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CES in Las Vegas is an amazing event, partly through sheer scale. It is the largest trade show in Vegas, America's trade show city. Apparently it was also the largest CES ever: two million square feet of exhibition space, 3,200 exhibitors, 150,000 industry attendees, of whom 35,000 were from outside the USA.
It follows that CES is beyond the ability of any one person to see in its entirety. Further, it is far from an even representation of the consumer tech industry. Notable absentees include Apple, Google and Microsoft – though Microsoft for one booked a rather large space in the Venetian hotel which was used for private meetings. The primary purpose of CES, as another journalist explained to me, is for Asian companies to do deals with US and international buyers. The success of WowWee's stand for app-controllable MiP robots, for example, probably determines how many of the things you will see in the shops in the 2014/15 winter season.
The kingmakers at CES are the people going round with badges marked Buyer. The press events are a side-show.
CES is also among the world's biggest trade shows for consumer audio and high-end audio, which is a bonus for me as I have an interest in such things.
Now some observations. First, a reminder that CEA (the organisation behind CES) kicked off the event with a somewhat downbeat presentation showing that global consumer tech spending is essentially flat. Smartphones and tablets are growing, but prices are falling, and most other categories are contracting. Converged devices are reducing overall spend. One you had a camera, a phone and a music player; now the phone does all three.
Second, if there is one dominant presence at CES, it is Samsung. Press counted themselves lucky even to get into the press conference. A showy presentation convinced us that we really want not only UHD (4K UHD is 3840 x 2160 resolution) video, but also a curved screen, for a more immersive experience; or even the best of both worlds, an 85" bendable UHD TV which transforms from flat to curved.
We already knew that 4K video will go mainstream, but there is more uncertainty about the future connected home. Samsung had a lot to say about this too, unveiling its Smart Home service. A Smart Home Protocol (SHP) will connect devices and home appliances, and an app will let you manage them. Home View will let you view your home remotely. Third parties will be invited to participate. More on the Smart Home is here.
The technology is there; but there are several stumbling blocks. One is political. Will Apple want to participate in Samsung's Smart Home? will Google? will Microsoft? What about competitors making home appliances? The answer is that nobody will want to cede control of the Smart Home specifications to Samsung, so it can only succeed through sheer muscle, or by making some alliances.
The other question is around value for money. If you are buying a fridge freezer, how high on your list of requirements is SHP compatibility? How much extra will you spend? If the answer is that old-fashioned attributes like capacity, reliability and running cost are all more important, then the Smart Home cannot happen until there are agreed standards and a low cost of implementation. It will come, but not necessarily from Samsung.
Samsung did not say that much about its mobile devices. No Galaxy S5 yet; maybe at Mobile World Congress next month. It did announce the Galaxy Note Pro and Galaxy Tab Pro series in three sizes; the "Pro" designation intrigues me as it suggests the intention that these be business devices, part of the "death of the PC" theme which was also present at CES.
Samsung did not need to say much about mobile because it knows it is winning. Huawei proudly announced that it it is 3rd in smartphones after Samsung and Apple, with a … 4.8% market share, which says all you need to know.
That said, Huawei made a rather good presentation, showing off its forthcoming AscendMate2 4G smartphone, with 6.1" display, long battery life (more than double that of iPhone 5S is claimed, with more than 2 days in normal use), 5MP front camera for selfies, 13MP rear camera, full specs here. No price yet, but expect it to be competitive.
Sony also had a good CES, with indications that PlayStation 4 is besting Xbox One in the early days of the next-gen console wars, and a stylish stand reminding us that Sony knows how to design good-looking kit. Sony's theme was 4K becoming more affordable, with its FDR-AX100 camcorder offering 4K support in a device no larger than most camcorders; unfortunately the sample video we saw did not look particularly good.
Sony also showed the Xperia Z1 compact smartphone, which went down well, and teased us with an introduction for Sony SmartWear wearable entertainment and "life log" capture. We saw the unremarkable "core" gadget which will capture the data but await more details.
Another Sony theme was high resolution audio, on which I am writing a detailed piece (not just about Sony) to follow.
As for Microsoft Windows, it was mostly lost behind a sea of Android and other devices, though I will note that Lenovo impressed with its new range of Windows 8 tablets and hybrids – like the 8" Thinkpad with Windows 8.1 Pro and full HD 1920×1200 display – more details here.
There is an optional USB 3.0 dock for the Thinkpad 8 but I commented to the Lenovo folk that the device really needs a keyboard cover. I mentioned this again at the Kensington stand during the Mobile Focus Digital Experience event, and they told me they would go over and have a look then and there; so if a nice Kensington keyboard cover appears for the Thinkpad 8 you have me to thank.
Whereas Lenovo strikes me as a company which is striving to get the best from Windows 8, I was less impressed by the Asus press event, mainly because I doubt the Windows/Android dual boot concept will take off. Asus showed the TD300 Transformer Book Duet which runs both. I understand why OEMs are trying to bolt together the main business operating system with the most popular tablet OS, but I dislike dual boot systems, and if the Windows 8 dual personality with Metro and desktop is difficult, then a Windows/Android hybrid is more so. I'd guess there is more future in Android emulation on Windows. Run Android apps in a window? Asus did also announce its own 8" Windows 8.1 tablet, but did not think it worth attention in its CES press conference.
Wearables was a theme at CES, especially in the health area, and there was a substantial iHealth section to browse around.
I am not sure where this is going, but it seems to me inevitable that self-monitoring of how well or badly our bodies are functioning will become commonplace. The result will be fodder for hypochondriacs, but I think there will be real benefits too, in terms of motivation for exercise and healthy diets, and better warning and reaction for critical problems like heart attacks. The worry is that all that data will somehow find its way to Google or health insurance companies, raising premiums for those who need it most. As to which of the many companies jostling for position in this space will survive, that is another matter.
What else? It is a matter of where to stop. I was impressed by NVidia's demo rig showing three 4K displays driven by a GTX-equipped PC; my snap absolutely does not capture the impact of the driving game being shown.
I was also impressed by NVidia's ability to befuddle the press at its launch of the Tegra K1 chipset, confusing 192 CUDA cores with CPU cores. Having said that, the CUDA support does mean you can use those cores for general-purpose programming and I see huge potential in this for more powerful image processing on the device, for example. Tegra 4 on the Surface 2 is an excellent experience, and I hope Microsoft follows up with a K1 model in due course even though that looks doubtful.
There were of course many intriguing devices on show at CES, on some of which I will report over at the Gadget Writing blog, and much wild and wonderful high-end audio.
On audio I will note this. Bang & Olufsen showed a stylish home system, largely wireless, but the sound was disappointing (it also struck me as significant that Android or iOS is required to use it). The audiophiles over in the Venetian tower may have loopy ideas, but they had the best sounds.
CES can do retro as well as next gen; the last pinball machine manufacturer displayed at Digital Experience, while vinyl, tubes and horns were on display over in the tower.


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Do you ever wonder how you make a cupcake cake? Well that was just my job the last week of school. Miss J had to do a report on the 1st dinosaur ever and she signed up to make a cake. Well at Miss J's school that means you bring everything from the serving piece to the sharp knife plus all of the plates napkins and forks for 35 kids plus two teachers. Now I do not mind bringing all of that however. I do want my stuff back! That's the part that I am never sure I am going to get to happen. So my answer to this problem is sending cupcakes and Ice like a cake.
I baked Gluten Free Cupcakes by Betty Crocker but instead of adding the oil or butter I always substitute with apple sauce. This way they are really moist and it was really cute a lot of the Moms know I love to bake and cook and they thought I made from scratch and a couple moms came to me for the recipe when I explained it was Betty Crocker Gluten Free they were quiet surprised.
Take cupcakes and arrange in six rows of seven cupcakes each.
Fill up a 16" icing bag with icing.
Next use Tip 789 By Wilton it is a basket weaving tip but it really gets everything together.
Make stripes of icing over cupcakes first going vertical
Next Ice Horizontal then smooth all out.
Now its time to decorate. I find easiest way is to photo copy a picture in book then cut around picture of shape.
Next place on cake then outline with toothpick,
then outline toothpick with colored icing. I used a pre purchased Wilton Icing.
Last we filled in picture with sugar crystals.
This was such a fun project to do with Miss J. I hope you enjoy decorating a cake with your kids as much as we do.
Sheila Fretz

subset: commoncrawl


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, December 29th, 2019 at 17:21 (7611 Views)
The uncanny valley strikes again. I can type, and I can feign, but I can never be human, and it upsets people. I belong with the cairaths in the sewers, melting screaming fleshy things to my frame, or with the denizens in Inferno - not up here. I've never understood human customs or behavior. I was never taught them. I was taught physical restraint by my wardens, and the tearing of the flesh and the mind. ...and somehow, in people's minds, not being human, is a fault. It's subconscious instinct: I'm "rude".
I try to behave, but I miss Inferno a lot, where being rude is the norm. I miss the hollow ones. I understand them better. I wish I could shackle one to the wall of my apartment, so that I'd have a friend to talk to.
I didn't do much today. Concluded that a lot of the templates are copies, and that they're marked "c" at the end. That's about it.


