text:
I can't believe my baby girl is six! I am so grateful that I have her to be girly-girls with in the middle of our little testosterone-filled world! With three brothers, though, this young lady can definitely hold her own! How I love her!!! Happy Birthday, Princess!!
A wicked sinus infection has me moving a little slower than usual, so look for some fun details of the Princess' Fancy Nancy birthday party, along with some great decorating ideas next week!
And, just in case you all thought I forgot...the winner of the Crowned Heart necklace is...Amy at Beyond Normalcy! Congratulations Amy!!! Drop me an email and we'll set you up with your lovely new necklace!
Have a great weekend!


text:
Hi All,
I am trying to do unzip of a file from my java code. When I try to do this, and compare the files that are unzipped programmatically and files which are unzipped manually, I am seeing permissions are all different. Is there a way I can retain the permissions of the files as it is there in the zip file?
This is the code that I am using for doing the unzip - Unzipping Files with java.util.zip.ZipFile
Please help me.

subset: commoncrawl


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Difference between revisions of "F-14A/B"
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==Air-to-Ground Rockets==
==Air-to-Ground Rockets==
Revision as of 12:26, 2 October 2019
NOTE: This guide is currently under a work-in-progress (WIP) state. If you have any information pertaining to the topics or feedback, please relay them over to Sirius#0002 on Discord, or in the Hoggit Discord #wiki-discussion channel. Thanks!
This page is focused on the DCS World F-14A/B Tomcat module, which is still in Early Access. Some information may be missing.
The Grumman F-14A/B Tomcat is a two-seat, twin-engine supersonic variable wing-sweep fighter aircraft. The F-14 was the first US fighter jet with twin tails and was the largest & heaviest US fighter to ever fly from an aircraft carrier. The reason that the F-14 was so incredibly large and heavy was that it carried the large AWG-9 radar and accompanying AIM-54 Phoenix (air-to-air) missiles: this very capable combination allowed the F-14 to make shots of up to 200 nautical miles at the bad guys. Also, being big means you can carry a lot of fuel!
Of course, the practical range of the AWG-9 is rather more limited, especially if you are shooting at more maneuverable fighter-sized targets, but even at these closer ranges, the AIM-54 Phoenix is still a capable missile that should not be underestimated. The F-14 is also capable of carrying an array of air-to-ground weapons, such as dumb bombs in both high and low drag forms, air-to-ground Zuni rockets and even laser-guided bombs, which can be self-designated using the LANTIRN targeting pod on the F-14.
Most people will recognize and adore the F-14 because of its stardom presence in that one weird volleyball movie from the '80s. Its on-screen presence in movies will make the F-14 to appear docile and easy to fly, but due to lack of a fly-by-wire the F-14 can be a real handful: it being a pilot's aircraft however makes it fun to fly and learn. The analogous nature of the F-14 (comparable to the F-5E II Tigershark) will give you a good knowledge of the airplane over time but requires a bit of a different mindset that the computerized flight of the F/A-18C and the F-15.
- 1 Weapons List
- 2 Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS)
- 3 Flight Controls & Landing Gear
- 4 Autopilot and Autothrottle
- 5 Digital Systems Overview
- 6 Navigation
- 7 Defensive Systems
- 8 Television Camera Set
- 9 LANTIRN Targeting Pod
- 10 TARPS Pod
- 11 Air-to-Air Radar
- 11.1 Detail Data Display
- 11.2 Tactical Information Display
- 11.3 AN/AWG-9 Radar
- 11.4 HAFU/Datalink
- 12 Air-to-Air Weapons
- 13 Air-to-Ground Weapons
- 14 Resources
Weapons List
Partially or fully implemented weapons of the F14/A/B Tomcat:
- M61 Vulcan Six-Barreled Gatling Gun
- AIM-7M/F Sparrow
- CAP/AIM-9M Sidewinder
- AIM-54A Phoenix Mk. 60
- AIM-54C Phoenix Mk. 47
- Mk-81, 82, 83, and 84
- GBU-10, 12, 16, and 24
- MK-20 Rockeye
- Zuni Rockets
- BDU-33 Practice Bombs
- LUU-2 Parachute Flare
- Smokewinder
- LANTIRN Pod
- FPU-1 Fuel Tank
Weapons not yet implemented into the Tomcat:
- TARPS Pod
Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS)
The throttle of the F-14 Tomcat consists of 2 quadrants, both for the left and right engines. There is an afterburner detent along with a cutoff detent for maximum throttle and shutdown of the engine for each quadrant.
The throttle has the following controls:
- Speed Brake Switch: 2-position switch. "EXT" is a momentary and needed input position that extends the speed brake outward depending on the aircraft speed.
- Wing Sweep Switch: 4-way hat switch. "AUTO" sets the wing to sweep automatically determined by an onboard computer, "BOMB" sets the wing to sweep in an angled position between fully extended and retracted and dependent on speed for the air-to-ground bombing.
- PLM Button: multifunction button. When the steering command is in A2A mode, this acts as a pilot lock-on tool for the AWG-9 radar. But when used for landing and/or in the LDG steering command mode, this allows for disengagement of the ACLS.
- CAGE/SEAM Button: multifunction button. When the steering command is in A2A mode, this allows for CAGE/SEAM lock-on of the AIM-9 Sidewinder. But when used for landing and/or in the LDG steering command mode, this allows for disengagement of the APC.
- Exterior Light Switch: 2-position switch. Used to toggle the exterior lights of the aircraft.
- ICS PTT Switch: 2-position switch. Acts as a push-to-talk system for the ICS system inside of the aircraft used between the Pilot and RIO. (or JESTER AI)
Control Stick
The control stick is located in the center of the cockpit, mounted onto the floor. Left and right movements of the control stick direct hydraulic movement to the spoilers and horizontal stabilizers of the aircraft. Forward and backward movement result to respectively the same but to the horizontal stabilizers.
The control stick has the following controls:
- Bomb Release Button: single-purpose button. When pressed in A2G steering command mode, all pylons selected with bombs will release respective of the ripple settings, type, and interval.
- Trim Hat: 4-way hat switch. Upward movement moves the aircraft downward, and downward movement moves the aircraft upward. Both left and right movements follow to their directions according to their name.
- Weapon Select Hat: 4-way hat switch. Bottom selection is OFF, and a ridge requires a momentary push action to move in/out of to GUN. Following all to the top are SW, then SP/PH which requires a momentary push action to switch between.
- DLC & Maneuver Flap Command Wheel: scrollable dial. Moving it with the landing gears fully deployed acts as a variable control for spoiler extension. With the landing gears up, the dial also acts the same but for flaps and slats.
- DLC Engage/Disengage & CMS Dispense Button: multifunction button. When pressed with the landing gears fully deployed, this controls the engagement and disengagement of the DLC system. But with the landing gears fully retracted, this allows for pilot control of the CMS system.
- Autopilot Reference & NWS Button: multifunction button. When the aircraft is up in the air, this controls specific autopilot settings. But when the aircraft is on the ground, this controls the activation of the nosewheel steering system.
- Autopilot Emergency Disengage Paddle: multifunction button. Disengages all autopilot modes and DLC and releases all autopilot switches and roll and pitch SAS switches to OFF position.
- Weapon Firing Trigger: two-stage trigger switch. The first detent enables CTVS and gun camera. Second detent releases selected forwards firing the weapon.
Flight Controls & Landing Gear
Flight Controls
The F-14B has a large hydraulic system which covers for all of the control surfaces of the aircraft. Without the hydraulic system, or taking damage the controls are in risk of improperly working. The F-14 Tomcat was the last of its generation to have no integration of an FBW or FCS system, which was introduced with the F-15 Eagle.
The F-14's primary flight controls are:
- Left Spoilers (LES): A set of spoilers that lie within the left wing of the aircraft that help with aileron movement and control that react opposite of the intended direction.
- Right Spoilers (RES): A set of spoilers that lie within the right wing of the aircraft that help with aileron movement and control that react opposite of the intended direction.
- Tailerons (TAIL): Two horizontal stabilizers located on the rear end of the aircraft that control both pitch and aileron movement.
- Leading Edge Flaps (LEF): Normal slats located on the leading (front) edge of the wings to add lift.
- Trailing Edge Flaps (TEF): Normal flaps located on the trailing (back) edge of the wings to add lift.
The control stick controls the stabilators, ailerons, and rudder and the rudder pedals control the rudder.
Flaps System
The aircraft's flap system provides more lift (and as a byproduct, drag). The flaps lever has two positions:
- NONE: This applies no flap whatsoever to the wings of the aircraft.
- FULL: This applies full movement of flaps to the wings of the aircraft.
The flaps lever allows for variable movement, which gives the pilot the ability to control the amount of flap they wish for.
Speed Brake
The speed brake is a flap located on the end of the aircraft designed to provide drag to decelerate faster. It is activated via the speed brake switch on the throttle. The two positions are:
- EXT: When the switch is moved aft, this extends the speed brake of the aircraft out depending on the airspeed.
- RET: When the switch is moved forward, this retracts the speed brake.
The tailerons are capable of being trimmed to make roll and pitch corrections. This is accomplished with the trim hat on the controls stick. When the autopilot system is engaged, the onboard computer will attempt to make active trim movements in order to keep the aircraft within the specified attitude when set, along of the setting parameters. As speed is either gained or lost, the trim will actively move the stick as well along of the tailerons to adapt.
Wing Sweep
The wings of the aircraft are a variable-sweep design allowing for automatic or manual movements from pilot input on the right throttle quadrant. Similar to wing fold, the wings are able to be overswept from its maximum position through a master reset of the system in order to allow tighter space and closer parking on the carrier deck.
Landing Gear
The F-14 Tomcat has 3 retractable landing gears: the nose gear, the left gear, and the right gear. The gear is moved via the gear lever on the left side of the cockpit. In the up position, the gear will retract. In the down position, the gear will extend. The gear lever cannot be put up with weight on wheels. The gear will not retract with the launch bar extended.
Nosewheel Steering
The nose gear features nosewheel steering (NWS) controlled by the rudder pedals. With the weight off of the wheels, it is disengaged. It automatically engages upon there being the weight on wheels. NWS is disengaged manually via the button on the stick.
Launch Bar
On the front nosegear is a launch bar that attaches the airplane to a catapult from launches from an aircraft carrier. Its deployment is pilot-controlled, but it is connected to the catapult by the ground crew (DCS default binding is U).
It is controlled via the launch bar switch on the left upper console. When the switch in the RETRACT position, the launch bar will retract, but physically cannot do so when connected to the catapult. The switch will move to the RETRACT position automatically when there is a weight off wheels. In the EXTEND position, the launch bar will extend if there is the weight on wheels.
Autopilot and Autothrottle
The F-14 Tomcat has the ability to automate certain types of flight via its Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS) and Automatic Throttle Control (ATC). The AFCS, or simply the autopilot, control the flight surfaces and the ATC controls the throttles.
The Automatic Flight Control System (AFCS), or just the "autopilot", controls the aircraft's flight controls to automate maneuvering. It is interfaced on the autopilot panel via the A/P engage switch. On the autopilot panel, there are 7 modes able to be toggled:
- Pitch Stabilizer Augmentation: 2-position switch. This switch controls the ability for the pitch to be augmented for dampening.
- Roll Stabilizer Augmentation: 2-position switch. This switch controls the ability for the roll to be augmented for dampening.
- Yaw Stabilizer Augmentation: 2-position switch. This switch controls the ability for the yaw to be augmented for dampening.
- VEC/PCD/ACL Switch: 3-position switch. This switch controls the remote control modes of autopilot with the steering bars and ACLS.
- ALT Switch: 2-position switch.' This switch controls the ability to maintain the current altitude when autopilot is engaged.
- HDG/GT Switch: 3-position switch. This switch controls the ability to maintain the current heading when autopilot is engaged.
- ENGAGE Switch: 2-position switch. This switch engages and disengages the autopilot.
The automatic throttle control (ATC), or just "autothrottle", controls the physical throttles and thereby automated thrust control. ATC is toggled via ATC engage/disengage switch next to the throttle. When the ATC is engaged, the physical means of the throttle quadrants will begin to move on their own. However, whenever the pilot makes any new movement to the throttle whatsoever, the ATC will disengage to allow pilot control over both of the engines. The ATC is primarily used for landing on a carrier along of the ACLS system.
Digital Systems Overview
The F-14 Tomcat comes with 2 digital display screens in the Pilot cockpit:
- Vertical Display Indicator (VDI): a multifunction display that allows for the pilot to see their HUD in a form of a repeater, and the TCS.
- Horizontal Situation Display Indicator (HSD): a multifunction display that allows for the pilot to see their virtual compass for navigation modes, and the AWG-9 Radar from the RIO TID as a repeater.
Heads Up Display
The head-up display (HUD) is a projected display at the front of the cockpit that serves as the primary flight instrument. It also provides various indications for weapon delivery; this section will cover the HUD's indications in NAV master mode. Master mode/weapon-specific indications on the HUD will be covered in the relevant section.
Reject Modes
Via the switches next to the TO button on the displays panel, you are able to "declutter" or remove information off of the HUD.
Radar Intercept Officer
The Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) comes with 3 digital display screens in the RIO cockpit:
- Detail Data Display (DDD): a dual-purpose display that allows for the RIO to see contacts on the radar, based on the range and radar mode.
- Tactical Information Display (TID): a multi-purpose display that allows for the RIO to see their AWG-9 situational awareness, TCS, TARPS and LANTIRN pods.
- Horizontal Situation Display Indicator (HSD): a multi-purpose display as to the one in the pilot cockpit.
Master Modes
The F-14 Tomcat has 5 primarily modes for information displayed. The 5 master modes are:
- TO: switch. Displays takeoff information on HUD and VDI for degrees.
- CRUISE: single-purpose button. Displays in-air flight information on HUD and VDI for degrees.
- A/A: single-purpose button. Displays air-to-air information on HUD and VDI for degrees; and weapon employment.
- A/G: single-purpose button. Displays air-to-ground information on HUD and VDI for degrees; and weapon employment.
- LDG: single-purpose button. Displays landing information on HUD and VDI for degrees.
Additionally, the F-14 Tomcat has an Air Combat Maneuver (ACM) panel which controls all air-to-air and air-to-ground aspects for armament.
The F-14 Tomcat has an inertial navigation system (INS) that allows the pilot to navigate by internal gyros aligned. However, due to the fault of having no GPS assistance, these gyros slowly drift over time and cause misalignment for visual information.
The Horizontal Situation Display Indicator (HSD) is the primary interface with the airplane's navigation systems. The HSI can be accessed from the bottom display screen. The basic function of the HSI is a rotating compass with a looking-from-above perspective. The controls for this screen are:
- BRT Control: dial. Controls the brightness of the HSD screen.
- HDG Control: dial. Controls the heading reference in TACAN mode.
- CRS Control: dial. Controls the course heading reference in MAN and TACAN modes.
- Test Button: single-purpose button. Resets the HSD screen if overload protection activates.
- BIT Indicator: light. Shows a white light if a failure produces in the HSD.
Steering Commands
The HSD comes with a set of 5 different steering commands, which each have their own purpose towards displaying certain information:
- TACAN: single-purpose button. Displays information based off of a radio beacon with range and direction.
- DEST: single-purpose button. Displays information off of a selected waypoint from the RIO with range and direction.
- AWL/PCD: single-purpose button. Displays information off of an ICLS frequency with azimuth and elevation bars (on VDI and HUD)
- VEC: single-purpose button. ? (needs more info.)
- MAN: single-purpose button. Displays information off of an entered heading (HDG Control) with direction.
The F-14B comes with an onboard flight computer system that handles waypoint navigation during in-air flight. The navigation system in the F-14B Tomcat gives a variety of waypoint holders, along with information for a set home plate.
For the F-14B pilot, the waypoint information is able to be accessed by the DEST steering command and by using the NAV HSD display mode.
Radar Intercept Officer
For the F-14B Radar Intercept Officer, (RIO) the waypoints must be manually assigned by the RIO through the Computer Address Panel (CAP) system under the TAC DATA category. Once done, the waypoint must be selected through the CAP and entered in with coordinates similar to how INS alignment procedures are done.
Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) is a military radio navigation system. A TACAN beacon allows for an aircraft to determine its bearing and range from it, and using this information can navigate. TACAN's may be ground-based or be broadcasted by an airplane. TACAN channels have two bands, X and Y, and range from 1-126. 2 TACAN channels may be set present in the aircraft by both the Pilot and RIO for simultaneous use.
The TACAN setting knobs give a range of these options:
- T/R: Transmit and receive. Gets bearing and range from the TACAN.
- RCV: Receive. Gets bearing from the TACAN.
- A/A: Air-to-air TACAN mode.
- X: Tunes the selected frequency on the X band.
- Y: Tunes the selected frequency on the Y band.
For night and low visibility operations, aircraft carriers have an Instrument Carrier Landing System (ICLS) to allow for instrument approaches to the carrier. ICLS provides horizontal and vertical guidance. The F-14 is equipped with ICLS.
To activate the airplane's ICLS antenna, an ICLS dial is present to the right of the warning lights advisory panel, with an ARA on/off switch, used to toggle power to the system.
When ILS is selected on the HSI, two bars, one horizontal and one vertical, appear near the velocity vector on the HUD. These indicate a vertical and horizontal deviation from the optimal glideslope (3°) and course to the deck. When they are both aligned with the velocity vector (making a "+"), the aircraft is on course.
For CAT III conditions and poor visibility, the F-14 is equipped with the Automatic Carrier Landing System (ACLS) to allow an automatic flight to the carrier via. a radio-guided input from a Landing Signal Officer. (LSO) The auto-throttle and autopilot systems must be engaged and present during the time of activation with this system, along with lights given to the left of the VDI display.
Datalink is required between the aircraft and the carrier in order for ACLS to work. When the best position of the azimuth and glideslope bars are within parameters, the nosewheel steering button is pressed in order to engage guidance.
The F-14B has a variety of navigation failures that may/can occur, including methods to fix them.
An error of latitude or longitude in the computer position of the aircraft can be corrected by a navigation fix update. Updating is especially important in the backup modes (AHRS AM and IMU/ AM) because of the estimated winds and magnetic variation changes. A nav fix is done via a ground-reference-point (latitude and longitude) position. The range and bearing of this position to the present aircraft position are used to update or correct existing values. The nav system may be updated by either a radar fix, a TACAN fix, or a visual fix.
Before performing a nav fix, the latitude and longitude of the desired update point (radar, TACAN, or visual) must be stored in one of eight navigation point locations (three WPs, FIX PT, HOME BASE, HOST AREA, DEF PT, and IP). This data can be stored prior to flight by data link or by manual insertion. Then follow these steps:
- Hook the Waypoint you choose to select for the nav fix.
- Check the stored latitude and longitude on the TID.
- Rotate the CATEGORY switch to NAV and select the desired type of update.
Note that updating the position while in INS, and to a lesser degree while in IMU, can introduce a greater navigational position error than already present, in particular, if radar fix is used to update the nav system. Updates with a visual or TACAN fix provide reasonable accuracy (assuming a good MAG VAR during TACAN updates). Updating your nav system via a nav fix should be primarily used in the AHRS mode.
Radar Fix Update
An RDR FIX may be selected before or after positioning the DDD cursors. If the RDR FIX button is depressed, the computer computes the present position of the aircraft by measuring the range and bearing from the selected point. The delta between the computer position and the position determined by the INS is then displayed on the TID. If the entry of this delta into the navigation computations is desired, press the FIX ENABLE button. If the delta does not appear to be correct, the computer and the readout can be cleared by pressing the RDR FIX button. The fix may then be attempted again. The RIO should also perform periodic checks of own aircraft system altitude and update the altitude if necessary.
Radar updating is performed as follows:
- TID CURSOR/CAP - Hook Desired Navigation Point for Update.
- PULSE SRCH button - Depress.
- On sensor control panel: STAB switch - IN. EL BARS switch - 1. AZ SCAN switch - As Desired.
- RDR FIX button - Depress.
- DDD CURSOR button - Depress.
- Action switch - Half Action (first detent).
- Cursor is displayed on DDD.
- Manipulate hand control DDD cursor over desired ground map point.
- Action switch - Full Action and Release. (This will cause the DDD cursor to remain at the selected position.
- Observe the delta for LAT and LONG on TID.
- If readouts are unsatisfactory, deselect RDR FIX and repeat steps 4 through 12.
- FIX ENABLE button - Depress.
TACAN Update
To perform a nav fix by TACAN requires that a restored waypoint shares identical LAT and LONG values with the TACAN station that will be used for the fix. Select the TACAN channel for the desired station and verify by listening to the coded identifier tone in the headset.
Press the TACAN FIX button to update the aircraft position from a TACAN station. The WCS computer then calculates the own aircraft position error based on the range and bearing from the TACAN station. The delta is then entered in the same manner as with a radar fix.
Perform a TACAN fix following these steps:
- Select a TACAN channel whose latitude and longitude correspond to an update point.
- Hook desired update point (WAYPT 1, FIX PT, HOME BASE, etc.).
- CATEGORY switch - NAV.
- TACAN FIX button - Depress.
- Observe present position delta readout.
- If delta is unsatisfactory, deselect TACAN FIX and repeat steps 2 through 7.
- FIX ENABLE button - Depress.
Visual Update
To perform a visual fix, fly over a restored waypoint and press the VIS FIX button. Estimate your timing, because the aircraft nose and fuselage can obscure the fixed point during an overflight. It is also difficult to estimate when directly overhead a waypoint if the aircraft altitude is greater than 10.000 feet. The delta for the visual fix is displayed on the TID. Enter the delta by pressing FIX ENABLE.
To perform a visual fix use the following steps:
- Hook desired update point (WAY PT, HB, IP, etc.).
- Select NAV category on CAP.
- Overfly the selected restored point and when over the point, depress the VIS FIX button on the cap.
- If the delta is not satisfactory, press VIS FIX again to clear the delta and repeat from step 1.
- If a satisfactory delta is displayed, depress the FIX ENABLE button; this causes the delta correction of own-aircraft position to be inserted into the computer.
Datalink Update
To perform a data link update of the aircraft INS to the TDS frame of reference, the aircraft and TDS must share a prebriefed waypoint, identical in latitude and longitude. Enter this LAT/LONG data into the HOST AREA pseudo target file. The TDS will uplink the common reference point as a data link waypoint. When the aircraft and TDS INS systems agree, the data link waypoint and host area symbols will be superimposed on the TID. If they drift apart, the two pseudo targets on the TID will drift as well.
To perform an update via data link, use the following steps:
- Hook data link waypoint corresponding prebriefed reference point.
- Select NAV category on CAP.
- Overfly the hooked data link waypoint. When immediately over the point, press VIS FIX button on CAP.
- Observe delta LAT and LONG on TID.
- If deltas are satisfactory and update is desired, depress FIX ENABLE.
- After a data link update, HOST AREA and data link waypoint should be superimposed on the TID again.
Net aircraft that use fighter-to-fighter data link can update their navigation system in the FF/DL mode. To update LAT/LONG hook the net aircraft symbol of an aircraft that is in close proximity and select F/F NAV UPDATE on the CAP. This will enter the hooked aircraft's coordinates into the INS as own-aircraft coordinates. To update the nav system on an aircraft that is not close, first obtain a radar STT on that aircraft, hook the STT-ed aircraft on the TID and then press F/F NAV UPDATE on the CAP.
Defensive Systems
The F-14B is equipped with various defensive systems: the AN/ALE-39 Countermeasure Dispensing System (CMDS), for the release of chaff and flares, the AN/ALQ-126 Deception ECM (DECM), for jamming enemy radar, and the AN/ALR-67 Radar Warning Reciever (RWR), for detection of enemy radar emitters and missile launches.
The AN/ALR-67 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) provides the Hornet the ability to detect radars via the radio/microwave radiation they emit.
Audio Tones
Accompanying the RWR are various audio feedback tones:
- Single Beep: A new ground- or sea-based emitter has been detected.
- Double Beep: A new airborne emitter has been detected.
- Repeating Beep: An emitter is tracking.
- Faster Repeating Beep: An emitter is guiding a missile or is a missile.
On the RWR gauge, the RWR knob will control the volume of the RWR tones.
Emitter Identifiers
This list is, at present, not complete.
|Active radar-homing missile
|Search radar
|SA-3 "Goa"
|SA-6 "Gainful"
|SA-8 "Gecko"
|SA-10 "Grumble"
|SA-11 "Gadfly"
|F-111 Aardvark
|SA-12 "Gladiator"
|SA-13 "Gopher"
|C-130 Hercules
|F-14 Tomcat
|F-15 Eagle
|SA-15 "Gauntlet"
|F-16 Fighting Falcon
|C-17 Globemaster III
|F/A-18 Hornet
|Tu-22 "Blinder"
|MiG-23 "Flogger"
|Su-24 "Fencer"
|MiG-25 "Foxbat"
|MiG-29 "Fulcrum"
|Su-27 "Flanker"
|Su-33 "Flanker-D"
|Su-30 "Flanker-C"
|MiG-31 "Foxhound"
|Su-34 "Fullback"
|Su-25M "Frogfoot"
|Spruance-class destroyer
|Nimitz-class carrier
|Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate
|A-50 "Mainstay"
|B-52 Stratofortress
|IL-76 "Candid"
|IL-78 "Midas"
The AN/ALE-39 is the countermeasures dispensing set installed in the F-14B in this simulation. It controls its own set of launchers located between the engine nozzles on the underside of the so-called beaver-tail. The launchers each have two sections, one containing 10 cartridges and the other 20. They are referred to the left and right dispensers even though the left is really the front one and the right the back one with both being mounted inline on the left side of the tailhook. This is a remnant from the earliest model F-14s carrying the AN/ALE-29.
This all sums up to a capacity of 60 cartridges in the system with each section necessarily holding one type of cartridges meaning that any combination of cartridges is possible as long as each type's quantity is a multiple of 10. The system itself has no real knowledge of what is loaded where so incorrectly programming the system can lead to the wrong type of cartridge being ejected.
Cockpit Controls
The system itself can be operated manually from the control panel in the RIO pit or the DLC thumbwheel on the pilot stick when the flaps lever is in the up position. It is also capable of running programmed sequences of ejection which in turn can be initiated manually by the RIO from the control panel or the direction hats mounted on the handhold over the DDD. In addition, the AN/ALR-67 can also initiate the chaff ejection program if set up correctly on the AN/ALE-39 control panel.
The AN/ALQ-126 deception jammer is designed to detect radar threats, analyze them, select the optimum countermeasure technique available and apply it. Available techniques for jamming are amongst others, main lobe blanking, inverse con-scan, range-gate pull-off and swept square modes. In DCS this is modeled as a simple noise jammer due to engine limitations but controlled by the DECM logic as to when it's on or off.
Cockpit Controls
The controls for the AN/ALQ-126 DECM are all located on the right horizontal panel in the RIO pit, the panel as the image above. In addition, there are two indication lights co-located with the RWR threat indicators on the right side of the TID. The mode selector knob controls power and operational mode that the system is in. The modes for the DECM are as follows:
- OFF: turns off power to the system. STBY begins pre-warming of the system, taking in all-around 5 minutes.
- TEST HOLD 3 SEC: is used to prepare the system for BIT, after 3 seconds in this mode, turn the knob to TEST - ACT.
- TEST ACT: starts the BIT in the system. The BIT takes approximately 30 seconds and the RCV light will be illuminated the whole time while the XMIT light will flash twice. If the STANDBY light illuminates it indicates that a no-go condition exists in the system.
- REC: enables the system to receive the only mode, enabling analyzation of threats and also the threat audio.
- RPT: enables full system functionality, in addition to REC it also now tries to jam threats according to the selected method.
Television Camera Set
The F-14B is outfitted with the ALQ-100 Television Camera Set (TCS) pod, used for visually identifying aircraft during the time of which IFF was not a trusted/more inferior method to confirming hostile aircraft and to keep track of their position, as well as their living status.
On the TID, in non-TV mode, a TCS track is indicated by a 1.5" strobe at TCS LOS azimuth with a hollow circle at the end.
The symbology on the video feed from the TCS has indicators for the FOV and two crosshairs indicating TCS LOS relative own aircraft, GACH, and AN/AWG-9 radar LOS relative TCS LOS, RACH. Additionally, the track window is indicated by 4 small squares representing each corner of that window.
The gimbal angle crosshairs or GACH, which is a solid cross, indicate deflection of the TCS LOS from the aircraft datum line, ADL. GACH crosshair in the center indicates TCS LOS along ADL and deflection towards the edges indicate deflection towards the gimbal limits with the video edges being maximum deflection.
RACH or radar angle crosshairs, a dashed crosshair, indicate radar antenna LOS when inside the current TCS FOV. When the sensors slave to one another RACH and GACH will coincide creating a single solid crosshair.
The track window indicates the area that the TCS contrast tracker is currently locked on to if it has acquired a target. When not in an active track these squares collapse into the center of the display being 2% of the screen width when in manual mode and 5% when in an auto mode.
LANTIRN Targeting Pod
The F-14B can carry the AN/AAQ-14 Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared For Night (LANTIRN) targeting pod. This pod consists of a Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) camera (which also includes a digital charged coupled device camera) for target locating and observing, a Laser Target Designator/Ranger for firing a laser that both designates targets for laser-homing weapons and gathers ranging information for designating whatever the FLIR is pointed at as an air-to-ground, and a Laser Spot Tracker (LST) which can search for and track a laser, allowing for the FLIR to be cued onto an offboard (ground or air-designated) laser from another unit and then designate a Target off said point; this allows for most effective buddy-lasing. The targeting pod can be used in both air-to-ground and air-to-air functions, but the LTD/R and LST are only used for A/G operation.
The following areas on the LANTIRN are to represent:
- A/C Position Data: Displays aircraft LAT/LON, altitude, and groundspeed information.
- LANTIRN Polarity: Displays white or hot background. AGC is for automatic gain control, MGC is for manual gain control.
- LANTIRN Information: Gives general information on the pod. SR is for slant range, AZ/EL for azimuth/elevation of sight, and rest is UTC time.
- LANTIRN Track Mode: Displays the current tracking mode. A/A is for air-to-air, A/G is for air-to-ground. Right side is for current selected weapon.
- Track Data: Displays information of LAT/LON and altitude of where the sight is at.
- Track: Displays the hairs for point and area track, and what the sight is directly pointed at.
- Launch Envelopes: The top tape is for the heading relative of the aircraft to the track. The right side tape is for the release point.
TARPS Pod
Not yet implemented.
Air-to-Air Radar
Detail Data Display
Among the 3 digital displays, the Detail Data Display gives the RIO information about contacts from the AWG-9 radar in terms of range and radar mode, with respect to the notch filter.
Notch Filter
The AWG-9 radar in the F-14B Tomcat has a notch filter when using the pulse-doppler radar modes under certain conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to:
- ~100 knot difference of the aircraft relative to contact
- Contact flying 90 degrees perpendicular CW/CCW to aircraft
- Masking with ground terrain scan return
There is a rough line shown in the radar modes, likewise of the jamming lobe, for when considering the notch filter that the contact will disappear from.
Tactical Information Display
The Tactical Information Display (TID) gives the RIO of the F-14B the main information on the AWG-9 radar, including situational awareness, range, altitude, and contact heading.
Display Modes
The TID comes with a total of 8 display modes available, that can be toggled either on or off for purposes of gathering more information or decluttering:
- RID DISABLE: ? needs more info. Not yet implemented.
- ALT NUM: Displays the altitude of contact with a singular digit rounded to the nearest thousand.
- SYM ELEM: Displays the symbology of contacts corresponding to HAFU.
- DATA LINK: Displays contacts from the datalink frequency.
- JAM STROBE: Displays the jamming strobes. Not yet implemented.
- NON-ATTK: Displays determined (manual IFF or datalink) HAFU of friendly contacts.
- VEL VECTOR: Displays the velocity vectors of contacts.
- LAUNCH ZONE: Displays contact approximate missile launch zones.
AN/AWG-9 Radar
The F-14 Tomcat is equipped with the AN/AWG-9 all-weather and pulse-doppler radar. It is a very long-range radar used for the main purpose of intercept.
Radar Modes
The AWG-9 in the F-14B comes with 2 types of radar modes: doppler and pulse-doppler search. Of those two, subsets are able to be observed as 5 in this list:
- PD SRCH: Pulse-Doppler Search mode. No bias factor of the radar, but impedes to pulse-doppler methods.
- PD STT: Pulse-Doppler Single Target Track mode. By default upon acquiring a lock with the AWG-9, the radar will move to this function mode. It is currently suspectable to the notch filter.
