text:
ARSC HPC Users' Newsletter 218, April 20, 2001
SV1e Upgrade
On April 11, ARSC upgraded chilkoot with faster processors. Faster memory will be added in June, completing chilkoot's upgrade process.
The new processors have improved caching, and a 500MHz clock, 66% faster than the 300MHz clock in the SV1. We will present data on user codes later (and ask users to share their performance numbers and other experiences with us). It's also interesting, of course, to discuss peak performance.
As in the SV1, the SV1e processor contains two vector functional units, each capable of producing 2 results, 1 floating point add and 1 multiply, per clock cycle. Thus, theoretical peak is 4 times the clock rate, or 2 GFLOPS.
Guy's code, which won him a beer in our "GFLOPS Contest" (see issue 213, /arsc/support/news/hpcnews/hpcnews213/index.xml ), shows the processor speedup nicely.
The following table gives MFLOPS achieved by the "gflops" code, as measured on chilkoot, on a dedicated system, by hpm. Results from executables compiled under Programming Environment 3.4 are in the columns labeled "PE3.4". Results from PE3.5 are labeled accordingly.
The rows show the number of CPUs on which the executable was run. An MSP (multi-streaming processor) uses 4 CPUs. Note that the MFLOPS values reported by hpm are per processor. Thus, the 1-MSP and 4-CPU values should be multiplied by 4 to get the actual MFLOPS achieved, so, for instance, the 1-MSP run, under PE3.5, on the SV1e, actually ran at 6484 MFLOPS.
The code was compiled with the default level of optimization (-O2) for the 1-CPU and 4-CPU runs and with "-Ostream3" for the 1-MSP runs.
MFLOPS Achieved, per processor, by "gflops" Code on Chilkoot SV1 Processors SV1e Processors -------------- --------------- PE3.4 PE3.5 PE3.4 PE3.5 ===== ===== ===== ===== 1-CPU 1043 1066 1750 1785 1-MSP 856 1011 1344 1621 4-CPU 934 950 1449 1434
Two observations:
First, the 1-CPU, PE3.5 values are almost 90% of peak, on either processor. It's nice to have proof that processors can indeed run almost as fast as claimed (although real users codes are generally in the 15-40% range). Second, comparing the 1-MSP values versus the 4-CPU values shows that under PE3.5, multi-streaming performance (for this code) has surpassed multi-tasking performance.---
You may have seen this elsewhere, but here's the joint Cray/ARSC press release on the the SV1ex:
SEATTLE--April 17, 2001-- Global supercomputer leader Cray Inc. (Nasdaq: CRAY) today announced the installation of the first Cray SV1ex[tm] supercomputer at the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center (ARSC), University of Alaska Fairbanks.
The system, part of a $3 million contract announced last September, replaces ARSC's Cray SV1[tm] supercomputer. Additional enhancements to the system memory are scheduled for later this quarter.
"The Cray SV1ex is part of ARSC's ongoing effort to provide top high-performance computing resources to its users," said ARSC Director Dr. Frank Williams. "We're proud to have this opportunity to share Cray's excitement in this cutting edge technology and are thrilled to be the first to offer this improvement to our scientists and researchers."
ARSC's government and academic researchers will use the Cray SV1ex supercomputer to study atmospheric, environmental and geophysical problems unique to the Arctic, polar regions and higher latitudes. The system's high-end performance, improved clock speed and extremely high-speed cache memory will be especially beneficial to ARSC users running applications in ocean modeling, climatology and space physics.
A research team led by Uma Bhatt, of the International Arctic Research Center (IARC) Frontier Research System for Global Change, will use ARSC's Cray SV1ex supercomputer to apply a global climate model that simulates the atmospheric response to changes in sea ice over the Arctic ocean. These simulations will help the team to understand how shrinking sea ice affects the atmosphere. While researchers traditionally study the tropics for clues to the origin of global weather patterns, this project is one of the first to investigate how changes in the Arctic may influence world climate.
"It's a pleasure to ship our first SV1ex to ARSC with significantly more power and better price/performance than previously indicated," said Cray Inc. Chairman and CEO Jim Rottsolk. "And it's a privilege to work alongside the user base of this long-time customer, providing the computing platforms for their breakthrough science."
"We're excited about the SV1ex's increased performance and appreciate Cray's efforts to create what we are confident will be an excellent product for our users," said Virginia Bedford, director of technical services at ARSC.
The Cray SV1ex enhanced product line is the technological forerunner to the Cray SV2[tm] supercomputer due out in the second half of 2002. It is a binary-compatible upgrade path for Cray SV1 and Cray J90[tm] customers. Each Cray SV1ex processor has a peak performance of two billion calculations per second (gigaflops).
About ARSC
ARSC supports computational research in science and engineering with an emphasis on high latitudes and the Arctic. The center provides high performance computational, visualization, networking and data storage resources for researchers within the Department of Defense, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, other academic institutions and government agencies.
About Cray Inc.
Cray Inc. designs, builds and sells high-performance MPP, vector processor and general-purpose parallel computer systems. The company has leading edge technology, multiple product platforms, nearly 900 employees, a worldwide installed base of supercomputer systems, major manufacturing and service capabilities and extensive global customer relationships. Cray believes its Multithreaded Architecture and Cray T3E[tm], Cray SuperCluster and Cray SV2 systems together represent the future of supercomputing. Go to www.cray.com for more information on the company.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. There are certain factors that could cause Cray's execution plans to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements above. Among such risk factors are expected delivery and acceptance times, and timely availability of commercially acceptable components from third party suppliers. For a discussion of such risks, and other risks that could affect Cray's future performance, please see "Factors That Could Affect Future Results" in Cray Inc.'s annual report on Form 10-K.
Cray and SuperCluster are registered trademarks, and Cray SV1ex, Cray SV1, Cray SV2, Cray T3E and Cray J90 are trademarks, of Cray Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Talk on Computational Biology
Monday 23rd April, 3pm 109, Butrovich.
Systems Biology: An Overview with Opportunities for Collaboration
George Lake Jimmy Eng Andrew Markiel Institute of Systems Biology,
We'll present an overview of Systems Biology and the Institute of Systems Biology, touching briefly some of the many opportunities for collaboration (Lake). We will then give a more detailed discussion of some technical and computational aspects of the new field of Proteomics (Eng). Finally, we'll discuss some visualization work, showing some astrophysical results from ARSC and other supercomputers together with prospects/needs for systems biology visualization (Markiel).
George Lake is a recent retread to Systems Biology from Astrophysics. He is Project Scientist for NASA's HPCC project in Earth and Space Science. He was the first power user at ARSC and his group has been one of the largest users of ARSC resources over the years. Jimmy Eng has been a leader in analysis software for proteomics, having written SEAQUEST and the next generation package COMET. Andrew Markiel recently moved from the UW Astronomy department to ISB, being the lead visualization developer at both places.
New PEMCS Paper: OpenMP and MPI on O2000
A new paper has just been published under the PEMCS banner:
"Scalability and Performance of OpenMP and MPI on a 128 Processor SGI Origin 2000", Glenn R. Luecke and Wei-Hua Lin, Iowa State University Ames, Iowa, USAIt is available in pdf or html at:
PEMCS welcomes submissions in all areas related to performance modeling and/or the evaluation of computer systems.
Quick-Tip Q & A
A:[[ Help! I've got myself stuck on 4 (FOUR!) list servers, and can't [[ unsubscribe! It was 3, but last month I joined a support group for [[ people addicted to listservers! Ahhhh! That made 4. [[ [[ Problem seems to be I'm subscribed as (making something up here), [[ [[ "myname@my_old_host.frazzle.com" [[ [[ but they've retired "my_old_host" and moved me to a new workstation [[ and now, when I send an "unsubscribe" message, I get a reply that, [[ [[ "myname@my_new_host.frazzle.com" is not subscribed [[ [[ How can I get my name off these lists? First, ask the list manager to unsubscribe you. For the future, you might speak with your own sysadmin: sendmail can be configured such that, regardless of which workstation you're on when you send mail, it appears to come from a consistent server address. Q: My Fortran code reads from an unformatted input file (originally written on a Cray T3E). Now I'm attempting to run it on a Cray SV1 and it stops with, "A READ operation tried to read past the end-of-file" What should I do next? What's wrong?
[[ Answers, Questions, and Tips Graciously Accepted ]]
Current Editors:
E-mail Subscriptions:
Ed Kornkven ARSC HPC Specialist ph: 907-450-8669 Kate Hedstrom ARSC Oceanographic Specialist ph: 907-450-8678 Arctic Region Supercomputing Center University of Alaska Fairbanks PO Box 756020 Fairbanks AK 99775-6020
Subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) the e-mail edition of the
ARSC HPC Users' Newsletter.
Back issues of the ASCII e-mail edition of the ARSC T3D/T3E/HPC Users' Newsletter are available by request. Please contact the editors.


