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Posts Tagged 'Kepler'
A Historical Method Approach to Teaching Kepler's 2nd law
Wladimir Lyra
Kepler's 2nd law, the law of the areas, is usually taught in passing, between the 1st and the 3rd laws, to be explained "later on" as a consequence of angular momentum conservation. The 1st and 3rd laws receive the bulk of attention; the 1st law because of the paradigm shift significance in overhauling the previous circular models with epicycles of both Ptolemy and Copernicus, the 3rd because of its convenience to the standard curriculum in having a simple mathematical statement that allows for quantitative homework assignments and exams. In this work I advance a method for teaching the 2nd law that combines the paradigm-shift significance of the 1st and the mathematical proclivity of the 3rd. The approach is rooted in the historical method, indeed, placed in its historical context, Kepler's 2nd is as revolutionary as the 1st: as the 1st law does away with the epicycle, the 2nd law does away with the equant. This way of teaching the 2nd law also formulates the "time=area" statement quantitatively, in the way of Kepler's equation, M = E – e sin E (relating mean anomaly M, eccentric anomaly E, and eccentricity e), where the left-hand side is time and the right-hand side is area. In doing so, it naturally paves the way to finishing the module with an active learning computational exercise, for instance, to calculate the timing and location of Mars' next opposition. This method is partially based on Kepler's original thought, and should thus best be applied to research-oriented students, such as junior and senior physics/astronomy undergraduates, or graduate students.
Read more at
The laws of planetary motion …
… derived from those of a harmonic oscillator
P. A. Horvathy
Kepler's laws are deduced from those valid for a harmonic oscillator, following the approach of Bohlin, Levi-Civita and Arnold
1 Introduction
Kepler's laws of planetary motion state that
1. K-I: A planet moves on an ellipse, one of whose foci being occupied by the sun;
2. K-II: The vector drawn from the sun to the planet's position sweeps equal areas in equal
3. K-III: The squares of the periods are as the cubes of the major axes of the ellipses.
These laws can be deduced from the inverse-square force law and Newton's equations of
… Read more at http://arxiv.org/pdf/1404.2265v1.pdf
Kepler 78b exoplanet is Earth-like in mass and size
In August, MIT researchers identified an exoplanet with an extremely brief orbital period: The team found that Kepler 78b, a small, intensely hot planet 700 light-years from Earth, circles its star in just 8.5 hours—lightning-quick, compared with our own planet's leisurely 365-day orbit. From starlight data gathered by the Kepler Space Telescope, the scientists also determined that the exoplanet is about 1.2 times Earth's size—making Kepler 78b one of the smallest exoplanets ever measured.
Now this same team has found that Kepler 78b shares another characteristic with Earth: its mass. By analyzing the movement of its host star, Kepler 78, the scientists determined that the exoplanet is about 1.7 times as massive as the Earth. From the same measurements, they calculated that the planet's density is 5.3 grams per cubic centimeter, closely resembling Earth's density (5.5 grams per cubic centimeter).
The findings make Kepler 78b the smallest exoplanet for which the mass and size are known. These new measurements provide strong evidence that Kepler 78b is composed mostly of rock and iron, similar to Earth.
However, that's where the similarities may end: The exoplanet, due to its extreme proximity to its star, is likely blazing at temperatures too high to support life.
"It's Earth-like in the sense that it's about the same size and mass, but of course it's extremely unlike the Earth in that it's at least 2,000 degrees hotter," says team member Josh Winn, an associate professor of physics at MIT and a member of the Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research. "It's a step along the way of studying truly Earth-like planets."
Winn and his colleagues, including lead author Andrew Howard, of the University of Hawaii, publish their results this week in the journal Nature. The group's results appear in the same issue as a paper published by a separate group in Geneva, reporting similar results—scientific agreement that Winn says adds confidence to the mass measurement.
Watching for a wobble
Planets with extremely tight orbits offer scientists a wealth of data: For instance, each week Kepler 78b circles its star about 20 times, giving researchers numerous opportunities to observe its behavior.
The team previously determined Kepler 78b's orbit and size by analyzing the light given off by the star as the planet passes in front of it, or transits. The researchers detected a transit each time the star's light dipped, and measured this dimming to determine the planet's size. (The bigger an exoplanet, the more light it blocks.)
Measuring the planet's mass was a somewhat trickier endeavor. Instead of tracking the planet's motion, the researchers tracked the motion of the star itself. Depending on its mass, a planet can exert a gravitational tug on its star. This stellar motion can be detected as a very slight wobble, known as a Doppler shift.
Winn and his colleagues looked to measure Kepler 78's Doppler shift by analyzing observations from the Keck Observatory in Hawaii—one of the largest telescopes in the world. The team analyzed starlight data taken over a period of eight days. Despite the telescope's strength, the signal from the star was incredibly faint, making a daunting task for the scientists.
"Each of the eight nights along the way, we were agonizing over it, whether it was worth continuing or not," Winn recalls.
Out, damn starspot
In addition to the challenge of picking out such tiny signals, the researchers had to contend with an effect that initially muddled the data: starspots, dark patches on the surface of stars. Graduate student Roberto Sanchis-Ojeda, who has studied the effect of starspots on exoplanet detection, says the troublesome patches can make a star's Doppler shift appear larger, dramatically complicating scientists' calculations of a planet's mass.
Sanchis-Ojeda was able to solve this puzzle by taking into account Kepler 78's rotational period. By tracking the frequency at which certain starspots reappeared, Sanchis-Ojeda determined that the star completes a full rotation every 12.5 days—considerably longer than the planet's orbital period of 8.5 hours. From these measurements, Sanchis-Ojeda was able to calculate the star's true Doppler shift.
From his calculations, Sanchis-Ojeda found that the star rotates relatively slowly, at 1.5 meters per second—about the speed of a jog, or a brisk walk.
"The star is moving at the same speed as when we walk to school or go grocery shopping," Sanchis-Ojeda notes. "The difference is that this star is 700 light-years away, so imagine how complicated it is to measure such speeds from so far away."
From the star's Doppler shift, the team determined that Kepler 78b's mass is 1.7 times that of Earth—a measurement that suggests the planet is made mostly of rock and iron. Such a composition, Winn says, is not surprising, given the planet's extremely close proximity to its star. A less massive planet, such as one made entirely of gas, would not be able to hold together in such a tight orbit.
While its similarities to Earth likely end with Kepler 78b's size and mass, Winn says there is still more to learn about the planet, such as its surface and atmospheric composition—a goal that the group plans to pursue next.
Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2013-10-kepler-78b-exoplanet-earth-like-mass.html#jCp
NASA's Kepler Discovers its Smallest 'Habitable Zone' Planets to Date
NASA's Kepler mission has discovered two new planetary systems that include three super-Earth-size planets in the "habitable zone," the range of distance from a star where the surface temperature of an orbiting planet might be suitable for liquid water.
The Kepler-62 system has five planets; 62b, 62c, 62d, 62e and 62f. The Kepler-69 system has two planets; 69b and 69c. Kepler-62e, 62f and 69c are the super-Earth-sized planets.
Two of the newly discovered planets orbit a star smaller and cooler than the sun. Kepler-62f is only 40 percent larger than Earth, making it the exoplanet closest to the size of our planet known in the habitable zone of another star. Kepler-62f is likely to have a rocky composition. Kepler-62e, orbits on the inner edge of the habitable zone and is roughly 60 percent larger than Earth.
The third planet, Kepler-69c, is 70 percent larger than the size of Earth, and orbits in the habitable zone of a star similar to our sun. Astronomers are uncertain about the composition of Kepler-69c, but its orbit of 242 days around a sun-like star resembles that of our neighboring planet Venus.
Scientists do not know whether life could exist on the newfound planets, but their discovery signals we are another step closer to finding a world similar to Earth around a star like our sun….
…. Read more: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/kepler/news/kepler-62-kepler-69.html
The Mystery of Tatooine Planet Formation
How not to build Tatooine: the difficulty of in situ formation of circumbinary planets Kepler 16b, Kepler 34b and Kepler 35b
Sijme-Jan Paardekooper, Zoe M. Leinhardt, Philippe Thebault, Clement Baruteau
We study planetesimal evolution in circumbinary disks, focusing on the three systems Kepler 16, 34 and 35 where planets have been discovered recently. We show that for circumbinary planetesimals, in addition to secular forcing, eccentricities evolve on a dynamical timescale, which leads to orbital crossings even in the presence of gas drag. This makes the current locations of the circumbinary Kepler planets hostile to planetesimal accretion. We then present results from simulations including planetesimal formation and dust accretion, and show that even in the most favourable case of 100% efficient dust accretion, in situ growth starting from planetesimals smaller than ~10 km is difficult for Kepler 16b, Kepler 34b and Kepler 35b. These planets were likely assembled further out in the disk, and migrated inward to their current location….
Read more: http://arxiv.org/pdf/1206.3484v1.pdf
Read also: www.technologyreview.com
Kepler Catalog Adds More Planet Candidates
Since science operations began in May 2009, the Kepler team has released two catalogs of transiting planet candidates. The first catalog (Borucki et al, 2010), released in June 2010, contains 312 candidates identified in the first 43 days of Kepler data. The second catalog (Borucki et al, 2011), released in February 2011, is a cumulative catalog containing 1,235 candidates identified in the first 13 months of data.
Now the team presents the third catalog containing 1,091 new planet candidates identified in the first 16 months of observation conducted May 2009 to September 2010. These are the same candidates that the team discussed at the Kepler Science Conference held at NASA Ames Research Center in December 2011.
Here are the highlights of the new catalog:
- Planet candidates smaller than twice the size of Earth increased by 197 percent, compared to 52 percent for candidates larger than twice the size of Earth.
- Planet candidates with orbital periods longer than 50 days increased by 123 percent, compared to 85 percent for candidates with orbital periods shorter than 50 days.
Since the last catalog was released in February 2011, the number of planet candidates identified by Kepler has increased by 88 percent and now totals 2,321 transiting 1,790 stars.
The cumulative catalog now contains well over 200 Earth-size planet candidates and more than 900 that are smaller than twice Earth-size. Of the 46 planet candidates found in the habitable zone, the region in the planetary system where liquid water could exist, ten of these candidates are near-Earth-size.
The number of planetary systems found with more than one planet candidate also has increased. Last year, 17 percent, or 170 stars, had more than one transiting planet candidate. Today, 20 percent, or 365, stars have more than one.
"With each new catalog release a clear progression toward smaller planets at longer orbital periods is emerging, " said Natalie Batalha, Kepler deputy science team lead at San Jose State University in California. "This suggests that Earth-size planets in the habitable zone are forthcoming if, indeed, such planets are abundant."
Nearly 5,000 periodic transit-like signals were analyzed with known spacecraft instrumentation and astrophysical phenomena that could masquerade as transits, which can produce false positives. The most common false positive signatures are associated with eclipsing binary stars- a pair of orbiting stars that eclipse each other from the vantage point of the spacecraft.
The Kepler space telescope identifies planet candidates by repeatedly measuring the change in brightness of more than 150,000 stars in search of planets that pass in front, or "transit," their host star. Kepler must record at least three transits to verify a signal as a planet.
The findings are published in the "Planetary Candidates Observed by Kepler III: Analysis of the First 16 Months of Data". The catalog is available at the Kepler data archive at the Space Telescope Science Institute and can be downloaded from the NASA Exoplanet Archive.………
Read more: www.astrobio.net
NASA's Kepler Announces 11 Planetary Systems Hosting 26 Planets
NASA's Kepler mission has discovered 11 new planetary systems hosting 26 confirmed planets. These discoveries nearly double the number of verified Kepler planets and triple the number of stars known to have more than one planet that transits, or passes in front of, its host star. Such systems will help astronomers better understand how planets form.
The planets orbit close to their host stars and range in size from 1.5 times the radius of Earth to larger than Jupiter. Fifteen of them are between Earth and Neptune in size, and further observations will be required to determine which are rocky like Earth and which have thick gaseous atmospheres like Neptune. The planets orbit their host star once every six to 143 days. All are closer to their host star than Venus is to our sun.
"Prior to the Kepler mission, we knew of perhaps 500 exoplanets across the whole sky," said Doug Hudgins, Kepler program scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "Now, in just two years staring at a patch of sky not much bigger than your fist, Kepler has discovered more than 60 planets and more than 2,300 planet candidates. This tells us that our galaxy is positively loaded with planets of all sizes and orbits."
Kepler identifies planet candidates by repeatedly measuring the change in brightness of more than 150,000 stars to detect when a planet passes in front of the star. That passage casts a small shadow toward Earth and the Kepler spacecraft.
"Confirming that the small decrease in the star's brightness is due to a planet requires additional observations and time-consuming analysis," said Eric Ford, associate professor of astronomy at the University of Florida and lead author of the paper confirming Kepler-23 and Kepler-24. "We verified these planets using new techniques that dramatically accelerated their discovery."
Each of the new confirmed planetary systems contains two to five closely spaced transiting planets. In tightly packed planetary systems, the gravitational pull of the planets among themselves causes one planet to accelerate and another planet to decelerate along its orbit. The acceleration causes the orbital period of each planet to change. Kepler detects this effect by measuring the changes, or so-called Transit Timing Variations (TTVs).
Planetary systems with TTVs can be verified without requiring extensive ground-based observations, accelerating confirmation of planet candidates. The TTV detection technique also increases Kepler's ability to confirm planetary systems around fainter and more distant stars.
"By precisely timing when each planet transits its star, Kepler detected the gravitational tug of the planets on each other, clinching the case for ten of the newly announced planetary systems," said Dan Fabrycky, Hubble Fellow at the University of California, Santa Cruz and lead author for a paper confirming Kepler-29, 30, 31 and 32."
Five of the systems (Kepler-25, Kepler-27, Kepler-30, Kepler-31 and Kepler-33) contain a pair of planets where the inner planet orbits the star twice during each orbit of the outer planet. Four of the systems (Kepler-23, Kepler-24, Kepler-28 and Kepler-32) contain a pairing where the outer planet circles the star twice for every three times the inner planet orbits its star.
"These configurations help to amplify the gravitational interactions between the planets, similar to how my sons kick their legs on a swing at the right time to go higher," said Jason Steffen, the Brinson postdoctoral fellow at Fermilab Center for Particle Astrophysics in Batavia, Ill., and lead author of a paper confirming Kepler-25, 26, 27 and 28.
The system with the most planets among these discoveries is Kepler-33, a star that is older and more massive than our sun. Kepler-33 hosts five planets, ranging in size from 1.5 to 5 times that of Earth and all located closer to their star than any planet is to the sun……
Read more: www.nasa.gov

