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Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'algorithm'.
Found 3 results
Voronoi Diagram using Fortune's Algorithm
mrcurry posted a topic in ARMA 3 - MISSION EDITING & SCRIPTINGVoronoi diagram using Fortune's algorithm Here's a set of functions developed for my current project to generate Voronoi diagrams in SQF without the need for addons. What does it do? The code generates the edges of the Voronoi diagram from a given set of sites (positions). If you do not yet know what a Voronoi diagram is or what it's uses are check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voronoi_diagram. Example: Using the Altis towns as sites How do I use it? Installation: Download the example mission to get the code. Copy the voronoi folder to your mission. In your missions CfgFunctions class include "voronoi\cfgfunctions.ext" like so: class CfgFunctions { #include "voronoi\cfgfunctions.ext" }; Execution: The only included function you will need to call is VOR_fnc_getEdges: private _edges = [_sites, _width, _height] call VOR_fnc_getEdges; VOR_fnc_getEdges takes an array of sites (position2Ds), and width and height in meters for the area to scan. All sites must be inside the rectangle [0,0] and [width, height]. The function returns an array of edges that constitute the Voronoi diagram. Each edge is an array composed of: [ EDGE_START, - Start position EDGE_END, - End position EDGE_LEFT, - Site on the left EDGE_RIGHT, - Site on the right EDGE_NEIGHBOUR, - Internal usage EDGE_LINE_F, - f in the function for the edge's line: y = fx + g EDGE_LINE_G, - g in the function for the edge's line: y = fx + g EDGE_DIRECTION - 2-dimensional direction vector of the ray going from start to end, not normalized. ] Where do I get it? Link (voronoi_example.Altis.zip) Examples Known issues In some cases some edges may not find an intersection and only intersect with the bounding box. I haven't managed to isolate the issue yet but it seems to be a precision error in the intersection check. Suggestions are welcome. It's slow. For 50 sites a call in-mission takes about ~0.5 seconds which is very slow compared to good c++ code. Not entirely sure yet if it's because of my implementation or just SQF having a hard time with the complexity. In my in-mission testing 50 sites took about 0.5 seconds in an unscheduled environment and in scheduled took 1-2.5 seconds. During mission init the code is significantly faster, clocking in 150 sites in about 0.5 seconds. I can put this down partly to the way I handle data but not sure how much quicker I could make it. If anyone has the energy to dissect the code I'd love hear your input. Feedback Constructive feedback is always welcome. I've probably missed cases where the code will break. If you're reporting a bug please if possible also submit the following: The complete set of sites passed. Height and width passed.
Binary Search Algorithm.
MarkCode82 posted a topic in ARMA 3 - MISSION EDITING & SCRIPTINGArmA 3 really annoys me because it lacks a dictionary data type I know you are going to direct me to the BIS_fnc_addToPairs, but there is no actual dictionary datatype in arma 3. The reason i say this is because. Binary search will allow me to traverse a large array data set much quicker than forEach array; Only problem is sorting the data which is mission specific such as town locations is not possible because attempting to sort the array will result in it's meaning lost. _array = _this select 0; _arrayCount = count _array; _requestedElement = _this select 1; _low = 0; _high = _arrayCount; while {_low <= _high} do { //Comupute mid point _mid = round(_low + (_high - _low) / 2); diag_log format ["_mid: %1",_mid]; _indexReturn = {_x == _requestedElement} count _array; diag_log format ["_indexReturn: %1",_indexReturn]; if (_requestedElement isEqualTo (_array select _mid)) then { _pulledData = _array select _mid; diag_log format ["_pulledData: %1",_pulledData]; } else { if (_indexReturn < _mid) then { _low = _mid + 1; } else { _high = _mid - 1; } }; }; _pulleddata Data Pulled: ["Gravia",[14479.8,17614.3,-21.6749], "Telos",[16207,17296.7,-24.3308], "Athira",[13993,18709.4,-25.735], "Lakka",[12282,15732.3,-23.0026], "Frini",[14612.5,20786.7,-47.0032], "Charkia",[18049.1,15264.1,-28.4237], "Rodopoli",[18753.4,16597.1,-32.1656], "Neochori",[12502,14337,-11.5868], "Pyrgos",[16780.6,12604.5,-18.9913], "Paros",[20885.4,16958.8,-49.8089], "Dorida",[19336.9,13252.3,-37.8615], "Poliakko",[10966.5,13435.3,-28.4601], "Kalochori",[21351.6,16361.9,-20.5678], "Agios Dionysios",[9187.95,15947.8,-124.829], "Syrta",[8625.13,18301.6,-179.297], "Chalkeia",[20194.6,11660.7,-45.8388], "Zaros",[9091.81,11961.9,-19.9013], "Kore",[7062.42,16472.1,-116.425], "Sofia",[25680.5,21365.1,-20.7333], "Kavala",[3458.95,12966.4,-6.1822], "Molos",[26943.9,23170.7,-18.0848]] Numerical keys that are sequential are required for this to work. As a binary search is best used on hash-table keys. Any know of any dictionary methods for arma 3?
Minimize number of similar lines in algorithm
cybercoco posted a topic in ARMA 3 - MISSION EDITING & SCRIPTINGI'm sure there's a way to minimize the number of lines in this code. I have three variables, each of them needs to get through a simple math function : f(x)=10x. _var1 = 0.2; _var2 = 0.7; _var3 = 0.5; _array = [_var1,_var2,_var3]; _var1 = _var1 * 10; _var2 = _var2 * 10; _var3 = _var3 * 10; If I have let say ten vars, is it better to use the brute way (see snip above), use a foreach command or use a function (optimization wise). Probably the function, isn't it ?

subset: commoncrawl


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Friends, family surprise Jean Barnhill on her birthday
JEAN BARNHILL spends countless hours toiling over assessments of historical documents and their proper preservation to benefit the MONTGOMERY COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM in Conroe.
Jean also put together an insightful staging of the way life might have been in a pioneer school, complete with slate boards and dunces' caps. She filled a trunk with old-time education artifacts that can be borrowed from the museum for classroom use, and has herself made presentations.
Jean's 80th birthday was last week, so relatives, along with museum board members, decided to surprise her with a party. It worked because the unassuming Jean never considers the significance of herself.
When Jean showed up at the museum for a "special board meeting" Feb. 5, the thought of her birthday, much less a celebration in her honor, never even occurred to her. But family and friends were waiting with a princess tiara and pink boa to bedeck the untiring worker before she got the pink cake they had stowed away for her.
Family members included daughter MAVIS FELDMAN and husband LANCE FELDMAN, as well as son GREG BARNHILL and wife SUE BARNHILL. From Wichita, Kan., came nephew DARRELL SIMLER and his wife Linda.
More than 18 board members and friends yelled "Surprise!" along with museum director SALLY COPLEY and assistant MARGARET MELINDER.
Jean is a shining example of selfless volunteering, and worth the recognition that frequently never comes.
Word is that a new restaurant will soon occupy the space previously inhabited by DEBBY'S PRIME STEAK HOUSE on Texas 105 West.
It's to be called L'Belle Bistro, and opens in early March for dinner only Tuesdays — Sundays. It's expected to be reasonably priced Italian fare. A bar and lounge with flat screen television will be part of the accommodations.
BOB and DEBBY EVANS sublet the space to KELLY ELKINS, daughter of restaurateurs KITTY and MOOSE ELKINS whose GARDEN CAFÉ is a longtime favorite in Conroe. Some residents may remember Garden Cafe as the former Leaf 'N' Ladle. L'Belle Bistro's phone number remains the same as was Debby's Prime Steak House number; (936) 588-5058.
You may have heard this refrain more than once from your high schoolers—"I Hate Hamlet." Not that it's applauded, just widespread, at certain places within the English curriculum.
Nevertheless, the phrase is the title of a "backstage comedy" that TEXAS REPERTORY THEATRE, 14243 Stuebner Airline Road, Houston, 77069, opened last weekend. "I Hate Hamlet" runs four performances each week through Feb. 21. This is that professional venue's fifth season.
The plot pinpoints Andrew Rally, a Los Angeles actor whose situation comedy has been canceled. With not much else in the offing, Rally goes to New York to play "Shakespeare in the Park." Hoping to generate inspiration in portraying the Danish Prince Hamlet, Rally rents the apartment of acting icon the late John Barrymore. Unexpectedly, Barrymore's ghost materializes, with noble intentions of tutoring Rally, but instead it results in a series of mirthful calamities.
Artistic director CRAIG A. MILLER cast some fresh faces, along with Tex Rep favorites in this family comedy that Paul Rudnik penned.
Show dates are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Admission is $35, with student and elderly discounts available. Call (281) 583-7573 to reserve, or log onto www.texreptheatre.org .
ANGELA and JIM GRAVES are putting together an exclusive black tie affair for April 10 that will benefit the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY. Guests will be limited to 75 couples, HONEY BEE HAM will cater, and live music in the ballroom will be the order of the night at VILLA GRAVES. An invitation list is being compiled, so keep an eye on your mailbox.
STAGE RIGHT opens comedy "Lend Me a Tenor" Friday eve at Conroe's Crighton Theatre. But the community theater already is preparing for its next show, "Dearly Beloved," in the spring. This Southern comedy is the first of a trilogy. Stage Right previously presented the other two (a little out of sequence), "Christmas Belles" and "Southern Hospitality," which drew glowing reviews.
Auditions of cold script readings for "Dearly Beloved" will be held Feb. 21 & 22 at 7 p.m. in Conroe's Crighton rehearsal hall off Simonton Street. A cast of four men and seven women, ages 20 to 60, is sought, according to director DIANE EDGAR. The show runs weekends April 16 through May 2.
Upcoming "Lend Me a Tenor" is expected to rank among the best shows Stage Right has put together so far in its history. Director MANNY CAFEO is highly experienced as is the cast. Call (936) 441-7469 for details and to reserve. Items will be collected at every performance to benefit the local food bank.
(Especially to you: Happy Valentine's Day to all my sweetheart readers and friends.)
Contact peggie at (936) 448-6455 or email@example.com.