text:
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June 28, 2017
Must see July 4th Fireworks Displays, read more
June 21, 2017
The APA urges fireworks safety this July 4th, click here.
June 5, 2017
FMCSA withdraws motor carrier financial responsibility rulemaking, notice here.
April 19, 2017
APA files comments on TRALA ELD rental truck exemption application.
March 23, 2017
FMCSA Withdraws Safety Fitness Determination Proposal, see notice here.
March 1, 2017
David Tang, K&L Gates, Asia, BBC interview on investment flows into and out of China.
February 22, 2017
Ann Marie Buerkle named Acting Chairman of the CPSC, read more.
February 2, 2017
CPSC issues Fireworks Regulations Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
January 31, 2017
Elaine Chao sworn in as Secretary of Transportation, read more.
December 19, 2016
OSHA issues final rule clarifying work-related injury reporting requirements. Click here to view.
December 16, 2016
APA looks forward to working with newly named PHMSA Associate Administrator for HazMat Safety William Schoonover.
December 8, 2016
FMCSA issues final rule on entry-level driver training.
December 5, 2016
FMCSA issues final rule creating a CDL drug & alcohol clearinghouse.
November 23, 2016
Business group praises court decision to block overtime wage rule.
September 6, 2016
CPSC releases proposed policy on audible effects.
June 30, 2016
Click here to see APA's 2016 "must see" fireworks displays for July 4th.
June 27, 2016
The APA urges fireworks safety this July 4th.
June 14, 2016
2016 July 4th media resources, APA members click here.
June 6, 2016
CVSA Roadcheck June 7-9, click here for driver checklist safety tips.
June 1, 2016
West Virginia liberalizes consumer fireworks regulations, click here for a summary.
April 20, 2016
PHMSA issues clarification regarding Designated Agents, view notice here.
April 5, 2016
PHMSA publishes Final Rule on Reverse Logistics.
March 10, 2016
FMCSA publishes Proposed Rule on Entry Level Driver Training requirements.
March 8, 2016
View key presentations from the 2016 APA Winter Conference here.
December 16, 2015
FMCSA publishes Final Rule on Electric Logging Devices.
November 25, 2015
2016 APA Winter Conference Feb. 23-25, see a sneak peak here.
October 20, 2015
House T&I Committee introduces surface transportation reauthorization & reform legislation, read more.
September 1, 2015
Tianjin, China explosions create uncertain shipping delays, read more here.
August 6, 2015
Senate confirms new PHMSA Administrator, Marie Dominguez.
Member Legal Assistance ProvidersBrooke-Stevens, PC
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Your Account
Among the many different approaches to "templating" with Perl--such as Embperl, Mason, HTML::Template, and hundreds of other lesser known systems--the Template Toolkit is widely recognized as one of the most versatile. Like other templating systems, the Template Toolkit allows programmers to embed Perl code and custom macros into HTML documents in order to create customized documents on the fly. But unlike the others, the Template Toolkit is as facile at producing HTML as it is at producing XML, PDF, or any other output format. And because it has its own simple templating language, templates can be written and edited by people who don't know Perl. In short, the Template Toolkit combines the best features of its competitors, with ease-of-use and flexibility, resulting in a technology that's fast, powerful and extensible, and ideally suited to the production and maintenance of web content and other dynamic document systems.In Perl Template Toolkit you'll find detailed coverage of this increasingly popular technology. Written by core members of the technology's development team, the book guides you through the entire process of installing, configuring, using, and extending the Template Toolkit. It begins with a fast-paced but thorough tutorial on building web content with the Template Toolkit, and then walks you through generating and using data files, particularly with XML. It also provides detailed information on the Template Toolkit's modules, libraries, and tools in addition to a complete reference manual.Topics in the book include:
Darren Chamberlain is an active member of the Template Toolkit development team.
View Darren Chamberlain's full profile page.
David Cross is the owner of Magnum Solutions Ltd., a London-based Perl Consultancy, and is also the author of the well-respected Data Munging with Perl.
View Dave Cross's full profile page.
Andy Wardley is the author of several CPAN modules including the Template Toolkit. He is a software researcher at the Canon Research Centre Europe and specializes in web-related technologies including dynamic content generation, web application frameworks, and the customization and localization of user interfaces and web content.
View Andy Wardley's full profile page.
Our look is the result of reader comments, our own experimentation, and feedback from distribution channels. Distinctive covers complement our distinctive approach to technical topics, breathing personality and life into potentially dry subjects. The animal on the cover of Perl Template Toolkit is a badger. The badger (Meles meles) is the largest member of the weasel family, and is found extensively throughout the northern hemisphere. Badgers are the best diggers of all carnivores, and can be found in the sandy or clay soils of dry open fields, parklands, and pastures where there are few large tree roots in their way as they digs.Badgers are completely covered in gray or black fur except for on the head, where white stripes (or badges) run from the nose to the shoulders. Adult males can weigh as much as 26 pounds in autumn as, to prepare for winter, badgers tend to consume large amounts of food. Although they do not hibernate, badgers sleep in their burrows during winter and live off of their body fat.The bones and muscles are large for an animal of the badger's size. The forefeet are armed with long, wide claws for digging. The claws on the hind legs are short and shovel-like for scooping away dirt. The flattened body easily slips into small burrows. A badger can dig itself into a hole in a few minutes.Badgers are nocturnal, foraging for food at night. They eat everything from earthworms, insects, fruits, and berries to squirrels, mice, rabbits, and snakes. If attacked by a person or coyote--its main enemies--the badger acts quickly. The badger digs itself into a hole, throwing dirt and dust into its attacker's face. The badger turns with its powerful claws and terrible bite to face its enemy. The badger then starts to fill the hole in front of it with loose dirt to hide itself. Coyotes usually leave to find less dangerous prey. Few other animals will attack a badger.Often hunted for their pelts, many countries now have laws protecting badgers. Badgers have been known to live for up to 14 years in the wild, but are likely to die or be killed before they reach this age. Darren Kelly was the production editor, Audrey Doyle was the copyeditor, and Mary Brady was the proofreader for Perl Template Toolkit. Mary Anne Weeks Mayo and Colleen Gorman provided quality control. Tom Dinse wrote the index. Jamie Peppard, Matt Hutchinson, and Mary Agner provided production assistance.Emma Colby designed the cover of this book, based on a series design by Edie Freedman. The cover image is an original engraving from the 19th century. Emma produced the cover layout with QuarkXPress 4.1using Adobe's ITC Garamond font.David Futato designed the interior layout. This book was converted by Joe Wizda to FrameMaker 5.5.6 with a format conversion tool created by Erik Ray, Jason McIntosh, Neil Walls, and Mike Sierra that uses Perl and XML technologies. The text font is Linotype Birka; the heading font is Adobe Myriad Condensed; and the code font is LucasFont's TheSans Mono Condensed. The illustrations that appear in the book were produced by Robert Romano and Jessamyn Read using Macromedia FreeHand 9 and Adobe Photoshop 6. The tip and warning icons were drawn by Christopher Bing. This colophon was written by Darren Kelly.
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(5 of 10 customers found this review helpful)
A definitive book with limits that affect less prepared readers
By Anonymous
from Undisclosed
Comments about oreilly Perl Template Toolkit:
The Template Toolkit is a mini-language for filling in templates with data. The most obvious use for this toolkit is generating html pages from a database.A vigorous introduction to the language, that may clarify your decision to commit to Template::Toolkit is Randal Schwartz's "Building a Static Site with Template Toolkit" in March 2006 Linux Magazine and on the corresponding web site.This book's strength and weakness is it is definitive and tightly limited to the Template Toolkit mini-language itself.Starting after Chapter 3, the reader needs to understand the object syntax for Perl. A book like "Learning Perl" does not provide enough background to decypher the later chapters of Perl Template Toolkit.This mini-language, intially authored by Andy Wardley has an elegant and disciplined separation of data from the presentation framework. When the reader seeks to create pages purely from a row of input data the Template language runs out. I resorted writing a page stub generator that worked, and it is on the Template Toolkit mailing list. Any real progrmmer that looks at my hack will cringe and say... "that is pretty ugly, even for Perl"
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Hey guys this past weekend Me and a good friend got together to do a photoshoot since I missed The one my garrison did a week prior. Here are the pics. Hope you guys enjoy.
Hey guys this past weekend Me and a good friend got together to do a photoshoot since I missed The one my garrison did a week prior. Here are the pics. Hope you guys enjoy.
Great shots RC! you showed her whos boss : )
Awesome shots bro!! Love the 1st one. Are you bringing you're "friend" to Wizard world this year? :-)
great looking fett .awesome pics . SE ? i thought u had to have a esb lid on the SE.
WOW, those pics are amazing bro! Kudos!
Yes scott she will be joining us at wizard world again this year
@ dlzx9r My helmet is ROTJ colors but with ESB weathering. I personally love the ESB helmet more than the ROTJ. THeres not enough weathering on the ROTJ helmet but I Wanted my helmet to match with the armor. I used the same green I painted the armor with for the base of the helmet. So I took aspects from both helmets and put them into one. But yes the SE fett is Rotj armor and a Straight ESB bucket.
Freakin' Awesome!!
Glad to see you over here J!
Awesome pics!!!
This Fett looks even more impressive in person. I spent some time going over this suit, and was very impressed....
You should post that pic of Adreine Curry next to that shot of the leia, side by side
WOW!! Those are some amazing pics!! Great Job!!
Nice pics! Great suit. And slave Leia deserves a good ol' Tex Avery style wolf-whistle!
Thanks Gentleman!
@ scott Which pic are you referring too?
great photos bro!
Glad to see a Fett with some dirt on him Lookin good
Outstanding pictures..You have a mean looking Fett buddy.
That Fett looks filthy in the best way possible. Awesome suit!
Thanks guys. Yeah I spent alot of time weathering the jumpsuit. Its like after a few washes its gets lighter so I have to go back and darken it alil more lol
What do you use to weather it?
just flat black spray paint and brown...
WOW! Definitely one of the best Fetts I've seen! AMAZING job on the paint and weathering! The lid is AWESOME! Great work and I loved the pics! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you very much ner vod!
Like I've always said...."It's good to be Boba"!


