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Exporting the Bookmark Settings in Mozilla Firefox
There are many ways that you can store the bookmarks settings of your Firefox web browser. This is extremely useful, if you are going to uninstall Firefox, and then reinstall it for some reason (say you might be about to format your C-drive). And, like most things in life, there is a short-cut way to do this, and there is a longer way. This article lists out the steps involved in both routes.
Method 1. The shorter way.
- Launch Firefox web browser.
- Navigate to Bookmarks -> Organise Bookmarks.
- A new dialog will open up, which has all the bookmarks listed under various categories. In the toolbar to the top, click on Import and Backup, and select the Export HTML option from the drop-down menu.
- Select an appropriate folder where you want to save the bookmark.html file (you can change the file name if you wish), and then click on Save.
- Exit Firefox.
Method 2. The longer way.
- Enable the option for viewing hidden files in Windows Explorer. [If you don't know how to do it, you can get the instructions here.]
- Now, you have to go to the folder:
C:\Documents and Settings\<user profile name>\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\ Profiles\ <string of random characters>.default\
The .default folder will have a few random characters as the file name like wcgyadfg.default.
- Now, select the bookmark.html that is most recent – and right-click on it.
- Copy this file and then Paste in on your Desktop.
In both cases, when you launch the newly installed Firefox browser, you can either Import the bookmark.html file that you export/paste on Desktop; or you can copy paste the same file in the folder that you accessed in Step 2 of Method 2. This will ensure that your previous bookmark settings are loaded on to the new Firefox, and you can browse with ease.


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Could Justice Alito vote to strike down Section 3 of DOMA?
By Scottie Thomaston
One of the more intriguing aspects of the oral argument in United States v. Windsor was the role Justice Alito played in the conversation. At least in reading the transcript, it was unclear at times whether Alito was hostile or even skeptical of Windsor's arguments against Section 3 of DOMA. He put forward several hypothetical questions that more or less gave away that he believes Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional, and left little for the defenders of the law to latch onto.
Justice Alito is relatively new to the Court, and no gay rights case has been decided since he joined. During his confirmation hearings, it was discovered that he had joined a task force in college that recommended privacy rights for gays and lesbians, and decriminalizing same-sex intimacy. His history before joining the Supreme Court, though, was fairly socially conservative. He's most well-known for authoring an opinion in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Planned Parenthood v. Casey suggesting that the entire law limiting abortion in that case should have been upheld; the Supreme Court ultimately disagreed with his dissent in the case, and re-affirmed that there is a "liberty" found in the Fourteenth Amendment that includes the right to an abortion. He had only addressed gay rights tangentially, in a case involving a gay student who had faced bullying. He ruled in favor of the student.
His first question in Windsor came in response to a comment from the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group's (BLAG) attorney Paul Clement that Congress created DOMA "with the traditional definition of marriage in mind" to use as essentially a template. Alito asks:
Suppose we look just at the estate tax provision that's at issue in this case, which provides specially favorable treatment to a married couple as opposed to any other individual or economic unit. What was the purpose of that? Was the purpose of that really to foster traditional marriage, or was Congress just looking for a convenient category to capture households that function as a unified economic unit?
In other words, was the point of a law written to regulate a "marriage" or a "spouse" to further traditional marriage, as BLAG contends, (which would make DOMA's use of the traditional definition seem to be common sense) or was it just for simplicity and convenience in laws intended to regulate certain households (which would, if true, seem to mean that DOMA actually complicates 1,138 federal laws)?
Clement, for his part, responded to that question by suggesting uniformity is important in defining something like marriage so that all states are treated the same, and Justice Sotomayor pointed out that it's not uniformity, that "New York's married couples are different than Nebraska's" under BLAG's view.
Later, Clement, in response to Justice Kennedy's questions on whether Section 3 of DOMA involves questions of federalism, suggested that regulating marriage "is not what DOMA does", rather, it defines a term (marriage) in order to provide certain benefits. Justice Alito then asked, essentially, why didn't the definition in DOMA use a neutral term for providing benefits, instead of defining who is married?
