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Cable Spiffs Up Web Ties
LAS VEGAS—As new Internet TV players look to invade the living room, some cable and satellite operators are stepping up their embrace of Web technology to jazz up aging interfaces and head off subscriber defections.
At the Consumer Electronics Show Monday, Cox Communications Inc., the third-largest cable operator by subscribers, unveiled a new Internet-enabled set-top box and iPad app with Cisco Systems Inc. CSCO -0.11 % to allow customers to search live TV channels as well as third-party online video outlets through a single guide.
Gadgets Revealed at CES
Live: Consumer Electronics Show
Get live, streaming coverage of the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show. The trade show attracts gadget makers of all stripes from around the world to Las Vegas from Jan. 8 to 11.
The Atlanta-based cable company says it plans to integrate video services like Netflix Inc. NFLX 0.59 % into the set-top box and an iPad app over the course of this year, so customers can surf through live TV and streamed content all in one place.
Other pay-TV providers, including Dish Network Corp. DISH -0.34 % and Comcast Corp. CMCSA 1.13 % , are making similar moves to soup up the TV experience.
The action largely comes in response to the proliferation of online video available outside the cable ecosystem, including streams from Netflix and other offerings like Amazon.com Inc. AMZN -0.17 % 's Prime and television networks' apps and websites.
Many cable and satellite companies are also trying to appeal to subscribers who are turned off by clunky set-top guides and instead prefer Web-video devices that offer far more attractive interfaces.
Some apps, Internet-connected TVs, game consoles and Web-TV boxes such as Roku Inc.'s offer ways to search through and stream online content to the TV set.
But television watchers often have to juggle multiple remotes and switch to different inputs to go between Web video and live cable television through their set-top boxes.
Guides and search features that cover all the options in one device have become a consumer's Holy Grail.
Cox's new integrated set-top box and guide promises to eliminate those pains for at least the subscribers who opt to buy the new box, which is likely to cost $5 to $10 on top of their monthly cable subscriptions.
Steve Necessary, Cox's vice president of video, said "not every single app known to man" will appear in the new set-top, but he says he plans on integrating with popular online video services, as well as music apps possibly like Pandora.
Those partnerships will arrive over the course of this year, he said.
Comcast, the biggest cable operator, is already rolling out similar cloud-based functionality through its X1 set-top box in select markets, but it hasn't integrated apps from online video outlets and says it has no imminent plans to do so.
Dish on Monday also showed off the next generation of its Hopper digital video recorder, which is using Internet-based technology to widen its customers' viewing options.
The satellite operator unveiled a new Web-based feature enabled by Sling Media Inc. that will allow Dish subscribers who pay for the new Hopper box to watch all recorded content and live TV channels on any device anywhere in the world that has an Internet connection.
One catch is that only one device at any point per household can be using Sling to watch live TV outside the home.
"We see that Internet delivery of content is probably going to become a very important aspect at some point in the future," said Vivek Khemka, Dish's vice president of product management.
The Hopper's integration with Sling and Dish's existing partnership with Roku means that "now we have technology that allows us to stream live linear television over the Internet."
Dish said the new Hopper box also has a feature to allow viewers to download DVR recordings onto their iPads so that they can watch programs while traveling, for example, on an airplane without any Internet. Any one recording can only be transferred once to a single device to prevent piracy, Dish executives said.
While Dish didn't negotiate with content owners for that right, Comcast also released a similar download feature last month for certain shows and has been negotiating with several programmers for that right.
So far, some premium channels like Liberty Media Corp.'s Starz and CBS Corp.'s Showtime have agreed, although Time Warner Inc. TWX -0.28 % 's HBO is notably absent from the list.
Comcast allows up to three devices to download any one show, with a limit of 10 downloaded programs per device at any one time.
A Dish spokesman declined to discuss the operator's agreements with programmers and said that it is "part of our overall belief that customers want choice and control over their content."
Several Internet video technology startups present at CES noted the heightened pace of Web video innovation among cable and satellite operators.
"If you look at what has happened in the last two or three years, companies like Netflix, Amazon and Hulu proved that it's possible to deliver a video business over the Internet," said Jeff Miller, chief executive of ActiveVideo Networks, which is testing a cloud-based guide delivered to older-generation Comcast set-top boxes in Chattanooga.
"Nothing breeds innovation like competition," he said.
Cox and Dish also demonstrated recommendation features Monday. Cox's new guide will come equipped with a personal recommendation engine that creates profiles for up to eight different people in a household and recommends items to watch based on their preferences across live television, on demand content, and third-party video apps on the Web. Dish showed off a feature called "what's hot" that aggregates real-time data from Dish viewers to promote trending television programs. That feature integrates into the set -top box and into a new Dish app for tablets that combines guide data with social media.
A big caveat, however, regarding the features on the new set-top boxes is that they don't address the hundreds of thousands of cable and satellite subscribers who still have older set-top boxes and their antiquated guides.
"There's a ton of legacy systems you have to address," said Braxton Jarratt, chief executive of Clearleap Inc., a company that helps media companies deliver Internet video. "The complexity is pretty massive."
Write to Shalini Ramachandran at firstname.lastname@example.com


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Tree love meets my Gnomish great balls of fire…
Tree Hugger Dave foolishly thinks that Trees are better lovers that Fire Mages.
Well I knew I took this screenie for a reason…
What happens when a Fire mage loves a Tree?
This happens….
I think it's fair to say that only one cigarette will need to be lit after this little love in….
Me thinks the Tree is F…..
Gnomer and Out!

subset: commoncrawl


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The connection between the fundamental group and covering spaces is quite fundamental. Is there any analogue for higher homotopy groups? It doesn't make sense to me that one could make a branched cover over a set of codimension 3, since I guess, my intuition is all about 1-D loops, and not spheres.
There's certainly a homotopy-theoretic analogue. A universal cover of a connected space $X$ is (up to homotopy) a simply connected space $X'$ and a map $X' \to X$ which is an isomorphism on $\pi_n$ for $n \geq 2$. We could next ask for a $2$-connected cover $X''$ of $X'$: a space $X''$ with $\pi_kX = 0$ for $k \leq 2$ and a map $X'' \to X'$ which is an isomorphism on $\pi_n$ for $n \geq 3$. The homotopy fiber of such a map will have a single nonzero homotopy group, in dimension $1$ - it will be a $K(\pi_2X, 1)$. (For the universal cover the fiber was the discrete space $\pi_1X = K(\pi_1X, 0)$.)
An example is the Hopf fibration $K(\mathbb{Z}, 1) = S^1 \to S^3 \to S^2$.
Geometrically it's harder to see what's going on with the $2$-connected cover than with the universal cover, because fibrations with fiber of the form $K(G, 1)$ are harder to describe than fibrations with discrete fibers (covering spaces).
Just like there is a universal cover of every space, there is a natural $n$-connected space $X_n$ that maps to any space $X$. To construct this space, you can add cells of dimension $n+2$ and higher to $X$ to get a space $Y$ together with a map $X \to Y$ which is an isomorphism on $\pi_i$ for $i \leq n$, but such that $\pi_i(Y)=0$ for $i>n$. The homotopy fiber $X_n \to X$ of this map is then the "$n$-connected cover" of $X$; $X_n$ is $n$-connected but has the same homotopy groups as $X$ above $n$, as can easily be seen from the long exact sequence of the fibration. Details of this, as well as a proof of uniqueness of the $n$-connected cover, are in Hatcher starting on page 410.
More generally, if you started with an $(n-1)$-connected space, you could both kill the homotopy groups of $X$ above $n$ and kill a subgroup of $\pi_n(X)$, and then the homotopy fiber would be an "$n$-cover" of $X$ corresponding to that subgroup of $\pi_n(X)$.
There may be a geometric but partial answer to your question. This is an idea I learnt from Dennis Sullivan. As we know, passing from $X$ to its universal cover $\widetilde{X}$ kills the fundamental group. Now, by Hurewicz we can assume that $H_2(\widetilde{X})=\pi_2(\widetilde{X})$, whence killing $H_2(\widetilde{X})$ suffices. If we assume $H_2(\widetilde{X})$ is torsion free then each generator $\alpha_i\in H_2(\widetilde{X})$ corresponds to a circle bundle $E_i$ over $\widetilde{X}$, i.e., $H_2(E_i)=H_2(\widetilde{X})/\mathbb{Z}\alpha_i$. Thus, if $\widetilde{X}$ was a manifold of dimension $n$ and $H_2(\widetilde{X})$ was free of rank $k$ then taking successive circle bundles we get a manifold $E$ of dimension $n+k$. This has the same higher homotopy groups ($\pi_i$ for $i>2$) as that of $X$. The example given by Reid Barton is an illustration of this. However, for manifolds this is as far as you can go since killing even the free part of $\pi_3(\widetilde{X})$ (or, equivalently the free part of $H_3(E)$) requires bundles over $E$ with fibre $\mathbb{CP}^\infty$, which lands us outside the realm of finite dimensional manifolds.
The previous answers gave analogues to the universal covering space and looked at the homotopy groups of these analogues.
However, the analogy to the $n=1$ case is not complete: While $\pi_1(X)$ classifies the automorphisms over $X$ of the universal covering space, the $\pi_n(X)$ don't classify the automorphisms over $X$ of these $n$-connected analogues. In fact, the higher $\pi_n(X)$ don't seem to classify anything else than homotopy classes of maps $S^n \to X$.
This is one of the motivations for using $n$-groupoids as invariants of spaces, see the discussion here, right before the references: http://ncatlab.org/nlab/show/fundamental+group+of+a+topos
or, starting on page 17 with a nice story on the invention of the higher homotopy groups, and the desire for a non-abelian homology: http://www.intlpress.com/hha/v1/n1/a1/
Rather than just taking homotopy groups for a single dimension, you can also think about the kind of algebraic entity that detects homotopy in two consecutive dimensions, or indeed any number of consecutive dimensions. In this discussion, following on from an earlier post, we're looking at the fundamental 2-group which picks up homotopy in dimensions 1 and 2.


