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- Science
- Not Exactly Rocket Science
Ambush ants capture giant prey using Velcro principles
In the Brazilian rainforest, a grasshopper lands on a leaf and seals its fate. It was after a quick meal, but this leaf belongs to the Cecropia obtusa plant and it employs hidden bodyguards – ants. Underneath its leaves, thousands of Azteca andreae ants lie in ambush, poised at the edges with their jaws outstretched. As soon as the grasshopper lands, the ants rush out from their hiding places, seize it by the legs and pull it spread-eagled. The leaf turns into a medieval torture rack, with the ambushers holding the victim while their nestmates bite, sting and dismember it.
This hunting strategy is all the more amazing when you consider that the ants weigh just over a milligram each while their prey – including grasshoppers and moths – can weigh up to 10 grams. Ants are famously strong and they obviously hunt in large numbers, but even so, holding down a struggling insect that outweighs them by around 10,000 times can't be easy. It's the equivalent of a team of humans holding down three struggling blue whales.
But the ants and their host plant work together. The claws of the ants hook into the velvety, downy underside of C.obtusa's leaves in the same way that Velcro fastens using miniature hooks and loops. The plant provides biological hitching posts that its bodyguards can anchor themselves to and the ants are far stronger on their host plant than on any other.
The incredible tactics of the Azteca ants were discovered 16 years ago, but the secret behind their prodigious grip has only just been revealed by a team of French and Spanish scientists led by Alain Dejean. They watched the entire hunting sequence by luring large moths to the leaves using ultraviolet light, or by dropping grasshoppers onto them. At the slightest touch, the closest workers attacked the prey and drove it towards others lying in wait, which collectively flipped it underneath the leaf and stretched it out.
To test the workers' strength, Dejean dangled threads with weights at the end of them in front of their open jaws. He found that each worker can hold onto 8 grams, around 5,700 times her own weight. As a unit, they can manage far more.
The workers also seemed to be particularly strong on the downy underside of the leaves than on the rough upper surface, or on a sheet of smooth plastic. And they were especially mighty on their host plant. When Dejean tested them on a closely related tree with a less downy underside they couldn't hold onto as much weight. The downy underside is the key – it provides something for the ants' claws to fasten onto.
These ants are one of the many hundreds of ant species that form lasting relationships with plants, defending them from plant-eaters in exchange for shelter and food. But all of them have a problem. Plant nectar is typically poor in proteins and nitrogen, and while some plants pay their bodyguards with special protein-rich food packages, most plant-defending ants must get these nutrients in other ways.
Some rely on thriftiness, by producing workers with very thin shells and venoms that don't contain any protein. Some rely on bacteria and others farm sap-sucking bugs that they gently nip from time to time. And yet others solve the problem by hunting for fresh meat. Foraging in the forest canopy is difficult so these tree-top predators rely on ambush techniques that make the most of prey that approaches them.
Azteca andreae's strategy of lying in wait is just one such technique. A related species Azteca bequaerti hides in special hollows produced by their host where it listens for the vibrations of a landing insect and swarms it en masse. Even more elaborately, Allomerus decemarticulatus creates elaborate traps by building layers over tree branches that look like parts of the tree but are actually hiding places for ant ambushers.
The layers are made out of the hairs of its host tree bound together with a fungus that the ants farm. They are pitted with tiny holes that the ants hide in. When a victim lands, the ants launch a grisly surprise attack, rushing out from their holes and grabbing the victim by the legs. As with A.andreae, the victims of A.decemarticulatus are stretched out and eaten. In the rainforest, even a harmless looking leaf or branch can hide a painful death inside or beneath it.
Reference: PLoS ONE http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0011331
More on ants:
- Terminally ill ants choose to die alone
- Leafcutter ants rely on bacteria to fertilise their fungus gardens
- The rebellion of the ant slaves
- Foul-tasting ant parasitises the colonies of other species


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_____ _____
Global Sourcebook for International Data Management
by Graham Rhind
Explanation of the terms endonym and exonym here . Return to exonyms summary page here
More information about these places is to be found in the country chapters. For technical reasons, all alternative place name versions in the lists below have been labelled as "exonyms", even though it may be a local-language alternative form.
Alternate place name forms/postal code tables can be acquired at http://www.grcdi.nl/settlements.htm
Other language place name data can be acquired at http://www.grcdi.nl/otherlanguageplace.htm
|Endonym/Exonym Karakalpak
|Exonyms in Uzbekistan
Beruni → Birunij
Čimboj → Čimbaj
Mangit or Манғит → Maŋġyt or Маңғыт
Mûjnoq → Mojnaq
Nukus or Нукус → Nökis or Нөкис
Qûnġirot or Қўнғирот → Qoŋrat
Taxtakûpir → Taxta Köpir
Tûrtkûl or Тўрткўл → Törtkül
Every effort is made to keep this resource updated. If you find any errors, or have any questions or requests, please don't hesitate to contact the author.
All information copyright Graham Rhind 2023. Any information used should be acknowledged and referenced.

subset: commoncrawl


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Parent page: Track Keepout
PCB Editor object properties are definable options that specify the visual style, content and behavior of the placed object. The property settings for each type of object are defined in two different ways:
Use this region to select which object types will be restricted by the Keepout. Deselecting an object type will cause the Keepout to allow transgressions by that type of object (not kept out) by not imposing the applicable Clearance Rule. Choices include:


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It's an absolute doozy of a novel...beloved by high school students the country over and for good reason (read my review). In fact this novel has sold over two million copies in Australia and New Zealand alone!
After years of rumours, a movie is about to start shooting in New South Wales and thoughout the past week the cast has been revealed.
Caitlin Stasey
The Girls
From left: Ashleigh Cummings as Robyn Mathers and Phoebe Tonkin as Fiona Maxwell.
The Boys
From left to right: Chris Pang has been cast as Lee, Deniz Akeniz as Homer Yannos, Lincoln Lewis as Kevin Holmes and Andy Ryan as Chris Lang.
Have they not found anyone to play this character yet?
Regardless, the movie is actually going to be made...which is beyond exciting. I am also hopeful that this movie will be a great success easing the way for other Australian YA novels adaptations eg Jellicoe Road (I know there's a script and director, ready and waiting).
Even more exciting they kept the ethnicities of the cast correct - Homer is Greek and Lee is Asian - hurrah! Though I don't see Caitlin Stasey as a ballsy farm chick, I am quite willing to be proved wrong. The entire cast is pretty much the age of their characters (17) and thankfully Australian. I can't wait to see the final product, especially to see my beloved Homer in glorious action...sigh.
Thank you, John Marsden and Stuart Beattie.


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While on campaign trail, Bachmann increasingly absent from Congress
U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's presidential campaign took her to North Carolina Thursday, where she held several fundraising events.
A heavy travel schedule is part of life on the campaign trail. But that also means less time for Bachmann in Washington, and her job as a member of the House of Representatives.
Bachmann didn't vote in Congress a single time in September.
According to House records, the congresswoman has missed 58 percent of the roll call votes since July 1, when her presidential campaign went into high gear.
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Bachmann did return to Washington on Sept. 8 for President Barack Obama's jobs speech before a joint session of Congress. Weather delayed her arrival in the Washington, D.C., area so she missed the speech. But Bachmann did deliver a rebuttal in the House TV studio shortly afterward.
"Unfortunately, it seems that every time the President of the United States speaks, his policies have cost the American people both jobs and future prosperity," she said.
Bachmann left the capitol again the next day, missing votes. Several were related to re-authorizing intelligence and national security programs, legislation that came from the House Intelligence Committee that Bachmann sits on.
Bachmann's congressional spokeswoman, Becky Rogness, makes no apologies for her boss's attendance record.
"By continuing to lead the fight against the president's job-destroying policies, Congresswoman Bachmann is serving not only her constituents, but countless more Americans," Rogness said.
While Bachmann's recent attendance record is poor, it's not out of line with past presidential candidates in Congress.
When then-candidate Obama was in the Senate, he missed 56 percent of his votes — almost the same percentage as Bachmann — at the same point in his campaign.
Obama's Republican rival, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, missed just under half of the Senate's roll call votes during the same period.
But two other Republican presidential candidates currently serving in the House have balanced campaigning with their Congressional duties.
For example, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas missed 19 percent of the roll call votes held since July 1. U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan, who recently ended his White House bid, missed fewer than 12 percent of the votes.
Were Bachmann to drop out of the presidential race and run again for Congress, her constituents in Minnesota's 6th District likely would not punish her extended absences, University of Minnesota political science professor Kathryn Pearson said.
Pearson said most voters in her district probably don't see a decline in constituent services from Bachmann's office.
"Constituents want their members of Congress to be active for them in the chamber, but the reality is when it comes to a lot of constituent requests, staff are really carrying a lot of the load," Pearson said.
Bachmann's absence from Washington is probably most noticed by Republican leaders in the House, who have clashed with her in the past.
This summer, Bachmann was one of the most vocal Republicans opposed to raising the debt ceiling, even as GOP leaders agreed that it should be raised.
With Bachmann gone, House Speaker John Boehner's job is slightly easier, Pearson said.
"She is influential among a subset of Republican members and certainly a subset of the Republican base," Pearson said. "So she does create problems for the leadership."
Member's of Bachmann's staff say they expect to see her back in Washington and on the floor of the House at some point in October — just as Congress gears up for another round of spending battles.


