text:
Radio Listening Software
Radio applications
A number of v4l cards have a radio receiver/tuner.
The following applications control the tuner. Gnomeradio and kradio, the most fully featured applications, are not yet available in all distributions and need to be compiled first. Some of the older applications are mature and readily available, but no longer actively developed.
- radioshark -- application to control the griffin radioshark
- gnomeradio -- for Gnome, capable of recording
- kradio for KDE
- xmms-fmradio -- plugin for XMMS, last version autumn 2004, Debian and Red Hat packages
- gkrellm-radio -- minimalistic gkrellm plugin to control radio tuners
- gradio -- in Debian, but not currently active
- radio -- a curses-based radio application by Gerd Knorr, part of xawtv; see man page (most distros)
- radio script part of the MisterHouse project
- fmtools also for the command-line (most distros)
- gnuradio -- the GNU software radio, testing phase; cf. wiki
- xfce4-radio-plugin -- plugin for the Xfce panel
User experiences
If you're a user, post your installation and user experiences here!
I tried gradio on Debian amd64, as it's available; it's very basic. If you don't have the card on /dev/radio, start with
gradio -d /dev/radio2
No recording capability, stable gui, minimal functionality -- tuner and volume. I had to hand-edit the .gradiorc configuration file to get station presets; I may have missed some way of doing this through the gui.
Clearly a more sophisticated application. There's only a debian package for i386, so I'll need to build from the tarball. Since I'm mainly interested in remote recording, I'll try fmtools and radio first.
The package contains two binaries, fm and fmscan. To pick up all stations even with very weak reception, I issued,
$ fmscan -d /dev/radio2 fmscan -d /dev/radio3 -t 18 -i 0.1 Scanning range: 87.9 - 107.9 MHz (0.2 MHz increments)...
Nice and clean. I added an antenna, but still got weak reception. This is very useful for testing the radio and finding the stations; does it support directing the sound to a file? I try various combinations and end up with this to get 100% volume:
$ fm -d /dev/radio3 89.9 65535 Radio tuned to 89.88 MHz at 100.00% volume
Weird. I don't see a way to record; do I need to use sox? I don't know if I'm getting any sound, as I don't have speakers on this box.
Sox is what gnomeradio uses to record and it thankfully sends commands it uses to standard out.
for wav file:
sox -c2 -w -r32000 -tossdsp /dev/audio -r 44100 -c 2 -w -twav /tmp/foo.wav
for mp3 or ogg:
sox -c2 -w -r32000 -tossdsp /dev/audio -r 44100 -c 2 -w -twav /tmp/fm_fifo &
lame -S -h -b 128 /tmp/fm_fifo /tmp/foo.mp3
oggenc -Q -b 128 -o /tmp/foo.ogg /tmp/fm_fifo
The radio package has a single binary, radio. The man page says it looks for the kradio configuration file ~/.kde/share/config/kradiorc. Failing that, radio tries ~/.radio. I issue,
radio -c /dev/radio3
and get a blue and red curses screen, very cool. Arrow keys increase and decrease frequency in 0.05 intervals. I'm clearly not picking up any signal to speak of. I figure I have a lower-level issue with the tuner.


text:
I have an old 2.4 kernel based linux device using NIC Bonding. Instead of having the NIC Bonding module build as a module and
modprobe'ed into the system, its compiled directly into the kernel. I'd like to modify the module parameters to add
mode=1 miimon=100 in order to get it to not use round-robbin packet sending, but all of the examples I'm finding seem to assume the module is not compiled into the kernel, or just don't seem to work for me.
So far I've tried modifying my
/etc/modules.conf file to try adding
alias bond0 bonding
options bond0 mode=1 miimon=100
options bonding mode=1 miimon=100
Based on something else I found on line I've tried adding bond0.mode=1 and bonding.mode=1 to my kernel commandline in grub, but regardless, when I boot up and check 'cat /proc/net/bonding/bond0' I always see staring back at me this line:
Bonding Mode: load balancing (round-robin)
I've tried looking for a setting to change in
sysctl or
/proc but am coming up empty.