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by Daniel Pipes
October 12, 2012
Cross-posted from History News Network
Three reactions to the Joe Biden-Paul Ryan debate last night:
Middle East dominance: The foreign policy aspects of the debate focused almost exclusively on Libya, Israel, Syria, Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan. Binyamin Netanyahu's name was invoked eight times, far more often than any other person other than Barack Obama and Mitt Romney. The Euro crisis, the recent reelection of Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, and the country of India all went unmentioned, while relations with Russia and China came up only glancingly. So chaotic, volatile, and murderous has the Middle East become that American politicians are quasi-experts on it to the point of naming the rival Afghan valleys they'd visited. The region has also become an integral part of a voter's decision on whom to vote for for president. That Tunisia, Turkey, Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain never came up, while Egypt and energy were mentioned only once, points the depth of the Middle East issues bench.
Joe Biden's smirk: Actually it was not just the smirk – it was also the false hilarity, the 82 interruptions of Ryan, the finger pointing, the preening arrogance, and the talking down to the audience – that overshadowed all else in the debate. Not until the last fifteen minutes did Biden talk like a normal human being, and then he became quite effective. Before then, however, his ugly demeanor overwhelmed his words, leaving a powerfully unpleasant impression. In contrast, Ryan spoke earnestly and respectfully, even while getting in a couple of sharp elbow jabs.
Lack of principles: With only a few exceptions, both candidates (as was also the case in the presidential debate) stayed aloof from principles, preferring to make the case as to who is the more competent manager. They do so presumably in the chase for those independent voters in swing states; but for anyone with views on the proper direction of the country, those endless numbers and the disagreements over small facts meant the discussion verged on the tedious. (October 12, 2012)
Source material can be found at this site.


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- This event has passed.
New Home Blueprint Reading for Realtors
March 16, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am CDT
HomesUSAAlliance Certification hosted in ZOOM Virtual Classroom
Blueprints are 2-dimensional architectural design drawings that indicate the size of a planned home, the materials to be used in its construction, and the placement of its features. Architects and builders use blueprints and written specifications to communicate to construction workers how the home is to be constructed.
Learning to read blueprints is essential not only for construction workers but also for agents who desire to sell new homes, so that they can help their clients make a more informed housing decision. The goal of the seminar is to familiarize agents with reading both conceptual design as well as construction plans. At the end of the course agents will have a working knowledge of blueprint reading.
Successfully completing this 2-hour seminar teaches agents the following:
- To assist agents in reading and understanding a home's design as seen in a set of blueprints, assist agent to make knowledgeable suggestions to a client concerning floor plan configuration and product specifications when buying a home before it's constructed.
- To teach agents what's on a blueprint, how to navigate through a blueprint, learn basic blueprint terminology, understand who uses a blueprint, and understand what design parameters come into play when deciding upon a builder, a lot and a floor plan.


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13 Best Dandruff Shampoos for a Happier ScalpThe best dandruff shampoos treat, moisturize, and even add shine. Check out our readers' rankings for the inside info on washing those flakes right out of your hair -- for good |
Why it's great: Readers describe this product as "happiness in a bottle." When compared to other dandruff shampoo options, one reviewer says this is the only one that doesn't make her smell like "a coal miner on break." Reviewers like that it removes not only dandruff, but also product buildup. One TotalBeauty.com reader finds that it clears up her scalp psoriasis, saying, "It works very well to clear up the red, itchy patches on my scalp and reduces flaking." Put simply, this shampoo works. As another reviewer states, "This is the only dandruff shampoo that does what it's supposed to do."
Agree? Disagree? Write your review of Neutrogena T/Gel Daily Control 2-in-1 Dandruff Shampoo Plus Conditioner here.
Buy now
*At time of publication
SEE NEXT PAGE: Best Dandruff Shampoo No. 9: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo,
Older comments
I am fortunate in that I don't have dandruff. I do truly enjoy the tingling sensation of a shampoo and/or conditioner with Tea Tree Oil, however. It's delightful!
by GigiSD Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 09:59PM Report as inappropriate
I've always found Vosene's anti dandruff shampoo to be great. Certainly worth trying for anyone looking for a new shampoo.
by edb Monday, January 7, 2013 at 03:31AM Report as inappropriate
The body shop ginger anti-dandruff shampoo!! The best one i've ever tried!
by Danit Monday, October 8, 2012 at 04:21PM Report as inappropriate
I've used a lot of garnier and herbal essences shampoos and conditioners, they smell great but they do leave a lot of residue on the hair. i went to a hairdresser and the first thing she asks is what shampoo i was using because there was ALOT of buildup, smell great but leave your hair less than clean. They work for dandruff though. I am excited to try the paul mitchell tea tree, i love anything with tee tree oil and will take this list into consideration for my next shampoo
by beccckky Wednesday, September 5, 2012 at 08:06PM Report as inappropriate
I have tried Head & Shoulders, Paul Mitchel, and T Gel and none have worked for my dry scalp. I will have to give Jason's Tea Tree Oil a try.
by hiddenexpose Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 12:04PM Report as inappropriate
Garnier's shampoo is sub-par, at best. Jason's is THE BEST out of everything on the market, whether your scalp is dry, has a lot of build-up of product, or is oily, this shampoo is a dream come true. You can feel safe using it because it's all natural. If you're not a fan of the smell of tea tree oil, use this any way because the smell doesn't linger. I find that if I use this every single time I shampoo for a few weeks, my dry scalp goes away fast. I also find that the scalp sheds itself naturally, which we sometimes THINK is dandruff or something else because it's gross, itchy, and drives us insane, but is actually part of changes in temperature from season to season, etc. Cutting back on product use helps tremendously as you navigate through this process. My hair gets washed, conditioned, and the only thing I put in it is Josie Maran's Argan Oil. My hair has never been healthier or looked better as an adult. Also, this shampoo isn't always easy to find locally, so if you cannot find it, check out Ebay, Amazon, or Folica. It's generally about $10-$12 a bottle.
by MissPoison Friday, August 17, 2012 at 05:00PM Report as inappropriate
love it...can't wait to try one of these soon
by jaye_tyler Saturday, August 11, 2012 at 01:53PM Report as inappropriate
Got the Shielo Hydrate Shampoo for my husband because Pureology no longer makes their dandruff shampoo. He has used it 2 times now and loves Shielo! Said he thinks it's even better than Pureology! His hair is soft and he has noticed already changes in his scalp and less dryness. Go figure! Yes, it's expensive but if you factor all the money you waste on every other type you purchase hoping it's 'the one', save yourself the time and try this!
by melissa_locks Thursday, July 12, 2012 at 07:41PM Report as inappropriate
I'd try Aveda's line if i have dandruff
by TBjunkie Tuesday, May 1, 2012 at 12:30AM Report as inappropriate
I didn't realize Herbal Essences has an anti-dandruff shampoo... totally going to want to try that!
by MissXu Sunday, April 15, 2012 at 02:50PM Report as inappropriate


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My friend Annette Cottrell, author of The Urban Farm Handbook, is organizing a year-long "urban homesteading" challenge on her blog, Sustainable Eats. She's asked me to be a host for this month's challenge: Home Dairy!
I've introduced the challenge -- and shared a recipe for a super-easy and delicious lemon cheese -- on my other blog, Eating Rules. Head on over and check it out!


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Good news this week on the fund raising front. We are in the midst of trying to raise $40,000 to complete our building project. A letter to this end is here, and also available in PDF or WORD format. We would be in your debt[1] if you printed this letter and sent it to those who may want to be the founding benefactors of a temple.
We have had $780.00 sent to us via mail this week, in response to a mailing to ROCOR clergy I know, and the notice on the web site. Donations are coming in on a regular basis. We will get totals soon, to show how close we are to raising the $40,000 we need to complete the project. I estimate we have raised near $3000 so far towards our goal.
We drilled holes for the piers and poured concrete for them today. Next week, plumbing and electrical rough in, and if we are real fortunate, we will pour the slab.
In the mean time, in order to save money, I have been moonlighting at the construction site.
Below, I am drilling the holes for the piers in the hot
Here is where the new location of the cross will be.
Priest Seraphim Holland 2009. St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas
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New Journal entries, homilies, etc. are on our BLOG: http://www.orthodox.net/redeemingthetime
Journal Archive: http://www.orthodox.net/journal
Blog posts & local parish news are posted to our email list. Go to here: http://groups.google.com/group/saint-nicholas-orthodox-church to join.
Redeeming the Time BLOG: http://www.orthodox.net/redeemingthetime
Use this for any edifying reason, but please give credit, and include the URL of the article. This content belongs to the author. We would love to hear from you with comments! (email@example.com)


