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| Martin, P., Invensys , Houston, Texas; Teo, P., Invensys, Houston, Texas
HR professionals who use these new approaches into their development platforms will be well-positioned to help their firms weather the current industrial environment, which is increasingly becoming real-time.
Industrial companies are facing a significant human resource
(HR) challenge. Over the recent tumultuous decades in the
industrial markets, industrial companies have been downsizing
labor forces and limiting hiring. This has led to other job
markets becoming more attractive to potential employees. The
result is that a major portion of the hydrocarbon processing industrys
labor force is nearing retirement, and there is a huge
experience gap looming. As refiners face this gap, they also
see performance demands on their operations continue to
increase. The need for new, more effective approaches to human
performance management has never been greater.
A subtle barrier to a more comprehensive and effective human
performance management process for operations personnel is
cultural. Engineers tend to perceive operators as laborers and
try to protect their processes from them rather than advance
the capabilities of this critical talent base. This attitude
dates back to the industrial revolution, when frontline
personnel were largely unskilled and uneducated and companies
needed only their manual labor. But those days are well behind
us. Todays operators are much more academically advanced
than their predecessors, and, because they have been trained on
automation technologies, they bring a totally new and unique
perspective on the operation. This provides an unprecedented
level of experiential education, potentially elevating the
operator from the position of laborer to performance manager.
Engineers stand to gain significantly by supporting this
Likewise, HR teams must adapt to this new culture. They tend
to approach human resource management as a traditional academic
process and may not appreciate the role that automation and
information technologies can play in advancing human resource
management, especially at the operations level. But HR
professionals who can incorporate these new approaches into
their development platforms will be well-positioned to help
their companies weather the current industrial environment, which is increasingly
becoming a real-time environment.
The oil and gas industry marketplace has always been
challenging, but recent trends are making it even more so. Most
significant, perhaps, is electric power deregulation, which has
led to real-time electricity price variation. This has had a
domino effect on pricing in other markets that consume
electricity, including petroleum exploration, refining, natural gas production and
raw materials input, impacting a refined products final
value. No longer are monthly business analyses adequate.
Sustaining and increasing profitability has become a real-time
control problem requiring real-time control solutions. Just as
operators have always applied manual real-time systems to
control the efficiency of plant floor operations, real-time
systems must now also be integral and essential to successful
business control strategies.
Meeting the challenges of the emerging real-time industrial
business environment, coupled with the growing human resource
dilemma, requires a new perspective on human performance
management. Fortunately, the solution is quite compatible with
what research shows is the way that people learn best, which is
through a feedback control mechanism in the brain. Trial and
error, for example, is a classic effective feedback control
learning process. Based on this principle, automation and
information systems can provide effective real-time decision
management learning environments, which can enable operators to
make better and quicker business decisions while simultaneously
learning their trade more effectively. Real-time automation and
information technology can be effective with
formal, informal and real-time, on-the-job, performance
Formal learning systems build a foundation and context for
the student. Formal learning has traditionally often been
associated with classroom training, which is an essential
aspect of the learning process. Although classroom training is
important, learning theory has demonstrated that experiential
training is much more impactful than academic training for
functions such as industrial operations. In the case of process
operators, formal learning processes can be significantly
enhanced through the utilization of offline experiential
training provided through operator training simulation and
virtual reality learning environments.
Simulated and virtual environments for formal learning are
valuable because, while operators tend to learn the common
repeatable tasks fairly quickly and quite well, they tend to
have more difficulty with infrequently occurring aspects of
their work, whether expected or unexpected. Using off-line
training simulators, the operators can practice the
infrequently occurring events in a safe environment and become much more
proficient at responding to these events. This is particularly
important for operators in refineries or other process
settings, because these infrequent events can also be
dangerous. Utilizing the combination of classroom training and
offline real-time training has been shown to reduce the time
required to get a new operator to an effective experience level
by as much as 50%.
Understanding that humans learn by feedback control also
provides a sound basis for the development of informal learning
environments. Every operator engagement with an automation
system is an opportunity to reinforce learning through
real-time decision support, which enforces manual feedback
control. By offering real-time dashboards and scorecards, we
can provide operators with immediate performance feedback on
the impact of their activity, so they can adjust their actions
in real-time to achieve pre-established business or performance
objectives. It is absolutely essential, then, that the
performance measures presented on these screens are correct for
the business performance of the operation and that they are
prioritized according to the manufacturing or production
strategy. If otherwise, operators would still use the
information to guide their actions, but it could lead to
learning of destructive, rather than constructive, behaviors.
People perform to their measures. It is essential that those
measures are right and in alignment with the business.
A second aspect to the informal learning can occur when the
automation system provides online real-time guidance to
operators as they perform complicated or infrequently occurring
procedures. Todays automation systems can provide such by
embedding real-time workflows into the system and setting them
to trigger on identification of an event requiring a response,
such as a process anomaly causing excessive energy consumption.
Such workflows provide a feedback control mechanism that can
reinforce learning gained in the offline training simulation
environment. This will contribute to proficiency and
effectiveness of response for the operators increasing their
effective experience level in shortened time frames.
The third component of effective learning systems is online
performance support, in which automation system technologies
can also play a valuable role. Learning from performance
feedback in traditional manufacturing settings is difficult
because time constants in manufacturing and production
processes are so long that, by the time the impact of an action
occurs, the operator may be off shift. Operator training
simulators overcome this because the simulated process is not
tied to the physical and chemical constraints, and can be run
in a fast-forward mode, which would show the result of an
action in very short order. In this way, real-time decision
feedback can be provided even on very slow responding
Finally, automated solutions facilitate involvement of
subject matter experts (SMEs) as performance support. SMEs are
often the most effective providers of performance support, but
many industrial companies have too few SMEs who may not always
be where they are needed. Fortunately, the open architectures
of modern enterprise control systems can bridge the distance by
enabling SMEs to connect right to the operators through the
geographically distributed systems. SMEs become available where
and when required, further increasing the learning levels of
the operators.
Aligning enterprise control system technologies to human
performance management tasks can be an effective way to bridge
the experience gap and should actually result in higher
performing operators. The small number of available,
experienced operators will be able to accomplish much more and
become greater contributors to their employers success in
time business and operational environments. And applying concepts
across the enterpriseto managers, supervisors and others,
as well as operatorswill close industrial performance
gaps further and lead to greater success.
All comments are subject to editorial review.
All fields are compulsory.
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A searchable database of project activity in the global hydrocarbon processing industry
Engineers and designers are highly skilled individuals. Forcing them to enter design changes using tables, forms and spreadsheets is unproductive and uneconomical, and it increases the likelihood of human error—this is the way that most instrumentation software systems currently work. For too long, software vendors have denied engineers and designers the simple practicality of a graphical visual engineering interface with "drag and drop" capability and inbuilt intelligence, ensuring changes are automatically replicated into all the associated data and databases.
Is 2016 the peak for US gasoline demand?
Too soon to tell
July 2016


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Home > Food > Recipes > Banana Cream Pie
Banana Cream Pie
Categories: Cakes/pies, Christmas, Entertaining, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Thanksgiving
Type: Desserts and Baked Goods
Type: Desserts and Baked Goods
This traditional American pie makes a rich and creamy end to any meal
Prep Time: 20M, plus chilling
Cooking Time: 25M
Serves: makes 8-10 servings
- 1 refrigerated pie dough round for a 9in ( 23cm) pie
- 4 large egg yolks
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 2 cups whole milk, heated
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 3 ripe bananas
- 1/2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 3 tbsp confectioner's sugar
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- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 9in (23cm) pie dish with the pie dough. Prick the dough all over with a fork.
- Line the dough with wax paper, then fill with baking beans. Place the pie dish on a baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes or until the pastry looks set. Remove the paper and beans and prick the dough again. Bake for about 10 minutes more, until the pastry is golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool.
- Meanwhile, beat the egg yolks, sugar, cornstarch, and salt together well in a medium saucepan until the mixture is pale yellow. Whisk in the hot milk and vanilla. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until thickened and beginning to boil. Reduce the heat to low and let cook and bubble gently, stirring, for 2 minutes more. Strain through a wire sieve into a bowl, press a piece of plastic wrap on the surface, and let cool.
- Thinly slice the bananas and toss with the lemon juice. Spread them in the pie shell, then top with the custard. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.
- Beat the cream and confectioner's sugar until stiff peaks form. Spread over the filling and serve chilled.
- Prepare ahead: The filling can be refrigerated, with wax paper pressed on its surface, up to 1 day ahead. The baked piecrust can be wrapped in aluminum foil and stored up to 1 day at room temperature.
excerpted from:
Excerpted from The Illustrated Kitchen Bible.
Copyright © 2008 Dorling Kindersley Limited.
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I've been playing this game for a few hours now and I got to the point where I need to find a place of power. Cecil Burdon mentioned a place in a forest where a witch used to live. I got to the place but it's on top of a cliff. I went all over around it but I can't see to find any way of getting up there.
Does anybody know how to get up there ?
Thank you in advance for your reply


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Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist in Pennsylvania, 2006
M.B.A., Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1987
Registered Dietitian, The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 1980
B.S., Food and Nutrition, Immaculata College, 1977
Ms. Shadle has held a variety of clinical and management positions in the field of dietetics. She has worked in hospitals, home care, public health and education. Her own professional experiences have been a great asset in helping her prepare dietetic interns to be successful in the internship program and get started in their own careers.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
The Pennsylvania Dietetic Association
The Philadelphia Dietetic Association
The Pennsylvania Nutrition Education Network