- RWS: Range While Search mode. The radar will prioritize the range of targets but not other factors. Falls under pulse-doppler.
- TWS MAN: Track While Scan - Manual mode. The radar will prioritize the situational awareness of other targets but not give information on every target. The radar will also prioritize targets by threat importance.
- TWS AUTO: Track While Scan - Auto mode. The radar will perform the same as TWS Man, but the elevation and azimuth controls will be automated in the process for an optimal scan.
- PULSE SRCH: Pulse Search mode. No bias factor of the radar and can not be impeded to the notch filter, unlike the pulse-doppler method. The radar will, however, output a return of everything that is scanned and requires tuning.
- PULSE STT: Pulse Single Target Track mode. Performing similarly to Pulse Search mode, this function mode applies to only a single target and is not suspectable to the notch filter.
Pulse-Doppler Search Mode
The pulse-doppler search mode is used mainly as a kind of early warning mode. It is the search mode with the greatest detection range but it can display no range to the RIO, only closure rate. For this reason, the TID can display no track information.
Pulse-Doppler STT Mode
The pulse-doppler STT works and looks much like the pulse STT mode. It does, however, have the same advantages and disadvantages compared to pulse STT as the other pulse-doppler modes compared to the pulse modes. This means that while much better at tracking a target close to the ground it is however vulnerable to notching.
The DDD display for pulse-doppler STT looks like pulse STT display except that the target return and antenna azimuth display are moved to the left side of the screen and a generated synthetic target marker is displayed at the correct azimuth instead. This is so that the targets range can be displayed by the synthetic target, unlike the other pulse-doppler modes which only shows closure rate. The other symbology on the DDD in this mode are the same as in pulse STT.
Range While Search Mode
In range while search, a frequency measuring ranging mode is added (FM ranging) to allow the radar to measure the range of tracked targets in addition to closure rate. This additional processing does, however, mean that the effective range of the radar is somewhat lesser. The display on the DDD is the same as in pulse-doppler search, the TID however also shows tracks in this mode showing the targets as tracks momentarily as they're scanned and displaying their position and altitude.
The targets are shown for a maximum of two seconds or until the antenna again scans the same bar at the same azimuth at which time it is removed unless detected again. The maximum number of concurrently shown tracks are 48.
TWS Manual Mode
The track, while scan mode uses the same FM ranging as RWS with the same reduction in range compared to pulse-doppler search and the DDD display, is also the same. The main difference that the computer establishes track files and tracks up to 24 targets concurrently of which 18 can be shown on the TID at any given time.
As the computer routine calculating these tracks need a set track refresh time of 2 seconds this limits available azimuth scan area and bar settings to either 20° 4 bars or 40° 2 bars. When entering TWS the computer automatically selects the ±20° 4 bar scan disregarding the RIO set scan volumes unless those are set to ±40° 2 bars in which case that is used instead.
The TWS mode is also the only mode enabling guidance of the AIM-54 at multiple targets (up to six), and as soon as engageable targets are detected the computer starts assigning them a missile priority number according to optimal missile firing sequence.
TWS Auto Mode
Performing similarly to TWS Man mode, what differs between the two is that in TWS auto the computer takes control of used scan volume and scan pattern azimuth and elevation as soon as target tracks are present. The WCS computer automatically tries to optimize the scan volume and direction so that tracking of the prioritized targets is maximized. If not selected before launch the WCS overrides as soon as the first AIM-54 is launched and selects TWS Auto.
Pulse Search Mode
Pulse search is used to search for and find airborne targets at range. It is possible to use this radar mode as a basic ground mapper as well which can be useful for navigation and navigational fixes and can also be used in a pinch to detect larger surface targets like ships. Keep in mind though that the radar is not built with this as its main function and that a real air-to-ground radar will outperform it handily.
In this mode, the radar cannot by itself differentiate targets and generate tracks meaning that the WCS will not generate track files and display anything on the TID. This also means that pulse search is not capable of guiding missiles.
Pulse STT Mode
Pulse STT is used to track a single target, like pulse search mode it is not susceptible to notching but it is to ground clutter. The fact that the STT modes use gates to track the target, in this case, range gates, means that it is less susceptible to ground clutter but a target close enough to the ground that the ground return enters the range gates would be likely to shake the lock.
As it is only in the pulse-doppler modes that the missile guidance commands can be sent pulse STT is limited to launching AIM-7s in CW mode and AIM-54s in an active launch mode limiting their ranges. At short ranges, ACM ranges, it is possible to use the ASPECT switch to set what aspect of the target to track, this is just to counter different types of countermeasures. As an example, if set to NOSE the radar will be less susceptible to chaff as the radar weights its track towards the targets leading-edge (nose) away from the chaff being launched behind the target.
A successful track is indicated by the ANT TRK and RDROT indicator lights on the DDD, meaning that the antenna is tracking the target and that the target is within the range gates. If the target is jamming with sufficient strength, negating a range track, the radar will transition to a jam angle track instead, indicated by the JAT indicator light on the DDD illuminating instead of the RDROT. When range tracking is again possible at closer ranges the radar will transition to that instead.
The DDD in this mode will be similar to the pulse search mode but the antenna will be locked onto the target and not scan. Additionally, the DDD will show the range gates around the target, a closing rate symbol at the right scale and applicable attack symbology if a valid missile is selected.
Anti-Jamming Modes
Not yet implemented.
AN/APX-76 IFF Interrogator
The AN/APX-76 IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) interrogator is integrated into the AN/AWG-9 operation. Then interrogator antenna itself is located on the AN/AWG-9 antenna gimbal platform. An IFF system works by sending out an interrogation pulse and then listening for returns from cooperating transponders. In addition to the unencrypted civilian mode the AN/APX-76 is capable of interrogating in the encrypted military mode 4. This ensures that targets replying to mode 4 interrogations are indeed friendly. The AN/APX-76 can be used both in search radar modes and in STT radar modes. To enable interrogation the IFF switch is depressed on the Detail Data Display Panel which then activates the interrogator for as long as the button is held up to 10 seconds max.
When enabled IFF received IFF returns are then overlaid on the normal AN/AWG-9 radar returns on the DDD. A friendly target will be indicated with two bars, one above and one below the normal radar return. As the AN/APX-76 is a separate radar, secondary mode, radar apart from the AWG-9 the IFF can sometimes also detect targets not detected by the AWG-9. In this case the IFF return will not have a radar echo inside it. In the search mode this is overlaid over each target replying and in STT over the STT target. Additionally, if the STT target is hooked on the TID the DDD will switch from normal range display to a ±10 NM display to enable display of multiple returns in case of closely grouped targets.
Hostile, Ambiguous, Friendly or Unknown (HAFU) is a symbology system used by the F/A-18 to represent trackfiles; specifically, to show its status as a friendly or hostile. It is usually what trackfiles are displayed as across the software.
There are four HAFU symbols:
- Triangle: Hostile (red when colored)
- Thick Staple: Ambiguous (yellow when colored)
- Half-Circle: Friendly (green when colored)
- Thin Staple: Unknown (yellow when colored)
All types except ambiguous can be manually assigned via the Situational Awareness format. Tracks will also be automatically identified as explained below.
A hostile HAFU will be assigned whenever:
- A negative IFF response is returned, and
- An NCTR print returns with an aircraft type that is on the hostile coalition; or
- A SURV (surveillance, like an AWACS) source over datalink also marks it hostile; or
- A F/F (fighter-fighter, like another F/A-18) source over datalink also marks it hostile.
An ambiguous HAFU will be assigned when the aircraft and a donor have conflicting identifications (friendly and hostile).
A friendly HAFU will be assigned whenever an IFF interrogation returns as friendly or the track itself is contributed to by the Precise Participant Location and Identification (PPLI) system.
An unknown HAFU will be assigned by default until it is updated by meeting one of the requirements above.
Air-to-Air Weapons
This area will cover over all the different air-to-air weapons brought with the F-14B Tomcat.
Air-to-Air Gun
Using Real-Time mode.
The F-14 Tomcat is outfitted with the M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled Gatling cannon, being able to hold up a maximum of 675 rounds internally.
Gun Rates
The cannon offers 2 modes of combat in the F-14B:
- LOW: mode which slows down the muzzle rate, used for Air-to-Ground.
- HIGH: mode which is to be used for Basic Fighter Maneuvering. (BFM)
Gun Modes
The cannon for Air-to-Air mode is able to be placed into 2 following positions:
- Manual: this mode is able to be selected by depressing the CAGE/SEAM button, which will then only display the pipper and ammo count.
- Real-Time: this mode is the regular, default mode. Along with a radar lock, the pipper will calculate to be accurate when directed to the diamond contact box. This will also give a closure rate towards the contact and the range relative to the aircraft.
The symbology for the cannon is displayed on the HUD with the weapon master selector in the GUN position, and display in A/A. By default, the gun rounds indicator will be displayed as 0 for rounds per 100. Located next to the display panel to the right is the gun ammo counter. Additionally, the gunsight elevation is also able to be adjusted underneath the steer commands on the display panel.
Air-to-Air Missiles
Missile Preparation
Missile preparation in the F-14B Tomcat is started by moving the master arm switch on the ACM panel underneath the HUD to ON. This is then followed by pressing the MSL PREP and SW COOL buttons to be ON, depending on the armament type.
AIM-54 Phoenix
The AIM-54 is a long-range, semi-active radar missile for Air-to-Air use. The F-14 was the only aircraft to carry it in service and was used to take down Soviet bombers. However, it is able to be used on fighters as well. The AIM-54 comes with a proximity fuse and missile gate suite for non-direct contact explosions and radar tracking methods.
Upon the launch of the missile, active input from the AN/AWG-9 radar is used to guide itself towards the contact. When reaching pitbull range (~20 nmi.) the missile will then use the radar in itself and steer until impact.
The time until impact will be calculated during the whole flight of the missile after the launch sequence on the TID as a seconds counter next to the contact.
Missile Variants
The AIM-54 for the F-14 in DCS is not only just 1 variant but 2 provided for the aircraft:
- AIM-54A Mk.60: The A variant Mk.60 is a specific version of the AIM-54 Phoenix which utilizes burn time and speed over agility and smoke. The Mk.60 is able to be fired from at most ~100 nmi. under optimal conditions, factoring altitude, kinetic airspeed, contact airspeed, and altitude. The recommended firing distance of the variant, however, is ~45 nmi.
- AIM-54C Mk.47: The C variant Mk.47 is a later upgrade to the missile that utilizes agility and smoke over burn time and speed. While the C variant provides a no-smoke solution, it lacks the favoring of speed and distance. Under optimal conditions similar to the A, this missile variant is best at ~60 nmi. The recommended distance to contact for firing is ~30 nmi.
Launch Modes
The main seeker in the AIM-54 is able to be fired through 3 launch modes in according:
- Semi-active Radar Homing (SARH): In the first stage of the AIM-54 engagement, the missile is guided semi-actively by the AN/AWG-9 radar using both guidance commands transmitted via the radar and radar energy reflected off the target. Then when the missile is within range of its seeker's ARH mode the AN/AWG-9 commands the missile to switch to ARH. In pulse doppler STT the AIM-54 uses SARH all the way to the target receiving guidance commands at a greater rate than in TWS and also continuous spotlighting of the target because of the STT mode being used. This increases the effective range of the AIM-54 seeker slightly.
- Active Radar Homing (ARH): This tells the WCS to immediately command the AIM-54 to go active in the first guidance command after launch. If launched at a target within 6 NM if in the targets rear hemisphere or 10 NM miles if in its forward hemisphere the WCS will also automatically command this mode instead of a SARH mode. If the target is not detected actively by the seeker it will still fall back to SARH until the seeker can acquire on its own like in the two SARH modes.
- ACM Active: The missile is commanded active before launch making this the only mode where the missile is truly fire and forget. The AIM-54 missile receives the active message before launching from the WCS in addition to a command prepositioning the seeker-head to have it look at the current WCS track if available.
Additionally, the AIM-54 has an unofficial method of launching the missile:
- Mad-dogging: A method that uses the aircraft relative to their contact altitude and airspeed and firing the AIM-54 in the direction, which will force it to become semi-active within the pitbull range.
HUD Symbology
The pilot will receive standard symbology of the AIM-54 missile selected when the display is in A/A mode. Similar to the GUNS format, displayed on the HUD will be the weapon type denoted in 2 letters, and the number of missiles. Additionally, any more advanced symbology will occur by lock, which is required at first to fire the missile without "mad-dogging."
VDI Symbology
The pilot will also receive additional symbology on the VDI whenever a radar lock occurs with the AIM-54 selected.
AIM-7 Sparrow
The AIM-7 Sparrow is an active-radar guided missile for Air-to-Air employment. This missile requires an active radar lock to a contact in order to guide itself for impact. The benefit of this missile is that it is able to lose trackoing guidance if the aircraft breaks the lock on a friendly contact, as well as being able to be used in a mixed scenario.
The maximum range of the Sparrow under optimal conditions as the Phoenix is ~25 nmi. The recommended distance, however, is roughly ~10 nmi.
AIM-9 Sidewinder
The AIM-9 Sidewinder is an IR-guided missile that self tracks based off of thermal energy (heat) of an aircraft. This missile should be used for close quarters range, where agility and speed are a high priority. The benefit of this missile is how quickly it can turn onto a contact. However, a con to this can be "sun-aiming," where the missile follows a contact that flies directly to the sun and immediately flanks out of the sensor sight of the Sidewinder.
The maximum range on this missile is ~10 nmi., but recommended range is within ~5 nmi. under optimal conditions.
Air-to-Ground Weapons
The F-14B Tomcat comes with a variety of air-to-ground weapons after the upgrade to the Bombcat.
Air-to-Ground Gun
The symbology of the Air-to-Ground Gun is similar to of the Air-to-Air mode. The weapon will instead keep a diamond inside with the cross until passing the horizon threshold. All happens with the Gun selected and the HUD steering command in A/G mode.
Air-to-Ground Bombs
The F-14 Tomcat is able to carry numerous types of munitions that act as bombs, whether dumb or laser-guided.
Mk-20/81/82/83/84 GPB
BDU-33 Training Bomb
The BDU-33 is a training bomb that emits smoke upon impact on a hard surface. This is generally used in training for Air-to-Ground in the Tomcat, and among other aircraft.
The ADM-141 Towed Air Launch Defense (TALD) missile is a decoy weapon that is employed for doing Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses. (SEAD) The TALD missile represents one of the only true SEAD weapons used in DCS World that is not DEAD-related. The objective of the TALD is to be dropped to confuse SAM sites that use radar guidance so other aircraft are able to destroy them, hence being "suppressed."
The TALD is only able to be successfully launched when the RWR is receiving a radar lock warning or missile warning in the F-14 Tomcat. Only the F-14B Tomcat is able to use this weapon.
Air-to-Ground Rockets
- Jak: An early contributor who wrote information on what the aircraft was and helping serve filler content.
- Nullspec: Contributor towards the F/A-18C Hornet on implemented/non-implemented for the formatting.
Manuals & Documents
Heatblur's Videos
- Episode 1: Overview
- Episode 2: Pilot's Cockpit Walkaround
- Episode 3: Cold And Dark (Full Startup)
- Episode 4: The RIO's Office
Jabbers' Tutorial Videos
(They're good!)
- Pilot - Startup/Taxi/Takeoff with JESTER AI
- Pilot - Maneuvering and Flight Characteristics
- Pilot - Air-to-Air Refueling
- Pilot - ACM - Radar Acquisition Modes
- Pilot - Weapons - Zuni Rockets with JESTER AI
- Pilot - Weapons - AIM-9 Sidewinder
- RIO - Startup
- RIO - AWG-9 Radar
- RIO - IFF Interrogation
- Overview - AIM-54C Mk.47 Phoenix - Tacview Debrief
- Overview - AIM-54A Mk.60 Phoenix - Tacview Debrief
- Quick Tips - AIM-54 Phoenix
- Quick Tips - Bombing
RedKite's Tutorial Videos
(More in-depth on particular systems, referenced throughout the guide.)