subset: commoncrawl


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Social media is an ever-evolving landscape. Having a compelling online presence is simply not enough to keep up with your competition.
I have compiled a list of top social media marketing tips from the savviest social media pros from around the globe to help you craft a strategy that fits your business needs.
Have a diverse approach to social media
Co-founder of Web Profits and a leading expert in digital marketing, Sujan Patel believes that if you want your follower count to soar on social media networks you need to add diversity to the content you are sharing.
Sharing several examples of how today's celebrities, Olympians in particular, are using social media, Sujan says that you need to "Give your fans an inside look at your business, use multiple social channels, and mix in some video along with photos and text updates."
From posting what they are passionate about to sharing behind the scenes looks, businesses can personalize their posts and make them more human and authentic.
Post timely content
Award winning content marketer, Rebekah Radice stresses the importance of staying on top of current events when it comes to Facebook Marketing.
Sharing a hot news story capitalizes on the conversations happening right now in your field or niche" while "sharing trending or hot topics, lets you add context around the content", says Rebekah.
Timely content has the tendency to reach a wider audience and trigger more shares.
Use influencer marketing wisely
Influencer Marketing is the new shiny tool in today's marketer's toolbox, but it needs to be used with caution, Marketing Transformation strategist, Mark Schaefer says.
"You need to pick influencers who are tied to what you do, and you need to measure the results they're able to produce," Mark cautions. Make sure you are adhering to the regulations and don't forget people who love your brand and can serve as true brand advocates.
Promote special events
From celebrating national days to spreading goodwill around causes you think your audience cares about, special events or trending topics allow you to take full advantage of social media without making your followers feel that they are bombarded with promotional content.
"Trends and special events are a great way to reach your audience on an emotional level, appealing to their desire to share information, feel like part of a group, and provide value to their own audience," No. 1 Global Digital Marketing Influencer, Jeff Bullas says.
Focus on the 80/20 rule
Co Author of Amazon best seller: Web Marketing That Works, international social media speaker and marketing manager at Bluewire Media, Adam Franklin advocates the 80/20 principal for small business when it comes to engaging with the right people and using the right platforms to promote your brand.
According to the 80/20 rule, 80% of the results come from 20% of the causes, hence shifting your focus only on the things that really matter.
"Pick a couple of things and do them well rather than getting overwhelmed by all the different stuff out there because it's way too easy to spread yourself too thin." Adam says in this podcast SFP 24: Social Media Marketing That Works.
Treat your community like family
Sharing the lessons learned from her personal experiences, Social media strategist and visual marketing specialist, Donna Mortiz thinks that brands need to stop treating their fans and followers as mere numbers.
"Think of them as people you want to get to know. Use names. And get the spelling right… show the people behind your business," Donna says.
At the end of the day it's about creating experiences and not just selling products.
Frequently share evergreen content
Marketing Keynote speaker and founder of Razor Social, Ian Cleary believes that most of the great content brands share on social media gets missed by your audience, because their timeline gets updated so frequently.
So, what should you do about it?
"Create less content but make it higher quality and promote it more." Ian says! This way you increase the chances of your content to reach relevant audience and you will witness a boost in engagement.
Do gated content the right way
Named among the top 10 marketers by Forbes, entrepreneur and a leading influencer on the web, Neil Patel defines gated content as one that users get once they complete an action to get to the other side of the gate.
What does that mean? This means a simple social media post leads your audience to the article which asks them if they are interested in a product or offer! If they say yes, they need to take an action (subscribe to an email list or share/like something) in order to get what they want.
"If you've got something that's excellent and if you can communicate that to your audience, then your audience will understand that their name and email is a small price to pay for what they're getting," Neil says. This will help you increase engagement while land more people on your website from your social media channel.
Build an Ark
Marketing consultant and keynote speaker, Jay Baer believes that a social media strategy should not be owned by any one person or group of individuals in a company. Since it impacts every aspect of your business, it "should be more like air (everywhere) than like water (you have to go get it)," Baer says in his article Social Media Strategy in 8 Steps.
Baer who is also the president of Convince and Convert and authors several books including Hug Your Haters: How To Embrace Complaints And Keep Your Customers says the very first step should be to create cross-functional teams that are able to understand and operate the rest of the social media strategy.
Focus on organic social media reach
Serial entrepreneur, public speaker, author and marketer, Gary Vaynerchuk says that "no amount of paid media is going to turn bad creative into good content."
Rather, putting out content on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and LinkedIn focusing on whatever has market's attention at a given point in time, is going to be the key to getting noticed on social media in 2017.
"Great content, especially when amplified in subtle ways, can be unbelievably effective", Gary says. "Using hashtags is an unbelievably organic way to hit discoverability and create amplification for your content."
Give and Take
An important part of your social media strategy is to appreciate the work others are doing and most likely the favour would be returned sooner or later.
Consultant and public speaker on social media and internet marketing, Christian Karasiewicz says that "In addition to posting your own content, take some time to report high-quality content from others. This helps you to develop a social media network, and hopefully some of the people whose content you share will repost your content in the future."
Adapt to a world where people share without reading
With attention spans of your target audience shrinking with every passing day, do you really think they are reading your over 1500 words blog post, that you have spent so much time and effort on?
What's the solution? You need to adapt to a world where people share without reading, co-founder and strategic director, Orbit Media, Andy Crestodina says.
How can you do that? Crestodina has a few tips for you:
- Focus on the headlines: Articles don't get shared. Only headlines get shared!
- Format for skim readers: Lots of images, subhead, bullet lists, bolding and internal links
- Don't get caught up in sharing metrics. They don't correlate to traffic.
Focus on progress not perfection
Nothing is perfect. There is always room for improvement. Everything can be better than it already is! Then why fret? Don't let the pursuit of perfection stall your progress, social media speaker, trainer and author, Peg Fitzpatrick suggests.
"Give up the impossible ideal of "being perfect." While maintaining professionalism and high standards allow for progress to happen with an attitude of moving forward as a work in progress that can evolve," Peg says.
Make use of insights
Building loyal and engaged audience on social media is a dream come true for most businesses. If you know them well, you'll know how to delight them!
In a podcast on 'How to Cultivate Loyal Fans', Holly Homer, who writes about blogging and social media strategies, says that using insights can help you know a great deal about your audience in order to provide them content they will be most interested in.
With the insights, Holly says "you know exactly who your community is. Who that person is, where they live, when are they online, what they doing online, what they like, what they are engaged in."
Nurture the smaller moments of influence
Businesses spend millions to create one viral moment for their brand, but social marketing strategist, Ted Rubin believes that instead of artificially creating moments, businesses need to turn their attention to small things that happen every day!
"The real influencers, the ones you can count on – the ones who matter most – aren't the John Stewarts of the world, but are the everyday people that patronize your business, then talk about their experience with their social connections off and online," says Ted.
The key is to spend less on campaigning and engaging with these everyday influencers on a personal level.
Tell a story
Constantly bombarding your audience with sales pitches can turn them off! It's time to tell them a story.
Stories impact your audience on an emotional level! "Stories can change opinions, attitudes and even brain chemistry," says Kim Garst, social media thought leader, speaker and co-founder of Boom.
They can serve as an incredibly powerful tool to build customer trust, get more people to read or view your content and help you stand out from competitors.
Protect your brand with a social media policy
Social media speaker and consultant, Andrea Vahl, says that "having a social media policy in place for your company can help protect your brand but also give your employees some good guidelines on what you expect from them, as a representative of your brand."
From hate speeches to disclosing confidential company information and making a statement on the behalf of the brand, businesses need to strike the right balance between employee empowerment and protecting their brand.
Bonus: Focus on value & visual engagement
Founder and CEO of Company Folders, Vladimir Gendelman urges social media specialists to always remember the two V's: valuable and visual. "People respond best to social media content that provides them with something beneficial," he says, "be it helpful information or a product that solves their problems." Even if your content is valuable, that doesn't necessarily mean people will stop to read it; that's where the "visual" comes in. Use engaging images and videos to help grab your audience's attention. Images with bright, warm colors help create a sense of urgency and immediacy that encourages users to click.
Social media can be a game-changer for businesses when done right.
We extend a big thanks to all the experts for sharing their immensely helpful insights.
Which one of these tips did you find most actionable? Have you already implemented some to your business? We would love to see your comments.
We thank Mel Devent for this post. She is a passionate blogger who enjoys writing about all things digital marketing. She is currently working as a Marketing Associate at Blogger Sidekick, helping small businesses build authority brands with content marketing. In her spare time she loves scuba diving, watching movies and catching up with friends.


