Greeks do have to put their house in order. The Germans can demand that. But to demand money from Greece now will prevent that from ever happening.- Anonymous6 July 2015 at 00:43
A very interesting post indeed. In my view the Greek episode has led to more soul-searching by the IMF than previous episodes. During the Asian Debt Crisis and Latin American Debt Crisis the IMF's policy prescription was austerity as a condition for debt relief - and included wholesale privatisations and drastic macro-contraction measures to stabilise currencies. The likes of Stanley Fischer (yes Paul Krugman's mentor) were behind this, not the Germans. So really these policies are very deeply rooted in the IMF, and so we should be careful in tracing them back to German influence. (Some economists, notably Jeff Sachs, were critical of the IMF during these episodes, but frankly, not enough were.)
Having said that, I do feel that the victim of the IMF's policies have been poorer, weaker states, and I suspect the real motivations behind them are the powerful countries and powerful, especially powerful financial, interests and their links to respective governments in powerful countries. But Germany is only one of these, and not the most important. For sure the US centred Anglo-Saxon dynamic is far more influential, and not just during the age of the Washington Consensus.
In short, we are seeing a little bit of soul searching and reticence by the IMF re Greece, but austerity is very much consistent with its practice since the 1980s. Over and over again the result has been small emerging markets paying the price for the excesses of powerful financial interests that have promoted financial deregulation and globalisation, a lot of them US and UK centred.RepliesYou should read page 6 onwards of this from Peter Doyle:
I agree that once this would have just been standard fare from the IMF, but I thought they knew better now. I think many of their staff do, but politics gets in the way.Anon: the IMF would surely feel wholly vindicated by the strong recovery in countries affected by the 1997/8 Asian Debt crisis. Portraying them as victims is grossly inaccurate.
Delete- Anonymous6 July 2015 at 10:26
Thanks for the link - essential reading on the DSAs. It was also good to see Max Corden referred to.
Delete - Anonymous6 July 2015 at 15:20
"Anon: the IMF would surely feel wholly vindicated by the strong recovery in countries affected by the 1997/8 Asian Debt crisis. Portraying them as victims is grossly inaccurate."
It was a tragic episode, especially for Indonesia, Thailand and SE Asian countries. Korea got out of it thanks to an already very strong export sector. Malaysia got out of it probably the strongest - by defying IMF advice and implementing capital controls (to the ridicule of just about everyone at the time save Jeff Sachs). Thailand eventually recovered, but after enormous losses to output. Both Thailand, and especially Indonesia have been left with fragile political environments, the latter only saved by a resources boom - and if you want some idea of the human rights and ecological cost google Freeport Moran mine Grasberg. The latter is a particularly explosive situation given high income and other inequalities and widespread distrust of western capitalism, evidenced in its most extreme form with the Bali bombings.
Even the IMF admitted the SAPs in the aftermath of the Asian Financial Crisis were a mistake (and has specifically said so) and now also endorses capital controls. Using the Islamist-inspired Bali bombings as some sort of diatribe against capitalism is utterly ludicrous. Anyway, let's not go further down that road.
At first sight the 1997 crisis seems not dissimilar to 2008 insofar as it was caused by a credit bubble that resulted in an unsustainable property boom throughout SE Asia. Malaysia's recovery (slower than those who took IMF funds) was due to stronger commodity prices. Their economy was fundamentally healthy with the exception of a few over-extended businessmen with links to the ruling party. Their refusal to take IMF funds was not due to some noble decision to go it alone. They knew their racist policies favouring Malays at the expense of minority races would have to be repealed. By 1999 Thailand's economy was growing by 4%-pretty decent compared with the post 2008 recovery in the west. Some perspective is required-in the 10 years prior to the crisis the Thai economy would have topped world growth tables.
You do realise these SE Asian nations have some of the most hostile laws regarding foreign investment on earth? Portraying the IMF involvement as some sort of US/British conspiracy is unsupported by any evidence. If it were true, surely they would have ensured foreigners were free to invest in land/businesses in Thailand/indonesia/Philippines? Hint: you can't without going through endless bureaucracy. Anyway by far the biggest foreign players in these economies are Japan/Taiwan and china.- Anonymous16 July 2015 at 11:57
The IMF itself has recognised that the SAPS were a mistake. And as I said, it now endorses capital controls - something unthinkable even say five years ago. No, I did not say there is a conspiracy between the US/UK and the IMF. But the IMF is an institution in which the US has enormous influence. It's thinking often reflects the thinking dominant in the country at the time. Come on, most of its economists are educated at MIT. The IMF under Stanley Fischer's stewardship used moral hazard arguments to argue against bail outs and the implementation of austerity. They used incentive arguments and what can be called "sound money" arguments. (My guess is that this reflects Sargent et al influence which was very powerful at the time - even on MIT economists.) I have posted actual quotes from the IMF when it said this in the 1990s, and when it said they were a mistake (last year) on past SWL's actual blog comments - I will dig them up again if I have time. Very clear on their wrongdoings.
What is very interesting is why the IMF last year admitted its mistakes, yet insisted on that Greece pay its debts. I suspect a big internal battle is going on in the institution.
The reference to Bali bombings is not diatribe. The political problems in dysfunctional states is related to the economic problem and a society with extreme differences between winners and losers. Sort out the economic problems in the Middle East and Indonesia and basically you have neutralised the problem of Islamic State. (Once again though we have mainstream economists arguing that income inequality is good for third world growth - they have not studied history or development economics- which thankfully still has a large historical and sociological component.) Yes, Thailand went through a boom (and bust), but likes it political situation, it is on a flimsy economic one.
- Anonymous6 July 2015 at 00:53
I might just add that Paul Krugman and others have justified IMF practice in previous episodes on the basis that states were "corrupt" and therefore needed the IMF's reforms (yes meaning austerity). Watch this - and be sceptical. Some are also saying this about Greece. The fact is that institutional structures in smaller states and emerging markets are of course in no position to deal in equal terms with the financial institutions and power structures of major countries like the US or Germany. Imagine them up against the legal and other resources of major corporations, banks and governments in the US or such countries. This is more the problem and the fact they were in no position to defend their positions than the states being "corrupt", which was a generalisation in any case.
ReplyDelete - Anonymous6 July 2015 at 08:44
While I applaud this post as being more balanced, I think it seriously misconstrues the IMF. The IMF took a very "austerian" view during the Asian crisis, to the great profit of American financial firms. I'm trying to search my memory, and I can't remember a case where it was hard on creditors. Could someone give an example?
I'd also just repeat what other commentators have said. The whole point of the current approach to Greece is to get structural reforms into an economy which is supposedly corrupt. It used the carrot approach: dangle it in front but never so close it might be eaten. I'm not saying I approve of the approach, but that was the idea.RepliesThe Troika always set this up as a repeated game: loans always had to be renewed, so giving the Troika a chance to enforce compliance. In a repeated game, if you keep dangling a carrot but fail to give it, you get rumbled. That was the No vote.
Delete- Anonymous6 July 2015 at 15:02
"The IMF took a very "austerian" view during the Asian crisis, to the great profit of American financial firms."
Indeed, and Goldman Sachs did very well out of the slash and burn fire-sales which it later sold on the left over pieces to jaw-dropping dividends shared among their partners. Grotesque vultures.
- Anonymous6 July 2015 at 12:12
The author is following Greek propaganda that negotiations actually failed because no debt relief has been granted. I think this is wrong.
Negotiations failed due to Syrizas unwillingsness to make the pension system sustainable, the unwillingness to improve public finances by cutting public expenditures instead of tax hikes and the reluctance to enter into further structural improvements that improve competitiveness.
Syriza is the ruling party of the radical left that has little understanding of modernizing the economy by fostering entrepreneurship and liberalize markets. There is simply no willingsness to invest into Greeks future because this is not w´hat Syrizas electoral base represents.
The IMF might have not predicted multipliers in Greece correctly. But aren't these multipliers a direct result of a governments ability to implement structural reform. Creditors rightly complained about the previous governments undermining of structural reforms by subsequently introducing legislation that countered these reform efforts.
Greeks debt looks high but is no burden on the economy since most payments have been moved into the distant future. The Eurozone gave itself a mechanism to deleverage which is financial repression effected by loose monetary policy and QE. Greece could have it in the same way but refuses to accept this.
Some limited debt relief was even considered by the eurozone but Greece made it clear it would not deliver on any structural reforms whatsoever.
Greece can't have it all and both ways.
No structural reforms, debt relief and still staying in the euro.
I wonder what a European referendum on a Greek package would have looked like. Outcome would likely be similar. A majority would rejects such package after this farce of the last 5 months.RepliesI think you really need better sources. Here is Clive Crook, hardly someone of the left:
The data shows that Greece, at the Troika's insistence, has enacted more austerity than any other country. That inevitably leads to a collapse in GDP: multipliers have nothing to do with 'structural reforms'. It has also enacted a good deal of the 'structural reform' asked of it. The idea that the Greek economy has collapsed because it has not enacted every reform is pure nonsense - it has collapsed because of the measures imposed by the Troika.
I think if anyone is suffering from following propaganda ....
- Rohan6 July 2015 at 15:02
What a load of baseless rubbish. Your anti-austerity agenda is harming the development of macro-economics as a field because you ignore proven facts when concocting your arguments.
You are a disgrace to the profession.
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[October 2nd Update] We have released a new Power BI Desktop build that includes a few additional bug fixes for visualization labels, DateTime picker, and DAX formula bar. You can install this new version to benefit from these fixes by clicking the Download button below.
Today we are announcing the September update for Power BI Desktop. As you can see on the title of the blog post, this is a massive update to our product, with 44 (yes, forty-four!) new features spread across our Report Authoring, Data Modeling, Data Sources and Data Transformation capabilities. In average, this represents almost two new features per working day since our previous update… We've been busy!
Before diving into the list of new features, we want to thank everyone of you who has sent us feedback about the product. You are directly contributing to making Power BI Desktop a better product every month and we really appreciate that you take the time to send us feedback. Please continue sending your feedback and questions via Send a Smile/Frown in the product, voting for what features you'd like to see next or by asking questions on our Power BI Community Forums. We are committed to reading and responding to every one of you.
Here is a summary of the new features included in this update (it will not be a short one, though):
- Report-level filters.
- Drill Up/Down for column and scatter charts.
- New Page Size and Page View options.
- Support for inserting Shapes in the Report canvas.
- Fields pane improvements.
- Search Box to make it easier to find fields by name.
- "Expand/Collapse All" to improve navigation when there are multiple tables in the Fields pane.
- Field well cardinality support, drag-replace for buckets with 1 item.
- Additional Data Labels formatting options.
- Chart Cartesian Axis Improvements:
- X-Axis label direction (horizontal / diagonal).
- Support for Logarithmic & Linear scales for values in Y-axis.
- Display Text for hyperlinks in textboxes.
- Improvements to existing visualizations: Table, Matrix, Slicer, Scatter Chart, Single Cards, Combo Charts and Gauges.
- Support for displaying Color Saturation values in tooltips.
- Ability to resize images and apply additional formatting options.
- Calculated Tables.
- Relationships view:
- Create relationships via drag/drop between two tables in the diagram.
- Delete relationships in relationship view by selecting and hitting the Delete key.
- Rename/delete tables and columns
- Data view:
- Copy Table contents to clipboard.
- Field Summarization:
- Support for additional operations in the Fields pane: median, standard deviation, and variance.
- Default summarization: Users can now customize the default summarization operation for any given field in their model.
- Support for On-Prem Spark distributions.
- Support for SharePoint lists from non-English sites.
- Exchange connector – Enhanced support, now allowing connections to multiple mailboxes.
- Excel Workbook Connector – Automatic Column Type detection when importing .XLS files.
- "Select Related Tables" option when connecting to database sources.
- Enhanced Active Directory connector credentials, allowing alternate Windows Credentials.
- Improved Function Invocation experience when loading functions from a data source (such as a database).
- "Import Excel Workbook Contents" feature released last month now also supports external connections to Analysis Services tabular models.
- New option to "Delete All" entries in the Data Source Settings dialog.
- Option to "Enable Relationship Import during Refresh operations".
Data Transformations and Query Editor Improvements
- Copy to clipboard (available for cells/columns/tables).
- Filter date columns by earliest/latest date (dynamic filter).
- Extract min/max date/time value from a column.
- Replace Values – Provision for specifying special characters.