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Challenge Fat Loss Workout Sample From Shawna Kaminski
May 7, 2013 by Mike Westerdal
Filed under Fat Loss, Health and Fitness, Recent Posts, Training
Hey, I'm Shawna K, author of ChallengeFatLoss.com. I get asked all the time if I compete or if I just finished a contest of some sort.
I tell them, 'Yes, I compete, I just finished my last contest in 1990'.
It's fun to see their jaws drop.
I don't do anything drastic in terms of nutrition or training to maintain my lean and muscular physique. I simply apply the scientifically proven principles of M2A or 'muscle metabolism acceleration'. More on that in a bit.
My first love is strength training. I'm not a big person but I can lift a fair amount of weight given my size, gender and age, (not to mention my busy schedule of work and being a mother of two teenagers). In fact, I take offense to the whole saying, 'you're pretty strong for a 50 year old woman'. I want to throw that saying off a cliff.
Based on the weight I move and the things I can physically do, that saying is safely at the bottom of some canyon.
The truth of the matter is, ANYONE can do the things I do when they employ my challenge fat loss techniques. They involve training intensity with the correct combination of strength and high intensity intervals.
Muscle metabolism acceleration is all about training anaerobically to create lactic acid which is a precursor to growth hormone. And GH is the magic bullet of fat loss. Why not naturally increase GH to decrease fat and increase lean muscle?
As well, my training methods create metabolic afterburn so you'll burn more calories long after your training session is done.
I know that you're up for challenging workouts, why else would you be a fan of Mike and Critical Bench?
I also know that sometimes it just takes that extra 'push' to get you the results you desire. When you know that a 50 year old woman can crush the workouts that I give you to do, it puts things in perspective. You can do them too.
Here's a sample workout. In this workout you'll find:
KB swing
spiderman push ups
goblet switch lunge
pull up
sit out
plank recovery
Do 5 rounds of 35 seconds of work with 07 rest/transition OR 20 reps of each exercise.
You can check out more workouts with challenging exercises like pull ups, burpees, and grueling combinations of exercises that are done in 20 minutes or less. You can use these workouts as a stand alone program, after your strength workout or on your day off to help you get lean and stay strong.
Don't let your work load, age or gender or anything else keep you from the body you deserve.
You can read more about Challenge Fat Loss by CLICKING HERE NOW.
About Shawna Kaminski
Shawna Kaminski is a retired schoolteacher of 20 years who's found her passion in the fitness industry. She's been a competitive athlete all her life and has competed nationally in three sports. She's parlayed her ability to teach and her love of training into programs that you can directly benefit from.
Shawna just turned 50, is a mother of two teenagers and understands how busy life can be. Her workouts are short and intense and often can be done anywhere.
She's always up for a challenge and shares her fitness challenges with you. Currently she runs her own fitness boot camps and coaches clients in person and online with her amazing result getting programs.


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Stanislaw Lem's Summa Technologiae was first published in 1964 in Poland. Now, some 50 years later, the publication of the English translation by Joanna Zylinska is finally making Lem's thoughts about science, technology, and the future accessible to Western readers.
Lem, who passed away in 2006, is known and loved by science fiction readers worldwide. With more than 25 millions books sold, he may be the most widely read science fiction writer ever, which shows that there has always been a demand for mature, complex science fiction literature.
A common theme in Lem's fiction is the strangeness, fundamental incomprehensibility of alien intelligences out there (see "Lem's strange aliens, revisited"). The lesson is that alien intelligences may be so different from us, their consciousness so alien, with textures and flavors so different from our own consciousness, that communication may prove impossible. Lem warns not to anthropomorphize – the universe is probably stranger than we imagine, perhaps stranger than we can imagine.
A common message emphasized in Lem's science fiction, especially in his works of the '60s, when Summa was published (for example in Solaris, The Invincible, and His Master's Voice), is that our human intelligence, consciousness, our particular human way to inhabit the universe, may be overrated – other life forms may be more efficient and more powerful than us without being sentient in any sense that we can understand, and natural phenomena (not even life forms, just mindless matter and energy following natural laws) may exhibit behaviors similar to conscious intelligence. With this persistent uncertainty between sentience and automation, life and non-life, Lem warns that reality may be stranger than our current models.
In Summa Technologiae, Lem shows the science and possible future technologies behind his fiction. The title of this sprawling book, which means "Sum of Technology" in Latin, alludes to Summa Theologiae, the title of the 13th century compendia of theology written by Thomas Aquinas and Albertus Magnus. Lem's Summa Technologiae, surprisingly actual despite its age, explores themes found in later science and fiction, including virtual reality, synthetic biology, nanotechnology, artificial life, artificial intelligence, life in the universe, evolution, the future of humanity and technology, transhumanism, and Lem's own grim, sober concept of technological singularity.
I think if Summa had been translated to English immediately after publication, some of the neologisms coined by Lem for technologies that didn't exist at the time would be still used today. So Google would do "ariadnology" (a guide to the labyrinth of the already assembled knowledge), virtual reality would be "phantomatics," neuroscience would be "cerebromatics," and artificial intelligence would be "Intelectronics." In all cases, Lem imagines developments more advanced than today's technology – for example phantomatics and cerebromatics provide full stimulation of all senses via direct neural interfaces with instant feedback loops, influencing mental processes while bypassing afferent neural pathways, and intelectronics achieves consciousness and intelligence amplification in machines.
The overall scope of the book can be categorized as cybernetics, a term very much in vogue in the '60s but not used much these days, defined by Norbert Wiener as "the study of control and communication in machines and living beings." In other words, "cybernetics examines structure and stability in groups of organisms: how they evolve in order to establish homeostasis, and what communication methods the organisms use to maintain homeostasis," writes David Auerbach in his review of Summa. " Loosely speaking, cybernetics is an abstracted, unified conception of evolution and artificial intelligence." Homeostasis, the process of constant adaptation of a system to its environment, with feedback loops that regulate both system and environment, is a central concept in cybernetics. Some homeostats have a "'second-order regulator,' that is, the brain, which – depending on the situation – is capable of changing the 'action plan' ('self-programming via learning')."
I recommend to read also Peter Swirski's A Stanislaw Lem Reader (1997), with more recent interviews and Lem's reflections on Summa Technologiae 30 years after its first publication. "I regard Summa Technologiae as a remarkably successful book, in the sense that so much of what I wrote there has in the meantime come true," says Lem in 1992. "Today I am able to discern the reason for the rather considerable accuracy of my predictions," says Lem in the essay 'Thirty Years Later' (in Swirski's book). "Quite simply, my general assumption was a conviction that life and the processes examined by the biological sciences will become an inspirational gold mine for future constructors in all phenomena amenable to the engineering approach." Summa is full of references to the blind efficiency of biological evolution, which often finds optimal solutions. "When it comes to their capacity, throughput, degree of miniaturization," says Lem in the conclusion of Summa, "economy of material, independence, efficacy, stability, speed, and last but not least, universality, chromosomal systems manifest superiority over brain ones."
Lem begins with a comparative analysis of the evolution of biological and technological systems, focusing more on the similarities than the differences. Both biological and technological systems are homeostats constantly engaged in feedback loops with their environment, which for technological systems includes their creators, and for some biological systems (e.g. humans) includes technology. I think if Lem wrote Summa today he might use the evolution of mobile phones as an example: the shape and features of mobile phones evolve under environmental pressure (performance of chips and screens, consumer reactions) and influence us in turn (just look at teens). At this moment the result is the typical smartphone running iOS, Android or Windows Phone (which also invaded the niche of other technologies such as consumer cameras and camcorders), but mobile technology is still evolving fast and I guess it will reach equilibrium when phones/computers will be directly implanted in the brain (Cerebromatics!), which may happen by the end of next decade.
"Perhaps we will eventually gain a kind of longevity that will practically amount to immortality, but to do this, we will have to give up on the bodily form that nature gave us," says Lem. Discussing the future of humanity, he often plays with the concepts and ideas of transhumanism, and formulates his own sober, grim concept of technological singularity:
"The point is not to construct synthetic humanity but rather to open up a new chapter in the Book of Technology: one containing systems of any degree of complexity. As man himself, his body and brain, all belong to such a class of systems, such a new technology will mean a completely new type of control man will gain over himself."
Such powers, however, are not likely to be achieved with simple extensions of today's technologies. "Even if we ourselves choose the end point, our way of getting there is chosen by Nature. We can fly, but not by flapping our arms… [Machine] personality will be as different from human personality as a human body is different from a microfusion cell. We can expect some surprises, problems, and dangers that we cannot even imagine today." This is similar to Vinge's concept of technological singularity as a point in history after which things become impossible for us to imagine. Lem talks of highly imaginative super technologies, including "cosmogonic engineering," the creation of artificial worlds inhabited by sentient creatures:
"[Imagine] a large, complex system the size of ten Moons that is a homeostatic pyramid consisting of closed, descending feedback systems. It resembles a digital machine that is self-repairing, autonomous, and self-organizing… [The processes] are capable of producing an intelligent personality and sentient senses."
Lem is not a transhumanist or a singularity enthusiast ante-litteram. If anything, he suspects that future generations may lose interest, like we lost interest in the transmutation of elements envisaged by alchemists, which could be done with today's technology but is not considered worth doing. At the same time, Lem thinks that almost everything is possible, with one important exception: our descendants will never decide to "let things be the way they are now; let them remain like this forever."
A very interesting chapter is dedicated to the search for other civilizations in the universe, and why we don't see evidence of "miracles" built by advanced civilizations, which according to Dyson and Kardashev should be able to build marvels of astro-engineering that can be detected across the Galaxy. Lem formulates a possible explanation: perhaps the paths of different civilizations diverge wildly after a certain point, and only a few civilizations remain interested in space exploration and astro-engineering. Lem thinks, however, that the universe is probably full of alien civilizations.
What forms of consciousness shall our descendants find out there? More generally, what forms of thinking life are possible, including sentient artificial life that could be created in the future? Here, like in his science fiction, Lem warns not to anthropomorphize – sentient life may be more similar to the living ocean in Solaris, or the self-organizing swarms of micro-robots in The Invincible, than to our intuitive anthropomorphic models. Lem thinks that "we are inclined to overestimate the role of intelligence as a value in itself," and we should "refrain from turning the 'gravitation toward intelligence' into a structural tendency of evolutionary processes." In the chapter on constructing consciousness, he writes:
"If the fact that x is conscious is only determined by the behavior of this x, then the material from which it is made does not matter at all. It is therefore not just a humanoid robot or an electronic brain but also a hypothetical gaseous–magnetic system, with which we can have a chat, that belongs to a class of systems endowed with consciousness… [The] brain surely is not the only possible solution to the problem of 'how to construct an intelligent and sentient system'… As long as only birds or insects could fly, 'flying' was equivalent to 'living.' Yet we know too well that devices that are completely 'dead' are also able to fly today. It is the same thing with the problem of intelligence and sentience."
In conclusion, I highly recommend this classic of scientific imagination, enjoyable and thought-provoking, sometimes outdated but surprisingly actual nonetheless.
This article originally appeared at Skefia and is republished here with permission.
Image: Diversepixel/Shutterstock.