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Academic Advising
The academic advising process is a collaboration between the academic advisor and the student. During each semester's academic advising meetings (pre-registration), the advisors and their students select academic courses based upon their declared major course curriculum. Students who have not declared a major are also provided with opportunities to explore their career interests, degree program options, and career possibilities.
Six full-time professional advisors will assist students with course selections and scheduling. In addition to teaching the First-Year Experience Courses (ORI 101/102), advisors will monitor and maintain student records and prepare them for transfer to the four degree-granting colleges.
The Office of Academic Advising is one of the units that makes up the Freshman Academy.
Get Started
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is my Academic Advisor?
One advisor is assigned to each college. If you have declared your major, you can determine who your advisor is from the Meet the Advisors page.
Two advisors are assigned to undeclared majors and to students in the Academic Recovery Program. Such students with last names starting with A-M will be assigned to Janet Jones; N-Z will be assigned to Veronica Booker. See the Academic Recovery and Meet the Advisors pages linked above for more info.Back to Top
- How do I schedule an appointment to see my advisor?
This is normally done through GradesFirst. From your GradesFirst home screen, click the blue "Schedule an Advising Appointment" button in the upper right. (See also the GradesFirst Guide for Students.)Back to Top
- How do I access my Self-Service Banner account?
The link to log into Self-Service Banner (SSB) is here. You will need your A-Number and SSB PIN.
If you are having trouble logging in, the ITS information page pertaining to SSB may be of some help, or call the ITS HelpDesk at 256-372-HELP (4357).Back to Top
- How do I declare/change my major (or minor)?
This is done through the Major/Minor/Concentration Declaration or Change Form from the Registrar's Office.Back to Top
- How do I sign up for tutoring?
This is normally done through GradesFirst. From your GradesFirst home screen, click the blue "Schedule a Tutoring Appointment" button in the upper right. Tutoring and supplemental instruction are managed by TAN, the Tutorial Assistance Network. (See also the GradesFirst Guide for Students.)Back to Top
- How do I find the curriculum for my major?
Undergraduate Students: check out the Undergrad Bulletins.
Graduate Students: check out the Grad Catalogs.Back to Top
- How do I make a request to take "transient" courses at another institution?
This is handled through the Transient Student form from the Registrar's Office.Back to Top
- How do I request an official copy of my academic transcript?
The Registrar's Office Transcript page has information on how to order official transcripts.
(As a reminder, unofficial transcripts can always be printed from SSB.)Back to Top
- How do I cancel my current class registration?
This is done with the Cancellation of Registration form which must be requested in-person from the Registrar's Office. Further instructions at the above link.Back to Top
- How do I officially withdraw from the University?
This is done with the Withdrawal Clearance form which must be requested in-person from the Registrar's Office. Further instructions at the above link.Back to Top
- I've been placed on Academic Probation or given an Academic Warning. What now?
We will do all we can to help you stay in school. The Academic Recovery Program is your next step.Back to Top


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GM recalls 100,000 for axle, airbag troubles
General Motors Co. is recalling almost 100,000 vehicles to fix two problems that could cause the rear axle to lock and the passenger-side airbag not to work.
GM says in postings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that the airbag recall affects almost 96,000 2005 to 2007 model year versions of the Cadillac CTS.
The axle recall affects almost 1,300 2011 model year versions of the Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 and Silverado 1500, as well as the GMC Sierra 1500.
The axle recall is expected to begin in January. GM did not say when the airbag recall would begin.


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Thailand Startup Week is a Free five-day, entrepreneur-led, community-run event held to celebrate, showcase, empower, inspire, and grow the startup community and culture through knowledge sharing in meetings, gatherings, lectures, and other exciting activities. From 18-22 July, we are hosting over 50 FREE events across Bangkok in multiple locations. You are viewing one of these events.
Want to register for other cool sessions we have going on? Check out: https://www.eventpop.me/c/THSW
Find Your Passion In Social Entrepreneurship (WORKSHOP)
Ashoka team encourages you to do business and do good at the same time.
Organized by Ashoka School of Changemakers
Ashoka is the largest network of social entrepreneurs worldwide, with nearly 3,000 Ashoka Fellows in 70 countries putting their system changing ideas into practice on a global scale.


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Tag: contemporary fantasy
+ Existential Prices by Jonathan Kieran, Lowest Common Denominator, Satire, Scraping the Bottom, Tectonic Shifts
When all else fails, pose with an electrified cat. #Standards
Lately I am loathe to play any sort of role as just one more babbling voice in what I call the "Great Cacophony" — this seemingly infinite and overloaded universe of disparate, narcissistic voices clamoring and competing for attention in the cyber realm and elsewhere. I do not want to become one of those paragons of vanity who bombards fellow human beings with pointless … Read More When all else fails, pose with an electrified cat. #Standards
+ Execrably Awful Cinema, Existential Prices by Jonathan Kieran, Lunch-Hour with Bob & Sheila, Satire
Lunch-Hour with Bob and Sheila … #MaleficentPresumptions
__ Jonathan Kieran is slowly withdrawing from contemporary human society in protest against a myriad of offenses against taste and decency, but his epic new novel is slated for release in 2015. Stay tuned for more news about the book in coming months. Jonathan is also the author of the classically appointed Rowan Blaize series of modern fairy-tales and novels. Visit Jonathan Kieran's Official … Read More Lunch-Hour with Bob and Sheila … #MaleficentPresumptions


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Do you love friendly competition, witty humor, and horror-esque art in non-scary situations? Then you'll want to keep an eye on Kaguya-sama: Love is War (Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai – Tensai-tachi no Renai Zenousen).
「かぐや様は告らせたい」TVアニメ化!相手から告白させようとする天才2人描く https://t.co/mZpRZcJlGx pic.twitter.com/1saG4zV7Su
— コミックナタリー (@comic_natalie) June 1, 2018
Aka Akasaka's hit rom-com manga is getting an anime adaptation to spread the love games to non-manga readers. Now you too will understand the importance of offering gum to a crush.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War follows two elite students who are too awkward to confess their feelings to each other. They think that the person who confesses first loses the power in the relationship so they both try to pretend not to care. What follows are the bizarre mind games they play.
Production details will be shared at a later time.