- "Detect Column Types" option to trigger type detection on demand.
- "Refresh All Previews" to refresh all Query Editor previews with a single click.
- Performance Improvements:
- Choose Columns dialog: Faster user experience for dealing with wide tables.
- Auto-filter & Expand/Aggregate popups: Faster for large number of values/fields.
The following video covers all of these features in more detail. You can also continue reading the rest of this blog post for a description of each new feature.
Report Authoring
Report-level filters
Before this update, users were able to define filters at the visualization and page levels, but it was not possible to define a filter that would apply across all visualizations in all pages on your report. We have added Report-level filters with this update, which can be found under the Filters pane in the Report view.
Drill Up/Down for column and scatter charts
It is now possible to define Drill Up/Down behaviors for column and scatter charts. Drill Up/Down behaviors allow users to enable report consumers to see aggregated data and be able to drill into a detailed breakdown of the data by a different category.
For instance, users could create a "Sales by Country" column chart like the one below and also provide "Sales by City" when the user drills down. In order to do this, they need to drag both Country and City to the Axis area in the Visualizations pane.
Once the Drill Down behavior has been defined, it is possible to drill down for all columns/values in the chart at the same time ("Drill all to the next level", in the top-left corner of the chart), or one by one by enabling "Drill Mode" (top-right corner of the chart) and then clicking on the desired value to drill down to the underlying view.
New Page Size and Page View options
We have added several new options to customize the size of report pages, as well as the behavior for how to view these pages in Power BI depending on window and screen sizes:
- Page Size: This controls the size and aspect ratio of each page in the report. Note that users can assign a different page size to each page within their report if desired. Available page sizes are: 16:9, 4:3, Dynamic, Letter and Custom (fully control the width and height of the page in pixels).
- Page View: This option allows users to configure how pages should be rendered depending on the size of the report viewer (either Power BI Desktop or Power BI service). Available options are: Fit to Page, Fit to Width and Actual Size.
Both of these options can be found in the Home tab in the ribbon under Report and View respectively. Additional page sizes can also be found in the formatting pane when no visualization object is selected.
Support for inserting Shapes in the Report canvas
Users can now insert shapes in the canvas via the "Insert -> Shapes" menu in the ribbon. Supported shapes include Rectangle, Oval, Line, Triangle and Arrow. Several formatting options are available for each shape, such as Line/Fill Colors, Rotation, Title, Background, etc. These options can be found under the Formatting pane.
Fields pane improvements
We're making a couple of improvements to the Fields pane to make it much easier for users to navigate and find items within their tables:
- Search Box to make it easier to find fields by name.
- "Expand/Collapse All" to improve navigation when there are multiple tables in the Fields pane.
Field well cardinality support, drag-replace for buckets with 1 item
It is now possible to replace an item in the Visualizations pane (such as the X or Y axis, or the Values field) by dragging another field on top of the existing one. Before this update, users had to remove the previous field before adding the new one. If the previous field was the last field in the Visualizations pane for that chart, the chart would have been automatically deleted. This change greatly improves the usability of modifying configuration for an existing chart.
Additional Visualization Formatting Options – Data Labels Formatting
We have added new formatting options for Data Labels:
- Adjust Display Units for data displayed in labels, including: automatic, none, thousands, millions, billions and trillions.
- Customize Font Colors.
- Data Precision (number of decimal places).
These options can be found under the Data Labels section in the formatting pane.
Chart Cartesian Axis Improvements
The next group of improvements in this month's update is around Cartesian charts (such as Column, Bar Charts or Scatter Charts). These improvements include:
- X-Axis: Automatic adjustment of labels direction (horizontal / diagonal) to better optimize canvas space.
- Support for Logarithmic & Linear scales for values in Y-axis: This option is available under the Y-axis sections in the Formatting pane.
Display Text for hyperlinks in textboxes
In one of our previous updates, we enabled the ability to include hyperlinks as part of textboxes. However, the hyperlinks had to be visible in the textbox which in many cases was not the desired end result for the user.
With this update, users can now add hyperlinks to any given display text within a textbox in the canvas. Simply highlight the text and use the hyperlink option in the floating menu to set the link or to click on it.
Improvements to existing visualizations
We have made a number of improvements to existing visualizations, based on your feedback from previous releases:
Visualization Type | Improvements |
Table and Matrix | Ability to resize columns |
Tree Map | Support for Data Labels |
Slicer | "Select All" with a single click Additional Formatting options:
Scatter Chart | Ability to configure bubble's color stroke |
Single Cards | Support for the following Formatting options:
Combo Charts | Performance improvements to chart rendering and interactivity gestures |
Gauge | Ability to customize Min, Max and Target values. |
Ability to resize images and apply additional formatting options
Additional formatting options for Image objects allow users to control the scaling, aspect ratio, title and background for images within the report canvas.
Color Saturation values displayed in tooltips
We have added support for displaying the Color Saturation field values in tooltips.
The following video shows all Report Authoring improvements in this update.
Please note that all these Report Authoring features are also available in the Power BI Service.
Data Modeling
We're making several improvements to the Data Modeling features in Power BI Desktop in this update. Some of these improve existing capabilities based on your feedback, while some others open up to new possibilities thanks to added features.
Calculated Tables
This month we're adding the ability to create Calculated Tables. A Calculated Table is like a Calculated Column. It is calculated from other tables and columns already in the model and takes up space in the model just like a calculated column. Calculated Tables are a general purpose feature that can hold any valid table DAX expression. Some of the common functions that can be used with Calculated Tables include:
- Distinct
- Crossjoin
- Union
- NaturalInnerJoin
- NaturalLeftOuterJoin
- Intersect
- Calendar
- CalendarAuto
Calculated Tables are re-calculated when the model is re-processed. The columns in a calculated table have data types, formatting, and default summarization. Relationships can be created between Calculated Tables and any other tables.
Since Calculated tables are part of the model they can be used, among other things, to simplify DAX formulas with use of intermediate calculated tables, speed up calculations where the calcs are already in the model, create calendar tables, and to partition a model up with role-playing dimensions. In addition to creating permanent model tables, Calculated Tables can also be used to help debug DAX expressions that return tables.
Relationships view
A few improvements have been made in this release to the Relationships view. This view now allows users to:
- Create relationships via drag/drop between two tables in the diagram
- Delete relationships in relationship view by selecting a relationship and hitting the Delete key
- Rename/delete/hide tables and columns via context menu options
Data view
The Data view has been enhanced with the following improvements:
- Copy: Users can now copy the contents of a column or the entire table to the clipboard.
Field Summarization improvements
- Support for additional operations in the Fields pane: median, standard deviation, and variance.
- Default summarization: Users can now customize the default summarization operation for any given field in their model.
Watch the following video to see all Data Modeling improvements in action.
Data Connectivity
Support for On-Prem Spark distributions
The new data source in this month's release is support for On-Prem Spark distributions. Last month, we added support for Microsoft Azure HDInsight Spark, and this month we're expanding to other Spark distributions.
This new connector can be found under the "Other" category in the "Get Data" dialog.
Support for SharePoint lists from non-English sites
The SharePoint Lists connector (under "Other" in the "Get Data" dialog) allows users to import data from lists in their SharePoint sites. However, there used to be a limitation that only sites where the Site Language was set to English would work with our connector.
We have improved the connector in this release to remove this restriction, so now users can get data from any SharePoint list in any site (SharePoint 2013 or newer) regardless of the site language. Note that SharePoint 2010 sites continue to work but still expose the same language limitation, as this is a change available only in newer versions of the SharePoint API.
Exchange connector
We have improved the Exchange connector to allow connections to multiple mailboxes. Users can provide the email address to connect to as part of the Source dialog and then specify credentials for that source (which may or may not match the email address to connect to). This way, users can easily combine data from multiple Exchange mailboxes into a single report.
Excel Workbook Connector
The Excel Workbook connector now performs automatic column type detection when importing .XLS files. Before, this type detection was done only when importing .XLSX files.
"Select Related Tables" option when connecting to database sources
Very frequently, users will import multiple tables when connecting to a database. Before this update, users had to manually select all tables that they wanted to import, which often required an understanding of the underlying database schema so they would pick all tables that are related. With this update, we're adding a new button named "Select Related Tables" to the Navigator dialog. When users click this button, Power BI Desktop will automatically select all tables that have a direct relationship to one or more of the already selected tables.
Enhanced Active Directory connector credentials
The Credentials dialog for Active Directory now allows users to select alternate Windows Credentials.
Improved Function Invocation experience
The experience for invoking functions loaded from a data source has been improved in this update. For instance, users will now get prompted for parameters when loading one or more functions from a data source (such as a database), after clicking Load or Edit in the Navigator dialog.
"Import Excel Workbook Contents" support for AS Tabular models
Last month we released a feature that allows users to convert their existing Excel Workbooks with Power BI artifacts into Power BI Desktop reports, This feature now also supports external connections to Analysis Services tabular models defined in Excel. These connections will get converted to AS Live connections in Power BI Desktop.
New option to "Delete All" entries in the Data Source Settings dialog
Users can now easily delete all stored Data Source Settings by using the new "Delete All" button.
Option to "Enable Relationship Import during Refresh operations"
Power BI Desktop automatically creates relationships between tables when loading them if these relationships exist in the data source (such as a database). In addition to creating these relationships during load, Power BI Desktop might create or delete relationships between tables while refreshing them if the relationships changed in the source. This used to be the default (and only) behavior before this update. With this update, we're adding an option under "Current File – Data Load" to control whether to update relationship on refresh or not. The default behavior has been switched to not detect relationships on refresh, but still create them as part of the initial load.
Watch the following video to learn more about the Data Connectivity improvements in this month's update.
Data Transformations and Query Editor Improvements
Copy to clipboard
We have enabled the ability to copy contents from the Query Editor preview to the clipboard. This option is available in the context menu for cells, column(s) and tables in the Query Editor window.
Filter date columns by earliest/latest date
It is now possible to filter a Date or Date/Time column by the earliest or latest date within the column. This filter is dynamically calculated, so it will always keep the rows with the earliest or latest date value within this column, on every refresh of your query.
This new filter can be found under the Date or DateTime filters menu in the column header filter dropdown.
Extract earliest/latest date/time value from a column
Users can extract the earliest or latest value from a Date or DateTime column by using the new Earliest/Latest options in the Transform tab, under the Date and Time dropdown menus.
Replace Values – Provision for specifying special characters
The "Replace Values" dialog has been enhanced to allow users to specify special characters (such as tab, carriage return, line feed, etc.) to find or replace with.
"Detect Column Types" transform
We have added a new transform called "Detect Column Types" under the Transform tab. This new option will trigger column type detection for all currently selected columns in the preview. This operation saves users time so they can select several columns and detect types, rather than having to select columns one by one and manually set their types.
"Refresh All Previews"
In this update we have added a new option to refresh all Query Editor previews with a single click. This option is called "Refresh All" and it is available within the Query Editor's Home tab in the ribbon, under the Refresh button group.
Performance Improvements
As usual, we continue making Performance improvements across various areas of the product with every new update. This month, we're improving Performance in the following two areas:
- Choose Columns dialog: Faster user experience for dealing with wide tables.
- Auto-filter & Expand/Aggregate popups: Faster for large number of values/fields.
See these new Data Transformations features in action in the following video:
That's all for this month! We're looking forward to your feedback about these improvements and any other area in Power BI Desktop. Download this update and give it a try!
This was a massive update in terms of new capabilities for our product, but we're already working very hard on the next round of improvements.
October will be another great month for Power BI Desktop so please stay tuned for future updates…
Additional resources:


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Petlas Elegant PT311 Tyres Available in Ludlow
Elegant PT311
Developed for performance and handling for the general use segment. Offer traction and riding comfort combining with durability.
- Partial silica tread compound developed through FST technology provides high handling performance on dry and wet road conditions.
- It improves uniformity for smoother ride, durability and tread wear.
- Improve lateral stability in high speed cornering and uniformity for smoother ride.


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"Lessons From Beethoven and Life" by Stuart Isacoff appears in the Oct. 31 edition of The Wall Street Journal Online:
NEW YORK -- Beethoven is forever contemporary. In his own time, he pushed artistic boundaries so far that the formidable pianist and composer Muzio Clementi once asked him if he really considered a set of string quartets to be "music." "Oh," replied the indomitable composer casually, "they are not for you, but for a later age."
That story appears in Donald Grout's classic, "A History of Western Music." It has been told in several versions, but the theme rings true. Like Shakespeare, Beethoven continually opens a curtain on the modern soul: its struggles, dreams, and incongruities. Read full post
Following the column are two links:
Beethoven for Novices, posted Oct. 26 by Elaine Fine on Musical Assumptions, http://musicalassumptions.blogspot.com, which is on our Favorite Blogs list.
George Augustus Polgreen Bridgetower (1780-1860): Beethoven's Black Violinist, posted Oct. 29 on AfriClassical Blog. We thank Stuart Isacoff for the link.
Stuart+Isacoff" rel="tag">Stuart Isacoff
classical+music" rel="tag">classical music
Musical+Assumptions" rel="tag">Musical Assumptions
Beethoven's+Pianist" rel="tag">Beethoven's Pianist
Black+Pianist" rel="tag">Black Pianist
Kreutzer+Sonata" rel="tag">Kreutzer Sonata