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A couple of days ago Google released its latest "Transparency Report," part of the company's ongoing commitment to disclose requests by individuals, corporations, and governments to change what users see in search results and other Google properties such as YouTube.
The press coverage of Google's report was copious – far more than the prior two years, and for good reason. This week's disclosure included Google's bi-annual report of government takedown requests (corporate and individual requests are updated in near real time). The news was not comforting.
As the Atlantic wrote:
The stories Google tells to accompany the broad-brush numbers (found in the "annotations" section and its blog) paint a picture to accompany those numbers that Google calls "alarming" — noting, in particular, that some of the requests for removal of political speech come from "Western democracies not typically associated with censorship."
The number of takedown requests from governments is on the rise – up about 100% year to year for the US alone. Part of this, perhaps, can be explained by what might be called a "catchup effect" – governments are coming to terms with the pervasive power of digital information, and finally getting their heads around trying to control it, much as governments have attempted to control more analog forms of information like newspapers, television stations, and books.
But as we know, digital information is very, very different. It's one thing to try to control the press, it's quite another to do the same with the blog postings, YouTube videos, Twitter feeds, and emails of an entire citizenry. Given the explosion of arguably illegal or simply embarrassing information available to Google's crawlers (cough, cough, Wikileaks), I'm rather surprised that worldwide government takedown requests haven't grown at an exponential rate.
But to me, the rise of government takedown requests isn't nearly as interesting as the role Google and other companies play in all of this. As I've written elsewhere, it seems that as we move our public selves into the digital sphere, we seem to be also moving our trust from the institutions of government to the institution of the corporation. For example, our offline identity is established by a government ID like a driver's license. Online, many of us view Facebook as our identity service. Prior to email, our private correspondance was secured by a government institution called the postal service. Today, we trust AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo, Facebook, or Gmail with our private utterances. When documents were analog, they were protected by government laws against unreasonable search and seizure. When they live in the cloud….the ground is shifting. I could go on, but I think you get my point.
As we move ourselves into the realm of digital information, a realm mediated by private corporations, those corporations naturally become the focus of government attention. I find Google's Transparency Report to be a refreshing response to this government embrace – but it's an exercise that almost no other corporation completes (Twitter has a record of disclosing, but on a case by case basis). Where is Amazon's Transparency Report? Yahoo's? Microsoft's? And of course, the biggest question in terms of scale and personal information – where is Facebook's? Oh, and of course, where is Apple's?
Put another way: If we are shifting our trust from the government to the corporation, who's watching the corporations? With government, we've at least got clear legal recourse – in the United States, we've got the Constitution, the Freedom of Information Act, and a deep legal history protecting the role of the press – what Jefferson called the Fourth Estate. With corporations, we're on far less comforting ground – most of us have agreed to Terms of Services we've never read, much less studied in sixth grade civics class.
As the Atlantic concludes:
Google is trying to make these decisions responsibly, and the outcome, as detailed in the report, is reason to have confidence in Google as an arbiter of these things if, as is the case, Google is going to be the arbiter of these issues. But unlike a US Court, we don't see the transcripts of oral arguments, or the detailed reasoning of a judge. …The Transparency Report sheds more light on the governments Google deals with than with its own internal processes for making judgments about compliance….Google's Transparency Report is the work of a company that is grappling with its power and trying to show its work.
I applaud Google's efforts here, but I'm wary of placing such an important public trust in the hands of private corporations alone. Google is a powerful company, with access to a wide swath of the world's information. But with the rise of walled gardens like iOS and Facebook, an increasing amount of our information doesn't touch Google's servers. We literally are in the dark about how this data is being accessed by governments around the world.
Google is setting an example I hope all corporations with access to our data will follow. So far, however, most companies don't. And that should give all of us pause, and it should be the basis of an ongoing conversation about the role of government in our digital lives.


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This item ships directly from the vendor.
Our contemporary version of the classic tartan pattern, the medium Black Tartan Serving Board is the perfect addition to any kitchen color scheme. Both sides of the board are smooth, one featuring a black tartan pattern and the other bare exposing the natural wood grain. Intended for serving and décor only, this board doubles as statement art and a chic platter. Use for serving charcuterie, crudités or cocktails. Pair with the small and large White Tartan Serving Board to complete the layered look.
- Coated in a 100% plant-based, food-safe wax finish.
- Made from sustainably harvested wood with added black tartan design.
- Hand-made from reclaimed wood by local artisans in Europe, making each board one-of-a-kind. Due to the occurrences found in reclaimed wood, natural dips and grooves will be visible on the board.
These patterned serving boards are intended for serving only and should not be used for cutting or chopping. To protect and preserve the integrity of the piece, we recommend using a barrier such as parchment paper, a plate or a bowl for non-dry, hot ingredients. To maintain pattern longevity, avoid placing hot or wet ingredients directly on the patterned side of the board.
Should food come in direct contact with your patterned board, wipe the surface clean with hot soapy water immediately after using and then dry with a clean, dry dish towel. Never submerge your wood board in water and avoid abrasive cleaning products.
DetailsColor: Natural Wood/Black
Dimensions: 13.9" x 8.3"
Material: Wood
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text: NASDAQ:QQQ Invesco QQQ (QQQ) SEC Filings & 10K Form $358.27 +0.26 (+0.07%) (As of 09/29/2023 ET) Add Compare Share Share Today's Range$357.02▼$362.9550-Day Range$354.21▼$383.6852-Week Range$254.26▼$387.98Volume64.83 million shsAverage Volume44.76 million shsMarket Capitalization$198.07 billionAssets Under Management$197.28 billionDividend Yield0.61%Net Expense Ratio0.20% SEC FilingsProfileChartDividendInstitutional OwnershipHeadlinesHoldingsOptions ChainSEC FilingsShort InterestSocial MediaRatingsProfileChartDividendInstitutional OwnershipHeadlinesHoldingsOptions ChainSEC FilingsShort InterestSocial MediaRatings Recent Invesco QQQ SEC Filings All Filing Types 1 10 10-D 10-K 10-M 10-Q 11-K 12b-25 13F 13H 144 15 15F 17-H 18 18-K 19b-4(e) 19b-4 19b-7 1-A 1-E 1-K 1-N 1-SA 1-U 1-Z 20-F 24F-2 25 2-E 3 4 40-F 5 6-K 7-M 8-A 8-K 8-M 9-M ABS DD-15E ABS-15G ABS-EE ADV ADV-E ADV-H ADV-NR ADV-W ATS ATS-R BD BD-N BDW C CA-1 CB CFPORTAL D F-1 F-10 F-3 F-4 F-6 F-7 F-8 F-80 F-N F-X ID MA MA-I MA-NR MA-W MSD MSDW n/a N-14 N-17D-1 N-17f-1 N-17f-2 N-18f-1 N-1A N-2 N-23c-3 N-27D-1 N-3 N-4 N-5 N-54A N-54C N-6 N-6EI-1 N-6F N-8A N-8B-2 N-8B-4 N-8F N-CR N-CSR N-MFP N-PX N-Q NRSRO N-SAR PF PILOT R31 S-1 S-11 S-20 S-3 S-4 S-6 S-8 SBSE SBSE-A SBSE-BD SBSE-C SBSE-W SCI SD SDR SE SF-1 SF-3 SIP T-1 T-2 T-3 T-4 T-6 TA-1 TA-2 TA-W TCR TH WB-APP X-17A-19 X-17A-5 Part I X-17A-5 Part II X-17A-5 Part IIA X-17A-5 Part IIB X-17A-5 Part III X-17A-5 Schedule I X-17F-1A Filing Types Include Ownership Filings Exclude Ownership Filings Only Show Ownership FIlings Ownership Filings Custom Range 1 Month 3 Months 6 Months Year-to-Date 1 Year 2 Years 3 Years Time Frame Start Date End Date Export to Excel DateFilerForm TypeView08/29/202310:44 AMInvesco QQQ (Filer)Form NPORT-PMonthly Portfolio Investments Report on Form NPORT05/30/20238:54 AMInvesco QQQ (Filer)Form NPORT-PMonthly Portfolio Investments Report on Form NPORT03/15/202310:07 AMInvesco QQQ (Filer)Form N-CENAnnual Report for Registered Investment Companies 01/30/202312:53 PMInvesco QQQ (Filer)Form 497JCertification of no change in definitive materials under paragraph (j) of Securities Act Rule 49701/27/20234:03 PMInvesco QQQ (Filer)Form 485BPOSPost-effective amendment filed pursuant to Securities Act Rule 485(b)12/28/202210:08 AMInvesco QQQ (Filer)Form 24F-2NTRule 24F-2 notice filed on Form 24F-211/25/20221:16 PMInvesco QQQ (Filer)Form NPORT-PMonthly Portfolio Investments Report on Form NPORT(Data available from 1/1/2016 forward) Related Companies and Tools SEC Filings Tools: Latest SEC FilingsInsider Trading Activity This page (NASDAQ:QQQ) was last updated on 10/1/2023 by MarketBeat.com Staff Adding Choose a watchlist: Watchlist Cancel Adding You have already added five stocks to your watchlist. Upgrade to MarketBeat All Access to add more stocks to your watchlist. Cancel Adding Invesco QQQ Please log in to your account or sign up in order to add this asset to your watchlist. Cancel Log In and Add Get 30 Days of MarketBeat All Access Free Sign up for MarketBeat All Access to gain access to MarketBeat's full suite of research tools: Best-in-Class Portfolio Monitoring View the latest news, buy/sell ratings, SEC filings and insider transactions for your stocks. Compare your portfolio performance to leading indices and get personalized stock ideas based on your portfolio. Stock Ideas and Recommendations Get daily stock ideas from top-performing Wall Street analysts. Get short term trading ideas from the MarketBeat Idea Engine. View which stocks are hot on social media with MarketBeat's trending stocks report. Advanced Stock Screeners and Research Tools Identify stocks that meet your criteria using seven unique stock screeners. See what's happening in the market right now with MarketBeat's real-time news feed. Export data to Excel for your own analysis. Start Your 30-Day Free Trial Sign in to your free account to enjoy these benefits In-depth profiles and analysis for 20,000 public companies. Real-time analyst ratings, insider transactions, earnings data, and more. Our daily ratings and market update email newsletter. Sign in to your free account to enjoy all that MarketBeat has to offer. Sign In Create Account Your Email Address: Your Password: or Sign in with Facebook Sign in with Google Forgot your password? Your Email Address: Choose a Password: Create My Account (Free) or Sign in with Facebook Sign in with Google By creating a free account, you agree to our terms of service. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