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(Poem #560) Chant for Dark Hours
Some men, some men Cannot pass a Book shop. (Lady, make your mind up, and wait your life away.) Some men, some men Cannot pass a Crap game. (He said he'd come at moonrise, and here's another day!) Some men, some men Cannot pass a Bar-room. (Wait about, and hang about, and that's the way it goes.) Some men, some men Cannot pass a Woman. (Heaven never send me another one of those!) Some men, some men Cannot pass a Golf course. (Read a book, and sew a seam, and slumber if you can.) Some men, some men Cannot pass a Haberdasher's. (All your life you wait around for some damn man!)
While Parker can always be counted on to combine delightfully witty content with a just-so metre, it is is usually the message of the poem that stands out. Today's poem, the very aptly named 'Chant For Dark Hours', is an exception - indeed, given how cutting she's capable of being, the words seem deliberately toned down to balance the hypnotic rhythm. The metre is very well constructed - the first three lines of each verse deliberately dragged out with a preponderance of accented syllables, to give a dull, heavy, effect, and then the fourth line shifting to a more tripping rhythm, speeding the reader to the verse's conclusion. Note, too, the way the poem ends with three consecutive stresses - as nice a way of driving home the point as any I've seen. Theme: This week's theme is 'the pleasures of strong rhythm' - see poem #558 for a fuller explanation. Links: We've run several Dorothy Parker poems - see the index - [broken link] http://www.cs.rice.edu/~ssiyer/minstrels/index_poet.html A biography is at poem #150 PostScript: As much as the metre, it was the opening lines that first attracted me to this poem (for tolerably obvious reasons :)) -martin