text:
Gear Pro 720p Action Camcorders
Whether you're an extreme sports enthusiast or a Russian driver hoping to avoid insurance fraud, these mountable action cameras are just what you need. They can record ollies, backside 720s, and your countrymen's dangerous lane changes in stunning 720p HD!
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Most reputable manufacturers have good left handed versions of their holsters. You say they aren't really left handed. Makes me think you may be looking at cheap nylon "one size fits all" lower end holsters. If so, I agree, they don't work well. Brands like Galco, Don Hume, Desantis, Aker, Bianchi, Safariland, and many others have great holsters in your price range that have dedicated and functional left handed models.
It has never held me back. Also, just curious, why a drop leg holster?


text:
Arsenal kick off their pre-season programme on Saturday in the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup - and will bring a blend of youth and experience down to Southampton for the tournament.
The Gunners will face Premier League newcomers Southampton and Belgian side Anderlecht as part of a round-robin tournament of 45-minute matches. Arsène Wenger's side open against Anderlecht at 6.45pm, before rounding off the day against the hosts at 8pm.
Arsène Wenger has named a young squad for the matches at St Mary's, although the likes of Gervinho, Johan Djourou, Marouane Chamakh, Andre Santos, Francis Coquelin and Kieran Gibbs are all included in the 23-man squad.
None of the Club's players who featured at Euro 2012 are in the travelling party as they are yet to return to training.
But those Arsenal fans attending the tournament will have the opportunity to see Kyle Bartley, Vito Mannone and Henri Lansbury back in Arsenal colours again after successful loan spells at Rangers, Hull City and West Ham respectively last season.
There is also the chance to see some of the Club's rising stars in action, such as Dutch midfielder Kyle Ebecilio, exciting Swedish teenager Kristoffer Olsson and German star Thomas Eisfeld.
Remember, you can follow live updates from the tournament via our @Arsenal Twitter account. Use the hashtag #AFCvAND for the Anderlecht game and #SFCvAFC for the Southampton game.
Match reports will be available on Arsenal.com shortly after each game is over. Look out for highlights on Arsenal Player from Sunday afternoon and post-match reaction from Monday.Copyright 2017 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source


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WAKFU now on Ubuntu! Info - 12/07/2013 - 17h30Retour à la liste
Here's something for all the Linuxians out there: WAKFU is now available in the Ubuntu Software Center!
If you're a Ubuntu user, we invite you to download this version and let us know what you think about it. If you want to support us, you can of course rate the application in the Ubuntu software center!
We will also add a download link directly on our download page.
To learn more about the Ubuntu Software Center here.
Have fun!
Commentaires (30) Suivre la discussion sur le forum...
BeliVoron 12 Juillet 2013 18:05
muhahahaha . Thx ankama
Nox16 - Member - 12 Juillet 2013 18:11
wait are they getting the new launcher thing as well? ..... you guys talk about it ages ago im curious on the details on when we will get it
Spazturtle 12 Juillet 2013 18:12
Is that the new Launcher in that picture?
#[Troyle] 12 Juillet 2013 18:17
Yes, Ubuntu users get the new launcher before anyone else!
But don't worry, the others should get their hands on it very soon.
But don't worry, the others should get their hands on it very soon.
IorekRakinson - Member - 12 Juillet 2013 20:46
Awesomeness!! Can't leave Linux right now.
-IorekBarrison- - Member - 12 Juillet 2013 20:49
This is Awesome !!
more to come.
I already have Wakfu on Ubuntu eve before this so t his is a good thing keep it up ankama.
more to come.
I already have Wakfu on Ubuntu eve before this so t his is a good thing keep it up ankama.
FurmentalAlchemy 12 Juillet 2013 21:09
This is all fine and dandy for us Linux users, but... how long until we can actually play Krosmaster from within the game without the whole thing crashing? I know you're bound on that regard to the Flash player, but still. :c
EniWayPossible 13 Juillet 2013 00:43
Anyone know if there is any performance increase in Ubuntu vs windows? I.E. running two clients in windows is laggy, would I see a performance boost in Ubuntu since it uses less memory?
KennW - Member - 13 Juillet 2013 14:50
Is this any different from the linux version you already offer? Does playing Krosmaster from inside the game finally work or.....?
Naraevo 13 Juillet 2013 15:13
Well ... yeah, great, just using wakfu like few weeks on ubuntu, but it is good news anyway


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Making Homemade Sauerkraut
Saturday, February 22, 2014
9:00 am-12:00 pm
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County
480 North Main Street, Canandaigua, NY
Did you know that Ontario County farmers are credited as one of the largest producers of cabbage, worldwide? Cabbage is a healthy and low cost vegetable and can be used in many ways. One of the most popular ways is as sauerkraut. Making your own sauerkraut is easier than you think and offers tremendous health benefits and tastes delicious. Participants will leave with their own pail of sauerkraut to ferment at home.
Class fee: $15.00 per person
Class size is limited to 15 participants.
Pre-registration is required by February 14, 2014 by calling Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ontario County at 585-394-3977 x 427 or email email@example.com with your name, address, and phone number.


text:
a place for zinesters - writers and readers
As a result of being rather hectic these past few weeks as well as the cumulative effects of vengeful technology's refusal to cooperate with me, I have had a bit of a zine lull. But I am now back in the swing of things!
The Sarah Tea- Rex Etsy Shop is now stocked with copies of all of my zines- so they are ready to be ordered and sent to you all! I have managed to get a copy of …Continue
Added by sarah tea-rex on April 2, 2011 at 8:08am — No Comments


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text: I just upgraded from BT4R2 to BT5 Gnome 64 on my Toshiba Satellite P305-S8823. Everything runs great airmon-ng, wireshark, and firefox installed adobe flash and synaptic, all working properly. But when I start Ettercap-gtk, unified sniff, scan for hosts -> and the ettercap's gui locks up, I've left it running for several minutes hoping it would resolve it self with no luck. I haven't even edited etter.conf yet... Anyone else having this problem?