subset: commoncrawl


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Falkland Islands Museum
2 February 2015,
30.01.15 Additional story
Unfortunately, due to the vagaries of Falkland Islands weather, we are currently stuck in Stanley for an extra day after our flight was postponed last night for 24 hours. Apparently, gale force gusting crosswinds are not suitable for airplane takeoffs!
Still, it meant I had time to visit the new Falkland Islands Museum which I had not had time to get to during the last two weeks. I visited this museum two years ago before it was moved to its new location. Back then, it was in a small building at the top end of Stanley, every conceivable piece of space crammed with stories and displays each vying for attention but difficult to concentrate on due to the overcrowding. Now, it has a shiny new, custom-built, two-storey building on the central waterfront, the displays have more space to view and it is easier to see and follow the stories of the different aspects of Falklands culture.
This is a 'local' museum in the sense that it tells the story of the Falkland Islands from discovery and colonisation through to the present day, through social, natural, maritime and military histories. Not surprisingly, the social history aspects get the most detail and time and, slightly disappointingly, at least from my point of view, the natural history section is both small and fairly superficial. The most significant birds and mammals get a quick mention, invertebrates not at all, with no mention of the rich marine life found here. Geology fares even worse. There is however, a nice section on the commercial fisheries, their importance as well as the work done to monitor them, control them and help reduce bird mortalities associated with them. There is also a section on the current oil exploration. The Islands have long had associations with Antarctic exploration with many expeditions passing through the islands, Shackleton particularly spending time here. The 'Reclus Hut', for many years a research hut at Portal Point in the Antarctic, was shipped back here along with all of its contents before it was lost, after it had been closed and abandoned for many years. In the old museum, this was outside and was still faring badly in the weather. Now, it has a place inside along with the expeditionary stories related to its history and should last for many more years to come, reminding people just how tough Antarctic exploration was back then.
Outside, with more space and new coats of paint are the larger displays of maritime and military objects including a harpoon gun, now looking clean and shiny as opposed to the rusting relic it was before (see before and after photos). Unfortunately, the labels for these seem to have disappeared for now, with only my old photos to tell me what they are. Hopefully, these labels will be replaced soon as visitors will always want to know what it is they are looking at.
I'm glad the museum has been given more space and funds to properly showcase the Islands history and culture, the stories do deserve it. Perhaps in the future, they may be persuaded to expand the natural history sections in keeping with the variety and diversity of life they have here, also a story well-deserving of being told.


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Hi Everyone,
Here is a summary of our most recent Genealogy Program at the Schaumburg Township District Library on Tuesday evening, January 11, 2011. Our guest speaker for the evening was Jeffrey Bassett. Jeffrey presented a program titled "DNA and Genealogy: A Revisit".
Jeffrey had previously provided an overview of using DNA in your genealogy research in January 2007. So much has advanced in this research technique since Jeffrey was last here that I thought it would be a good topic to revisit and see what is new in this area for genealogy researchers.
I do apologize early on in this post and let the readers know that I had unfortunately forgotten to bring my digital camera to this program. Consequently, I do not have any pictures of the speaker or of the participants as I often do include in a summary of the program. Sorry about that. I will put the camera by my door on the way out for our next speaker oriented program we will have in February 2011!
Once again, old man winter decided to target our program night for a small snowstorm! It wasn't a catastrophic storm but I feel like each winter month this program seems to have snowstorm in the mix for the very evening of the program. Not the day before or the day after but the very evening!!
Nonetheless, we still had a very good turnout for our program which we started at 7:30 PM. We had 52 people in attendance. All were hearty souls that would not be stopped from learning some new genealogy research techniques via DNA analysis. Our speaker was also able to make the program without any difficulties even though he faced more snow closer to the lake from where he was coming. His driving conditions actually improved as he headed west away from Lake Michigan.
We had 4 new participants in attendance for the evening. I had them introduce themselves and provided them with a genealogy introduction handout package for them to use as they embark upon their research.
I then spent some time reviewing our "electronic" handout package that I post within the blog on the right sidebar under the category "Program Handouts".
I like to include handouts of upcoming genealogy programs that our local to our area so researchers can attend these programs for the topics they have. I also include our own library's next upcoming program so attendees can mark their calendars to visit us again at our library.
I also like to make note of some interesting topics I was able to discover from Dick Eastman's Online Newsletter as well as make note of some key articles I may have discovered that were contained in our library's recently received genealogical journals.
I encourage those that attended to revisit the PDF file of this information and spend some more quality time reviewing the thoughts I put to paper that caught my eye as being more significant than other things I may have seen. These notes have bookmarks within the document to make for easy navigation as well as having embedded links that you can visit directly from with the Handout.
Our speaker started his presentation at approximately 8:05 PM. Jeffrey brought a nice PowerPoint presentation of his material from which I was able to make paper copies for those in attendance to follow.
Jeffrey was kind enough to allow me to post his PowerPoint presentation within this blog post for all attendees and readers of my blog to revisit and look at. You can see this handout material at:
Jeffrey Basset January 11, 2011 DNA and Genealogy Handout
Thank you Jeffrey for allowing me to post this.
Jeffrey also let us know that the DNA Service Provider he has used over his long time working with DNA is Family Tree DNA. You can visit this company's website at:
Some of the key points made by Jeffrey from throughout his presentation were:
- Many years ago when DNA testing started to be made available to genealogy researchers, the standard was a 12 marker test. Today, the standard is more like a 37 marker test.
- A 67 marker test is also available but Jeffrey believes that is not necessary to obtain great results at less cost with the 37 marker test.
- The price of DNA testing has dropped significantly over the years. Today, Jeffrey spends about $149 for a 37 marker test. Four years ago, that same test cost him $179.
- If you are looking for an even bigger discount on DNA pricing, check with Ancestry.com in the months before the Christmas Holidays. They often have some great "sale" prices at that time because these DNA tests are frequently given as presents at that time of the year.
- The Y chromosome test is used when researching male lines.
- Mitochondrial DNA is used when researching female lines.
- Jeffrey indicated there is more willingness today for researchers to participate in DNA research compared to 4 years ago. The uneasiness of 4 years ago has been replaced with lower costs, confidence in the DNA companies and their results and a sense of privacy that is present from a good track record of those companies providing this service.
- Jeffrey noted that over time all DNA will mutate. The higher level of a DNA marker test you use will show this over time with your results more so than will a 12 marker or 25 marker test. Mutations can explain why a DNA result does not have expected exact matches. These are still people in your family tree but you have to be aware of mutations that affect the outcome of your marker matches.
- Haplogroup results of your DNA give you some idea of where in the world your original ancestral connections might be from. African connections go back the furthest in time (120,000 to 150,000 years ago). Asian connections go back 40,000 to 70,000 years ago. European connections go back 35,000 to 50,000 years ago.
- Jeffrey provided his own web site to visit that deals with his efforts to connect the BASSETT family line through his use of DNA testing. You may visit the site at www.bassettbranches.org.
All in all DNA and Genealogy is here to say. We are well past the infancy of this process from just 5 or more years ago. Jeffrey is by far the most knowledgeable person I have met on the subject of DNA and genealogy. His presentation really showcases his deep knowledge of the subject and how he has used it to explore and confirm many of his genealogical connections.
We thank Jeffrey Basset for his return visit to our library to share information on this expanding topic of genealogical research.
Jeffrey's contact information is contained within his handout as well as from the website I mentioned above.
DNA and Genealogy. Investigate it. Consider it. Get "swabbing"!!
Tony Kierna
Genealogy Coordinator
Schaumburg Township District Library