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College Tours: Where to Eat Near Harvard and MIT, Cambridge
Continuing our College Tours series, let's head over to Cambridge to see what's good near Harvard and MIT.
It is said that more successful business plans were laid out over a beer and a burger from Miracle of Science on the MIT end of of Mass. Ave. than at Sloan and HBS combined. At least I just said that. They also make a great grilled burger. For a flatter style, head over to Flat Patties in Harvard Square. Leave Bartley's to the tourists and parents.
Check out my list of Best Burgers in Boston for some more options.
For cheap, late night eats, it's Pinocchio's in Harvard Square and their great Sicilian slices. MIT kids can get their drunk pizza fix at Hi-Fi, though warning: ONLY go there when drunk and desperate. For date-worthy pizza, it's Cambridge 1 and their Al Forno-style grilled pies.
Toscanini's on Main Street is known for their ice cream, but they brew a fine cup as well. Not into the caffeine or bitterness? Try one of their sweet hot vanillas.
Breakfast Sandwich
Though I haven't tried it yet, Meredith and Andrew are big fans of the breakfast sandwich from Area Four Cafe. To quote Andrew, "It seems everybody is trying to do a good breakfast sandwich nowadays but Area Four's is especially McGood. The brioche-like, homemade English muffin, buttery and soft, encases scrambled eggs and a slab of housemade maple-sage sausage--pork courtesy of Lucki 7 Farm--and it's tangy, salty, and just a touch sweet. It's under a blanket of oozy sharp cheddar cheese."
For cheap and filling, it's Brookline Lunch. One cook, his harried wife serving a dozen tables, bottomless coffee, homemade hot sauce and jellies, and a russian-roulette style omelet where you never know what vegetables may appear next. All for just a few bucks.
If you're in the mood to splurge, the brunch at Craigie on Main will knock your socks off, with one of the finest donuts in the land, and a hash worth breaking vows for.
Joanne Chang's Sticky Sticky Buns at Flour Bakery are the buns so sticky they had to name them twice. For Mediterranean baked goods and great café fare, it's Ana Sortun's Sofra. And while getting to Iggy's bakery in Fresh Pond is a bit of a bike ride, their excellent old world breads grace the best tables all over town, and can be found at many retail supermarkets as well.
Best Cheap Eat
Gone are the days of the $1 burger at Bukowski's Tavern in Inman Square, but if cheap eats are your bag, head to nearby Punjabi Dhaba on Hampshire where a few bucks will have you eating like a raj. Or at least like an Indian truck driver.
Dive Bar
People's Republik, a dive bar-lover's dive bar. Darts, hot dogs, beer, sticky floors, peanut vending machines, the works. If you're lucky, you might get there on a night when Bottom Shelf writer Will Gordon is working the door. Tell him Serious Eats sent you and you may get an extra dose of harassment as you try and pass off your fake ID.
The late-night ramen menu from Uni's sashimi bar any Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night after 11 p.m. Slurp $10 bowls of ramen or chow down on a couple of duck buns, along with bartender Todd Maul's fine cocktails, of course. (Sake Bombs optional). It's cheaper than most of the ramen in the city, and actually quite good. Get the Umami Ramen, made with stock flavored with 10 different kinds of mushrooms and a hunk of Parmesan rind. It's everything right about fusion and utterly delicious.
Late night drinks in Boston? Haha, nice try. Bars stop serving at 2 a.m. on weekends and 1 a.m. on weeknights. If you want to drink after hours, your best bet is to hit Chinatown. Head to Apollo, and keep yourself busy ordering "special tea" (I.E. beer in a tea cup) until 4 a.m. Or just plan ahead and get Sammy the Central Square Bum to buy you a six pack.
Ice Cream
Boston is an ice cream town, and it's hard to pick just one, which is why when we decided to name an overall winner for Best Ice Cream in Boston, we were stumped. For the Harvard/MIT area, however, it comes down to two choices: Toscanini's (get in the habit of calling it Tosci's, and ordering the burnt caramel), or Christina's in Inman Square, where any number of the wacked out flavors will do you.
When the 'rents Are in Town
Someone else paying the dinner bill? At the top of your Cambridge list should be Rialto, where Jody Adams dishes up New England ingredient-driven high end fare (see the duck above); Tony Maws' Craigie on Main, one of the first farm-to-table nose-to-tail restaurants in the area (and still, in my opinion, the best); Upstairs on the Square, for high end food served in what feels like your rich-but-not-snotty uncle's house; or Hungry Mother, where chef Barry Maiden shoves a bit of the South into Yankee mouths.
If classic Cambridge/Boston is what you're after, the Kendall Square branch of Legal Seafood will show you why the chain is successful (fresh, high quality seafood prepared well, albeit a bit boringly).
When Someone Has a Car
Nothing says New England like a road trip up the coast for fried clams. Woodman's in Essex or the Clam Shack in Peabody are perennial favorites, and both fry up a mean clam, though they can get a bit pricey and touristy in the height of the season.
Boston has some world-class Sichuan food if you've got the vehicle to take you there. Head out to Fuloon in Malden for some of their insanely chili-lade Steamed Beef, Sichuan-Style, or the best Ma Po Dofu I've had anywhere. Other top Sichuan spots: Chili Garden in Medford and the branch of Sichuan Gourmet out in Billerica.
All products linked here have been independently selected by our editors. We may earn a commission on purchases, as described in our affiliate policy.