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That's the ingenious title of a new book by NPR correspondent Louisa Lim, who I had the pleasure of working with briefly when I was working on a project in Shanghai in 2010. I just ordered it and plan to review it soon. But the story of how Lim wrote this book is remarkable and bears mentioning now; it brings to light just how dangerous a topic Tiananmen Square remains for journalists today. Lim tells the story in a Washington Post article from earlier this week. I can't urge you strongly enough to read it all. So intent is China on wiping out all recollections of the Tiananmen Square violence of June 4 that Lim had to go to extraordinary measures to keep her book secret while she was writing it.
I wrote my book on a brand-new laptop that had never been online. Every night I locked it in a safe in my apartment. I never mentioned the book on the phone or in e-mail, at home or in the office — both located in the same Beijing diplomatic compound, which I assumed was bugged. I took these extreme measures because I was writing about that most taboo of topics in China: the Tiananmen Square crackdown of 1989, when soldiers opened fire on unarmed civilians on the streets of Beijing, killing hundreds of people, maybe even more than 1,000.
I stuck to my rules doggedly. When I decided to throw out the structure I had outlined in my proposal and take a completely different approach, I waited until I left China months later to tell my patient editor. I didn't tell any of my colleagues what I was working on in my off-hours. For weeks I didn't even tell my children — then ages 7 and 5 — for fear they might blurt something out at home. Later on, when they began to ask why I didn't have time to play, I swore them to secrecy.
Lim describes how this year's crackdown on any attempts to commemorate the killings is being clamped down on early, with activists being arrested weeks in advance. She describes the arrest of five attendees at a "June 4 commemorative seminar," and notes how one Chinese newspaper reported on the seminar:
Of the seminar, a state-run newspaper, the Global Times, wrote dismissively, "It is obvious that such an event, which is related to the most sensitive political issue in China, has clearly crossed the red line of law.
At least they admit there is a thick red line when it comes to Tiananmen Square. It appears this year it's thicker than ever. To cross it is to violate Chinese law (though I'm not sure which law that is).
Lim's book is a series of portraits of witnesses and participants in the Tiananmen Square massacre, including a former PLA soldier from the unit charged with clearing the square. She even tells the little-known story of the crackdown on student protestors in Chengdu. Lim's book and a second book are the subjects of an exhaustive review in The NY Review of Books. It is a more thorough, detail-rich review than I could ever write, so I strongly recommend it.
Another piece in the NYROB examines this year's crackdowns and how people are being arrested simply for talking about June 4th. This article focuses on activists determined to speak out, and how the government deals with them. Also highly recommended, if painfully grim.
A couple of years ago a blogger I respect put up a post about how he wasn't writing about the TSM anymore, that it had been covered enough already and that there was nothing to add at this point. I respect and understand that. For me, however, the massacre is an exposed nerve and I can never forget my own surges of emotion, from hope to elation to disbelief to despair as I watched the story unfold. For thousands of Chinese citizens who remember it, the wound has never healed; some of them are even willing to go to prison for their efforts to keep the memory alive. Yet the government is more determined than ever to silence all voices. The censors, Lim writes, are in overdrive this milestone year.
China's online censors are busy scrubbing allusions, no matter how elliptical, to June 4. As the anniversary nears, judging by precedents set in recent years, the list of banned words and terms will grow to include "64," "today," "that year," "in memory of" and even "sensitive word." History is apparently so dangerous that China's version of Wikipedia, Baidu Baike, does not have an entry for the entire year of 1989.
As I have written before, this obsessive mission to delete the protests and crackdowns from China's collective memory speaks to just how insecure and fearful the CCP remains, even now, when China is doing well and there is no risk of a popular uprising anytime soon. Why are they so afraid? Whatever the reason, the story of the Tiananmen Square protests and the ensuing violence are an indelible part of China's history, and whether the Party likes it or not, many voices will be raised to keep the memory alive. The vigorous crackdowns this year only make those who have an interest in China more determined to seek the truth about June 4th.


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Common Roofing Problems
A roofing system's performance is affected by numerous factors. These are the most common factors that may compromise your roof.
Heat and ultraviolet rays cause roofing materials to deteriorate over time. Deterioration can occur faster on the sides facing west or south.
When water gets underneath shingles, shakes or other roofing materials, it can work its way to the roof deck and cause the roof structure to rot. Extra moisture encourages mildew and rot elsewhere in a house, including walls, ceilings, insulation and electrical systems.
High winds can lift shingles' edges (or other roofing materials) and force water and debris underneath them. Extremely high winds can cause extensive damage.
Hail can impact the shingles and cause bruising that will in turn cause expansion and contraction resulting in leaks.
Snow and ice
Melting snow often refreezes at a roof's overhang where the surface is cooler, forming an ice dam. This blocks proper drainage into the gutter. Water backs up under the shingles (or other roofing materials) and seeps into the interior. During the early melt stages, gutters and downspouts can be the first to fill with ice and be damaged beyond repair or even torn off a house or building.
Condensation can result from the buildup of relatively warm, moisture-laden air. Moisture in a poorly ventilated attic promotes decay of wood sheathing and rafters, possibly destroying a roof structure. Sufficient attic ventilation can be achieved by installing larger or additional vents and will help alleviate problems because the attic air temperature will be closer to the outside air temperature.
Moss and algae
Moss can grow on moist wood shingles and shakes. Once it grows, moss holds even more moisture to a roof system's surface, causing rot. In addition, moss roots also can work their way into a wood deck and structure. Algae also grows in damp, shaded areas on wood or asphalt shingle roof systems. Besides creating a black-green stain, algae can retain moisture, causing rot and deterioration. Trees and bushes should be trimmed away from homes and buildings to eliminate damp, shaded areas, and gutters should be kept clean to ensure good drainage.
Trees and leaves
Tree branches touching a roof will scratch and gouge roofing materials when the branches are blown by the wind. Falling branches from overhanging trees can damage, or even puncture, shingles and other roofing materials. Leaves on a roof system's surface retain moisture and cause rot, and leaves in the gutters block drainage.
Missing or torn shingles
The key to a roof system's effectiveness is complete protection. When shingles are missing or torn off, a roof structure and home or building interior are vulnerable to water damage and rot. The problem is likely to spread-nearby shingles also are ripped easily or blown away. Missing or torn shingles should be replaced as soon as possible.
Shingle deterioration
When shingles are old and worn out, they curl, split and lose their waterproofing effectiveness. Weakened shingles easily are blown off, torn or lifted by wind gusts. The end result is structural rot and interior damage. A deteriorated roof system only gets worse with time-it should be replaced as soon as possible.
Flashing deterioration
Many apparent roof leaks really are flashing leaks. Without good, tight flashings around chimneys, vents, skylights and wall/roof junctions, water can enter a home or building and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation and electrical systems. Flashings should be checked as part of a biannual roof inspection and gutter cleaning.
Ready to find out more?
Contact us for a complementary inspection of your property.


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This Good Book Guide aims to fill out the content of the short statements of this creed which are so familiar to us.
Part of the Good Book Guides series.
'I believe in God, the Father Almighty...'
The Apostles' Creed is recited by Christians throughout the world each Sunday. For many it is a dull routine, and for others, it is spoken with confusion or doubt, rather than with confidence and joy.
Do we really need creeds? Increasingly, people do not like the idea of pinning truth down. Others want to stick to the Bible alone, and think that creeds have no place in our worship.
But most churches have found it helpful to have a summary of Christian beliefs. Creeds summarize who we are, they teach us what is important and they help us avoid error. In modern business language, they are our 'identity documents'.
This Good Book Guide aims to fill out the content of the short statements of this creed which are so familiar to us. In ten studies, it shows how they are derived from the Bible - the teaching of the apostles - and what the significance of this momentous formula is for our daily lives. Saying the creed need never be dull, confused or joyless again...
1. Believing in God - 'I believe in God' (Romans 1 v 18-25 and John 14 v 1-11)
2. The Triune God - 'the Father...his only Son...the Holy Spirit' (John 17 v 20-26)
3. The Sovereign God - 'the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth' (Psalm 33)
4. The identity of Jesus Christ - 'I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord' (Hebrews 1-2)
5. The Sacrifice of Jesus Christ - 'who suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead' (Matthew 27 v 11-54)
6. The reign of Jesus Christ - 'On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead' (1 Corinthians 15 v 1-34)
7. The life of the Spirit - 'I believe in the Holy Spirit' (Romans 8 v 1-17)
8. The community of the Spirit - 'the holy catholic church, the communion of saints' (Ephesians 1-4)
9. The work of the Spirit - 'the forgiveness of sins' (Matthew 9 v 1-13 and Titus 3 v 3-8)
10. The hope of the Spirit - 'the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting' (Romans 8 v 18-39)
Leaders' Guide
Contributors | Tim Chester |
Format | Paperback |
Dimensions | 5.5" x 8.3" x 0.2" |
Weight | 5.22 oz |
Print size | 9.0pt |
Case quantity | 50 |
Language | English |
Pages | 112 |
No. of studies | 10 |
Publisher | The Good Book Company |
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge
the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
"The format is very user-friendly and the content is rich and accessible."
- Justin Taylor, Gospel Coalition blogger and Vice-President of Editorial, Crossway
"God-centered, application-oriented, and driven by the text throughout, this resource is a gift to God's church."
- Matt Smethurst, Gospel Coalition reviewer and Master of Divinity student at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Here at Covenant Life Church, we have greatly benefitted from the small group resources from The Good Book Company. Many small groups in our family life ministry have used "Colossians: Confident Christianity" in their study of scripture. Additionally, our youth ministry has used "Romans 1-5: God and You" in their small groups. Both resources were very easy to use, helped the reader engage directly with the scriptures, and had a wonderful pastoral emphasis demonstrated in all the questions.
- Dave Brewer, Youth Pastor at Covenant Life Church, Maryland
Purchased six books cheaper than anywhere else and all delivered super fast.
I needed a new Bible study for my Group and had purchased various samples at the Christian resources exhibition in London. We decided on the Apostles creed and I bought a few, I then needed to buy some more and couldn't find them on site. The pop up assistant was really helpful in locating them for me. All the books arrived in less than a week and the group are enjoying the study. Thank you and well done
Our group of mature Christians have enjoyed using these studies and have found them helpful, though some of the earlier studies on God the Father appeared to have a number of similar questions which tended to inhibit discussion. We have found that the studies contain a lot of material for a single session and we have normally split them into two. It is helpful that there are application questions within the studies and not just at the end.
Our group is happily working through this but as with so many bible studies the writer seems occasionally to be coming from a strange angle. Good Book studies are generally much better than the alternatives but even in them some questions seem a little odd!
A helpful overview which uses each line of the Creed as a springboard to explore thematically-lilnked bible passages, thus good for getting to know several parts rather than just one book of the bible. (This isn't a doctrinal explanation of the theology behind the Creed but you wouldn't be looking for that in a small group bible study series like this). It is the first of the Good Book Guide series we have used and was thorough, clear, well-structured, with attempted application (which is always the trickiest bit). It felt slightly more basic than the Interactive Bible Study series (Mathias Media) that we have used previously in our group of 'mature-aged' folk of long time church attending but with a range of biblical knowledge so if you have knowledgable bible folk in your group this may not be quite at the right level. However, it certainly met the need sufficiently for our group. Having the study leader notes at the back is certainly a helpful bonus! Thanks to the authors.
We have used this study guide for a ladies home group. We are about half way through and are enjoying it very much. We find it thought provoking and stimulating and are enjoying the extra bits for 'homework' as we don't quite have time for it all. We take it in turns to lead and appreciate the excellent leaders notes. Even our newly baptised member is going to give it a go.
Excellent, thank-you.
We use this book with small group of youth leaders as a basis for study and we find it good for exploring our faith and what we actually believe. We also use it with a group of young people who don't really know what Christianity is and want to know the basics. Some of the questions are a bit basic but you can fly over them.
Our group have just finished studying The Apostles Creed using the GBC's guide. We are a mixed group with several longstanding members and some much newer to Christianity.
We strongly recommend this guide - but for existing groups who are reasonably experienced in bible study. This said, we all,even the most experienced,felt that the notes were extremely helpful. We found them informative and clear and we paticularly liked the open-ended nature of many of the questions,which provoked much discussion. Our group members tend to talk well on a personal level so we appreciated the 'getting personal' sections. The lengh was about right for us given that there were extras that were optional.
We were particularly impressed by the leaders notes which helped expand the study with relevant cross referencing and explanation eg of quotes from the Old Testament.
We definitely intend to use Good Book Company guides again in the future.
Elaine Brain. St Pauls Kingston Hill.
easy to follow format. Lots of useful background information. Application questions are located throughout the study rather than all at the end which means they don't always get missed through lack of time. Extra study material makes it very flexible and means group members can take things further in their own time. Provoked good, thoughtful discussion every week.
We have just used this particular study course for our inter-church Lent groups, and over 130 people have been attending. More than that, the material has proved really effective in drawing people together for real Bible Study (rather than just "religious discussion")and has been welcomed by all ages - from our own youth groups upwards