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By Ben
from Arlington Heights, IL
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Comments about Miele 24" Inspira Series Prefinished Black Dishwasher:
I love unloading the silver tray, it expands capacity wonderfully, but it is a little fussy to load and i guess depending upon the shape of your silver, it may or may not sit securely in the tray.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Ok, but insides aren't efficient
By Jen
from Glenview, IL
About Me Casual Cook
First: I really like the quiet working of this dishwasher, the controls are easy, and it's energy efficient.However, the inside system doesn't work for us -- we use more bowls and cups than plates, and this is definitely better for a ton of plates. The structure doesn't seem to fit as much as our old Kenmore. I wouldn't purchase it again.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
(18 of 18 customers found this review helpful)
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By Grandma Bee
from Glencoe, Illinois
We bought this dishwasher to replace a very new Kitchen Aide which we hated. This is an amazing machine on many levels. It holds an incredible amount of dishes and silverware. I run it every other day now. It cleans the dishes very well and most importantly it has a filter which is easy to remove and clean...I did not plan to spend this kind of money but I am glad that I did.
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A rope of myriad colors that sparkle and shine! This gorgeous piece showcases a graduated color layout, beaming with 22.00ct of gemstones including apatite, amethyst, citrine, fire opal, iolites, rhodolite garnet, garnet, peridot and tanzanite.
The 16"L necklace showcases various oval faceted cut 5 x 4mm gems, including:
The 18"L necklace showcases various oval faceted cut 5 x 4mm gems, including:
The 20"L necklace showcases various oval faceted cut 5 x 4mm gems, including:
All gems are in prong settings and their weights are approximate.
Complete the look with the matching ring J402559, earrings J402909 and bracelet J320991.
The Colors of the Rainbow
Known as one of the most spectacular light shows on Earth, the rainbow displays seven colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Made of all the colors of the visible spectrum, or white light, the colors of the rainbow appear when white light is bent through a prism. Various cultures throughout the world view the rainbow with different symbolism. In religion and art, the rainbow often symbolizes God's promise of mercy to mankind after the Deluge (Gen. 9.13). The Greeks and Romans viewed the rainbow as the sign of Iris, messenger of the gods, and the Inca and other Native Americans regarded it as a gift from the sun-god. And, of course, there are the fairy tales that tell us there is a pot of gold at the end of each rainbow!
From the NYC II® Collection. Gemstones will vary in color or patterns. Please allow for these natural variations. All weights pertaining to diamond weights are minimum weights. Additionally, please note that many gemstones are treated to enhance their beauty. Click here for important information about gemstone enhancements and special care requirements.
Vermeil Plating:
Pronounced "vermay," vermeil is an electroplating process in which 14K gold or higher is coated over sterling silver. Officially designated by the jewelry industry, items may only be sold as vermeil if they have a minimum thickness of 100 millionths of an inch (2.5 microns) of gold over the silver. Regular gold plating is less than 2.5 microns.
The "vermeil" technique of plating sterling silver with gold originated in France in the 1750s. It differs from "gold filled" or "gold plated" in terms of the thickness or thinness of the microns over sterling silver. "Gold filled" pieces have a much thicker layer, between 15 and 45 microns, which is mechanically bonded to the base metal with heat and pressure. Vermeil is a more expensive version of "gold plated". It does not wear off as quickly as gold plating does. However, over time, vermeil wears off and therefore will require re-plating.
Gold/Platinum Embraced Silver or Bronze:
Our platinum and gold embraced collections feature layers of platinum or gold over sterling silver or bronze for a lustrous, radiant finish everywhere you look and touch.
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Platinum can be used as a finish coating over sterling silver or copper alloys. Its bright, pure luster enhances the brilliance of gemstones and does not discolor or oxidize. Platinum plating is also characterized by its good resistance to surface abrasion, making jewelry pieces more durable against everyday and long-term wear. Over time, platinum plating will wear off and therefore will require re-plating.
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NiMH is the technical abbreviation for Nickel Metal Hydride batteries. They are rechargeable and are among the most popular batteries for digital cameras.
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Senior Member
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
reign (rān)
1. Exercise of sovereign power, as by a monarch.
2. The period during which a monarch rules.
3. Dominance or widespread influence: the reign of reason.
But, I was referring to you the player, not you the character. It's your game, it's your reign.
Junior Member
Say what you want, fighting alongside your brothers in arms for your country, and for freedom, is neither a selfish nor a lonely sort of act. Comradeship and teamwork are ubiquitous themes in WWII stories.
And... I know what reign means. Check the third definition you listed.
For me the player "reigning" doesn't fit with the idea of being a soldier in WW2.
This IS a personal opinion, don't forget.
Location: Baltimore, MD area
Well, let's face it - as a bunch of people who really think about the game industry and spend a lot of time looking around it on the net, we're not the ones the bullet points are aiming at. The bullet points are really going to need to be targeted at Joe Maddenfootball who just wandered into Gamestop to do some trade-ins and happens to see the game on the shelf. He's the one who's never heard of the game and is just thinking about it.
So what kinds of things does Joe Maddenfootball think about when he sees a game? Let me try to step into his shoes for a moment.
He could be thinking: "Hmm, my roommate has Call of Duty 4, and that was cool. I wonder if this is as good as Call of Duty."
Or maybe he's thinking: "Hmm, my roommate already has Call of Duty 4, so I don't really need another WWII game. I wonder if this is just the same game."
Or he could be thinking: "Hmm, I don't really like army games. I like Madden Football. I wonder if there's any reason I would like this army game?"
So I'm gonna write one bullet point to try and lure in each of these three Joes, but none of those points can drive the other two Joes away.
Joe #1 wants a game that's similar to other army games that he likes. What drew Joe into playing other WWII games? That's a hard question for me to answer. I know that Mikey McNoobpwner likes games with thick multiplayer that let them trash talk and teabag the people that he's just blown apart, but Mikey is really more of a Halo fan than a WWII gamer. In fact, I'm going to guess that the reason that Joe liked other WWII games is that they weren't Halo - that they focused on a mature, realistic system that rewards tactics and aim over crazy maneuvers. So I'm going to spend one bullet point on the solid, authentic WWII experience.
The second Joe doesn't just want to play CoD4 again, but we've already stated that most of the things about the game are the same as other army games. But there's one thing that rarely gets exactly replicated from game to game - the story. If people watch twelve different crime dramas on primetime network TV, then they can also play different WWII games as long as the plot of the show is different. So one of my bullet points will highlight the interesting story that you'll want to hear about.
The third Joe would rather be playing Madden. That's a tough one, too. The gamer who only plays Madden might be the guy just looking for a simple, fun game that recreates something he really likes. Or he might be the guy who's really into Madden and can tell you a lot about the individual pieces of the game, but he's a little skeptical about getting into another genre. I think that both of those points say that this Joe would want a game that is easy to pick up, that isn't too intimidating, but also isn't too simple like a PopCap game or something.
So here are my three points, in the order that I think they sound most relevant to picking up the guy just walking past the box and picking it up to look at it (point two, three, and one):
* Play through the eyes of Lt. Michael Dawkins as he discovers pain, danger, and mystery beyond what he was ever told about the life of a soldier
* Pick right up into the basics of combat with the "Soldier's Action System," quickly learning over 30 weapons of the era
* Go online with up to X friends in the online campaign that mimics the tactics of actual conflict
I am curious to hear what other people think is on the mind of Joe Maddenfootball, though, as opposed as to what we just think about here.
Dean Ray Johnson @ ohnoabear.com
Senior Member
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
I do understand your point. I think incorporating the games name into a selling point is a good strategy, but I didn't want to just say 'The Reign of Honor is about to being.' because that sounds to close to something from Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.
From my understanding of the challenge (and I wait patiently for Jill to lay down the executive beatdown), it's a marketing challenge, not a design challenge. The marketing department isn't allowed to just invent things to add bullets to the back of the box, they have to work with what they are given. If we are allowed to invent features, it no longer is a marketing challenge, but a design one.
Dreamshade has a good point. I've been reading the backs of the boxes I have lying around, and none of the would sell the game to me. As he pointed out the Madden (US/AU)football series, like most sports games, come out procedurally, with few innovative fetures add from year-to-year. People still buy them.
I looked to my sports games, but I do know how little they change, and haven't bought one for a long time.
-Lightning Fast Gameplay- Faster Dribbling, Faster Passing, and faster shots than in '94
-New Player Controls-Pinpoint Passing Accuracy, Improved Shot Control, Even Blazing Give-And-Go's Make FIFA '95 A Whole New Game.
-New Player Artwork and Animations-Volleys, Half Volleys and New Player Artwork make FIFA More Lifelike Than Ever.
-More Aggressive Computer Opponents-Goalies Attack Breaking Forwards to Cut Off Angles. Defenders Play Tight "Heads-Up" D.
-Full Season League Mode-Multi Game Injuries, Yellow And Red Cards Suspensions And Full Player Stat Compilation.
-Customizable Victory Celebrations-You're In the Crowd With a Drum, Siren Or [lack of comma theirs] Just Wail With A GOOOALLL! (Note: this is amazing marketing right here. All you can do is hit A for a Drum, B for a Siren, or C for a goal-yell. They don't lie, but it definetly sounds better than it is.)
NHL Hockey
-The Only Game To Score With the NHL!
-Includes all 22 NHL teams and 2 all-Star teams - each skater modeled on 14 different attributes, such as scoring, skating, aggression, and rink awareness. -All the fast-paced action of real hockey - superior skating, body checks, and ballistic slap shots.
-Watch out! Slashing, holding, and tripping will earn you some time in the penalty box - if the ref sees you!
-This game has all the details down, including instant replay, scouting reports, [lack of 'and' theirs] realistic sounds -booing, cheering, clapping, and dynamic crowd reactions. (I've played this game for years, and I've never seen a scouting report...)
-Slip one past the goalie and you light up the bard - it takes sharp skills and skates to succeed in this league!
RBI Baseball '94
-Gameplay that's twice as fast [bold, underline, and italics theirs] as RBI '93 with rotoscoped animation for incredibly lifelike movement of runners, batters, and the pitcher!
-On-screen baseball card-style player pictures with their '93 statistics -MLBPA licensed, which means over 800 real players from 28 real teams.
-More and higher quality music, voices and sounds [lack of comma theirs] - featuring audio play assist by Jack Buck. (Once again, I've been playing this for years, and I have no idea what 'audio play assist by Jack Buck' is.)
-Uses the real '94 baseball schedule for a full 162-game season, playoffs and world championship.
-Showcases the new East-Central-West division structure.
Now, if you were to check these against any current sports games you have, I bet they wouldn't be that different.
As long as I'm at it, here's a bunch for WWII shooters.
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
The highway to hell cuts through the air in this combat epic that drops you into World War II's largest airborne operation.
Classic squad-based Brothers in Arms combat comes to a new generation of consoles with a new story that follows the 101st Airborne Division in Operation Market Garden, a daring mission to open "Hell's Highway" and swiftly end the war.
Experience new levels of interaction with the squad you command.
Watch your team cooperate like true brothers in arms.
Design attacks with a host of new units, including bazooka, mortar, and machine gun crews.
New multiplayer battles, packed with dozens of players per side, are more explosive than ever.
Brothers in Arms: Double Time
The courageous troops of Brothers in Arms have a new weapon: the Wiimote! -Brothers in Arms: Double Time lets you experience World War II like never before, with an enhanced control scheme designed specially for the Wii.
-You're dropped behind enemy lines in Normandy, where you'll fight one of history's greatest battles through 31 levels.
-Playing as Sergeants Matt Baker and Joe Hartstock, you'll lead your men through an authentic re-creation of the D-Day campaign, issuing orders and guiding your men by gesturing with the Wiimote.
-The battle scenarios have been faithfully reconstructed using official photos, eyewitness accounts, and official military After Action Reports.
Brothers in Arms: D-Day
-The heralded Brothers in Arms combat franchise comes to PSP for the first time with a D-Day campaign built specially for PSP.
-Play as two different Brothers In Arms heroes, Baker and Hartstock, in stories that cover the entire Normandy campaign with a new style of play geared toward portable gaming.
-For the first time, you can command a bazooka team and fire mortar rounds.
You'll also find new weapons, better enemy AI, destroyable cover, and teammates with new abilities.
-When you've completed the single-player mission, team up with a friend for 12 Skirmish missions in 4 co-op game modes. (This one is strange. 'When you've completed the single-player mission?' Is it not available from the start?)
Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood
-Fight actual D-Day battles re-created using thousands of official photos, military reports, and stories from eye-witnesses in this ultra-authentic WWII shooter.
-The next chapter in the epic Brothers in Arms franchise thrusts you into the role of Sgt. Joe "Red" Hartsock, leader of the best of the best, the 101st Airborne's Screaming Eagles.
-Your goal in a series of urban missions: wipe out the last remaining enemy resistance and liberate Normandy.
-Lay down suppressive fire with your fire team, then send in your assault team to finish the job.
-Go beyond the single-player storyline and tackle co-op multiplayer missions or survive a tour of duty through perilous Skirmish Mode.
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
--Immerse yourself in the historic eight-day invasion of Normandy with more authentic sights, sounds, and action than you've ever seen before!
-As Sgt. Matt Baker, you must lead your squad of 101st Airborne Paratroopers through the French countryside, confronting tough choices that pit the success of your mission against the lives of your "brothers in arms."
-Historical events and the true stories you play through will place you on real battlefields - carefully recreated from U.S. Army Signal Corps photos, reconnaissance images, and eyewitness accounts.
-Command a three-man team using intuitive squad controls that are accessible to both hardcore gamers and soldiers on their first tour of duty alike.
Senior Member
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Medal of Honor: Heroes
-Play as three fabled Medal of Honor heroes in this all-new saga with PSP-exclusive features.
-Take on the role of Lieutenant Jimmy Patterson, star of Medal of Honor and MoH: Frontline, in a new story set in Holland during Operation Market Garden.
-Sabotage German forces on the Italian coastline as MoH Allied Assault Breakthrough star Sergeant John Baker.
-Return to the Battle of the Bulge as Lieutenant William Holt from MoH European Assault.
-You'll encounter 12 distinct single-player environments. Six multiplayer modes offer 15 maps.
-Eight players can join for ad-hoc play, while 32 can band together online.
-You can even unlock 20 classic MoH characters to use in multiplayer.
Medal of Honor: Vanguard
-MOH: Vanguard offers a whole new way to earn your place in history in this new Medal of Honor WWII combat saga.
-You're Corporal Frank Keegan, leader of the 82nd Airborne Division.
-You'll become the driving force in the effort to free Europe as you engage in epic battles across the continent.
-This time, each mission starts in the belly of a transport plane. You'll leap to your destiny as you drop in behind enemy lines to complete the most critical missions of WWII.
-Experience historic campaigns, including Operation Husky on Sicily's shores, Operation Varsity inside Nazi Germany, and more, as you go from American paratrooper to international war hero.
Medal of Honor: European Assault
-The Medal of Honor franchise is back with its fourth installment.
-It's Europe, 1942, and you are U.S. Army Lieutenant William Holt, the first field agent of the Office of Strategic Services - OSS. Your main goal is to work with the Allied forces to liberate Europe.
-Multiple objectives leading in different directions make this latest Medal of Honor title unique.
-Your choices will shape your experience as you navigate the open battlefield.
-Historically accurate and realistic, Medal of Honor: European Assault offers nine gameplay modes across 16 maps.
Medal of Honor: Heroes 2
-The date: June 6, 1944. The location: behind enemy lines, Nazi Germany. The man: OSS Operative John Berg. The mission: Undermine the Nazi regime!
-Drop into the boots of an elite-trained paratrooper and take the enemy face-on as you attempt to swing the tide of the Western front.
-Pick up your Wii Zapper for a fully immersive experience, or introduce players with less experience by using the old-school rail-shooter mode, where the Wii moves you around and it's your job to take down the enemies.
-Then jump online for massive 32-player online battles with soldiers from all over the world.
Medal of Honor: Airborne
-You are Private First Class Boyd Travers of the 82nd Airborne Division, and it's your job to battle your way through the WWII wasteland battlefields of Europe.
-Start with the earliest paratrooper battles in Sicily and fight your way to the battles that won the war in Germany.
- You begin each mission behind enemy lines, and the airdrop is fully interactive – and intense!
-Choose your own starting point and change the way each mission goes. Once you've landed, assess the terrain to make the best tactical decision.
-Take your pick of a variety of authentic and customizable weapons, each with different characteristics, and then choose your path in the free-roaming FPS environment! (I especially like how this last one is worded, although 'free-roaming is BS.)Call of Duty: Finest Hour
-Call of Duty: Finest Hour was developed by Spark Unlimited, a new studio formed by some of the same creative masterminds behind EA's Medal of Honor series.
-In Call of Duty you will engage in a unique World War II storyline filled with challenging missions and rich battlefield environments.
-You will participate firsthand in intense cinematic battlefield conflicts as unsung heroes fighting as part of a crack squad through the chaos of battle.
-Play as three different allies, the Americans, British, and Russians.
-Call of Duty features authentic weapons, vehicles, environments, combat missions, and the real sounds of war.
Call of Duty 2
-Play through the eyes of ordinary soldiers who became our greatest heroes in Call of Duty 2, the sequel to the award-winning World War II shooter.
-Fight new conflicts and enemies across Europe, Russia, and North Africa.
-Storm the cliffs of Point du Hoc against a brutal German assault or hunt for Russian tanks surrounded by the finest men yet.
-Your fully aware fellow grunts will draw fire, lay down cover, and use a context-sensitive battle-chatter system.
-Control the plan of attack as you tackle missions and objectives in the order you see fit.
-Online, the fabled COD multiplayer modes only get better with team-based Axis vs. Allies conflicts.
Call of Duty 2: Big Red One
-Answer the Call of Duty again in Big Red One, Activision's latest episode in the critically acclaimed World War II shooter series.
-Graphics, textures and animations are richer and smoother than ever.
-Jump right into the action of the historic operations of the famed First Infantry Division in Italy, North Africa and Central Europe.
-For the first time, play through the Story Mode with the same character, running missions with your men in bombed-out villages and Nazi-infested forests.
Call of Duty 3
-One of World War II's most epic campaigns, the liberation of Paris, gets epic next-generation treatment in Call of Duty 3.
-Step into a breathtaking, seamless storyline as four ordinary Allied soldiers thrust into an extraordinary situation, the Normandy Breakout.
-An all-new close-quarters battle mechanic lets you fight hand-to-hand, rig impromptu bombs, disarm traps, and perform other keys to battlefield survival.
Branching mission paths with multiple attack routes and distinct tactical requirements let you choose to outflank your enemy or overpower him head on.
-Environmental physics means there's nowhere to hide. Cover, both yours or your enemy's, can be destroyed.
-Up to 24 can battle in team-based multiplayer with vehicles.
After compiling that list, I because curious as to the number or WWII shooters. After further research, I have come to the conclusion that the World War II shooter genre needs to die!
Bonus: Every WWII shooter I could think of or look up without trying too hard.
World War II Online: Battleground Europe
Battlefield 1942
Battlefield 1942: The Road To Rome (Expansion)
Battlefield 1942: Secret Weapons of WWII (Expansion)
Call of Duty
Call of Duty: Finest Hour (Console Port)
Call of Duty: United Offensive (Expansion)
Call of Duty 2
Call of Duty 2: Big Red One (Console Port)
Call of Duty 3
Call of Duty: Roads to Victory
Call of Duty: World at War (TBR)
Day of Defeat
Day of Defeat: Source
Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30
Brothers in Arms: Earned in Blood
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
Brothers in Arms: D-Day
Brothers in Arms: Art of War
Brothers in Arms: Double Time
Brothers in Arms (N-Gage)
Brothers in Arms DS
Castle Wolfenstein
Beyond Castle Wolfenstein
Wolfenstein 3D
Spear of Destiny
Return to Castle Wolfenstein
Wolfenstein:Enemy Territory
Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor: Underground
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Spearhead (Expansion)
Medal of Honor: Allied Assault: Breakthrough (Expansion)
Medal of Honor: Frontline
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun
Medal of Honor: Infiltrator
Medal of Honor: Pacific Assault
Medal of Honor: European Assault
Medal of Honor: Heroes
Medal of Honor: Vanguard
Medal of Honor: Airborne
Medal of Honor: Heroes 2
Red Orchestra: Combined Arms
Red Orchestra: Ostfront 41-45
Hidden & Dangerous
Hidden & Dangerous 2
Deadly Dozen
Deadly Dozen: Pacific Theater
Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines
Commandos: Beyond the Call of Duty
Commandos 2: Men of Courage
Commandos 3: Destination Berlin
Commandos: Strike Force
Hour of Victory
World War II Combat: Road to Berlin
World War II Combat: Iwo Jima
WWII Normandy
Sniper Elite
History Channel: Battle for the Pacific
Turning Point: Fall of Liberty
Velvet Assassin (TBR)
Combat Elite: WWII Paratroopers
Schwarzenberg (TBR)
World War II Sniper: Call to Victory
Saboteur (TBR)
Men of War
Anyone who comes to the conclusion that I have too much time on my hands can keep it to themselves > : (
Location: London, UK
Wow, thanks for sharing that reasearch with us ronnoc10! This will come in really useful, for me at least!
Michael 'Adrir' Scott :: Games, Virtual Worlds, Education
Networking | Current Project | Research | Teaching
Location: Netherlands
* Or at least as good as!
* But we have Nazis!
And Ronnoc, that's not fair. Four out of those five Commandos titles weren't even shooters.
[COLOR="#000000"]My name is Louis. Hi![/COLOR]
[COLOR="#F5F5FF"]Uh oh! The princess is in another signature![/COLOR]
Senior Member
Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Location: Netherlands
I'll be going away for a week tomorrow (sunny Greece, here I come!), so I'll be wrapping up the challenge RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW!
Here are my bullet points for Reign of Honor:
* The most feature-packed WWII experience this side of 1945!
* Relive some of the most intense battles ever fought!
* Fight your way to glory, in intense single player or online multiplayer battles!
...and for Region of Honor:
* Try to find the REGION OF HONOR set against a late 1970s WWII background!
* Experience intense gameplay you have NEVER... um, EXPERIENCED before!
* FEATURES many different REGIONS and voice-work by pop-sensation J. DUFFY!
I kept it simple. I don't think there's much more you can do, really. As said before, those who already know the game will not pay any attention to the bullet points anyway.
And with that, I'm off! See you all next week! :D
[COLOR="#000000"]My name is Louis. Hi![/COLOR]
[COLOR="#F5F5FF"]Uh oh! The princess is in another signature![/COLOR]
Last edited by Protector one : 09-12-2008 at 05:14 AM.
Junior Member
Is there any suggestion to say that the player can use vehicles in Reign/Region of Honor? That can be a big selling point if it is possible to acquire and use "authentic" WWII vehicles.
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Monoprice 5.1 Channel Home Theater Satellite Speakers & Subwoofer for $75.69 + shipping
Get everything you need for a great sounding home theater speaker setup in a single box! You get four satellite speakers and a center channel speaker, an 8" powered subwoofer, and four C brackets with the necessary hardware for mounting the speakers to the wall. Don't let the low price fool you! This speaker system sounds great and will fill your room with high-quality, full-spectrum sound!
This is such an amazing bargain that CNET declared this 5.1 speaker kit as one of their Top 10 Sleeper Hits of 2011!
4 Comments add a comment
All together the speakers weigh about 30 lbs so expect to pay about another $20 for standard shipping (considerably more for expedited shipping).
The consensus I've read in reviews on these is that they're pretty good for being so cheap, but every review ends up telling you to go buy something more expensive if you're serious about sound. Seems like a good deal for a bedroom or dorm or something. Keep in mind you'll need a receiver and Monoprice doesn't sell any of those on the cheap.
I bought these about 10 months ago on a special sale that included shipping, however, even if I had to pay shipping, these speakers were certainly worth the price. Is the sound the best you ever heard? Likely not, but man, they sound so much better than the original speaker set I had. The highs are noticeably more crisp. The Mid range is solid.
Full Story: I already have a nice Yamaha active sub-woofer and continue to use it along with the new satellites. I added the new Monoprice sub-woofer to my old Cambridge Soundworks Home theater system for my PC replacing the original passive sub-woofer that came with it, and this Monoprice active sub-woofer just out performs the original by leaps and bounds!
If you want really satisfying sound and you don't want to pay any more than you have to, and you're only trying to impress yourself, then buy these speakers! If you have a need to pay a whole lot of money to impress your friends, then get something else
Get the Boston sound bar on the deal.woot front page for a little more $ and be substantially and audibly more satisfied. I've had enough bargain basement surround systems and real sound systems to identify the winner.
The sound quality of the Boston is excellent and I have doubts on this unit. The Boston is LOUD and clean. Also, most bargain buyers don't even set up their surround sound properly.
A typical bargain 5.1 buyer has 5 speakers in scattered places directly in front of them. This can actually sound worse than 2 speakers. Imagine the swap meet Honda civic with 23 tweeters built in to the visors. Hss-fss-kssk.
This improper set up not only sounds worse but creates an unnecessary rats nest mess of wiring.
Also, I missed the simplicity of my wireless sub and wound bar, the auto-on and auto-off feature. I now another simple set up which I shall not be trolled about.
I know I sound like a salesman but I am merely looking out for your ear's interest.
@jdpman: Could you perchance recommend me a good baseline receiver that would be on par with these? I'm hoping to get one for under $100, but I don't know if that's possible. Seems odd that I could get good speakers like these for $75 but can't get a receiver for the same price or less. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!