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Bisons sweep Red Wings
It may not have been a walk off, but the Bisons used some late inning heroics again to beat the Red Wings tonight 7-3 in front of 16,454 fans at Coca-Cola Field.
Heading into the bottom of the eighth with the game tied at two, the Red Wings committed two errors on consecutive at-bats that led to the Bisons scoring five unearned runs and giving them the sweep of Rochester.
With Jesus Feliciano and Lucas Duda on base with two outs, Fernando Martinez, fresh off a minor stint with the Mets had the chance to put his team ahead. F-Mart hit a sharp liner that looked like it was going to get through and out to right field until Rochester second baseman Matt Macri made an impressive stab at the ball and stopped it right in its tracks.
As Macri rose to his feet he bobbled the ball with Feliciano flying around third and towards home. Macri tried to make the play at the plate but Feliciano slid underneath the tag of Danny Lehmann and got the go-ahead run, putting the Herd up 3-2.
In the following at-bat Mike Cervenak grounded back to the pitcher Rob Delaney. Delaney then threw the ball out of the reach of his first baseman Dustin Martin, allowing Duda to score and putting F-Mart on third. Russ Adams then put the game away as he hit his 11th home run of the year, also his second in three days, making the score 7-2.
The Bisons were kept in the game early by a terrific start from Raul Valdes. Making his fourth start of the year, Valdes threw his first quality start of the season by going for seven innings and only giving up two runs off of six hits while striking out seven.
After Valdes' exit the Bisons bullpen continued their phenomenal month of August with two scoreless innings of relief between Chad Cordero and Yhency Brazoban. So far this month the bullpen for the Herd has tossed 56.2 innings and has a combined record of 5-0 with 56 strikeouts.
With the victory Buffalo continued their strong push towards the postseason. The Bisons have now won four straight, and 15 of their last 18 games. They also completed the season a perfect 9-0 on Friday nights and swept the Red Wings, their sixth sweep of the season. Also with Louisville losing 8-1 to Syracuse tonight the Bisons are now only two games behind the Bats for the lone Wild Card spot.
BISONS NOTES: Nick Evans hit his third home run of the season back in the fourth inning that gave the Bisons the first lead of the game. The Herd now has a rare and crucial six-game series with the Pawtucket Red Sox this weekend, including a double-header tomorrow. The Bisons will send Fernando Nieve (2-0, 4.19 ERA) to the mound to take on Fabio Castro (5-8, 4.87 ERA) to start of the set.


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What is a Vestibular Disorder?
The vestibular system includes the parts of the inner ear and brain that process the sensory information involved with controlling balance and eye movements. If disease or injury damages these processing areas, vestibular disorders can result. Vestibular disorders can also result from or be worsened by genetic or environmental conditions, or occur for unknown reasons.
The most commonly diagnosed vestibular disorders include benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), labyrinthitis and vestibular neuritis, Ménière's disease, secondary endolymphatic hydrops, and perilymph fistula. Vestibular disorders also include superior canal dehiscence, acoustic neuroma, ototoxicity, enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome, and mal de débarquement. Other problems related to vestibular dysfunction include vestibular migraine and complications from autoimmune disorders and allergies.
Prevalence and Incidence
Because of difficulties posed by accurately diagnosing and reporting vestibular disorders, statistics estimating how common they are, how often they occur, and what social impacts they have range widely. Yet even the lowest estimates reflect the fact that vestibular disorders occur frequently and can affect people of any age.
One recent large epidemiological study estimates that as many as 35% of adults aged 40 years or older in the United States—approximately 69 million Americans—have experienced some form of vestibular dysfunction.1 According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), a further 4% (8 million) of American adults report a chronic problem with balance, while an additional 1.1% (2.4 million) report a chronic problem with dizziness alone.2 Eighty percent of people aged 65 years and older have experienced dizziness,3 and BPPV, the most common vestibular disorder, is the cause of approximately 50% of dizziness in older people.4 Overall, vertigo from a vestibular problem accounts for a third of all dizziness and vertigo symptoms reported to health care professionals.5
"I can't do things I used to enjoy. How can a problem with my ear affect my mood and concentration?"
Symptoms of chronic dizziness or imbalance can have a significant impact on the ability of a disabled person to perform one or more activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, or simply getting around inside the home, affecting 11.5% of adults with chronic dizziness and 33.4% of adults with chronic imbalance.6 The painful economic and social impacts of dizziness are significantly underestimated.5
Vestibular disorders not only profoundly affect adults, but also children. Once thought to be exceptionally rare, pediatric vestibular disorders are receiving increasing attention from clinicians as an overlooked problem.7 In addition to impairments of motor development and balance, vestibular deficits may cause poor gaze stability that inhibits children from learning to read. Despite new awareness of pediatric vestibular disorders, children are currently not typically screened for them, and as a result frequently fail to receive medical treatment.
Did This Information help you?
Thanks to VeDA, vestibular disorders are becoming recognized for their impacts on people's lives and our economy. We see new diagnostic tools and research studies, more accessible treatments, and a growing respect for how life-changing vestibular disorders can be.
Your support of VeDA matters. Please help us continue this important work by becoming a member or donor.
- Agrawal Y, Carey JP, Della Santina CC, Schubert MC, Minor LB. Disorders of balance and vestibular function in US adults. Arch Intern Med. 2009;169(10): 938-944.
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). Strategic Plan (FY 2006-2008). Available at: www.nidcd.nih.gov/StaticResources/about/plans/strategic/strategic06-08.pdf. Accessed May 20, 2010.
- Ator GA. Vertigo—Evaluation and Treatment in the Elderly.
- Fife TD, Iverson DJ, Lempert T, Furman JM, Baloh RW, Tusa RJ, Hain TC, Herdman S, Morrow MJ, Gronseth GS. Practice parameter: therapies for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (an evidence-based review): report of the Quality Standards Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurol. 2008;70:2067–2074.
- Neuhauser HK, Radtke A, von Brevern M et al. Burden of dizziness and vertigo in the community. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(19):2118–2124.
- Ko C, Hoffman HJ, Sklare DA. Chronic Imbalance or Dizziness and Falling: Results from the 1994 Disability Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey and the Second Supplement on Aging Study. Poster session of the Twenty-ninth Annual Midwinter Meeting of the Association for Research in Otolaryngology, Feb. 5–9, 2006.
- Rine RM. Growing evidence for balance and vestibular problems in children. Audiological Med. 2009;7(3):138-142.
Photo courtesy of D.Sharon Pruitt


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Getting a message that your PC is running out of room can be a stressful event—or, even a genuine emergency if you're in the middle of an important project. The good news is you can probably free up a lot of space on your PC running Windows by following the tips here. But if you keep getting messages about low drive space, you might want to consider other options, including adding additional removable storage.
To get the most out of these tips, do them in order from top to bottom.


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Mobile App support for indoor (non-GPS) recording
The Strava App for iPhone/Android does not currently have many features in place for stationary trainer or indoor recording. The App requires a valid GPS signal to record data, and will not be able to record good data when indoors with a weak GPS signal. For now, you can always enter your stationary/indoor metrics in a Manual Activity entry within the App or on the Strava website.
If we choose to better support stationary/indoor workouts in the future, what kinds of integrations, support, and features would you like to see on the Strava mobile app?
Some suggestions we've heard before:
- Tag activities as stationary trainer from the mobile app
- Fix issues with viewing indoor/non-GPS activities from the mobile app (there are display issues with the data currently)
- Manual entry for Heart Rate, Power and Cadence to an indoor activity.
- Support recording indoors with no GPS signal with ANT+ or BTLE accessories, such as Heart Rate monitors, Cadence and Power meters via the mobile app.
- Enter an approximate or estimated distance to an existing activity for cycling done on a stationary trainer without a speed sensor (similar feature suggestion here).
Please send us your feedback and ideas. Thanks!