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Friday, December 14, 2012
15 comments:
My heart is so heavy, has been since we learned of this tragedy. I simply cannot wrap myself around taking a life - any life. My prayers go out to those parents, there are no words to how they must feel right now.ReplyDelete
Those precious angels are in heaven.
Saddest thing ever would be to lose a child.......it has to be even worse at this special time of the year. The season of peace and hope.ReplyDelete
I have no words......just prayers for those families who lost their precious loved ones.
This is so horribly sad Michelle:( I can't even imagine what the parents are going through. Rather than wrapping presents they get to put their precious babies into coffins...just unimaginable:(ReplyDelete
Amen. I can't even imagine the pain these poor parents and loved ones are feeling. It makes no sense at all.ReplyDelete
I'm praying too, Michelle. I just heard the news tonight and am so sad. I can't begin to imagine what those poor children went thru, and the parents and teachers. Such a tragedy that didn't have to happen.ReplyDelete
Such a beautiful print to honor all those precious little ones. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those families and I just can't grasp the depth of their loss.ReplyDelete
Take care,
It's such a terrible tragedy and I was even more saddened to learn that one of the little girls that was killed today was from Odgen, Utah. She had moved there with her family six months ago as her Dad had a job opportunity there that he couldn't turn down. Apparently they loved it there. Her grandparent's were on the news tonight here in Salt Lake. It's just heartbreaking.ReplyDelete
Joining you in prayer.ReplyDelete
God Bless,
- AnonymousDecember 15, 2012 at 8:40 AM
This tragedy has extended far beyond America, living in Scotland it was breaking news on BBC yesterday and has since dominated our news reports, it is the most heartbreaking story to watch and listen to.ReplyDelete
My heart is broken, as I try (unsuccessfully) to imagine the horror that those poor little ones endured and the horror that will continue for the rest of their parents' lives. Since hearing the news yesterday, I have been praying for the loved ones of all of the victims, including those of the brave staff members who tried to save the children.... as well as for the children who were spared physical harm but will have this nightmare seared into their memories for the rest of their lives.ReplyDelete
Thank you, Michelle, for your beautiful post.
Also here in Denmark we are all very effected by this horribly and tragic news.ReplyDelete
I pray for the families whom have been thrown into this worst nightmare ,ever.
Hugs and love,Dorthe
tried numerous times to post but couldnt. just wanted to try one more time. i want to say thank you for the most beautiful picture that you put up for the main page. it was truly moving and i feel very appropriate. much appreciated in this time of heartache. susy b.ReplyDelete
Such a peaceful image to behold, as we pray continuously for those babies and their families. I've been hugging & kissing my cherubs so much since Friday.ReplyDelete
Those little ones from CT are in the arms of Blessed Mary now.
Merry Christmas to you, dear Michelle.
Really sweet post... love your angel wing family...ReplyDelete
Taking the time to share your thoughts...your words...and your inspiration fills my soul....Merci.


text:
Sequences and Series
University of Michigan
Runs his own tutoring company
Carl taught upper-level math in several schools and currently runs his own tutoring company. He bets that no one can beat his love for intensive outdoor activities!
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University of Michigan
Runs his own tutoring company
Carl taught upper-level math in several schools and currently runs his own tutoring company. He bets that no one can beat his love for intensive outdoor activities!
An important and fundamental tool used when doing proofs is mathematical induction. We can use mathematical induction to prove properties in math, or formulas. For example, we can prove that a formula works to compute the value of a series. Mathematical induction involves using a base case and an inductive step to prove that a property works for a general term.
So at some point in your Math career you will have or will have or have seen these formulas, okay? And what they are are basically sums of different numbers. You are looking at the just the sum of bunch of integers and we know that the sum is going to be n n+1 over 2. We also have a formula for the sum of squares and the sum of cubes. And on the surface these formulas look pretty complicated, okay. But actually how we can prove that they are true is by using what we call mathematical induction, okay? And what mathematical induction is is basically we prove it works for n=1. So we show that these equations all hold for n=1. We then assume that the equation holds for n=k some arbitrary k and then sorry, using that fact we show that it's true for n is equal to k+1. Okay? And basically how that works is if it works for 1, we can assume it works for any number. k could be any number. So k could be 1 as well. So if it works for 1, then this would show that it works for 2. If it works for 2 then we already know it works for the next one. It works for 3, it works for 4 [IB] 5 so on and so forth, okay?
So mathematical induction is basically a type of approach to proving a statement. You show it works for your first term, you assume it works for some arbitrary variable, typically k is used and then using the fact that it works you're assuming it works for k, you prove that the equation still holds for and is equal to k+1.


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text:
NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News Channel said Friday that it has fired liberal commentator Bob Beckel for making a racially insensitive remark to a Black employee.
Fox offered no details on the case, but a lawyer for the employee said Beckel had "stormed out" of his office Tuesday when the man, who is a technician, came to do work on his computer, saying he was leaving because the worker was Black.
The lawyer, Douglas Wigdor, also said that Beckel attempted to intimidate his client and get him to withdraw his complaint in a meeting Friday with Fox executive Kevin Lord. Fox denied that anyone tried to persuade the man to withdraw his complaint and said that Beckel had apologized to him after he was fired.
Beckel, 68, is a veteran Democratic political strategist who is a regular on Fox's "The Five," where he discusses stories with four conservative panelists. The show recently moved into Fox's prime-time lineup with the firing of Bill O'Reilly.
Beckel had only returned to Fox in January. He'd been ousted in June 2015 while dealing with substance abuse, with then-Fox executive Bill Shine saying Fox "couldn't hold 'The Five' hostage to one man's personal issues." Beckel subsequently wrote a book "I Should Be Dead: My Life Surviving Politics, TV and Addiction."
Wigdor currently represents 22 clients with cases against Fox, including 15 involved in a lawsuit alleging racist behavior by the network's since-fired controller, Judith Slater, who denies the charges.
Fox is involved in several legal cases involving O'Reilly and the late former network chairman Roger Ailes, who died on Thursday.
Wigdor's firm, in a statement, said that "we intend on holding [Fox News parent company] 21st Century Fox accountable for these actions and will be filing multiple other complaints in other matters next week."