He asked, and commented, specifically:
Well, Congress could have achieved exactly what it achieved under Section 3 by excising the term "married" from the United States Code and replacing it with something more neutral. It could have said "certified domestic units," and then defined this in exactly the way that Section 3 — exactly the way DOMA defines "marriage." Would that make a difference? In that instance, the Federal Government wouldn't be purporting to say who is married and who is not married; it would be saying who is entitled to various Federal benefits and burdens based on a Federal definition.
My read of this question is that it's as if he's asking whether it's even rational for Congress to define marriage as such, instead of creating benefits under a (nondiscriminatory) label unrelated to marriage, and using whatever definition it chooses, because avoiding defining marriage when states could and are changing the definition now, may make more sense. It could be that he was just asking a question that another Justice had, as a way to get a definite response to someone else's worry, but in light of the rest of his questions during the argument, it came off as more skeptical of defining marriage in the way that DOMA does, across so many statutes.
When Solicitor General Donald Verrilli, Jr., made his presentation, Justice Alito asked him about DOMA's effects on gay military servicemembers in same-sex marriages:
Can I take you back to the example that you began with, where a member of the military is injured. So let's say three soldiers are injured and they are all in same-sex relationships, and in each instance the other partner in this relationship wants to visit the soldier in a hospital. First is a spouse in a State that allows same-sex marriage, the second is a domestic partner in a State that an allows that but not same-sex marriage, the third is in an equally committed loving relationship in a State that doesn't involve either. Now, your argument is that under Federal law the first would be admitted, should be admitted, but the other two would be kept out?
When Verrilli suggested that the question is "whether Congress has a sufficiently persuasive justification for the exclusion that it has imposed" and that they could only find a justification under the most lenient form of rational basis the Court could use, Justice Alito said:
Let me take you back to the example. Your — your position seems to me, yes, one [gay spouse of a military servicemember] gets in, two stay out, even though your legal arguments would lead to the conclusion that they all should be treated the same.
There was then a discussion and Justice Scalia became involved in this line of questioning, and seemed to imply that it supports a view that the Government's view of the merits is incorrect. But generally, if a Justice were hostile to an equal protection argument based on gay sexual orientation, it doesn't seem to make sense that the Justice would use an example of gay military servicemembers married to a same-sex spouse and harmed by the law, and possibly by other laws. If nothing else, it's counter-intuitive to any claim that there's no valid argument against the law's constitutionality, just because it's counter-intuitive to invoke sympathetic figures if someone is making the opposite point entirely.
Most of Justice Alito's questions to attorney Roberta Kaplan, arguing for Edith Windsor, involved Section 2 of DOMA, rather than Section 3. Section 2 is, of course, not at issue in this case. It's the one that says a state does not have to recognize another state's same-sex marriage unless it chooses to do so.
Alito asks a question about a hypothetical case involving, essentially, that section, and then adds:
What would be - would that be discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation? What would be the level of scrutiny? Would it survive?
Kaplan suggested that it would be a different case, and pointed to the Prop 8 arguments as more similar to the type of hypothetical Justice Alito was attempting to address. She then suggested it should be reviewed under a heightened form of judicial scrutiny.
That was the end of Justice Alito's questioning at that point. He seemed near the end to get hung up on issues surrounding Section 2 and the question of the level of scrutiny that should be applied to a fact setting that could require a state to recognize another state's marriage, if Kaplan's or Verrilli's arguments are accepted. Since he made no follow-up comments or asked no follow-up questions, it's unclear whether that position would make him uncomfortable or if he sees it as a logical and necessary extension of the arguments made against Section 3.
In the end, it's intriguing. Based on a fair reading of the transcript, he seems to be less hostile to arguments to strike down Section 3 of DOMA than would have been expected from a noted social conservative. Interestingly, he also seemed to be a lot less interested in the federalism arguments raised by Kennedy and others. He seemed to avoid addressing those at all in his questioning. He appeared to focus solely on the equal protection aspects of the case.