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Follow along with Dru's guided step by step instruction. Requires internet access
With the full kit, just add airbrush and air, and you can create this painting in the comfort of your home or studio
Full Kit with tools and paint $105.95 USD
Lite kit with no tools or paint $66.95 USD
upgrade to 13.5 x 19.5 inches +$12
Instructions are provided for completion of the project at 3 distinct levels of complexity
Novice: For those just getting started with airbrushing. Suitable for craft applications. Video duration 5:33
Intermediate: Create a fully rendered monochromatic image, your first steps into photorealism. Video 27:14
Advanced: Complete a full color painting, preparing you to move on to more complex projects. Video duration 70:03
Included in this kit:
There are no tools or paint included in this kit. Colors needed for kit - Black, Sepia, Burnt Umber, Red Violet, Cerulean Blue + reducer
Included in this kit:
Just ask our former students. We have trained over 9,000 people since our airbrush school was founded 20 years ago, and we are proud to be considered the worlds best airbrush school since we opened. Almost all of the worlds best instructors train with us. We developed many of the airbrush techniques currently used all over the world.
Dru Blair teaches his subject in his popular Photorealism workshop which starts at $975. Our Classroom in a Box projects offer unlimited review for a fraction of the price. Not only will you save hundreds of dollars, you will have the luxury of working at your own pace and in your own comfortable surroundings. You won't even need to take time off from work, book travel and lodging, or get a sitter for the kids or pets.
Classroom in a Box kits make it easy to learn many of the techniques that Dru Blair teaches in his workshops in the privacy of your own home or studio. The kit comes with all the materials you need to recreate the project as shown. All you supply is your own airbrush and air source.
As paints and tools can be reused with many projects, you may purchase this and other Classroom in a Box projects without paint or tools to reduce your costs. Classroom in a Box makes it possible to enjoy a Dru Blair Workshop for a fraction of the cost of enrolling at his school!
Even if you have taken this workshop in the past, now you have the opportunity to purchase this kit as a refresher. If you have never attended a Dru Blair workshop, this is a great first step to gain insight about what it is really like to be in his classroom.
While its true that nothing beats hands-on, one-on-one training for learning, we realize that its not always possible to travel to one of Dru's workshops.
That is why the Classroom in a Box kits have become important to many artists who strive to improve their skills and bring more realism to their work.
The kit includes access to video content, featuring step-by-step instruction about how to use supplies and tools.
The reference photo is produced on a high resolution Giclée printer.
Usage rights are included with the Classroom in a box, so purchasers can paint this image again and again, royalty-free. Usage rights of kit materials and videos themselves are non-transferable, and distribution of the kits, videos, and/or their content to the public is prohibited without written consent.
Some students have even sold their art created with the kit for more than the cost of the kit itself.
Video Access (granted at checkout) Includes access to over 2 hours of instructional HD quality video!
This is a full workshop project from beginning to end - Just like being in the classroom with Dru teaching! You see the project as a first person viewer. The camera is positioned in front of the instructor, not over the shoulder, so you will see the project develop as Dru's eyes would see it.
1-Purchase one or more Classroom in a Box kits
2-Create an account at checkout if you don't already have one with our store. You will be prompted to supply your email and create a password unless you have previously created an account for that email address.
3-Check your email for a link to view your Classroom in a Box video(s). It will have a subject of: Blair School of Realism: Classroom in a Box -Video link, and will arrive from: Blair School of Art firstname.lastname@example.com
4-Click on the link that is emailed to you. You will be directed when to enter your password. You will then be able to view your video online (requires internet access).
Videos are for private use only and may not be shared, played for an audience, or used to conduct classes without written authorization.Violation may result in forfeiture of viewing rights to all Classroom in a Box videos.


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Welcome to the Official Charito. We help poor children to get their life better.
We need your help to change the world!
Membina Sekolah Darurat
Ziarah Masakin Gelandangan
Telaga Tiub Air Bersih
Sumbangan Bekalan Makanan
Rumah Perlindungan Bencana
Makanan Untuk Anak Yatim dan Asnaf
Tajaan Pendidikan Tadika Amal
Our Mission
To improve the quality of life and every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation
Progressively maintain extensive infomediaries via extensible niches orphan disseminate metrics after resource-leveling processes. Objectively pursue diverse catalysts for change for interoperable meta-services.
Our Progress
We are dedicated to improving lives and building a future for poor children around the world. Here's the progress we've made since we started working in 1999.
Happy Donors Donated and Counting!
Countries We Work Around the World!
Projects Funded till Today!
In 4 easy steps to get yours donations Out the Door and Change Lives
Show your initiative to help us make a difference!
Create Event
Organize an event and collect participants all around the town.
Promote your campaign across all your social channels
Raise money by using your own creativity and initiative
Encourage your community to keep working towards your goals
Meet the Volunteers
Our amazing volunteers work hard all year round to make sure we do just that!
From the Gallery
Take a look at our gallery to see our worldwide activity around the globe.
News & Updates
Take a look at our gallery to see our worldwide activity around the globe.
Jejak Mualaf
AMAL Blood Donation (Siri Pertama 2022)
Baiki Rumah Mak Su
What Donors Say
We always consider peoples and our donor's motivational words and their thought for making a better poverty free world


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The Game of Thrones star comes to the Star Wars galaxy.
Emilia Clarke is heading to a galaxy far, far away -- and she's going to meet Han and Chewie.
StarWars.com is excited to announce that Clarke, known for her stirring portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, will join the upcoming untitled Han Solo Star Wars movie. Clarke's role will round out a dynamic cast of characters that Han and Chewie will encounter on their adventures.
Clarke joins Alden Ehrenreich and Donald Glover — previously cast as Han Solo and Lando Calrissian, respectively — in the highly-anticipated film, which is set prior to the original Star Wars trilogy.
The untitled Han Solo movie, helmed by directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, is set for release in 2018.
StarWars.com. All Star Wars, all the time.