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Platinum Sandbox
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|Introduction to Chemistry and Lab, LE
|A general introductory course dealing with the basic fundamentals of chemistry, specifically for prenursing students. Emphasis is placed on atomic structure, states of matter, the periodic table and chemical bonding, chemical symbols, nomenclature and chemical equations, types of chemical reactions, calculations from chemical equations, the characteristics of gases, and the chemistry of solutions and colloids. A basic understanding of algebra is strongly recommended (MATH 105 or higher).
|Chemistry and Society, LE
|This course uses selected and contemporary topics in chemistry to study how science works as a whole. Depending on the expertise of the instructor teaching the class, topics of study will be selected from a list that includes, but is not limited to, medicinal chemistry, chemistry of food and cooking, chemistry and energy, forensic science etc. While studying these topics an emphasis will be placed on developing scientific critical thinking skills, leadership and ethical awareness, and teamwork and collaboration skills. As a result, instructors will make a concerted effort to minimize lecture in favor of discussion and hands-on experiential learning including laboratory activities undertaken in groups.
|Principles of Chemistry I and II and Lab
|A course in inorganic chemistry designed for students majoring in chemistry, biology, pre-professional programs in the sciences, and other science fields. Emphasis is placed on a detailed analysis of the fundamental principles of chemistry on both a theoretical and descriptive level. Co-requisite: MATH 141 or equivalent. CHEM 111 is a prerequisite for CHEM 112.
|Special Topics in Chemistry
|Topics of interest and importance to students majoring in chemistry, biology, and physics will be offered as needed. Special Topics at 300-level may be used as elective hours in the Chemistry majors or minors. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
|Organic and Biochemistry
|A descriptive introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry with a biological/pharmacological emphasis. The course involves a brief introduction to organic structures, nomenclature and functional groups followed by a detailed discussion of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, energy transfer and metabolism. Prerequisite: CHEM 103.
|Organic Chemistry I and II and Lab
|A detailed study of the chemistry of aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds. Topics covered include structure and nomenclature, the basic reactions of organic functional groups, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, organic synthesis and spectroscopy. The class is designed for chemistry, biology and pre-professional science majors. Prerequisites: CHEM 111, 112. CHEM 303 is a prerequisite for CHEM 304.
|Quantitative Analysis and Lab
|A study of the theory and practice of quantitative analytical chemistry. Topics include kinetics, ionic equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, complex ion formation and oxidation-reduction reactions. The lab involves an in-depth study of gravimetric, volumetric and simple instrumental methods of analysis. Offered Fall. Prerequisites: CHEM 111, 112; PHYS 151 or 211.
|Instrument Analysis and Lab
|Theory and laboratory work in absorption and emission spectroscopy (AA, UV-vis, IR and fluorometry); electroanalytical chemistry and chromatography as they apply to analytical chemistry. Offered spring of even years. Prerequisites: CHEM 111, 112; PHYS 151 or 211.
|Inorganic Chemistry and Lab
|Inorganic chemistry is concerned with the chemistry of all of the elements except carbon. Selected topics that give the student broad exposure to the modern applications of inorganic chemistry are presented, as well as the underlying theories on which the subject is based. Topics include symmetry and group theory, bonding in inorganic compounds, the solid state, chemical forces, and coordination chemistry. Interesting aspects of the chemistry of selected elements are covered. The students gain laboratory experience with the synthetic techniques of inorganic chemistry including vacuum line synthesis techniques. They also learn how to characterize inorganic materials using instrumental techniques. Offered spring of odd year. Prerequisites: CHEM 111, 112.
|Biochemistry and Lab
|A study of the chemistry of living organisms. Begins with a review of basic biology and organic chemistry as it applies to the biological system, the structure and function of the cell, water and its importance in the biological system and energy considerations. Detailed discussion of the structure and function of proteins, enzymology, carbohydrate structure and metabolism by both aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, and the structure and function of lipids and biological membranes. Offered fall semester. Prerequisites: BIOL 205 (pre-2011: BIOL 105; CHEM 304. BIOL 204 is strongly recommended. Same as BIOL 350.
|Scientific Computing
|An introduction to programming techniques that apply to a wide range of scientific disciplines. Topics include basic programming principles, equation solving, and model simulation. Offered spring of odd year. Prerequisites: PHYS 211, or both PHYS 151 and MATH 201 or equivalent. Students who have completed CMPT 201 may not take this course without instructor's approval. Same as BIOL 370 and PHYS 370.
|Advanced Topics in Chemistry
|A class designed to meet the special course needs of chemistry majors. Subject offerings include: (a) Organic Reaction Mechanisms, (b) Organic Qualitative Analysis, (c) Organic Synthesis, and (d) Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. The specific course offerings depend upon student need and interest. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
|Directed Studies
|A tutorial-based course used only for student-initiated proposals for intensive individual study of topics not otherwise offered in the Chemistry Program. Prerequisites: senior standing and consent of instructor and school dean.
|Physical Chemistry I and Lab
|A study of the basic principles of quantum mechanics and its application to atomic structure, molecular structure and spectroscopy. A laboratory section accompanies the lecture. Offered fall semester. Prerequisites: CHEM 112; MATH 202; PHYS 212, 309. Same as PHYS 410.
|Physical Chemistry II and Lab
|A study of the theoretical macroscopic properties of matter. An introduction to statistical mechanics, chemical thermodynamics, and kinetics with applications to gases solutions, and phase and chemical equilibria. A laboratory section accompanies the lecture. Offered spring semester. Prerequisites: CHEM 112; MATH 202; PHYS 212, 309. Same as PHYS 411.
|Undergraduate Research
|Students undertake a portion of a research project and learn all aspects of scientific inquiry. One credit hour equates to three hours per week in the laboratory. This course may be taken one credit at a time. Permission of a faculty mentor is required.
|Offers students the opportunity to integrate classroom knowledge with practical experience. Prerequisites: junior or senior standing (for transfer students, at least 15 hours completed at Westminster), minimum 2.5 GPA, and consent of program director and Career Center internship coordinator.
|Undergraduate Teaching
|Provides an opportunity for teaching experience in lower-division laboratories by junior- and senior-level chemistry majors and minors. CHEM 487 may not be used as elective hours in the chemistry majors or minors. This course is graded on a credit/no credit basis. Prerequisite: consent of program director.