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Hampstead Teak Folding Armchair - Honey
- Overview
Whether enjoying a casual picnic or hosting a formal affair, you can count on our Hampstead Collection to provide outdoor furnishings that are beautiful and durable. The folding armchair is crafted of long lasting teak for use season after season, and folds for easy storage when not in use. Click to read an article on recommended care.
- 24" w x 24.5" d x 33.5" h
- Built from teak, a dense hardwood that's ideal for outdoor use.
- Exposed hardware has an Antique Brass finish.
- Foldable design for easy storage and mobility.
- Our universal dining cushions are wrapped in water-repellent, ring-spun polyester canvas or Sunbrella® fabric; imported; sold separately.
- Sunbrella® cushions and slipcovers are special order items with expected delivery in 2-3 weeks. Please click on the shipping tab for shipping and return information.
- View our Furniture Brochure.
- Dimensions & Care
- Kiln-dried teak and mortise-and-tenon joinery provide superb strength and durability.
- Sunbrella® fabric is specially designed to resist fading, mildew, chlorine and stains.
- Cushion covers remove easily for machine washing (sold separately).
- Overall: 24" w x 24.5" d x 33.5" h
- Overall (folded): 24" w x 4.75" d x 38.5" h
- Seat: 16.5" w x 17.5" d x 3" thick
- Seat Height: 18"
- Backrest: 19" w x 15.5" h
- Arm Length From Backrest: 17.5"
- Arm Height Above Floor: 25"
- Legs: 1.5" w x 1" d x 24.5" h
- Distance Between Legs: 21" side to side; 24.5" front to back
- Cushion: 20" w x 18" d x 1.75" h
- Shipping & Return Info
View our Shipping Information
Return Policy
At Pottery Barn, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction is our priority. We carefully inspect your order prior to shipment. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement. If, within 7 days for Quick Ship upholstery and 30 days for all other products, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. Mattresses are final sale and may not be returned or exchanged.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, made to order items, or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. We also cannot accept returns of final-sale items which are identified by a price which ends in .99.
For returns of items purchased from your Pottery Barn registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later.
You may return merchandise through the mail for a refund or replacement. For detailed procedures for returning items through the mail, please contact Customer Service at 1.888.779.5176, 7 days a week, 5:00am - 9:00pm (PT).
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Theotis Beasley Skater Profile
Sponsors: Nike SB, Mountain Dew, Nike Apparel, Baker Skateboards, Thunder Trucks, Spitfire Wheels, Shake Junt, Bones Swiss Bearings, Diamond Supply Co, Stance Socks, Muzik headphones
Hometown: Hawthorne, CA, Stance: Goofy, Age: 25, Status: Pro
Last Update: Wednesday, July 20, 2016 Submit an Update
Tweets from Theotis Beasley (@theotisbeasley on Twitter)
Theotis Beasley Comments
Other Skater Links
- Full Skater Database - 6000+ skater profiles.
- Skateboarders on Instagram - browse your favorite pros and ams on Instagram.
- Skate News and Videos - daily skate news and videos from around the web.
- Media Coverage - we log all major magazine coverage by skater and photographer.
- Skate Photographers - we log all major magazine coverage by skater and photographer.
- Contest Results - over a decade's worth of contest history.


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Good first review, Judge Hunt!
After Warner's launching of this "Happiness Is..." series of Peanuts DVDs with the magnificent Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown, this reissue seems like a step backwards, especially if the picture hasn't been remastered. Further, the chances are strong more DVD collections of Peanuts specials and a box set of The Charlie Brown and Snoopy Show will be forthcoming someday, with all the cartoons digitally cleaned up (hopefully). Most will hold out for those prospective releases or wait for this one to drastically drop in price before buying.
Good grief, indeed!


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All Applications Are to be Sent to Applehead1 on Name to Send Application Via Kong PMs)
Made Specifically to Serve it's Purpose By: Taronium
Founded By:
Founded: Sept 17
We are an alliance of elites, we destroy failiances and colonize them on a weekly basis, we encourage our members to be active on the forums and to be jumpers, but empire builders are just fine. :)
Mission Objective
To get active kong BYMers that can hold up a decent conversation and do not seem like underaged noobs
like Zo
Radical Mission Objective
To get all active elite members of kong BYM into one elite alliance with me as supreme dictator >:D
A Sign of Kinship Between the Powah and Ux, Who Represents Ponies Everywhere! :)
Also, CHATROOM #6, is the Purple Powah's room >:3
-Note I remade this because the old one was just full of spam, for my old members that I removed cause I haven't seen you in awhile just reapply so I can know that your active.
New Recruits report to Powah Leader
Dictator >:) Applehead1, send me an IGM in backyard monsters or a message on kong, people that have already joined add me. New recruits please post your level
a)Are you at least level 42? if so, skip forward to b), if not proceed to i)
i)You are too low level, if you are at least level 40 contact me and I may make an exception depending on your yard
b)Are you active at least one hour everyday? if so proceed to c), if not then leave, your too inactive.
c)Is your yard a "boxyard"? This is the hardest to determine for most "boxyard" noobs, I do, however, accept quadrant bases (provided the adts/bunkers are not cataprone) if your yard is a boxyard proceed to ii) if not, skip forward to d)
ii)If you have a boxyard I may reconsider it if you take the time to remodel it, when you are done remodelling, message me if you meet all the other requirements.
d)Good, you have made it to this far :) Now I must ask, do you have at least Town Hall Level 9? (this one is more relaxed but at bare minimum TownHall 8) if so proceed to e), if not and you have only Town Hall level 7, send me a message and I may consider it
e)You have passed! :) pat yourself on the back, now fill in this form and post it on the thread :)
No forum activity will get you kicked.
(Pm me if you are going on a vacation)
Recruitment Form
Hello, I wish to join this alliance, I am currently level , I am an active BYM player who spends at least hours per day on this game. I currently have Town Hall Level and a . I and State here if you want to join the colony. My reason to join are List the reasons.
Thank You,
Positions of Members(and a description for the ways to get them)
1st Class: The Angel of Purple Death >:3
This Title is restricted to zys123 and zys123 ONLY, no future leaders of the Powah may use this title due to its historical significance, the name represents my Totalitarian grasp of BYM to prevent it from falling into nubish anarchy. zys de hyacintho mors is the offical title (zys of Purple Death).
(Non-current leader)
1.1th Class: Devastating Angel of Purple Leadership >:3
This title is restricted to Applehead and Applehead ONLY, no future leaders of the Powah due to it's historical significance, the name represents my leadership of The Powah to prevent it from falling into nubish anarchy. Applehead de hyacintho ductu is the official title. (Applehead of Purple Leadership)
2nd Class: Malicious Angel of Purple Purification >:3
(Second in Command) The adviser and executor of deeds of the Purple Dictator, his role is to purify the world of nubish interference, his offical title, ________ de hyacintho puritatem (_______ of Purple Purification).
(Previous member, Soapnumba1)


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The ACTH test measures the level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the blood. ACTH is a hormone released from the pituitary gland in the brain.
Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone; Adrenocorticotropic hormone; Highly-sensitive ACTH
A blood sample is needed.
Your doctor will likely ask you to have the test be done early in the morning. This is important, because cortisol level varies throughout the day.
You may also be told to stop taking medicines that can affect the test results. These medicines include glucocorticoids such as prednisone, hydrocortisone, or dexamethasone.
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or slight bruising. This soon goes away.
The main function of ACTH is to regulate the steroid hormone cortisol. Cortisol is released by the adrenal gland. It regulates blood pressure and blood sugar.
This test can help find the causes of certain hormone problems.
Normal values for a blood sample taken early in the morning are 9 to 52 picograms per milliliter (pg/mL).
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different specimens. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
A higher-than-normal level of ACTH may indicate:
A lower-than-normal level of ACTH may indicate:
Other conditions under which the test may be performed:
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include:
Guber HA, Farag AF. Evaluation of endocrine function. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 24.
Stewart PM, Krone NP. The adrenal cortex. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2011: chap 15.
Melmed S, Kleinberg D. Pituitary masses and tumors. Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2011: chap 9.


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I'm good at typing with 10-fingers, as I use a blank keyboard.
But I have a problem. I almost always use the left Shift key, even if the right Shift key would be better (same for Ctrl).
What I'm searching for is an application that blocks (and possible notifies) the wrong Shift key.
E.g.: I want to type a uppercase "W", "$", "!" ... and use the left Shift key, the result should be "w", "4", "1" ... and maybe a flash on the screen (that left Shift was blocked, because I should have used the right Shift key).
Platforms I use are GNU/Linux and Windows 7, both 64-bit.


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18-pc Pyrex Storage Set for $19.99
Pyrex® glassware is a must have for any serious kitchen. The 18-piece Storage Set includes 3-each: 2 cup round storage, 2-each 7 cup round storage, 4 cup round storage, 1 cup round storage with blue plastic covers.
Ideal for refrigerator and freezer storage or taking food on the go.
BPA free plastic lid is dishwasher safe (top rack only).
Nest and stack for easy storage when not in use.
Non-porous glass won't absorb stains or odors.
Glass is pre-heated oven, microwave, fridge and freezer safe, & dishwasher safe. FREE shipping coupon code SHIP49 may work for orders over $49.
Made in the USA.
Limited 2-year warranty.
4 Comments add a comment
7 bucks for shipping is a ripoff
The code ship49 also works for less than 49 bucks. I just got one. Thanks ~
21.39 with Tax! Sweet
I have a lot of different sizes of these in this set, and this is a pretty good price if you can get free shipping. One thing to keep in mind though, the really small ones are pretty worthless. If you can find similar sets for cheaper without the small ones I'd say go for that instead. Unless you have a particular use for them.