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With a special jumper pin that lets users eliminate wiring of common negatives, these DIN rail-mountable SSRs and mechanical relays come in a slim, compact design that allows multiple relays to fit into the same space as a larger conventional relay. Relay dimensions are 3.5" high x 0.25" wide x 2.5" deep. Up to 24 relays can be linked together. A potential rail is available to link output common contacts. Isolation is to the VDE 0106 standard. Input and output models are available for input voltage of 24 vdc or 24 vac/vdc. Maximum switched voltage is 250 vac/300 vdc. Maximum switched current for output relays is 6A and 2A for input relays. Minimum load current is 100 mA at 12 vdc for output relays and 1 mA for input relays. Other styles are rated up to 15A.
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Product URL: Click here for more information


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Event calendar section
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Candle Making at Russian Hill!
August 21, 2018 @ 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Event Navigation
Learn how easy it is to make your own candles at our hands-on workshop! Create homemade gifts for the holidays or party favors for a wedding. We will go through the technique step by step and everyone will leave with an aromatic candle. Of course, wine will be flowing, so please join us. All supplies are included in the workshop.


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Deep Instinct: Enterprise Malware Detection Just Got an Upgrade
Startup Deep Instinct emerged from stealth in 2015, and obtained several awards including the Best of Black Hat Award in 2016, and the CDM award in the Anti-Malware category (February 2017). Deep Instinct is the very first company to successfully apply deep learning in cybersecurity on a satisfying scale. Although Google, Amazon, and Netflix were some of the first companies to apply deep learning on a larger scale a few years ago, it is increasingly finding its way in the security market, as well. Deep learning is the natural evolution of neural networks in machine learning (ML). It is proven to be astonishingly effective when utilized in combination with large amounts of data—something that cybersecurity and SIEM data gathering procedures will be contributing to.
To find out more about subscribing:
Related Research
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- Contactless Ticketing Smart Card Technologies
- The IT versus OT Conundrum Brings New Cybersecurity Challenges for Connected Industrial Control Systems
- Payment & Banking Card Technologies Market Update
- eSIM: Consumer, M2M, and IoT Market Update


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Denmark bedside table - 1 drawer - 1/2 Price
Taking inspiration from Scandinavian design, our Denmark collection is a simple and clean range. Made with exceptional quality from solid oak and oak veneer these pieces are built to last.
The Denmark bedside table features soft-close drawers. Also available as a 2 drawer bedside.
500W x 380D x 589H mm


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Generalization Quotes
Rain or shine, and it doesn't matter what sport, boys or girls, those guys show up to show their support for Trinity. It's hard to make generalizations, but they just want to be a part of something else, to be part of a team. OK, they lack the athletic ability of the others, but they are dedicated. There's always room for them. - Ed Dalton
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- Marcus Smart never quits on defense because he strives to play the way his older brother Todd lived. Learn more about what inspires Boston's tenacious defender.
The Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards have split the first four games of their best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal match-up, with the Wizards dominating the past two games in D.C.
The Celtics look to bounce back at home Wednesday in a pivotal Game 5, and a strong defensive effort will be necessary to contain the likes of John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Otto Porter.
Before the start of the playoffs, Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart connected with The Crossover to explain why he plays defense with such raw emotion. Smart also touched on the toughest defensiveness assignment in the NBA, his charity foundation, as well as the competitive nature of Celtics president Danny Ainge.
Justin Barrasso: You dedicated your basketball career to the memory of your late brother. Was he able to see you drafted by the Boston Celtics?
Smart: I'm the youngest of four boys, and my oldest brother, Todd, was like a father figure to me. We were very close even though we were 23 years apart. When my parents were working, he was the one there for me. He was diagnosed with lung cancer when he was 15 years old. He had to stop playing basketball and face the fact that his life would be changed forever.
Even though he was sick, he was the one making sure I was OK, he was the one checking if I needed help with my homework, and he was the one who taught me how to ride a bike. Todd never had the chance to see me drafted by the Celtics. He fought for 18 years until he lost his battle at the age of 33. He was sick but he never showed it, which spoke volumes to his character and courage.
Barrasso: Your specialty on the basketball court is relentless defense. What made the defensive aspect of the game so appealing?
Smart: I defend just like my brother Todd lived. He taught me how to play defense by the way he lived his life. I defend like every game is my last game, like anything can be taken away at any moment, and that's what my brother taught me. That's what he always preached to me, so that's how I believe the game should be played. He is never forgotten when I play, and his name will never be lost in vain.
Barrasso: Who is the toughest defensive assignment in the NBA?
Smart: James Harden. The way he plays, he makes it very hard to defend him. He's creative, he's crafty, and he's a bigger guard so he's unique for his size.
Barrasso: Your brother didn't allow you to see him struggle during his battle with cancer. Your charity, YounGameChanger, helps provide for families with chronically ill children. Why is working with children so important to you?
Smart: When I see kids, ones who are so sick, and they light up when they see me, that brings tears to my eyes. I'm able to change the way somebody feels, despite the fact they have every right to feel helpless and down. I'm not a superman with a cape, I'm only a basketball player for the Celtics. But if I can make one child smile, I've done my job. I don't think it was a coincidence that I ended up as a Celtic in Boston. I feel so comfortable here, and I'm here for a reason. These children are a big part of that reason.
Barrasso: Celtics president Danny Ainge won two NBA titles with the Celtics and played professional baseball with the Toronto Blue Jays. How competitive is he with you and your teammates?
Smart: Danny is still competitive about everything. Even when we're shooting, just warming up, he'll walk by and say, "I bet you..." He'll say things like, "I bet I can throw the football longer than you." It's like, "OK Danny, you know you cannot." It's that competitive nature that makes Danny so great. We like that about Danny. He understands, he's a competitor himself. He knows and he played.
Barrasso: Brad Stevens is known across the league for his preparation and in-game adjustments. What do you admire most about him?
Smart: I really respect the way he handles himself when we're down. No matter if we're going through a tough stretch in a game or we haven't been winning, he doesn't lose his cool and holds his composure. That shows a lot about him.
Barrasso: What would people be surprised to know about Marcus Smart?
Smart: Outside of basketball, I really love to bowl. I've also heard of this thing called candlepin bowling around Boston, but I haven't tried that yet.
Barrasso: If you could see any musician in concert, alive or dead, who would it be?
Smart: Michael Jackson. Absolutely. I love Michael. I'd see him at any point in his career. Anything Mike did, it was gold.
Barrasso: Do you feel comfortable playing in Boston?
Smart: I love playing in Boston, and I want to give a huge shout out to the fans. We appreciate everything you do for us, and you've always stuck with us, no matter the outcome. We try our hearts out for you, and thank you for all of the support.
Justin Barrasso can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.


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Local News
2009 Greenland Trek
On April 22 at the Annual IAT Council Meeting in Halifax-Dartmouth, IAT Greenland Director René Kristensen and IAT Greenland member Hans Gundel gave a slideshow presentation of their 2009 two-week trail blazing trek of what would become the new IAT Greenland route. They were accommpanied by 4 other hikers and the ever-present "midnight" sun.
The trek started in the Western Greenland village of Uummannaq, which is located on the island of Uummannaq, 590kms (355miles) north of the Arctic Circle. From there the six intrepid adventurers crossed iceberg filled waters to the Nussuaq Peninsula, where they began their 14 days of arctic wandering.
The 24-hour daylight trek followed treeless valleys through mountainous terrain, characterized by huge glaciers and volcanic deposits. Vegetation in this part of Greenland is limited to grasses, shrubs and wildflowers, while animal life includes reindeer, musk oxen, arctic fox, arctic hare, lemming, ermine, the occasional polar, and a variety of seabirds.
Once back on the coast, the group was ferried across a large river by local Greenlanders, before visiting one of their small villages on the iceberg-dotted coastline.
With their colorful houses and picturesque coves, the remote villages are reminiscent of coastal Newfoundland, while the native population are distantly related to the Inuit of Labrador.
The 14-day trek ended with a boat ride back to Uummannaq. No doubt it was an amazing 2 weeks, especially since no one was eaten by a polar bear! And given the size of the Viking René, you wouldn't want to be caught in the backcountry if he ran out of food or wanted a meal of fresh meat!
To view more photos of the 2009 IAT Greenland Trek, go to IATNL Flickr...