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Introduce your business and tell us your story: How did you decide on what to sell, and how did you source your products?
There were two main drivers for our business: First, we noticed the untapped market of fair and ethical trade in Australia. The fair and ethical marketplace is much bigger in the USA and the UK, but Australian customers are frustrated by not being able to buy a decent range of good quality ethical and fair trade goods for a reasonable price. Second, through our own work in charities, we've come to believe that economic empowerment is the best way to ensure poor and marginalised communities can improve their livelihoods. By being a conduit into the Australian market we aim to help poor artisans and producers grow their businesses. We have set up relationships with overseas suppliers who have the same ethical goals as we do. We have some direct partnerships with charities, and a major wholesaler that we use to ensure we have enough variety while we grow our direct partnerships. It was very important in the beginning to use a wholesaler, as we didn't have the time or the money to set up relationships with as many suppliers as we would have needed to have a good range of stock.
How did you earn your first sales? Which channels are now generating the most traffic and sales for you?
Our first sales were word of mouth through family and friends. However, this was nowhere near enough to survive. Early on we managed to get some great PR through press coverage of one of our key product lines, PUNJAMMIES™. We were placed in a national newspaper and online news service, and this drove sales significantly. This was the result of an email pitch promoting our products that we sent to a large number of magazines and newspapers before Christmas 2014. We are still receiving a reasonable amount of traffic through PR and mentions of our store in other publications, and Facebook appears to be the other largest driver. We don't pay for the PR because we pitch our products as 'stories' that their readers will be interested in.
Tell us about the back-end of your business. What tools and apps do you use to run your store? How do you handle shipping and fulfillment?
We have ensured that our presence across all platforms is integrated, so we have a Shopify Facebook Shop section, which is great as we can see how many customers come from that page. We have our social media linked to our website, but just through the use of Shopify features, including Pinterest, Twitter and Instagram. We have the Google Shopping app, but we need to learn more about how to optimise this. We use Mailchimp as this has been a great way to share news and drive sales, particularly when new products are launched that subscribers may be interested in. As we have recently brought on an external company to warehouse for us, we use the Onesaas app to communicate inventory and orders to them for shipping. We also have Persistent Cart, Shopify Bulk Discounts, and Shopify Product Reviews. As mentioned above, we have recently brought on a warehousing and fulfilment service. This is great as when orders come through our site they are sent automatically to our warehouser through the Onesaas app who ships them for us and updates inventory. For a small business this has created a lot of extra time and capacity for us to work on the business, rather than just pack orders all day. It also means we are able to travel while working. The downside is that it can be difficult and expensive to offer unique services such as gift wrapping, which we did last Christmas. However as we go along we are looking at options.
What are your top recommendations for new store owners?
If you're not actively driving traffic to your store it becomes invisible - like shutting the doors of a bricks and mortar store and drawing the curtains. You need to be constantly doing something to get noticed, on social media, traditional media or advertising.


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Thanks to the optimised tire contour, the Vanco FourSeason has a longer service life. This means economical driving without compromising on safety.
The special tire contact patch enables improved performance against aquaplaning and ensures a powerful grip on wet roads.
The Vanco FourSeason provides good traction in snow and sufficient safety reserves, thanks to a high number of gripping edges.
We are happy to answer all your questions and support you with our tire expertise.


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Metallic Paint CAESAR RED
GSW's Metal Color series brings the striking shine of metal to its collection of high-quality acrylic paints.
Developed with the finest possible pigments, these carefully crafted colours offer a crisp and highly defined metallic effect for the best results. Furthermore, their ultrahigh coverage power and rapid drying making them comfortable to use.
Water-based and non-toxic, these colours have been optimised for both brush and airbrush. For best airbrush results, we recommend 1:1 dilution with acrylic thinner.
Each bottle includes a stainless steel ball for a faster and homogenous mixture.
1x 17ml of acrylic metallic colour with ultrafine pigments. Non-toxic water-based paint. Non-flammable. No latex.


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We have 2 convenient locations to serve you in Hayden & Coeur d'Alene ID. With over 75 years of experience in Equipment Rentals and Event Rentals, let Lake City Rental's knowledgeable staff help you with all of your rental needs. From homeowner to commercial contractor rentals and backyard BBQs to elegant weddings of 500 guests, we will provide top quality, well maintained equipment, along with professional service every time.
We fill vehicles, RVs and propane tanks of all sizes. Stop in today at our Hayden & Coeur d'Alene ID locations.
Hours: Monday-Friday 7am-5pm, Saturday 8am-5pm, Sunday Closed
We stock a large selection of name brand quality equipment and keep it well maintained and serviced. Our knowledgeable personnel can assist contractors and homeowners with any equipment rental needs. We are locally owned and operated, which means we give you personal service and you can rent with confidence. If we don't have what you are looking for, we will help you find it.
Let our professional event staff help plan your next event. They can help you choose from our extensive selection of tents, tables and chairs, linens with a wide array of colors, place settings for up to 500 guests, concession items, bbq grills, and inflatables, just to suggest a few. We facilitate corporate events, banquets, weddings and back yard parties, whatever you dream up!
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with all of your equipment rentals, tool rentals, special event rentals, and wedding rentals needs.
Copyright © 2024 RentalHosting.com
Powered by Point-of Rental Systems™ - Last Update: 7/17/2024 6:34:44 AM


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Published in the December issue of the Singapore American Newspaper are my recommendations for books to give to people on your Nice list this year:
Whenever I'm stuck on what to get someone for Christmas, be it a new friend or a relative who wants for nothing, I head to a bookstore. Even though there are people who claim they never read physical books, I honestly believe there's something for everyone, from audio books to e-readers to graphic novels. Here are a few recommendations – old, new, fiction, and non-fiction – to give you some ideas.
For Friends Back Home:
Give friends back home a window into your life abroad with Janice Y.K. Lee's dramatic novel The Expatriates, which explores the emotions, identities and relationships of three very different American women in Hong Kong. For a taste of expat life in the 1920s, there's Far Eastern Tales by W. Somerset Maugham, a collection of short stories born of Maugham's experiences in Malaya, Singapore and other outposts of the former British Empire.
For the Literary Buff:
The novels of newly-minted Nobel Laureate Kazuo Ishiguro will surely be popular gifts this year, particularly The Remains of the Day and Never Let Me Go. But plumb the works of previous winners of the prize and you'll unearth a host of gift options for the friend who's read everything. To name a few: My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk, Reeds in the Wind by Grazia Deledda, and the poetry of Nelly Sachs.
For the Sports Fan:
Sports psychologist Dr. Jim Afremow's The Champion's Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive will be an engaging read for both athletes and fans. The book examines how the mental game is just as if not more important than raw physical capability. On the fiction side, William Hazelgrove's The Pitcher and Ross Raisin's A Natural delve into the hearts of baseball and soccer respectively.
For the History Enthusiast:
Any fan of historical fiction will know of James Clavell's epic Shōgun, but fewer have read his equally-gripping novel King Rat, which follows British and American inmates of Changi Prison during the Japanese Occupation of Singapore. For those who lean towards non-fiction and/or American history, it's hard to find a more epic yet intimate record than Pulitzer Prize-winner Isabel Wilkerson's The Warmth of Other Suns, a chronicle of the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the South for northern and western cities.
For Young Adults:
Hot off the press is Julie C. Dao's Forest of a Thousand Lanterns, a vibrant East Asian reimagining of The Evil Queen fairy tale. YA readers more drawn to narratives grounded in realism will undoubtedly be looking forward to John Green's latest novel Turtles All the Way Down, which is about "lifelong friendship, the intimacy of an unexpected reunion, Star Wars fan fiction, and tuatara."
For the Romantic:
Alice Hoffman's entire oeuvre is not only romantic, it's gorgeously written. While it's hard to go wrong with Practical Magic, I'd also recommend The Probable Future, a novel about love always finding a way, whether you're a teenager or a grandmother, recently divorced or alone for decades. For the readers on your list who want some adventure mixed in, there's Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, a genre-defying story about World War II nurse Claire Randall, who is transported to turbulent 18th century Scotland and finds romance with the dashing warrior Jamie Fraser.
For the Chef:
Cookbooks are like expensive candles: beautiful but a bit too expensive to justify buying for oneself. Thus, they make excellent gifts. Love Real Food is a stylish vegetarian cookbook by Katherine Taylor of the blog Cookie + Kate, which I refer to religiously despite being a meat-eater. For friends who don't mess around in the kitchen, there's Marcella Hazan's legendary Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking, a bible for anyone looking to seriously up their dinner game.