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I am a High School student in Ontario and i am trying looking for college/university programs the are specifically about game design. There are quite a few at most colleges near me, but they are all BA's and I am looking for a BSc. The only one i have been able to find is at digipen but that is across the continent and more importantly outrageously expensive. Does anyone know of and programs in Canada or the US that offer a BSc in Game design?
closed as off topic by Josh Petrie♦, Trevor Powell, Byte56♦, Sean Middleditch, Jimmy Feb 5 '13 at 18:29
Questions on Game Development Stack Exchange are expected to relate to game development within the scope defined by the community. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about reopening questions here.If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
UOIT has a Bachelor of Information Technology in Game Development. It's a pretty new school, but I have heard nothing but good things.
I wouldn't consider Game Design a science, much like I wouldn't consider Interior Design a science. Though interior design is certainly different from game design, I think it is an appropriate parallel to make when looking at the type of degree you will get. Is there a reason you don't want a BA?
You should figure out what you mean when you say "game design". That term is used for many different areas of making a game. If you mean programming a game then you should consider getting a degree in computer science or software engineering. From a quick search on the googles I found three computer science programs with game design minors/specializations in Ontario:
All of these universities have well respected computer science programs.
If you want to do any other part of creating a game, I highly doubt you will find a Science degree for it. That being said, you don't need a degree with "game design" in it to get into the industry. You can learn game specific knowledge on your own with help from the internet or perhaps other students with similar interests. A game specific program would probably not give you a well rounded, general education, so if your plans to get into the industry don't work out, or you change your mind, you may end up with a useless degree when looking for another type of job.
EDIT: Here are some related questions about specific disciplines:
I'm not sure if this will help you , but I'm currently enrolled in the Game Level Design course at Sheridan College in Oakville. It's the sister-program to the Game Design program they have here - we study our respective fields for a year (though there's talk about making it a 2-year program) and then we collaborate and make a game during the following half-year period. The idea is that we develop skills for a year, and then apply them practically for the remaining half-year of the course, so that we have a really solid addition to our portfolios at graduation. All of my instructors have backgrounds in game development (EA, Ubisoft, Rockstar, Bioware, Silicon Knights ((before they sucked)) etc.)
It's a great program so far(Game Level Design), and we learn a lot about becoming a Level Designer... We're covering 3D modelling in Maya, Level Design in Unity and UDK, Game History, Story/Cinematic/Character development and basic programming.
The only catch is you need a BA in a related field to be accepted because it (and the Game Designer program) are post-graduate courses.
If you haven't graduated from a University/College yet, and want to be a designer, they tell us that pursuing a BS in Computer Sciences is a good idea (or anything that focuses in C+, since it seems quite common), or if programming is the anti-Christ to you (like it is for me), then a strong background in Visual Art, Literature, Architecture, etc. is a good plan.
Here are the links to the two programs:
Game Level Design at Sheridan College
If you are really looking in the US you could try to apply Northeastern University. It's a five year program but they will help you get two or three six month internships at real game companies. You could also try to look for schools in Redmond Washington. I'm not sure what schools are there but I know a few of them have exclusive deals with Nintendo to allow their students to work as play testers or help with content localization.
You should look into University of Ontario Institute of technology.


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Ulysses Stable
"I've terminated the life of my autistic child," Jose Stable, age 50, told police on the morning of November 22 outside Kelly Towers, the Bronx apartment building where Mr. Stable, a single parent, lived with his son Ulysses, age 12, who was later found lying in the bathtub of their 16th floor apartment, his throat slashed. Delete "autistic" to contrast the derangement of the alleged killer of his own child with the innocence of the victim. Re-insert "autistic" to learn that the child ate grass, weighed 280 pounds (a likely side effect of medication) and tried to touch neighbors in the elevator "in an agitated way, not a friendly way."
Mr. Stable has a record of ten arrests; those for which information was available did not involve his son. A number of autistic children have been killed by their parents in recent months: the social profiles of the alleged perpetrators vary but the media focus on the challenges of raising an autistic child is constant. Reporters interview parents, neighbors and professionals never autistic persons though some might surely offer valuable insight. Since Ulysses was labeled as "severely" autistic it might be argued that a "higher-functioning," "verbal" autistic person's viewpoint would be of limited value; indeed the popular misperception of autistic persons as socially withdrawn and incapable of empathy might seem to disqualify them altogether as useful sources. But lost amid all the clamor over 'causes and cures' is a growing body of evidence that this is all wrong; that the communication disorder in autism involves wiring misconnections between parts of the brain; the signs we read as aloofness and withdrawal are in fact practical responses to sensory dissonance. Which means that autistic kid in front of you understands, in ways of his/her own, exactly what's going down around them.
Kelly Towers stands in view of the Fordham University campus where I worked for four years prior to a move to our Lincoln Center campus. Two years ago the Curran Center put on a conference on the great Jesuit sociologist Joe Fitzpatrick; while speaking with folks in the neighborhood that might have remembered him for his work with the Latino community I found myself asking priests and others if they were encountering more autistic persons or hearing more about it. They were but seemed as puzzled as me as to what might be done locally to help. A Bronx parent/advocate's initiative led to on-campus informational sessions that sparked some student interest but the kids were oriented toward service in their hometowns just like us, with our 90 minute commute to Central Jersey.
Two years later I still don't know just what might be done though thanks to a plug from our friend and colleague Mark Naison, Curran Center's Oct. 27 conference on autism and advocacy drew a really strong Bronx contingent, which witnessed alongside others an autistic self-advocate's impassioned presentation.
As the parent of an autistic child and an historian there's quite a lesson in humility here. We can so readily size up the goofs of the past but you just know that in 10, 30, 50 years from now books and documentaries will find in our collective response to this autism phenomenon (which in the past week alone was subject of Newsweek cover story, a New York Times Op-Ed piece by prominent Washington policy guy/communication executive parents and big news on the fund-raising front) much ignorance, science fiction and self-delusion. But we do the best we can with our very poor human tools, as Dorothy Day liked to put it, quoting Eric Gill who surely was quoting someone else again. Just as Dorothy also liked to say she longed and worked for a world where it was a little easier to be good; so too must we work for a world where it's a little easier (and safer) for autistic persons to simply live, which is why we remember each day Katie McCarron; William Lash; Ryan Davies; Christopher DeGroot. And Ulysses Stable.
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Thanks for this post!My son has ADD, which doctors told us may be part of the same "family" of conditions like autism, Tourette's and Asperger's.So many people simply see these conditions as "discipline" problems and love to tell you what a crumby parent you are. You hear that often enough and it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Long story short, testing put us on the right track. Meds, which people told us was a cop out, have helped. So has providing predictable routine, structure, coaching, frequent meetings with teachers, check-ups two or three times a year, etc.
Jean as an ADHD adult I have no doubt we're linked on the broader spectrum. After all these decades I find the collaborative approach you've adopted works best though the nuns at SS Simon & Jude and St. Bridget's schools were onto something in prescribing high-speed laps around parking lots at lunchtime.
Childhood disorders such as autism, ADD, dyslexia, non-verbal learning disorders, perception disorders, etc. are not increasing, IMO. What's happening is an improvement in the screening process and diagnosis so that kids with even mild forms of the disorder are being identified.Unfortunately, what is not improving is the selection of resources available to help children and parents who have to deal with these issues. Jean, I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend you go to www.ldonline.com and order Rick LaVoie's "How Difficult Can This Be: The F.A.T. City Workshop".If your child is still in school, my suggestion to you is that you order it and make it mandatory viewing at your next school conference. It is a life changing video.LaVoie has a new DVD out (Beyond F.A.T. City), but get the first one first. I discovered it when my son was diagnosed as being dyslexic, among other things, and my only regret is that I didn't find this video sooner.
Donna, do you mean IOM (Institute of Medicine)? Please expand your research if you are going to make statements. It takes witnessing a vaccine reaction to give one the stamina needed to research the subject thoroughly. Behavior disorders began increasing as vaccines given to infants began increasing. Infants receive 22 concoctions via 16 injections by the tiny age of six months. The '90's infants were injected with 187 mcg. of mercury which has created millions of distraught parents. I have read countless stories of severe autism cases and can't imagine the horror. The mercury killed the reasoning part of the brain but left the body. Some of these huge bodies are in the state of an 18 month old having a constant temper tantrum. Can anyone even begin to imagine what that must be like. What parent could even be sane after twelve years?
I don't know about that: since the mercury-based preservative was removed from the vaccines the incidence of autism has only seemed to increase: certainly has not decreased! We're pretty sure God makes these kids really different and the negative spin comes from outside observers not us: my wife Kristina is absolutely convinced Charlie was Charlie as we now know him in utero. It's really not such a horror at all though this autistic nine year old kid has challenges aplenty. As to sanity I'll let others judge though Kristina claims I for one am much saner today than before Charlie was diagnosed. For those who are really struggling or those simply interested I highly recommend two blogs: www.autismland.com and www.autismvox.com (full disclosure: they are Kristina's blogs but she is indeed one of the most trusted and respected folk in autismland)
Donna, thanks for the lead! We are trying to start a support group for parents of kids like ours--Live Wires Anonymous--and this might be a great thing to kick off our first meeting.And Jim, yes, I have often found that a "time-out" running laps around the house helps my son. It's kind of a refocus game--do three laps and see if you can beat your time.It lets off the nervous energy and seems to refocus attention.In fact, he now does this on his own without my suggestion when he's feeling overloaded, and we have been able to reduce the meds level as he gets better at figuring out self-control strategies. Yelling at kids to pay attention or isolating them until they "behave," which was the strategy of his school kindergarten teacher, do not work. The my son knew he was a problem and when you hear a 6 year old say he wishes he was dead because his teacher hates him and he has no friends, you know you have to act.I don't buy the vaccine horror stories in my son's case. I can trace four generations of ADD behavior in the men in my family. My son and my brother, who was diagnosed at 45 with ADD, has been a huge help in offering suggestions and helping me see my son's potential.
I have no idea what the impact vaccinations might or might not have on behavior disorders. My son, my sister's children, my brother's children, and my friends' children were all born around the same time, live in the same area, and received the same vaccinations at the same ages. My child is the only one who is dyslexic, which makes his original diagnosis of ADHD suspect, IMO.I also happen to be of the opinion that ADD/ADHD is grossly overdiagnosed and grossly mistreated by people who have no business making a diagnosis.I'm not saying that vaccines cause a problem. I'm not saying they don't. Regardless, there is substantial evidence to suggest that teachers and schools are much more aware of behavior disorders, identify them earlier in school, and make different recommendations than the old plan of smacking a child upside the head to make them sit still. The impact vaccinations may have on behavior disorders also doesn't address the additional problem of there being limited resources devoted to the mental health and behavioral development of children.ldonline.com has nothing to do with IOM. It's a resource site for parents of children with learning disabilities.
Jean, I initiated a support group at my son's school when he was in 2nd grade. If there's any help or advice I can offer, please do not hesitate to e-mail me.I've been down this very same road of having my son tell me how badly he was hurting from not having friends, the depression, the frustration, and everything that goes with it. I very quickly learned how to be a ferocious (and I mean ferocious!) advocate for my kid when it came to schools, teachers, and other parents. They were happy to see the back of me when he graduated from high school, but if I have any regrets at all it's for the times when I feel like I didn't do enough.Definitely get the video if you're starting a support group. I wish I could be there when you all watch it just because I love watching the lights go on over people's heads when they finally "get it".
These disorders are overdiagnosed in boys but underdiagnosed in girls. The symptoms are different for girls, less disruptive and more likely to present as classic underachievement. Nobody really knows why they seem more common, but it could be for the simple reason that we now focus on the academic achievement of every last child, whereas, in prior generations, the "unskilled" were simply shunted to an economically productive job that didn't require a long attention span and the ability to concentrate on close work. Plenty of people didn't make it through school. The other issue is, perhaps, the sheer lack of physical activity that accentuates the hyperactivity of children who literally have no other outlet for their excess energy. There is also no good explanation for why asthma and allergies have increased.
Well high or low functioning statistics or whateverAutism is whatever you see it as, it is constructed from a particular viewpoint which arose at the time when it did because of the way medicine and psychology was leading and because of the way that society is leading.Whatever the neurological substrates, the reality behind the statistics, the murder of an autistic is down to the way in which difference is devalued.I am one of those missing statistics from the past, and it is the current hysteria that is constructing autism as something worse than the black death, rather than as a part of humanity which was "swept under the carpet" in previous times.Call it what you will, it does not matter, we were always there to challenge the perspective of what it is to be human, because mistake me not, even ten years ago, the "experts" were dissing and devaluing the experience of those like me who are well capable of articulating our experiences after a life time of ignorance.I can't say that I am at a happy stage of my existence right now, and that is in no small measure down to the fact that we have never fitted in anyones neat round holes.
Wow! I had no idea that so many people haven't researched thimerosal. James, what are you talking about a 'decrease' after thimerosal was removed. When the data came in from California last March, there was a 21% decrease rather than the usual 13% increase. I need to send you people some information because the CDC, FDA, and vaccine manufacturers should not get away with this. They knew back in 1992 that behavior disorders were increasing at an alarming rate and even suspected the thimerosal but continued to inject it into your children in spite of evidence. God did not make our little Julie ASD. She was a happy, normal little baby until the day of her four month vaccines. To ask why some children become autistic after vaccines and some don't should be obvious...we're all different. Genetics dictate how much toxins any one of us can tolerate. The point is that thimerosal should never be in vaccines. Veterinarians banned it's use in 1991 because it was causing their cows to be unruly and unmanageable. And taking into consideration the bell curve, many children are just this side of autism (who's parents get blamed for their misbehavior) and then there are those who are severe. Why do you think the term "Mad as a hatter" was coined because of mercury poisoning. Here are some web sites that may help you understand what has happened to our children. www.thinktwice.com www.putchildrenfirst.org www.generationrescue.org www.safeminds.orgwww.vaccinetruth.orgAnd here is some info to Google:UC Davis thimerosal study; Deadly Immunity; National Vaccine Information Center; Mothering Magazine Article: New Columbia University Study Confirms ... Also research the lies surrounding the flu vaccine. Please become informed because the more you know, the more we can help one another with the '90's generation. Oh, and Barbara, the UC Davis Study will explain why asthma, allergies, juvenile diabetes, SIDS, exzema, and a host of other chronic illnesses are plagueing our children.
There is some info from the FDA on thimerosal here: http://www.fda.gov/CBER/vaccine/thimerosal.htmThis site says that IOM tests were inconclusive, but that the substance, used a a preservative in vaccines, is being phased out of vaccines.I appreciate JamS bringing this up, but I'd like to do more reading. FDA says this has been used in vaccines since the 1930s, but the fact that younger and more children are getting immunized may be a factor. Anyway, I have a doc's appointment in a couple of weeks, and I'm going to ask him about it.
The mmr/mercury theory is one explanation for what causes autism that, indeed, perseveres, and despite scientific studies (like the 2002 Danish study) that have not found evidence regarding this connection. The CDC continues to note that a connection between mmr/mercury and autism is inconclusive, as noted in a recent PedMed article. Yes, Safe Minds and Evidence of Harm make arguments to the contrary, but the research continues to be inconclusive. It is also the case that there appears to be a tendency in the media to rush to report about this issue, even if the research cited has not been published in a peer-reviewed study, but is, for instance, a poster presentation at a conference. This occurred in regard to Dr. Stephen Walker's poster presentation about finding "measles virus in the gut of a large number of children who have regressive autism and bowel disease." Dr. Walker himself stated that an actual link between the MMR vaccine and 'regressive autism' is 'tough to prove.' He further notes that "'We havent done anything to demonstrate that the measles virus is causing autism.'The topic of this post is not vaccines in children and whether or not there is a connection between the mmr vaccine or the use of the mercury-based preservative thimerasol in vaccines and autism; it is the killing of an autistic child by his father, and how we, with our poor human tools, might best respond and make the world a safer and better place for autistic persons.