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IN THE NEWS - Paula Smellie
Mar 2, 2018
As Black History Month wraps up, The Bulletin Brief published a poignant response from Paula Smellie in its Feb 28th edition.
Photo by Veronica Zaretski
Following a call-out for responses from readers in the Bulletin Brief, Paula Smellie, business manager in the department of physiology at the Faculty of Medicine, wrote about her thoughts and impressions on Black Panther. Her response is below.
What Black Panther Meant to Me: https://www.utoronto.ca/bulletin/what-black-panther-meant-me-paula-smellie


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- Home
- About Me
- Sabah
- Highlights
- Transport
- Sleeping
- KK Food Guide
Surrounded by temperate forests and situated at an altitude around 6,000 feet (1,829 meter) above sea level, the accommodation facilities inside the Kinabalu Park are some of the best that one can find at this holiday resort. These accommodations consist of chalets, cabins, as well as dormitories. Guests who stay at the park also have easy access to the other park facilities like restaurants, exhibition centre, nature trails and the botanic garden. Lately bird watching is also a popular activity at the park.
Adjacent to the Kabili Forest Reserve and just 800 metres away from the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre, lies this classy and charming accommodation called Sepilok Forest Edge Resort. This establishment used to run a mere budget accommodation located away from the present compound and it was called Labuk B & B. Since moving to the present premise which have more rooms, chalets and better facilities the establishment has chosen to stick with the new name. This resort is well planned. The wooden chalets are placed apart from each other which ensures good privacy. These chalets also blend in very well with the surrounding forest. Budget option like dormitory is available too. Staying for a few days here will allow guests to take in the beautiful surroundings of the green forests, as well as having ample times to explore the nearby orangutan centre and the Discovery Rainforest Centre.
After a long day watching the proboscis monkeys, silver-leaf monkey and hornbills at Labuk Bay, Nipah Resort offers guests a good night sleep at the wonderful surrounding of the swampy forest. One would like to know that nipah is a local tree which belongs to the palm family. Guests can choose the exclusive chalets which were built on stilt and wooden structure, and these chalets also blend in well with the surrounding nature. Each chalet comes with a king size bed or twin bed, air-conditioner, and an attached bathroom. For a good relaxing time, guests can sit down at the classy balcony at the front of the chalet. Here guests can absorb the calm nature of the swampy forest, where only the sound of insects can be heard, a big contrast from the big city night life. The chalet would be an excellent choice for couples.
For the bigger group like next of kin the family house will be just right. The larger chalet contains a living room plus dining area, and three bedrooms. Each bedroom has a built-in bathroom equipped with cold and hot shower. Six to eight persons can easily fit in. The family house also has a small balcony with sitting area. Talking about early bird, one might get to see hornbills munching fruits on some of the trees right around the building.
Once located at the popular dive heaven of Sipadan Island, through conservation and regulation, the Sipadan Dive Centre has now been relocated to the Mabul Island. Today Mabul Island is the main accommodation area for divers and snorkellers at the Semporna region and also for those who are keen to explore the great underwater adventure of the irresistible lure of the Sipadan. Located near the northern end of Mabul Island, and situated right in front of a patchy white sandy beach, this is where the chalets of the new Sipadan Dive Centre. The new beach front chalets of rainbow colours, seven in total, are divided into two rows and were built with wooden stilt structures.
Proboscis Monkey is endemic to the Borneo Island and they are not found anywhere else on earth. It is also educational to known that Nasalis Larvatus is the scientific name of the proboscis monkey. Their habitats are mostly swampy mangrove wetland as well as the river floodplain. In Sabah the proboscis monkey is found in quite a few places, which include the Klias Peninsular and Usukan area on the west coast, and in the east coast they are mostly sighted around the Kinabatangan river and the Labuk Bay area.
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We again find ourselves in the happy position to be able to present a selection of outstanding new prairie and Canadian experimental moving image work, as well as sensational experimental film and video from around the world. Visiting artists this year include Scott Benesiinaabandan (Montreal), Karl Lemieux (Montreal), two feature screenings from one of Canada's most internationally celebrated filmmakers (Alfred Bauer Silver Bear award, Belinale 2013) Denis Côté (Montreal). Philip Hoffman (Toronto) will be presenting an anniversary screening of works from the legendary Mount Forest Ontario Independent Imaging Retreat, affectionately known as the Film Farm. As always, we are thrilled to present new work by local artists working in film and video, performance, and installation.
This year's programs revealed some intriguing upgrowth in the moving image landscape. 2014 is the year the green crept in, and we saw a multitude of works that peer into the trees and from behind the bushes and plummet into the microscopic. Absurdities, rituals, and death emerge in works that uniquely explore some of the machinations behind our seeing experience. And a surprising portion of work engages in extended explorations of known film processes. As fewer film stocks and laboratories are available, film artists have really dug in their heels to joyfully blow out the orthodox.
To mark an upcoming change, the WNDX Curatorial Collective would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our longstanding president and co-founder of the Collective, Cecilia Araneda, whose 9th year with the Festival will be her last. Cecilia has contributed a wealth of time, knowledge, and expertise in all areas of the Festival. There can be no doubt that her tireless work to make WNDX a viable festival, one that is fruitful for filmmakers and audiences, and one that celebrates the best of our nation's film and video practice has been a success – Cecilia we thank you! Please join us to judge that success for yourself. This September we will be inspired by the works and artists that strive to open up the borders of what we understand cinema to be.
— The WNDX Curatorial Collective


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Ranches 159, 160,161 - Each approx. 40 acres. Our best value in Sierra Highlands Ranch ownership, each of these large tracts is situated at the base of a scenic wilderness mesa at an elevation of 5,800 feet. The mesa with its striking rock and boulder formations towers 300 feet above these properties forming a picturesque backdrop for the family...40 Acres : $22,500
Secluded Northern Az Ranch
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Ventless gas heaters are very economical to run and generally extremely easy to install as no venting is necessary and thus there is no need to make any structural changes to your home. In spite of their ease of installation and use, there are some problems you may be faced with if you decide to install one. Still, these problems are not at all insurmountable.
Aside from needing little work to install, most of the newer models run at around 95% or more energy efficiency these days. Practically speaking, that translates into money saved for you and a better environment. One thing to note is that the older models may not be as energy efficient. This would not pose a problem if you are buying a brand new one but it is something to keep an eye on if you are buying second hand ventless gas heaters at a garage sale or online.
Concerns About Safety
Of course, you do need to use a little common sense when operating non vented gas heaters. Basically, you should shop for one that comes with an oxygen depletion sensor as that will protect you from a build up of carbon monoxide. You should also leave the window opened half an inch at the bottom or make sure the door into a neighboring room is left partly open. If you do this you will find you have adequate ventilation to run this type of heater without any danger at all.
Proper and regular maintenance and servicing of your ventless propane heaters or your ventless natural gas heaters will alleviate most of the problems usually associated with this type of heating. If you are having problems with soot forming, chances are it is because of some other factors or perhaps because your heater needs cleaning. The same is true if there is an unusual odor in the room, there are often other reasons for this such as dust or dirt on the heater. Cleaning it should resolve the problem.


text: The Wauwatosa East High School Marching Band from Wauwatosa, WI was asked to play at the 2014 New Years Day parade at St. Peter's Square in Rome, Italy, and an additional parade in Frescati, Italy. During this time I was one of the lead trumpet players in the band. Since we were in Italy for an entire week and only had two scheduled performances, we had a large amount of time to explore Rome, Pompeii, and Frescati. Exploring the cultural and physical aspects of these destinations enabled me to build this portfolio.


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- Go quickly to
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- Galaxy S8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- Galaxy C7
- IPhone SE
- Xperia X
Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro Price and Specifications
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Product Description
Released in the first month of the year 2017, Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro is a sleek looking smartphone. The C series of the Samsung lineup of smartphones are midrange performing phones. Available colors are navy blue and gold.
The phone has a 4GB RAM and a 64GB internal storage. If the internal storage is not enough, users can extend its storage capacity with its expandable storage slot. The slot can accommodate microSD of up to 256GB capacity. It runs on an Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Galaxy C7 Pro is powered by a 2.2GHz Octa-core, Qualcomm Snapdragon, and a non-removable 3300mAh battery. The battery can play video for 16 hours and a talk time of more than 20H. The C7 battery is fast charging, which can last up to 90 minutes. The screen size display is 5.7 inches and a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels. It has a multi-touch functionality.
The front and back cameras are 16MP on each camera, with a dual-tone LED flash at the rear camera. Despite the high MP resolution of the cameras, the C7 Pro is noted for its poor performance in capturing images under low light conditions even with LED flash feature.
The phone is outfitted with 2 nanoSIM slots, which is capable of dual standby. Both SIM slots support 4G connectivity. Other features include WiFi, Bluetooth v. 4.20, GPS, near-field-communication (NFC), and USB. It also features a 3.5mm jack for earphones.
Other important features to note are its fingerprint sensors, HTML5 browsing capability, photo and video editor and document editor and viewer. Standard applications may include all Google applications such as play store, weather monitoring, youtube, paly music, maps, and photos. The phone does not support java applications and other Java-enabled functionalities.
Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro is good mobile phone with midrange to high-end specifications, packed with good battery life.


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Now that summer seems like a distant memory, it's time to embrace all things warm and wintery. And, along with Halloween and Bonfire Night, that means the magic and mayhem of the approach to Christmas. And, regardless of how festive you're feeling, we have a little something for everyone in our must-have selections for the home, the little ones and the grown ups (see pages 13–19).
In this issue, we look at some winter activities, treats and days out which would help you to create some amazing memories with your family. From make-your-own decorations to travelling the Polar Express to pantos, ice-skating to ice-cream, there's something for everyone, close by or further afield.
Winter, with its darker nights and lack of sunshine, can lead to a drop in mood as well as a drop in temperature. Spending less time outside and fewer daytime hours can lead you to feel decidedly down in the dumps, so check out our at-a-glance guide to brightening the whole family's mood.
Hopefully you can grab some time this issue to settle down with a cuppa and, as always, we'd love to hear from you if you have any suggestions for subjects and places we should be covering in future issues.
Until then, we wish you a wonderful winter and, if it's not too early, a very merry Christmas!