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Demand for the library's copies of The Hunger Games has skyrocketed since the movie came out. Don't worry, we can put you on the reserve list, but you might have a little bit of a wait ahead of you before your copy comes in. So while you wait, here are a few similar titles you might want to try:
If you like plenty of action and powerful female characters:
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
If you're looking for fast-paced stories about survival:
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Gone by Michael Grant
If you're interested in a dystopian world with a government gone bad:
1984 by George Orwell
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
When She Woke by Hillary Jordan
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow
If you want something with a bit of romance:
Matched by Ally Condie
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
If you're looking for some cool sci-fi:
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card


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The SEAT Board of Directors chaired by Volkswagen Group Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess has appointed Wayne Griffiths as the new President of the SEAT company, effective October 1st.
Griffiths will also continue as CEO and President of the CUPRA brand and for the time being will remain Sales and Marketing executive Vice-president of the company. Carsten Isensee will continue as executive Vice-president for Finance and IT, the position he had while he was the acting President of SEAT.
SEAT Board of Directors Chairman Herbert Diess pointed out that "Wayne Griffiths is one of the Group's most qualified managers. Over the past four years, he has driven SEAT sales to record levels and is leading the development of the new CUPRA brand. He has my full support and I'm convinced that he will continue this path of success at SEAT." Herbert Diess also expressed his gratitude to Carsten Isensee as intermediate President, who "took over leadership and responsibility in demanding months influenced by the effects of COVID-19 and guaranteed the continuity of the business operations."
Griffiths joined SEAT in 2016 as the head of sales and has taken the company to the next level. In the last three years and until the first quarter of 2020 (pre-COVID period), SEAT was the fastest growing brand in Europe. With Griffiths at the helm of the sales division, along with the largest product offensive so far, SEAT broke all-time sales records with an increase of more than 40% between 2016 and 2019. The new President is also one of the founders of the CUPRA brand and the newly created SEAT MÓ.
A motoring enthusiast with a career in the Volkswagen Group
The son of a car dealership owner, Griffiths began his career working in the family business before studying international management and German in Leeds, UK. Griffiths' career has been linked to the Volkswagen Group. He started at AUDI AG in Ingolstadt in 1989. After working for SEAT for two years (1991-1993), he returned to the German brand, where he held various positions of responsibility in the new commercial division in different markets. In 2016 he was appointed Vice-president for Sales and Marketing at SEAT, in January 2019 he assumed the position of CEO of CUPRA and at the beginning of this year he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of CUPRA.
The new company President will lead a new chapter in SEAT's 70-year history, a company with two well-defined brands, SEAT and CUPRA. His main goal will be to drive the transformation of SEAT and its brands towards electrification and sustainable mobility and develop the CUPRA brand. To this end, in July the company announced a 5 billion euro investment plan between 2020 and 2025. In the first phase, SEAT and CUPRA will launch 5 new electric and plug-in hybrid cars until 2021.
Herbert Steiner, SEAT's new Vice-president for Production and Logistics
SEAT has also appointed Herbert Steiner as the new Vice-president for Production and Logistics, effective November 1st. Steiner is taking over from Christian Vollmer, who moved to the Volkswagen brand as new Production Board Member.
As SEAT's new president, Wayne will lead the company and its 2 brands from 1st October.
Herbert Steiner is a mechanical engineer by Graz University of Technology and joined AUDI AG as a Production Controller in 1998. In 2006 Steiner became General Secretary of SEAT, a position he held until 2010 when he was appointed head of SEAT Componentes. After his time at SEAT, he took the post of General Manager of Engine Production and member of the Engine Production Board of Directors at AUDI Hungary. Since 2018, he has been head of the Motor and Foundry business area at Volkswagen Group Components.
Luis Comas, new Chairman of SEAT and Volkswagen Navarra Audit and Governance commissions
SEAT Vice-president for Legal Services and Good Governance Luis Comas has left his current position and has been appointed by the SEAT Board of Directors as an independent member on the board of directors of SEAT and Volkswagen Navarra. Comas will also take over the chairmanship of the Audit, Compliance and Governance Commission (ACGC) of both SEAT and Volkswagen Navarra, replacing Josep Piqué, who has held this post since 2017, once the statutory period for this position has expired.
The Legal Services and Good Governance area will be integrated into the company's Presidency structure. The new head of Legal Services and Good Governance will be announced in due time and will report directly to SEAT's new President Wayne Griffiths.


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Drop Shot
This is an excerpt from Tennis Skills & Drills by Joey Rive & Scott Williams.
Drop Shot
The value of the drop shot is its element of surprise. This shot is hit well by players such as Novak Djokovic, who has an aggressive baseline game that mixes power with finesse. Djokovic can use this shot as a way of enhancing his power game. Strategically, the drop shot can be used to bring an opponent to the net who doesn't like to volley or is uncomfortable at the net. The drop shot is used most effectively when the opponent is recovering after a shot and is stuck deep in the court. It is usually hit delicately. The success of the shot depends on the player's execution, the opponent's court position, and speed around the court.
The player can hit this shot in front of the body just over the net, at an angle, and inside out. The inside-out drop shot is derived from players using the inside-out forehand. It can be disguised if the player lines up as if about to hit an inside-out forehand, takes the normal backswing, and instead of hitting it normally, cuts the swing and places a ball inside out just over the net.
Preparation and Backswing: The forehand or backhand drop shot requires either the Eastern or Continental grip. The player should be in front of the baseline when playing this shot. To surprise the opponent, the player's stance should be the same as for the regular groundstroke (figure 8.7). The player takes the racket quickly back, slightly higher than the level of the oncoming ball, with a quarter turn and a shorter backswing, in a manner similar to that for the block shot.
Forward Swing and Contact: The racket face is open and travels down (see figure 8.8) and across the ball for underspin, from low to high for backspin, or from right to left for a right-handed player and left to right for a left-handed player for side spin. Which spin to use depends on what type of drop shot the player is trying to hit. A great drop shot can be played three ways. With underspin, it goes over the net and softly bounces three to five times on the service box. With backspin, it goes over the net, stops or rolls back to the net, or in some cases, bounces on the opponent's side and comes back over the net. With sidespin, it bounces on the opponent's side of the court and goes off the court after that bounce. The contact point needs to be in a position that is comfortable for the player. The drop shot can be hit from all three contact points and strike zones but is best hit from the low- to midlevel strike zone.
Follow-Through: The follow-through is short and ends slightly in front of the body. The face of the racket is open at the end of the movement (see figure 8.9). The body is balanced.
Read more from Tennis Skills & Drills by Joey Rive and Scott Williams.
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Summer, she told me, is all about the heart - strengthening and protecting this vital organ. It's the season for laughter, the time where we dance to music and celebrate outdoors. Imbued with happiness, it's the season of love (no wonder so many babies are born in spring!).
The sun is vibrant in summer, incredibly energising, but we must be wary of its bite. Our diet should include bitter foods to cool the blood and to ultimately cool our body. These include:
- cucumbers, lettuce, pears, grapefruit, celery
- dairy - especially fetta and yoghurt
- coconut, in all its forms
- stone fruits in their rich shades of crimson and orange - peaches, nectarines and apricots are tonics for the heart
- a fresh fruit and vegie juice is always a good thing (I'm currently drinking cucumber, carrot, ginger, apple and celery)
- meat eaters should gravitate towards more seafood in summer (there's a lovely recipe for wild snapper here)
- to aid digestion at night I drink a pineapple, ginger and mint juice just before dinner - strong, sweet and spicy
- lemon tea is perfect for summer to refresh and to cool - try lemon myrtle, lemongrass or lemon verbena.
Of course, with the warm weather comes the mozzies and I'm all for using a natural repellent. Burning lavender, or even rubbing some lavender oil around your window frames, keeps the mozzies and flies away. But be mindful that rosemary attracts them. Did you know that rosemary should always be planted on the hottest side of the house? - when the sun hits the leaves an oil is released which produces a vapour that ultimately cools the area. A trick the Ancient Egyptians used, apparently.
For bug bites try a little calendula oil dabbed on the skin or ice and aloe vera gel to cool and soothe.
spring : notes from my naturopath
For bug bites try a little calendula oil dabbed on the skin or ice and aloe vera gel to cool and soothe.
spring : notes from my naturopath