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6 Brilliant Clues Hidden in the Background of Video Games
WARNING: SPOILERS! We're going to discuss the shocking twist endings to several video games!
If, by the way, you didn't know video games could even have mind-bending twist endings beyond misspelling "congratulations" on the final screen, you haven't been playing very many games lately. The following games not only have endings that leave players staring agape at the credits, but have expertly woven in foreshadowing throughout.
Yeah, game storytelling has come a long way, baby ...
(Cracked's storytelling has come a long way too. Check out our Star Wars: Adventures in Jedi School trailer and see just how far.)
#6. Call of Duty: Black Ops -- Subtle Reactions and Secret Codes Reveal the Main Twist
Via Techagesite.com
Call of Duty: Black Ops is a heartfelt and touching look at the physical and psychological cost soldiers pay to defend their country, told while you mow down seven or eight thousand foreigners across several decades. But the plot has a clever, Shyamalan-esque twist at the end.
You play a gruff badass called Alex Mason, who early on gets captured and imprisoned in a Russian gulag alongside a man called Viktor Reznov, but (SPOILER!) it turns out Reznov is only a figment of Mason's imagination. The real guy died years earlier. See, you thought you were just shooting a bunch of dudes in the head, but it was your mind that just got blown (sorry).
The Foreshadowing:
Sure, astute players might have noticed that, aside from Mason, not one single person in the entire game talks to Reznov. Mason and Reznov are accompanied by several other soldiers, but none of them so much as even look at Reznov, let alone question why a freaking Russian is hanging around guys tasked with exterminating as many of his countrymen as possible, one shotgun shell at a time.
Via Callofduty.wikia.com
They could've at least asked him where he got that sweet-ass jacket.
But then there are the little touches. For instance, not only do they not talk to him, but on several occasions while you and Reznov are talking, the other soldiers will stare at you like you've lost you fucking mind (which you totally have). They'll interrupt the "conversation" with noises like "Huh?" "Hmm ..." and the incredibly succinct "What the fuck's wrong with you?" This is exactly how most of us would react if we witnessed one of our comrades talking to his imaginary friend during a goddamn shootout.
But the game also drops its own hints in a manner entirely appropriate for a game set in the espionage-filled Cold War era: by using code. At the beginning of each level, a small briefing appears on screen, revealing your location, your mission, the date, and a few items your wife wants you to pick up at the market on your way home.
"And don't forget ears. That necklace is almost finished."
Now, see that circled word next to "Designate"? That word changes every level. If you take the first letter of each designation ("X" in this case) and arrange them in the order they appear in throughout the game, you get XREZNOVXXISDEDX: "Reznov is dead." Or "gzreznovgkzgkzisdedix" if you're an asshole who takes everything literally.
#5. Red Dead Redemption -- A Biblical Figure Spoils the Hero's Fate Midgame
Via Xbox.com
Red Dead Redemption is a great game for teaching your kids about the futility of life. You play as John Marston, a rugged ex-outlaw whose family is kidnapped by the government in order to force him into killing off his old gang. However (SPOILER!), after everybody dies, the government decides Marston is too dangerous to live and shoots him full of holes. That's certainly one way to skimp on giving a guy his paycheck.
Via Diversewoman.wordpress.com
"Congraturation, you win game! Now dead person is you, game over!"
After this, he's buried on a hill overlooking his home. A hill that might look awfully familiar to players who've done their homework.
The Foreshadowing:
Throughout the game, Marston completes missions for random townspeople, which is odd, since you also have the option to tie these people up and leave them to get squished under the wheels of locomotives. One such mission involves a mysterious man in a mysterious suit who seemingly knows everything about Marston and his outlaw past. It's heavily hinted that the man is God or some other supernatural being. He certainly isn't of this world -- when you shoot him in a fit of rage, he completely ignores it, like his mind was on more important matters.
Via GTASeriesVideos
Like he's almost out of mustache wax.
During the final meeting between Marston and maybe-God, he remarks that the location they're standing on will "make a fine spot." Here's the location:
Via GTASeriesVideos
If it were Halo, he'd be the Angel of Teabaggin.
Now, focus on the tree and bare patch of land, and compare that with the picture of Marston's grave from earlier. Yep, it's the same goddamn place. Marston has just been told, albeit in the vaguest of terms, that he's about to die, and that this is where he will spend eternity after being reduced to target practice by federal agents.
Oh, and if that's not creepy enough: Earlier on, the mysterious man remarks, "I hope my boy turns out just like you." You might think he's talking about Jesus (thus confirming the God thing), but guess what: It's actually more foreshadowing! The game doesn't end with Marston's death; after his funeral, his son, Jack, takes up the gun and swears revenge for his father. He does so by killing a whole bunch of people, just like dear old dad did, and just as the heavens foretold.
What? You skipped over the cowboy part of the Bible?
#4. Portal 2 -- A Random Robot Gives Away Every Plot Twist Imaginable
The makers of Portal 2 apparently decided that the only way to outdo the original was to drown the player in shocking plot twists. A psychotic robot returns to torment the hero? Turn her into a potato! The wacky robot sidekick has a quaint Cockney accent and the IQ of a bag of shit? Make him the new bad guy! The psycho potato robot needs a backstory? Make her a 1960s scientist's assistant, and somehow download her personality into an evil computer!
Amazingly, all these bizarre twists make perfect sense if you've played the game -- especially if you stumble across the one character who gives it all away.
Using Crow's line from the later season intros of Mystery Science Theater 3000.
The Foreshadowing:
Well before anyone becomes a potato, the player comes across a bunch of defective attack drones being led down a conveyor belt to their robo-doom. One of them pleads "I'm different!" over and over again; if you pick it up and carry it around, it'll drop some dialogue that explains exactly what's about to happen.
First off, the drone makes a reference to Greek mythology, saying, "Prometheus was punished by the gods for giving the gift of knowledge to the humans. He was cast into the bowels of the earth and pecked by birds." At the time, all it means is that this drone's a goddamned egghead who should spend more time attacking and spend less time reading old-timey tall tales.
Later on, it all makes sense. You actually do get cast into the bowels of the laboratory by the Evil Cockney Robot, right after you give him a whole slew of knowledge. This is around the time that GLaDOS the psycho-bot gets turned into a potato; later on, she becomes terrified of being pecked to death by -- wait for it -- birds. And if you don't think birds would peck at a potato, you've clearly never had your fries stolen by some asshole seagull at the beach.
Then, the drone blurts out, "Her name is Caroline," its final bit of foreshadowing. Sure enough, you later learn that that's the name of the scientist's assistant, the poor girl who found herself merged with a computer:
Via Vk.com
... who turns evil, becomes a potato, and DOES get pecked by birds. Really, you just have to play it.