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PRIMARY, 9th Congressional District: Adam Chaprales, R
Speaking up comes naturally to Adam Chaprales, but he says his most important asset is "my ability to listen."
That came in handy as he went door to door in Sandwich, a 21-year old running for selectman. After his election, "when I had a pressing issue, I went back and went door to door again."
Now that he's running for Congress, he's listening again, and this is what he says he hears.
"I went into this race thinking it was about jobs and the economy," the New York Life financial services advisor said in a recent interview with the Patriot on his porch in Marstons Mills. "People are more concerned about future generations, me included. I hear seniors; you'd think they'd talk about Social Security and Medicare, but they're talking about their grandkids, what they'll be left with."
With Chaprales and his wife expecting their first child, "I have a pit-in-your-stomach feeling," he said. "Is my child going to have the same opportunity I had? It infuriates me that we have a (congressman) that just doesn't care… He's not doing a damn thing about the real issues of this district. Democrats and Republicans both feel a sense of being underrepresented."
But, said Chaprales, "I don't think people have given up on politics. I think they've given up on politicians… The people have lost confidence. There are too many people in office that stay in office for a long time and lose touch with reality… People want an average citizen to represent them."
While studying at Cape Cod Community College – he later earned a journalism degree from Suffolk University – Chaprales got involved in volunteering through 4C's economics club and Rotaract. Traveling with fellow students and a college professor, Chaprales made two eye-opening visits to India.
"I saw how little opportunity most people have and had a culture shock," he recalled. "In America, we have unbelievable opportunity. This needs to be grasped."
In fact, change is under way in India, which Chaprales said is becoming a "rising elephant... In 2003 and 2004, the government owned everything. The power went out three or four times a day…. Now India is getting smart and deregulating, breaking up government-owned infrastructure."
Looking at the Cape's economy, Chaprales says he sees challenges. "Our seasonal economy is fragile," he said. "It consists of four to five months of making money, and no one knows what's going on." Dealing with canal bridge repairs in the shoulder seasons adds to the woes, he observed.
With an uncle who's a commercial fisherman, Chaprales is tuned into the concerns of the fleet. "They just reduced the amount of catch in New Bedford for lobsters," he said. "Why didn't Bill Keating go down there before NOAA imposed regulations and find out the problems? The problem was that the water was a little warmer so the lobsters were further offshore. If it was me, I would have marched right down to the docks and figured out what was taking place."
Protection of the Cape's water is high on Chaprales' list, but so is protection of citizens' pocketbooks.
"Who's gonna pay for the wastewater infrastructure?" he asked. "Can we even afford this right now? I don't think people are in position to have debt exclusions, increases in property taxes, to fund this massive infrastructure."
Pollution "absolutely" needs to be addressed, Chaprales said, "to protect our environment. We don't get two shots at it."
Chaprales took a couple of shots at what he said was the "over-regulation" of Cape Cod. "Try opening a business," he said. "See how fast you can get permitting done. I've championed some businesses, and it's frustrating. Depending on the size of the business, the Cape Cod Commission (gets involved). There are a lot of permitting hurdles. It always serves a purpose, but we're at the point of overregulation and over-permitting."
Wary of "creating a bureaucracy that is sometimes hard to shrink," Chaprales instead is a fan of towns' economic development initiative committees, or EDICs. "I was on the board when we championed the (Sandwich) EDIC," he said. "They bundle permitting packages (and) are such a valuable resource to towns."
Chaprales believes that government shouldn't be top-down. "It should always be close to the people," he said. "Let the EDIC and the selectmen do their work and support them.
He counts himself among the "repeal and replace" crowd on the Affordable Care Act. "Most of it we don't need," Chaprales said. "There are 28 hidden taxes… I don't think it's necessarily the wrong direction to say we do something about health care. As a conservative, I think we all need to take personal responsibility for health care, but in a fiscally responsible manner."
The candidate said health care needs more competition. "Why not go across state borders?" he asked. "If the Massachusetts costs are set at one rate, what if you could go to Connecticut or another state's health care companies? Let them compete." He's also an advocate of tort reform as a way to lower health care costs. "Isn't that the number one, the rising cost of malpractice putting people out of business."
He said he "doesn't know what to expect down in Washington. It's a city full of old, tired politicians with decades of experience that amounted to huge unemployment, massive taxation and over-regulation."
Chaprales said he's "not looking to stay in Congress a long time. I found my calling in life being a partner in New York Life; it's my passion… I would like to get back to work and continue making a living and living comfortably with my wife and our family."
Born in Massachusetts, lives in Marstons Mills. Served as a Sandwich selectman.
Cape Cod Community College associate's degree, B.A. from Suffolk University in journalism
Endorsed by Sheriff Jim Cummings and former state rep Jeff Perry
On the issues: go to www.adamforcongress.com


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Directions: There are four reading passages in this part. Each passage is followed by some questions. For each question there are four suggested answers marked A, B, C and D. You should choose the one best answer and blacken the corresponding letter on the ANSWER SHEET with a pencil.
Children are a relatively modern invention. Until a few hundred years ago they
look like adult, wearing grown-up clothes and grown-up expressions, performing grown-up tasks. Children did not exist because the family as we know it had not evolved.
Children today not only exist; they have taken over, in no place more than in America, and at on time more than now. It is always Kids' Country here. Our civilization is child-centered, child-obsessed. A kid's body is our physical ideal. In Kids' Country we do not permit middle-aged. Thirty is promoted over 50, but 30 knows that soon his time to be overtaken will come.


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Georgian Bay has some of the best places to stay. From full service resorts with all the luxuries to rustic cabins in the wilderness, we're sure you'll find the perfect accommodation or campground to suit your needs.
- The Bruce Peninsula
- Owen Sound & Area
- Collingwood & The Blue Mountains
- Wasaga Beach
- Midland / Penetanguishene
- Parry Sound & Area
- Sudbury & Area
- Manitoulin Island


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This section contains 234 words
(approx. 1 page at 400 words per page)
At the beginning of the book, Will and Jim appear to be two sides of the same coin in some ways. Discuss how they are the same and how they are different.
How does the appearance of the lightning rod salesman at the beginning of the story set the tone for what follows?
What is Will's relationship to his father like at the beginning of the story? How does it change by the end of the book?
What does Bradbury say about the source of evil in the world? Is anyone totally good or totally evil? What realization do the three heroes come to by the end of the story?
Are the carnival freaks responsible for what they do? How does Mr. Dark recruit new freaks for his carnival (like the lightning rod salesman and Miss Foley)?
How is it that Will and Jim can...
This section contains 234 words
(approx. 1 page at 400 words per page)


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- Diagnostic Service
- Brakes
- Suspension
- Steering
- Bearing and Cv Axle
- Battery Replacement
- Serpentine belt
- Conventional oil change
- Full synthetic oil change
About Us
Fine Tuned Auto Repair is a locally owned company in Parker Colorado and was founded in 2016. The company began because it's founder Brennen Reed has a passion for automotive repair and he loves to be able to offer it the way he thinks is best! We believe in simplifying life. We know that there are more things to get done than physically possible in one day. We know that you have endless ambitions and seemingly more than endless lists of to do's. We want to team up with you in helping you succeed with the rest of your life by giving you the peace of mind that your car will be taken care of by folks who care! We know that you will enjoy our straight forward approach to repairing your vehicle.


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Blackbaud's annual Online Benchmark report was released earlier this month at #bbcon and the results speak largely to a positive outlook for nonprofit fundraising.
Total online fundraising is up 8% YOY, with double digit growth in both repeat and sustained giving.
Great news here but nothing particularly revelatory as most of us would have predicted strong growth for online fundraising in general and continued success of sustained giving campaigns.
What is surprising, however, are the results seen around email:
- There was a 60% increase in the total volume of emails delivered.
- The total number of email recipients was up 72%.
Email has been around a long time now, and frankly such a massive increase in a fairly mature channel took me a bit off guard. But the question those metrics beg is how the increase in volume is impacting email performance. With so many more emails hitting our inboxes are we diluting the value of email? Here again, the numbers surprised me somewhat. For the most part email continues to perform very well, despite such a huge increase in volume.
Here are a few key highlights from the report that pertain to email performance:
1. Usable email file size is up 8%
Every one of the 20 cohorts measured in the report experienced positive growth in usable email file size. So even though we are getting way more email these days people are still willing to provide email addresses to nonprofits. That's important as we know there is a direct correlation between email file size and an organization's capacity to raise money online. The larger the email file, the more money you are likely to raise.
2. Open rates are flat
For last several years we've seen a precipitous drop in email open rate. Frankly, they've been falling off a cliff. With a 60% increase in email volume sent I would have expected that trend to continue. But it didn't. Email open rates are actually up slightly across all four email categories – donation, enews, advocacy and other (please see the report for a definition of email categories). Flat open rates represent a very big change from the recent past. While a variety of factors are likely contributing to this trend, I'd suggest that organizations are doing a better job of segmentation and differentiated messaging such that constituents are getting emails tailored to their interested and needs. The better organizations do this, the more likely people become to open those emails.
3. Percentage of email housefile that donates is up 15%
Engagement is key and organizations seem to be doing a better job of encouraging more of their file to donate. That means that the people who are giving their email address (which is up) are also getting motivated to act. They are opening emails and getting inspired to contribute financially to those missions.
What we know:
Nonprofits continue to send a huge amount of email. And while there are some areas of weakness, email continues to be a primary driver of online fundraising success.
For more info on the Benchmark's email findings tune in today for our webinar "Why You Shouldn't Stop Sending Email"
This is a guest post by Andrew Shoaff. Andrew manages Blackbaud's Essentials with Go!™ program, a group consulting service that helps nonprofit organizations deepen constituent engagement and accelerate online fundraising. Prior to Blackbaud he was the acting CFO/COO of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence in Washington DC.


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|Pectoral Antwren (Herpsilochmus pectoralis)
|Jeremoabo, Bahia, Brazil
March 2004
The Pectoral Antwren is distributed in a few areas of north-east Brazil. It is a Brazilian endemic and is classified as Vulnerable by Birdlife International.
|It is found in tall caatinga, gallery forest and deciduous forest.
The male (photos 1 and 2) is similar to Large-billed Antwren H. longirostris apart from the black crescent across the chest. The female (photos 3 and 4) has a rufous crown, and is dull buff below being slightly deeper buff on the breast.
|Birdlife International have more information here.