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Guys i get this output and when i type sessions i get "no active sessions".You think it was removed by Antivirus or OS its not compatible?!
Code:[*] Request received from 22.214.171.124:49766...[*] Encoding payload into vbs/javascript/html...[*] Sending exploit html/javascript to 22.214.171.124:49766...[*] Exe will be etMCE.exe and must be manually removed from the %TEMP% directory on the target.[*] Sending stage (752128 bytes) to 220.127.116.11 (i dont know what ip is this ) sessions Active sessions =============== No active sessions. msf exploit(ie_unsafe_scripting) >


text:
Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word
a heterosexual male who spends as little money as possible on his personal appearance and lifestyle because he has very little interest in how he looks and what he wears
'No botox for the Retrosexual. No $1,000 haircuts … The Retrosexual man eats red meat heartily and at times kills it himself.'The Washington Dispatch 2nd May 2004
In the mid-nineties, the noun metrosexual was coined to refer to a heterosexual male with a strong interest in fashion and appearance. In 2003, Mark Simpson, the British journalist who first used metrosexual, coined an antonym for the term, describing those men who refuse to embrace metrosexual ideals as retrosexuals. Like metrosexual, retrosexual can be used as a countable noun or an adjective, and has an uncountable noun derivative retrosexuality. Retrosexual males are not interested in plucking their eyebrows, trips to the hairdresser's, or men's cosmetic products; they are the classically average chaps that represent the majority of the male population.
proponents of retrosexuality have even begun to promote a retrosexual code, which includes directives such as opening doors for women, knowing how to use tools, dealing with flat tyres, and paying for everything when out on a date
This term has prompted significant media interest during recent months, particularly in the United States, where the feeling is that 'metrosexual is out and retrosexual is in'. Retrosexuality is seen as a reaction to the nineties exhortation that men should 'find their feminine side'. Proponents of retrosexuality have even begun to promote a retrosexual code, which includes directives such as opening doors for women, knowing how to use tools, dealing with flat tyres, and paying for everything when out on a date!
Retrosexual and metrosexual are often abbreviated to retro and metro respectively. Like the full forms, these abbreviations are used both as adjectives and countable nouns, media commentaries often drawing a contrast between metros and retros.
As a play on metrosexual, the term retrosexual exploits the prefix retro- meaning 'from the past', with the implication of 'traditional' male values.
Another recent coinage borne out of the current preoccupation with male stereotyping is the noun and adjective technosexual (also with derivative technosexuality), which refers to a metrosexual man who, as well as being concerned with fashion and appearance, has a strong interest in technology:
'It was bound to happen: the metrosexual has spawned an offshoot, the technosexual … The official definition for technosexual is "a dandyish narcissist in love with not only himself, but also his urban lifestyle and gadgets; a straight man who is in touch with his feminine side but has fondness for electronics such as cell phones, PDAs, computers, software, and the web."'www.alternet.org 8th March 2004
This article was first published on 14th August 2004.
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Wednesday 27th March 2013
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26 June 2017
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21 June 2017
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Queen Anne's Boat Club took a squad of 8 athletes to try to qualify at the Henley Women's Regatta on Saturday 17 June as well as other Queen Anne's girls competing for their clubs.
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Saturday, April 10, 2010
A word (or two) about Linux desktop security
Thanks to some of the posts from readers, I started thinking I should cover this subject in more depth. Moreover, I could see that there were certain areas that were lacking consensus, even among very skilled and knowledgeable people. Since then, I have been doing some research on certain things I was not 100% clear on, as well as carefully thinking about those potentially weak spots certain posts were raising. I would like to use this article to share my views on this subject.
First off, even if some posts claimed to expose irrefutable facts, I have to say I believe there no such thing, for all arguments were ultimately linked to personal opinions. In fact, the biggest disagreements came from different interpretations of three main questions:
- What is standard home desktop usage?
- What threats pose a risk to the Linux home desktop?
- What is currently missing security wise?
Answers to these questions did eventually shape another answer to yet another key question:
- What should end users do to close the gap?
Before I move on and share my own point of view, I would like to list a few things that may provide some context:
- There seems to be a tendency to interconect our data across an ever increasing amount of devices. Smartphones, iPods and the like, iPad and similar devices, netbooks... The list goes on and on.
- The media through which we interchange data is also changing and evolving very quickly. 3G (many countries have already incorporated 3.5G and a few already offer 4G), ADSL, Cable, High speed internet, etc.
- The evolution towards a cloud computing model keeps reducing the scope of the traditional home desktop as the primary means of storing data for the average user. Certain services, like Dropbox, offer users a cheap solution to keep data safe and available from different sources and locations.
- Corporations store critical data that may be a target for third parties for many reasons, thus justifying the huge investments they put in place to keep it private and safe. When they implement desktop security practices, they do so in a controlled environment, where each link of the chain gets just as much attention as the desktop.
- A home desktop OS should sport a balance between many features, among which security is just one. It is unreasonable to expect a standard user to spend hours partitioning a drive so that optimum security is achieved when, for all we know, s/he may never store anything worth securing.
What this means to me:
- The home desktop is not the only, maybe not even the main device whose security should concern us. In fact, we can make our desktop more secure than fort knox, but that means nothing if we don't encrypt our wireless connection, or if we have mobile devices with bluetooth fully open, or if our 3G connection is compromised, etc.
- In my opinion, trying to draw any comparisons between corporate and home desktop security is beyond the point. It is unreasonable to expect a standard user will have the ability or even the possibility to implement a fully secure environment.
On a different note, corporations implement security policies in accordance to the criticality of their information, which is directly related to how much of a target that information may become. I think those are concerns the average Joe does not share for obvious reasons.
- Security must be balanced with other elements that are equally important for the end user, such as ease of use.
With all that said, let me share my perspective on...
Since Windows is currently the most popular home desktop operating system, and whether we like it or not, the standard by which most keep judging the Linux desktop, I will continue to draw comparisons to the Microsoft OS. After all, it was this very comparison that created all the noise.
If you have read about the Linux desktop firewall on forums, or even in the posts from this blog, chances are you probably are confused about it. I know I was.
The most popular Linux desktops include a firewall from the get go, that much is clear, but there was little consensus on whether it was enabled or disabled by default. Things may vary slightly depending on the distro, but here's how it goes in Ubuntu:
The firewall policies are all set to ACCEPT by default, which effectively means all ports are open. However, none of them is listening, so in practical terms, they are all closed.
Zenmap's intense scan found no open ports in my Ubuntu 9.04 desktop.
As you can see from the screenshot above, a scan on one of my machines shows no ports are open by default, which is the result of having no ports listening. However, if I installed a mail server, a MySQL server, or maybe even just a printer, that would open one or more ports. That could be a potential threat, but if you are behind a router, as I am, you should be perfectly safe as long as you don't forward any port(s).
The best thing you could do, though, is install one of the visual interfaces available. GUFW and Firestarter are both available from pretty much any Linux distro repository and install very easily. When they are first setup during installation, a default configuration is put in place that should keep things very much secure (policies default to DROP). It is important to understand that once those rules have been setup, you should not need to run GUFW or firestarter all the time to stay safe. In fact, you should not need to run them unless you want to modify any of the rules or monitor IPTABLES activity.
Long story short, if you are using Ubuntu at home and you are behind a router, you are pretty much safe from attacks with the default setup. Having said so, I would still recommend installing one of the visual interfaces available. As far as I know, the Windows installation does include firewall support and is enabled by default, so I believe both are pretty even on this one.
If anything, I think Linux distros should make an effort to provide better information about this subject as part of the desktop experience, so the end user can understand the level of protection provided, the risks (if any), etc.
As we have seen in a previous ARTICLE, Linux is virus free. Now, I consider this a critical element and was surprised to see some posts claiming that all you need as a Windows user to be safe is to "install an antivirus".
Just like with pretty much anything in computing, the subject of viruses and antivirus software can get as deep and complex as you want to make it, so I will stick with a few concepts I consider relevant to our home desktop security discussion:
- Even if Windows users are asked to install an antivirus, it is still very much down to user choice. I have heard people I know say that they are not paying $30 a year for an antivirus. They either end up downloading a pirate copy (which may very well be infected already, be a trojan, etc.), downloading one of the few free antivirus applications available, or simply installing no antivirus at all.
- I recently heard a radio interview with a senior member of one of the leading Antivirus developing companies and he was claiming they were finding a significant number of malware entities created every day. Here is a quote from Wikipedia's entry for computer virus:
"The Sophos Company experts say about 40,000 computer viruses are now known to exist, with about 200 new computer viruses being released into the Internet each month"