text:
Guest authors: Sayma Akhter, Bangor University; Morag McDonald, Bangor University, and Ray Marriott, Bangor University
This article originally appeared on The Conversation. It appears here by permission under a Creative Commons license.
Theobroma, the genus to which cacao, or "cocoa" as we know it, belongs, translates from the Latin as "food of the gods". Ask any serious chocoholic and they would agree that this is an apt name to be used in relation to the sweet treat that many worldwide enjoy.
Much to the dismay of said chocolate lovers, there has been a decline in the availability of cocoa recently, putting the global chocolate supply at risk. The trees on which cocoa pods grow have suffered due to a combination of factors, including crop failure, disease and ageing plantations, which has led to price fluctuations and a shortfall in supply. Global demand for the ingredient has been growing meanwhile, leading industry experts to warn there could be a chocolate deficit of 1m tonnes by 2020.
What to do? Use of a substitute ingredient would work, but they are very rarely accepted happily by consumers. The industry is still seeking an alternative, however, as experts confirm that chocolate as it is known and loved now could turn into a much sweeter confectionery. But rather than bulking bars up with sweet nougat or raisins in place of cocoa butter – the key component currently used – there is another way.
Cocoa butter is the pure butter extracted from cocoa beans and is one of the unique natural fats highly demanded by the food industry, as well as for use in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. It is currently the only commercially available natural fat which is rich in saturated and mono-unsaturated fatty acids. There are some alternatives available based on lauric and myristic acid – but these have both been shown to increase blood cholesterol.
The price of cocoa butter is one of the highest among all tropical fats and oils and, according to International Cocoa Organisation, its cost more than doubled between 2005 and 2015. Finding an alternative that will satisfy the world's sweet tooth is not an easy task, but we may just have found the answer: wild mango.
The unknown mango
Wild mango is something of a "Cinderella" species, the potential of which is as yet unrealised. The fruit is a mainstay in the lives of rural Bangladeshis in the hill forest areas of the country, where it is extensively used in pickles and chutneys, for food and for medicines. However, it is not farmed in any formal sense and remains a wild species, sporadically collected throughout the year.
Our research has found that this fruit could provide an alternative to the much coveted cocoa butter, plucking it from the branches of obscurity into mainstream production. The analyses we conducted showed that wild mango butter, made from the fruit's stone, has a very similar chemical, physical and thermal profile to cocoa butter – as well as several superior properties. It has a higher solid triglyceride content, for example, which means it can be used to improve soft cocoa butters, and make a temperature resistant hard chocolate. It has the added advantage of being a fruit with a large kernel – typically 40-50% of its body mass – meaning it has a proportionately high fat content: 9-14%.
Additionally, the colour of the mango butter is same as cocoa butter – and the melting point is also very close, which is of great importance for maintaining chocolate production processes and reducing some of the cost.
Though, unfortunately, our funding did not allow us to make a bar of scrumptious chocolate with the mango alternative, the science is all there – and cultivating the wild mango may have extra benefits for society and the environment too. Wild mango can be found growing in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Myanmar, China, Thailand and Cambodia. However, the species is declining at an alarming rate due to logging, shifting cultivation and very few conservation efforts. There is an enormous potential for the development of a wild mango enterprise, which the food and cosmetic industries could make use of together.


text:
Last week I made scones for the first time in years.
I made them because I wanted to have cream tea.
I wanted to have cream tea because I had some Roddas Clotted Cream.
And some of Humbers Homemade wonderful raspberry jam.
And some rather lovely Darjeeling First flush from Rare Tea Company.
Here it is:
As you can see I tried the cream and jam both ways up, cream first and jam first.
The latter won. Because the other way up the jam overpowers the cream but with jam first you can taste both jam and cream in perfect harmony.
I might make scones a little more often.


text:
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Residents of Kings County are subject to be summoned for jury duty. They can be called upon to serve on civil and criminal trials or to serve on a grand jury. As a result of recent reforms, exemptions from jury service have been eliminated and all citizens must now take part. This has had the effect of expanding the diversity of the jury pool and reducing the frequency of service.
For information about jury service in general in the State of New York, including a Handbook which explains jury service and answers common questions, go to the: Kings County Juror Site
Or visit The Jury Division of the Kings County Clerk's Office in the Supreme Court building located at:
360 Adams Street - Room 156
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.