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Today in Tweet Beat, Kathy Griffin pretends to be broken up over Levi's engagement to Bristol, Snooki has a new hair color and Sarah Silverman gets real.
Oh y did I trust my heart 2 a 19 yr old ice-fisherman/babydaddy from Wasila?Like Britney I'm putting myself on a 5150 psych hold BUY MY BOOK
Levi, you've given me no choice but to announce that Bravo will pick up "Bristol Getting Married?". :-)
pauly calls me fireball :) Red hair, holla! http://twitpic.com/259ymg
trendsetta,da creator of GTL, da President of the GFF(grenade free foundation) promoting a GFA(grenade free America) mother effin Situation
I wish I was as comfortable with my body as I want young girls to think I am.
Just spoke with a power heavy hitter lawyer that will take my case against the Roosevelt Hollywood Hotel! I hope hills party was worth it$!
Obama: al Qaeda racist b/c they kill too many Africans. Problem isn't terrorists are racist, problem is they're still alive. #ftrs #tcot
Emerging from studio coma. voted no visit to rocknroll hall of fame,rather write a hit that puts me in it. Now let's rock 20,000 cleveland.
Three guys working hard LLAP http://twitpic.com/258tna
no, that's cigarettes RT @sexidance when is @samantharonson gonna get hate crimed?she's the type of lesbians that are giving america cancer.
PARTY TIP: When you cheers your glass with someone, always make eye contact!