But his initial questions seemed to hint that he doesn't think that laws which mention "marriage" or mention a "spouse" in a marriage necessarily were designed to further the opposite-sex definition of marriage. His questioning hinted that a better explanation is that laws addressing a marriage or a spouse who is part of a marriage are in fact meant to simply regulate unified households. If that's true, it's hard to see how the definition of marriage actually used in DOMA uncomplicates things. DOMA's definition, based on answers to Justice Alito's questions, seems to create another layer of regulation on top of the statutes that involve marriages and spouses.
In the event that at least five Justices believe the Court has jurisdiction in this case, we will know whether there are five votes to strike down Section 3 of DOMA on the merits, or if there are some surprises and potentially a broad vote to strike down the law. Either way, it doesn't appear that Section 3 of DOMA will live much longer than June of this year.

subset: commoncrawl


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ABB Advance Makes Renewable-Energy Supergrids Practical
ABB, the large power and automation company, has developed technology that could provide an efficient way to transmit power from widely distributed solar panels, wind turbines, and other sources of renewable energy. The new technology is a fast and efficient circuit breaker for high-voltage direct-current (DC) power lines, a device that has eluded technologists for 100 years. The breaker makes it possible to join high-voltage DC transmission lines to form a resilient power grid.
If renewable energy is ever to account for a large part of the total energy supply, countries will need to install new, large-scale transmission grids, both to get power to cities from remote areas such as deserts that often have the best renewable resources, and to combine power from widely distributed wind turbines and solar panels, which can help average out fluctuations in their output. In Europe, there's been talk for years of a supergrid that would pull together power from hydroelectric dams in Scandinavia with wind farms in Germany and large solar farms in Spain and even North Africa (see "A Supergrid for Europe").
But such a supergrid has faced serious technical hurdles. The transmission lines that make up conventional power grids use alternating current (AC), which loses large amounts of power over long distances unless complicated and expensive measures are taken. DC is more efficient over long distances, and it offers the additional benefit of working well underground and underwater, reducing or eliminating the need for the unsightly transmission towers that can make it difficult to site new transmission lines.
DC lines have long been used to transmit power across the North Sea, and from large hydroelectric dams to cities. But until ABB's advance, it wasn't safe to connect DC lines into a large-scale grid.
ABB's circuit breaker changes that. Within five milliseconds it can stop the flow of a huge amount of power—equal to the entire output of a nuclear power plant, ABB says. The breakers could be used to nearly instantaneously reroute power in a DC grid around a problem, allowing the grid to keep functioning. "Ordinarily, if something goes wrong anywhere, all the power goes off," says Claes Rytoft, ABB's chief technology officer. "The breaker can cut out the faulty line and keep the rest healthy."
Researchers have been trying to develop high-voltage DC circuit breakers for a century (see "Edison's Revenge: The Rise of DC Power"). Mechanical switches alone didn't work—they shut off power too slowly. Power electronics made of transistors that can switch on and off large amounts of power offered a possible solution, but they proved far too inefficient. ABB's solution combines power electronics with a mechanical switch to create a hybrid system that's both fast and efficient. The new circuit breaker could also be far less expensive than systems that use only transistors.
"The cost of the power electronics breaker was humongous," says Ram Adapa, a power delivery technical leader at the Electric Power Research Institute. "The hybrid breaker should be less costly."
With the major hurdle to DC grids out of the way, ABB is now developing algorithms to control them. The system will still need to work in concert with AC lines for distributing the power in local communities, since there is no inexpensive DC equivalent of the transformers needed to step down power to the relatively low voltages used in homes and businesses. One of the first markets for the new technology could be Germany, which has decided to turn off its nuclear power plants and rely heavily on renewable energy (see "The Great German Energy Experiment").
The degree to which high-voltage DC grids can help renewables may depend on the economics of installing underground cables versus overhead lines. Obtaining rights-of-way is one of the biggest obstacles to installing new transmission lines in many countries, and underground installations don't require obtaining new rights-of-way, since they can be easily installed along existing roadways. ABB says that when the entire system cost is taken into account, underground installations are only slightly more expensive than overhead ones. But Adapa is skeptical, saying that underground installations could cost five times as much.
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Shank Screw Used
Rohm G, RG 10
Röhm GesellschaftRohm GesellschaftRöhm GmbHRohm GmbHUMAREX GmbH & Co. KG of Arnsberg
When buying an item, you agree to the EBAY rules for buyers and that:
You are responsible for reading the full item listing before making a bid or commitment to buy.