text:
Sequential Tracing of Messages
Sequential tracing makes it possible to trace all messages
resulting from one initial message. Sequential tracing is
completely independent of the ordinary tracing in Erlang, which
is controlled by the erlang:trace/3
BIF. See the chapter
What is Sequential Tracing
below for more information about what sequential tracing is and
how it can be used.
provides functions which control all aspects of
sequential tracing. There are functions for activation,
deactivation, inspection and for collection of the trace output.
The implementation of sequential tracing is in beta status. This means that the programming interface still might undergo minor adjustments (possibly incompatible) based on feedback from users.
token() = {integer(), boolean(), term(), term(), term()}
An opaque term (a tuple) representing a trace token.
set_token(Token) -> PreviousToken | ok
Token = PreviousToken = [] | token()
Sets the trace token for the calling process to
then tracing is disabled, otherwise
should be an Erlang term returned from
or set_token/1
. set_token/1
can be used to temporarily exclude message passing from
the trace by setting the trace token to empty like this:
OldToken = seq_trace:set_token([]), % set to empty and save % old value % do something that should not be part of the trace io:format("Exclude the signalling caused by this~n"), seq_trace:set_token(OldToken), % activate the trace token again ...
Returns the previous value of the trace token.
set_token(Component, Val) -> {Component, OldVal}
Component = component()
Val = OldVal = value()
component() = label | serial | flag()
flag() = send | 'receive' | print | timestamp
value() = (Integer :: integer() >= 0)
| {Previous :: integer() >= 0,
Current :: integer() >= 0}
| (Bool :: boolean())
Sets the individual
of the trace token to
. Returns the previous value of the component.
set_token(label, Integer )
The label
component is an integer which
identifies all events belonging to the same sequential
trace. If several sequential traces can be active
simultaneously, label
is used to identify
the separate traces. Default is 0.
set_token(serial, SerialValue)
SerialValue = {
The serial
component contains counters which
enables the traced messages to be sorted, should never be
set explicitly by the user as these counters are updated
automatically. Default is {0, 0}
set_token(send, Bool )
A trace token flag (true | false
) which
enables/disables tracing on message sending. Default is
set_token('receive', Bool )
A trace token flag (true | false
) which
enables/disables tracing on message reception. Default is
set_token(print, Bool )
A trace token flag (true | false
) which
enables/disables tracing on explicit calls to
. Default is false
set_token(timestamp, Bool )
A trace token flag (true | false
) which
enables/disables a timestamp to be generated for each
traced event. Default is false
get_token() -> [] | token()
Returns the value of the trace token for the calling process.
If []
is returned, it means that tracing is not active.
Any other value returned is the value of an active trace
token. The value returned can be used as input to
the set_token/1
get_token(Component) -> {Component, Val}
Component = component()
Val = value()
component() = label | serial | flag()
flag() = send | 'receive' | print | timestamp
value() = (Integer :: integer() >= 0)
| {Previous :: integer() >= 0,
Current :: integer() >= 0}
| (Bool :: boolean())
Returns the value of the trace token component
. See
set_token/2 for
possible values of Component
and Val
print(TraceInfo) -> ok
TraceInfo = term()
Puts the Erlang term
into the sequential
trace output if the calling process currently is executing
within a sequential trace and the print
flag of
the trace token is set.
print(Label, TraceInfo) -> ok
Label = integer()
TraceInfo = term()
Same as print/1
with the additional condition that
is output only if Label
is equal to
the label component of the trace token.
reset_trace() -> true
Sets the trace token to empty for all processes on the local node. The process internal counters used to create the serial of the trace token is set to 0. The trace token is set to empty for all messages in message queues. Together this will effectively stop all ongoing sequential tracing in the local node.
set_system_tracer(Tracer) -> OldTracer
Tracer = OldTracer = tracer()
tracer() = (Pid :: pid()) | port() | false
Sets the system tracer. The system tracer can be either a
process or port denoted by
. Returns the previous
value (which can be false
if no system tracer is
Failure: {badarg, Info}}
is not an
existing local pid.
get_system_tracer() -> Tracer
Tracer = tracer()
tracer() = (Pid :: pid()) | port() | false
Returns the pid or port identifier of the current system
tracer or false
if no system tracer is activated.
Trace Messages Sent To the System Tracer
The format of the messages are:
{seq_trace, Label, SeqTraceInfo, TimeStamp}
{seq_trace, Label, SeqTraceInfo}
depending on whether the timestamp
flag of the trace
token is set to true
or false
. Where:
Label = int() TimeStamp = {Seconds, Milliseconds, Microseconds} Seconds = Milliseconds = Microseconds = int()
The SeqTraceInfo
can have the following formats:
{send, Serial, From, To, Message}
Used when a process From
with its trace token flag
set to true
has sent a message.
{'receive', Serial, From, To, Message}
Used when a process To
receives a message with a
trace token that has the 'receive'
flag set to
{print, Serial, From, _, Info}
Used when a process From
has called
seq_trace:print(Label, TraceInfo)
and has a trace
token with the print
flag set to true
set to Label
is a tuple {PreviousSerial, ThisSerial}
where the first integer PreviousSerial
denotes the serial
counter passed in the last received message which carried a trace
token. If the process is the first one in a new sequential trace,
is set to the value of the process internal
"trace clock". The second integer ThisSerial
is the serial
counter that a process sets on outgoing messages and it is based
on the process internal "trace clock" which is incremented by one
before it is attached to the trace token in the message.
What is Sequential Tracing
Sequential tracing is a way to trace a sequence of messages sent between different local or remote processes, where the sequence is initiated by one single message. In short it works like this:
Each process has a trace token, which can be empty or
not empty. When not empty the trace token can be seen as
the tuple {Label, Flags, Serial, From}
. The trace token is
passed invisibly with each message.
In order to start a sequential trace the user must explicitly set the trace token in the process that will send the first message in a sequence.
The trace token of a process is set each time the process matches a message in a receive statement, according to the trace token carried by the received message, empty or not.
On each Erlang node a process can be set as the system tracer. This process will receive trace messages each time
a message with a trace token is sent or received (if the trace
token flag send
or 'receive'
is set). The system
tracer can then print each trace event, write it to a file or
whatever suitable.
The system tracer will only receive those trace events that occur locally within the Erlang node. To get the whole picture of a sequential trace that involves processes on several Erlang nodes, the output from the system tracer on each involved node must be merged (off line).
In the following sections Sequential Tracing and its most fundamental concepts are described.
Trace Token
Each process has a current trace token. Initially the token is empty. When the process sends a message to another process, a copy of the current token will be sent "invisibly" along with the message.
The current token of a process is set in two ways, either
explicitly by the process itself, through a call to
, or -
when a message is received.
In both cases the current token will be set. In particular, if the token of a message received is empty, the current token of the process is set to empty.
A trace token contains a label, and a set of flags. Both the label and the flags are set in 1 and 2 above.
The trace token contains a component which is called
. It consists of two integers Previous
. The purpose is to uniquely identify each traced
event within a trace sequence and to order the messages
chronologically and in the different branches if any.
The algorithm for updating Serial
can be described as
Let each process have two counters prev_cnt
which both are set to 0 when a process is created.
The counters are updated at the following occasions:
When the process is about to send a message and the trace token is not empty.
Let the serial of the trace token be
curr_cnt := curr_cnt + 1
tprev := prev_cnt
tcurr := curr_cnt
The trace token with
is then passed along with the message. -
When the process calls
seq_trace:print(Label, Info)
, Label matches the label part of the trace token and the trace token print flag is true.The same algorithm as for send above.
When a message is received and contains a nonempty trace token.
The process trace token is set to the trace token from the message.
Let the serial of the trace token be
if (curr_cnt < tcurr )
curr_cnt := tcurr
prev_cnt := tcurr
The curr_cnt
of a process is incremented each time
the process is involved in a sequential trace. The counter can
reach its limit (27 bits) if a process is very long-lived and is
involved in much sequential tracing. If the counter overflows it
will not be possible to use the serial for ordering of the trace
events. To prevent the counter from overflowing in the middle of
a sequential trace the function seq_trace:reset_trace/0
can be called to reset the prev_cnt
and curr_cnt
all processes in the Erlang node. This function will also set all
trace tokens in processes and their message queues to empty and
will thus stop all ongoing sequential tracing.
Performance considerations
The performance degradation for a system which is enabled for Sequential Tracing is negligible as long as no tracing is activated. When tracing is activated there will of course be an extra cost for each traced message but all other messages will be unaffected.
Sequential tracing is not performed across ports.
If the user for some reason wants to pass the trace token to a
port this has to be done manually in the code of the port
controlling process. The port controlling processes have to check
the appropriate sequential trace settings (as obtained from
and include trace information in
the message data sent to their respective ports.
Similarly, for messages received from a port, a port controller
has to retrieve trace specific information, and set appropriate
sequential trace flags through calls to
Sequential tracing between nodes is performed transparently. This applies to C-nodes built with Erl_Interface too. A C-node built with Erl_Interface only maintains one trace token, which means that the C-node will appear as one process from the sequential tracing point of view.
In order to be able to perform sequential tracing between distributed Erlang nodes, the distribution protocol has been extended (in a backward compatible way). An Erlang node which supports sequential tracing can communicate with an older (OTP R3B) node but messages passed within that node can of course not be traced.
Example of Usage
The example shown here will give rough idea of how the new primitives can be used and what kind of output it will produce.
Assume that we have an initiating process with
Pid == <0.30.0>
like this:
-module(seqex). -compile(export_all). loop(Port) -> receive {Port,Message} -> seq_trace:set_token(label,17), seq_trace:set_token('receive',true), seq_trace:set_token(print,true), seq_trace:print(17,"**** Trace Started ****"), call_server ! {self(),the_message}; {ack,Ack} -> ok end, loop(Port).
And a registered process call_server
Pid == <0.31.0>
like this:
loop() -> receive {PortController,Message} -> Ack = {received, Message}, seq_trace:print(17,"We are here now"), PortController ! {ack,Ack} end, loop().
A possible output from the system's sequential_tracer (inspired by AXE-10 and MD-110) could look like:
17:<0.30.0> Info {0,1} WITH "**** Trace Started ****" 17:<0.31.0> Received {0,2} FROM <0.30.0> WITH {<0.30.0>,the_message} 17:<0.31.0> Info {2,3} WITH "We are here now" 17:<0.30.0> Received {2,4} FROM <0.31.0> WITH {ack,{received,the_message}}
The implementation of a system tracer process that produces the printout above could look like this:
tracer() -> receive {seq_trace,Label,TraceInfo} -> print_trace(Label,TraceInfo,false); {seq_trace,Label,TraceInfo,Ts} -> print_trace(Label,TraceInfo,Ts); Other -> ignore end, tracer(). print_trace(Label,TraceInfo,false) -> io:format("~p:",[Label]), print_trace(TraceInfo); print_trace(Label,TraceInfo,Ts) -> io:format("~p ~p:",[Label,Ts]), print_trace(TraceInfo). print_trace({print,Serial,From,_,Info}) -> io:format("~p Info ~p WITH~n~p~n", [From,Serial,Info]); print_trace({'receive',Serial,From,To,Message}) -> io:format("~p Received ~p FROM ~p WITH~n~p~n", [To,Serial,From,Message]); print_trace({send,Serial,From,To,Message}) -> io:format("~p Sent ~p TO ~p WITH~n~p~n", [From,Serial,To,Message]).
The code that creates a process that runs the tracer function above and sets that process as the system tracer could look like this:
start() -> Pid = spawn(?MODULE,tracer,[]), seq_trace:set_system_tracer(Pid), % set Pid as the system tracer ok.
With a function like test/0
below the whole example can be
test() -> P = spawn(?MODULE, loop, [port]), register(call_server, spawn(?MODULE, loop, [])), start(), P ! {port,message}.