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Paul Hoover reported to spring training with the Tampa Rays in a new capacity with the organization.
The 1994 Steubenville High School graduate was named the catching coordinator for the Rays.
"Last year the organization asked me what I wanted to do and I told them I wanted to be the catching coordinator, eventually coach in the big leagues and, one day, maybe manage in the big leagues," said Hoover. "They were fully aware that after last year if that job opened up I would be interested in it.
Article Photos
TEACHING THE GAME — Steubenville Big red graduate Paul Hoover, shown with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010, has been named the catching coordinator for the Tampa Rays. Hoover was drafted by the Rays in 1997. He spent last year as manager for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Rays.
-- Associated Press
"I was fortunate that it did open up and they offered it to me."
Hoover spent last season as manager for the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Rays.
"It was definitely a learning experience," he said. "I've played in Triple A and the big leagues since 2001, then I went back to the earliest level and you take for granted what baseball players know. It was different for me going back to the basics. At the same time, it was refreshing to try and teach some of those things.
"It was not easy by any means. They learned as much from me as I did from them."
What Hoover really likes about his new position is the work schedule.
"There's definitely a lot of travel, but it is different in a sense that I will be gone for five days and stay with a team or a certain level for that time and then I will be able to get home and spend time with my wife and daughters.
"That is very important to me. My wife and daughters have sacrificed a lot with me. They have been with me for the summers. Now, I will be able to get home and not miss any more dance recitals or birthdays.
"The organization will tell me the guys I need to see and how many times I need to see them and I will be able to do that around my schedule."
He said he will have certain objectives throughout spring training.
"I will have those guys get prepared the way I want them to get prepared," he said. "They will do the drills I want them to do. Obviously, they are talented and have their own certain ways, but it is my job to help them continue to grow and get better and eventually get to the big leagues.
"My job is to develop these guys to catch in the big leagues with the Rays, and, if not the Rays, then for someone else."
Hoover was a 23rd-round pick in 1997 by the Rays. He spent eight years in the minor league system and had two brief stints in the majors in 2001-02. He also played for the Marlins and Phillies.
He was drafted as a shortstop, but was eventually moved to catcher.
"I knew I wanted to play and I thought I was talented enough to play until I saw some of the other guys," Hoover recalled. "When they converted me to a catcher I wanted no part of it. With that being said, I was able to stay around, play for a long time and stay in the game.
"You are in the game as a shortstop, but you are in the game differently when you are a catcher. You are involved where everybody is or supposed to be and what everybody's job is. You are able to see everybody because you are facing them.
"When you play center field or are a pitcher, you know what your responsibilities are. But, when you are behind the plate, you need to know what everybody's responsibilities are.
"Everything goes into catching, the physical and mental aspects of it. On the lower levels you focus on routines and how to do certain things. On the higher levels, you learn how to call a game and how to handle a staff.
"It was hard enough for me to make the transition. But, as I got older, I learned a little more about executing and pitchers making pitches.
"I'm the kind of guy that if you asked me to do something, I would do it. I didn't envision myself being a catcher. But, the organization asked me to try it and I did.
"As I continued to get after it and grow, I saw myself getting better and I became a prospect and that's when I feel I became a priority in an organization.
"I was having success and I liked the success. I built upon that success and learned and grew and eventually went up the ladder."
He was a member of the 2009 Philadelphia Phillies who lost the World Series to the New York Yankees.
"That was amazing," he said. "The whole time we were playing I realized being in that place is definitely why you play the game."
The bottom line for Hoover, though, is he gets to marry his two loves - family and baseball.
"This game is something I love, but I was also really hesitant to sacrifice family time because, like I said, they have sacrificed so much for me," he said.
"This job helps out that part of my life tremendously."


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I can't enable lock screen mode in my laptop and also in my PC. I went to system setting > screen > lock Ctrl+Alt+L : Nothing happens! the shortcut is there but not works !
sudo apt-get --reinstall install gnome-screensaver :
Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
You might want to run 'apt-get -f install' to correct these:
The following packages have unmet dependencies:
dassault-systemes-draftsight:i386 : Depends: sendmail:i386 but it is not installable
PreDepends: libdirectfb-extra:i386 (>= 1.2.7-2) but it is not going to be installed
PreDepends: libxcb-render-util0:i386 (>= 0.3.6-1) but it is not installable
E: Unmet dependencies. Try 'apt-get -f install' with no packages (or specify a solution).


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Book your room at Embassy Inn
Get an overview of this hotelLocated within Victoria's Inner Harbour
Conveniently located in the Inner Harbour area, close to the new Robert Bateman Centre, this hotel is within walking distance of shopping and ferries to the United States.
Property Amenities
Embassy Inn amenities include free breakfast, seasonal swimming pool, sauna, 24-hour business center, guest laundry, and complimentary parking.
All Embassy Inn guestrooms offer a private balcony, fridge, in-room safes, coffee and tea, complimentary toiletries, and free WiFi.Would you like to give us feedback? Share it! Opens in a new window
Embassy Inn520 Menzies St Victoria BC V8V 2H4
Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
The Embassy Inn Hotel is the closest hotel to the BC Legislature, also known as British Columbia's Parliament Buildings. With its convenient location, the Embassy Inn Hotel makes it easy to visit Victoria's popular attractions such as the Royal BC Museum, the IMAX Theater, the new Robert Bateman Centre, Victoria's Inner Harbour, where many annual festivals are hosted, and beautiful Beacon Hill Park. Chinatown is a short walk away, as is Antique Row, and many restaurants and theaters are close by. The Embassy Inn Hotel provides all guests with free hot breakfast, free Wifi and free parking.
- 24-hour business center
- 24-hour front desk
- Airport transportation (surcharge)
- Free newspapers in lobby
- Computer station
- Concierge services
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Elevator/lift
- Free breakfast
- Free self parking
- Free WiFi
- Laundry facilities
- Luggage storage
- Multilingual staff
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Number of floors - 5
- Outdoor seasonal pool
- Sauna
- Smoke-free property
- Television in common areas
- Total number of rooms - 70
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Use of nearby fitness center (discount)
- Wedding services
- Year Built 1982
Family Friendly Amenities
- Cribs/infant beds (complimentary)
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
- Refrigerator
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Free self parking
Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Balcony
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Coffee/tea maker
- Free newspaper
- Free toiletries
- Connecting/adjoining rooms available
- Free cribs/infant beds
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk
- Digital TV service
- Free local calls
- Free WiFi
- Hair dryer
- In-room safe
- Iron/ironing board
- Premium TV channels
- Private bathroom
- Refrigerator
- Shower/tub combination
Start your day with a free buffet breakfast, available daily from 7 AM to 10:30 AM.
Nearby Things to Do
The recreational activities listed are on site; fees may apply.
- Golfing nearby
- Kayaking nearby
- Sailing nearby
- Scuba diving nearby
- Mountain biking nearby
- Scooter/moped rentals nearby
- Hiking/biking trails nearby
- Bicycle rentals nearby
To make requests for specific accessibility needs, complete the "Special or Accessibility Requests" section of "Trip Preferences" when you book your hotel.
- Accessible bathroom
- In-room accessibility
Hotel Policies
Minimum check-in age is 19
Check-in time ends at 3 AM
Check-in time starts at 3:30 PM
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is 11 AM
Payment types
- Pets allowed for an extra charge of CAD 20.00 per pet, per night
- Dogs and cats only
- 2 per room (up to 25 kg)
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
- The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
Service animals exempt from fees/restrictions
Optional extras
- Airport shuttle fee: CAD 24.00 per person (one way)
- Pet fee: CAD 20.00 per pet, per night
- Rollaway bed fee: CAD 20 per night
Hotel Name
- Embassy Inn
- Embassy Inn Victoria
- Embassy Victoria
We should mention
Up to 2 children 17 years old and younger stay free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding. The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation.