Now, I think it is clear that such estimations are based on what these companies actually detect, which is not necessarily the grand total. In addition, that rate of detection varies depending on the quality of the antivirus at hand. My experience is that standard users tend to like better those antivirus applications which offer an easy to use interface, are not overly intrusive and don't add too much drag to overall performance. Quite honestly, I am yet to find a Windows user who consciously makes an effort to research antivirus benchmarking and buys the most effective antivirus based solely on security. My point being, if only 1% of viruses is not detected that means hundreds of thousands of users have absolutely no protection against 2 new viruses every month. That is assuming each and every Windows user has a current and valid antivirus license, which is no trivial assumption.
This is a significant advantage Linux desktop users can benefit from.
Both rootkits and trojans require user interaction to be effective. In other words, for any of these pieces of malware to have significant impact in the system, a user must be tricked into taking a number of technical steps potentially involving administrative access. This concept, along with that of an extremely fragmented packaging system and that of a fairly small community have helped in keeping Linux as safe as it has been so far.
Let's not misinterpret what that means or rest on our laurels. Linux is far from being immune to this kind of attack. Here are some recommendations that should keep you fairly safe.
1.- Do not download or execute scripts from any untrusted source. This is a bit of a tough one, as the Linux community has a history of sharing scripts, putting together tutorials which new comers blindly execute without asking, etc. Certain scripts can be obtained from trustworthy sources, but as a rule of thumb, do not run anything you don't fully understand.
2.- Stick to official repositories when installing applications. If you can't afford to do so because you are using a distro with a limited catalog of applications available, then consider using a different one. Arch Linux is a distro with an immense amount of applications available from its official repositories. The same applies if your distro of choice is too conservative when adding new releases of applications. Fedora is a good example of a distro that does a very good job at making new versions of applications available very quickly.
Obviously, I am not asking you to move to a different distro just because of a few extra repository sources. However, if your current distro of choice forces you to keep a large sources.list file, you should consider switching to a different one. As always, use common sense and stay away from repositories you have no solid reasons to trust.
3.- Avoid downloading and installing applications from .DEB or .RPM packages as much as possible. If you follow the recommendation from item 2 above, then you are not likely to use this installation method much, but I still think it is worth stressing out. Don't get me wrong, many software vendors do package their software using this method and sometimes it is the only way for users to get an up to date version. OpenOffice, Dropbox, Skype and VirtualBox are examples of software that can be safely downloaded and installed this way.
Once again, use common sense and stay away from packages that are not easily distinguishable as trustworthy.
4.- Do not run any untrusted launcher. Both GNOME and KDE allow launchers to be executed with a simple double click, even if they do not have executable rights. To be fair, I have to say that both of them raise warning messages, but I still believe this poses a real threat. Best thing you can do is to never run any launcher that was not originated by your own machine processes.
5.- Make it a habit to use a standard user profile (as opposed to an administror one). Different distros handle it differently, but many grant admin rights (read sudo access) to the account that is created on installation. Ubuntu is a good example.
If you are using a Linux distro which provides default sudo access, I recommend you create an alternative user account for day to day activities. Think about it: Browsing the web, listening to music, watching movies, playing games, etc., all doable without admin privileges. Why risk it unnecessarily?
All things considered, I still believe that Linux desktop security is superior to that of Windows in a home environment. Here's why:
- The default firewall setup offers a very safe configuration off the bat.
- The software repository model is safer.
- Viruses are no concern.
- Social engineering is definitely a threat, but following a few simple guidelines should keep it safe.
Some have raised a very valid concern about the lack of reactive security in the Linux Desktop. Unlike Windows users, we have nothing to fix or even detect the situation once security is compromised. While I agree with such concerns, in my opinion all that means is that Linux users need to approach security differently to Windows users. Windows users have grown accostumed to a reactive model. They have a wide variety of tools to detect a security threat and kill it. The key to Linux desktop security is to take a proactive approach: Preventing over healing.
To me, it boils down to this: Linux desktop users are safe as long as they follow a few best practices, which is more than what Windows users can say today, even with the help of an antivirus. In addition, in the event of security being compromised, the severity of damage is generally much more limited.
Thanks for reading!
5 comments:
It is incorrect to state that there are no viruses for Linux, because there are a few. Otherwise it's a good read. I think in conclusion I disagree that Linux is safer than Windows because the Windows market has a very robust security product line made just for keeping end users safer (though it isn't 100% safe either, as 0-days will always exist.). It was good to read your newly formed (better researched) opinion after having read your previous article.ReplyDelete
Hi, fewt,ReplyDelete
Thanks for your comments.
I am sorry, but I disagree with your virus comment. The wikipedia virus definition:
"A computer virus is a computer program that can copy itself and infect a computer"
As I explained in my article on Linux viruses, there are a number of technical reasons why that just doesn´t work in a UNIX derivative environment as of today. For the trick to work, there must be user interaction, which immediately makes that piece of malware NOT a virus.
In any case, please name those few viruses that (according to you) can copy themselves and infect computers automatically, with no user intervention. I am curious, because I and other people I know have tried to run some of those so called "Linux viruses" on dummy machines and they simply don´t work. The "bash" virus just didn´t work, could not infect anything. Another popular one that got lots of press required the TMP folder to be mounted on a separate, FAT partition (WTF?)...
Believe me, I am not just taking things for granted here. I have taken a critical approach, learnt about the x86 architecture and how Linux implements it, how Linux manages memory, etc. It is theoretically feasible (although quite challenging) to create a Linux virus, but in practical terms, it´s just not happening.
As for my newly formed opinion, that´s really your interpretation. I still believe Linux security is superior, but obviously not immune to any and all security threats. The bits and pieces I learnt about IPTables don´t make any sifnificant difference. I think I was not really able to explain my perspective in the Windows 7 vs. Ubuntu 10.04 comparison article, mostly due to space and subject constraints.
To be honest, I find the way you compare both OS a bit funny: "Windows + antivirus is better". That says quite some already, but I never said I was comparing an OS + antivirus. It was solely an OS comparison, and Windows is simply vulnerable without the aid of external tools. It is more vulnerable to rootkits and trojans as well, for they are far easier to create and far more likely to massively succeed.
Last but not least, Windows maintains a never ending process of patching (often shameful) vulnerabilities... What was that about several countries issuing an official warning on Internet Explorer 8 security? (LINK) France and Germany must surely be inventing this stuff, I guess?
I don´t know, man, I can agree with you that a Linux user is screwed once deceived into running malicious code, but so is a Windows user. The use of antimalware tools makes up for it, but that´s really beyond the point, for we are comparing operating systems here. That´s a bit like saying "I can run faster than Usain Bolt, I just need to stuff myself with enough steroids and that should do it!"
P.s.: Btw, the Windows 7 or even the Windows Vista user community is still tiny compared to that of Windows XP, which, as you know, is far more vulnerable. That has to be taken into account when talking about Windows users in general. We can´t just assume Windows users share the Windows 7 security enhancements... And let´s not forget that antivirus protection in Windows is just a recommendation for now, nothing prevents users from running their OS as is.
Again, thanks for reading and posting!
Here is a list of Linux viruses. I don't believe any of them are active today, but they still do exist which was all I was saying.ReplyDelete
The reason I think Windows 7 + AV is greater is that AV programs on Windows 7 intercept system calls (active scanning) and inspect them for potential threats, and Windows 7 was developed using a much better security model than all other versions of Windows (which is why it is incompatible with a lot of software). I don't think any earlier version of Windows is safe, please don't misunderstand my implication, I'm the furthest thing from a Windows advocate. ;)
Its OK to agree to disagree about that though. As for it being my opinion that you are better informed, well based on the slight change in what you have said in this article I think you are. That is my opinion, and a compliment.. ;)
Hi again,ReplyDelete
Hey, sorry if that sounded harsh, I do agree that there were things I didn't completely understand before. It's just that after researching on them, I still believe Linux desktop security is tighter overall. That's why I made such comment.
Actually, not sure if you heard about it, but I think this application might be a step in closing the gap you rightly pointed out. (LINK). It is called NINJA, and seems to provide active detection of privilege escalation. I haven't installed it myself, but sounds like a good idea. Have you used it? If so, what's your take on it?
And yeah, it is perfectly fine that each of us has a personal view around the subject. Actually, I think that is down to both being fairly matched on average.
What's most exciting is that an OS that was born in 1991, primarily developed by a community without revenue in mind, can actually match the industry standard in so many aspects. I don't know about you, but I find that truly amazing.
As usual, a pleasure discussing with you!
nice discussingReplyDelete
I tried linux Sabily Badr (based on Ubuntu Natty)and I really love it much. no need a driver (VGA and sound), no need install aplication (for standard), no viruses.
I hate to repeate installing OS, and to cleaning it from viruses, and to receive its pop up message that there is an errors just several minutes after instalation before i have installed any aplication,
(maybe my hardwares too old)
when i tried ubuntu 8.04 its ok but have several problem for me (newbie), so i change to Sabily (Ubuntu Muslim Edition) and found everything there.
now i try PClinuxOs and I find your blog. reading your articles and write this comment.
forgive me for my bad english
thanks for your review.