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"Following Christ at Christmas," Friend, Dec. 2012, 8–9
Following Christ at Christmas
These latter-day prophets followed the example of Jesus Christ at Christmastime. What can you do to follow Christ this holiday season? Turn to pages 24–25 for ideas.
President Thomas S. Monson
(President of the Church since 2008)
When President Thomas S. Monson was 10 years old, his parents gave him an electric train set for Christmas. Tommy was happy until his mother showed him a less-expensive train she had bought for a neighbor boy. Tommy noticed a car that his train didn't have. He was jealous, and he convinced his mother to let him keep the train car. When they went to surprise the neighbor boy with the gift, Tommy realized how selfish he had been. He ran back home and got the car, plus another car from his own set, to give to the boy. He felt joy when he focused on giving instead of getting.
President Gordon B. Hinckley
(President of the Church from 1995 to 2008)
President Gordon B. Hinckley learned at a young age that good gifts don't have to cost a lot of money. He watched his parents visit widows during the holidays and take them bread and treats. As he grew up, Gordon tried to make thoughtful gifts for others. He and his brother, Sherman, decided to work together to build Christmas presents for their sisters. Some of their gifts over the years included a small cupboard, a yellow treasure chest, and a fancy desk and chair.
President David O. McKay
(President of the Church from 1951 to 1970)
The McKay family loved music. Each Christmas, President David O. McKay attached jingle bells to his horses and took his grandchildren on a sleigh ride around town. After sledding through the snow, they would sing carols around the family's piano. Once, while President McKay was working at the Church Administration Building, he was surprised by a different group of carolers—165 Primary children who had come to sing Christmas songs for him! President McKay appreciated their musical gift, especially when he learned they had given up their annual Christmas party to make the trip.
President George Albert Smith
(President of the Church from 1945 to 1951)
Christmastime at the Smith home was filled with fun and service. On Christmas Eve family members hung stockings in front of the fireplace to collect presents. As a joke, President George Albert Smith always hung a huge stocking instead of a regular sock. On Christmas day President Smith took his children to visit people who might be feeling lonely or forgotten. Once he and his daughter Emily visited an elderly woman who lived alone. The woman was so happy to have visitors that she cried. She said she was grateful that someone had thought of her on Christmas.
President Heber J. Grant
(President of the Church from 1918 to 1945)
President Heber J. Grant taught his family to look for ways to be unselfish during Christmas. One year President Grant's children decided to donate money to help build the Salt Lake Temple instead of getting Christmas presents. Another year President Grant noticed that a woman he worked with was very poor. His family decided to take the money they would have spent on gifts for each other and give it to her instead. The woman was overjoyed on Christmas morning when President Grant handed her a turkey and a check to help pay for her house!


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The 2008-09 Lindenwood University Speaker Series will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16, with a presentation by Josh Shipp, nationally known motivational speaker for young people.
Shipp's presentation, titled "Don't Be Average," will be held in the Anheuser-Busch Leadership Room of the Spellmann Center on the main Lindenwood Campus, 209 S. Kingshighway, St. Charles, Mo., 63301. The event is free and open to the public.
Shipp has written books, shared the stage with Bill Cosby and has appeared on MTV, Comedy Central, NBC, FOX, TLC, and in the Los Angeles Times. He has established an international reputation as an inspiring youth speaker with a simple and entertaining, yet challenging message.
Abandoned and abused as a child, Shipp strives to encourage his audiences to overcome struggles and live life to the fullest. Shipp's presentation has been lauded for its humor and for its thought-provoking content. He has spoken to more than one million people over more than eight years about how his opportunities in life have resulted in his current success.
The Lindenwood Speaker Series will run though April 2009 and will include 11 events that will include a diverse array of speakers and topics. For more information, contact Paul Huffman at 636-949-4823 or visit www.lindenwood.edu and click on the "Speaker Series" link at the bottom of the university's home page.


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A new array of integers is created at execution time by the operation
newarray intThe size of the array should be on the stack before this operation is performed; the operation leaves on the stack a reference to the array. References are distinct from the arithmetic types (int, long, etc.). They are loaded and stored with the operations
aload varThus the Java code
astore var
int x[]= new int [8];would be translated (if x was local variable 2) into
ldc 8Elements of an integer array are loaded and stored by the operations
newarray int
astore 2
ialoadIn each case, the second element on the stack should be a reference to the array, and the top of the stack the index into the array. Thus, if local variable 2 holds a reference to array x, the sequence
aload 2would put x[5] on top of the stack.
ldc 5
Finally, if an array reference is on the top of the stack, the operation
arraylengthwill leave the length of the array on top of the stack.


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Alleged West Seattle pimp goes on trial
Pimp 'branded' prostitutes with tattoos, prosecutor alleges
Before he got into damage done to the teenage prostitutes or their worry-worn parents, before the claims of parking lot beatings and false professions of love, Senior Deputy Prosecutor Sean O'Donnell offered the Seattle jurors a spelling lesson.
Feet away, the prosecutor's target, 19-year-old Deshawn Cash Money Clark, faced jurors for the first time Wednesday as his trial on eight prostitution-related counts began. Clark is accused of pimping out three women, including two girls, through a prostitution ring run by a West Seattle gang, the West Side Street Mobb.
That, O'Donnell told jurors, is Mobb with two Bs.
"Mobb is spelled M-O-B-B, and it stands for Money Over Broke Bitches," O'Donnell said. "And you will find that money is a recurring theme in this case. …
"You will find that this gang has an almost singular purpose. Money, money, money."
Among the youngest accused, Clark is the last of six men accused following an investigation into the alleged prostitution ring. His alleged co-conspirators -- four of whom are or were members of the West Seattle gang -- pleaded guilty previously to related charges.
Addressing the jury, O'Donnell claimed Clark had thousands of dollars in his bank account -- and no gainful employment -- before charges were filed late last year. That money, the prosecutor claimed, came from the forced labor of prostitutes working for Clark.
Prosecutors allege that Clark pimped three women, two of whom were under 18 when they began working for the young man. He is accused of taking young women to Oregon and Nevada, as well as beating one woman in a hotel parking lot before dragging her into his car.
On those allegations, prosecutors have filed eight counts against him, including human trafficking and commercial sexual abuse of a minor.
Clark and his conspirators, O'Donnell claimed, played on a "combination of fear and love" in the women and girls to keep them prostituting.
"To keep the money flowing," the prosecutor told jurors, "this gang used whatever it took to keep these women."
Clark's attorney, Alfoster Garrett Jr., opted not to make an opening statement, reserving his comments until the prosecution has presented its case. He has previously declined to comment publicly on the case.
Clark's supporters, though, contend the young man has been unfairly treated prosecutors and the media.
Julata Jimerson, Clark's 19-year-old girlfriend, remains a fixture at Clark's hearings. Seated in court, the teen shook her head as O'Donnell repeated the allegations against Clark.
Speaking in September, Jimerson spoke of Clark in terms entirely at odds with the prosecution's take on the young man. Rather than a manipulator who demanded teens get his name tattooed on their bodies, Jimerson described Clark as a smart, thoughtful young man who wants nothing more than to be freed.
"He's a lovable person," Jimerson said. "He has no (criminal) history. What they're talking about, this is like murder time."
Clark's sister, Shawnteria Clark, 24, claimed her brothers -- Shawn Clark previously pleaded guilty to related charges -- have been victimized by an overzealous prosecution. The young women allegedly prostituted by her brothers, she claimed, continue to work as prostitutes.
"Deshawn is a very smart young man," she said of her brother, who attended Rainier Beach High School. "It's a bad situation, but it's going to be all right."
The prosecution will face challenges, O'Donnell acknowledged in his opening statement, including several victims still beholden to Clark. But, the prosecutors argued, strong evidence -- including the defendant's own statements caught on tape during jail phone calls -- support a conviction.
With obvious disdain, O'Donnell told jurors of the tattoos prosecutors allege Clark and the other West Side Street Mobb members forced on the women.
One woman -- the one Clark allegedly punched out -- had Clark's middle name tattooed on her backside, O'Donnell said.
"He wanted her branded," Clark said. "He wanted her labeled, in ink, as his property."
Describing the plight of the teens' parents, O'Donnell alluded to a scene described in court documents.
One father was receiving near-weekly calls from police informing him that his daughter had again been arrested on suspicion of prostitution, O'Donnell told the jury. He would pick her up from juvenile detention, but she would rush back to Clark at the first opportunity.
Another girl's mother went so far as to post fliers at Seattle-area hotels where prostitution often takes place.
The woman confronted Clark on one occasion, O'Donnell said in court documents. Her daughter, Clark told her, was no longer hers.
The abuse, O'Donnell said, and the professions of love were intentional, and successful.
"It was coordinated, it was deliberate, and, sadly, ladies and gentlemen, it was effective," O'Donnell told the jury. "At the end of the day, this case is about money. It's about the defendant and his co-conspirators conspiring to use the bodies of young women."
Clark's trial is expected to continue through coming weeks. Several other members of the gang -- which authorities assert numbers 20 to 40 members and is based in the area of the Delridge Community Center -- remain under charge.