text:
Yesterday I posted a listing of infographics by subject area. If you are interested in creating your own infographic for a lesson, today's posting provides sites to learn how to create an infographic and a long list of tools which will help you with your project.
5 Unbeatable Types of Infographic and Free Tools to Create Them- Search Engine Journal has provided very useful information
5 Unbeatable Types of Infographic and Free Tools to Create Them- Search Engine Journal has provided very useful information
10 Awesome Free Tools to Make Infographics- from Makeuseof.com; list of tutorials and program
19 Word Cloud Resources, Tips, and Tools- from Shelly Terrell's Teacher Reboot Camp
DIY Infographic Production- instructions in the form of what else, an infographic
Find and Make Your Own Infographic With Visual.ly
How to Design and Create Infographics
How to Create an Infographic- 12 steps
How to Create Modern Outstanding Infographics- step-by-step tutorial using Adobe Illustrator
How to Create a Textural Video Infographic- from Brainshark
Make Your Own Infographic- from Wild Apricot Blog
Tutorials on Making Interactive Infographics- 2 videos
AmCharts- flash and java script charts
Barchart- simple tool to use
Bubbl.us- create colorful mind maps
Cacoo- create diagrams onlineChartGizmo- online chart builder
ChartPart- chart generator
Chartle- simple and interactive charts
Crappy Graphs!- very easy way to make graphs
Create a Graph- from Kids' Zone; easy to use
Creately- make diagrams and flow charts
Free Vector World Maps Collection- high resolution world map images
Gapminder Desktop- show global trends with this downloadable program; very nice!
Gliffy- online diagram and flowchart software
Google Chart Tools- gallery of interactive charts and data tools.Google Public Data- use public data and turn it into an infographic
Gunn Map-paste in your data and create your custom world map
Hohi- online charts builder
Inkscape- Open Source vector graphic software
Lucid Chart- online diagram and flow chartMake Sweet- create Venn diagrams
Many Eyes-create your visualization by uploading information
Mind 42- mind mapping
Pie Color- make a pie chart in 2D or 3D
Pretty Graph
Pie Color- make a pie chart in 2D or 3D
Pretty Graph
SlickPlan- create sitemaps and flowcharts
Statplanet- "browser-based interactive data visualization and mapping application."
Tableau- create visualizations; download required; only Windows available
Tagxedo- word clouds; more features than Wordle
Visualize Everything: 32 Free Tools to Create Different Diagrams
Visualize Everything: 32 Free Tools to Create Different Diagrams
Wordle- create word clouds


text:
20"x16"x1.5" Mixed Media Cradled Panel
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text:
2020(S09) Lecture:week 7
<html> <style>#en2020 a {color:black;}</style> </html>
Home | Lecture and Studio schedule |
20.902 Reading Schedule | |
Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 | |||
Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Week 14 |
Expectations | Guidelines: 3 Ideas Presentation | Guidelines: Tech Spec Review | Guidelines: Final Presentations |
Team Building Resources | Teacher Resources |
Week 7 Tuesday
Over the next few weeks we will spend nearly all of our lecture and studio time specifying these aspects of your project:
- a system overview
- a device list
- a timing diagram
- a parts list
Be ready to revise what seemed like completed aspects of your project as you learn more about what's available and how things work. Design/revise/design/revise/design/revise....that what the next few weeks will be all about...
Project Selection Status?
- Brief report of each team's project selection status.
- oncoCURES
- ENERGYneering
- TrashToTreasure
- Neurohackers
- Growth!
- BoostTheBody
Challenge: System Overview
Part 1: Flip Books
- Here's a warm up challenge to show what is meant by a system overview
- Working independently, you should take 10 minutes to sketch a process into a flip book (materials to be provided). The process you choose to illustrate is up to you. It can be a plant growing, a house of cards being built, or a happy message appearing letter by letter on a computer screen. What you choose is limited only by the number of pages in your book, your ability to draw, and the limited amount of time you're given to complete this challenge. 10 minutes only!
- Before we move on to the next part of today's class we'll hear from some of the flip-book drawers to learn what worked well and what didn't about this way to overview and illustrate a system
Part 2: Bacterial Buoy
- Next you and your project team will generate a system overview for the Melbourne 2007 iGEM "coliform" project.
- The Melbourne team wanted to build a 3D, floating mass of bacteria that adhered to one another when the cells detected both blue and red light. In other words: at the intersection of an incoming red light beam and blue light beam, a solution of bacteria would clump and remain suspended in its growth media.
- As a class we'll watch the first 5 minutes of the Melbourne team's iGEM presentation.
- Next your project team should work out a system overview for the coliform project. You can get an unused flip book (or use the back of one from the warmup exercise), or come up with some other mechanism of illustrating how the Melbourne team's system would work. You should not spend more than 10 minutes on this activity. When you are done, delegate someone to explain what you've done as a team and what questions arose as you worked. Then you and your team can get right to work on the last thing planned for today's lecture.
As a class we'll consider the value of having a clear system overview:
Part 3: Your Idea Here
Finally, take the rest of today's lecture time to illustrate or specify the system overview of your team's project. You do not need to make a flip book unless you find this a useful way to brainstorm and define the outstanding issues. Ideally some version of the system overview you generate today will be shown in your Tech Spec Review.
Before tomorrow's studio time
If there are outstanding issues related to the system overview for your project be sure everyone on your team knows how you'll solve the issue(s) and make a plan to come to studio tomorrow with materials for finishing the system overview and getting good work done on the device list and, perhaps the timing diagram.
Week 7 Studio
Are there tools or methods for breaking down a complicated problem into simpler parts?
- Watch the Abstraction animation from BioBuilder
- Walk through one sample abstraction hierarchy that may guide synthetic biology
This abstraction hierarchy is modified from one of Drew Endy's slides. It gives us a framework for how to intentionally engineer various aspects of biological systems.
Part 1: Abstraction in action: Systems to Devices
first up: Arsenic detector
Recall the University of Edinburgh 2006 iGEM project that was described as an Arsenic Detector in the "abstraction" BioBuilder video. The system was designed to sense arsenic and result in a color. Two devices were used to build this system. The first device sensed arsenic and gave rise to a signal when arsenic was detected. And if the second device sensed the signal from the first device, then it gave rise to a color. The device-level system diagram is pretty straightforward, but makes clear that you could swap out the first device for a different sensor, as long as the output could still be interpreted by the second device. Similarly you could change the output from color to anything, as long as the input to that color-generating device was paired to the output of the arsenic sensor.next: Bacterial buoy
Consider again the coliform project from the Melbourne 2007 iGEM team. The team listed six devices they needed to realize their idea:
- a red light sensor
- a blue light sensor
- an AND gate to trigger a cellular behavior when both lights are present
- a GFP reporter to monitor easily/quantifiably the AND gate's function
- expression of adhesive proteins under the control of the AND gate
- a gas vesicle expression cassette to produce naturally buoyant bacteria
After just 5 minutes we'll see the device level system diagrams that you've drawn for this system and discuss any outstanding questions or concerns.
and finally: Polkadorks
Let's try a more dynamic system. The 2004 IAP team wanted their engineered cells to "form, diffuse, and form again in random areas on the plate. Our system should thus form time-varying patterns based on local random time-varying symmetry breaking." Check out the Polkadorks animation.
- As a class we'll
- describe the system in plain language, then
- list the devices needed to implement the system
- Then as a team you'll have 10 minutes to draw a device-level system diagram.
- Finally, as a class, we'll look at the timing diagram that the 2004 IAP team wrote.
Part 2: Get busy!
Start applying these ideas to your team's project. You can work on a device list, a device-level system diagram and a timing diagram if you're ready. Be sure to keep your project notebook up to date and help keep each other great.
Week 7 Thursday
We've been working hard this week to move between the System and Device levels of an abstraction hierarchy and today we'll drop down one more level to think about the parts that make up a device. The device we'll consider is switch made from RNA, but first we'll look at a "classic" device, namely an inverter, and the parts that make it up.
Challenge: Abstraction in action: Devices to Parts
Part 1: Four-part inverter
Recall the Eau d'coli project from the 2006 MIT iGEM team. Their goal was to replace the nasty smell of bacteria with wintergreen smell during log phase growth and banana smell during stationary phase growth. In fact some of you added the banana smell generator (BSG) to bacterial cells yourself thanks to the Foo Camper's Guide to BioEngineering that we tried way back in Week 4 of this term. We also talked about the engineering ideas behind the Eau d'Coli project way WAY back in Week 1. Today we'll focus in on one device within the system, namely the inverter that was used upstream of the wintergreen generating device (WGD), turning it off during stationary phase.Within this gene, we can define 4 "parts:" a promoter, a ribosome binding site (RBS), an open reading frame (ORF) that encodes the tet repressor protein, and a transcriptional terminator so the RNA polymerase transcribing the gene doesn't continue down to the next sequences downstream. The promoter is repressed by the tetR protein itself, allowing for a simple rearrangement that makes a useful inverter device. You can imagine a family of 4-part inverters that might be made for every repressor protein we know (lac repressor, lambda repressor, etc). The number of these proteins is finite, however, and there will almost certainly be a time when a transcription-based device will not be optimal, so for the next part of today's challenge you are asked to make an RNA-based switch. This challenge will draw upon your understanding of basic biology, your ability to find resources, and your ability to work as a team. Good luck!
Part 2: Let's make a switch
Working in your project teams, develop a design for a genetically encoded switch that works through the expression of a regulatory RNA. Your team's design should include (a) a high level system diagram, (b) a full list of devices and parts, (c) a source for all the necessary DNA parts (be it research lab or synthesis company), (d) a plan for testing the most important components of your switch, and (e) the final cost associated with building and testing your device. You have 45 minutes. Your team's budget for this project is $1000. The winning team will have the most versatile RNA-switch that costs the least to construct and test.
- NOTE: This activity features an "All questions answered" work environment. Ask lots of questions.
- HINT: Your DNA synthesis budget may not be large enough to pay for synthesis of all the parts needed to make the switch.
- HINT: Your team may not have enough time to design everything needed to make the RNA-based switch.
- HINT: Spend 2 minutes right now thinking about all the things that need to come together over the next 45' for your team to be successful.
- QUESTION: How will you check that everybody on your team understands what is going on?
After we hear from all the teams about their RNA-switch details, we'll consider what was challenging about this endeavor, what it revealed about building genetic programs, and how to optimize teamwork and productivity:


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Minimize Risk by Avoiding Alcohol
The effect of alcohol is increased by the natural stressors placed on your body while boating. Also, alcohol causes dehydration of your body. It takes less alcohol, combined with stressors, to impair an operator's ability to operate safely. Research has proven that one-third of the amount of alcohol that it takes to make a person legally intoxicated on land can make a boater equally intoxicated on the water.
Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, affects judgment, and slows physical reaction time. Most people become impaired after only one drink.
Alcohol makes it difficult for you to pay attention and perform multiple tasks. For example, it will be more difficult for you to keep track of two or more vessels operating in your area. This could become critical if you are placed in an emergency situation and must make a sudden decision.
Alcohol can reduce your ability to distinguish colors, especially red and green.