text:
I have taught thousands of American social studies teachers during the course of my life, and am invariably shocked by the lack of knowledge they possess–and obviously teach–concerning WWII. Most have an incredulous look on their faces when I tell them that throughout WWII, the Russian army confronted 70% of the German army, and that on D-Day, Americans were a minority of those who landed. President Medvedev recently sharply criticized attempts to rewrite the history of the Great Patriotic War. He particularly cited some of Russia's neighboring countries who denigrate the role of the Russian people and pretend the war was between two totalitarian nations. Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and others should open a history book and learn WWII involved an alliance between the Soviet Union, Great Britain and the United States.
It is shocking that men who fought in the Waffen SS and helped to kill six million Jews are now glorified while the Red Army which liberated the death camps is accused of being the criminals. Of course, Joseph Stalin was a dictator, of course, he brutalized even his own people, but no one can take away the incredible performance of the Red Army in defeating the worst criminals and murderers of the 20th century–Nazi Germany.
As President Medvedev commented: "We see distortions of the truth about the war, about the decisive contribution by the Red Army to the defeat of Nazism and the liberation of Europe." Perhaps, the Lithuanians, Poles, Estonians and Latvians can tell the people of Holland, Belgium, France, Yugoslavia, and Greece of the wonderful time they had under the rule of the Nazis. Or, how about the hundreds of thousands of British civilians killed in Nazi bombing raids!


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Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a condition characterized by memory impairment with otherwise unaffected cognitive functioning.
Normal memory changes associated with aging are characterized by momentary lapses, such as misplacing an item, forgetting someone's name, or forgetting to pick up something at the store. In contrast, memory loss associated with MCI is a more persistent and troublesome problem. People with MCI have much greater difficulty, for example, remembering a fact after a relatively short time. In cognitive testing, people with MCI, after a delay, remember significantly less of a paragraph they have read or details of simple drawings they have seen compared to people with normal memory changes associated with aging. A person with MCI is likely to forget important events repeatedly, while significant information is retained in normal aging.
Is there a relationship between MCI and Alzheimer's disease? As its name indicates, MCI is a condition of mild impairment, specifically in the area of memory, while dementia is characterized by additional and severe problems in other areas of cognition, such as orientation, language, and attention. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among people age 65 and older. While most patients with MCI get worse, not all will. AD invariably results in a gradual decline, eventually progressing to severe, debilitating dementia.
Scientists have been interested in MCI in part because a significant number of people over the age of 65 with MCI eventually develop AD – in some studies approximately 12-15 percent of them per year (or about 40 percent after three years). This is much higher than the 1 percent or so per year in a normal population of people 65 and older. As such, MCI is a risk factor for developing AD. Researchers are examining the possible relationship between the two conditions.
A new report in the Archives of Neurology (March 1999), by Dr. Ronald Petersen, et al., at the Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Center, suggests that a diagnosis of MCI can be made on the basis of five criteria: 1) memory complaints, 2) abnormal memory for age, 3) ability to carry out normal activities of daily living, 4) normal general cognitive function, and 5) no dementia. In this study, scientists compared the cognitive test results of people with MCI to those of healthy people and patients with mild AD. People with MCI typically performed worse on the memory measures than healthy people, but scored roughly the same as patients with AD.
However, on other cognitive tests, measuring a person's disorientation and confusion about routine activities, MCI individuals' scores were equivalent to those of healthy people and better than those of AD patients. MCI, therefore, represented a detectable failure in memory in people with otherwise normal cognitive abilities. Before now, evaluating people with MCI has been difficult because researchers have had no agreed upon definition of the symptoms of the condition. The findings by Petersen and colleagues and related studies can now be used to help identify people with MCI. The study, primarily supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), is part of ongoing efforts to refine early clinical diagnosis of memory impairment and AD and assess brain changes that occur. Ultimately, identifying people with early memory changes will allow for timely intervention as therapies are developed.
As with AD, the causes of MCI remain unclear. No genetic link has yet been found for the condition, although it is possible that, like AD, a genetic component, might be a risk factor for people with MCI to develop AD.
Studies to date have looked at the effectiveness of drug treatments in the stages of Alzheimer's disease when the condition is mild to moderate, and when it has already interfered with daily function. By intervening earlier -- before signs of memory impairment have developed into clinically diagnosed AD -- scientists hope to delay the onset of AD or prevent it altogether. The Memory Impairment Study is the first major prevention trial for AD supported by NIA which is specifically designed to test drug interventions in relatively healthy and well-functioning people.
This study will investigate the effectiveness of donepezil, a drug generally prescribed for patients with mild to moderate AD, and vitamin E ("-tocopherol) in delaying or preventing the onset of AD in people with mild cognitive impairment. The Memory Impairment Study is sponsored by the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) headed by the University of California at San Diego, with grant funding from the NIA and contributions from Pfizer, Inc., and Eisai, Inc. Additional support is from Roche Vitamins, Inc.
Approximately 720 men and women ages 55 through 90 will be recruited for the 3-year, multicenter study. The major requirements for participation in the study include recent memory complaints, abnormal memory function on standardized tests, good general health, and no clinical diagnosis of AD. Some people may not be able to take part in the study. They may have certain conditions that would exclude them from participation, including: significant neurologic diseases such as Parkinson's or Huntington's diseases; major depression; history of recent alcohol or substance abuse; history of cancer or heart disease; recent use of medications such as centrally active beta-blockers, narcotics, or anti-convulsants; and any prior use of medications (Cognex, Aricept) approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of AD.
The Memory Impairment Study will be conducted by the ADCS, an established nationwide network of research centers supported by the NIA and coordinated by the University of California at San Diego. The ADCS sites will be joined by other clinics and centers around this country and Canada. Between 65 and 80 sites are expected to conduct the research. A national participant recruitment campaign is planned, targeting older people in cities where the study sites are located. Potential study participants will be asked to call a toll free number, 1-888-455-0655, at the ADCS central pre-screening agency. The callers initially will be screened over the telephone for inclusion in the study. Those who may qualify for participation will, in turn, be referred to study sites in their area for additional screening.
Study participants will visit their local clinical center about nine times over a 3-year period, including the initial screening visit. Evaluations of participants will begin at the second visit and continue every 3 months for the first 6 months, and then every 6 months for the remainder of the 3 years, or until a clinical diagnosis of AD is made. Testing will include neurological examinations (cognitive measures and clinical/functional testing), blood and urine collection, medication compliance measures (pill count and serum vitamin E levels), and a physical examination. Participants will be closely monitored for side effects.
The study will be conducted in at least 65 clinical centers throughout the United States and Canada. Each center will enroll 12 to 36 participants. It is important to note that for every participant accepted into the study, many more volunteers will need to be screened. People can find out more about their eligibility and about locations by calling toll free 1-888-455-0655.
Donepezil is one of two drugs approved by the FDA (tacrine is the other) to treat patients with mild to moderate AD. Donepezil helps prevent the degradation of acetylcholine --a neurotransmitter (i.e., a brain cell communication chemical) that is important for attention and memory. Vitamin E is thought to have antioxidant properties, that is, to counteract destructive damage from molecules called free radicals. The progressive loss of brain cells that occurs in dementia and AD may be related to this damage. In a previous ADCS study in 1997, also supported by the NIA, vitamin E was shown to slow down functional decline of patients with moderate AD by about seven months.
Study participants will be assigned randomly to one of three groups, and participants will receive donepezil, vitamin E, or a placebo (inactive pill). The dosage of donepezil will be 5 mg per day for the first 6 weeks and then 10 mg until the end of the study, dosages similar to those prescribed for patients with mild to moderate AD. The study's dosage of vitamin E will be 1,000 IU (International Units) per day for the first 6 weeks and then 2,000 IU per day until the end of the study. This dosage is higher than the amount typically found in vitamin supplements but was shown to be well tolerated with few side effects in the 1997 study. Participants in the placebo group will receive inactive pills similar in size to the other drugs being tested. All study participants will receive a daily multivitamin.
The Memory Impairment Study is designed to demonstrate the potential effectiveness of each treatment in preventing or delaying the onset of AD. If any participant receives a clinical diagnosis of AD before the end of the study, the participant will be offered active donepezil until three years have elapsed from the time of entry into the study.
As an antioxidant, vitamin E is important in the body for stabilizing membranes and protecting them against free radicals. Vitamin E was demonstrated to slow some aspects of functional deterioration in patients with AD in the 1997 study. However, this study has not yet been replicated. The dose that will be used in the Memory Impairment Study is reasonably high. Only a controlled clinical trial to determine safety and effectiveness will answer whether this high dose, which the researchers believe is needed to reduce oxidative damage in the brain, is helpful in possibly preventing or delaying the onset of AD.
Donepezil has shown no serious side effects during clinical trial testing for FDA approval. No laboratory monitoring is currently mandated for the drug by FDA. Donepezil has shown minimal effects on the liver; its most common side effect is nausea. In the 1997 study, a dosage of 2,000 IU per day of vitamin E was well tolerated with few side effects. However, the long-term effects and potential hazards of such high doses are unknown. In excessively large doses (above 2,000 IU per day), vitamin E may be associated with increased risk of bleeding in certain people. Some studies also have suggested that high doses of vitamin E should not be used with anti-coagulant medications. People are encouraged to consult their family doctors before taking high doses of vitamin E as a supplement.
The study will last 3 years from the date of the second visit. Data analysis will begin after two-thirds of the participants have completed the study. The faster the recruitment phase, the more rapidly the study will be completed, the results analyzed, and the findings made known.
The NIA supports a new clinical trials database of promising compounds to treat AD. The database, which is being developed cooperatively with the FDA, provides information about AD clinical trials and sites and is designed to help encourage participation in research. It describes study designs and explains the possible modes of action of selected drugs. The database also outlines eligibility criteria for participants and lists locations and contact information for study sites. The database is available at the NIA's Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR) website at or by telephone at 1-800-438-4380.
Additional information is available from the NIA-funded Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral (ADEAR) Center at:
ADEAR Center
PO Box 8250
Silver Spring, MD 20907-8250
301-495-3334 (fax)
www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers [1]
Information is also available from the Alzheimer's Association at: Alzheimer's Association
919 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1000
Chicago, IL 60611-1676
www.alz.org [2]