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February 13, 2013
Ray Dolan, director of the Wellcome Trust Center for Neuroimaging at University College London, will deliver "Action and Value," NYU's Annual Dean for Science Lecture in Neuroeconomics, on Tuesday, March 5, 4 p.m. at NYU's Kimmel Center for University Life, Rosenthal Pavilion (60 Washington Square South [at LaGuardia Place], 10th floor).
Dolan, an expert in the field of neuroscience and behavior, will address the nature of "value encoding" in the brain—a central issue in the field of neuroeconomics, an emerging academic discipline that has shed light on the motivations behind decision making. Dolan will present new data that highlights how separate parts of the brain encode "value" in different ways and discuss the implications of these findings.
The event is free and open to the public, with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call 212.998.3904 or email email@example.com. Reporters interested in attending must RSVP to James Devitt, NYU's Office of Public Affairs, at 212.998.6808 or email@example.com. Subways: A, B, C, D, E, F, M (W. 4th St.).
The lecture is hosted by NYU's Center for Neuroeconomics and sponsored by the university's Dean for Science.
This Press Release is in the following Topics:
Arts and Science, Research, Around the Square
Type: Press Release


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I'm looking to segment users to either go down a path where there is a wizard-like UI that walks the user through a process. The alternative is a path for advanced users who are already familiar with the process.
closed as off topic by ChrisF, Ben Brocka♦ Mar 2 '12 at 20:12
Questions on User Experience Stack Exchange are expected to relate to user experience within the scope defined by the community. Consider editing the question or leaving comments for improvement if you believe the question can be reworded to fit within the scope. Read more about reopening questions here.If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.
The iconography style should relate closely to the type of Web domain you are working into. I can give your some narrative examples -
Say, if it were for Sports (not binded for sports though!) a beginner who would be one with a safety belt around in water, whereas an expert with a swimming pose in water.
Metaphors are best way to demonstrate this scenario of Beginners vs Experts - It could be equivalent to a front view of a scooter with "L" board against a speeding motorcycle (expert).


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Fulton XLT Series Customized Trailer Winches
We manufacture a full line of Fulton brand single speed winches designed to meet your toughest pulling demands. Our winches feature:
- Efficient gear ratios
- Full-length drum bearings
- Oil-impregnated shaft bushings
- And our 'Comfort Grip' handle for ease of cranking.
All gears are high-carbon steel for superb strength and long-term durability. Stamped carbon steel frames provide rigidity for gear alignment and longer cycle life. Zinc finishes provide excellent corrosion resistance in all environments. All models are designed for use with rope or strap. For end user convenience, most models are available with factory installed straps and hooks. Our XLT® Series includes stylized polypropylene shell with strap and hook as standard features.
I assume that the only difference is the strap capacity between the 1400 vs 1800 mounting is the same?
Yes, this is the primary/only difference between the two.
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6 Mind Blowing Special Effects You Won't Believe Aren't CGI
Computer generated images are like the foam sets of the present era: 20 years from now, people are going to laugh their asses off at the fact that this stuff looked even remotely real to us.
That's why, as we've mentioned before, there are still filmmakers doing special effects the old-fashioned way -- even if the results are so impressive that you'd never know it's not CGI.
There's CGI in Cracked's new Adventures in Jedi School mini-series, but the humor is all a practical effect.
#6. Inception -- The Dream Collapsing
Inception is one of those movies that could have easily gotten away with doing every single special effect in CGI, because it's full of so many insane moments that we assume half the things in it are computer generated anyway (for example, there's no evidence that Ken Watanabe is a real person). Like in the scene where water comes rushing in through the windows of the Japanese dream castle while DiCaprio watches:
Water: Leonardo DiCaprio's Natural Enemy Since 1997.
They had huge water cannons hiding outside the windows, firing somewhere between 3,000 and 4,000 gallons into the set as DiCaprio stood there, soaking wet.
"Finally, I can pee in public and no one will know!"
Don't think DiCaprio got to have all the fun, though -- if there's one scene that screams "CGI," that would be the iconic hallway fight scene where Joseph Gordon-Levitt climbs up walls and runs through the ceiling as if gravity had taken a break:
Meanwhile, four exceptionally heavy sleepers rest inside a flying van.
But nope, that's all real, too. Doing the scene with wires and erasing them digitally would have been too easy, apparently, so Christopher Nolan actually built a 100-foot-long rotating hallway and locked down the camera to rotate with it, effectively making it look like the actors were defying gravity.
Christopher Nolan is what happens when a child goes his whole life without learning the word "reasonable."
So what about when DiCaprio and Ellen Page are sitting in a cafe in Paris and he reveals that she's actually dreaming, and then everything explodes around them?
"You didn't have Mexican food before going to sleep by any chance, did you?"
You'd think from how cool the actors seem in that scene that they were actually sitting comfortably in front of a green screen, but that explosion is real -- the filmmakers put air cannons inside the cafe and in the stands across the street, then blew everything to shit around DiCaprio and Page. You can see their "Oh shit" faces here:
Via msmariah.com
"Honestly, the whole production was just an expensive excuse to shoot garbage at Leo. He spilled something on me one time."
#5. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol -- Climbing the Highest Man-Made Structure in the World
Tom Cruise has a reputation for being insane (even by Scientology standards), but oddly enough, that has rarely translated into accusations that he's hard to work with. In fact, the "making of" featurettes for his Mission: Impossible movies are often as much if not more entertaining than the movies themselves, precisely because he's insane. Case in point:
Please, hold your "giant dildo" jokes.
That's a real photo of Cruise on top of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the tallest man-made structure in the world, during the production of Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. If you've seen the film, you know that Cruise climbs the building -- what you might not be aware of is that he literally climbed the damned building.
When the production team saw that the script called for Cruise's character to perform some stunts outside the Burj Khalifa, they immediately started working on re-creating part of the building inside a soundstage, which they could then digitally combine with the real thing, because they just assumed that no one would be crazy enough to actually want to climb it. It took a single meeting with Cruise to prove them wrong -- turns out he'd had his eye on the building for some time and wanted to make it his bitch.
"See? That whole thing on Oprah looks perfectly sane now."
As usual, Cruise insisted on doing this without any stunt doubles, even though shooting the scene required being strapped into a painful harness and hung like a freaking pinata against glass that became so hot that it was impossible to shoot under direct sunlight. The film crew set up camp in the unfinished 123rd floor of the tower and had to remove a bunch of windows so they could stick out all the necessary equipment to film Cruise's stunts and, you know, keep him alive and stuff.
That's Cruise in black, hanging upside down.
One stunt even involved running down the face of the building in order to stealthily break into one of the floors ... because nothing says stealth mission like hanging off a building in the middle of the day.
The visual representation of Tom Cruise's grip on reality.
#4. Alien: Resurrection -- Ripley Makes a Perfect Shot
Alien: Resurrection got a lot of crap for its use of (bad) CGI aliens, when in fact most of the movie was done with good old-fashioned puppets and model spaceships. For example, the gruesome scene where the human/alien hybrid is sucked into space through a tiny hole in the spaceship ...
And yet Ron Perlman is still the ugliest thing in this movie.
... was done entirely on set by creating plastic replicas of the creature and then literally pulling them through a hole.
However, the coolest moment in the movie needed no puppets or effects at all. In one scene, Sigourney Weaver is playing basketball in the ship's gym when Ron Perlman and his posse show up and start giving her shit. Weaver proceeds to kick their asses and walks away -- but not before performing an impossible over-the-head blind shot resulting in nothing but net.
Wasn't this exact scene in Teen Wolf?
That's the real thing there. Originally, the director wanted to fake the shot using CGI or having someone else drop the ball from above, since he wasn't looking forward to doing 200 takes until they got one right, but Weaver insisted on doing it herself. The crew went along with it, the whole time assuming that they'd have to eventually CG a ball in during postproduction. But then, to everyone's surprise, Weaver got it on her sixth try.
In fact, in the unedited footage, you can see that Perlman almost blew the entire shot by breaking character and going "Oh my God" after the ball goes through. That's why the movie cuts away to a different reaction shot so quickly after that part.
They could have just left the original and dubbed his voice saying, "Well, that sucked."


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House of Troy SL40-61 Polished Brass In-Line Switch Picture Light from the Slim Line Collection
Item #:
Offer Ends
Technical Specs
|Bulb Base
|Medium (E26)
|Bulb Included
|Finish Application
|Light Direction
|Down Lighting
|Sconce Type
|Picture Light
|Suggested Room Fit
|Living Room
|Watts Per Bulb
- 40" Slim-Line Picture Light
- Designed for Frames 48" X 60" (W x H) or more
- Eight 15T4 candelabra base bulbs (Included)
- Center to Center arm distance: 39-5/8"
- Includes splice box (1-1/4"W X 1-1/2"H x 1/2"D)
- Includes mounting brackets for wood or metal frames, or wall mounting
- arm dimensions: 7"H (from junction box), Extends 8", shade hangs down 2"
- Set screw allows for shade rotation
- supplied with Paintable 8' (from Junction box) Ivory Chord with switch 3' from plug
Additional House of Troy Links
Our SKU: SL40
This product is listed under the following manufacturer number(s):
- Antique Brass
- Black
- Mahogany Bronze
- Oil Rubbed Bronze
- Polished Brass
- Polished Chrome
- Satin Brass
- Satin Nickel
- Weathered Brass
- White
*Denotes a finish or option that has been discontinued
2 Questions from the Community
The House of Troy SL40 can be dimmed.
Hi, is the "House of Troy SL40 Contemporary " dimmable ?
A. The House of Troy SL40 can be dimmed.
The House of Troy SL40 does include a wall plug.
does this light come with a cord u can plug into outlet??
The House of Troy SL40 does include a wall plug.
Product Reviews
Rated 3 out of 5 by acypher from Good light, bad hardware I purchased the SL40 picture light for a large oil painting -- 7' x 4'. Customer service was *very* helpful while ordering and in expediting shipment. I also had a bulb burn out in the first month, and they were very responsive in providing a replacement. I would use LightingDirect again, because of their excellent customer service. Also, I chose LightingDirect because they let you return a product with NO restocking fee if it does not meet your needs. Their competitors all charge outrageous restocking fees. I like the styling of the light, and the description and photo on the website were accurate. The portrait is lighted only about half way down, but I can't really expect more, given the wattage of the bulbs. I am happy with the light, but the mounting hardware is disappointing and inappropriate for an item of this cost. The hardware is designed to fit in the track of a metal frame. The site says that it can also be used to mount to a wood frame, which I did, but it is much too flimsy for this use. They provide tiny screws that I needed to replace. But the real problem is that the mounting brackets use three small tabs to grip the arms for the light. The tabs on my bracket immediately bent, so that the light hangs at an angle. The bracket should instead use a metal sleeve around the arm, but I suspect that they didn't want to do this because it would require attaching the bracket before attaching the splice box. That was a poor decision. If you want to mount this light on a wood frame, you will have to make your own mounting hardware.
Date published: 2007-12-28
House of Troy Slim-Line Picture Lights Collection
Warranty Info
xLive Product Expert


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I don't know if this is possible and already done automatically when logging in with Ubuntu One, but can I synchronise bookmarks from Firefox to Ubuntu One automatically?
So that I can add bookmarks on the same computer from Ubuntu 11.10 to 12.10 or even from a newer installation of Ubuntu.
If it is possible, how can I do that?