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IWSG and One Writer's Insecurity
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
191 comments:
Writing full time is definitely an advantage. I know I'm a slow producer, so I don't even worry about it.ReplyDelete
Even if you can't write as many books as she, there are other things you can do to emulate her success.Replies
So true, Alex. I learned a thing or two, but just need the courage to take the leap.Delete
I do! I am trying really hard not to undervalue as much as I do. It's a terrible habit I've always had.ReplyDeleteReplies
Julie, I think we all compare ourselves with others even though we know it's not smart. I guess it's part of being human.Delete
"Want to be happy? Stop comparing yourself to others." I can't find the origin of this quote online, or the actual quote itself, maybe its Buddhist or an ancient Chinese proverb, but you get the gist of it. There is nothing more truer than that.ReplyDelete
Another one that I love is, "You are an expert, the very best, at being you." - I can't find that one's origin either. :-)Replies
Thanks for this, Tanya. You'd think by now we'd know better that going down the comparison road. :)Delete
- AnonymousJuly 2, 2014 at 10:38 AM
I am just trying to get my foot in the publishing door. So I can't say that I understand, but what it does tell me, as I have always figured....is that writers published or unpublished always have self doubt and insecurities about their own work. My only advice is what I try to follow.. Be true to ME and everything else will fall into place!ReplyDelete
So true, Shelly,Delete
We are on our individual journey and should accept, understand and value who we are. Dunno why we figure things are better on the other side of the fence.
You have to not try to compare yourself to other people. Do what you can do and be happy with what you accomplish.ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day!Replies
Thanks, Sherry,Delete
Sometimes I forget to be grateful, but each time I remind myself of all the good stuff that has happened to me through writing and all the people I've come to know.
Try not to compare yourself to what someone else has done--look at what you've already accomplished! I'd kill to just have one book published. Write because it's what you love to do, not because you think you should be doing more of it just to keep up.ReplyDeleteReplies
Sarah, thanks. It is amazing what we see when we stop long enough to appreciate what we have. Thanks for that reminder. I write for the love of it and that's what I'll continue to do.Delete
the bottom line is in what you just said here: we all need to be grateful that we are able to do what we love and we need to continue doing it because we love it, not because we want to sell more. :-)ReplyDeleteReplies
Making the first book in a series free works. I can attest to this.ReplyDeleteReplies
Taking your advice on this. Thanks for visiting.Delete
It's so easy to compare. And you don't know that she didn't have a lot of books already written that just needed polishing before being published. When you have a series, the first book being free can help. Just don't give away one when you've nothing else to offer.ReplyDeleteReplies
Hi, Diane,Delete
Thanks, I should know all about having stuff stored up. I guess my writing could also look that way too, I wrote a LOT of books before I was published. Since I was published my writing has slowed to a trickle.
Happy blitz day! Try not to compare yourself to another author, although I know it's tempting. Being super-prolific is not for everyone, and if you can pace yourself according to what your life allows, you're doing a splendid job!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Jennifer, that's solid advice.Delete
I think you've been doing an amazing job, J.L.! But I know how easy it is to compare ourselves and our books to another author and their books. I am constantly envious of authors who publish 2-3 books a year, and write thousands of words a day. You could say I write full time, but I still can't write as much as they do. I'm also wary of giving away my books for free for the reasons you said. Even if the blurb and all of your book information is clearly there, people still review it saying it's not what they expected. Smh. Keep your head up, you're doing a great job! And Happy Blitz Day!! :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Chrys. Although I used to be a prolific writer, I don't think I've ever gone beyond NaNoWriMo numbers on any given day. There's something to be said for consistency. That's what makes up for not being wired to churn out thousands of words in a day.Delete
Happy Blitz Day.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks for stopping in, Johnell!Delete
Yes, you've done awesomely, especially having written while you held down a full-time job! It's always detrimental to compare ourselves to others...but sometimes we can't help it. ;o)ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Carol. I'm happy I don't get stuck on the comparison boat for long. :)Delete
Yes, we're all on different journeys, writing different kinds of books, and with different long-term goals. Gah, I would have jumped out a window years ago if I compared myself to the prolific writers around me. In fact, I had to stop querying my last novel because I know I'm such a slow writer that I wanted to have TWO novels finished and ready to go in this trilogy before I attempted publication. I'm hoping I've bought myself enough time to write the third while the other two find a home in publishing. So, yeah, I think you're doing great on your own schedule. :)ReplyDeleteReplies
L.G., that sounds like a smart plan. I hope you have enough time to get that third book written. Keep going, you'll get there. Thanks for sharing your experience.Delete
It's too easy to become envious of another's success or catalog. But you have a lot of books out. We all have our own journey. The luck bug will strike us all differently too. I think we just have to own our journeys and be darn proud of them.ReplyDeleteReplies
For sure, Mary. Each journey is unique. Staying the course is important to realizing our dreams.Delete
I can totally relate to this! I am a slow writer and sometimes wish I could bang out a first draft in 3 months or less. But I just can't. And that's ok! Also, I love that quote. And Happy Blitz!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Leandra, our responsibilities help make life interesting. Pacing myself properly is probably why I don't experience burn-out and that's a good thing.Delete
I can only write so fast. If I try to write faster it comes out as drivel. I have gotten faster, though. I can draft a novel in 6 months. That is good for me.ReplyDeleteReplies
Good on you, Catherine. I can go quickly if the story is flowing, but it's the time that's a challenge. Still, I think I just need to do a proper schedule and stick with it.Delete
This comment has been removed by the author.ReplyDelete
You are always gonna have self doubt. In every faucet of your life, really. As long as you do your best, exhaust doable options that are agreeable to you, then let it rest. We believe in you!!ReplyDeleteReplies
Awwww, Tammy. Too true. Need to kick that self doubt when it comes creeping in. Gonna do my best, explore and use available options and be happy with what I'm doing. :)Delete
So brave of you to be able to look closely at your process and results in comparison to someone else's. Sometimes this leads to an avalanche of self-doubt and frustration. But I love your statement about us all being on a different journey. Be kind to yourself by rewarding your accomplishments. I have a feeling you are on the right path...ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Kellie. Every so often, I have these periods where I wonder if it's all worth it. Thankfully, they don't last long.Delete
I try not to compare myself to anyone else. I go at a pace that not many want to travel. I'm super slow, like the tortoise, but I'm also very happy and enjoying the journey. :-)ReplyDelete
Anna from Shout with EmaginetteReplies
Smart move, Anna. I think being happy at your own pace is not only wise, but makes for peace of mind.Delete
It's so easy to let ourselves feel defeated. Just know that this too will pass. There is always someone behind us and ahead of us. Apparently, even Ms. Rowlings feels this way.ReplyDeleteReplies
HI, JoylenemDelete
I'm soooo happy the slumps don't last long.
Elsie, it's good to be reminded of the fact that I enjoy making up stories. That's the best part. :)ReplyDelete
Why compare yourself to another writer? You come from different places; you're two different people. You'll only make yourself sick trying to be what [you think] someone else is. Follow your own path. Write what feels right as quickly or slowly as feels right. Be your own self.ReplyDeleteReplies
Great advice, Diane. The negative thoughts come mainly when I have something new out and nothing seems to be happening. Better to keep busy doing something than moping around wasting mental energy, right?Delete
Hello Joy!ReplyDelete
Yes, we do it all the time. We compare ourselves unfavorably with other people. Why do we do it? Maybe human nature?
All the best!Replies
I guess we go through different phases based on what's happening to us. It's important to remind myself not to get stuck in a negative groove.Delete
I think I would be in the "give away for free" boat, at least for promotions and so on. And I would definitely want to have one or two works that were perma-free, just for people to have an "entry point".ReplyDeleteReplies
I understand the way it works and why people do it. It can be looked at as a form of investment.Delete
LOVE the insecure writers idea! Glad I stopped by!ReplyDeleteReplies
Hope you'll join up if you need to, Beth.Delete
I think it's amazing that you have so many books published and a book with over 300 reviews is phenomenal - it sounds like you are doing something very right to me. :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Kimberly. This indie journey entails a lot of trial and error.Delete
You do need to pace yourself. It is likely the faster you get there, the faster you burn out.ReplyDelete
Sometimes I compare myself to others too, but like you, I have to remind myself I am happy with my slow journey - aside from wishing money would just rain down with instant fame :)Replies
Donna, yes the fame and fortune would be cool, but of course, burnout is no fun. Reality check in place. :)Delete
- AnonymousJuly 2, 2014 at 10:56 PM
Happy blitz Day.ReplyDelete
We make things difficult for ourselves when we start comparing ourselves to other authors. We have to find what works for us individually and stick with that. Because that's what will make us happy.ReplyDeleteReplies
I agree. It's hard enough getting our work noticed already. Comparison only makes things worse and despite the level of sales I'm seeing, I'm happy with just being able to write.Delete
I tell ya, I look at other writers and how fast they produce and I'm totally envious. BUT...I've realized I'm a slow writer. I'm a slow editor. It's just the way I am.ReplyDelete
I think what you've already accomplished is darn amazing.Replies
Julie, thanks for visiting and for making me smile. I think I take what I do for granted and the truth is that I shouldn't.Delete
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 1:18 AM
So glad you found time to do more writing. You've got a good amount of books out; please stop comparing yourself to others. If Christine's Odyssey is any indication of your writing talent, then keep doing what you're doing and don't worry about the other author. This was a great topic for the IWSG.ReplyDelete
BTW, Happy Blog Blitz Day to you JL!! :)Replies
Lilica, thanks for your kind words. Thanks to all the blitzers, I may never have a moment of doubt again. I put that moment of weakness down to the fact that creative people can get in a funk over anything to do with their artform. :)Delete
Ah, the comparison game...it's hard not to compare youreself to other authors sometimes, but you're right - we're all on different journeys, and you've achieved a lot! :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Emma. I need to keep minding my own journey. Thanks for stopping in.Delete
Is it possible that she had lots in WIP or just unpublished when she finally found a publisher, so now she is just publishing what she had already written? I am not published yet, so no one for me to compare to, except all those who started after me and now have more than one book out there. Happy blitz day.ReplyDeleteReplies
That's definitely a possibility. Before I was published, I had at least a half dozen stories due for editing. Keep moving forward and keeping your dream alive. Thanks for coming by.Delete
Interesting post! It does make you wonder what methods other writer's use and how some progress and others work tirelessly and only achieve small advances. It seems very hard at times to get ahead, especially with full time work and a family to look after. Happy Blitz Day and keep plodding along.ReplyDeleteReplies