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I have an engineering problem which maybe resolved with semi-definite programming optimization. I have a set which I would like to know if is convex:
Being $m \in \mathbb{R}^+$ a positive real scalar, $l \in \mathbb{R}^3$ a size 3 real vector, and $L \succ 0$ a size 3x3 real positive-definite matrix, does the expression
$L - m\ S\left(\frac{l}{m}\right)^T S\left(\frac{l}{m}\right) \succ 0$
where $S(\dot{})$ means the skew-symmetric matrix operator, and $\succ 0$ means positive-definite, defines a convex set?
$$m \in \mathbb{R}$$
$$l \equiv \left[l_x\ l_y\ l_z\right]^T$$
$$ L \equiv \left[\begin{matrix} L_{xx} & L_{xy} & L_{xz} \\ L_{xy} & L_{yy} & L_{yz} \\ L_{xz} & L_{yz} & L_{zz} \\ \end{matrix}\right] $$
The variables $m,l_x,l_y,l_z,L_{xx},L_{xy},L_{xz},L_{yy},L_{yz},L_{zz}$ define a $\mathbb{R}^{10}$ space.
The constraints
$$ \left\{ \begin{matrix} m &> 0 \\ L &\succ 0\\ L - m\ S\left(\frac{l}{m}\right)^T S\left(\frac{l}{m}\right) &\succ 0 \end{matrix} \right. $$
which, since $m>0$, are equivalent to
$$ \left\{ \begin{matrix} m &> 0 \\ L &\succ 0\\ m L - S\left(l\right)^T S\left(l\right) &\succ 0 \end{matrix} \right. $$
define a semialgebraic set on the $\mathbb{R}^{10}$ variables space.
Here, $\succ 0$ means that the left argument is a positive-definite matrix, and,
$$ S(x) = \left[\begin{smallmatrix} 0 & -x_3 & x_2 \\ x_3 & 0 & -x_1 \\ -x_2 & x_1 & 0 \end{smallmatrix}\right]\quad\text{with}\quad x = \left[x_1\ x_2\ x_3\right]^T $$
I did some, manipulation and rewrote the last constraint as a polynomial inequalities system:
$$ mI = m L - S\left(l\right)^T S\left(l\right) = \left[\begin{smallmatrix} L_{1xx} m_{1} - l_{1y}^{2} - l_{1z}^{2} & L_{1xy} m_{1} + l_{1x} l_{1y} & L_{1xz} m_{1} + l_{1x} l_{1z} \\ L_{1xy} m_{1} + l_{1x} l_{1y} & L_{1yy} m_{1} - l_{1x}^{2} - l_{1z}^{2} & L_{1yz} m_{1} + l_{1y} l_{1z} \\ L_{1xz} m_{1} + l_{1x} l_{1z} & L_{1yz} m_{1} + l_{1y} l_{1z} & L_{1zz} m_{1} - l_{1x}^{2} - l_{1y}^{2} \end{smallmatrix}\right] $$
then, through Sylvester's criterion,
$$ mI \succ 0 \Leftrightarrow \left\{ \begin{matrix} \det\left(mI_{1,1}\right) = L_{1xx} m_{1} - l_{1y}^{2} - l_{1z}^{2} &> 0\\ \det\left(mI_{1:2,1:2}\right) &> 0\\ \det\left(mI\right) &>0 \end{matrix} \right. $$
It would be sufficient that the polynomials were concave to guarantee set convexity, however they are not concave. Although not being concave, it does not imply that set is not convex; for example, the first polynomial $L_{1xx} m_{1} - l_{1y}^{2} - l_{1z}^{2}$ is not concave itself but defines a convex set if constraint $m>0$ is taken into account. (This representation also gave me some suspicions that maybe the $L \succ 0$ constraint is implicit on the other.)
I also tried to write the set as a linear matrix inequality (LMI), but I couldn't (my knowledge in this area is really short).
I was able to check that this set is close under positive scalar multiplication, since $$ (\gamma\ m) (\gamma\ L) - S\left(\gamma\ l\right)^T S\left(\gamma\ l\right) = \gamma^2 \ \left( m L - S\left(l\right)^T S\left(l\right)\right) \succ 0 \quad \text{for} \quad \gamma > 0$$ then it is a cone. If one can prove the set is close under addition then it will be proven to be a convex cone.
Now, the questions are:
Which methods can I use to check if the defined set is convex?
If so, is it possible to represent it as an LMI?