You enter into a legally binding contract to purchase an item when you commit to buy an item, your offer for an item is accepted, or if you have the winning bid (or your bid is otherwise accepted).
May 10, 2019


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Federal government jobs fell by 4,200 in February, the fifth month in a row those jobs have been zapped from the economy. And, thanks to the automatic budget cuts, it's going to get worse.
In contrast to gains in the private sector, a total of 33,000 federal worker jobs have been lost since January 2012 -- and that does not include jobs at the Postal Service, which is in the midst of a crisis of its own.
"These job losses are a preview of the effects of sequestration, because it's already taken place in some agencies and will likely continue with more spending reductions," said Stephen Fuller, director of the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University.
The wane in federal jobs is due largely to workers leaving federal agencies facing about $1.2 trillion in budget cuts over the next 10 years, Fuller said. Federal agencies have been freezing jobs as workers retire or leave for the private sector.
On top of that, February ushered in a massive layoff of federal workers on short-term contracts at the Defense Department. Those losses will continue through April, according to agency memos.
On March 1, $85 billion of forced federal budget cuts, dubbed sequestration, kicked in, promising further federal job losses, economists say.
"I would expect to continue to see erosion in federal worker jobs, as disgruntled workers decide to bail for the private sector and federal agencies are told not to backfill jobs," Fuller said.
Federal spending and hiring has been on a downward slope. In 2011, federal dollars spent on both defense and non-defense contracts fell for the first time in 31 years.
The cutbacks have been particularly sharp for the Washington, D.C., area, which has lost more than 8,900 jobs over the past 20 months, Fuller said.
Aerospace and defense contractors have also been feeling the pain for months. Gross domestic product slipped for the first time in four years in the fourth quarter of 2012, largely from defense spending cutbacks.
"It's incredibly ironic that just as the private sector seems poised to take off, cutbacks in federal spending are slamming the brakes on growth," said Dan Stohr, spokesman for the Aerospace Industries Association. "The cuts will have a ripple effect through the economy, triggering significant layoffs and potentially putting national security at risk."
Related: Unemployment rate falls to lowest level since 2008
For the 800,000 civilians in the federal defense workforce, the cuts have been brutal. They've prompted the Pentagon to lay off 46,000 short-term and contract employees, a process that was in full force in February.
The Pentagon also started issuing furlough notices to unions last week, warning that workers would be forced to stay at home without pay for up to 22 days.
Jesus Ramos, 43, joined the ranks of unemployed federal workers on Feb. 27, his one-year anniversary as a supply technician at Pearl Harbor naval station.
He said that his captain had written letters declaring his crew was "mission essential," a move that might have allowed Ramos to stay put. "But it was above the captain's head. They cut me off at noon," said the father of two.
A veteran who spent 20 years with the Marines, Ramos said he's applying to all sorts of employers, including Hawaiian Airlines and contractors in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"I'm a Marine, so when it comes to leadership, management, whatever it is, I can do it," he said.


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Margarita. Age: 26. My name is Margarita. I am a sexy and naughty girl. Sweet, sexy, friendly and outgoing. I will definitely make you feel Happy, Relaxed. I offer an Amazing service. I'm Pretty Girl with a fantastic Body!


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Pengins' Malkin wins Hart Trophy
Geno and the Swedes were hockey's biggest winners in Vegas.
Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin won the Hart Trophy on Wednesday night, becoming the NHL's most valuable player for the first time. Three Swedish players also claimed major trophies at the annual NHL Awards postseason ceremony, but the Penguins' Russian superstar claimed three awards for himself.
Malkin won the Hart for the first time at the Wynn Las Vegas casino, beating out Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist and Tampa Bay scorer Steven Stamkos. Malkin also collected the Art Ross Trophy as the league scoring champion and the Ted Lindsay Award from his fellow NHLPA members as the NHL's best player.
''It's the best day of my life,'' said Malkin, known to teammates and fans as Geno. ''It's very exciting.''