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Free Moving Quote
It is highly recommended that all of your personal items and effects are all packaged properly before our arrival.
Here is a list of whats expected upon our arrival:
- Electronic devices will need to be disconnected and wires must be securely wrapped
- Pictures and mirrors should be removed off all of the walls
- Boxes will need to be packed, sealed, and marked as "fragile" if applicable
- Furniture that will be moved needs to be completely cleaned off, and any breakables or loose items will need to be secured
- Shoes, throw pillows, and linens will need to go in the bottom of wardrobe boxes, after the bottom is securely taped
- Foldable clothes may remain in drawers, and we can provide wardrobes boxes for hanging clothes (18" linear per box, i.e., 6' closet four wardrobes)
- Specialty items such as: pianos, gym equipment, hot tubs, safes, etc. will need to be spoken about prior to your move date, to assure that we provide the correct truck for your move
Our Services
About Us
Back in 2016, we thought it was about time to change our name from Largo Moving Company to be now known as Shawn and Shawn Moving Company. And now here is a some more information about our moving company. We have been helping the area of Pinellas County, Florida with our moving services for well over a decade now. But at first we started out as only helping move people in Largo, Florida. And so we decided to expand our business and started to be movers in Clearwater and St. Petersburg.
Therefore Shawn & Shawn Moving company is now a full-service moving company in the area of Pinellas County, Florida providing residential, commercial, and delivery services to all our clients. To learn more about our movers and the history of the company, you can head over to our services page.


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Top 4 Hiring Mistakes to Avoid
Many people believe that employees are the backbone of an organization. If executives have the right employees, their workforce can strive, grow, and be successful. Considering the importance of productive employees, it's important to make sure that HR hire the right ones.
It's extremely crucial to make sure job listings are reaching the right candidates, and that research is done before making a hire. According to Forbes hiring an employeeout of desperation is not always the smartest option, and can end up hurting an organizations in the long run. Here are the top 4 hiring mistakes to avoid no matter what.
Hiring an employee thinking they fit your company culture.
Nonprofit's tend to find passionate individuals who can easily align with the organization's culture. Although the individual might be a great fit personality wise, it's important to question whether they can get the job done. At the end of the day, we all have a job that needs to get accomplished and even though somebody might have a great personality, they might not necessarily have the ambition to get tasks, assignments, or projects completed on time.
Not providing enough information for the role needed.
Finding the right candidate is one thing, but explaining the role in its entirety and preparing the candidate for their position is another. The more direct and detailed an organization is with their job descriptions, the better understanding the applicant has when deciding if they fit the position. Nonprofits can use recruiting management software to make sure their job descriptions are congruent across all external job boards. Recruiters will also have the ability to track applicants throughout the entire hiring process. These digital tools make it easier to find the most qualified applicants for any open position.
Review potential employee's qualifications.
One of the easiest hiring mistakes to avoid is reviewing and confirming an applicant's qualifications. While this process might be time-consuming, it's a step that should not be skipped. One way this process can be done is by reaching out to their references and making sure their employment information is accurate. It is better to be safe than sorry before hiring a new employee. Background checks are also significant. You will be able to tell if an applicant has been honest and open throughout their interview process.
It's okay to let employees go.
Sometimes the best thing for an organization is to let go of employees who cost more than they produce. Talent management software can help HR keep track of how your employees are performing within the organization. If a new hire is lacking the necessities of the job after adequate training, it may be best to let them go. Although firing an employee may be hard, it might be the best for the organizations long term sustainability.
Hiring mistakes are avoidable. Plan ahead of time to know what you expect to receive from a potential employee to determine whether or not they are qualified. It is great to have a balance of fitting the company culture and accomplishing tasks. If it all goes downhill, it is okay to let a new hire go. By taking the necessary steps, it is easy to reduce the likeliness of hiring an unqualified applicant.
Have more suggestions on how to avoid hiring mistakes? Tweet us @DATISe3 today!
This DATIS Blog was written by Radhika Aswani, DATIS, on December 7th, 2017 and may not be re-posted without permission.


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Aftermarket Snowmobile Cans
Aftermarket snowmobile cans have become quite the controversy lately with many reported tickets issued in 2019.
Do they hold a place in the future of trail riding?
Do you hold a place in the future of trail riding?
The Ontario Law
It's simple, the MTO law states that: 18 (1) No person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle unless it is equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation and no person shall drive a motorized snow vehicle which has a muffler cut-out, straight exhaust, gutted muffler, hollywood muffler, by-pass or similar device upon the motorized snow vehicle. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44, s. 18 (1). The only exception is Racing: (3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a motorized snow vehicle while it is driven in a racing area sanctioned as such by the council of the municipality within which the racing area is located. R.S.O. 1990, c. M.44, s. 18 (3); 2002, c. 17, Sched. F, Table.
"Loud pipes save lives" is a saying that came from the motorcycle industry, insinuating that cars could hear motorcycles and reduce accidents. Maybe that's true at normal speeds, but when a motorcycle passes at a high rate of speed it often scares drivers. Being that exhausts are pointed rearward I don't know how many loud pipes have actually saved lives.
Yes, many cars, bikes, and trucks pass by our residential houses at all hours with loud exhausts. Should we complain? But this argument is very different because those road going vehicles are on public land, not privately-owned land.
Landowners Rights
Snowmobile clubs and governing bodies have land use agreements so that we all have access to endless trail systems. Not every land owner is even a user of the trail systems, but they have agreed to let us enjoy our favorite pastime on their land.
If only one landowner doesn't want to hear noisy snowmobiles passing their house/farm, they can simply deny the club access to their land.
Would you rather have a stock/quiet snowmobile and trails to ride, or a loud sled and nowhere to ride?
Performance Gains
The reality is that "cans" really work well for quick acceleration from stop or slow speed, until 60/70 mph. Having ridden private backcountry and mountains with a can I can say that top end performance is hindered and quite possibly could damage motors. Hence why they work so well on a Snocross track.
That "sweet spot" while holding one cruising speed is when snowmobile motors tend to seize from detonation, even with fuel injected sleds. I've personally noticed fuel injected motors seemingly dropping a cylinder at higher speeds. For me the durability question is not worth the low-end sound and acceleration.
Respect and Social Responsibility
More than ever respect and acceptance of others and social responsibility are dying and taking over is the "Me" attitude.
What happened to respect and acceptance of others?
Why would you want to upset others (especially people who are accepting that we want/need to cross their privately-owned property) because you simply want a noisy sled?
It has been said the noise in the distance even causes Malamutes to start howling (just ask Mike at Horwood Lake Lodge) as he believes the noise very much sounds like a moose calling out to its mate.
Should the Law be Changed or Updated?
Motocross racers have long been regulated to a certain decibel level at a certain RPM with their exhaust systems. Different marine authorities have also taken this approach. This approach adds extra cost to authorities and I would suggest that would be reflected back to riders and we would see increased cost or registration.
Should the law be updated?
Would you accept an increased cost of registration to have the law changed to a decibel level?
History and The Future
Snowmobiling has at times been viewed a "dangerous" sport. Conditions, weather, equipment failures, drinking and riding, etc., have all played a part in painting a picture of wild hooligans out all night, drinking and speeding.
But we've come so far since those days and I thought in the 2000's we were finally making some progress of changing that public perception.
Our future needs to be one responsibility, respect, and a positive perception. Should stock exhausts be a part of that future?


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Interim Birth Registration Number (IBRN) would be required for MRP if any applicant doesn't possess National ID Card or Birth Registration Number (BRN). Applicants who already have the Bangladesh National ID card or BRN do not have to apply for IBRN.
Applicants who would get IBRN are advised to obtain the BRN from the respective City Corporation /Municipality/Union Parishad later at their available opportunity as BRN may be needed in future for purposes other than MRP. While applying for BRN, applicants would need to submit a copy of the IBRN to the authorities concerned in Bangladesh.
The applicants have to submit the following documents for IBRN from this Embassy:
- Duly filled-in Application Form.
- Original Bangladesh Passport along with the copy of first seven pages;
- Copy of Birth Certificate/Nationality Certificate issued by the local City Corporation /Municipality/Union Parishad (if any);
- In case of application for a new-born baby, the original Bangladesh passport of the mother/father and the original birth certificate as well as a photocopy of the birth certificate of the baby;
- In case of application for already included child on the passport of mother/father, the original Bangladesh passport of the mother/father of the baby;
- Payment of applicable fees;
Applicants are strongly advised to apply for IBRN to this Embassy before they submit MRP applications in person if they don't possess National ID or Birth Registration Certificate.
Standard applicable fees:
|*Fee (US$)
|Processing time
|IBRN for new born if applies within 45 days of birth
|One working day (Delivery on the next day)
|IBRN for one who is over 45 days old
|IBRN in case of loss of certificate
* Mission receives fees in equivalent Thai Baht only.
Application submission time: 9.00 am-12.00 pm (every working day).
Delivery time: 3.30 pm-5.00 pm (every working day).


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Fabric Selections
Please indicate on the order form your preferences for fabric colors. You can pick from the below charts of Marbles or Swirls. If you would like a particular fabric on the back of your quilt, please indicate that in the notes section of the order form. Otherwise, we will pick either the block or the sashing color for the back and binding.
- Sashing = Fabric around the block
- Corner Blocks = small accent squares
- Backing = Fabric on the back of the quilt.
Please keep in mind that different monitors show the colors below differently. If you request a particular color that really doesn't match your shirts, we will contact you for permission to switch it to one that does. Also, if a fabric is on backorder for an extended period of time, we might substitute a different shade of the same color. This doesn't happen often, but once in a while we cannot get a color shown below within your timeframe and have to substitute it with a different fabric.
Tone on Tone Fabric Selection
Costal Fabric Selection
New Grunge Fabrics!!
To read more about our new Grunge Fabrics, and to see larger images, please visit our blog New Fabric Line
Swirl Fabrics


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In their never ending fight to make the web more secure, Google has announced that they will begin marking sites that only offer a HTTP option as insecure from July this year with the launch of Chrome version 68.
Google says that 81 of the top 100 sites on the web use HTTPS by default, with over 68% of Chrome traffic on both Android and Windows now protected, and over 78% of Chrome traffic on both Chrome OS and Mac is now protected as well.
The change will display in the URL bar in the browser, simply showing 'Insecure'
To help web developer, admins and site owners, Google has launched tools in Lighthouse to help developers determine which components are using HTTP instead of the more secure HTTPS.
Ausdroid has offered HTTPS support for a while now, so we're not in any danger but there are some pretty well known sites not offering it yet, but this will surely be some good incentive to change.