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Partly thanks to the wonderful blogs of Tony Dowler and Dyson Logos, I've found myself obsessed recently with the idea of building that epically classic D&D adventuring environment: the dangerous multi-level underground dungeon.
While I think the best way to go about it is to crack the ol' DM's guide open to the right section, sit down with papers and pencil and just start mapping away, are there any recommended guides or online discussion out there about undergoing this design project? Creativity tips, etc?


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Giselle 2011
Posted 29 May 2011 - 10:50 AM
Posted 29 May 2011 - 02:50 PM
Posted 29 May 2011 - 03:05 PM
Posted 29 May 2011 - 04:31 PM
Posted 29 May 2011 - 10:20 PM
Posted 30 May 2011 - 06:18 AM
The same holds true of Macaulay's review. (Thanks, canbelto, for the link..) Is there any other dance critic who does quite as good a job of finding words to help us "see" what he has seen, and feel what he has felt?
For example, the following. (I choose it because it contains allusions to one of Ballet Alert's favorite themes: the tendency (or not) to raise the leg a little too high.
[Cojocaru] is nonetheless a marvel. Her art is one of transcendence. After Giselle leaves the sanctuary of the cross in Act II, her first step is to extend a leg to the side while holding her arms still in a halo above her head. Because Ms. Cojocaru's leg — radiant with energy — ascends way above head height, you could already hear a tizzy of excitement in the house, but she immediately made a much more affecting impression simply by the way she then parted her hands and opened her arms; the simpler feat was the more poetic.
I also appreciate the way he discusses "musicality" -- not just with a word, but with an illustration in words. For example:
And, whereas other Royal dancers in this role tend to dance on and into the beat, Ms. Cojocaru tends to arrive, with Romantic responsiveness, after it. (By contrast Ms. Vishneva, unlike many Russians, danced a few steps on the beat, pingingly.) Ms. Cojocaru doesn't fill a musical phrase to the brim.
I learn from comments like this. Just as I learn from the generosity of those Ballet Alert members who take the time to share with us what you have seen and why you admire it or do not admire it.
Both [Mr. Hallberg] and Mr. Gomes provided the most musically illuminating dancing of the two performances; both of them gave their ballerinas beautiful support. If you'd seen only Mr. Hallberg dance the long Act II series of entrechat-six, you'd think his super-definition could not be matched, but Mr. Gomes was even more wonderful in timing (he hits the downbeat with the apex of the jump) and more rich-toned.
Posted 30 May 2011 - 04:37 PM
Someone told me that the day after the performance Hallberg twittered the follow - "Alina took me on ride last night & then we flew to a new sphere."
It would seem to me that Hallberg probably gained/learned a lot from Cojocaru - I'm not suggesting that it was totally one sided, I'm sure she got something new from working with Hallberg, it's just that she as been doing & thinking about the role for a while, and is a very established ballerina.
Hallberg is soon partnering Hee Seo in her first Giselle. I can't help but wonder if Cojocaru's impact on Hallberg will have an impact on Seo. It's interesting to think about how this all works.
If anyone has seen other performance of Giselle please post comments.
Thank you all.
Posted 30 May 2011 - 06:12 PM
Posted 31 May 2011 - 06:55 AM
Mr. Puppytreats: Before performance: "You can give my ticket to someone else if you want [please]. I don't mind. [I'd rather stay home and watch the Mets or hockey finals if they are on tv.] I mean, why do they have to wear those outfits?"
Puppytreats: "Please join me. I will enjoy it more if you are there. You will understand my interest better if you see it. Thank you so much for the tickets. I am so excited." [Jumping up and down with glee.]
Mr. Puppytreats: "OK, but I'll take my earphones and ipod with me into the theater."
Puppytreats: "The music is very nice. You'll like it."
Mr. Puppytreats: At intermission: "The band [sic] is so good. I did not need to turn my ipod on at all. Also, the lady in red [Bathilde, performed by Leann Underwood] is so beautiful. It was worth coming here just to see her."
Puppytreats: At intermission: "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you."
Mr. Puppytreats: During Act II: "How on earth does she do that? She is amazing" [as Giselle bourees.]
Puppytreats: Before curtain calls: "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you."
Mr. Puppytreats: "It was really good."
Mr. Puppytreats: During curtain calls: "Why does she get to be 'The Decider?'" [as Michele Wiles, who performed the part of Myrta, bows.]
Puppytreats: "Because she is the Queen of the Wilis."
Mr. Puppytreats: During curtain calls: "She's a hottie; I'm taking a picture of her" [as Paloma Herrera graciously picks up a bouquet of white roses thrown by the man sitting two seats away from us.]
Mr. Puppytreats: As we leave the theater: "The band was great. And the dancing was so well done. I couldn't read the small lettering in the program, but you didn't need to - you could understand it all just from watching the ballet. It was so emotional. Dancers are really great atheletes. And that woman in red is such a cutie."
Puppytreats: "I am afraid that I let out an audible gasp when the ballet started. Did you hear me?"
Mr. Puppytreats: "Oh, yes, I heard you. But don't worry, several others in the audience did the same thing."
Puppytreats: During the entire walk to the car: "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you" [leaping, jumping, skipping].
Mr. Puppytreats: "Why didn't you tell me there were puppies in that show?"
Puppytreats: "None of the versions I've seen [on tape] have ever had puppies. Or the two children."
Mr. Puppytreats: "No, there were four children. See, I was watching the whole thing."
Puppytreats: "Did Roberto Bolle have a bandage wrapped around his leg under his tights. Do you think he is injured? His dancing was not affected, but I thought I saw a bandage."
Mr. Puppytreats: "Oh, I didn't look at that. Why do they have to wear those outfits? And who was that character who looked like he came from the movie "Shrek"? [Hilarion]
Puppytreats: "I know the costumes need improvement. I think they spend money on the stars, not the costumes. But you liked it?"
Mr. Puppytreats: "Yes, I'll go again."
I had the following observations:
Misty Copeland danced in the peasant pdd. She is more beautiful in person than in her photographs. She looks like someone poised to go to the next level. I was very impressed. Her partner looked tired and did not match her level of competence on that day.
Zhong-Jing Fang as Zulma and Stella Abrera [according to the program] as Moyna displayed a vivid and effective contrast. Ms. Fang held her face in an icy, numb stare, and she showed a demonstrably deferential attitude toward her queen. Contrarily, Ms. Abrera's eyes were sad and pained. One can imagine either one of these emotions in a wili.
The face of Michele Wiles, as Myrta, looked imperious, angry, sometimes frightening, and gratified in her vengeance. Ms. Wile's arms and hands are incredibly elegant and graceful (as are those of Mr. Bolle.) She has very long fingers that she points artfully, and her hand positions are beautiful. I could not tell if she was trying to suggest that the lower half of her body was being held down, earthbound, making her angry and vengeful. When she had to leave at 4 a.m., she was visibly perturbed, not just powerless and departing.
Paloma Herrera conveyed so much emotion in her dancing of the part of Giselle. During Act I, she was so innocent, and less flirtatious than other interpretations I have seen. She moved into her own world in the mad scene, and was unreachable, just as she was unreachable during the beginning and end of Act II. In Act II, she portrayed such love for Albrecht that I literally felt the emotion inside of my heart. Usually, I just feel the heartbreak, but I felt more than aching in Ms. Herrera's portrayal. The love was continuing and generous, especially as she wrapped her arms around Albrecht from behind. I got the impression that she and Albrecht met briefly in a dream world in Act II, which I never felt before.
Gennadi Saveliev danced the part of Hilarion with admirable skill.
Roberto Bolle mesmerized. He focused on Ms. Herrera intently. During Act I, he threw her in the air and caught her before letting her down, like one throws a baby. (I have not seen these types of throw lifts before). During Act II, he lifted her as if she were air, without any effort. The audience was enraptured by his solos. His failed grasps for Giselle were heartbreaking. I do not think I took a breath or blinked whenever he was on the stage.
Posted 31 May 2011 - 08:50 AM
Posted 31 May 2011 - 09:08 AM
I don't think my first boyfriend in NYC ever got over Susan Freedman's Coffee
I'm glad Mr. puppytreats liked it!
Posted 31 May 2011 - 11:03 AM
P.S. That's how we expand the ballet fan base:
(1) get them into the theater;
(2) pick a the best performance available;
(3) let them watch without telling them what to looko for (unless asked).
Posted 31 May 2011 - 11:30 AM
More episodes of "Mr. and Mrs. Puppytreats at the Ballet" .... PLEASE.
P.S. That's how we expand the ballet fan base:
(1) get them into the theater;
(2) pick a the best performance available;
(3) let them watch without telling them what to looko for (unless asked).
With all the empty seats discussed on these boards, I can't see why school children are not let in for educational purposes for free.
Mr. Puppytreats drove me into Manhattan to see "Coppelia" in the cinema this weekend, too. He deserves a lot of extra puppy treats.
Posted 31 May 2011 - 11:36 AM
It is difficult to describe the ethereal. What made this performance so memorable? Was it the shimmering fluency of their movement? Was it their expansive shaping of space? To my eyes, their performance was so organic and alive that it transcended all technical considerations. Cojocaru and Hallberg demonstrated how exquisite classicism can be a portal to a more perfect beauty.
From the sublime to the more earthbound .
I wish that Giselles cottage and her grave werent invisible from stage right sight lines. That seemed a little careless from a production aspect. And IMO, the soloists were accomplished but failed to register with any weight or consequence. And finally, I found the orchestra a little jarring at times as the music disrupted rather than enhanced the mood. Something appeared to be out of sync.
Posted 31 May 2011 - 11:39 AM
Murphy out. Messmer in.[/font][/size][/size]
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I'm using the Facebook C# SDK (http://facebooksdk.codeplex.com/releases/view/66412) and would like to know what the best approach would be to use it to keep my cached user data up to date?
Currently I am storing these pieces of user information:
- userid
- birthday
- name
- sex
- country
- pic
- pic_square
Has anyone given this any thought or have experience in using the SDK to keep their caches up to date? And if so, how did u architecture your solution ...
[Also, when responding please inform me of the graph api calls you made etc, fb are so obscure with this data]
Regards Rob