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Had a decent year, got a new boat and was able to access alot of new spots. Boat worked great and the old Golden got alot of work. Saw and shot more Gadwall than any previous year. How did everyone else do?
Swamper- any idea when the DU shoot will be airing?


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Crews snuff wildfire near Basalt
July 22, 2012
BASALT, Colorado – Fire crews contained a wildfire on Cottonwood Pass, north of Basalt, Friday night and returned Saturday morning to snuff out any remaining hot spots.
Officials suspect lightning sparked the blaze, located on private property about one mile southwest of the pass.
A crew of 17 firefighters, including members of the Basalt and Carbondale fire departments, along with personnel from the Upper Colorado River Fire Agency, tackled the blaze, which was burning in brush and aspen trees. The Basalt Fire Department was summoned after smoke was spotted in the area at about 2:20 p.m. Friday; crews had a fire line around the perimeter by 8 p.m., according to Jerry Peetz, deputy chief for the Basalt department.
The fire was estimated at a half-acre to an acre in size, producing two-foot flames. No structures were threatened, Peetz said.
A helicopter was summoned but was unable to provide water drops because there were power lines in the area, according to the Basalt department.
The pattern of stormy afternoon weather continued Saturday and remains in the forecast. The Basalt department fielded a couple of reports of smoke by 5 p.m. Saturday, but a grill was the source of one suspected fire, according to Peetz.
Although the White River National Forest, which surrounds the Roaring Fork Valley, has lifted its fire ban and Eagle County has modified its restrictions, fire officials warn that fire danger remains high. Area fire agencies have urged residents to report possible wildfire sightings.
The Basalt Rural and Fire Protection District is continuing its daily patrols with a brush truck, allowing it to respond quickly in the event of a wildfire, and the effort is making a difference, Peetz said.


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'"He's got some characteristics that are along the Derek Roy line, where he can open people up, he can make some special plays," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said. "He's a real good player in real tight spaces. Obviously, size is a factor. But I think he's been able to push through at every level."'
Ennis no small signing for Sabres
September 17, 2009 Submitted by
Via: Olean Times Herald


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An Alternative to Exams for Student Evaluation. Arneson, P. A. Cornell University
Easy Demonstration of Fungal Mycelium. Schumann, G. L. University of Massachusetts/Amherst.
Enhanced Learning through Role-Playing. Schumann, G. L. University of Massachusetts/Amherst.
Plant Diseases in the News. Grey, W. E. and D. E. Mathre. Montana State University
Production of Apothecia and Ascospores of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Pethybridge, S. J., A. C. Cobb, and H. R. Dillard, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University
Student Reaction to Review Sessions Modeled After the DeBary Bowl. Vincelli, P., and P. Heist. University of Kentucky.
Turfgrass Disease Specimens for Teaching. Schumann, G. L. University of Massachusetts/Amherst.
Using the Society for Infectious Diseases Website for Student Plant Disease Reports Schumann, G. L. Marquette University.
Get ALL the Latest Updates for CHANGING LANDSCAPES OF PLANT PATHOLOGY. Follow APS!


text: See How Stephen Sills Refreshed a New York City Triplex to Embody a European Point of View\nThanks to a polished renovation, a Manhattan couple's Fifth Avenue apartment is suffused with serene sophistication \nThe sitting room features a wall treatment that references the stonework of the nearby Frick Collection. The custom-made seating is covered in a Holland & Sherry linen, the bust is by Raymond Delamarre, and the golden boxes on the nesting tables are vintage Line Vautrin designs.\nLinda Bren (left) and her husband, Peter, commissioned Stephen Sills Assoc. to redecorate the Manhattan triplex they've lived in for more than two decades.\nAn 18th-century Portuguese table displays ornamental items, including an antique wood star from France; the curtains are a Holland & Sherry linen, and the rug is by Beauvais.\nTo the left of the doorway are drawings by Hans Burkhardt (top) and Alberto Giacometti behind a sculpture by Salvador Dalí.\nThe stairwell railing was designed by architect Thierry Despont and executed by metalsmith Jean Wiart; the Moresque lantern is 19th-century French.\nAntiqued mirror sheathes the fireplace wall in the main living room; the painting is by Émile Gaudissard. The brocade curtain fabric and the sofa upholstery are both by Rubelli. The tufted armchairs are clad in a velvet from Zimmer + Rohde, and the Louis XVI–style bergère is 19th-century French.\nA tapestry by Roland Oudot commands one end of the room. The herringbone floor is original.\nThe centerpiece of the dining room is a Louis XVI table and chairs lit by an Italian silvered chandelier. Displayed on the table are antique silver beakers from Dienst + Dotter.\nThe study is enlivened by a Joan Jacobs painting and a Murano-glass vase by Signoretti; the round table is by Sills, and the carpet is by Beauvais.\nThe Art Deco bed in the master bedroom is a vintage piece by Eugene Printz; it is dressed in Pratesi linens.\nThe master suite features a straw-marquetry screen by Atelier Viollet; the carpet was custom made.\nThe vintage oak-and-iron table in the dressing room is by André Arbus.\nIn a guest bathroom, the sconces are from the 1960s, and the counter is black granite.


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I just received my package from TheDentedOne yesterday. I almost started to cry when I saw the condition of the box. Thanks to TheDentedOnes extraordinary packing techniques :thumbsup :thumbup , the best efforts of the USPS, Canada Customs, and Canada Post were deemed ineffective at destroying the contents :lol.
On a more serious note, I for one, have no problem paying that little bit extra for packing material to ensure the safe arrival of items. Has anyone else run into this sort of mistreatment of packages sent through the mail? Has anyone had items actually destroyed??? I still find the Mail system the most economical and hassle free (coming to Canada) shipping system, but a little more care on their part may be required.


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On the Hill: Powder and sun at Vail
December 24, 2012
Brought to you by and the .Vail official report: 5″ new snowVail Daily field report: Half a foot of fresh in Blue Sky.Weather: Cold and sunny, no wind. Beautiful day.Liftline status: No lines before 9:30 a.m. at chairs 6, 10 and 14Run of the day: Lover's LeapBreakdown: With all the new snow that fell yesterday, you'll find incredible skiing on Vail Mountain today. The back side and Blue Sky were closed for a large part of the day yesterday, so this morning the snow in those areas is untracked. With plenty of sun and no winds today, you'll be glad those areas remained untouched yesterday afternoon.Snowcast: Maybe something for this weekend.
On the Hill is shot with a GoPro HERO3 Silver Edition.