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Monthly Statistics of International Trade
September Volume 2000 Issue 9
This reliable and up-to-date source of statistics on international trade of OECD countries provides a detailed insight into the most recent trends in trading patterns for OECD countries with the rest of the world. Data are broken down by economic groupings, by country and by region, and include seasonally adjusted series as well as calculated indicators. The series shown cover data for the last eight months, four quarters and two years available. This monthly publication is divided into four parts: Aggregate trade indicators, Volume and unit value indices, Trade by Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) sections and Trade of OECD Member countries by partner country.
- Click to access:
Click to download PDF - 1.09MBPDF


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Virgin America
I flew Virgin Atlantic for the first time recently, for a day trip to San Francisco. I enjoyed it. I can't remember the last time I actually enjoyed getting on a plane.
The first really standout bit was when the Seattle ground folks put on music and a name that song contest. They handed out free drink tickets for each winner, and a second free drink for singing along through the PA. I was initially a little skeptical — I really wanted some peace and quiet — but it's better than airport CNN. They seemed to be having a genuinely good time, and they had me smiling by the time I got on the plane.
On the way home, I splurged for a $50 upgrade, figuring that I needed a drink or three, and some food wouldn't hurt either. The seat was comfy, and the flight attendant was friendly, conversational and appeared to be enjoying himself.
If I lived in San Francisco (their US hub) I'd be a convert. As is, I'll likely fly them when I can.
If I was one of those pedantic bloggers who tried to tie everything back to the blog title, I'd talk about the value of the unexpected. But really, give them a chance if you're headed on a route they fly.


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Sony Xperia Tablet Z is World's Thinnest Tablet, Goes Underwater
Sony bills its new Xperia Tablet Z as the world's thinnest tablet. And it's beautiful. You can even get it wet. Unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2013, the Xperia Tablet Z is a slate you can use with confidence in the kitchen or by the pool. Those aren't the only things Sony's new device has going for it: A new SideView app lets you see what's on TV and change the channel with a tap. Add in a full HD display with a wider color spectrum than the iPad and you have one of the more compelling Android tablets of the year.
Here's our hands-on impressions of this bold new tablet.
For the Xperia Tablet Z, Sony ditched the fold design it used on its previous two Android tablets, the Sony Tablet S and the Sony Xperia Tablet S. That's probably a good thing, for although we liked the distinctive shape of the latter, thin is in. The Tablet Z measures just 0.26 inches thick, making it the "world's thinnest 10-inch tablet," according to Sony. Considering the Toshiba Excite 10 LE was 0.3 inches thick, we're splitting hairs here, but the design is still remarkably svelte.
The Xperia Tablet Z weighs 1.09 pounds, making it lighter than competing devices such as the iPad (1.4 pounds) and the Excite 10 LE (1.13 pounds).
MORE: Top 10 Tablets Right Now
According to Sony, the full HD (1920 x 1080) display on the Xperia Tablet Z has 20 percent great color gamut than the iPad, made possible by its Bravia engine. The 10.1-inch display has an aspect ratio of 16:10. During our hands-on time, images looked lush and vivid--even underwater.
Yes, the Tablet Z is IP57 water resistant, which means it can survive up to 30 minutes in 6 inches of water. We wouldn't go swimming with it, but wouldn't worry if someone accidentally spilled their Poland Spring bottle on the device, either. The screen can also be used even when covered with water, so you could use it in the shower, if you want.
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Like the Xperia Tablet S, the Tablet Z has a built-in IR blaster. Used in conjunction with the Sony SideView app, which displays what programs are currently on TV, you can change to a desired show by merely flicking that program's icon towards the top of the display. It's a pretty neat feature, and one that Sony hopes will make its tablet more of a living-room staple.
The Tablet Z also has built-in NFC, as well as Sony's One Touch technology. This lets you wirelessly connect to another NFC-enabled device, such as a speaker, merely by tapping it with the tablet. The onboard sound isn't too shabby, either. Four speakers around the sides and back of the Tablet Z help ensure that sound doesn't become muffled when the device is held or in someone's lap.
MORE: 10 Tablets with the Longest Battery Life
Inside the Tablet Z is a quad-core Snapdragon S4 processor. A battery stamina mode shuts down processes when the screen is off--but you can whitelist apps to remain on--so the tablet will have more than 4 times the standby time as the previous version. Sony estimates that the Tablet Z will last for about 8 hours while browsing the Web via Wi-Fi.
When it goes on sale in May, Sony will offer two versions of the Xperia Tablet Z: A 16GB model will cost $499, and a 32GB version will cost $599. The tablet will be available in white or black. Overall, the Xperia Tablet Z looks is a gorgeous and highly versatile tablet that's tailor-made for TV fans.