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Due to the horrible and injurious air quality in the Bay Area, we are postponing our Sunday, Nov. 18th event with Nick Mamatas and Michael Marshall Smith to a later date. Everyone in the area is advised to stay indoors, avoid exertion, and wear a mask while outdoors.
In the meantime – PLEASE consider helping in some small way, the many thousands affected by these terrible fires in Northern California. They've simply lost everything.
Here's how to help
- Money, gift cards desperately needed
- Shell, Chevron gas cards – Evacuees may roll into the center on their last drop of gas.
- Target, Raley's, Food Maxx, Super Walmart, Grocery Outlet, Walgreen's, Rite-Aid, Dollar General, Big Lots and CVS are some of the local stores, where evacuees can get clothes and toiletries, things they specifically need
- Material items needed are new, or gently used and clean, backpacks, duffle bags, luggage, new (with tags and packaging) undergarments for all ages and genders.
- Pet food, cat litter, livestock feed – check with a local Petco or livestock feed store.
The Salvation Army is opening a distribution center 10:00 a.m. Tuesday at 1100 Marauder Street in Chico. The organization only accepts brand new items and also needs donations of money and gift cards, including to local stores and gas retailers. Supplies that are needed include:
- New underwear and socks
- New blankets and pillows
- Cleaning supplies
- Non-perishable foods
- Frozen turkeys
- New toys for Christmas
The distribution site will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Call 530-776-1009 for information. For large donations, call to set up a drop-off time.
The William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, U.C. Davis: Call 752-7024 and leave a message or go here to give to the fund.
This hospital needs monetary donations to help care for animals injured in the Camp Fire. All of the hospitals patients covered by this fund at Camp Fire refugees. It currently has more than 30 cats and other animals including horses, pigs and goats getting care for burns and other injuries.
Pleasant Valley Baptist Church: The church at 13539 Garner Lane in Chico is taking donations daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and currently has about 250 evacuees.
Current needs are:
- Monetary donations
- Visa and gift cards
The church is also taking financial donations to help with the evacuation center. Call 343-0555. Specify that you want your donation to go to "Camp Fire" and go to the church in person or donate online.
Butte County Fair grounds: Drop off or mail gift cards and monetary donations to the fairgrounds at 199 East Hazel St. in Gridley. Call 530-846-3626 for more information.
Gift cards are needed for evacuees to pay vet bills and replace items lost in the fire.
- Visa cards
- Gas cards
- Gift cards to grocery stores
- Gift cards to restaurants and clothing stores
Neighborhood Church of Chico: The church accepts mail and drop off donations at the Evacuation Shelters, Neighborhood Church of Chico, 2801 Notre Dame Blvd. in Chico, California 95928.
Call 530-343-6006 or go here.
Needs at this evacuation center include:
- Monetary donations
- Visa and gift cards
- Bleach/antibacterial wipes
- Large (33-gallon or larger) trash bags
- New underwear with tags
- New socks with tags
- New sweatpants and sweatshirts with tags
Oroville Hope Center: To mail donations send to Oroville Hope Center, 1950 Kitrick Ave A, Oroville, California 95966. Drop off donations 8 a..m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday at 2850 Feather River Blvd. in Oroville. Call 538-8398. Donate money here.
This facility provides for several area Red Cross evacuation sites. The center doesn't need any more clothing at this time, but the center's current list of needs includes:
- Monetary donations
- Visa and gift cards
- Men's trousers and shoes
- Warm gloves
- New hair brushes and hair ties
- Non-latex gloves
- Air mattresses
- New sleeping bags
- New children's underwear
- New pillows and heavy blankets
- New towels
- Tents
- Can openers
- Ready-to-eat meals such as soup, chili and granola bars, as well as non-perishable beverages.
Yuba-Sutter Fair grounds evacuation center: Bring donations to the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds at 442 Franklin Ave. in Yuba City, California 95991; call 530-812-3815 or donate online on the Yuba County Facebook page. Donations can also be sent or dropped off at the Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter ReStore at 202 D St. in Marysville, California 95901
Donations are needed for evacuated people and animals. These include:
- Monetary donations
- Visa and gift cards
- Gas cards
- New pet food
- Cat litter
- Livestock feed


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Illinois' legislature has approved SB 957, a bill which requires anyone driving to get a license and insurance, including those in the country illegally. The primary argument for the legislation is to benefit public safety. We know that laws banning illegally present immigrants from getting drivers licenses don't stop people driving. It just causes them to drive without a license and, often, without learning the rules of the road. Banning drivers licenses for those here without a legal status are designed more to punish and encourage "self-deportation".
Not surprisingly, FAIR, the anti-immigrant organization, is on a campaign to get Illinois governor Pat Quinn to veto the bill. And they are arguing that public safety actually benefits when we bar illegally present immigrants from getting drivers licenses. They argue that terrorists might get licenses and endanger the public. The argument is silly. A terrorist is hardly concerned with complying with the law and if he or she is inclined to use a car in the commission of a terrorist act, would the lack of a drivers license really deter them.
The Reverend Tony Pierce nicely sums up the arguments for the bill:
? Police will be able to use licenses to identify motorists during stops and check their traffic records.
? Licensing all drivers will help first responders and health care providers to identify patients under their care.
? Drivers will be more likely to stay at the scene of an accident to
aid police and emergency workers and to exchange insurance information
with affected motorists.
? It will limit court time and lessen the burden on jails with cases of
drivers who are there solely for driving without a license or
? As more drivers get insured, the numbers of accidents involving
uninsured motorists will decline, the costs of such accidents will
decline, and insurance rates will fall for everyone.
? It will increase the pool of urgently needed organ donors.
? SB 957 will prevent fraud and dry up some black market activities.


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Finally seen 'Maniac Cop'. Continue reading
Tag Archives: dad-in-law
JWD: Death Spa (1987)
Uh…I did become pretty drunk, yo! I did. Im slightly sober right now, but im getting there.. Continue reading
JWD: Bigfoot Wars (2014)
Ok, it was time check out what this fuzz is all about. Continue reading
JWD: Empire of Ash (1988)
Known as Empire Of Ash 2 (???) and re-realessed in 1989 as Empire Of Ash 3 (?????) . Continue reading
Drunk Video Review #10: Don't Open Till Christmas (1984)
Not a favourite of Henrik, but the christmas decorations in the flick is nice. Continue reading
Drunk Video Review #9: Silent Night, Deadly Night (1984)
Henrik with a review of one of his favourite christmas-slashers…and music…and food… Continue reading
Drunk Video Review #6: Hora (2009) & Inside the Whore (2012)
Henrik has been seeing a double Reinert Kiil feature. Things got a little out of hand this time… Continue reading
Drunk Video Review #4: Escape from the Bronx (1983)
Ulf, the B-dog is joining Henrik on his latest drunk review. Enzo G. Castellaris Post-apocalyptic sequel to "Bronx Warriors". Continue reading
Drunk Video Review #3: April Fool's Day (1986)
Is there enough gore to keep Henrik happy in his drunk video review of "April Fool's Day"? Continue reading


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Originally Published 4-28-08
If this world truly is a battle,
Between the darkness and the light.
Then it seems all too clear which side is winning,
When observed through honest sight.
For the legions of the vicious,
Trample the benevolent to the dust.
In a battle waged since the time of Cain,
The soundly routed are the just.
Though sometimes the righteous they may rally,
When the wicked storm the gates.
Their triumphs are pyrrhic and often fleeting,
For evil never dies it only waits.
It lies dormant amidst the shadows,
Of every generation's collective heart.
Like a coiled viper set to strike,
All it needs is just one spark.
Be it single man or army,
The devil is waiting for his host.
Those that prey upon the helpless,
Are bound by the sickest oath.
And futile is the good man's fight,
Against the tides of time and fate.
For with every fallen demon,
Two more rise to take his place.
The crumpled bodies of the innocent,
Are always left in evil's wake.
Those that don't value the life they have,
Care not of the ones they take.
Yet the few who stand against them,
Outnumbered and out matched.
All too often are forsaken,
In the name of elitist class.
Yes I see a world of evil,
That has been or is yet to rise.
But perhaps that's not the world out there,
Perhaps it's just my jaded eyes.
In the end it's hard to see the brightness,
When the tether is so badly worn.
When what used to keep you grounded,
Is damn near almost torn.
© 2008 – AB Frank