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I'm usually very good at getting water/finger marks on lens, so I must use something for protection. Is there any downside of using an UV filter instead of a protector filter?
Example: Hoya HD Protector or Hoya HD UV?
I'm usually very good at getting water/finger marks on lens, so I must use something for protection. Is there any downside of using an UV filter instead of a protector filter?
Example: Hoya HD Protector or Hoya HD UV?
First, I wouldn't be especially worried about the odd fingerprint, dust mark, or water on the lens as it would take quite a bit to make an impact. To give you a sense, helpfully posted in another thread is this lens which, despite massive damage to front element, still works and does so reasonably well.
Second, there are ways to reduce your incidental contact with the lens such as using the lens hood and ensuring you cap it when its not in use. If you do get something on it, despite that, then cleaning tools such as the lens pen and microfibre cloths will help you remove it. That's if you even notice!
However, if you do get something like a UV filter, which will help with this problem, bear in mind that you still have to clean that with reasonable care or you introduce potential image artifacts beyond what the filter will already do. By the way, the downside really applies to both options in a way, primarily artifacts from light sources appearing in unexpected places. It is, after all, another piece of glass added to your lens.
The only advantage of an additional protection element (UV or protector) is that it is cheaper to replace should you scratch it when you rub it with your t-shirt/accidentally drag dirt over it. And for that purpose they do admirably. Having said that small specks of dust and dirt rarely have a significant impact although water drops can.
But if you're going to add another layer of glass then it's probably best to make sure it's as good a quality piece as you can get, commensurate with the quality of the lenses it goes onto.
So the best quality one for the price will be the better option.
I tend to have a polariser strapped to the front of my lens whenever shooting outside (which is, of course, the third option).
Given that digital cameras are less sensitive to UV light than film is, then the choice is moot.
Personally, I'd tend to opt for the UV filter option, when I'm not using a polariser; as I'd still be able to use it with my film cameras.
It's an ongoing debate in the photography world and blogosphere whether having a UV filter is a good or a bad thing (whether it reduces the quality if images). Assuming you want one, do like spg said and get a good quality filter. Putting cheap plastic in front of (quality) lens elements doesn't make much sense as it essentially can reduce the image quality of the lens, causing lens flare etc.
I personally tend to use a UV filter or a lens hood to protect the lenses. I've got a Hoya Pro 1 Digital series UV filter and some B+W filter and I haven't had any issues with either one.
Also notice that if you've got a wide-angle lens, you may need a slim-line filter to avoid vignetting.
It just occurred to me that anyone of us could make a simple cover for the lens using a plastic bottle of the right diameter.
I've been spending 'hours' looking for the right protection. My new cameras now has a step up (adapter) so to avoid vignetting.
I think I'll get a plastic bottle. Cut the top off and slip it over the lens. Add a piece of parachute cord that was $5 for 100' at Amazon and I've got a no lose free protector. If the bottle's a bit too tight a slit along its length of the right length or 'angle' (maybe slice it like a circular ham slice) Anyway that would allow it to spread if you're off by 0.1"
I was so 'groomed' to buy something instead of doing what I would have done when I was 8 years old...
Generally, digital sensors are far, far less sensitive to UV light than film, because of this you probably wont notice much, if any, difference between using a UV or clear protector. Personally I prefer to use a clear protector, 1 - because I don't use film any more so don't feel I need to keep one around and 2 - even though I know the UV filtering probably makes no difference, it's nice to know my lens has an uninterrupted view of the world.
Whichever one you choose make sure you get the highest possible quality filter you can afford. I use the Hoya HDs but if your budget is a little tighter the Hoya Digital filters are also very good. Don't even think about the cheap eBay filters - I had some and they ruined every shot I took, I was surprised quite how bad they were.
Some digital cameras have a built-in UV filter, so using UV on them is the same as using a protector.


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I have a recipe for long, slow, braised pork chops. I make them the same way every time. I buy 1 inch chops on the bone. Sometimes they come out incredibly tender and sometimes dry and stringy. I know it has to do with fat content as the dry ones have very little fat to skim from the sauce. But I can not discern from the raw meat, which is fattier. I buy center cut chops. The recipe calls for blade chops, but stores don't always have that. Help?
The resulting quality of a braise has to do with the connective tissue rather than the fat. Your recipe calls for the blade chop because it is close to the shoulder, which is tougher and contains more connective tissue. This tissue is tough to start, but braising breaks it down into a gelatin and makes the meat tender (and juicy). When you pick your chops, look for thin lines white connective tissue throughout. Or, just use a pork shoulder.
Also, remember to let the meat cool in the braising liquid. (Not to room temperature, but to an edible temperature). As the meat cools, it draws in some of the liquid and prevents it from drying out.
I find that the texture of meat is often stringier and tougher if it's cooked straight from the fridge. It's always better if you give it a good few hours out of the fridge to come up to room temperature.


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A square is drawn on the curve $y = x^3 + 27\cdot x^2 + 8\cdot x + 91$. What would be the area of the square. All the points of the square should lie on the curve. All four points lie on the curve (not the sides)
Time for some reverse engineering. Suppose we start with a square; translate it so that it is centred at the origin. Then for some $s$ and $\theta$, the vertices are $(s \cos(\theta), s \sin(\theta))$, $(s \sin(\theta), -s \cos(\theta))$, $(-s \cos(\theta), -s \sin(\theta))$ and $(-s \sin(\theta), s \cos(\theta))$, and the area is $2 s^2$. The cubic that interpolates these points is $$f(x) = \frac{4}{s^2 \sin(4 \theta)} x^3 - \frac{3 + \cos(4 \theta)}{\sin(4 \theta)} x$$ Note that for $b \ge \sqrt{8}$, $b = (3 + \cos(4 \theta))/\sin(4 \theta)$ has real solutions, namely $$\sin(4 \theta) = \frac{3b \pm \sqrt{b^2-8}}{b^2 - 1}$$ Note also that these solutions have $\sin(4 \theta) > 0$. We can then take $s=2/\sqrt{\sin(4\theta)}$ to make the cubic $f(x) = x^3 - b x$, and the area is $$2s^2 = \frac{8}{\sin(4\theta)} = 3 b \mp \sqrt{b^2 - 8}$$ The given problem has $b = 235$ and area $705 \mp \sqrt{55217}$.
If you take D. Thomine's hint, and let $X=x+9$ and $Y=y-1477$ to centre the cubic at $(0,0)$ as $Y=X^3-235X$. So if $(X_0,Y_0)$ are vertices of the square centred on the origin then so too are $(Y_0,-X_0)$, $(-X_0,-Y_0)$ $(-Y_0,X_0)$.
So you need to solve $(X^3-235X)^3-235(X^3-235X)=-X$. There are nine solutions including $X=0$; the others come in two sets of four for the two possible squares.
One square has a corner near $(0.065234579,-15.32984851)$ and just rotate by one, two or three right angles to find the others. The area is just over $470$.
The other square has a corner near $(15.29691915,-15.36215329)$ and again rotate to find the others. The area is just under $940$.
To find the corners of the original squares on the original cubics, just add $(-9, 1477)$ to the coordinates of the four corners of the squares, but you do not ned to do this to find the areas.
Note: This answers an earlier version of the question.
It is impossible to draw a square of positive area in $\mathbb R^2$ all of whose points lie on the graph of $y=x^3+27x^2+8x+91$. Proof: Any side of the square will have to lie on that graph, so that an interval will have to lie on the graph, but an interval has zero second derivative whereas $\frac{d^2}{dx^2}x^3+27x^2+8x+91=6x+54$ which is not zero on an interval.
Thus, if you're seeking the area of a square drawn so its sides are all on that curve, the answer is $0$.
Suppose the points $V_i = (x_i, f(x_i))$, $i=1,2,3,4$, form the vertices of a square. Since there is only one interval in which $f' < 0$, if $x_1 < x_2 < x_3 < x_4$ the vertices in counterclockwise order will be $V_1, V_3, V_4, V_2$. For these to form a square we need $V_4 - V_2 = V_3 - V_1$, $\|V_3 - V_1\|^2 = \|V_2 - V_1\|^2$, and $(V_3 - V_1) \cdot (V_2 - V_1) = 0$. Solving this system of four equations in four unknowns using Maple, besides the trivial solution $x_1=x_2=x_3=x_4$ I get the following real solutions:
$$[-24.36215898, 1461.700388], [-24.29691914, 1492.362157],[6.29691914, 1461.637842], [6.362158975, 1492.299610],\ \text{ area } 705+ \sqrt{55217}$$
$$[-24.32984851, 1476.934762], [-9.065234, 1492.329713], [-8.934766, 1461.670288], [6.32984851, 1477.065233],\, \text{ area } 705- \sqrt{55217}$$
The decimal numbers are approximations to complicated expressions involving radicals, but the areas are exact. Offhand I don't see why the area should come out so neatly.


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Just what is Lady Gaga up to these days? Is she still serving as scaffolding for tiny construction workers? Or copying Justin Bieber as he copies Aaron Carter? Nope. Instead she has discovered a new art in the form of slam poetry.
South African rap group Die Antwoord recently released the video for their song, "Fatty Boom Boom." It is pretty clear they are not Li††le Mons†ers, as the video ends (spoiler alert) with Lady Gaga being eaten by a lion. Lady Gaga responded with her newly cultivated art form, slam poetry (or rap, depending on how you read it):
The tweet is a reference to Die Antwoord's song "I Fink U Freaky," Gaga's upcoming concerts in South Africa, and the fact that Gaga knows how to rhyme in 140 characters or less.
She also fired this one off:
Gaga had asked Die Antwoord to open for her. They did not like the idea.
Stay tuned to Gaga's Twitter feed for her next foray into the literati, an epic poem dissing M.I.A.
[Image via Getty]


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I am wondering if there is any significant calorie burning from fidgeting (bouncing your heel, tapping your foot, moving your fingers, etc.) LiveStrong has an article on this discussing Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis, claiming fidget-ers burned up to 350 more calories per day. Is there any merit to this claim or benefit to fidgeting throughout the work day?
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Your question is a little misguided, because if you read the Livestrong article carefully:
Standing up and walking isn't really considered fidgeting, so yes, the subjects consumed up to 350 kcal/day more, but not by wiggling their feet or rocking a pen (the definition of fidgeting).
As a comparison, let's compare how many calories I'd burn sitting down vs standing using this online calculator:
So just standing all day would give the desired number of calories. Imagine if I'd fidgeted while standing! Or even better, use any of these devices:
Which would seriously boost your calories compared to just sitting down.
Interestingly, the author of the study (dr. J. Levine) about Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis (NEAT) was interviewed by USA Today and they included the following picture:
In the interview he gives some solid advice:
He goes on to answer your actual question:
So to conclude: no fidgeting is not enough. If you really want to burn some calories, you need to get off your ass and get some work done. With Fitness, there's no such thing as a free lunch!