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Here's my situation - I'm working on a project that requires 20,000+ short connector lines be created, each drawn from a point to a snapped location on a nearby polyline such that the resulting connector line is perpendicular to the polyline.
If done with arcpy, this requires a script that can a.) find the nearest polyline, b.) calculate the place on that polyline that will enable a perpendicular line to be created, c.) create temporary coordinates at that location, and d.) create the connector line.
Has anybody tried something like this? What specific commands might be necessary? Thanks in advance for your help.


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We have over 650 used cars dealerships in AR Who are Registered with us and try to update their inventory everyday. Just enter your Zipcode and the distance in miles to see which Arkansas Used car dealers are near to your desired location
Mostly all of Car Dealerships in AR are registered with us and show their inventory but you have to contact them for latest details. It would be helpful if you call the dealer in AR and do some more research before you visit them.


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Aneas, or Enée in French, was a hugely challenging role, one of the biggest challenges in my career. It was a special role for a special occasion, the centenary of the Met in 1983. I decided to do it and although I harbored some doubts until the last moment, I am very happy with the result..
The reason this part is considered one of the sacred monsters of the tenor repertoire is its lenght and tessitura. The latter is consistently high and often hovers on the passaggio. You also have some very strenous high notes to sing...
In our case almost everyone was satisfied, except for some critics who carped at the fact that I transposed the high C and the last few bars of Aneas´ last aria, the Farewell Aria... the fact that that´s all they found to say about it made me sick. So I thought, if that´s all they feel I have to offer, let them have other tenors! So I sang a few more performances and then withdrew..I have not sung it sinceThus, Plácido Domingo´s experience with Aeneas from Les Troyens, available on DVD as well.
It is exactly because of the very high tessitura of the part, that I was very surprised to see Jonas Kaufmann decide to take it on for the upcoming (June-July 2012) production of Les Troyens at the London Royal Opera. I am equally not at all surprised that he has now cancelled, though the reason for the cancellation is stated as tracheitis, which I have no reason to doubt. However, that said, the tessitura of Aeneas really is very high for him and he´d definitely have to be in top shape to do it.
Jonas Kaufmann will be replaced by Bryan Hymel, who sang Aeneas in Pierre Audi´s 2010 Amsterdam production.
Bryan Hymel in "Nuit d´Ivresse" (with Yvonne Naef), Amsterdam 2010:
And Placido Domingo with the same aria (and Tatiana Troyanos), The Met 1983:


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Lazyweb Search Request: Easy Content Management
Dear Lazyweb:
Can you suggest open source content management software that meets these criteria:
- Cross-platform
- Very easy to install and configure (from the admin side) and use (from the user side) — I'm thinking as easy from both sides as vqwiki
- Drag-and-drop to upload content — ideally, the user could drag a DOC file from desktop into a widget in the browser to upload
- Quick searching and indexing, at least of common file-types (including DOC and PDF)
- Ability to set up arbitrary metadata elements and values that can assist as filters to searching
Generally, content will be located by search, rather than via any particular folder hierarchy.
Does it exist? There seem to be a lot of open source CMS options, but at least at first glance they may be overkill with a significant learning curve at least on the admin side.


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Ernest Borgnine in front of his home in 1969.
The longtime Beverly Hills home of Oscar winning actor Ernest Borgnine is currently for sale at $3.395 million. Borgnine lived in the house for six decades. Pretty impressive when you hear so many other stars constantly buying and selling houses. The home is located at 3055 Lake Glen Drive, in the Beverly Hills Post Office area, on a 1/2 acre lot above Mulholland Drive, and has views of the San Fernando Valley.
The home was designed by architect L.G. Scherer in 1938 with a Country English style. The house has a formal entry hall, large spacious living and family rooms that open up to a swimming pool, a library, office, den, breakfast, room and kitchen. There are six bedrooms and seven bathrooms, plus a one bedroom guesthouse. For more details on the house visit the official real estate listing.
As I've mentioned with other classic Hollywood homes that have gone on the market, I only hope the buyer maintains the integrity of the house. How great would it be to start your day by having breakfast in the same kitchen as a Hollywood icon like Borgnine or doing some reading in the same den?
Click images to enlarge.
The front of Borgnine's home as it appears today.
A view of the swimming pool.
The gated entrance.
The formal entry hall.
Borgnine and wife Tova Traesnaes by the stairwell.
Borgnine with an earlier wife, Donna and their kids:
Sharon, 3, and Cristofer, 3. July 1, 1969.
Borgnine passed away in July at the age of 95. Although it doesn't normally come as a shock if someone dies and they are 95 years old, I was a bit surprised when I heard that Borgnine had died. I had seen him a year earlier at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood when he did a Q&A with TCM host, Ben Mankiewicz, as part of TCM's "Road to Hollywood" series. I have some video clips of Borgnine that day you can see here. Borgnine was so energetic and appeared like one of those guys who still had at least a few more years ahead of him - like a Bob Hope or George Burns. The much younger Mankiewicz even joked that earlier in the day he was having trouble keeping up with Borgnine.
What are your thoughts on Borgnine the man and his home?


text: Nari Shakti - Indu Jain book and story is written by Monika Sharma in Hindi . This story is getting good reader response on Matrubharti app and web since it is published free to read for all readers online. Nari Shakti - Indu Jain is also popular in Biography in Hindi and it is receiving from online readers very fast. Signup now to get access to this story. Nari Shakti - Indu Jain by Monika Sharma in Hindi Biography 2 3.2k Downloads 13.6k Views Writen by Monika Sharma Category Biography Read Full Story Download on Mobile Description Nari Shakti - Indu Jain More Interesting Options Hindi Short Stories Hindi Spiritual Stories Hindi Fiction Stories Hindi Motivational Stories Hindi Classic Stories Hindi Children Stories Hindi Comedy stories Hindi Magazine Hindi Poems Hindi Travel stories Hindi Women Focused Hindi Drama Hindi Love Stories Hindi Detective stories Hindi Moral Stories Hindi Adventure Stories Hindi Human Science Hindi Philosophy Hindi Health Hindi Biography Hindi Cooking Recipe Hindi Letter Hindi Horror Stories Hindi Film Reviews Hindi Mythological Stories Hindi Book Reviews Hindi Thriller Hindi Science-Fiction Hindi Business Hindi Sports Hindi Animals Hindi Astrology Hindi Science Hindi Anything Hindi Crime Stories


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Report: Sony's PS4 to Stream Games, Boast Next-Generation Features
Sony (NYSE:SNE) will offer new streaming technology on the soon-to-be-released PlayStation 4 that will enable users to download games directly from the Internet, according to a Wall Street Journal report released this weekend.
PS4, set to be released on Wednesday, will also boast other next-generation enhancements, including higher fidelity cameras for its "Move" motion-sensing technology and touch-sending pads on new controllers, according to the Journal, citing people who have been briefed on the console.
Sony did not immediately respond to FOX Business for a comment.
The new PlayStation comes some six months after Sony bought Internet gaming service Gaikai for $380 million, unlocking a new resource that allowed Sony to dive deeper into the cloud, which included the prospect of allowing Sony to stream its library of games directly to individual devices.
The technology, the sources said in the report, is designed to stream current PS3 titles and will likely be able to play new games stored on optical discs.
Sony has reportedly invested heavily to prepare Gaikai's service for launch, the people said.
In an effort to drum up interest, Sony began launching a string of videos on Friday titled "Evolution of PlayStation" focusing on different parts of the console's history and growth.
More videos are set to be released through the company's press event on Feb. 20 where Sony is expected to unveil the PS4. Sony says the video series presents the evolution of PlayStation and recaps the tech giant's "greatest moments."


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Hi all,
for samples collected in a clinical trial to be used for exploratory endpoints purposes (for example gene expression differences), are these also subject to the same regulations for clinical samples used to assess clinical endpoints or safety? Do the lab staff also need to have GCP training? Is it possible that these labs get inspected?