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|FY 2003 Basic Allowance for Housing
|Rates for Warrant Officers with Dependents
Below are the rates of tax-free housing allowance (Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH) that are provided to Warrant Officers (with dependents) who are authorized to reside off base at government expense.
For Fiscal Year 2003, housing rates increased by an average of 8 percent over 2002 rates. As a National Survey has shown that rental rates around military bases have risen an average of 4.2 percent during the past year, the average out-of-pocket housing expenses for military members will drop from 11.3 percent to 7.5 percent. This is part of a DOD plan to reduce average out-of-pocket expenses to zero by the year 2005. In 2000, average out-of-pocket costs were 20 percent, reduced to 15 percent with the raise for 2001, and 11.3 percent in 2002. Housing allowance rates are based upon rank, location, and whether or not a member has dependents.
The Department of Defense (DOD) employs Runzheimer International to collect the nation-wide housing cost data that they use to compute BAH. Additionally, DOD obtains current data from multiple sources, employing a "checks and balances" approach to ensure reliability and accuracy. Current residential vacancies, identified in local newspapers and real estate rental listings, are an important source of data. Vacancies are selected at random, and subjected to a screening process. Telephone interviews establish the availability and exact location of each unit sampled. DOD has designed the sample to obtain a statistical confidence level of 95% or higher. DOD also contacts apartment and real estate management companies to identify units for rental pricing. It is not uncommon for DOD to consult real estate professionals in a locality to obtain confirmation and additional sources of data. Where available, DOD contacts fort/post/base housing referral offices, to tap local military expertise and gain insights into the local concerns of military. Finally, DoD and the Services conduct on-site evaluations at various locations to confirm and ensure reliability and accuracy of the cost data.
Data courtesy of Department of Defense


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Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus (Morning)Sat, April 13, 2013 - 11:00 AMScope in Norfolk, VA
We are sorry, the date for this event has already passed. This event took place on 4/13/2013. Click here to view upcoming events for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.
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Is there any version of FMH 2012 can support @ PlayStation Vita?
Is there any version of FMH 2012 can support @ PlayStation Vita?
The PSP version is compatible with the Playstation Vita and can be bought from the PS Store, I believe.
unable to find FMH2012 in PS Store, is it only available in europe region?
FMH2012 is not in the list above (PSP® games on PS Vita).
tried to search "football manager" in PS Store, not available as well. Any suggestion on how to find FMH2012 in PS Store?
It may well be region restricted - could you indicate which country you're in?
I m in Asia region - Singapore.
no answer for this ?
Hi, I've checked this out now and I'm afraid we don't sell the PSP game in Asia, nor are we able to do so at the moment. Sorry about that.
hey, so does anybody know if the game is up for download now and the psn store to get it from? plssssssssssssssssssssssss
Ive downloaded this but cant get it to work on my vita. Any ideas? From England as well so its not a region issue