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How to find the service tag on a Dell printer.
The Dell service tag is a seven character identifier that is unique to your product. In addition to the service tag, there is an Express Service Code which is a 10-digit numeric version of the service tag which can be typed into a telephone for call routing. While most Dell products have a service tag, some accessories and peripherals do not. As a general rule, desktop and notebook computers, servers and storage devices, printers, and mobile devices (such as phones or tablets) will have a service tag.
Dell has Inkjet, All-in-One, Laser, and mobile printers. The service tag on the printer can be in a variety of locations depending on the model and type:
On smaller inkjet printers or mobile printers, look for the service tag on the bottom of the case.
On All-in-One inkjet printers, the service tag is usually found inside the printer by raising the lid.
Some laser printers will have the service tag label inside the toner compartment.
Some laser printers will have the service tag label on the back of the printer.
In some laser printers, the toner compartment is accessed from the front rather than the side and the service tag label can be found there.


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In another question that used to be on this site, I noticed that J. J. Abrams inserts the number 47 into several of his movies. I'm curious about it... Why is the number 47 significant?
A writer from Star Trek The Next Generation, Joe Menosky attempted to put the number 47 in all of scripts he worked on. Joe attended Pomona college where the 47 club originated. More about the mystery of 47 here. JJ Abrams has used 47 throughout his productions.
In Abrams trademarks IMDB lists 'Often makes references to elements of the original "Star Trek" (1966) series'. Although 47 was not in the original Star Trek series it made many appearances in the series to follow. So it can be deduced that Abrams is paying homage to Star Trek tradition by including the number 47 in so many of his productions.
Another thing of note is that in the original Star Trek series: Production #47, is titled 'Obsession'.


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Harvard Minds Pick the Upsets (Harvard Isn't One of Them)
People from Harvard win Nobel Prizes, eradicate deadly diseases and preside over the world's most powerful financial institutions. But we decided to consult them for something that's actually important: predicting upsets in the NCAA tournament bracket.
From the Archives
John Ezekowitz, a senior at Harvard and former president of the Harvard College Sports Analysis Collective, has forecast the NCAA tournament for The Wall Street Journal for the past two seasons. He went 3-for-3 in his 2011 upset picks and then repeated the feat last year by calling three more upsets involving double-digit seeds.
Now he's back with his latest projection—and some bad news for UCLA and Memphis.
Ezekowitz gives Minnesota, a No. 11 seed, a 69.9% chance of beating UCLA, a No. 6 seed, in the first round Friday. His model also spells doom for Memphis—even though the Tigers don't yet know who they're playing. Memphis gets the winner of Tuesday's play-in game between Middle Tennessee State and St. Mary's. No matter what happens, Ezekowitz sees Memphis losing. Middle Tennessee would have a 60.8% shot of winning and St. Mary's chances would be 52.7%.
Ezekowitz's model is based on a statistical regression of first-round NCAA tournament games between teams seeded from No. 3 to No. 14 since 2004. Ezekowitz found several traits common in successful underdogs: turnover and rebounding rates and defensive field-goal percentage. The system also skews conservative, Ezekowitz said.
"It's probable there will be more than two upsets this week," he said. "But these are the two that are most likely to happen, according to recent history."
Final Four
Ezekowitz cautioned that Minnesota might be overrated because the Golden Gophers went through the Big Ten Conference grinder, giving them the nation's No. 2 strength of schedule, per kenpom.com. But there are two reasons to still follow Ezekowitz's advice. The first is that Minnesota leads the country in offensive rebounding percentage. The second is that UCLA recently lost starting guard Jordan Adams for the season, which could boost Minnesota's win probability even higher. "This model has no idea he's hurt," Ezekowitz said.
As for Memphis, despite its gaudy 30-4 record, it's hurt by a lousy strength of schedule that is the weakest of single-digit seeds. Their high turnover rate also makes the Tigers vulnerable—especially to Middle Tennessee, which ranks in the top 20 nationally in defensive turnover rate. St. Mary's would be a slight favorite over Memphis, too, because it's one of the field's best defensive rebounding teams.
But what really makes Ezekowitz credible isn't his track record so much as his Harvard prediction. The model gives his Crimson just a 4.8% chance of knocking off New Mexico on Thursday.
Trust the Math
The Nos. 11-14 seeds most likely to win in the round of 64.
|No. 11 Minnesota over No. 6 UCLA (69.9%)
|No. 11 Middle Tennessee over No. 6 Memphis (60.8%)
|N o. 11 St. Mary's over No. 6 Memphis (52.7%)
|No. 12 California over No. 5 UNLV (41.3%)
|No. 11 Bucknell over No. 6 Butler (36.5%)
|No. 12 Ole Miss over No. 5 Wisconsin (30.5%)
|No. 11 Belmont over No. 6 Arizona (23.3%)
Source: Harvard College Sports Analysis Collective


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STEUBENVILLE - The Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission is looking for public input on a countywide land-use planning project.
Planner Rich Fender said the plan "will serve as a vision to guide the county's development over the next 20 years."
"In addition, the plan will address the possible land-use implications of shale oil and gas development," he said.
Funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, technical planning assistance is being provided by Freemont-based Ohio Rural Communities Assistance Program. The project is being overseen by a core committee representing a variety of public and private sector entities. Interviews have been conducted with more than 25 community leaders from all sectors, and public meetings were held this spring in Tiltonsville, Richmond and Stratton.
"Ultimately, our land-use plan will set the tone and direction for orderly growth in Jefferson County," JCRPC Director Domenick Mucci Jr. said. "It's extremely important. We have to have citizen participation, across all levels of local government. People need to be part of the process in order for the plan to be successful."
Fender said a key part of the plan is to enhance the county's quality of life through the careful consideration of future patterns of residential, industrial, recreational and other land uses. The plan will not mandate new policies and is intended to dovetail with the comprehensive planning effort now under way in Steubenville as well as previous initiatives such as the county's 2008 Community Investment Plan.
Mucci said they've posted an online survey form to solicit public input "regarding the county's assets, issues and ideal future."
"We have a lot of resources, a lot of assets and a lot of concern within Jefferson County," Mucci said. "We're trying to incorporate that into one master plan, to have an end result favorable to economic opportunities and preserving our resources is going to be important. That's why we held the public meetings, why we're asking residents to complete the survey form."
The survey will attempt to gauge public perceptions of the county's assets and selling points as well as the kinds of things people would like to see happening over the next decade or two. The survey can be accessed now through the end of July by going to www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZKTM3D8.
Mucci and Fender said the survey only takes a few minutes to complete. All input will be taken into consideration, and responses will be received at this site through the end of July."
For information, contact Fender at Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission Planner at (740) 283-8568 or by e-mail at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Find Hotel Availability and Rates
24 hours in saskatoon
A Step Back in Time
Begin your day with an invigorating and awe-inspiring trip to Wanuskewin Heritage Park, where over 6,000 years of Northern Plains Indians history is celebrated. Enjoy bannock in a beautiful natural setting.
Continue your walk through history at the Western Development Museum. The past comes alive as you are transported through 100 years of pioneer history from 1910 Boomtown through the Winning the Prairie Gamble exhibit. For lunch, stop in at the Boomtown Café for prairie style cooking!
Rich, colourful, cultural heritage on the prairies is on display at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada. Afterwards, pay a visit to Saskatoon's oldest building (1884) on its original site: the Marr Residence. Programming varies throughout the year and may include pioneer gatherings, storytelling and music, or even a rhubarb festival!
For a taste of Saskatchewan, have dinner at The Granary, where the menu includes uniquely Saskatchewan interpretations of traditional dishes.
For the Love of Arts
Calories is a great spot for a leisurely coffee and bagel, or light lunch before you visit the Affinity Gallery (Saskatchewan Craft Council) on Broadway. Don't miss the many unique shops that make up the Broadway District. You'll be glad you did!
Explore the shops downtown. Many wonderful artisans' works can be found at the Trading Post. As you move through the area, you will see many sculptures by local artists. Enjoy a leisurely luncheon at any one of many downtown eateries.
Located along the riverbank, at the Mendel Art Gallery and Civic Conservatory you will find an impressive fine art collection and temporary visiting exhibitions. Stop by the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan Festival (seasonal) box office to pick up your tickets for an entertaining evening performance. Consider a French theatre performance by La Troupe du Jour or take a short 25km drive north of Saskatoon to experience the Barn Playhouse and Craft Barn. If you're in the mood for music, TCU Place is home to the Saskatoon Symphony Orchestra and hosts other major performances throughout the year.
Tour the Riversdale District and view the amazing wall murals and interesting sculptures that accentuate this culturally diverse area. While there, visit the Saskatoon Farmers' Market to pick up some fresh produce and homemade crafts.
Head back to the hotel and get ready for an entertaining evening out.
The Great Outdoors
Boasting hundreds of acres of riverbank parks and trails to explore, Saskatoon is a nature-lover's delight.
Start with a visit to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo. Go early and catch feeding time for the animals, many of which are native to Saskatchewan.
Stop at Saskatoon's Bus Stop Refreshments – the bright red bus in front of the Delta Bessborough – and pick up lunch. Make sure to get ice cream before taking a leisurely walk along the Meewasin Valley trails that follow the South Saskatchewan River. Cross either the University or Broadway bridges for a signature view of the landmark "Castle on the River" – the Delta Bessborough.
In summer, board the Prairie Lily docked behind the Mendel Art Gallery for a relaxing river cruise.
Enjoy a light dinner at the Berry Barn (seasonal). The garden-like setting overlooking the South Saskatchewan River is a must-visit. Save room for a piece of Saskatoon Berry Pie!
Wanting more? Lace up your hiking boots and hit the trails at Beaver Creek Conservation Area. Don't forget your binoculars; it's a great bird watching spot.
Winter Wonderland
Winter is a special time in Saskatoon; beautiful white landscapes, sundogs and hoar frost are a few of the marvels to share. Dress warmly, and you're off to enjoy winter in Saskatoon! View the spectacle of Canada's largest outdoor drive through Christmas light display at the Enchanted Forest (end of November - mid January). Be filled with the wonders of the holiday season: presents, snowmen, reindeer, candy and more!
View lavishly decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and more at The Festival of Trees (end of November) at the Western Development Museum.
To get a jump on your holiday shopping, be sure to stop in at the Artisans and the Sundog Arts and Entertainment fairs (end of November to the first weekend in December). Or take a stroll downtown or along Broadway Avenue. These areas are bursting with eclectic, unique and high-end shopping.
Take the kids skating at the Meewasin Rink beside the Delta Bessborough. Or if you want to relax a bit, enjoy a leisurely horse drawn cutter ride in Kiwanis Park. Warm up with a cup of rich hot chocolate at Windows Café at The Sheraton Cavalier, or at the Four Seasons Dining Room at the Park Town Hotel as you enjoy a view of the river bank.
Check out our events calendar for more ideas on what to do in Saskatoon.