True, Carolyn. The business of life is what prevents many people from devoting more time to writing. I joined a group to try and stick to some kind of schedule. Trying to do at least some writing each day.Delete
What an excellent quote, and one that I would definitely apply to myself.ReplyDelete
Happy Blog Blitz Day!!!Replies
Thanks for visiting, Heather.Delete
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 4:39 AM
I refuse to compare my self, my rate of progress or any aspect of what I do with others. Why? Because I know I'll end up beating myself up, and I do enough of that already. That we are all aiming for similar goals, but taking our own individual paths just confirms to me what I have long believed - we are none of us unique, yet we all are.ReplyDelete
Happy Blog Blitz Day!Replies
Smart, Keith. Love your closing phrase. So true. Thanks for visiting.Delete
Happy blitzdayReplyDelete
And now, you've also been Blitzed!!!ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day! enjoy!ReplyDeleteReplies
Kelly, thanks for visiting.Delete
It's hard not to compare ourselves to our peers, but it is not that useful. You write at your pace. She writes at her pace. Perhaps you can glean some inspiration from her, but you are still your awesome self.ReplyDelete
Enjoy your Blitz Day.
Elizabeth Hein - Scribbling in the Storage RoomReplies
Elizabeth, yes, we find inspiration everywhere, but must be true to what we're about on our own journey. Thanks.Delete
Happy Blitz. Sounds like you have the right perspective. Nothing says that all of this author's output is quality. Write what you are proud of putting out to the public. Sounds to me like you are doing very well. Stay trueReplyDeleteReplies
Joanne, you are so right. One of the things that's important to me is putting out quality books. When I write a story, it is with the hope that the characters are memorable and their story unique.Delete
Happy Blitz Day!ReplyDelete
I think we are all on our own journey, and you've done so well, I'm envious. Lol I'm sure the fiction writing will pick up for you.Replies
Trying to pick up the word count. Not great so far, but there's always tomorrow.Delete
So hard not to compare ourselves, but better to follow our path. Happy Blitz Day!ReplyDeleteReplies
True that, Natalie.Delete
Hi, J.L.! ;-) Taking our own path is a hard, long road, but worth it in the end when we're proud of what we've accomplished. Happy Blitz Day!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks. Too often we don't take the time to appreciate our own achievements.Delete
Too many people undervalue what they are and overvalue what they're not..ReplyDelete
I love it...and understand it! Such a perfect post for a BLITZ day! :) Enjoy.Replies
Thanks for organizing this, DL. The encouragement has been awesome. Still making my way down the list.Delete
Great post. I do it all the time. I know we all have different journeys, but sometimes it's hard when you compare yourself to someone else. Happy blitz day! :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Christine. This could be why the Desiderata suggests we don't do the comparison thing. :)Delete
Since I don't self publish, I haven't come across that problem. Remember, it's quality and not quantity.ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day!Replies
Wonderful reminder, Theresa. Thanks.Delete
I try not to think of my productivity (or lack of it) otherwise I might sink into a pit of despair. You're doing pretty great in my view.ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day!
Tossing It OutReplies
This made me chuckle, Arlee. Yes, it's better to think on the positive rather than focus on what's undone.Delete
Have no idea if my other post worked or not ... so trying again. Excellent post which reflects sentiments of many of us. #Happy Blitz DayReplyDeleteReplies
Trying to find my way to your blog, but only found another Susan Stuckey.Delete
Thanks for visiting.
That's an excellent quote, one I'm going to remember. Why are we so rarely happy with ourselves and all that we already are? Sheesh!ReplyDelete
Stopping by from the Blitz!
Madeline @ The Shellshank RedemptionReplies
Dunno, Madeline. we should reject the doubts when they come and not give them room to thrive.Delete
I WON! YAY! Thanks Joy!ReplyDelete
I think you are VERY PRODUCTIVE. So don't worry!
Thanks, Michelle. Hope you enjoy the books.Delete
Happy Blitz Day!ReplyDelete
we're all hard on ourselves--but as long as we can get through it and write we're golden! happy blitz!! :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Writing through everything is important, Beth. Thanks!Delete
Oh yeah, comparing ourselves to others is like poison. But hey, if you want to compare yourself to an author who will make you feel better about yourself---look at me! 1st novel came out over 4 years ago and I have a whopping 2 novels out now w/ a 3rd on the way in 2015 and less than a handful of short stories. And sales levels are nowhere close to me being able to even dream of quitting the day job. Yet somehow I feel truly blessed and happy to be where I am---and that's because I continually answer yes to your questions #2 & #3.ReplyDelete
In short, you're doing amazing.
Happy Blitz Day!Replies
Nicki, thanks for stopping in. You've made me chuckle. Some of us are over-achievers who would be better served by taking things easy.Delete
Happy Blitz Day!ReplyDelete
Not sure what happened to my post. It may be here twice. Please feel free to delete one. :)ReplyDelete
It does sound like you're doing amazing things.
Keep moving forward.
You've been blitzed!
I hope you enjoy your day!
Thanks, Heather. One foot in front of the other. Moving right along according to plan.Delete
There are so many trite metaphors that have been coined to describe this very thing. The number of books you have out is a wonderful accopmlishment!ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz DayReplies
Glad you stopped in AB. Thanks.Delete
I loved what you said at the end with your sentence in bold. So true. It's so easy to compare ourselves, especially as writers. But you have a dozen books out--that's amazing!ReplyDelete
Hope you feel encouraged today--happy blitz!Replies
Yes, Jenni, the encouragement certainly helped.Delete
You worked full-time and still managed to find time to write. Kudos! Personally, I find that amazing! Happy Blitz Day!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks for the visit!Delete
That is a great quote. You should be proud of what you have achieved and of what I am sure you will achieve in the future. Happy writing and happy blitz day!ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks for your good wishes. Working on the gratitude department. :)Delete
Keep on writing and avoid reading reviews! Congratulations on your success so far and have a great day of blitzing.ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Greg,Delete
I'm at the point where I only read reviews now and then.
I so wish I could be more productive as well, but we're all on a different path in life. Maybe she had several books already written before publication? It's all relative really, the main thing is to be proud of the books you do write and publish, forget the rest. I think you're doing an outstanding job writing, blogging, and publishing, if that's worth anything. :)ReplyDeleteReplies
Thanks, Elise. Isn't it terrible how we easily forget what we've already achieved on our journey?Delete
Great post! As I was reading it, I completely related, but to something very different. I skate with a roller derby league, and I am constantly down on myself about my own progress, especially when newer skaters get their skills down faster than me and excel past me in the league rankings. It's so frustrating! But then I take a look at reasons why that might be occurring, and, like you, there are differences in our approaches - time we are able to spend skating, experience, etc. Anyway, it's a constant struggle for me, and I could relate to what you wrote a lot! Happy blitz day - you deserve it! Cheers, marci from fuzzyundertones.comReplyDelete
With all the variables involved, comparing ourselves and/or our accomplishments to what others have done is a meaningless waste of time. YOU have accomplished a lot, and what's more, you've managed to do it while holding down a full-time job and handling whatever other responsibilities you have. That's fantastic! Be happy! But ya better hold on, in case you get a little woozy, because you, my dear, are getting BLITZED today! Enjoy.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 11:29 AM
Writers face enough rejection without rejecting ourselves. Of course, we do it even when we know we shouldn't. :-) Happy Blitz Day!!ReplyDelete
I am going to be as honest as I can be here about MY buying habits. I tend to try an author with a free book - if they are an unknown to me - much faster than I would at full price or even $.99. So, I wouldn't abandon the free book idea when you have several others available for purchase. Not a great idea if you only have ONE book available. I can only speak for me, but I rarely write a book review no matter how I felt about the book. And I give limited attention to existing book reviews as a buyer. So, while I know you feel every review personally... keep in mind that half the people have no idea what they are talking about and if you knew them you would disregard their opinion (because you know them). Instead, look at it this way 350 people took the time to review the book (never mind what they said). That means at least 350 read it and didn't review it. With those numbers, your sales on your other books HAD to have gone up. The numbers make it impossible for it NOT to have happened.ReplyDelete
Hang in there!!!
The free book idea is a good one - from a reader's POV (although I do claim to be a writer as well) if I read a free book and I don't like it, well I haven't lost anything.ReplyDelete
But if I read a free book and I like it then I've discovered a new author... to add to my constantly growing to read list (where free books come in handy to prevent me going bankrupt!),
Happy Blitz Day!! :)
Happy Blitz day!ReplyDelete
Great post! I really appreciate the encouragement to be thankful for what you are and have done.ReplyDelete
Happy Blog Blitz Day!
It's never a good idea to compare yourself to other authors. That's one good way to make yourself crazy. Happy Blitz Day!ReplyDelete
I admire you for having the guts to quit a job to pursue writing - kudos to you & hope you're extra successful!ReplyDelete
The free book deal is a good idea. I'm like many others who have commented (Happy Blitz Day, btw!) if I wasn't familiar with an author, I'd prefer to try something free and not be out anything other than some reading time.
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 1:43 PM
We all face these dilemmas from time to time. Keep going, you're doing a great job already. Happy Blitz day too! :)ReplyDelete
I know it is hard not to compare yourself to others. Be proud of what you accomplished. I wish I was a writer. Happy Blitz Day!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 1:46 PM
Happy Blitz Day! I can relate to your insecurities, and I have a demanding job (that I do love) that keeps me from writing a lot. Maybe someday we'll be able to write full-time . . . I guess everything happens in its own time :-)ReplyDelete
And yet I wish I were in your shoes, with 350 reviews and all . . . Happy Blitz.ReplyDelete
Well, I'm not feeling insecure, but I am feeling...BLITZ!ReplyDelete
My insecurities get the better of me all the time. My book comes out next summer, and I already have all kinds of anxiety about how it will be received. I'm also a mom to an 11-month-old, and I'm forever guilt-ridden about balancing my time between him and my writing and my housework. So.. I hear you!ReplyDelete
When I worked full time I envied those who wrote full time. I'm glad I get to be one of them now. I'm writing more than twice as fast as before.ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz!
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 1:57 PM
Firstly, happy Blitz day!ReplyDelete
Secondly, I think we have this horrible habit of comparing ourselves (usually unfavourably) to other people. I can be awful for it, I have to sit down and remind myself that I moved to a new country, I'm running multiple businesses while writing. Sure some people may seem like they're ahead of me, but I'm happy and that's what counts.
Do what works for you and makes you happy, you'll achieve your goals :)
I'd say it looks like you're doing great! While comparing yourself to someone might happen accidentally, there are just too many variables in all our lives to dwell on the final product, especially volume numbers. Now learning about marketing techniques - great idea! Happy Blitz Day.ReplyDelete
Marlene at On Writing and Riding
It's never worthwhile to compare yourself to another author. You are you and you're doing great! Happy Blitz Day!ReplyDelete
Be the best you! All that other stuff doesn't work~ Happy Blitz Day to you!ReplyDelete