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The good news and the bad news about Cinco de Mayo is that May 5 falls on a Saturday this year. Good news for the obvious reasons (you won't have to develop an elaborate excuse for smelling like tequila at your morning work meeting) and bad news in that there's nothing stopping you -- and every other person in South Florida -- from saying "yes" to every taco/shot combo that comes your way. Sunday could be a very rough day, indeed.
With that in mind, moderation is key for a happy holiday weekend. Find a designated driver or cab, and party in style with a Cinco de Mayo celebration in South Florida. Details after the jump.
Tulum Mexican Grill & Bar -- Tulum will host a street festival from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday. The party is $40 for advance tickets or $50 at the door. Admission includes all-you-can-eat food from the Tulum kitchen, plus specials on Mexican brews and, of course, lots of tequila. Entertainment includes a "macho man" hot sauce-eating contest and a live mariachi band. Tickets are available here. Tulum is located at 14395 Miramar Parkway, Miramar. Call 954-437-9989.
Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar -- Rocco Mangel will travel to all four Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar locations (Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach Gardens) for bar-dancing, tequila swilling, and mustache-contest-judging insanity all day long on Saturday. Track his progress via Twitter (his handle is @RoccosTacos) to ensure you hit the party at just the right time.
Pinche Taqueria -- This new Wilton Manors bar/restaurant will host a party from noon to 3 a.m. on Saturday with drink and food specials like $2 tequila shots, $6.50 "skinny" Herradura margaritas, $3 Corona Light drafts, and lots of other boozy savings.
Cinco de Mayo in Delray Beach -- This family-friendly affair from 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturday is $10 for adults and free for kids ages nine years and younger. Food and drink are part of the festivities, as are the sixth annual Cinco de Mayo Chihuahua Races from 5 to 6 p.m. and a chili-pepper-eating-contest from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The festival is at Old School Square in Delray Beach.
Uncle Julio's Fine Mexican Cuisine -- A Mizner Plaza block party means Latin dancing, a DJ, three outdoor bars, and lots of raucous, well-heeled party-goers. Drink specials and dancing from 4 p.m. to close Saturday. Call 561-300-3530.
Rosalita's Tex-Mex Grill -- All-day drink specials and a chance to ride a mechanical bull; what could possibly go wrong? Find out at this all-day fiesta from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday. There's kid-friendly fare, like face-painting and a magician, plus a full bar for the grown-ups.
Salsa Fiesta -- This Mexican restaurant in Pembroke Pines has stretched the party to two days, with drink and food specials on Friday and Saturday. Music provided by a DJ, with select beers offered for $2.50 and margaritas and sangria going for $3 each.
Follow Clean Plate Charlie on Facebook and on Twitter: @CleanPlateBPB.


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BERLIN (Reuters) - A Vietnamese man appeared in a German court on Tuesday, accused of helping to kidnap a former oil executive in Berlin last year on behalf of Vietnam's secret services and smuggle him back to his homeland where he has been jailed for life for corruption.
Prosecutors say the 47-year-old helped in abducting Trinh Xuan Thanh in broad daylight on a Berlin street together with a female companion in July last year in a case which soured relations between Germany and Vietnam.
The man, identified as Long N.H., is accused of taking part in secret service activity and assisting in deprivation of personal freedom. If convicted, he could be jailed for up to seven and a half years.
"The defendant is alleged to have rented two vehicles as part of this intelligence operation. One was used to observe the victims, the other for the actual kidnapping," said public prosecutor Lienhard Weiss outside the court room.
Weiss said the accused later drove both vehicles back to Prague in the Czech Republic where he had hired them.
"Based on our information this operation was planned and carried out by the Vietnamese secret service with the participation of members of the Vietnamese embassy in Berlin," he said.
Thanh, a former high flyer in Vietnam who was accused of mismanagement and causing losses at PetroVietnam Construction JSC, has been given two life sentences in jail in Vietnam since being smuggled back home.
He had been seeking asylum in Germany and his sudden disappearance in Berlin caused Germany to accuse Vietnam of breaching international law. Berlin summoned the Vietnamese ambassador and ordered the official representative of the Vietnamese intelligence service to leave.
Long, who also has Czech citizenship, watched proceedings in the courtroom from behind a glass barrier.
Defense lawyer Stephan Bonell said his client was not involved and called for him to be acquitted.
Thanh's case was part of a government anti-corruption drive, in which more than 100 people, many from state-owned enterprises in the banking or energy sectors have been prosecuted, jailed and, in some cases, given death sentences.
Petra Schlagenhauf, a lawyer representing Thanh, said Hanoi had not expected the kidnapping to be noticed.
"We have to assume that the Vietnamese secret service felt so secure that they thought they could carry out such an operation without anybody noticing or caring about it. That was a big mistake," she said.
The case is expected to take weeks, possibly months.
Reporting by Reuters Television; Additional reporting by James Pearson in Hanoi; Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Richard Balmforth
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.


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U.S. Government Shutdown Could Offer Iran Relief From Sanctions
by Zach Pontz
The U.S. government shutdown could potentially allow Iran breathing room from crippling sanctions, The Daily Beast reported Wednesday.
According to the website, the Treasury Department has furloughed approximately 90 percent of the employees in its Office of Terrorist Financing and Intelligence (TFI), which is responsible for the monitoring of illicit activities and the enforcement of sanctions related to several countries, including Iran.
Mark Dubowitz, executive director of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, told The Daily Beast that Iran could capitalize on the lack of monitoring and sanctions enforcement to replenish its coffers and advance its nuclear program while no one is looking.
"If the lights are not on, then the Iranians will engage in massive sanctions busting to try to replenish their dwindling foreign exchange reserves," he said. "If you don't have the resources to investigate, identify, and designate the tens of billions of dollars of Iranian regime assets, then you've extended the economic runway of the Iranian regime and increased the likelihood that they could reach nuclear breakout sooner rather than later."
Related coverage
A subsection of TFI, the Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), which implements the U.S. government's financial sanctions, has also been forced to furlough nearly all its staff, a Treasury Department spokesman told The Daily Beast.
"As a result, OFAC is unable to sustain its core functions of: issuing new sanctions designations against those enabling the governments of Iran and Syria as well as terrorist organizations, WMD proliferators, narcotics cartels, and transnational organized crime groups; investigating and penalizing sanctions violations; issuing licenses to authorize humanitarian and other important activities that might otherwise be barred by sanctions; and issuing new sanctions prohibitions and guidance," the spokesman said. "This massively reduced staffing not only impairs OFAC's ability to execute its mission, it also undermines TFI's broader efforts to combat money laundering and illicit finance, protect the integrity of the U.S. financial system, and disrupt the financial underpinnings of our adversaries."
Two other subsections of TFI, the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (OIA) and the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), also are working with a fraction of their regular staff.
"Given the fact that the vast majority of FinCEN employees have been furloughed, important pieces of financial intelligence will not be sifted through and analyzed by the agency charged with this task," Avi Jorisch, a former policy adviser for the Treasury Department's TFI office, told The Daily Beast. The government is shut down, Jorisch said, but "money launderers are certainly not taking vacation."
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department, which has avoided significant staff reductions, is set to meet with Iranian officials later this month in Geneva in conjunction with its P5+1 partners. State Department officials told The Daily Beast on Wednesday that the shutdown won't affect those plans.


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Was invited to paint for La Comisión de Fiestas de La Vila for the Moros & Cristianos. Free Beer and an old school teacher of mine was there.
Repeat-X Repeat-Y
This is my participation in the project Repeat-X Repeat-Y wich is a collection of wallpapers designed by different artists from around the world.
Interview by Angeline Chen for Taiwan Magazine Funs Want.
[E] Dick Head is a little fish painted with posca paints on wood. Aprox 21×25 cm. [Ñ] Cabeza Polla es un pececito pintado con pinturas posca sobre tabla de madera. …
iPhone Wallpaper
[E] Did this monster with the message "Empty Words" because i thought it was very appropiate for all the rubbish we speak over the phone. [Ñ] He realizado este monstruo …
Lunartik in a cup of Tea custom toy design by James Marr aka themonkeynuts.com for the Tea Tour. Title: T-TANIC Gold ornament of Lunartik sinking in the sea resembling the …
This is gonna be my participation in the TEATOUR PARTY.
Pecha Kucha Night V3
Pecha Kucha Night V3 Charla sobre el Proyecto Piggy Bank en UBIK CAFÉ en Valencia organizado por La Mamba Studio. Pecha Kucha es un formato importado de Japón donde dispones …
The Joker – El Comodín
Posca paints on wood. Aprox 19×21 cm. Inspired by the magnificent role played by Heath Ledger in Batman – The Dark Knight.
Decay On Wood
Posca paints on wood. Aprox 19×21 cm. Frame not include.
Spoof Graphics and code
Used these graphics to fix minor bugs in the code of the Spoof Flash Game with Jeanine Meyer.
Stencil Metallic Door
Framed old metallic door with spray paint using stencil of my latest creation. Aprox. 33 x 33 cm.
Green Ghost
Turned the doodle into Vector Noodle… maybe the mouth should be a different colour to stand out from the black line the Spaghetti Noodle creates.
Moo minicards
Ive just ordered my Moo Minicards… Cant wait… Im so excited!
Step by step…
Did this box doodle painting for Matt JOnes, its now hanging next to his amazing work in his studio. And using Lightbox to view the larger images… kinda in conflict …
Stut Stut Stutter
I added Twitter to the sidebar of my site. I hate it when I stut stut stutter.
Mods Love Vespas
Mods Love Vespas and so do I · A los Mods les molan las Vespas i ami tambien.
Heart of spades
Surrounded by love my Heart is of Spades. Rodeado de amor mi corazón es de picas.
Profile image
This is my profile image for Last.fm music collection. Esta es la imagen usada en mi perfil musical de Last.fm
To Do List…
Doodles appear on my To Do Lists and when I see them the next day I say to myself "Did I really draw that". Garabatos aparecen en mis listas de …
Los Logos 4
The Logo of The Monkey Nuts and We Hate Glue are in the book Los Logos 4. El logo de The Monkey Nuts y We Hate Glue salen en este …
Notebook doodles
Some of these doodles where used to create the skateboard decks for the private collector.
Added some colour to the doodle. More stuff thats been on my Pc for ages… god only knows why I havent uploaded it!


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Within two weeks of featuring track 'Hell Or Heaven', J.A.S makes his presence known, teaming up with long-term collaborator Mpho with a seriously dope house number entitled, 'I Want You.'
The three-minute sultry club filler features the smooth vocals of Nevita, who previously lent her voice to J.A.S' track, 'The Moment'.
J.A.S and Mpho previously stole the limelight with track, 'Set Me Free' which was named Song of the Month by the blog in April.
Here's your chance to check out the masters at work…and if you like what you hear, head over the Soundcloud and get your copy for FREE!