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Hello to all,
Its been awhile since I was here because I had no issues with my '56 servi for quit some time. But now I have a no start problem. As I said it's a '56 servi, 45 flattie, 12 volt conversion. I have been running this for several yrs. with no problems. Fast forward to current::: went to start after sitting over winter(I live in Pa.), 2nd kick fires up( as it has for many many yrs). Yesterday it fired right up again, ran for 2-3 minutes, pulled out of garage, stalled!!! Here's my findings; Batt full charge, lights/horn work,got fuel( I know because dropped gas filter & gas poured out). Pulled plugs but got no spark on either!!!!!!!!! My deduction, electrical. Now, I know volts,amps, & continuity using multitester. I really don't know/understand OHMS. In simple laymans terms, where do I start? I have square type coil, actually, all electrical components are from "45 Resto", again 12 volt system. If you can help me in order of sequence of what& how to check/diagnose this problem I'd really appreciate it. Thank you much !! Bruce


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'Religion in Public Life' - Archbishop's conversation with Tony Blair and Charles Moore
Tuesday 24th July 2012Archbishop Rowan Williams took part in a public conversation with the Rt Hon Tony Blair and writer and former Daily Telegraph editor Charles Moore on the subject of 'Religion in Public Life'.
Watch a video of the event below (an 18-minute 'highlights' video or the full 85-minute version), or listen to an audio recording [59Mb, 124 mins].
Highlights video:
Video of the full event:
This was the final conversation in the series of Westminster Faith Debates which were organised by Professor Linda Woodhead, the Rt Hon Charles Clarke and Dr Rebecca Catto from Lancaster University, funded by the AHRC/ESRC Religion and Society Programme, and with the assistance of think-tank Theos.