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South of Scotland League
St Cuthbert Wanderers 1 Newton Stewart 3
Tweedie Cup - Round One
Heston Rovers 4 Mid-Annandale 3
Newton Stewart stand at the top of the South of Scotland League after beaten St Cuthbert Wanderers on Tuesday night by three goals to one at St Mary's Park.
In a closely fought contest which Saints dominated in the early stages it was the visitors who went ahead in the thirty-fifth minute when Johnny Fisher sent a looping header over keeper Wilson's outstretched arms from a cross ball from Ryan McKie. Nine minutes later Newton went two ahead when defender Kyle McCutcheon fired in a low shot from twenty-five yards which entered Saints net at the far post.
Five minutes after the break striker Robert Middleton challenged keeper Wilson to a fifty-fifty ball and came out on top to score goal number three, firing the ball into an empty net. In the fifty-fifth minute Saints drew a goal back through Steven Degnam, but the home side could not break down a sturdy Newton defence to score again and the three points went in the visitors' favour to keep their league title ambitions on track.


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The Journey-man, The Chariot, and The Supplies
My route. 17 hours, 5 minutes. I am going to do my best to make a a couple pit stop as i go through the major cities such as Indianapolis, and Columbus.
Gas Buddy. This little piece of technology is how i am going to keep track of my gas.
about 30 miles to the gallon, and a 12 gallon tank, that means i will make it 360 miles before i have to fill up again after Kansas City. Which means i should get to stop in St Louis quick too.
Things i need to bring with: camera, iPod, Wii and games, clothes, laptop, food for the trip (beef jerky), cash for tolls, nalgene.
Things to bring back: crock-pot, case of yuengling, turkey hill iced tea, transformers toys, ladies numbers.
Things to do in Pa: Watch the Transformers Movie, Watch Die Hard, play lots of video games, eat Dominos, Mini Golf, pick up chics, Shady Maple, run.
The lists will grow. please comment me on any suggestions. other then "you're crazy for driving" because i have heard that one already.
Labels: holidays, Technology, vacation


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Making Dad breakfast for Father's Day this year? I've got the greatest trick to share for the easiest way on how to make PERFECT BACON every time! (How to bake bacon in the oven.)
How to Make Perfect Bacon, is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Tyson Foods, Inc. All opinions are entirely my own.
How to Make Perfect Bacon! (bacon in the oven.)
Father's Day is only a few days away, and the kids are already busy making plans on how to give dad the best day. Gift giving for our Dad isn't easy. There's not a lot he needs, and the stuff he really wants- like movie projectors or fancy golf carts is not in the cards as a Father's Day gift from the kids, lol.
To make Father's Day special, the kids have planned a day full of his favorite things: keeping quiet so Dad can sleep in, a huge cup of coffee in his favorite mug, a delicious breakfast full of his favorite breakfast foods and a round of golf with friends.
For breakfast, our Dad is a bacon and eggs kind of guy; with bacon being the prime ingredient!
Of course, Dad's not the only one in our family that loves this bacon…
True story: Dad cooked up a package of this bacon for my Mother's Day breakfast last month, and there might have been a few tears over the fact that I got 4 pieces of bacon while everyone else only got two. So we have now added a National Daughter Day and a National Son Day to the calendar this summer where on that day the daughter/son will get two extra pieces of bacon and will not have to empty the dishwasher. (Does your family love bacon too? Be sure to visit here for an offer when purchasing Wright Brand Bacon and more bacon recipe inspiration!)
Now on to the "meat" of this post… I've got the greatest bacon cooking hack to share with you today!
Have you ever tried baking your bacon in the oven?
Can I just say this is the best bacon cooking method ever? It takes a few additional minutes to cook bacon in the oven, but I'll gladly trade standing over a hot stove, babysitting a frying pan of splattering bacon, with a few extra minutes in the oven.
How to Cook Bacon in the Oven
*Tips: I recommend using the broiler pan kit that comes with your oven or an ovenproof cooling rack on a baking sheet. You can use a regular baking sheet, but the broiler pan allows for more air circulation, and you won't need to flip the bacon.
You'll need:
- Wright Brand Bacon
- Foil
- Baking Sheet with rack*
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees
- Cover baking sheet with foil and place rack over the sheet.
- Evenly spread bacon over the rack, without overlapping bacon. (The foil will catch all the bacon drippings for simple clean up.)
- Bake bacon for 15 to 25 minute or until your bacon is cooked to your desired crispiness. The Wright Brand Bacon is very thick and hearty, so in my oven, it cooked for the full 25 minutes. Thinner bacon will take less time.
Doesn't the bacon look amazing? Crispy and perfectly cooked!
Dad will love his special breakfast!
You can find Wright Brand Bacon at your local H-E-B location. (It's available in both Hickory Smoked and Applewood Smoked.)
Now it's your turn! What's your favorite breakfast to cook for Father's Day?


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A Crown of Despair by Jenny Mandeville
|A Crown of Despair by Jenny Mandeville
|Category: Historical Fiction
|Reviewer: Ani Johnson
|Summary: A multi-viewed look at the unique wife of Henry VIII; the one who stayed long enough to be his widow. It demonstrates the tenacity and courage it took to ride the waves of politics, treason and religious bigotry while providing a couple of revelations you may not have read in 'hist fict' before… great stuff!
|Buy? Yes
|Borrow? Yes
|Pages: 224
|Date: February 2013
|Publisher: Robert Hale Ltd
By the age of 31 Katherine, Lady Latimer, had been married and widowed twice. Her first match to an elderly, sickening baron ended at the age of 16, as miserably as it had started two years earlier. Her second marriage to John Neville, Lord Latimer, had been more comfortable. On his death she found love for the first time in her life, but to no avail. The monarch had seen Katherine and would claim her for himself no matter what her wishes may be. This forced marriage would make her famous, for down the centuries history would recount the story of Lady Latimer using her other name: Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII.
This is English author Jenny Mandeville's debut novel and already I owe her an apology. As I started the book and was faced with the emotional thoughts of Katherine, I mentally placed it in the 'woman's romance' category. Not that there's anything wrong with women's romance (even I've been known to dabble, dewy eyed and sniffly) but, in this case we have a story for all but the extremely anatomically squeamish as each character reveals a different dimension of the precarious life in Henry VIII's court.
Katherine is indeed full of the emotion one would expect as she walks the Tudor precipice, watched closely by Lord Chancellor Wriothesley in the same game of cat and mouse that her predecessors had lost. Beneath Jenny's pen we meet a Katherine who once reconciled to her fate as wife of one of the most dangerous husbands in history, just wants to reunite Henry's children and remain true to her faith but is misinterpreted.
Meanwhile through the wonderfully dark, complex Wriothesley (pronounced 'Risley' by the way) we see the enthralling machinations that the empowered initiate (and suffer from) to retain position, particularly when the two sides of the Christian coin (Catholics and Protestants) are battling for supremacy. (Squeamish Warning #1: there are a couple of detailed reports of torture that add to the authenticity and help us understand the prevailing fear but you may want to skip them if you've just eaten.)
However the highly original voice that remains with me (in a good way) is that of Thomas, the Groom of the Stool. (No, not the chair type of stool but… yes indeed, Squeamish Warning #2.) He lives in the fear engendered by seeing some of his fellow courtiers separated from their heads when in the wrong place with the wrong queen. He's also up-close-and-personal with the decaying Henry in ways that others aren't, providing us with totally enthralling small insights into the bigger historical headlines. Through young Tom we get a good idea as to why Henry's badly ulcerated leg (Squeamish Warning #3!) doesn't heal. What made me giggle with wicked mirth was the insight into Henry's gradual conjugal impotence. There are other, more medical, reasons too, but what Tom sees on the wedding night explains an awful lot.
Some idioms used may be more 20th century than 16th, but that's a daft comment in itself as, if it was in authentic language we'd not understand a word of it. (By the way, there is some swearing as is fitting for a king hampered by pain and despotic courtiers.) All in all this is a totally absorbing, original look at the last days of Henry and the Queen dragged to the throne by emotional force. Jenny Mandeville has gone where the likes of Philippa Gregory may have feared to tread, a daring that works well and that I can't help but applaud heartily.
If you enjoy a bit of Tudor and would like to read another historical fiction, this time with a more fanciful twist, try The Virgin Queen's Daughter by Ella March Chase. If you'd prefer to read more about Katherine herself, we recommend the historical biography Katherine the Queen: The Remarkable Life of Katherine Parr by Linda Porter.
You can read more book reviews or buy A Crown of Despair by Jenny Mandeville at Amazon.co.uk
You can read more book reviews or buy A Crown of Despair by Jenny Mandeville at Amazon.com.
Like to comment on this review?
Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site.


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James Madison University (2)
Our 48 million members are accustomed to seeing a screen like this, whether on their Tv or one of the 1000+ other Netflix devices they get pleasure from watching on. But the straightforward act of pressing play calls into action a deep and complicated technique that handles the DRM licenses, contract evaluations, CDN choice, and much more. This system is known internally as the Playback Service and is accountable for making your Netflix streaming expertise seem effortless.
A confluence organised by the Pearl Academy, New Delhi, Noida, Jaipur and Mumbai on 19 and 20 December 2014 at ITC Welcomehotel, Dwarka, New Delhi utilized the Globe Café format. Right here, the confluence was organised in 4 Sessions every with a thematic keynote by a design and style believed leader, round table discussions and summary presentations that incorporated four key themes and each had four sub themes that were discussed across eight round tables with intensity and passion.
The final installment of his lecture is on a Blueprint For Black(African) Energy, which I have incorporated, for in writing the History of Africans in South Africa, Wilson is invaluable in this lecture. This Hub is about that variety of empowerment where Africans of South Africa take up on their history and to create it in order to empower themselves provided the present decrepit reality they exist in.
Heading the massive group was Councilor Matlaka(Councilor of Dube), along with 8(eight) police vehicles, about 15 policemen ant eh CPF patrollers had been about 30, and the rest of the group consisted of a large number of undisclosed members of the regional resident. Five young boys have been arrested and had been identified to have drugs on their persons. Some of these dealers had been girls who had come from the rural places and had been quite secretive as to who their suppliers have been. Others were resistant to the ob but caved in when they saw the mob's menacing bearing and intent.
One particular thing is for confident, at no point did the ANC advocate a socialist alternative in spite of the critical roles both the SACP and COSATU played in the struggle to overthrow Apartheid. Rather, each the SACP and COSATU took a back seat, deferring to the ANC's neoliberal programme, all in the result in of 'unity'. The ANC government's post-Apartheid programme could not even be known as a social democratic one, aka postwar Britain's Labour government. But worse was to come.