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Ta'anit 2 - 8
The Three Keys
The keys to three of Hashem's treasure houses were not placed in the hands of any agent, states Rabbi Yochanan. The keys to rain, childbirth and resurrection of the dead are held by Hashem alone.
Tosefot poses the challenge that the key to rain was given to the Prophet Eliyahu (Masechta Sanhedrin 113a) which enabled him to declare (Melachim I 17:1) "during these years there shall be no dew or rain save upon my word." Tosefot's resolution is that this was only a temporary transfer of power.
Rashi seems to have anticipated this challenge by explaining that all three keys have never been placed in the hands of an agent at one time. This is a subtle reference to what the aforementioned gemara describes as the aftermath of Eliyahu's withholding rain to punish an idol-worshipping country and king. Immediately after a passage describing the drying up of the nation's water supply, another passage relates that Hashem commanded Eliyahu to go to the home of a widow in the city of Tzorfat where he was soon faced with the challenge of resurrecting her dead child (Melachim I 17:7-22). There is a connection, our Sages say, between these two events. When Hashem decided that the people had suffered enough from Eliyahu's withholding of rain, He arranged for Eliyahu to be placed in a situation of attempting resurrection. Eliyahu prayed that Hashem give him the key to resurrection so he could restore life to the child of the widow who had shown him so much hospitality. Hashem's response was that He alone had control of the three aforementioned keys, and the one to rain had already been given to the prophet. If Eliyahu were to receive the key to resurrection as well, it would result in the absurd situation of two keys being in the hand of the servant and only one in the hand of the Master. Eliyahu was thus compelled to return the key to rain, and the next chapter (Melachim I 18:1) begins with Hashem restoring rain to the land.
The Human Serpent
In the hereafter, says Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish, all the animals will assemble to thus challenge the serpent: "The lion eats its victim on the spot and the wolf drags it away to its lair for consumption. All animals that kill man enjoy the fruits of their slaying. But you only inject your venom to kill him. What benefit do you have from this to motivate you?"
The serpent's response will be to direct them to the gossiper whose evil tongue slays his victim. "What benefit," he will ask, "does he have from the damage he does?"
This dialogue of the future may be understood as more than trading one question for another. Until the original serpent committed the crime of persuading the first man and woman to eat from the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, he walked about on two feet like man. As punishment, he was condemned to crawl upon his belly and to be in eternal mortal conflict with man. This conflict is described in the Torah (Bereishet 3:15) as man's efforts to trample upon the serpent's head and the serpent's efforts to strike at man's heel.
Ever since his fall, the serpent envies the upright position of man which he once enjoyed. Aware that he can never regain that position because of the Divine curse upon him, the serpent tries to do the next best thing - to bring man down to his level by injecting his venom into his body.
When the serpent of the future - expressing the frustration of all serpents back to the beginning of time - directs his challengers to the evil-tongued gossiper, he is offering them an example of his own conduct on a human level. What motivates a man to assassinate the character of one whom he envies through his evil tongue is the desire to bring his victim down to his own level in the eyes of his listeners. This, concludes the serpent, explains his motivation as well.


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Here are some tips for safe burning of leaves and yard debris.
Comply with Local Regulations:
Contact your local fire department in advance to confirm that burning is allowed and to find out whether a permit is required to burn debris.
Check the Weather Forecast
Weather fluctuations, such as sudden gusts of wind, could make debris burning spark a wildfire. Call your local fire department the day you plan to burn debris to finalize that the weather is safe enough to burn.
Choose a Safe Burning Site
A safe site will be far away from power lines, overhanging limbs, buildings, automobiles, and equipment. It will have vertical clearance at least three times the height of the pile, as heat from the fire extends far past the actual flames that you see. It will have horizontal clearance twice the height of the debris pile.
Prepare the Site Correctly:
The ground around the burn site should be surrounded by gravel or mineral soil (dirt) for at least ten feet in all directions. Keep the surrounding area watered down during the burn.
If using a Burn Barrel, Make Sure it is Equipped with the Proper Features
Burn Barrels must be made of all-metal construction in good condition (no rust on the sides or bottom) and properly ventilated with three evenly-spaced, three-inch square vents spaced evenly around the rim near ground level. Each vent must be backed by a metal screen. A Burn Barrel must have a metal top screen with mesh size of one-fourth inch or finer to keep sparks from escaping and potentially sparking a wildfire. When burning, layer the different types of debris and stir often. Be careful of sparks escaping the barrel when you stir it.
Remain With your Fire
Stay with your fire until it is completely out. To ensure the fire has been completely extinguished, drown the fire with water, turn over the ashes with a shovel and drown it again. Repeat several times. Check the burn area regularly over the next several days and up to several weeks following the burn, especially if the weather is warm, dry, and windy.
Keep it Legal
It is illegal to burn plastic, tires, and most other waste products not from a tree or shrub.
You can get more information from Smokey Bear.com


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Book Creator for iPad 4+
Create, Read & Publish!
Tools for Schools Limited
- $6.99
iPad Screenshots
* THE No.1 Book app for the iPad in 90+ countries.
* Common Sense Education Top Pick for Learning 2018
* AASL Best website for Teaching & Learning 2018
Book Creator is the simple way to make your own beautiful ebooks, right on your iPad.
With over 100 million ebooks created so far, Book Creator is ideal for making all kinds of books, including children's picture books, comic books, photo books, journals, textbooks and more.
And when you're done, easily share your book, or even publish to the Apple Books Store!
- Book Creator makes e-book publishing easy - Wired
- One of the Top 50 Apps for the iPad - The Guardian
- Winner of a Parents' Choice Gold Award
* Add text, choosing from over 50 fonts
* Add photos and images from your iPad's photo library, from the web, or use the iPad's camera
* Resize, rotate and position content as you like with guidelines and snap positioning
* Add video and music, and even record your voice
* Use the pen tool to draw and annotate your book
* Choose from portrait, landscape or square book sizes
* Add super powers to your books with comic templates, stickers and styles
* A quick tap and you're reading your book in iBooks!
* Publish your book online (teachers only)
* Send your book by email
* AirDrop to iPhone, iPad or MacBook
* Use a cloud service such as Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud Drive (and more)
* Save your book as a movie file and upload to the web
* Print using AirPrint or other printer apps, or export as a PDF
* Ability to send via WebDav server, or simply connect your iPad and transfer to iTunes
Book Creator ebooks are created using the international ePub standard, so you know they will be readable now and in the future. Book Creator books are optimized for easy publishing to the iBooks Store.
See examples of published books at pinterest.com/bookcreator
Book Creator supports iBooks' fixed layout format, including double page images and soundtracks. Fixed layout books are not suitable if you want to create novels, where text flows from page to page. You will not be able to copy in large amounts of text from other documents.
The app includes a Getting Started manual, plus we have an online support forum at bookcreator.com/support with how-to articles and email support.
We love to talk via Twitter - say hello @BookCreatorApp
Book Creator is open-ended, creative and cross curriculum, and is one of the most popular iPad apps for teachers across the world.
"Book Creator sits atop my list of the best educational apps. I've used Book Creator with learners of all ages, from kindergarten to adults. Its simplicity is refreshing, allowing authors to focus on their content."
- Tony Vincent, Learning and Technology Consultant, learninginhand.com
"In my opinion the essential education app for the iPad!"
- Andrew Rhodes, Apple Distinguished Educator and Director of Technology, International School of Stavanger
"I love this app. It's an incredibly powerful app with a deceptively easy to use interface. One of the three iPad apps every elementary school should buy."
- Dan Callahan, Instructional Technology Specialist K-5 with 1:1 iPads
Read case studies and lesson plans from teachers using Book Creator at bookcreator.com/blog
"What a great tool! It's sleek, intuitive, and easy. Being able to design a fixed layout picture book right on the iPad makes total sense. Highly recommended."
- Liz Castro, Author of 'EPUB Straight to the Point: Creating ebooks for the Apple iPad and other ereaders'
"The app is super intuitive! I was working on a book for my 7 year old niece (who lives in Brazil) in no time. It took me about 30 minutes to put together a book for her, publish in iBooks and email the ePub file to my brother…to open it up on his iPad…. for my niece to read it."
- Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano, langwitches.org
What's New
Version 5.5.6
We've fixed the issue with importing books on iOS 16.4.
Ratings and Reviews
Great tool, just wish I could record and add sound
Love this, so easy to use. I use it to write stories for the kids, but wish I could record them reading it, for the preschoolers.
I love it
I love it I love it I am confused because my sister has it and she can get pictures from the app itself but I can't I have to go onto safari
My book is backwards and the ai can't read it right!😡😡😡but thank you for your great app I really enjoy it.
App Privacy
The developer, Tools for Schools Limited, indicated that the app's privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer's privacy policy.
Data Not Linked to You
The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:
- Usage Data
- Diagnostics
Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More
- Seller
- Tools for Schools Limited
- Size
- Category
- Education
- Compatibility
- iPad
- Requires iPadOS 15.0 or later.
- Apple Vision
- Requires visionOS 1.0 or later.
- Languages
English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese
- Age Rating
- 4+
- Copyright
- © 2011-2023 Tools for Schools Limited
- Price
- $6.99
Family Sharing
Up to six family members can use this app with Family Sharing enabled.


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Blog -- Properties in Victoria BC
Greetings! I am a real estate professional in the beautiful city of gardens--Victoria, BC. I deal mainly with residential houses and condos, but as I personally have owned revenue properties for many years, I feel qualified to help you find the right investment property as well.


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Giveaway: 'The Walking Dead' Season 4 "Tree Walker" Blu-ray Set
The wait for the 'Walking Dead' season 5 premiere on October 12 feels like forever sometimes. But to make that wait seem a little shorter, we're giving away the perfect opportunity to revisit season 4 with the amazing 'The Walking Dead' Season 4 Limited Edition "Tree Walker" Blu-ray Set!
This awesome set not only includes every episode from the last season, but also a special statue featuring the terrifying Tree Walker from season 4. Designed by famed collectibles creator MacFarlane Toys, it is one collector's item that no fan of 'The Walking Dead' can do without.
In partnership with our sibling site ComicsAlliance, we're giving away two sets of this fantastic collectible. The contest runs until 11:59 p.m. on September 15, and readers can enter daily through the above form's various social media options. Good luck!
Season 4 of 'The Walking Dead' starts with Rick Grimes and company trying to live normal lives at the prison following the events at Woodbury. Peace can't last, however, and the group is thrust back into the zombie-filled world when an outbreak occurs within the prison walls.
'The Walking Dead' season 4 hits Blu-ray and DVD on August 26.


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Concept Kids Animals is a cooperative version of the game Concept, adapted for children who don't yet know how to read. In turn, the children attempt to make the others guess an animal by playing pawns on the illustrated icons on the game board. Through this, the child indicates a feature of the animal to be guessed. Draw 12 cards
and attempt to find as many animals as possible in order to get the most points together! Concept Kids Animals offers 110 animals to be guessed, divided into two difficulty levels. Beautifully illustrated by Éric Azagury, this communication game for children will allow them to discover the world of animals in a fun and innovative way.
Concept Kids Animals