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Weekend's here. That means debasement and irresponsibility and, best of all, losing stuff. I'm planning on losing my phone this weekend. Haven't decided where just yet, but that's the fun of it. I might replace it with an iPhone, so here are some apps from this week that I'll load it when I buy it.
Click here to view this post on one page.
Cupple: Cupple is sort of like text messaging with your significant other, except as a social network. That's kind of weird, until you realize how much god awful annoying crap you and your schmoozy guy or gal load up each other's timelines with. No one wants to see that. So you can keep it locked up, and grouped together, in one place now. It would also probably be good for large sex groups. Free
Clik:Clik controls web browsers from your phone. Why the hell would you need to do that, you ask? Laziness. With niche apps like this, it's always laziness. What kind of masochist wants to screw with the keyboard or trackpad or oh god the mouse? No one. Those can all go to a shallow gadget hell grave. Free
DoDonPachi Blissful Death: Blissful Death is that rare iPhone experience where you can become totally immersed in the experience on an itty bitty 3.5-inch screen. It's challenging and has complex and a darn impressive sensory bombardment. $5
League of Evil 2: How do you make a platformer work on the iPhone's notoriously cramped screen? Fewer damn buttons. Which means sense when the game involves running around as a dude in a wife beater pummeling scientists. TAKE THAT, NERDS. SIMPLE CONTROLS FOR A SIMPLE FUTURE. $1


text:
Saturday 12/08/2012
CLEMSON, SC – Clemson defender Travis Blanks has been named a second-team Freshman All-American by Scout.com and Fox Sports. The native of Tallahassee, FL helped the Tigers to a 10-2 regular season record and a #13 ranking in the final USA Today regular season poll.
Blanks is sixth on the Clemson team in tackles with 51, including 40 first hits. He has two tackles for loss from his safety/linebacker position and has added six passes broken up. He started eight of the 12 games this year and played 547 defensive snaps. The native of Tallahassee, FL had eight tackles at Florida State for his season high.
Blanks was one of three ACC players to make the Freshman All-America teams. Eddie Johnson, a linebacker from Miami (FL), was named first team, while Blanks was joined on the second team in the secondary by Deon Bush of Miami (FL).
September 29, 2020
September 28, 2020
September 27, 2020
September 23, 2020


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It is said that it's not the cough that carries you off, but the coffin they carry you off in. Regardless, before you're pushing up daisies, you might want something like today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe LTD Flower Car to carry them in. The question is, will its price mean that it's dead to you?
If you've ever owned one of Ford's orphan European cars here in the states - Cortina, Capri, first-gen Fiesta, Merkur, or an Anglia like yesterday's 13B-Powered '66 then you would know that the company considers them dearly departed from their parts inventory. Fortunately, enterprising souls like the creator of yesterday's car know some work-arounds, and the mods made to this Anglia overcame any qualms about its price, earning it a narrow but solid 62% Nice Price win.
You may have also noticed yesterday that the old commenting system has gone the way of Elvis, only to - phoenix-like - rocket from the crypt as the shiny new commenting system. Get to know it, use it, one day it might just save your life. And, speaking of life, it's pretty much guaranteed that yours, mine, and ours, will eventually end in death. Don't sweat it, that's just how it goes. And when it's your time to go, hopefully it won't be while doing something majorly embarrassing - you know, for the sake of your mom.
We bring the dead flowers as a reminder of what they will soon be fertilizing. And while you may make the trip to your final resting place in a funeral coach or hearse, usually following that in the processional is a vehicle much like today's 1980 Ford LTD Wagon-up, filled with sprays and bouquets the bright colors of which stand in stark contrast to the somber tones and mood typically exhibited at one's last hurrah.
I'm not 100% sure that flower car was this Ford's stated purpose back in the day, but even if it's only the work of some Bath Salts addict, it seems the perfect role for it to play moving forward. The open bed, covered under floor storage, and versatile MagicGate rear access make it just as flexible as a Honda Ridgeline, so much so that this car's creator should consider suing Honda over patent infringement.
Along with the features previously described, there's a flip-up back window just aft of the rear bench, handy should you want to stop and smell the roses without actually having to bother with the actual stopping part. There's also a truncated roof rack and the kind of cheesy wheels you usually see on cars in the Pep Boys parking lot. Inside, it looks to be a sea of mint green and three wide both front and back, putting this Ford one up on the five-place Ridgeline.
The ad doesn't go into much detail but does say it sports a V8 and automatic. The latter is easy to divine because I'm pretty sure the only tranny offered on the LTD that year was the Select Shift 3-speed. The former's a little harder to nail down as the car was available with two V8 options in '80 - the 302 and the 351. Considering that the horsepower difference between them was only 10 ponies (130 vs. 140, what? stop laughing) it probably doesn't matter which is resting peacefully under the hood of this one.
What does matter is the price, which is $2,900. For that you're getting a big Ford wagon with the versatility of a modern open bed SUV like the aforementioned Honda, or a Chevy Avalanche. Both of those options will set you back far more than this Ford's asking, but does that still make it a deal? What do you think, should someone dig up $2,900 for this funerary Ford? Or, should the price of this flower car be nipped in the bud?
You decide!
Rainbow Craigslist or go here if the ad disappears.
H/T to nts5039 for the hookup!
Help me out with NPOCP. Click here to send a me a fixed-price tip, and remember to include your commenter handle.