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Enter your details to book your appointment with your preferred travel agent who will help you get the most from your next trip. We'll get back to you as quickly as we can. To read more about our team click here.


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Is it a crime to not provide a breath sample when asked?
If the police suspect that you are over the limit then you are obliged to give a sample, it doesn't matter if you know that you are under the limit. The same rule applies if the police have reason to believe that you were driving even if you weren't.


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While security bugs in Microsoft's (MSFT) Internet Explorer browser have become old news for many Netizens, some 200,000 America Online (AMER) subscribers are still awaiting a fix.
AOL security experts are at work to adapt a minor upgrade for Explorer 3.0 to plug security holes that could let hackers wreak havoc on an unsuspecting user's PC. The fix was issued by Microsoft about three weeks ago, but the online service said it only recently got the code from Microsoft and is working to customize it to run in the AOL environment. In addition, the experts are running the upgraded browser, version 3.02, through a series of security tests, the company said.
"Until we are fully confident that it will maintain its security integrity, we won't announce it," AOL spokeswoman Wendy Goldberg said of the Explorer upgrade.
"As soon as it [the debugged version] is ready, it will go up. They are working as fast as they can," she added, declining to say how soon the new version will be ready. "Until then, we tell users to be very vigilant."
The company has posted a message on its welcome page advising subscribers that the patch is being tested. It is the fist reference the company has made to the security problems. Goldberg said AOL opted not to bring the bugs to the attention of its subscribers when they were first discovered because the company felt Microsoft had done enough to get out initial word of the problems.
About 200,000 of AOL's 8 million members use that particular version of the Microsoft browser, according to Goldberg.
The security flaw could allow a skilled hacker to change data or wipe out files on the user's system, experts maintain. There have not been reports of actual attacks, according to Microsoft and AOL.
Microsoft last month moved to address the security problems with a couple of patches to versions 3.0 and 3.1 of the Explorer. The company this week released a preview of a major upgrade, version 4.0. However, it has cautioned users that it will not be ready for widespread deployment until the summer. Company representatives added that only seasoned developers should consider test-driving the product before then.
Facebook wants to show good amid scandals: The social network updates its tools for blood donations, nonprofits and mentorships.
Everything Apple announced: What we know about Apple's TV content and service, credit card, game subscription service and more.


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Posts tagged with "conference"
Code Writer's Workshop 2017
You can view or download the PowerPoint deck for this presentation at codefoster.com/deck/cww2017.
I delivered a session today at Code Writer's Workshop in Seattle.
Code Writer's is a meta-topic workshop. By that I mean that you don't attend to learn how to create a web service or how to implement MQTT messaging. You go to learn about all the other topics that revolve around a career in software development.
My sesson was titled Developer Life Skills, and it was easily the softest topic I've delivered to date.
The goal was to look both at how a software engineer can apply his particular skills to the rest of life - eating, family, sleeping, productivity, etc. as well as to explore how these lateral life topics affect their day-to-day work.
I ventured out a bit and organized my content into 5 chapters - meaning, beauty, truth, community, and efficiency.
My first goal was to dash hopes and dreams by reminding the audience that technology is intrinsically meaningless. It's true. We spend so much time on technology itself, when the really interesting things happen in the application of technology and especially in applications that enrich lives and enable people.
I showed a video that I love about Saqib - a software developer at Microsoft who's blind and who created an application that allows him to have whatever he's looking at explained to him. It's a great example of technology that enriches life.
You might wonder how beauty applies to software development. I did too until I thought about it and did some research.
Among other points, I shared how my definition of beauty has less to do with attractiveness and more to do with severity. I shared one example from my life where I experienced the most raw, real beauty - on a big ocean sail trip down the west coast where I watched a sunrise all alone for more than 2 hours, feared for my life in large seas, and was inspected closely by a curious fin whale for a full 45 minutes.
Those of us involved in the creation of software have the relatively rare opportunity to explicitly work on something that's both creative and very technical, and that's a lot of fun.
Next up was truth.
I've long thought that most any venture and certainly a technical venture is made up of…
You might have all of the resources and tools you need for the job, but without the passion and vision and inspiration, you'll have a tremendous headwind.
Another of my favorite life lessons in the truth category is that when you are trudging through new concepts and feel lost… keep trudging! You're learning all the while even though you don't understand yet, and in fact, you're very likely expanding your mind not only to new information, but new concepts altogether. If you bail you'll miss out and if you make a habit of bailing you'll wind up narrow.
Next up, in the topic on community, I reminded folks that we build software together and we rely on each other.
I learned in scuba diving training a long time ago, that at some point you take what you've learned about keeping yourself alive, and you apply it to the divers around you. You show up at a dive site with all of your preparation done, safety checks made, and redundant gear ready, and then you look at the guy next to you and make sure he's ready and able and safe.
I also asked what's more important to a software language, platform, or framwork: great syntax and features or a strong developer community. The former is obviously important, but not so much, I would argue, as the latter.
Finally, I said that we need to be efficient and productive in the entire course.
I mentioned the importance of exercise, the importants of a refined and focused personal mission statement, and I shared how much I've benefit from eliminating decision fatigue by drinking Soylent for certain meals and buying 10 identical copies of some articles of clothing.
You can download the entire deck at codefoster.com/deck/cww2017.
Developer Reactions to Build 2016
Microsoft takes opportunity every year at //build - its annual conference for developers - to make as many shock and awe announcements as it can, and this year in 2016, there was plenty of shock and plenty of awe.
Maybe you've watched all the keynotes already. Maybe you've even watched all of the sessions already. We're going to assume, however, that even if you have seen or otherwise caught wind of the announcements that you would like to get an answer to the question "What does that mean for me?"
In this post, I'm going to invite a number of colleagues - all Microsoft Technical Evangelists - to share in detail via blog posts and videos about their favorite announcements, and what they mean for you - the developer.
This is an active blog post that will be updated as new content lands, so check back often.
We'll start with a Channel 9 introduction to a few of the team. In this video you'll meet…
- Jeremy Foster (myself) @codefoster
- Jerry Nixon @jerrynixon
- Nick Landry @activenick
- Jennifer Marsman @jennifermarsman
- Sam Stokes @socalsam
- Brian Sherwin @bsherwin
Now, as promised, here's the line-up of content from the evangelists you saw in the video and a few more. Topics will be filled in as we go and links will light up when they're active.
James Sturtevant @aspenwilder
APRIL 11: My reaction to the news that Bash is on windows, the .NET Foundation gaining new members and what Service Fabric going GA means to developers.
Adam Tuliper @adamtuliper
APRIL 13: Excited to get started developing for the HoloLens – even if you don't own one yet? Join Adam for a tour of what the HoloLens can do, how to get started with the Unity bits for the HoloLens, and explore some of the powerful APIs to work with the HoloLens!
Shahed Chowdhuri @shahedc
APRIL 15: Do you dream about publishing your own games on a major game console? Get caught up with the latest Xbox news from Build 2016 and hear about the different ways you can publish your very own game on Windows 10 and Xbox One. Use your own Xbox One console for development or apply for a dev kit via ID@Xbox. Harness the power of DirectX 12 and use a variety of tools to build your own games!
Tim Reilly @timmyreilly
APRIL 18: Interested in what a Partner Evangelist pays attention to during build? Sertac Ozercan works with partners to bring their apps to Windows and shares his notes about changes to the store, chase-able tiles, and more.
Sam Stokes @socalsam
APRIL 20: //Build brought new, awesome, stuff for Power BI. Power BI is powerful as is, so just what are the designers changing? In this video I will cover the super cool things that have changed in Power BI to make it an even more powerful tool then it already is. Is BI really open source? How about a no-code app for Apple devices or Android? What if you need everyone who is using your Power BI dashboards? Embedded Power BI, isn't what you think it is. Watch this video and catch the excitement of Power BI!
Jennifer Marsman @jennifermarsman
APRIL 22: Jennifer Marsman fills you in on the machine learning announcements from Build 2016. We announced the Microsoft Bot Framework and showcased the Microsoft Cognitive Services (formerly Project Oxford) for adding intelligence to your applications. We'll discuss the fun Project Murphy bot and the inspiring Seeing AI story.
Brian Sherwin @bsherwin
APRIL 25: Coverage of IoT and Office 365 announcements and resources to follow up on.
Nick Landry @activenick
APRIL 26: We are moving from a world of data and apps, to a new exciting world of conversations with personal digital assistants and bots using speech and natural language. Nick Landry provides an introduction to the latest advances in Cortana integration on Windows 10, as well as the brand new Bot Framework, opening up a new realm of possibilities in human-computer interactions.
Jerry Nixon @jerrynixon
APRIL 27: Build 2016 was like Christmas for UWP developers creating Windows apps. As existing features were enriched, several new innovations were unveiled to make developers more productive and apps more valuable with signature Windows experiences and capabilities. In this article, we'll walk through the Windows announcements – every single one of them – from mapping to proximity, XAML enhancements, the Action center, and implications for cross-platform development.
Sam Stokes @socalsam
APRIL 29: Skype will blow your mind if you just think Skype is only for instant messaging or voice mail. Medical telepresence may save the Affordable Care Act by making medicine more efficient. You as a developer can actually save lives by getting access to HIPAA compliance directly! What about Project Management. If you are developing Project Management tools, this is for you! In this video we will take a look at the excitement of Skype, Skype Bots and how you can generate wealth for you and society. Of everything at //Build 2016, Skype may be the quiet way to success for you!