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IBM and Red Hat today announced that Red Hat Enterprise Linux v.3, Red Hat's newest offering, is now available across the entire IBM eServer product line.
The two companies are also announcing that Red Hat Enterprise Linux is now packaged with sales of IBM's xSeries and BladeCenter servers in Japan, North America, and eventually around the world. The packaging will include Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS, ES and WS, and in the future the recently released Red Hat Enterprise Linux v.3.
Today's announcement represents an expansion of the existing multiyear agreement that commenced last year. The agreement calls for the two companies to work together to provide broad Linux support, including servers, software and implementation services, to customers worldwide.
Server, Workstation and Storage Support
Support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux v.3 will span all IBM eServer platforms with a single Linux architecture -- iSeries, pSeries, xSeries, zSeries, BladeCenter (including the BladeCenter JS20 based on POWER technology), Clusters 1350 and 1650, e325, IntelliStation and TotalStorage. IBM will work closely with Red Hat to ensure optimum performance across all IBM eServer products. Unique advantages of Linux on IBM eServer platforms include:
- iSeries - Linux deployments on iSeries are rising dramatically as customers can consolidate infrastructure workloads and integrate applications on a single server with shared processor partitioning, dynamic resource movement, and resource virtualization. With Capacity on Demand, processors can be dynamically activated and moved into running Linux and OS/400 partitions to give immediate power to changing workload demands.
- pSeries - Linux on IBM's pSeries brings flexibility and customer choice to an already highly scalable and reliable POWER platform that customers are using today. Through the robustness and openness of POWER technology, customers can run Linux without compromise - from the entry level 1-2 way POWER4 systems to the high-end 32-way POWER4 systems alone or with AIX through Logical Partitioning - all at very affordable pricing.
- xSeries - A reliable foundation for Linux solutions, xSeries servers leverage IBM Enterprise X-Architecture state-of-the-art, industry-leading technologies to deliver enterprise class power, scalability, and availability at very attractive prices.
- eServer BladeCenter - BladeCenter running Linux provides a new way to achieve the critical goal of doing more with less (pay as you grow) with easy modular scalability. Last month, IBM introduced the industry's first blade server based on POWER technology - the IBM eServer BladeCenter JS20 - extending blade technology to 64-bit computing through a Linux-based blade solution.
- zSeries - IBM eServer zSeries benefits -- performance, scalability, security and reliability -- are combined with the flexibility and open standards of Linux. Allows consolidation from tens to hundreds of independent Linux servers onto a single server, deployable in minutes.
- Services and Support - IBM Global Services will provide support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux v.3, building off of its support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 2.1 and Red Hat Network managed software services. Red Hat and IBM Global Services will provide comprehensive end-to-end service to customers with Linux technical knowledge and engineering resources, as well as collaborate and package each other's consulting and service offerings to provide one-stop support for customers' Linux requirements. Red Hat and IBM Global Services continue to offer customers migration services to Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
- Software Support - IBM will also deliver support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 across its key software portfolio, spanning WebSphere, DB2, Lotus, Tivoli and Rational. IBM is currently the largest provider of software that runs on Red Hat Enterprise Linux, with more than 200 software products that support the distribution. With expanded Red Hat support across IBM's server offerings, IBM will also be the only company to deliver a broad array of software for xSeries, iSeries, pSeries and zSeries running on Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
"IBM and Red Hat are deepening their alliance to provide the advantages of Linux to customers everywhere," said Scott Handy, vice president of Linux strategy and market development at IBM. "The two companies create a compelling value proposition, combining forces to enable a business to deploy a resilient infrastructure throughout the enterprise built on Linux."
"Red Hat Linux v.3 will enable IBM's customers to leverage the power and value of open source across several hardware architectures within a compute infrastructure," said Mike Evans, vice president of Channel Sales and Development at Red Hat. "The common code base will promote security, stability and ease of manageability. The availability of Red Hat Enterprise Linux v.3 on all of IBM eServer Systems signals the deep commitment our companies have to jointly deliver enterprise Linux solutions to the enterprise."
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About Red Hat, Inc.
Red Hat, the world's leading open source and Linux provider, is headquartered in Raleigh, NC with satellite offices spanning the globe. Red Hat is leading Linux and open source solutions into the mainstream by making high quality, low cost technology accessible. Red Hat provides operating system software along with middleware, applications and management solutions. Red Hat also offers support, training and consulting services to its customers worldwide and through top-tier partnerships. Red Hat's open source strategy offers customers a long term plan for building infrastructures that are based on and leverage open source technologies with focus on security and ease of management. Learn more: http://www.redhat.com
Forward-Looking Statements
Forward-looking statements in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release that are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, management's plans and objectives for future operations, and management's assessment of market factors, constitute forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, reliance upon strategic relationships, management of growth, the possibility of undetected software errors, the risks of economic downturns generally, and in Red Hat's industry specifically, the risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures, the viability of the Internet, and other risks detailed in Red Hat's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which may be accessed through the SEC's Web site at http://www.sec.gov.
LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds. RED HAT is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. All other names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
- About Red Hat
Red Hat is the world's leading provider of open source software solutions, using a community-powered approach to reliable and high-performing cloud, Linux, middleware, storage and virtualization technologies. Red Hat also offers award-winning support, training, and consulting services. As the connective hub in a global network of enterprises, partners, and open source communities, Red Hat helps create relevant, innovative technologies that liberate resources for growth and prepare customers for the future of IT. Learn more at http://www.redhat.com.
- Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: risks related to delays or reductions in information technology spending; the effects of industry consolidation; the ability of the Company to compete effectively; the integration of acquisitions and the ability to market successfully acquired technologies and products; uncertainty and adverse results in litigation and related settlements; the inability to adequately protect Company intellectual property and the potential for infringement or breach of license claims of or relating to third party intellectual property; the ability to deliver and stimulate demand for new products and technological innovations on a timely basis; risks related to data and information security vulnerabilities; ineffective management of, and control over, the Company's growth and international operations; fluctuations in exchange rates; and changes in and a dependence on key personnel, as well as other factors contained in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (copies of which may be accessed through the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at http://www.sec.gov), including those found therein under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations". In addition to these factors, actual future performance, outcomes, and results may differ materially because of more general factors including (without limitation) general industry and market conditions and growth rates, economic and political conditions, governmental and public policy changes and the impact of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the Company's views as of the date of this press release and these views could change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, the Company specifically disclaims any obligation to do so. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company's views as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release.


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Landis+Gyr Announces Exclusive Reseller Arrangement with Jetlun
Landis+Gyr has exclusive reseller rights to market and distribute Jetlun's Intelligent Management (JIM) – home energy management solutions for Australia and New Zealand's residential and small business segments.
"We are delighted to formalise our relationship with Jetlun, whose offering when coupled with Landis+Gyr's smart meters offer consumers a truly 'one-stop solution' – a complete energy management solution for homes and small businesses", said Mr Steve Jeston, CEO of Australia and New Zealand.
According to Mr Jeston, the arrangement further enhances their end-to-end smart metering product portfolio by extending smart metering capabilities to Australian and New Zealand householders. He also emphasised that "consumers can now manage their energy consumption in the palm of their hand and enjoy tangible savings with Jetlun's easy-to-use and broad range of energy efficiency applications".
The Jetlun Intelligent Management solution provides a platform to remotely manage appliances in the home through their hand held smart apps. Consumers can easily turn on/off devices and pre-configure different modes depending on daytime, season, and occupancy, even over extended vacations. International trials and extensive research show that an increase in energy usage awareness can help reduce energy usage by up to 20%.
Elsa Chan, co-founder and CEO of Jetlun, said, "This strategic partnership with Landis+Gyr is very exciting, and it's a fantastic opportunity for us to help expand their metering solutions to include the advantages of our Jetlun Intelligent Management system, such as load control switches, in-home displays, gateways and integrated software."
The award winning Jetlun Intelligent Management solution features include:
- Granular energy usage view by whole-home, by phase, by circuit and by appliance;
- Real-time home energy usage data display;
- Web-based, simple, and intuitive interface;
- Ability to track renewable energy;
- Forecast monthly energy bills;
- Remote monitoring and management of entire home area network;
- Integrated HomePlug and ZigBee solution; and
- Automatic calculation of carbon footprint.
About Landis+Gyr
Landis+Gyr is the leading global provider of integrated energy management products tailored to energy company needs and unique in its ability to deliver true end-to-end advanced metering solutions. Today, the Company offers the broadest portfolio of products and services in the electricity metering industry, and is paving the way for the next generation of smart grid. With annualized sales of US$1.6 billion, Landis+Gyr, an independent growth platform of the Toshiba Corporation (TKY:6502) and 40% owned by the Innovation Network Corporation of Japan, operates in 30 countries across five continents, and employs 5,000 people with the sole mission of helping the world manage energy better. More information is available at www.landisgyr.com
About Jetlun
Jetlun Corporation is a leader in network bridging solutions for Smart Grid and Energy Management for home and building energy management. Its mission is to increase awareness and understanding of energy usage in an effort to reduce energy spending and carbon footprint overall through innovative development of integrated solutions that maximize the networking capabilities of any existing infrastructure. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, with offices in Hong Kong and China, Jetlun is a leading expert in HomePlug, ZigBee, WiFi and 3G with a proven track record in technology innovation and product development. For more information, visit www.jetlun.com.
Media Contact
For Landis+Gyr
Mr Milan Vrkic
+61 2 9690 7494
For Jetlun
Mr Josh Fix, Jetlun,
1-866-498-2703 x106