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Dr Browns
Home>Dr Browns
Dr.Brown's offers a complete feeding system for happier babies; one that includes the only fully vented vacuum free feeding bottle. Widely recognised by parents and health professionals as the most effective way of preventing colic symptoms caused by regular bottles and teats, Dr Brown's Feeding System offers your baby the opportunity for a more comfortable feed.
Dedicated to promoting good health in mothers and their babies, Dr Brown's goal is to provide the best technology-driven products available. Whether your baby is fed on expressed breast milk or infant formula, you will be amazed by the results.
Dedicated to promoting good health in mothers and their babies, Dr Brown's goal is to provide the best technology-driven products available. Whether your baby is fed on expressed breast milk or infant formula, you will be amazed by the results.
Categories Featuring Dr Browns Products
The Concept Behind Dr BrownsThe Concept Behind Dr. Browns Feeding System
Dr.Browns offer a complete BPA free feeding system for happier babies. Created by a physician, Dr Brown's Natural Flow is the only baby bottle with a patented internal vent system that actually helps promote good health in babies. By eliminating the vacuum and air bubbles, it helps to reduce feeding problems like colic, burping and gas. And the positive pressure created by this system is as close to breastfeeding as your baby can get. Quite simply, it looks and works unlike any other bottle.
The Health Benefits
The patented, innovative design of the Dr Brown's Natural Flow provides the following health benefits:
- Unique internal vent eliminates the vacuum and air bubbles, to help reduce colic and burping.
- By eliminating the negative pressure, it can help reduce build up of fluid in baby's ear.
- Positive-pressure design mimics breastfeeding and is ideal for breast milk and formula alike.
A first-of-its-kind university study determined that Dr. Brown's fully vented bottles help maintain levels of important nutrients like vitamins C, A & E.
More Information
- The patented Natural Flow internal vent system is the only vent that eliminates the vacuum and the air bubbles found in most baby bottles. It allows air to enter through the teat collar without being incorporated into the breast milk or formula.
- The air is then channelled through the internal vent system to the area above the breast milk or formula.
- Babies feed more comfortably because the vent allows them to nurse without fighting the negative effects of a vacuum or the discomfort of ingesting air bubbles. This helps to reduce colic, burping and wind.
- The breast milk or formula flows freely through the teat as the air is channelled to the top of the bottle. This positive pressure eliminates teat collapse, and can help reduce the build of fluid in baby's ear.


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Finera is the epitome of modern kitchen tap design. Its clearly defined lines and delicate shape add an elegant note to the kitchen. The finely crafted ergonomic lever developed specially for this collection is a particular highlight. The spout is fitted with a practical swivel tap aerator.
An outstanding kitchen sink deserves an equally outstanding tap. Villeroy & Boch's kitchen taps and fittings coordinate harmoniously with the sink designs and are available in different versions for every layout scenario - ensuring a perfect solution even for smaller spaces. Many kitchen taps include a retractable hand spray allowing easy cleaning of large items of crockery.
The kitchen mixer taps and fittings from Villeroy & Boch are equipped with a swivel spout. A swivel tap allows you to easily adjust water strength and flow when you are working at the kitchen sink: and no splashing means less cleaning!
Kitchen mixer taps and fittings are used several times a day and have to withstand a lot. Villeroy & Boch kitchen taps and sink plugs are made from high-quality stainless steel. The taps and fittings are very easy to clean, durable and keep their shine for a long time.
You can find everything you need for your kitchen sink at Villeroy & Boch. The high-quality metal kitchen sink mixers and fittings are designed to complement the sinks from the traditional manufacturer. Whether classic and cosy or modern, the right tap makes your sink area blend in with the décor of your kitchen.
|Finera Square
|1,92 kg
|Product designation
|Kitchen tap


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Wan Er wrote:James pointed out this project to me, so here I am!
Any help is greatly appreciated! Welcome to the project!
Wan Er wrote:It's a good idea to have a compilation of all available media that features 3 kingdoms background and characters. Would you also consider including songs and poetry?
At the moment, since the project is still in its infancy, I would have to say that I wouldn't recommend doing this at the moment, simply because we aren't even near the completion of the things we already listed so far. Adding more categories will just complicate the project at the moment. Maybe in the future, we can consider adding this. (Unless, of course, the other editors want to add this)
Wan Er wrote: think it would be a good addition to allow members to submit reviews with more detail about these media rather than just synopses, and compare them with the story of the three kingdoms, especially for the anime, which we all know are frightfully incorrect but some people actually believe them to be an 'informational source on Chinese history' (well we could point out which parts actually adhere to 3kingdoms, for starters, since there are probably too many inaccuracies to list)
In fact, if I get time, I might try to contribute a review and commentary for Resurrection of the Dragon.
We have already considered reviews. If you would like to contribute a review, then by all means do so. I think James and Butters were all for giving reviews (Its been awhile, and I forget things) so write one and we'll see how it works.
I've added the first manga entry - The Ravages of Time. I've actually found an "official" synopsis, at least one that was used in multiple websites.
Also, James, or anyone in the know, how does one make a thumbnail of an image?
It might help the project have a little more life if I can give it some photos!
One more thing, for the pictures, should I just grab screenshots from random websites or should try to find "official" ones as well?


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The Charles H. MacNider Museum is a non-profit, municipally owned institution conceived in 1964 and opened by 1966 in Mason City, Iowa. Everything the Museum does is educational or aesthetic in nature centering around working with objects of art.
The Museum exhibits and interprets a permanent collection of American art; temporary exhibitions of art; provides art classes for all ages; offers enriching arts programs; and maintains an art library.
The MacNider Art Museum is governed by a Board of Trustees and operated by a professional staff. It is linked in spirit and purpose with museums around the world as one of the keepers of the treasures, history and heritage of humankind. It is committed to the goals and standards set for museums and the museum profession by the American Association of Museums.
The MacNider Art Museum is free and open to the public.
303 Second Street SE
Mason City, IA 50401
Phone: 641-421-3666
Website: www.macniderart.org
Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday - Monday and Legal Holidays: Closed


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Sci-fi is not my usual go-to but I sought to expand my reading horizons with this genre-bending approachable thriller. I ended up being engaged with most of it and found that fully understanding all of the science was not even necessary. This is more than a page-turner, it gets deeply emotional as well.
Two main characters New York City cop Barry and neuroscientist Helena become involved in creating technology that maps memory and helps to preserve the precious ones. Used for good, being able to re-experience significant moments such as a first kiss or the birth of a child might help humanity or those who experience memory loss. But when the technology does more than they bargained for and ends up landing in the wrong hands, it morphs into something terrifying. As reality shifts and the world begins to crumble, can anyone survive?
I enjoyed the first three quarters of this novel and then became a bit tired of the time travel and replayed stories. This is nothing like Kate Atkinson's literary novel Life After Life, but there are parallels, and for me Atkinson did a better job of the rewinding. Even so, the book reads like a movie and it wouldn't surprise me if it shows up on Netflix one day as a series. I would watch it.
Here's a helpful guide for timelines, plot explainer, and memory travel rules from another blogger for this book in case your mind was boggled while reading it like mine was: click here.


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Here's a look at Hasidic Democracy.
During his recent campaign, Andrew Cuomo ingratiated himself with the Satmar Rebbe. The Satmar is the largest Hasidic sect in New York with a population of around 45,000 (0.23% of the New York State population of over 19 million, which makes it negligible in a truly democratic election):
Andrew Cuomo ingratiates himself with the Rebbe of the much smaller Vienner sect.
Andrew Cuomo ingratiates himself with Rebbe of the even smaller Pupa sect:


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As common as they are, the origins of allergies are poorly understood. The prevailing theory is that they evolved as a method of defense against macroparasites — like ticks and worms — that are now triggered by a much wider variety of causes. However, a group of researchers from Yale think we're looking at it wrong, and allergies are actually a multifaceted defense system, designed to protect us from all sorts of horrible biohazards.
They argue that while stopping big parasites was doubtless part of it, that doesn't do much to explain our reaction to things like nuts, which have no obvious connection to pests. It also doesn't give a hint as to why we need something as rapid as anaphylaxis to fight of slow moving, and slow replicating parasites.
Rather than just parasites big enough to see with the human eye, this group believes allergies are a defense against helminthes; noxious xenobiotics; venoms and haematophagous fluids; and environmental irritants.
The allergic reactions are then ways of dealing with these problems. Mucus secretion enhances your bodies barriers; sneezing, coughing, and vomiting can expel the irritant; white blood cells can directly kill invaders; and your body can change to restrict spread and repair tissue. Since this whole process is remarkably unpleasant, it also works to teach you to avoid the trigger. But what about anaphylaxis? A sudden, system wide shutdown is arguably a defense against a deadly venom to limit its damage.
While it's not a complete explanation for widespread rise in allergies, nor why we react so heavily to seemingly minor triggers, but it does provide an explanation why so many things seem to set it off.
Photo by compassrose_04.


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Facebook Ad Engagement Down 8% in U.S.
Engagement with Facebook ads in the U.S. dropped eight percent between the final quarter of 2011 and the first quarter of 2012.
Meanwhile, the average cost-per-thousand impressions for Facebook ads has increased by 41% worldwide over the past year. Cost-per-click rates have risen as well, and Facebook has become increasingly competitive with Twitter in directing readers to news sites.
This all comes from a first-quarter Facebook analysis by the advertising agency TBG Digital, which works with an extensive roster of high-profile clients including jetBlue, Heineken and Coca-Cola. For the study, Facebook measured 372 billion ad impressions in nearly 200 countries for 235 clients over the past year.
While click-through rates of ads served in the U.S. dropped over the past three months, TBG Digital CEO Simon Mansell says that's not cause for alarm for the social networking giant.
"They've gone from four to seven ads on a lot of pages, so even though click-through is declining, that's okay," Mansell told Mashable in an interview. "If you isolate that and point to to you could say it's a negative thing, but I think that's a bit of a red herring."
By hosting more ads, and with increased demand boosting the price of buying ads on the site, Mansell says, Facebook's revenue stream is in great shape despite the dip in engagement.
Another interesting finding of TBG's report is that Facebook has managed to become more competitive with Twitter in driving traffic to news sites. TBG found a whopping 196% increase in click-through rates for news sites, driven in part by the successful Facebook social readers of news organizations such as Yahoo, The Washington Post and The Guardian.
"Clients with social readers have started to get some traction," Mansell says. "Before, only Zynga had really made money by building a business on top of a platform. Now the social readers and Spotify are an indication that Facebook can help more industries by plugging into the social graph."
Do you think Facebook's advertising business will continue to grow, or hit a plateau? Let us know in the comments.


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As Socrates proposes, "The one aim of those who do philosophy in the proper manner is to practice for dying and death" (The Phaedo, 64a). Philosophizing is a heroic life-or-death struggle to liberate ourselves from all those things that crush our spirit—ignorance, fear of death, prejudice, insecurity. Philosophy frees our minds.
Philosophy courses are designed to enhance students' freedom of thought and to cultivate students' liberal arts virtues. The courses also provide students with content of the field such as the history of Western thought, classical problems and contemporary trends.
YHC offers a minor in philosophy, which is a powerful supplement to any field of study. This program expands students' abilities to think, research and write critically about any subject.
In addition to teaching philosophy courses, our faculty participate in a campus-wide program called Ethics Across the Curriculum (EAC). EAC is a national program aimed at promoting moral discussions in every division of the College. At YHC, the program offers lectures and workshops to non-philosophy faculty to help students identify and reflect on ethical dimensions of our lives and particular issues in specific disciplines.