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Accommodation available through official organizing partner ATLAS Travel Agency (please use the registration form to book the accommodation):
At the Congress venue:
CROATIA HOTEL is five-star hotel in Cavtat that lies on a wooded peninsula overlooking the Adriatic on one side and the picturesque old city of Cavtat on the other. The world famous medieval walled city of Dubrovnik can be seen from upper hotel terraces. All bedrooms are double-bedded and hotel facilities include the highest standard of 5 stars. The hotel also offers a choice of meeting rooms of various sizes and operates several restaurants, bars, leisure, sport, recreation and other tourist services including indoor and outdoor swimming pools and wellness center.
Congress facilities include: 6 meeting rooms of various sizes, exhibition area, poster stands, all necessary audio-visual equipment.
At the Hotel CROATIA at the following rates:
|Single room with breakfast, sea view
|Single room with breakfast, park view
|Double room with breakfast, sea view
|Double room with breakfast, park view
More about Hotel Croatia at http://www.hoteli-croatia.hr/
At the private apartments (buffet breakfast at the CROATIA Hotel included) at the following rates:
|Single room with breakfast
|Double room with breakfast
Private apartments are located in the houses close to the Croatia Hotel (between 5 and 20 minutes walk) and are normally rent to tourists. Each room has got its own bathroom and a buffet breakfast is provided at the hotel (breakfast vouchers at the registration). Please note this accommodation should be paid in advance to Atlas Travel Agency.
For the above accommodation (Croatia Hotel and Private apartments) please use the Registration Form and send it to ATLAS Travel Agency to email@example.com.


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1. 24/04/2012
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MCN remembers we are all interconnected, urges Congress to make DACA policy permanent
The president's decision to eliminate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) by March 2018 will uproot the lives of around 800,000 young people, also known as "dreamers," who have received temporary work permits and relief from deportation, including over 6,000 in Minnesota. Joining our communities as children, dreamers are living, studying, and working in the only country that is their home. The president's action creates an uncertain -- and fearful -- future for our DACA neighbors, classmates, and coworkers, while also harming our communities and local economies in Minnesota and across the United States.
"MCN stands with our immigrant community members," said Rebecca Lucero, MCN's public policy director. "We at MCN recognize the many who are speaking out and rejecting the attempts to divide us, destroy us, and discriminate against us. We are deeply inspired by those who work towards what Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. described as a 'beloved community,' where our diverse and beautiful backgrounds are all deeply interconnected."
We urge MCN's members to contact their member of Congress to pass immigration reform that, among other priorities, respects the basic human dignity of immigrants, provides a path to citizenship, keeps families together, and protects the rights of and conditions for workers.
For more information, visit NavigateMN.org.


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In this feature, a selection of guest contributors respond to an image or material artefact (typically a garment or accessory), that represents Queensland fashion. Each item is specifically chosen by The Fashion Archives in collaboration with collections and with a particular contemporary practitioner in mind. As a result, each Remember of Revive is a bespoke response and can take many formats and styles.
Megan Cope is a contemporary Aboriginal artist and a descendent of the Quandamooka, or North Stradbroke Island, region. This area was also home to Poonipun, an Aboriginal man whose name is engraved in this 1847 breastplate held in the Indigenous collection of the Queensland Museum.
Poonipun was one of six Aboriginal men to intervene when a passenger and cargo ship capsized off the southern end of Moreton Island. Putting themselves in great danger, the men swam out to the wreck and managed to rescue 10 of the 54 passengers. For this act of immense bravery, the men were awarded engraved brass breastplates by the government of the colony. Only three of these breastplates survive, and as not much is known about Poonipun or the other men honoured, they are important documents of Aboriginal history.
The inscription on Poonipun's breastplate reads:
Poonipun of Amity Point. Rewarded by the Governor, for the assistance he afforded, with several of his countrymen, to the survivors of the wreck of the steamer "Sovereign" by rescuing them from the surf upon Moreton Island on the 11th 0f March 1847, upon which melancholy occasion 46 persons were drowned and by the aid of the natives 10 were saved.
Worn around the neck, breastplates, also known as king plates or gorgets, were given to Aboriginal people by the colony government for a range of reasons. As in the case of Poonipun, sometimes they were awarded to recognise acts of heroism, and therefore remain symbolic of the courage and achievement of Aboriginal peoples. In other instances, breastplates were issued by the Europeans to impose a hierarchy of command in Aboriginal communities that would serve as a further means of colonial control. They are therefore highly controversial historical objects.
Megan explains the significance of Poonipun's breasplate to her ancestral community:
"Our families on Stradbroke Island have long told stories about our ancestors saving lives from many a shipwreck on Quandamooka seas. Some of these oral histories have been cast into breastplates to remember and honor the bravery of our ancestors.
This drawing is a multilayered landscape of parish (circa 1800s), military (circa 1940s) maps and personal illustrations of when the Steamer Sovereign sunk after hitting a sand bank in 1847.
Six Aboriginal men from Amity Point (Pulan)—Poonipun, Toompani, Woondu, Nuahju, Noggun and Juckle-Juckle—saved the lives of ten people aboard the sinking boat and were awarded breastplates. Only 3 are known to have survived. I drew inspiration from Poonipun's breastplate from the Queensland Museum collection."
Megan has inscribed the landscape with the names of the six men. Her words 'Sunken Sovereign' written on the breastplate form may allude to both the ship's name and the colonising rule of the Europeans.
Published in Issue 10, on March 11, 2014.