Malkin gathered the Hart, Ross and Lindsay awards next to him after the ceremony, only occasionally struggling in his ever-improving English to express his excitement. Malkin's 109-point season and steady leadership were even more impressive because he largely did it without teammate Sidney Crosby, who played just 22 games after his comeback from a concussion.
''I can't believe I'm sitting here, and around me there are three trophies,'' Malkin said. ''It's an unbelievable day for me.''
Malkin, who turns 26 next month, edged out Stamkos and Lundqvist, who still won the Vezina Trophy for the first time.
Lundqvist's win in his fourth Vezina nomination topped the impressive list of Swedish winners. Ottawa's Erik Karlsson won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's top defenseman, and Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog won the Calder Trophy as the top rookie.
Ottawa captain Daniel Alfredsson also won the King Clancy Trophy for humanitarian contributions to hockey.
''For sure, it's a great year for Sweden,'' Lundqvist said.
St. Louis also had a pretty good day in Vegas: Ken Hitchcock won the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL's top coach for the first time in his lengthy career, while Blues general manager Doug Armstrong was selected he league's top executive. Blues goalies Jaroslav Halak and Brian Elliott also picked up their Jennings Trophy for allowing the fewest goals in the regular season.
Boston forward Patrice Bergeron won his first Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward. Florida's Brian Campbell became the first defenseman since 1954 to win the Lady Byng Trophy for sportsmanlike play, and Montreal forward Max Pacioretty won the Masterton Trophy for his comeback from serious injury.
But the spotlight was on Malkin, who won his first MVP award after arguably the most impressive season of his six-year career in Pittsburgh.
Malkin had a career-high 50 goals and 59 assists while carrying the Penguins during the extended injury absence of 2007 Hart winner Crosby. Malkin was the NHL's only 100-point scorer this season and the first scoring champion in a decade to win a second title despite being almost every opponent's top defensive target whenever they faced the Penguins.
Malkin also grew into a more prominent role outside of Crosby's shadow.
''Every year I'm a little bit more comfortable,'' he said. ''I learn English, watch TV, go out with friends and teammates. I love this sport. I like my teammates, and I want to be the best.''
Malkin scored eight points in the Penguins' six-game loss to Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs. The four-time NHL All-Star then was named the MVP of the IIHF World Championships last month after leading the undefeated Russian team to the title.
Malkin was a Hart finalist for the third time. He won the vote over Stamkos, who already had wrapped up the Richard Trophy with an NHL-best 60 goals.
Lundqvist didn't seem disappointed about losing out on the Hart after the Rangers' tireless goalie finally claimed the Vezina. He went 39-18-5 with eight shutouts, a 1.97 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage while repeatedly keeping New York on track to the Eastern Conference's best record.
Lundqvist beat out Nashville's Pekka Rinne and Los Angeles' Jonathan Quick, who got two better prizes last week when he won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the NHL's playoff MVP for backstopping the Kings to their first championship.
Karlsson appeared overwhelmed by his selection as the NHL's best defenseman. The 22-year-old had a big week, agreeing to a seven-year contract extension worth $45.5 million on Tuesday before beating out Boston's Zdeno Chara and Nashville's Shea Weber for his first Norris.
''It's a huge honor,'' said Karlsson, who led all defensemen with 78 points in his breakout season for the Senators. ''I couldn't be more happy than I am right now. I've never been a part of something this big, and it's something that took me by surprise a little bit.''
Karlsson also recognized the symbolism of winning the Norris in the same offseason as the retirement of Niklas Lidstrom, his fellow Swede and a seven-time Norris winner, including last season. Lidstrom retired from the Detroit Red Wings on May 31 after a 20-year career.
''He really took the game to another level and showed people how to play fun hockey,'' Karlsson said. ''It's an honor to be mentioned in the same way.''
Landeskog, who beat out Edmonton's Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and New Jersey playoff hero Adam Henrique for the Calder, had 22 goals and 30 assists for the Avalanche, who chose him with the second overall pick in last summer. The former Ontario Hockey League forward had little trouble adjusting to the NHL grind, playing in all 82 games for Colorado.