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Technology is one of the best ways for a used car sales operation to gain a competitive advantage. From smartphone apps and digital imagery and videos to delivery tracking systems, car dealers have a host of new innovations at their fingertips to help improve their stocking, management and sales processes. Here are four such scenarios where technology can be used to make used car sales more efficient.
1: Time's too tight to stock the forecourt
It's an all too familiar problem – you need the stock yesterday, but you don't have time to go to a car auction, bid for the vehicle you want and then wait weeks for it to be delivered.
Help is at hand – dealers can now check on the condition of their preferred vehicle and buy through an online auction thanks to a range of new smartphone apps.
Aston Barclay developed its own buyer's app after its research revealed that used car buyers were finding it increasingly difficult to source and access stock quickly. By using the app, buyers can now view and bid live for stock across Aston Barclay's network.
Last year, Manheim sold 19% of its 422,000 auction vehicles through its Simulcast platform, which enables the auctions to be streamed live. Customers can then bid or instant message the auctioneer.
"Digital adoption is key to staying ahead of the competition and we urge all dealers to recognise the ways they can use technology in their own businesses to maximise profits," said Peter Bell, Manheim's managing director.
"The efficiency, effectiveness and simplicity of these online systems give customers access to auctions they would otherwise be unable to attend, which could mean the difference between a profitable and unprofitable month."
2: Speeding up stock turn means speeding up the route to market
Suppliers are increasingly equipping pre-delivery inspectors (PDIs) with imaging and video tools to speed up the online marketing of the vehicle by enabling them to upload content directly to the dealer's website.
AutosOnShow is one such supplier, and is introducing a series of innovations to integrate video along the customer journey, from sales to the service department.
"Buyers are increasingly doing their research at home and making accelerated buying decisions when they visit the dealership," said Jonathan Higham, AutosOnShow's managing director.
"As a result, the purchase process is driven by data and digital channels. From defleet to the dealer forecourt and service department, people need accurate descriptions and super-sharp images."
Chiswick Honda uses an AutosOnShow DSLR turntable system to capture HD video and images of used vehicles that can be displayed on its website within minutes. It also provides an exploded view of the vehicle, internal 360-degree spins and framing.
Dealer Auction has also introduced a system that enables dealers to advertise newly acquired vehicles online immediately after buying them. The system allows dealers to fund the bid through NextGear Capital, use Movex to organise the vehicle's collection and delivery and then list it on Motors.co.uk, all at the touch of a button.
3: Pricing it right to speed up sales
Many retailers have suggested that the data-led approach to used car pricing fails to recognise quirky specifications and PDI standards for the vehicle. A digitised valuation tool can help dealers to overcome this problem.
Cap HPI's Black Book Live provides a 'real-time' daily valuation of vehicles, based on data received from retailers and wholesalers. Its editors then analyse that data to make sure it is up to date and correct.
Editors also monitor the first auctions of newly launched vehicles and assign an 'opinion value' based on the market movements they observe.
EnquiryMAX has also launched a part-exchange appraisal module, which captures the customer's details and configures the vehicle they are interested in buying as well as providing an appraisal. It also enables the dealer to take pictures of new vehicles to pre-sell to customers who may be looking for a particular model and specification and to show videos of add-ons they may be interested in.
"The idea is that it speeds up the sales process by acting as a one-stop shop that links all the systems together," said Jon Sheard, operations director. "It also gives the dealer an accurate reflection of the customer's requirements and valuation of the vehicle."
4: We spend more time searching for keys and vehicles than talking to customers
Dealers face a perennial problem of wasting time hunting for vehicles and keys when they could be selling to customers. However, smart technologies including barcode-enabled vehicle tracking systems and key trackers are now at hand to help the retailer.
Traka Automotive is a software solution that keeps track of who has which key, when it was removed and when it has been returned. It also enables the user to control access to vehicles and to see a full audit trail of all key movements.
If used effectively, it enables the dealer to be more productive, sell more vehicles, reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction. Harry Fairbairn, Scotland's leading Mini and BMW dealership group, used the system to help minimise lost sales, increase the percentage of stock imagery posted onto its online store, speed up the preparation of its vehicles and improve PDI completion numbers.
"The Traka Automotive system enables us to locate where each car is parked and who had the keys last," said Callum Rankin, dealer principal. "It also tells you which cabinet the keys are now in.
"It takes a couple of minutes to get all relevant keys together for a shoot now. With our previous system, it could take over an hour to locate all keys for each car being photographed."
Case study: TrustFord
TrustFord developed its own barcode-enabled vehicle-tracking system for its Long Marston PDI centre. The system is based on the Amazon model and works by fitting the vehicle with a device that enables a customer to monitor its progress online.
The next phase will introduce 'Bring It To Me Now', where a customer can order a vehicle from another location and view its progress online. The system is still being tested, having been successfully used in TrustFord's parts business deliveries over the past six months, and is expected to launch by the end of Q3.
"From a customer's perspective, it's all about speed of delivery," said chief executive Stuart Foulds. "They can click on the vehicle they want, for example before 10am, with guaranteed delivery by 5pm the next day.
"In reality, 5pm would be the latest delivery time; what we would actually look to do is deliver it earlier, at say 3pm, and send you a text to notify you of that within good time."
Case study: Fred Coupe Nissan
Fred Coupe Nissan signed up to the INDICATA online used vehicle management system, which provides its sales team with real-time insights into the demand, supply and pricing of used cars in their area to improve sales and reduce stocking days.
INDICATA, which is part of the Autorola Group, scans, processes and analyses publicly available data on vehicles. It then provides live used car market data, which in turn gives insights on market dynamics so dealers can measure their market position, monitor the performance of their networks and plan.
Fred Coupe's sales team uses the data to decide how its inventory compares against competing stock in the marketplace, helping it buy used cars that are in high demand in their locality, helping to drive sales.
Simon Davies, sales manager, said: "We have piloted INDICATA for a few months and it is giving us the competitive advantage we need to sell more used cars in the area. It also supports our decision as to which part-exes we keep and which we sell, which is particularly useful for non-Nissan product." ALEX WRIGHT


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VANCOUVER Mayor Gregor Robertson on Monday said that the Budget Update "is a huge step forward in helping our most vulnerable residents," adding, "It tackles some of our most pressing challenges and makes significant investments in areas like mental health, homelessness and renters' rights – areas that have been dramatically underfunded in recent years."
Robertson said: "I'm very encouraged to see the BC government making bold decisions to work in partnership with the City, first responders, front-line community service workers and people with lived experience to scale up response to the drug overdose death crisis. $322 million for immediate relief will save lives and bolster BC's mental health and addictions system to better connect people to the services they need, when they need them.
"A commitment to fund 2,000 modular homes to get people off the streets and into secure housing is a huge step toward solving homelessness in BC. The $7 million boost to the Residential Tenancy Branch is welcome news in Vancouver, where many renters are fighting unfair renovictions and other loopholes at a time when our vacancy rate is near zero.
"The City, through the Vancouver Affordable Housing Agency, is ready to leverage the new $208 million earmarked for new affordable rental housing with several shovel-ready sites of city-owned land. We will continue to provide the land at a nominal fee to enhance affordability and get new homes built as quickly as possible.
"I look forward to working with the BC government in the coming weeks and months ahead to make life better and more affordable for everyone who lives and works in Vancouver."


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The item "BMW F22 M235 328 335 428 435 Front & Rear Brembo Brake Shoe Calipers Set 29k OEM" is in sale since Friday, March 27, 2020. This item is in the category "eBay Motors\Parts & Accessories\Car & Truck Parts\Brakes & Brake Parts\Caliper Parts". The seller is "autoforeignparts" and is located in Garland, Texas.
This item can be shipped to United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Uruguay.


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Microsoft's executives insist the company listens to its customers. Many of those customers have indicated they'll skip Windows Vista and consider Windows 7 when it comes out.
Their wish is apparently Redmond's command.
Wolfgang Gruener at TG Daily says he's obtained a leaked road map for the next version of Windows, and it shows Microsoft has put the operating system on a faster track:
Several industry sources have confirmed to TG Daily that a very early version of Windows 7, previously code-named Blackcomb Vienna, already has been shipped to "key partners" as a "Milestone 1" (M1) code drop for validation purposes. A roadmap received by TG Daily indicates that the new operating system will be introduced in the second half of 2009.
While it has generally been believed that Windows 7 was scheduled for a 2010 debut, Microsoft has revised the roadmap and apparently moved up the release date by a few months: A recently distributed roadmap of the OS lists a release to manufacturing in H2 2009. Microsoft declined to comment on this date.
If the document Gruener received is real, that's an interesting development, but not necessarily surprising.
Microsoft wants and needs to avoid the kind of slippage that caused Vista to be delayed again and again. That's one reason the new Windows chief is Steven Sinofsky, who comes out of the Microsoft Office group. That team had a reputation for delivering its product on time. Sinofsky likely aims to the do the same thing with Windows 7.
Of course, Windows is a much bigger piece of software than Office. But there's evidence that the OS team is indeed moving quickly. Gruener says some of Microsoft's partners may actually have early Milestone 1 code in their hands:
The current M1 drop is available to Microsoft partners in English only and has shipped in x86 and x64 versions. An interesting feature that has been highlighted by Microsoft is the ability of the M1 software to handle a heterogeneous graphics system consisting of multiple graphics cards from different vendors. A new version of the Media center is already integrated in this software, but supports PC speakers only at this time.
If Microsoft will be able to keep the H2 2009 RTM (and most likely) release date in place, the company will have two busy. The M2 code drop is currently scheduled for April/May 2008, M3 will follow in the third quarter. The dates for the first Beta and the release candidate are still listed as "To be determined" but it doesn't take much to see that the first beta versions could become available a year from now.
If this is real, and if Microsoft can stick to this schedule, it would be a remarkable feat for a company that traditionally delays Windows several times before it finally ships. Here's wishing Sinofsky and his group luck. They'll need it!
Are you willing to wait for Windows 7 before upgrading Windows XP? And if you're running Vista now, are you interested in trying out the beta a year from now?