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rants, raves and randomness
Being a Filipino, I was raised on cheap. I live and breathe it everyday. Cheap goods are your friends -numerous, undiscriminating and available when you need them the most. And you can find them almost everywhere too : Dollar Tree in the US, Pound Land in the UK , Valu$ in Singapore and Daiso in Japan. Let's face it – we all like to see our hard-earned money go a long way, don't we? Cheaper is always better.
Or is it?
Some days ago, I stumbled into this image on Facebook:
And while you may want to think that the Chinese are the enemies here, someone else also posted this:
What is going on here? I decided to do more research and found a book by Ellen Ruppel Shell, Cheap:The High Cost of Discount Culture.
Once a year, we drive 2 hours to the nearest Costco and buy non-perishable goods in bulk. I also can't refuse the lure of a nearby 100 yen shop – if there happens to be one near me, I have to drop by. On my rare weekend off, I usually visit flea markets and bazaars. Price has become everything for me. And I am not alone.
People are attracted to price – this has become the ultimate "arbiter". The cheaper, the better. Back home, people flock SM malls and fill their shopping baskets to the brim with cheap goods. But who can blame us? With rent and gas increasing on a regular basis, one has to resort to living cheap to make ends meet. Surely, you cannot expect us to patronize locally(Japan)-made rice cookers that cost ten times more than the Chinese bootlegs! We have so many bills to pay, other more important things to spend on. This is a necessary love affair with cheap, one that has made SM the largest mall chain in the Philippines and Henry Sy among the richest in the world.
Elle Ruppel Shell looks backwards to find the answers. Cheap started with mass production. And during those times, what US needed the most was,not surprisingly, guns.
Making a really fine piece took more than 300 hours of labor and the resulting labor of $40 – about 3 times what the average person of the time made in a month.
Shell, Ellen Ruppel. Cheap. The High Cost of Discount Culture. The Penguin Press. 2009.
President George Washington proposed a bill to create public facilities to make and supply the military with weapons. The successful bidders were Simeon North and Eli Whitney. Simeon North broke down the process of manufacturing guns and distributed the tasks among a group of semi-skilled workers. Instead of having a gunsmith and an apprentice manufacture guns, he "de-skilled" gun manufacturing turning it into a more efficient enterprise and thereby planting the seeds of mass production.
However, changes enforced by North wasn't adopted until much later.
Real industrialization didn't happen overnight. It began after the War of 1812 and took about forty years to really take off," said Merit Roe Smith, historian of MIT.
Shell, Ellen Ruppel. Cheap. The High Cost of Discount Culture. The Penguin Press. 2009.
By the end of the 19th century, mass production accounted for more than 50% of America's production. This lead to reduced prices and higher efficiency and decline of craftsmanship. When people started to move away from farms towards the cities, they created a new type of demand. John Wanamaker decided to cash in on this growing demand by setting up men's clothing stores, adopting a policy : "One price and goods returnable." This store became successful. He opened another store and then another, making a name for himself. Finally, in 1875, he bought an abandoned railroad depot and set up the "Grand Depot for Merchandise", one of the first department stores. It offered a "spectrum of mass-produced goods" that "nearly every socioeconomic bracket could afford". Of course, Wanamaker had his critics : he put smaller shops out of business, very much like what SM is doing now to many of our local shops.
But Wanamaker also had a good invention : the price tag, claiming "Equal before God, equal before price." Wanamaker "leveled" the playing field by making all shoppers of socioeconomic brackets equal before the cash register, at a time when prices depended on one's haggling abilities, if not "sophistication".
Wanamaker wasn't the only one to use low price to seduce his customers. Frank Woolworth opened his own store, the mother of all convenience stores, where people could pick up and inspect the goods by themselves instead of asking the shopkeeper to get the items behind the counter. During those days, Europe was way ahead of the US in manufacturing and consequently, cheaper. In search of cheap goods to sell back home, Woolworth traveled to Europe where he bought low quality items in bulk and shipped them home, selling them for pocket change. In the process, Woolworth became versed with mass production and taught them to his American suppliers.
Both Woolworth and Wanamaker believed in the same thing: that in selling everyday commodities, "price generally trumps value". And they were right. This thinking has survived and continues to permeate our society until now.
Through mass production, luxuries are suddenly made affordable : clocks, clothes and almost all items for everyday life . Instead of shelling out more to buy real china, we drop by our nearest 100 yen shop to buy these cheap plastic plates for a dime a dozen. And utensils too- because boy oh boy, now you can afford them all at the same time. Don't you feel rich,being able to buy more for [a lot] less? "Browsing experience," a commenter writes," is [itself] a part of that good retail therapy." "Cheap thrills", "more bang for your buck", "value for money", "bounce for the ounce"- these are all what matter now. Gone are the days when price was only one consideration, out of many: it is now the ONLY consideration.
So what if they're of low quality? You may think. That's beside the point!
You are not alone in thinking this way, attested by the rise of large retailers and discounters: Walmart, Tesco,Kmart, Daiso, Cando, SM.
In the name of Price
We Filipinos aren't always like this. There was a time when we thought of "inheritance" or "investment" when we bought something. During my parents' generation, people bought and thought ahead – they saved to buy narra (hard wood) furniture with their children in mind. I grew up at a time when people were willing to pay more, not less. Our 14″ Sony TV lasted more than a decade – definitely giving us our money's worth, if you think in today's terms. And when things broke down, we had them repaired. Toys were glued back together, shoes were brought to the shoe repair shop, the clothes were mended and passed on to our younger cousins.
Now the culture of "repair" and "mending" is disappearing. If it breaks, just throw it away and get a new one!
We know this is only a lamp, but this wind and this cringing IKEA customers the world over, heirlooms gradually become obsolete. Why settle for dusty hand-me-downs when the stylish and new cost a pittance?
Shell, Ellen Ruppel. Cheap. The High Cost of Discount Culture. The Penguin Press. 2009.
We've switched from long term to short, from superior quality to inferior. And for what? So we can buy more. Because more is better.
Fortunately, my husband is a smart buyer, believing that "you get what you pay for" so you might as well open that purse just a bit wider. He has fewer things- true- but they are mostly of high quality and have a longer life span. And when he buys, he splurges. And if options are available, he'd rather buy local than buy something made in China. I thought he was just being overly patriotic. But he warned me of these $1 chopsticks popular among tourists, which he believes, without proof, were made with dangerous materials. "You don't know what kind of paint they use!" The Made-in-Japan chopsticks cost $7 a pair, but what's the $6 difference to your health?
Oh what the heck! I am rethinking my priorities. When I bought a 4,000 Yen (40$) cover for my Nexus, he was bewildered : "It's not like you to buy something that expensive," he said.
"Well," I replied, "I'm sick and tired of buying the cheap ones that break every couple of days."
"You're learning!" he said.
Sometimes, I wonder if my cheap addiction is a Filipino thing, a product of third-world upbringing, the SM Generation. In Italy, I once complained to a Venetian friend about the prices of food, particularly, one meal that cost as much as a ten regular meals. My friend, a true Italian that he was, replied that he'd rather have ONE very good meal than ten shitty ones.
Point taken. How many times did I have to buy these kitchen wall hooks with suction cups before they seem to magically lose the ability to suction? And the 100-yen kitchen timers that stop working once you drop them? In the end, I calculated it costs more money to keep buying cheap goods and replacing them over and over again than paying a bit more and get the branded ones just once. So I invested some money on hooks and bought myself a branded timer. But quality doesn't always win. I still buy cheap. Cheap is an addiction not easily overcome. Not especially when they come in beautiful colors and fancy designs.
In the world of Cheap, design has become a stand-in for quality.
Shell, Ellen Ruppel. Cheap. The High Cost of Discount Culture. The Penguin Press. 2009.
And despite knowing more about the true nature of cheap, I am still lured and seduced, my purse pried open.
But quality is only one of our concerns. Cheap poses problems, not only to the individuals but the community who patronizes it.
Because chains did away with the local proprietor, funneled money away from local community and traded skilled employees for stock boys and "order takers", they were seen as waging a direct assault on the American way of life". KWKH owner William K "Old Man" Henderson of Shreveport Louisiana, warned listeners of the "ruinous and devastating effect of sending the profits of business out of our local communities to a common center, Wall Street. We have appealed to the fathers and mothers – who entertain the fond hope of their children becoming prosperous business leaders- to awaken to a realization of the dangers of chain stores' closing this opportunity. We have insisted that the payment of starvation wages such as the chain-store system fosters must be eradicated."
Shell, Ellen Ruppel. Cheap. The High Cost of Discount Culture. The Penguin Press. 2009.
Simply put, they put small farmers out of business and discourage start-ups…..
The modern, mechanised facility is a far cry from the days of milking by hand. But in other respects Marybelle, a family-run dairy business set in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, has deliberately retained old-fashioned traditions, such as low-intensity care of its award-winning pedigree Jerseys and Holsteins and an enviably short supply chain.
But Strachan, a third-generation farmer, is clearly not a happy man as he struggles to understand Tesco's decision as the UK's largest retailer to slash the price of milk from £1.39 to £1 for a four-pint carton in the latest battle to win shoppers. Like many of the UK's 10,500 dairy farmers he worries that the escalating price war will put the financial squeeze on his own business, at a time when stability is returning after price cuts two years ago.
"I am cross as it makes no sense to me," he says from the dairy in Rendham. "It is not as though consumers have been complaining about milk being too expensive. It's a good value product given everything that goes into it, and what Tesco is doing is sending out the wrong message to shoppers – to everyone. They are devaluing milk for, apparently, their own gain." Smithers, Rebecca. The Guardian. Supermarkets' milk price war leaves a sour taste for dairy farmers. March 7, 2014. Web. May 21, 2014. < http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/mar/07/supermarkets-milk-price-war-dairy-farmers-tesco-cuts >
At last, it is said, competition watchdogs have found the "smoking gun" they have spent years hunting for: hard evidence that the big supermarkets use their muscle to bully suppliers and extract unreasonable price cuts.
Finch, Julia. The Guardian. How suppliers get the sharp end of supermarkets' hard sell. August 25, 2007. Web. May 20, 2014. < http://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/aug/25/supermarkets >
On Wednesday, Labour MP Shane Jones let rip, accusing the Australian-owned supermarket giant Progressive Enterprises of bullying suppliers and demanding they hand over cash if they wanted to keep their products on the shelves of Countdown supermarkets.
Dudding, Adam. Stuff. Business Day. Behind the supermarket bargains. February 16, 2014.Web. May 21, 2014. < http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/9727417/Behind-the-supermarket-bargains >
…while the "common center" grows even bigger and bigger.
A friend back home, whose family engages in supplying chicken, once told me why they stopped supplying to SM. SM requires its suppliers to pay a lot of fees, it's almost impossible to make any profits : inventory, storage and listing fees, just to name a few. To make matters worse, though SM is centralized, some fees are charged on a per-branch basis. Apparently, this kind of "bullying" is happening elsewhere too. Here are some of the tactics used by supermarket giants to squeeze their suppliers:
Unilateral changes to agreed terms