Stay true to what you know. That's what counts. Happy Blitz Day:)ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 2:11 PM
I love the quote! I, too, worry too much about what other writers are accomplishing and what I am not. I recently had an internal debate about my WIP, did I want to push ahead and send it to my publisher so I could get it out to readers or did I want to fix what I know was wrong with the plot, possibly rewriting at least half of the story and in the end, very long end, have a book in my readers' hands that I could be proud of. I chose the latter because not only do I want to be proud of my work, I want to do right by my characters, which is the reason why I started writing in the first place. To get their stories out, not my own, and by rushing the edits I was doing them an injustice. It's hard to think I still have half of a year to go before my book will be ready for my publisher (so that will make it two years in between releases) and I have to keep reminding myself that I'm doing the right thing, that it doesn't matter how slow I'm writing, the end will be worth.ReplyDelete
...at least I hope it will. :/
Happy Blitz Day.
Hi J.L.! It is good to be aware of what other comparable authors are doing, but impossible to compare each others' lives. Take whatever lessons you can from what you see, but your life might be much fuller than hers is. And life has a habit of changing up on us too. Her outflow might dry up for various reasons while yours stays the same or speeds up. You never know what the future holds!ReplyDelete
It should be a motivating factor for you. You have been doing quite well even if you don;t write full time. I also feel that by giving free books you do encourage reviews but you must advertise or tell people to give their reviews. Some may not be even aware of it. They just like to read.ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day.
* i am off to check out your books.*
Regarding free books and reviews, yes, I've noticed the same thing. Some of the most unkind reviews come from people who got the book for free. Don't quite understand the psychology of that. Happy Blitz Day.ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day! I also am amazed at how many books some people can get out and the speed at which they do it, while I'm still slogging away at my first one. But then I remind myself of all the other things which have to take priority in my life right now and stop beating myself up about it.ReplyDelete
Just keep doing what you're doing! :)
I often have to remind myself not to compare myself with other people - we all do things differently, and we all have different circumstances.ReplyDelete
Happy Blog Blitz! :)
So what shall we talk about.... hmmm! I love coming to places that I can see some of my art designs... see I always make it about me. WINK! Free is not always a good thing, people sometimes don't tend to take it serious.. I hope you have a great day. I will expect you to stop over for coffee, tea... of course when you clean your blog house from the rest... :)ReplyDelete
Jeremy [Retro]
There's no earthly way of knowing.
Which direction we are going!
Well said! We're all on our own unique journey. Also, it's possible that other author had a dozen unpublished manuscripts under his/her bed and isn't as prolific as it would appear. :)ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz, J.L.!
VR Barkowski
Ah such good points! I often feel badly that I'm not doing 'enough' writing, but the truth is that I also have a very demanding job which affects how much writing I do. And that's ok, really! Right? Right!ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day :)
AJ @ Naturally Sweet
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 4:05 PM
One book is better than none, but I'm not sure 20 books is better than 10. All depends. I'm with the quality vs quantity comments. Enjoy the blitz!ReplyDelete
It's hard to compare yourself with another author. Set your goals and follow them, then celebrate each achievement along the way! Have a wonderful blitz day!ReplyDelete
Some days, I'm glad to be writing at all, though it's enormously frustrating to see the progress others have made, whether in their blogs, books, or articles published in various journals and magazines. Why can't that be me, I ask myself? And I know why it's not. I have to put in the time to get there.ReplyDelete
It's all too easy to get caught up in the comparison game, regardless of whether it's with work, family, or accomplishments. If you're writing in a way that satisfies you, continue to be satisfied with it, whether that produces one novel per year or one per decade. Have a wonderful blitz day!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 5:01 PM
I enjoyed your post because (can you say insecure much?) I'm a relatively new writer. For me, with my two little books published, it seems as though you are an incredibly prolific and successful writer. Guess it's all a matter of perspective! Anyway, hope you're having a great blitz day!ReplyDelete
I've definitely done that, but then I remember that my journey is just different - that's all there is to it.ReplyDelete
Happy writing your way! And have a wonderful blitz day!
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 5:35 PM
I've been in your shoes and compared how I'm doing to others. It never got me writing any faster. Now, I just do my best to not worry about others and try to work at my own pace.ReplyDelete
Yes! I definitely do this!ReplyDelete
It happens to me when I am researching a blog idea. I come across so many great posts that have already covered the topic. It can be deterring.
Happy Blitz Day! & a visit from a fellow IWSG member.
Great quote. I sincerely think it's far better to compare ourselves to ourself or yesterday (or a few months or years ago) than to another person. I found a great quote that said "Look in the mirror, there's your competition." I do try to remember that, because I'm guilty of this same thing - comparing myself to others when I have no idea what their actual circumstances are.ReplyDelete
Anyway...Happy Blitz Day!
I definitely do this, even though I know I shouldn't.ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day!
What a perfect day for a blitz (at least for writers)! I so relate to this blog post and to the quote. We are all in the IWSG with you. Happy Blitz Day!ReplyDelete
I think it's great that you took a step back and really looked at what was working for this other author. A measuring stick is a good thing when you want to grow. My own local writers' group is constantly observing what works for other writers in their market, and then applying it to our own work.ReplyDelete
I'm glad to drop by on Blitz Day -- I was here in April for the A to Z Challenge.
You're pretty smart to look up an author whose books are linked to yours. And Happy Blitz Day.ReplyDelete
Hello JL! It's your Blog Blitz Day!! And it's hard to not compare ourselves to others...about anything. I'm sure musicians do, and all the other passionate-about-their-work people! Have a great weekend.ReplyDelete
Congratulations on your Blitz Day, JL! I think we are socialized into believing that we are in competition with everyone else and that when one person wins, at least one other person has to lose. If there's one thing I've learned from my six months of concentrated reading is that there are a LOT of good books out there. Being on a big best-seller list is just one of the measurements. Having a book change a life, that is another. There are as many measures as there are people.ReplyDelete
Great post! It's hard not to compare ourselves to others, even though as you say we all have our own path. Happy Blitz Day! :)ReplyDelete
It is possible that the other writer had a "desk drawer full" when s/he finally sent to a publisher. There's also the quantity versus quality debate. And a possibility of a ghost writer or two eing involved. Stephen King writes every day and has a great editor. How many books does he typically release in a year? I think it's about three. JK Rowling was giving us Harry Potter at about one a year. There's always another side. You have to do what is right for you. Write at your pace and market hard.ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day. Hang in there.
- AnonymousJuly 3, 2014 at 8:44 PM
Happy Blitz Day.ReplyDelete
I would love to write full-time one day, although my day job gives me lots of ideas to write about.
Happy Blitz day!ReplyDelete
Don't we all underestimate what we do? We certainly undervalue what we've accomplish. That's especially true when you're comparing yourself to another.ReplyDelete
Don't do it.
Each of us has a process. Can't we improve the process? Sure we can. But it has to be based on what we can do and analyzing the good things we're doing and looking for ways to compete with OUR SELF to improve, not with someone else. Competing with someone else could cause you rush and a slap up product just have it out there b/c author A has one is not good.
Continue creating quality stories and putting them out there when they're ready. Readers really don't mind waiting for another good story from an author they like. But, I can tell you from personal experience, I get seriously pissed off to get my hands on the next book only to find it's a rush job and it shows.
Hang in there.
Sia McKye Over Coffee
Happy Blitz Day. Hope you find inspiration and encouragement. I know how you feel. I need to not expect so much from myself either. We can only do so much in a 24 hour period.ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day Joy!ReplyDelete
Some folks have copious amounts of free time--either through luck or diligent planning. Either way, quality beats quantity, at least in my book. Happy Blitz Day! (even if I am a tad late.)ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day! (okay yesterday, but hey, better late than never lol!) I so know what you mean, I constantly undervalue who I am and what I do. Even if someone throws a positive comment at me I feel not worthy and uncomfortable - all my life! Which I know is silly, I have accomplished some amazing things, but I think if that's in your makeup no amount of positivity will change that :(ReplyDelete
Suzanne @ Suzannes-Tribe
I'm definitely guilty of undervaluing what I am and overvaluing what I'm not. I think that's a constant struggle for many writers. It's great that you found some perspective on this rather than dwelling on the comparison between your writing career and another author's. Good for you! I need to try to keep this lesson in mind. Hope you had a lovely Blitz Day!ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 4, 2014 at 7:11 AM
So sorry I'm late in posting this: HAPPY BLITZ DAY!!ReplyDelete
You're so right, I do this all the time, although you have far less to worry about with regard to comparisons than I, as I'm still very new to this industry. One of the first lessons' I learned though was that admiring someone else can be inspirational. Comparing another's success with our (or lack there off in my case) is far from healthy and definitely not productive! Good for you.ReplyDelete
Happy Blitz Day! :).
- AnonymousJuly 4, 2014 at 8:57 AM
I recently published a post about best-selling authors who'd been rejected. I looked at the top 20 best- selling authors of all time. Most had written dozens, hundreds of books, but J.K. Rowling only 11. Just some food for thought. :) Nice IWSG post. Happy blitz day!ReplyDelete
I'm getting a lot better at valuing what I am and believing in what I can become lately- but it's taken me a LOOOOOONNG time to get here! Keep the faith, and keep writing!ReplyDelete
You are so right. We simply can't compare ourselves to others, only strive to do our best and give it all we've got.ReplyDelete
I think it's amazing you have 12 books out!! Wow!!
Happy Blitz Day Joy!! You're a superstar! :D
Gosh, yes, I compare my lack of progress to others' achievements all the time! And hey, you needn't - look at what a solid backlog of published books and stories you have out there. I'm still a fledgling. I think you're doing really well! Happy belated blog blitz day :-)ReplyDelete
I'm a bit late making my way here but wanted to visit. I'm new(ish) to blogging/writing. I keep thinking writing a book would be fun but I never actually sit and start! MY cousin writes and told me to just sit and start writing, I can always edit later. I really need to do it sometime!ReplyDelete
Hope you had a great blitz day!
Thanks for visiting! Appreciate your support.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 5, 2014 at 3:50 PM
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.ReplyDelete
- AnonymousJuly 19, 2014 at 1:09 PM
I think every writer undervalues herself and overvalues what others are, at a moment or another. I do it sometimes, when I feel down.ReplyDelete
I'd would love to have more time for my writing, but so far I haven't been able to leave my day job. I'm not overly concerned about it, because, thankfully, I do a job I like. But writing is what I want to do and I have so little time for that. Still, I write nearly every day and I'm doing a lot of work and I'm happy for that.
Thanks for the nice post.