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Groups & Committees
Operationally, the OGC standards development and maintenance process is managed by four groups: Technical Committee, the Planning Committee, the Strategic Management Advisory Committees, and the OGC Architecture Board.
Technical Committee
The Technical Committee is responsible for all aspects of the formal consensus OGC standards process. This includes:
- Coordinate development of and modifications to the OpenGIS Abstract Specification;
- Coordinate development and adoption of OpenGIS Implementation standards;
- Act on change proposals (acceptance, rejection, and conditional acceptance);
- Other responsibilities concerning evaluation, approval and recommendations of various documents and proposals.
Above all, the Technical Committee (TC) provides an open forum for professional discussion of issues and items related to the consensus development and/or evaluation and approval of standards that provide the ability to build and deploy interoperable geospatial solutions in the larger IT domain. The TC also has methodology in place to govern its composition, its meetings and meeting agendas, and voting procedures.
In order to carry out the business of the TC in a timely manner, four different types of subgroups of the TC may be formed:
These groups address the four major needs for activity within the TC:
- To deal with Architectural and life cycle management issues (OGC Architecture Board);
- To work on new standards that have been proposed through the OGC RFC process (Standards Working Group)
- To discuss specific technology or user domain requirements for interoperability (Domain Working Group)
- Single-purpose groups to work on revision of Adopted Specifications (Standards Working Group)
For more information regarding the roles, responsibilities and processes of the OGC Technical Committee, please download the Technical Committee Policies and Procedures.
Planning Committee
More information on the Planning Committee can be found here: http://www.ogc.org/projects/groups/pc.
Strategic Member Advisory Committee
More information on the SMAC can be found here: http://www.ogc.org/projects/groups/smac.
OGC Architecture Board - OAB
More information on the OAB can be found here: http//www.ogc.org/projects/groups/oab.


text:
Why Ukraine is erupting in violence right now
Ukraine's capital Kiev over the last 24 hours has experienced some of its worst violence since the former Soviet republic became an independent nation in 1991.
At least 25 people have died and dozens more have been seriously injured in ongoing clashes between protesters who are seeking the ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych and security forces loyal to his government.
The latest bout of violence ostensibly began after protesters attacked police lines and set fires outside parliament following the president's refusal Tuesday to vote on a law that would have reinstated limits on his powers.
But there's more to it than that.
USA TODAY spoke with Orysia Lutsevych, a Ukraine expert at the Chatham House think tank in London, in order to better understand the recent escalation in deadly violence that is wracking this country of 45 million on Europe's eastern flank.
"The protesters were losing hope in this protracted struggle where they saw no willingness on the side of President Yanukovych to really compromise. So far, none of their demands have been really met. The president has in fact done the opposite. He tried to install new laws, he put people in jail, his government tortured activists and it has harassed people. The protesters simply do not believe there can be any decent negotiation from the president's side.
"On Tuesday, there were even thugs that the government has hired who have been roaming the streets, threatening civilians and shooting journalists in cars. Then they started throwing stones at the protesters and in a way that started the violence. So this particular escalation has been driven specifically by the government."
"We have seen a fresh wave of people arriving Wednesday mostly from western Ukraine and they are determined. Opinion polls are showing that 70% of them say they will stay until needed and when they can see that the situation is starting to be resolved. The political opposition is not refusing to negotiate with the president but serious international mediation is needed."
"The European Union has always been saying it has the whole range of political tools at its disposal. It's been withholding sanctions until more violence, which has now happened. But sanctions will not change the president's mind. It's the backers of his political party, those people who are controlled by the financial groups and oligarchs, who are members of parliament, they will ultimately need to form a new majority to try to find a solution, paving the way for preliminary elections."
"It will not turn into a civil war because those who are supporting the government are not prepared to risk their lives. Those civilians that are fighting with the police they are being paid to do so. Ukraine will not split because there are not significant numbers of Ukrainians who are supporting the use of violence against civilians. It will not turn into people fighting with people. It is basically just civilians fighting with the riot police."
And what do the protesters want? President Yanukovych's unwillingness to enact constitutional reforms that would limit his power is what is immediately behind the conflict's recent deterioration. But the bigger picture is that tensions have soared as Russia has said it is ready to resume providing loans that President Yanukovych's government needs to keep Ukraine's ailing economy afloat. Protesters in Kiev would prefer to form an alliance with the European Union. There also are fears among the opposition that the president is ready to choose a Russian-leaning loyalist to be his new prime minister.