Written contracts setting out the terms of what has been ordered and what they intend to pay for goods supplied are not usual. The grocers may then unilaterally change pre-agreed terms in their favour at the time of delivery. This makes it difficult for suppliers to plan and invest in innovation and allows grocers to change their orders to a take-it-or-leave it offer.
Slotting allowances and pay-to-stay- fees (also known as "listing fees")
The grocers may demand a "slotting allowance" – a cash fee – up front to provide shelf space for a new line. They are paid per item, per store. Alternatively they may demand listing fees, to cover the cost of the administration behind introducing new lines.
Supermarkets may also demand a pay-to-stay fee – a cash "rent" on shelf space allotted. They may ask suppliers to submit bids for space on shelves, at the end of aisles or in freezer units.
Category management
Grocers may appoint "category captains" – usually a large, branded goods supplier – to advise on which products are offered to shoppers, how shelves are laid out, goods are priced and which are promoted. The Competition Commission has pointed out that category captains can manage the ranges stocked to their own benefit and can learn about their rivals' plans, prices and new products from their rivals.
Exclusive dealing arrangements
EDAs restrict the number of retailers a supplier can deal with. It can mean a supplier agrees to sell only to one supermarket and promises not to sell to a rival. They are most often used with own-label products.
Marketing contributions
Supermarkets often demand payments towards advertising certain products and/or to cover the cost of price promotions.
Supermarkets ask for discounts to suppliers' prices as a matter of course, and suppliers expect them to. They are usually related to the volumes that are expected to be sold, called over-riders, or promotional activity planned.
Damage/waste payments
Suppliers may be asked for payments to cover problems ranging from poor stacking of pallets to putting bar code stickers in the wrong place.
Other payments
Supermarkets can ask suppliers for payments towards refitting stores or for stock to fill the shelves of new stores.
Finch, Julia. The Guardian. How suppliers get the sharp end of supermarkets' hard sell. August 25, 2007. Web. May 20, 2014. < http://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/aug/25/supermarkets >
And let's not even talk about the "starvation wages" Mr Henderson mentioned. Wanamaker, almost a century ago, claimed that he was passing on the savings to his customers, creating "opportunities" for a better life. These "savings" came with a hefty price – Wanamaker couldn't afford to pay good salaries to many of his employees. And Woolworth? He hired only the cheapest labor, saying, "It may look hard to some of you for us to pay such small wages but…one thing is certain : we cannot afford to pay good wages and sell good as we do now and our clerks ought to know it." [Shell, Ellen Ruppel. Cheap. The High Cost of Discount Culture. The Penguin Press. 2009.]
Image from Weissmann, Jordan. The Atlantic. Who's Really to Blame for the Wal-Mart Strikes? The American Consumer. November 22, 2012. Web. May 21, 2014. < http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/11/whos-really-to-blame-for-the-wal-mart-strikes-the-american-consumer/265542/ >
Image from Wal-Mart: Analyzing Wages and Job Security. < http://goodlabourworks.pbworks.com/ w/page/ 14909527/ Examining%20Wages%20and%20Job%20Security >. From the same website :
In the case of the Sunset Development, No, Wal-Mart will NOT provide a sufficient wage to workers. The Rental Calculations for the Sunset area provide more indepth information on calculations of rent.
The Following Conclusions can be made:
Before Taxes, A Wal-Mart worker makes $924
Average Rental Costs in the Sunset Area is $673.13
This leaves a worker with = $250.87 for other living expenses
This leaves a Wal-Mart "full-time" employee $62.71 PER WEEK.
And SM back home? No better.
"All of Sy's businesses employ and exploit contractuals who are made to work hard yet receive meager wages and minimal benefits and have no job security nor union rights to speak of. Contractual salesladies, bank tellers and construction workers – these are the people who contributed immensely to the rise in Sy's profit," said Nenita "Nitz" Gonzaga, KMU vice-chairperson for women affairs.
"Sy should be ashamed of raking in a huge profit from his businesses which are all contractualization camps. His businesses' good performance amidst the global economic crisis should not be celebrated because it rests on the severe exploitation of numerous workers, especially women workers," she added .
Kilusang Mayo Uno. It's SM, Siil at Murang paggawa, Women workers blast rise in Henry Sy profits. August 5, 2011. Web. May 21, 2014. < http://www.kilusangmayouno.org/ news/2011/ 08/it%E2%80%99s- sm-siil-murang-paggawa-women-workers-blast- rise-henry-sy-profits >
What happened to Henry Ford's legacy, paying workers enough so they could afford to buy the products of their own hard work (that is, a Ford)?
But we all know it doesn't end there. In the face of price wars and cut-throat competition, suppliers are also being forced to cut costs by all means. How?
By overlooking safety standards and putting workers at risk :
By environmental degradation:
If there is a heaven for shrimp, it is almost certainly looks like Thailand. The country's 2,700 miles of warm, protected coastline is an ideal habitat for both wild and domesticated species. Shrimp hatch in the ocean, drift toward land with the ties and get tangled in roots and sediment on the shoreline, where, safe from predators, they grow into juveniles and then return to open water to further mature. Thais have farmed shrimp for centuries on a very small scale, taking advantage of the creatures natural life cycle by holding it safe in coastal ponds until harvest. Shrimp was also farmed in alternate seasons from rice in paddies, again on a relatively small scale. None of this changed the landscape or made much of a difference in quality of the shrimp. But it didn't make for high efficiencies, either. Shrimp was still a luxury.
In the late 1970s, shrimp farmers turbocharged the age-old shrimp farming process by adding to their ponds post-larval shrimp caught in the wild or raised in hatcheries. They supplemented natural feeds with nutrient slurries, chemicals and antibiotics. Efficiencies skyrocketed and the shrimp rush was on. The World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and other lenders poured hundreds of millions of dollars into shrimp, as did private investors. Racked with debts, the Thai government encouraged this development. By the mid-1980s farmers up and down Thai peninsula had converted their rice paddies-and thousands of square acres of coastline-into teeming shrimp operation, veritable seafood gold mines. While traditional shrimp farms yielded less than 450 pounds per acre, the new factory-style outfits harvested as much as 89,000 pounds per acre. Production grew and then exploded- from 33,000 metric tons in 1987 to an astonishing 240,000 metric tons in 1995.
But the part didn't last long. As corporate and government interests took tighter hold, pushing demands higher, ponds started to break down and fail. What followed was ruinous debt, environmental degradation, horrifying human rights abuses and violence that left millions destitute.
To grow them, coastal or other farmland is swamped or flooded with salt water, to create a brackish pond, and surrounded by a slippery blue plastic apron to prevent frisky shrimp from escaping. Some inland farmers truck salt water in from the coast, while others just dump salt into freshwater ponds. under best conditions, these ponds are well tended, adequately monitored, and not too tightly packed. More typically, the ponds are dangerously overcrowded and indifferently managed, plagued by overfeeding, plankton blooms and inadequate water circulation. Shrimp are carnivorous and require feed- usually fish meal- in amounts more than double their adult weight. Often, groundwater aqui fers, domestic water supplies and adjacent rice paddies and farm fields are contaminated with this meal and with massive volumes of waste from the shrimp itself. Waste water pumped from ponds pollutes canals, rivers and other water sources with pesticides, antibiotics and disinfectants. Built-up waste mixed with chemicals scraped from the bottom of the pond is piled into ugly-and toxic-hillocks. As with any creatures in extremely crowded and filthy conditions, farmed shrimp are highly susceptible to infection, and despite massive inputs of antibiotics, many sicken and die. As a result, roughly half a million of the more than million acres of shrimp farms lie abandoned. Meanwhile land is permanently contaminated. Paddies tainted by salt and filth are no good for growing rice or much of anything else. And on the coast, the same mangrove forests that once sheltered nourished shrimps have been systematically eradicated to make way for the farmed shrimp.
Shell, Ellen Ruppel. Cheap. The High Cost of Discount Culture. The Penguin Press. 2009.
A new campaign is targeting IKEA, the world's biggest furniture retailer, for logging old-growth forests in the Karelia region of Russia. An alliance of groups, headed by the Swedish NGO Protect the Forest, allege that IKEA's subsidiary, Swedwood, is clearcutting thousands of hectares of old and biodiverse forests. But, Swedwood's 300,000 hectare concession is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), generally considered the world's strongest forestry certifier.
"It is very sad that forests that have taken centuries to mature can be lost in a few days. Thanks to IKEA's promotion of the mass-consumption of cheap timber products, people's appreciation of the true value of old forests is being undermined, and this threatens the rights of future generations to enjoy the benefits of our forest heritage," Andrei Laletin with Friends of the Siberian Forests said in a press release.
Hance, Jeremy. Mongabay. IKEA logging old-growth forest for low-price furniture in Russia. May 30, 2012. Web. May 21, 2014. < http://news.mongabay.com/2012/0530-hance-ikea-fsc-logging.html >
Ultimately, this all comes back to consumers. We are the ones who choose where to take our business. And for the most part, Americans have chosen cheap.
It's hard to blame middle class families for making that decision — not a lot of people have the extra cash to make a political statement out of where they buy paper towels and diapers. But it's led to cycle of impoverishment, where big box stores have brought down wages at smaller competitors desperate to compete, taking money out of the hands of workers, and sending it back up the corporate food chain to shareholders.
The sad part of this is it wouldn't cost us much to pay big box retail workers something closer to a livable wage. A study from UC-Berkeley's Center for Labor Research and Education suggested it would cost the average shopper an extra $12.49 a year if Wal-Mart paid its workers a full $12 an hour and passed most of the cost to consumers.
I think most people, shown these numbers, would gladly pay a bit more to know the person helping them find the detergent aisle doesn't need help from the government to feed their child. The problem, though, is that consumers only pay so much attention, and only have so many choices when it comes to where they shop. Those choices are largely dominated by the big box stores.
Weissmann, Jordan. The Atlantic. Who's Really to Blame for the Wal-Mart Strikes? The American Consumer. November 22, 2012. Web. May 21, 2014. < http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/11/whos-really-to-blame-for-the-wal-mart-strikes-the-american-consumer/265542/ >
Cheap is not sustainable.It's harmful to individuals, communities and to societies as a whole. By supporting cheap, we support the exploitative business models and tactics that the giant retailers employ. As a consequence, we also support the practices of their suppliers, who, in the name of cost cutting, pay extremely low wages, exploit workers and even endanger them by refusing to comply with basic safety standards. Some of these suppliers go to great lengths to produce higher and higher yields and in the process engage in environmental pollution. By supporting cheap, we are also taking money away from the community and onto the large corporations, giving them ever more power to squeeze their suppliers and make unreasonable demands. The suppliers, in turn, are forced to concentrate on what the retails want to sell, discouraging investments in research & development. And when these retailers and discounters get too big, no one else can compete – not the farmers and not the small entrepreneurs. In this way, cheap discourages innovation. But all is not lost – if we don't support cheap, we may be able to break from its vicious cycle. After all, what is paying a little bit more for a shop clerk to support his family? For a factory worker to be able to work in building with proper safety standards? Or for some people to remain employed?
Images from the internet


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Wow. I have become such a teenie to admit I have favourite NSync pictures and think about making a page such as this, let alone actually dig through my files for them. But hey, it's the holidays (and hey, that was so not an excuse).
Does it make it better if I write snarky comments underneath the pictures? No? I didn't think so either. *sigh*