''To me, Ryan would have won it if he didn't get hurt, and if you counted the playoffs, Adam would have won it,'' Landeskog said. ''I'm just trying to enjoy it, trying to soak it all in.''
Bergeron beat out St. Louis captain David Backes and Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, a three-time Selke winner. Boston's defensive stopper had 22 goals and 42 assists for the Bruins while racking up a plus-36 rating as a dominant two-way player.
''Ever since I was probably 12 years old, I never wanted to get scored on when I was on the ice,'' said Bergeron, a Stanley Cup champion in 2011.
Pacioretty broke a vertebra in his back and incurred a concussion on a hit from Chara on March 8, 2011, knocking him out for the season. He returned to the Canadiens last fall and had 33 goals and 32 assists for his most productive pro season.
The 60-year-old Hitchcock was recognized for his remarkable turnaround job in St. Louis, where he took over for Davis Payne 13 games into the season and turned the Blues into the Western Conference's No. 2 team, winning the Central Division and reaching the second round of the playoffs.
Hitchcock has a Stanley Cup ring from Dallas in 1999, but hadn't won the Adams Trophy in three previous nominations.
''I'll keep doing this for as long as I feel like I have the energy,'' Hitchcock said. ''This year was just great.''


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What better way to continue Valentine's week than a real love story. After 10 years together Winnie married her best friend Wallen on October 14, 2012 in Oakland, California. The couple was married at the Mills College Chapel followed by a reception at East Ocean in Alameda. "We ended up having one of the best days of our lives that day. We often look back and dream about our wedding. We have so many fond memories and laughter from our wedding day!"
The beautiful bride was married in an Alencon lace sweetheart mermaid gown in ivory (Style 5803). We loved working with Winnie and were very touched when she told us the following: "I cannot stress how thankful I am to have had you as my designer. I love my wedding dress and how perfect it fit me! I cannot wait to wear it again during our 10 year wedding anniversary. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU."
Thank you Winnie! We wish you and Wallen a lifetime of love.
Images courtesy of Alison Yin Photography.


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Ride with friends and family during AMA Go Ride! Month, Week 2
AMA Go Ride! Month enters its second week today with AMA Go Ride Together! Week, when AMA members and clubs celebrate riding with family, friends and co-workers.
There are plenty of opportunities on tap to observe the theme of AMA Go Ride Together! Week. The AMA Yamaha Super Ténéré Adventure Riding Series includes incredible "High Adventure, No Hassle" rides in some of the country's most scenic riding areas, and the AMA Husqvarna National Dual-Sport Series features the America's best-organized dual-sport rides. Check them out at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Riding/Dirt/EventsAndSeries/NationalAdventureRide.aspx and www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Riding/Dirt/EventsAndSeries/NationalDualSport/NationalDualSportSchedule.aspx.
For the best street rallies and tours, look no further than the AMA Premier Touring Series. Whether you're looking to rub shoulders with thousands of like-minded riders or just hang out with your friends, the AMA has it all at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/Riding/Street/PremierTouringSeries.aspx.
Cool weekly and monthly prizes from AMA Benefit Partners — Avis, BikeBandit.com, ColorRite, Cortech, FLY Street and FLY Racing, PowerTye, Red Roof Inns and Tour Master — make AMA Go Ride! Month even more exciting.
During AMA Go Ride Together! Week, FLY apparel is providing gift certificate prizes for both street and dirt riders. Anyone who "likes" or comments on a post on the AMA Facebook page by 4:45 p.m. EDT on April 11 is eligible to win. One winner for each gift certificate will be chosen at random.
"Freedom Friday" is another highlight of AMA Go Ride! Month, when the AMA champions America's motorcycling freedoms. The Freedom Friday focus is on motorcycle-only checkpoints during AMA Go Ride Together! Week. Look for AMA posts regarding motorcycle-only checkpoint legislation and current events to like and comment on to be entered into the Freedom Friday contest. AMA Member Benefit Partner Avis is providing a rental car voucher to a lucky winner in the Freedom Friday Contest. Details will be provided on the AMA Facebook page and the winner will be selected by random drawing at 4:45 p.m. EDT on April 11.