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Rep. Duncan Hunter Becomes New Co-Chair of Congressional Wine Caucus
Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) was named the new co-chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus March 1. The news was announced by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), co-chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, a bipartisan, bicameral group of 150 Members of Congress who advocate on behalf of America's vintners and winegrape growers.
"Congressman Hunter is an excellent choice for Wine Caucus co-chair. Because his district is home to many wineries and growers in Southern California, he knows firsthand of the important contributions of wine and he will be a terrific advocate," said Wine Institute president and CEO Bobby Koch.
The U.S. wine industry has an estimated economic impact of $162 billion on the U.S. economy each year and creates an equivalent of 1.1 million full-time jobs.
The Congressional Wine Caucus was founded in 1999 by Congressmen and winegrape growers Mike Thompson (D-St. Helena) and George Radanovich (R-Fresno) to promote and protect the interests of America's vintners and winegrape growers.


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By the time the official audit of the government's £6.1bn NHS IT modernisation is published in the summer it will be too late to be of any the cash-strapped NHS, said a leading contributor to the investigation.
However, the National Audit Office report might contain a valuable lesson for other arms of the public sector undergoing programmes of modernisation similar to the ambitious NHS National Programme for IT* ,said Glyn Hayes, chairman of the Health Informatics Committee of the British Computer Society.
And the lesson is: programmes driven by a political imperative are more likely to run into problems.
Hayes, who represents over 2,500 clinicians, academics, professionals and suppliers, contributed to the NAO investigation in late 2004. The NAO report that digested this submission was due last summer and will now be delivered a year late.
"One problem is that it will be out of date because the problems we were talking about have either been addressed or are now not relevant," said Hayes.
The NAO is very sensitive to these kinds of accusations because it works hard to ensure its publications are current, not least so they can't be trumped by politicians who would benefit from having some report or another discredited.
The NAO has investigated the procurement for NPfIT, which was notoriously secretive and was accused of failing to consult either the clinicians who would use the systems or the hundreds of indigenous suppliers who knew the most about NHS IT, whose livelihoods were threatened by the programme.
"There's little doubt there are lessons to be learned about how the National Programme was put together because it was done without following good principles for big IT projects," said Hayes.
"Connecting for Health in its early days didn't stop for any of those because it was driven politically," he said.
The the McCartney report stressed that ambitious IT projects, none of which at that time had come anywhere the size and scope of NPfIT, should be approached with caution and implemented in considered, bite size stages.
Special care should be taken for a project to progress at the pace at which the organisation could handle the change, not a pace determined by the project leaders, it said.
Reports about NPfIT's progress since its inception two years after the McCartney report have often described an authoritarian approach to project management more concerned with its own artificial deadlines than any practical design or schedule.
A Public Accounts Committee hearing into the work of the NAO in February, revealed that the NAO's report on NPfIT will be critical of its approach.
Committee member Richard Bacon, MP for Norfolk South, said NPfIT "exhibits all the classic signs of a huge IT failure" because "it was ordained from the centre, there was no consultation".
Sir John Bourn, Comptroller & Auditor General, responded: "In the report that I produce it will make clear the failure to take the people in the National Health Service with them. All the things that you say, the idea of having it wished on them, the idea of having to pay for something they do not want, are there."
Bourn described "dissension" in the NHS over the programme, the extent of which has become apparent in recent weeks with Northumbria Healthcare NHS Trust requesting tenders for its own systems instead of waiting for the late delivery of those developed by NPfIT; and United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust asking NPfIT to pay for the arrangements it is having to make with IT suppliers to keep its existing systems going until NPfIT delivers.
NPfIT has started recording successes, appearing to have overcome the problems that beset its early years. So it might be too late for anything in the NAO's study to prevent public money being squandered on the badly executed £6.1bn Programme.
Another report repeating guidance given numerous times before and after McCartney might prevent the same mistakes from happening again. But the political pressure for radical transformation of public services using IT is in greater evidence than ever with such initiatives as the efficiency drive, shared services and e-government.
"The money they have spent could have achieved more, earlier," said Hayes. "The political drive was a problem. The timescales, the scope and everything else was determined by the politicians."®
* Now called "Connecting for Health". Its name change appeared to be a vain attempt to wash off the lousy reputation that had been accumulating around the project like bad bacteria


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APR provides a complete directory of materials that APR Members purchase and sell, as well as services (grinding, densifying, washing, pelletizing, compounding and solid stating) provided by APR members. The Plastic Recycling Market Information and Services Directory is updated periodically throughout the year, so please check back often.
As another resource, visit www.plasticsmarkets.org. This site's purpose is to connect suppliers and buyers of all types of scrap plastic (from bales to post consumer resin). It is supported by the plastics industry and intended for use by the recycling industry in the United States and Canada. This site is NOT intended for the general public or household plastics.
Questions? Please contact Kara Pochiro