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Has anyone played this?
Does anyone know what it is?
I think we should all check it out, for something basic that runs in a browser based on real live 24hour time based decisions (upgrades) I'm having quite a bit of fun.
The game play is what I can roughly judge it as a real time internet board game.
I played previously when it BETA'd but I logged in one day to a server reset and couldn't deal without my empire, the alliance I was with fell apart but after some time away I decided to get back into it and see if I can kick it by myself.
I'll post more screens of ultimate war factory city layouts as I progress but due to the reset, I ain't go shit to show.
(random ingame from website)
There will be a 'massive' update in a few days, some art changes and new features.. like
World map
Currently rockin' World 22 (Australia) coords 224,232 on Continent 22
Post your location and I'll send some stock your way,
maybe a friend invite also
Edited by Nevermore, 29 December 2010 - 07:11 PM.


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A unique class on how to make "Poppa Wayne's" down home dumplins will be held at Southeastern Illinois College from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26. The class will be held in SIC's student center kitchen.
Cost for the class is $25. Registration and payment is due to SIC by Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013.
Location, ST | website.com


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A couple of years ago, I came up with the following question, to which I have no answer to this day. I have asked a few people about this, most of my teachers and some friends, but noone had ever heard of the question before, and noone knew the answer.
I hope this is an original question, but seeing how natural it is, I doubt this is the first time someone has asked it.
First, some motivation. Take $P$ any non zero complex polynomial. It is an easy and classical exercise to show that the roots of its derivative $P'$ lie in the convex hull of its own roots (I know this as the Gauss-Lucas property). To show this, you simply write $P=a\cdot\prod_{i=1}^{r}(X-\alpha_i)^{m_i}$ where the $\alpha_i~(i=1,\dots,r)$ are the different roots of $P$, and $m_i$ the corresponding multiplicities, and evaluate $\frac{P'}{P}=\sum_i \frac{m_i}{X-\alpha_i}$ on a root $\beta$ of $P'$ which is not also a root of $P$. You'll end up with an expression of $\beta$ as a convex combination of $\alpha_1,\dots,\alpha_r$. It is worth mentioning that all the convex coefficients are $>0$, so the new root cannot lie on the edge of the convex hull of $P$'s roots.
Now fix $P$ a certain non zero complex polynomial, and consider $\Pi$ it's primitive (antiderivative) that vanishes at $0:~\Pi(0)=0$ and $\Pi'=P$. For each complex $\omega$, write $\Pi_{\omega}=\Pi-\omega$ so that you get all the primitives of $P$. Also, define for any polynomial $Q$, $\mathrm{Conv}(Q)$, to be the convex hull of $Q$'s roots.
$\mathrm{MAIN~QUESTION}$: describe $\mathrm{Hull}(P)=\bigcap_{\omega\in\mathbb{C}}\mathrm{Conv}(\Pi_{\omega})$.
By the above quoted property, $\mathrm{Hull}(P)$ is a convex compact subset of the complex plane that contains $\mathrm{Conv}(P)$, but I strongly suspect that it is in general larger.
Here are some easy observations:
$1)$ replacing $P$ (resp. $\Pi$) by $\lambda P$ (resp. $\lambda \Pi$) will not change the result, and considering $P(aX+b)$ will change $\mathrm{Hull}(P)$ accordingly. Hence we can suppose both $P$ and $\Pi$ be unitary. The fact that $\Pi$ is no longer a primitive of $P$ is of no consequence.
$2)$ the intersection defining $\mathrm{Hull}(P)$ can be taken for $\omega$ ranging in a compact subset of $\mathbb{C}$: as $|\omega|\rightarrow\infty$, the roots of $\Pi_{\omega}$ will tend to become close to the $(\deg (P)+1)$-th roots of $\omega$, so for large enough $\omega$, their convex hull will always contain , say, $\mathrm{Conv}(\Pi)$.
$3)$ $\mathrm{Hull}(P)$ can be explicitely calculated in the following cases: $P=X^n$, $P$ of degree $1$ or $2$. There are only 2 kinds of degree $2$ polynomials: 2 simple roots or a double root. Using $z\rightarrow az+b$, one only has to consider $P=X^2$ and $P=X(X-1)$. The first one yields {$0$}, which equals $\mathrm{Conv}(X^2)$, the second one gives $[0,1]=\mathrm{Conv}(X(X-1))$.
Also if $\Pi$ is a real polynomial of odd degree $n+1$, that has all its roots real and simple, say $\lambda_1<\mu_1<\lambda_2<\dots<\mu_n<\lambda_{n+1}$, where I have also placed $P$'s roots $\mu_1,\dots,\mu_n$, and if you further assume that $\Pi(\mu_{2j})\leq\Pi(\mu_n)\leq\Pi(\mu_1)\leq\Pi(\mu_{2j+1})$ for all suitable $j$ (a condition that is best understood with a picture), then $\mathrm{Hull}(P)=\mathrm{Conv}(P)=[\mu_1,\mu_n]$: just vary $\omega$ between $[\Pi(\mu_n),\Pi(\mu_1)]$, the resulting polynomial $\Pi_{\omega}$ is always split over the real numbers and you get
$[\mu_1,\mu_n]=\mathrm{Conv}(P)\subset\mathrm{Hull}(P)\subset \mathrm{Conv}(\Pi_{\Pi(\mu_1)})\cap \mathrm{Conv}(\Pi_{\Pi(\mu_n)})=$ $[\mu_1,\dots]\cap [\dots,\mu_n]=[\mu_1,\mu_n]$
$4)$ The equation $\Pi_{\omega}(z)=\Pi(z)-\omega=0$ defines a Riemann surface, but I don't see how that could be of any use.
Computing $\mathrm{Hull}(P)$ for the next most simple polynomial $P=X^3-1$ has proven a challenge, and I can only conjecture what it might be.
Computing $\mathrm{Hull}(X^3-1)$ requires factorizing degree 4 polynomials, so one naturally tries to look for good values of $\omega$, the $\omega$ that allow for easy factorisation of $\Pi_{\omega}=X^4-4X-\omega$. For instance the $\omega$ that produce a double root. All that remains to be done afterwards is to factor a polynomial of degree $2$. The problem is symmetric, and you can focus on the case where 1 is the double root (i.e. $\omega=-3$). Plugging the result in the intersection, and rotating twice, you obtain the following superset of $\mathrm{Hull}(X^3-1)$: a hexagon that is the intersection of 3 similar isocele triangles with their main vertex located on the three third roots of unity $1,j,j^2$
$\mathrm{QUESTION}$: is this hexagon equal to $\mathrm{Hull}(X^3-1)$?
Here's why I think this might be.
Consider the question of how the convex hulls of the roots of $\Pi_{\omega}$ vary as $\omega$ varies. When $\omega_0$ is such that all roots of $\Pi_{\omega_0}$ are simple, then the inverse function theorem shows that the roots of $\Pi_{\omega}$ with $\omega$ in a small neighborhood of $\omega_0$ vary holomorphically $\sim$ linearly in $\omega-\omega_0$: $z(\omega)-z(\omega_0)\sim \omega-\omega_0$. If however $\omega_0$ is such that $\Pi_{\omega_0}$ has a multiple root $z_0$ of multiplicity $m>1$, then a small variation of $\omega$ about $\omega_0$ will split the multiple root $z_0$ into $m$ distinct roots of $\Pi_{\omega}$ that will spread out roughly as $z_0+c(\omega-\omega_0)^{\frac{1}{m}}$, where $c$ is some non zero coefficient. This means that for small variations, these roots will move at much higher velocities than the simple roots, and they will do the major contribution to the variation of $\mathrm{Conv}(\Pi_{\omega})$, also, they spread evenly out, and (at least if the multiplicity is greater or equal to $3$) they will tend to increase the convex hull around $z_0$. Thus it seems not too unreasonable to conjecture that the convex hull $\mathrm{Conv}(\Pi_{\omega})$ has what one can only describe as critical points at the $\omega_0$ that produce roots with multiplicities. I'm fairly certain there is a sort of calculus on convex sets that would allow one to make the above statement precise, but I don't know it.
Back to $X^3-1$: explicit calculations suggest that up to second order the double root $1$ of $X^4-4X+3-h$ for $|h|<<1$ splits in half nicely (here $\omega=-3+h$) and the convex hull will continue to contain the aforementioned hexagon.
$\mathrm{QUESTION\Conjecture}$: is it true that $\mathrm{Hull}(P)=\bigcap_{\omega\in\mathrm{MR}}\mathrm{Conv}(\Pi_{\omega})$, where $\mathrm{MR}$ is the set of all $\omega_0$ such that $\Pi_{\omega_0}$ has a multiple root, i.e. the set of all $\Pi(\alpha_i)$ where the $\alpha_i$ are the roots of $P$?
All previous examples of calculations agree with this, and I have tried as best I can to justify this guess heuristically.
Are you aware of a solution? Is this a classical problem? Is anybody brave enough to make a computer program that would compute some intersections of convex hulls obtained from the roots to see if my conjecture is any good?


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This weekend will revolve around food as it often does - I'll be baking a striped birthday cake for my niece's second birthday and brunching with Darren the Chef! Future posts no doubt! What are your plans? Whatever they involve, I hope you have fun!