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As a liberal arts institution, Willamette provides an education in the arts, humanities, and sciences while allowing students to major in a particular field within these areas. Students engage in critical thinking and problem solving, close reading, discussion, and writing. Individualized experiences challenge students both in and out of the classroom. Teaching and learning, strengthened by scholarship and community engagement, prepare graduates to transform knowledge into action and lead lives of contribution, achievement, and meaning in a dynamic world.
The general education requirements are designed to expose students to a broad range of subjects and methods of investigation. The general education courses fall into one of the 4 categories: study in a language other than English, Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning (QA), Modes of Inquiry (MOI), and the Writing Program. Courses taught this fall that satisfy particular parts of the General Education program are listed in the schedule of classes. Use the Course Type Quick Assess under Department Quick Access.
Study of Language Other than English (up to 4 credits)
All students are expected to study a language other than English through the intermediate level. The number of courses needed to complete this requirement depends on where the student begins the sequence, and could be up to 4 courses. Students with background in a language need to take a placement exam.
There are several ways to satisfy the language requirement:
- Complete the fourth semester (e.g., GERM 232 or SPAN 232) or a higher level in a classical or foreign language course with a minimum grade of C-; or
- Pass an examination demonstrating the equivalent of two years of college language study (e.g. achieve a minimum score of 4 on the AP exam, place higher than the 4th semester on the placement exam); or
- Present evidence of a primary language other than English to the Registrar's Office; or
- Complete the 3rd semester of a foreign language (e.g., SPAN 231) with a minimum grade of C-, plus one semester of a designated course (taught in English) that deals with the culture or literature of the language studied or with linguistics.
Quantitative and Analytical Reasoning (QA) (2 credits)
Willamette expects graduates to be knowledgeable about mathematics and quantitative reasoning so that they are able to use quantitative reasoning to understand and solve everyday problems. See Mathematics Placement for information on placement.
There are two types of QA courses:
- QA* (referred to as "QA star"): courses feature quantitative methods and provide students with the ability to interpret & apply mathematics, e.g., calculus (MATH 140) or statistics (MATH 138).
- QA (referred to as "QA non-star" or simply "QA"): courses use quantitative methods to learn another subject, e.g., physics (PHYS 221).
Students must have credit for two quantitative courses (except Multivariable Calculus (MATH 249) satisfies the entire quantitative requirement.)
- Need at least one QA* course
- Need a second quantitative course which can be another QA* course or a QA course
- Sufficiently high scores on calculus or statistics AP or IB exams can be used to satisfy this requirement. See the policies AP and IB policies on the Registrar's Webpage.
Modes of Inquiry (MOI) (6 credits)
Students are required to complete work (with a minimum grade of C-) in six broadly defined Modes of Inquiry. The range of courses available allows students a great deal of choice and flexibility in constructing their general education programs. Some courses are designated to satisfy two categories; however, students must take at least five courses in satisfying the six requirements. The catalog has brief descriptions of the six Modes of Inquiry under General Education (it is part way down the page). Note that courses from a variety of disciplines will be designated to fulfill each Mode.
- Creating in the Arts (CA): Courses seek to provide an understanding of the creative process as a means of discovery, exploration, and self-expression.
- Examining Values (EV): Courses focus on values and the roles they play in human life.
- Interpreting Texts (IT): Courses develop students' skills in analyzing and understanding textual representations of human experience.
- Thinking Historically (TH): Courses develop students' understanding of the temporal dimension of human social existence.
- Understanding the Natural World (NW): Courses apply the methodology of science to examine the natural world. These courses include a laboratory or field component in which students investigate natural phenomena.
- Understanding Society (US): Courses develop students' understanding of social phenomena by analyzing and explaining human behavior and social institutions and practices.
Writing Program (W)
All entering students become part of the writing culture at Willamette through a series of writing-centered courses taken throughout their college careers. The program has two central goals: the use of writing to develop understanding of course content across the disciplines, and the progressive development of fluency in writing for a variety of audiences, both general and disciplinary. The Writing Center, housed in Ford Hall, supports the program by providing opportunities for students at all levels to confer individually with faculty and peer consultants about their writing.
- A W following the course number designates a writing-centered course.
- Three courses are needed: in the major, out of major, any field.
- At least one course must be at the 300 level or higher.
- While College Colloquium is not a writing-centered course, it introduces students to college level writing and embodies the goals of the writing program.


text: Griffin Perry is the son of Texas Gov. Rick Perry and a sometimes volunteer for his father's gubernatorial and presidential bids. The younger Perry worked as an investment banker at Deutsche Bank in Dallas until leaving to join his father on the presidential trail. Griffin's small-government parents blamed Federal Election Commission rules for the fact that he had to ...Read More


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Click for "Microbes After Hours" videos
According to the CDC, the single most important thing we can do to keep from getting sick and spreading illness to others is to clean our hands.
Washing hands with soap and clean water for 20 seconds is a sensible strategy for hand hygiene in non-healthcare settings and is recommended by the CDC and other experts. If soap and clean water are not available, an alcohol-based hand hygiene product is recommended. However, when hands are visibly soiled, they should be washed with soap and water.
According to the CDC, there are more than 52 million cases of the common cold each year among Americans under the age of 17. Nearly 22 million school days are lost due to the common cold alone. Some viruses and bacteria can live from 20 minutes up to 2 hours or more on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks.
Children have about 6-10 colds a year, according to the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases. One important reason colds are so common in children is because they are often in close contact with each other in daycare centers and schools. In families with children in school, the number of colds per child can be as high as 12 a year. Adults average 2-4 colds a year, although the range varies widely.
The CDC estimates that 10-20 percent of Americans come down with the flu during each flu season, which typically lasts from November to March. Children are two the three times more likely than adults to the flu, and children frequently spread the virus to others. Although most people recover from flu, the CDC estimates that in the United States more than 100,000 people are hospitalized and about 36,000 people die from the flu and its complications each year.
Failure to wash, or insufficiently washing hands, contributes to almost 50 percent of all foodborne illness outbreaks, says the CDC. Hands can also transfer germs from contaminated raw meat, eggs, and poultry to other foods.
There are more than 250 foodborne illnesses. Food-related disease costs the United States between $5-$6 billion each year in health care expenditures and productivity losses.
Although many people are aware that you can get sick from eating food contaminated by E. coli O157:H7, there are other ways of acquiring these bacteria, such as touching surfaces contaminated with them.
The most frequently diagnosed foodborne bacterium is Campylobacter. Although found in various farm animals, Campylobacter in poultry is causing the most concern, according to the Food and Drug Administration. The CDC notes that Campylobacter jejuni is the leading cause of bacterial diarrheal illness in the United States, affecting an estimated 2.4 million people each year. Most of these are children under age 5 or young adults aged 15-29.
All pet owners need to take adequate measures after handling and cleaning up after their pets, including proper handwashing. Dog and cat saliva can contain any of more than 100 different germs that can make you sick. The CDC has also found an increased number of salmonella infections associated with reptiles in both adults and children.


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AMES, Iowa – The historic floods along the Missouri River in 2011 had many immediate impacts, but in the forest, the signs of stress can take days, months and even years to become evident, depending on the tree species. Iowa State University Forestry Extension and the Iowa DNR will host a forestry field day on May 31 for interested landowners.
Field day participants will learn about the impacts of floods on trees, signs of stress such as soil loading, disease and insect infestations. Forestry experts will discuss woodland management options, potential treatments for disease and insect problems, restoring wildlife habitat, as well as cost share programs specific to forestry practices in flooded areas.
Local, state and federal forestry experts will be on-hand throughout the day to discuss practical methods that homeowners can use to track the health of their trees and methods to alleviate problems or restore destroyed timbered areas. Ongoing public land restoration projects also will be discussed. In the afternoon, participants will tour flooded timber and ongoing restoration efforts in Mills and Fremont counties.
The program will begin at 9 a.m. at the Western Historic Trails Center in Council Bluffs. Travelers should take exit 1B (24th Street exit) on I-80 and travel south to the first road on the west side of 24th Street (the intersection is marked with a western historic trails center sign). The day will end at 4 p.m.
The program is free to all, but registration is encouraged. For information and to register, call IDNR District Forester Lindsey Barney at 712-482-6245. Drinks and snacks will be provided, but participants will need to bring a sack lunch and should dress for outdoor conditions.
More information and the full agenda can be found at www.forestry.iastate.edu under "Educational Opportunities, Field days."


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A tough journey for women in trucking.
June 13, 2014 , 10:20 AM by Tess Armstrong
Ellen Voie founded America's Association of Women in Trucking. Her efforts to get more females to work in the industry have been recognised by the White House and she visited Australia to spread the message. She met Richard Stubbs to talk about her interest in the industry, the challenges she faces and the changing face of the transport business.
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