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MONTREAL – One of Canada's most famous restaurants has come forward with its own tale of troubles with Quebec's language watchdog, days after a flap over the word pasta made international headlines.
Montreal's Joe Beef, which has been featured on international cooking shows and has a best-selling book, is the latest restaurant to complain about the Office quebecois de la langue francaise.
This time it apparently came down to some wall art containing English words.
Owner David McMillan said inspectors took issue with a memento from a Prince Edward Island beach that says "exit" and an antique sign above the staff bathroom that says "please leave this gate closed."
They thought another item, an old sign from a Tennessee butcher, was part of the restaurant's menu, he said.
McMillan said he was shocked by the lack of understanding of the inspectors, who were young and seemed like "deer in headlights."
He said the visit left a sour taste, but added he has no plans to move his celebrated restaurant elsewhere any time soon.
"I love Quebec… but it's not getting any easier," McMillan, who is completely bilingual, said in an interview Saturday.
"My wife is French, my business partner is French, my children go to French school, but I just get so sad and depressed and wonder, what's wrong with these people?"
McMillan decided to keep most of the art up, except for the bathroom sign, which he wanted to take home.
The restaurant wasn't threatened with a fine and they haven't heard from the language cops recently, he said.
"We wrote a letter back, explaining how each one of the items mentioned was a gift, a memento… stuff that restaurants have on walls," he said.
The office could not be reached for comment Saturday.
McMillan stressed that the restaurant's menu is in French only and all the staff are bilingual.
The Joe Beef cook book, which McMillan has called "a love affair with this province," includes tributes to traditional Quebec cooking and culture. It was published in both French and English.
Inspectors visited the restaurant four or five months ago, McMillan said, but he only decided to come forward after an Italian restaurant revealed earlier this week that it had been targeted for using Italian words — including "pasta" — on its menu.
The OQLF backed down after the case erupted into a media frenzy, citing an exception for cultural products. McMillan said the public outcry over that incident gave him the courage to come forward.
"When we first started getting letters from them and the visits from the inspectors, we were just scared of doing anything," he said.
"I had enough followers on Twitter to make a stink out of it, but we just felt alone."
Under the Parti Quebecois government, the OQLF has received a six per cent budget increase this year, to $24.7 million, in an effort to protect the French language.
Many linguistic nationalists worry that any erosion of French in Montreal could, eventually, lead to its disappearance.
But following the controversy coined "pastagate" online, the government minister responsible said the agency would be more careful in future.
It was a significant swing for the PQ, which had pushed for stricter enforcement of the province's language laws while in opposition.
On Saturday, Quebec Liberal leadership candidate Raymond Bachand also weighed in, saying on Twitter that overzealous language inspectors are damaging to the province's reputation.


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OK I always play my fpse games using my ps4 remote. Whenever I hit the fast forward button (by accident) I couldn't figure oit how to stop the fast forwarding (hitting the button again does nothing) so I'd just quit the game then start it up again to stop the fast forward....NOW restarting the game doesn't even work. Somebody please simply tell me how to stop my games from fast forwarding. This is frustrating!
Sent from my SM-G928T using Tapatalk


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Microsoft CEO Pours Cold Water on Yahoo InterestBy Reuters - Print
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer dismisses the idea that Microsoft is interested in revisiting a purchase for Yahoo in total, but says they may still want to partner on search.
SYDNEY (Reuters) - Software giant Microsoft Corp dismissed speculation it might still be interested in a takeover of Internet firm Yahoo Inc.
"We made an offer, we made another offer ... We moved on," Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer told a business luncheon in Sydney on Friday when asked for the firm's plans after a partnership between Yahoo and Google Inc fell through this week.
"We tried at one point to do a partnership around search ... and that didn't work either, and we moved on and they moved on. We are not interested in going back and re-looking at an acquisition. I don't know why they would be either, frankly," Ballmer said.
He added that he thought there were still opportunities for some kind of partnership around search.
Ballmer's comments came two days after Yahoo's shares surged on a rumor posted on a blog that said Yahoo and Microsoft were in advanced talks to sell Yahoo for between $17 and $19 a share. The blog also reported that Yahoo's chief executive, Jerry Yang, would step down.
Yahoo officials later said the report was untrue.
Microsoft abandoned an unsolicited $47.5 billion bid for Yahoo in May. The software company had been looking to fill a hole in its repertoire by acquiring an Internet search engine as it battles with market leader Google.
In June, Google and Yahoo, Nos. 1 and 2 in the Internet search market respectively, announced their planned partnership, which Yahoo had struck as a way of fending off Microsoft.
The two delayed implementation to allow the Justice Department to review it but Google later said it pulled out of the deal rather than face a protracted legal fight after regulators had concerns.
Yang told the Web 2.0 Summit in San Francisco on Wednesday that he believed a deal between Microsoft and Yahoo was still the best option for Microsoft.
Yahoo shares ended Thursday at $13.96, far below the $31 a share Microsoft originally offered, and Yahoo has come under severe criticism from investors for turning down the offer.
Microsoft posted stronger-than-expected quarterly results last month and cut its outlook by less than investors had feared amid the economic slump.
(Editing by Mark Bendeich)
© Thomson Reuters 2008 All rights reserved
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