text:
|Page tools: Print Page
The proportion of Australian businesses using information technology continues to increase. Computer use has grown steadily, from 49% of employing businesses in 1993-94 to 84% in 2000-01. Internet use has grown more rapidly, from 29% of employing businesses in 1997-98 to 69% in 2000-01. Over the same period, the proportion of businesses with web sites or home pages has more than tripled (from 6% to 22% of employing businesses).
Business use of the Internet
While the proportion of Australian businesses with access to the Internet continues to rise, the range of activities being undertaken via the Internet also increases.
At June 2000, one in every five businesses (20%) which accessed the Internet, only used it for email or to search for information. By June 2001, this had dropped to only 10% of businesses with Internet access. Between 2000 and 2001, large increases occurred in the proportion of businesses accessing the Internet to order goods and services (from 18% to 29% of businesses accessing the Internet) and banking and financial services (from 36% to 59%).
After email (92% of businesses with Internet access) and information searches (80%), the more common Internet activities by 30 June 2001 were those related to banking and financial services (59%), access to government services (57%) and purchasing-related activities (56%). Overall, 39% of businesses with Internet access used the Internet for selling-related activities. The most prevalent selling-related activity was advertising or promoting goods or services (26%), while the most prevalent purchasing-related activity was product searches (44%).
Business use of web sites
The great majority of businesses with web sites or home pages at June 2001 used their site to display information about the business (91%). An inquiry or contact facility and advertising of the products of the business (both 73%) were the next highest reported functions. While 14% of businesses with web sites offered on-line ordering, only 4% of businesses with web sites had shopping cart software and only 5% had an on-line payments facility. An estimated 5% of businesses with web sites offered secure access or secure transactions on those sites. The integration of web site technology with back-end systems, such as existing accounting and stock control software, occurred in only 3% of businesses with a web site or home page.
The significance of Internet commerce in Australia
The ABS defines Internet commerce as purchasing or selling via the Internet. More precisely, Internet commerce is either placing or receiving orders for goods and services via the Internet or web, with or without associated on-line payments.
At 30 June 2001, nearly one-quarter of all businesses (24%) had undertaken Internet commerce during the previous 12 months. These businesses were more than twice as likely to purchase via the Internet or web as they were to sell via the Internet or web (20% of all businesses compared with 9%).
The estimated value of income earned by businesses from the sale of goods and services ordered via the Internet in 2000-01 was $9.4b. This represented approximately 0.7% of the total income for that year in the industries surveyed. Readers should note that many businesses were only able to provide an estimate of their Internet income; therefore the estimated value of Internet income for all businesses should be used with caution.
Of the 61,000 businesses estimated to be receiving income from sales via the Internet in 2000-01, 32% generated less than 1% of their total income in this manner. A further 33% generated between 1% and 5% of their total income via the Internet, while 35% of businesses generated at least 5% of their total income via the Internet. Only 7% of these businesses generated 50% or more of their total income from sales via the Internet.
Barriers to greater use of information technology by businesses
While the level of use of computer and Internet technology appeared to be relatively high among Australian businesses by June 2001, one in six businesses did not use a computer and nearly one-third of all businesses did not have access to the Internet. Use of web sites was much lower, with over three out of every four businesses not having a web site or home page. It is clearly of interest to know why some businesses are not embracing information technology at even the most basic level.
The most commonly reported barrier to using information technology, whether a computer, the Internet or a web site, was the perception by the business that the technology was 'not suited to the nature of the business'. In each of the last three surveys, this has been the most common reason reported by businesses.
At June 2001, nearly 37% of the businesses not using a computer reported that computer use was not suited to the nature of the business, while 23% identified lack of skills or appropriate training as a barrier to computer use. For businesses without Internet access, the most frequent reason given was that Internet access did not suit the nature of the business (44%) followed by a lack of interest in having Internet access (18%). The most frequent reason given for not using a web site or home page within a business was also that it did not suit the nature of the business (48% of businesses without a web site/home page).
Benefits of Internet or web selling
The 2000-01 survey also asked businesses involved in Internet or web selling to report the effect on their business. Overall, 86% reported a benefit to the business. About two-thirds (63%) of businesses reported that the ability to sell goods or services via the Internet or web had increased trading outside their local area. Other important effects were increased trading outside normal business hours (61%) and increased efficiency of business procedures (57%). On the other hand, 68% of businesses reported either an increase or no change to business costs.


text:
Personalise your motor vehicle number plate
About personalising your number plate
You can apply to personalise your motor vehicle number plate with any combination of numeric or alpha characters of your choice [subject to the approval of the Member of the Executive Committee's (MEC)], provided that the number is available and is not offensive.
Your chosen name/number may not exceed 7 characters [excluding the provincial mark] and must comply with the requirements of a normal number plate (e.g. it must display the logo of the province) and be displayed in the same manner as the normal number plate. The name/number you use will not be duplicated by someone else.
What you should do
Go to your nearest registering authority and complete an application form that will be provided by them.
- a certified copy of your identity document
- a vehicle registration certificate
- Proof of postal and residential address e.g. utility account. If the utility bill is not in your name, the owner of the bill must make an affidavit declaring that you live at the address and the utility bill must be attached to the affidavit.
- If you stay at an informal settlement, you must bring a letter with an official date stamp from the ward councillor confirming your postal and residential address
Pay the required fee.
How long does it take
The application is processed on the same day.
How much does it cost
Contact your local registering authority for the cost. The fee for each province differs.
Forms to complete
Forms are obtainable at the registering authority.