For the AMA Go Ride! Month Grand Prize, one overall winner will be chosen from everyone who "likes" or comments on an AMA Facebook page post between March 31 and 4:45 p.m. on Friday, May 2. The prize package includes a FLY Racing Roller Grande gear bag, a Cortech Super 2.0 8-liter tank bag, a $100 gift certificate from BikeBandit.com, a Rental car voucher from Avis and one night's lodging from Red Roof Inns.
Contestants do not have to be AMA members to win and can enter as often as they wish during AMA Go Ride! Month. Contest rules are posted on the AMA website: www.americanmotorcyclist.com/GoRideContest. Updates will be available on the AMA Facebook page.
Not an AMA member? Join now at www.americanmotorcyclist.com/join.
Connect with the AMA, AMA members and other active motorcyclists on the AMA's social media channels, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/americanmotorcyclist), Twitter (@AMA_Rights, @AMA_Riding and @AMA_Racing), Instagram (@AMA_Racing, @AMA_Riding), YouTube (www.youtube.com/americanmotorcyclist), Google+ ("American Motorcyclist Association") and LinkedIn ("American Motorcyclist Association").


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By David Crane
defrev (at) gmail (dot) com
October 1, 2009
What do you get when you combine a (wheeled) manpackable mini-UGV (Unmanned Ground Vehicle) / ground robot with a flee-type (or grasshopper-type) jumping capability? You get the Precision Urban Hopper (PUH) jumping UGV. The Precision Urban Hopper, brought to you by the friendly folks at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), weigs 6.5 lbs and is reminiscent of the USMC's Dragon Runner mini UGV with respect to its appearance and ruggedness. However, it one-ups Dragon Runner with it's ability to leap tall obstacles with a single bound. The PUH can supposedly jump as high as 25 feet.
Wired Danger Room's David Hambling writes that the Precision Urban Hopper's jumping mechanism is like an "explosive pogo stick". The mechanism "uses methyl acetylene-propadiene gas as fuel and nitrous oxide as an oxidizer, igniting the combination with a glow plug", Hambling writes. Of course, Hambling neglects to explain what a glow plug is, so we had to look it up. According to Wikipedia, a glow plug is similar to a spark plug. It's purpose is to ignite fuel in the very small internal combustion engines typically utilized by model aircraft. However, in the case of the electrically powered Precision Urban Hopper, the glow plug is just used to ignite the binary fuel inside the jumping mechanism.
According to Mark Peterson of DARPA, the Hopper's three key developmental aspects are its hybrid rolling/hopping design, miniaturization, and high-precision valves. He told Danger Room the following: "With these improved valving technologies, researchers are now able to precisely meter fluid fuels and oxidizers into the piston systems, and accurately provide the needed energy to hop the vehicle to an exact spot." Thus the "precision" moniker.
Hopping the PUH over a fence or onto a roof is one thing, but we're skeptical about Hambling's contention that it "can even pop through (open) windows". We'll believe that when we see it, since Hambling doesn't explain how that is accomplished. Does the PUH's camera have a reticle that the operator can place on a target spot and literally jump the robot to that spot? We don't know, since Hambling doesn't explain this. Also, will the jumping mechanism operate on both sides of the robot, or is it side-specific? In other words, does the robot have to right itself to one side, i.e. flip itself over before it can jump?
Whatever the case, the Precision Urban Hopper mini UGV/ground robot is interesting, but we're curious as to why the folks at DARPA decided to go with wheels a la Dragon Runner instead of tracks a la iRobot PackBot and Foster-Miller Talon Robot/SWORDS. Perhaps it's easier to jump a wheeled robot than a tracked robot for some reason? Is a tracked robot inherently heavier or not capable of handling the landing impact? Do tracks have too much ground friction for the onboard power supply? We don't know.
A DARPA budget document states that the "surgical lethality and/or Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) to any point of the urban jungle while remaining lightweight, small and expendable." Expendable, huh? I wouldn't wanna' be the guy who loses it. I'm not so sure the higher-ups will understand. Also, the robot's pretty small, so unless you stick some C4 plastic explosive inside it (maybe line it with it?) and turn it into a remote-controlled mini robotic suicide/homicide bomber, we're skeptical about it's lethality. Remember, it's small, weighs only 6.5 pounds, and has to be able to jump around. That severely curtails its lethal weapons payload capacity. More weight means it will require more battery and jumping power.