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Don't get too bummed. This item is on the way and will be available for purchase as soon as it rolls into the warehouse.
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4 Reviews
You can teach an old goat new tricks.
Peanut butter and chocolate. Beer and pretzels. Ice and cream. Some things are too good to mess with, and you can add the Volkl Gotama Ski to the list. It's a big-mountain ski dressed up like a do-it-all charger, and it might well be the only thing you'll need to have in your quiver this winter.
At 107mm underfoot, the "Goat" is plenty wide for all but the deepest pow days, and it has the ELP (Extended Low Profile) rocker to prove it. The rocker profile is designed to compliment the ski's flex and sidecut, so it's incredibly easy to get full edge contact when you roll your ski up and try to lock into a turn. This makes the Gotama a serious performer on the hardpack, even though its dimensions would suggest it's more at home in the soft stuff. Of course, it still floats like a butterfly when you're in a pow-gobbling mood.
You can drive it hard no matter where you're riding, though, courtesy of a Power/Tough Box construction that uses stiff ash underfoot and lively poplar in the tip and tail, with a fiberglass and composite sheath around the ash for plenty of stiffness and power where you need it. This helps to prevent binding pull-outs, too, so you don't have to worry about hammering a turn and looking down to find that your ski isn't attached to your binding anymore. You won't find a tougher, more exciting do-it-all big-mountain ski around.
- Extended Low Profile (ELP) full rocker profile
- Multi-layer wood core (poplar tip and tail, ash underfoot)
- Power/Tough Box fiberglass and composite wrap
- Vertical sidewalls
- Item #VKL000L
Tech Specs
Tech Specs
- Reviews
What do you think about this product?
Have questions about this product?
Did not disappoint
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
I demo'd this ski at Alta on March 13 in spring conditions. I'm 6'3", 220 lbs, and an aggressive advanced to expert skier. I skied the 186 on Marker Griffon demo bindings.
This ski lives up to its reputation as a big mountain charger! At 107 under foot, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to lay them over and rip turns on the firm morning groomers. I was expecting the ski to be a little tough in the bumps because of the wider 107 waist, but again, I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to whip these skis around.
I spent most of the day skiing steep bumped up natural terrain. Snow was variable; chalky and tracked out at the higher elevations and mashed potatoes at the lower elevations. The extended low profile rocker allows these skis to accommodate a wide range of turn shapes and sizes. Straight lining it out the bottom of some of the runs was a blast! These skis are very stable at speed and I found myself going faster and faster as I became more familiar with them.
It's a relatively stiff ski for a wood-core with no metal. However, that imparts the ability to blast through tracked out crud without putting on the brakes and yet still have a lively playful feel when negotiating tricky terrain features.
I can only imagine how much fun these are on a powder day!
Although it's a big mountain powder ski, I found it to be extremely versatile and capable in the conditions I tested them in.
Here's the litmus test...
I originally planned to demo a few skis (Gotama, Mantra, Bonafide), but ended up smiling all day as I ripped around the mountain on these goats!
Demo them, you won't be disappointed. My next ski purchase for sure!
Great East Coast All-Mtn/ Powder ski!
- Familiarity: I've put it through the wringer
I've skied these in the trees, groomers, bumps, ice and even trolled the park with them and they are fantastic. absolutely no quality issues. I mounted them with marker dukes and it's a solid setup. Im 5'10", 160LB on the 178cm. Def wouldn't go any shorter.
Gotama core broke on first day
I've never seen a sky behave so poorly. After 1 day of skiing fresh powder, and I admit there were some rocks underneath, and branches in tree skiing, my son's brand new Gotamas looked like they had been skied on pure rock for weeks. I have older Voelkl skis, skied the same terrain, hit the same rocks, and had scratches - to be expected. His had scratches all the way to the wood core and cracks in the core and a bent out metal lining. When we took them to the repair shop, they were shocked. They had a lot of repairs in from that day, but nothing like that. Everybody who looked at the damage couldn't believe the base layer wouldn't have held up better, and how the core could break like that.
I tested it the next day and rented my son some Rossignols demo skis. We skied the same terrain, skied them hard, and guess what - just a few superficial scratches, while my Voelkls scratches were actually deeper than the Rossignols.
We're not trying to break a few pairs of skis here - I'm just upset by the supposedly high quality of my formerly favorite ski manufacturer.
Even my 2- year old skis are not what Voelkl used to be.
I'm not buying any Voelk skis anymore.
maybe the other users had better snow conditions. That's still no excuse for such lousy workmanship or materials. A ski is supposed to be able to take some abuse on ice and snow. I think that's what everybody would expect.
The Super 7 by Rossignol held up completely differently to the conditions. I'll keep testing this with other skis if I have the opportunity, but something is wrong with the Gotama manufacturing, or maybe this pair of skis is just a bad batch?
Anybody else have problems like that?
Hey Dagmar, I have not heard of anything like that happening at all with Volkl's. I am led to believe it is a bad batch or bad pair. If you bought them from us, I would be able to help get a refund/exchange going for you to help out. Shoot me an email with your order #, firstname.lastname@example.com, or ask for me on the live chat service. Thanks!
I think you either got a bad batch (unlikely) or don't know how to ski and/or treat your gear poorly. The amount of times I have thought I hit a rock too hard in the trees and there was hardly any damage is countless. Good luck with your next set of sticks.
Late post, but I have the volkl bridge which I bought in December 2014. Went to verbier and went over a small rock I'm assuming and bent metal and took a chunk out of base. Love them but only skied about 6 different timesthis year. I'm not wondering if volkl is a little weak
all around banger
- Familiarity: I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions
I only had one day on these skis, but they were the easiest pair to become familiar with in all my experience. I skied the 186. Not using skis with a turn radius as tight as these, I was very surprised as to how quickly they turned, super responsive. They weren't ideal for long turns at high speed, but for anything in the mid-turn range, all the way to tight quick turns, they handled extremely well. I also skied on these on a groomer day...so didn't get to ski them in anything deep.
They're super fun, and I definitely recommend them to any level of skier.
27.5m is *not* a tight turn radius, it's at the longer end of the spectrum for all-mountain skis. What you are feeling is the full rocker profile, which makes the skis pivot much easier than a rockered ski with a similar sidecut.
Carving long turns on a fully rockered ski, especially one w/ a longer radius & little to no tip/tail taper, requires a lot of angulation. Get the skis out & away from the body: tip hard & rip.
You're right that this is no GS ski: no metal, no camber. It still ranks as a substantial charger that is much closer to a stable, metal-fortified ski like Blizzard's Cochise.
Bergmann - You're correct. I actually got back out on this ski this weekend and had the chance to become more familiar. I did exactly as you stated, and I started making big/fast turns with confidence. I was impressed at this skis stability at speed, and how responsive it was at all speeds.
I'm still surprised that a turn radius of 27.5 felt much tighter than it actually was, but your explanation makes total sense.
Also, I also got out on the Cochise this weekend. Needless to say, that ski doesn't turn if you're not carrying speed. Big mountain charger at its core, which I appreciate. Loved that ski for sure.
White Room?
Somewhere in there you'll find a Gotama.
Pow ski of choice for skier Ty Peterson!
Got the Gotama?
Skier Ty Peterson in action while ski patrol assists with a flash!
What is the best mounting position for the 2015 Gotoma's? I'm and expert skier who prefers off piste, but bought the skis to be my all mountain ski (I have another pair of skis for pure powder/crud days). From everything I've read the +1 setting is preferred.
Charles, I have also heard a lot of people like the plus one setting to make the Gotama a bit quicker to turn. Really depends on personal preference, if you like a quicker turn initiation then the +1 would make sense. As the dealer we still have to officially say mount them where Volkl recommends but, I do know people have done the +1 and really enjoyed it. You should be able to find a demo somewhere and see if you like the factory mount point.
Kyle, thanks for the info. How would you stack up last year's Gotama against Line's Mr. Pollard's Opus? Also, I'm an advanced / expert level skier and am 6'2 and 200lbs. What size do suggest I go?
I would recommend the Gotama in 186 cm although you could size up to the 194 cm (which we are sold out of). They will ski a little shorter than their true length due to the ELP (Extended Low Profile) rocker.
The Line Mr. Pollard's Opus Ski are quite a bit wider at 118 mm underfoot and you would want the 192 cm. The Opus has a shorter turning radius than the Gotama and is more of a true powder ski. The Gotama will be a better all-mountain ski that is wide enough for those deep pow days as well.
hi hi,
Has this ski been discontinued for 2016? If not, when will it be available for purchase? Thanks!
Volkl has stopped making the Gotama for 2016 and replaced it with the redesigned Mantra (100 mm underfoot) and the 100EIGHT (108 mm underfoot), new for 2016. We will be getting the Volkl 2016 Skis delivered over the next few weeks!
Contact me with any questions about Volkl Skis or if you are interested in a new ski set-up:
Moved to Western Canada and in search for a new set of skis. I'm currently riding Atomic's Nomad Smoke Ti. Having skied the alps (Chamonix & Chatel) I've decided to make the move to a bigger ski. I now mainly ski Lake Louise and Kicking Horse, with the odd trip to Revelstoke / Fernie. I'm torn between the Volkl Gotama & Atomic Automatic 109 and was even considering the K2 Shreditor 112. Every time I visit the local ski shop I get a different opinion on what I should purchase.
I'm not the most aggressive skier, but definitely not tame (6 ft & 175 lbs). I enjoy skiing the glades, drops and deep powder but usually end up splitting my time 50/50 between on and off-piste. Considering my current Atomics are a pretty stiff ski I would prefer something a little more playful. I've never skied a fully rockered ski and am I little unsure of the Gotama for that reason, but don't see any reason why I wouldn't adapt.
Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
first off, skis with full rocker construction behave a lot differently then cambered skis so i would try to test a full rocker construction before buying to make sure its your style.
My recommendation would be for the shreditor 102/112 or the gotama. In Canada your going to be skiing softer snow more often. Typically this means you want more upturn in the tip of your ski, and both the gotama and the shreditor have that. If you bought the atomic automatic I would be worried that all that camber in that ski would get frustrating in softer conditions.
Looking for ski for when I go out West. 43yr, experienced strong skier, but not nearly as nimble in trees or bumps as used to be due to knee injury. Power is not an issue in crud or flats for me and like look of Gotama, but wondering if getting 178mm might be better than 186mm at this age if I want to retain some of the nimbleness I used to have in tighter spots. I'm 6'0 200lb for reference. I'd go Soul 7, but I think I'd just overpower them in crud, etc. regardless of length.
I completely agree with you about the Soul 7! I have the Gotama in 170cm and it is my favorite ski EVER! I'm 5'6, 135lb, grew up in Park City so I've been skiing forever... This ski definitely covers everything I think the Soul 7 is missing, just like you said.
The only time I think you would really need that extra length is when you are charging it at mach 10 or want a little extra float in deeper snow. But if reckless high speeds aren't your thing, then you should be fine on the 178! Especially considering prior knee injury - that shorter length will be much more maneuverable in those conditions.
This ski is fully rockered, so your effective edge feels a bit shorter on hard pack. On the other hand, that's a lot of ski to move through tight trees.
Bottom line, the difference is small enough that you really can't go wrong. If you want to err on the side of caution (maneuverability), then go with the 178! If you think you'll want that extra float in deep snow and stability at high speeds, go with the 186!
Shoot me an email if you have any questions!
Aside from width, the Gotama and Soul 7 have absolutely nothing in common. The Soul 7 is a gutless wonder with cardboard tips & tails and a "hinge" point in the shovel that leads it to simply fold in half in chop, and that's under my 160lbs. The Soul also has substantial amounts of camber, which don't help it carve competently on hard snow (see cardboard tips/tails), but do drastically limit the ski's float & ability to pivot in soft snow. The Gotama has none of these problems. It is a substantial ski with the power to bust crud, but full reverse-camber & no metal means that this is a ski with a soft-snow bias.
Kudos to Laura F for not propagating the Soul 7 hype. Those waffle tips look pretty against a backlight, but I wouldn't even hamper a progressing intermediate with such a gutless, flawed design.
Deciding on size. I'm 6'0" 175lbs. I ski the B/L Cottonwood here in Utah. I'm aggressive and can handle blacks just fine but still learning how to charge hard. Should I go 178 or 186?
Wooooo LCC/BCC! I'd go with the 186! On hard pack, they will ski a bit short because that full rocker shortens your effective edge. And that extra surface area will keep you afloat in deeper snow! Plus that will give you more stability when you are charging. I think you would just out-ski the 178. This ski is AWESOME! Send it!
Hi, is this Gotama better all-mountain (pow preference) that Rossignol Soul 7 ?
Because i want light, forgiving and playful all-mountain ski - especialy for pow and I've been thinking of a bunch of skis and Gotama and Soul 7 is the best I think . Winter is coming so please help me with decision.
Gotoma has been a proven winner for many years and see them all over the place which always says something. Rossignol Soul 7 was the hot ski last year and is on the track to repeat that again this year.
Gotoma will be a stronger overall ski and has the ability and construction to charge and play harder all over the entire mountain. Where as the Soul is the true super light, forgiving, and more playful ski.
With your exact comments from above I think it would be hard for anybody not to recommend the Soul 7 for you. The Soul has its speed limits and crud busting ability is not on par with the Gotoma so only you know what conditions you like to ski and how aggressive you approach your day on the mountains.
Good luck and keep us posted.
I own a pair of Gotamas (purchased 4 years ago) and have skied the Soul 7s two times this year. The Goats are for very strong hard charging skiers that thrive on aggressiveness. I would not describe them as playful at all; the sidecut is not pronounced, so they want to go straight down the mountain. The Soul 7s, are the opposite--they are light and feathery and want to be 'surfed'. Even if you're a little back seat, these skis won't punish you like the Goats.
I'd agree with the previous poster, the Goats will bust through any crud and go faster than the Souls. But for softer snow, the Souls are just way more fun.
Where are these skis made? My old gotes are made in China, have they started making them in Germany?
Hey Alex,
Made in Germany!!
My 3 year old Goats were made in China - believe Volkl only did that for a season. Noticed the top layer got hammered quickly. Anyone notice a big difference from the 12/13's to now?


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I know plenty of Japanese words that came from English and a few from other European languages (obviously tons from Chinese), but what about words from Japan's indigenous languages such as Ainu? Also if there are any are they all written in kana like the newer borrowed words?
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What I think common from them is トナカイ、ラッコ、シシャモ、ノンノ
ref: 日本語に溶け込んだアイヌ語
Most Ainu loanwords in regular use are names for plants/animals indigenous to northern Japan, such as reindeer (トナカイ) and sea otter (ラッコ). These loans are old enough that there ARE usually kanji that can be used for them: 馴鹿 (トナカイ, can also be read じゅんろく) 海獺 or 猟虎 (ラッコ)
However, many plant/animal names are usually written in katakana (e.g. カバ for "hippopotamus," though it can be written 河馬) in everyday use. Due to the Ainu words being borrowed so long ago and the fact that many people don't realize they aren't "native" Japanese words, I suspect they are usually written in katakana because of this convention.
I've read in at least a few sources that the word さる "monkey" is from Ainu sar'ush," literally "having a tail." Can't promise it's not a false cognate though. It's treated as a native Japanese word in writing.
Using katakana for loan words was not common practice until after the Meiji restoration (older loans like コーヒ and ガラス can actually be written in kanji, although they generally aren't; たばこ is still written in hiragana).
Aside from that, many place names especially in northern Japan are derived from Ainu. "Sapporo" from Sat-poro-pet and "Shiretoko" from Sir-etok are two off the top of my head. These are generally written in kanji.
Japanese has also borrowed some words from Okinawan, generally relating to Ryukyuan culture, including:
There are some words in Japanese which were borrowed from the Ainu language, and mostly, they are written in katakana. However, they are mostly very uncommon words. Likely one of the most common is ラッコ (sea otter) -- I don't know that there is another word for it. Another which you have potentially heard is カムイ, which is analogous to the Japanese 神(かみ).
There may also be words borrowed from the language(s?) of the Ryukyu Islands (e.g. Okinawa), but I am not aware of any specific examples. If there are, they are also likely written (at least mostly) in katakana.
Here is a list of all words of Ainu origin listed as such in 大辞林
I don't know this for sure, but I believe the word "Kanata" meaning roughly "far away" in Japanese may have come from the Ainu, based on it's homonym by Native Americans, who descended from the Ainu.