DefenseReview doesn't yet know how the Precision Urban Hopper (PUH) compares to DARPA's Urban Ops Hopper (UOH) UGV. Dr. Larry Stotts is the program manager for UOH.
Click here to watch a quick video of the Precision Urban Hopper UGV hopping over a fence.
Click here to read more about the history of hopping robot development at Sandia National Laboratories.
Sandia's been working on "hoppers" since 1997, thanks to Rush Robinett of Sandia's Intelligent Systems and Robotics Center (ISRC). Robinett conceived of the jumping robot idea as he was catching grasshoppers to use as bait while on a fishing trip. "I noticed they jump around in a random fashion, hit the ground in an arbitrary orientation, right themselves, and jump again," he says. "I said to myself: 'I can make a robot do that." So, I guess that answers my question several paragraphs up about whether or not the robot has to first right itself before jumping.
Organization Contact Info:
Barry Spletzer
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL)
(505) 845-9835
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.sandia.gov


text:
Logitech has unveiled a new keyboard designed to solve one of the oldest problems known to PC users everywhere: the dreaded soda splash. The PC accessory maker's new Logitech K310 washable keyboard is promising to alleviate your worries about dumping a cola, coffee, water or other beverage all over your precious typing space. With the K310, all you'll have to do is unplug the keyboard from your PC's USB port, wash it with mild soap and water, let it dry and resume typing — assuming your PC or laptop didn't get splashed in the process.
The advantage of a washable keyboard is something I know about all too well. My heart sunk this year when a soda can slipped out of my hand and dumped its full contents all over my Lenovo X220. Thanks to the X220's spill resistant design, my computer came away unscathed, but I ended up spending $40 on eBay to replace the keyboard for my laptop.
Now for the same price as my keyboard replacement, Logitech is promising a keyboard you can soak without worrying about destroying it. The K310 is a full-size keyboard with number pad that features laser printed and UV coated keys that won't lose their lettering from repeated washings. The hand-wash only keyboard can be submerged in up to 11 inches of water and features drainage holes on the underside for faster drying times.
The K310 can stand up to water as hot as 120 degrees, but since you can't get the USB cable wet Logitech's new keyboard is definitely not dishwasher safe. You also don't want to wash the keyboard with anything other than a mild dish soap, Logitech warns.
The K310 is available for pre-order for $40 on Logitech.com.
Logitech K310:
Connect with Ian Paul (@ianpaul) on Twitter and Google+, and with Today@PCWorld on Twitter for the latest tech news and analysis.


text:
The Byzantine Gem Chain
24k gold plated Silverd & hand woven Garnet gems. The design is inspired from ancient byzantine jewelry.
- Handcrafted and finished by artisans in istanbul, Turkey's Grand bazaar.
- 100% recycled pure 925 Sterling Silver / bronze. 10 micra 24 karat gold vermeil.
- Every design comes with a unique story.
Each piece is unique and might vary slightly from portrayed images due to hand made craftsmanship and natural gems. Avoid exposing your jewelry to corrosive agents that will deteriorate its brightness and color: fresh and salt water, soaps, perfumes, disinfectants, creams or products with alcohol, sweat, sun, etc. Proper use and care will ensure that your jewelry lasts in perfect condition.
This product has limited units available. If you can't find your size or your desired item is out of stock, contact us.


text:
Good News Translation
The Triumphant Entry into Jerusalem
(Mark 11.1-11; Luke 19.28-40; John 12.12-19)
1As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage at the Mount of Olives. There Jesus sent two of the disciples on ahead 2with these instructions: "Go to the village there ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied up with her colt beside her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3And if anyone says anything, tell him, 'The Master+ needs them'; and then he will let them go at once."
4This happened in order to make come true what the prophet had said:
Look, your king is coming to you!
He is humble and rides on a donkey
and on a colt, the foal of a donkey."
6So the disciples went and did what Jesus had told them to do: 7they brought the donkey and the colt, threw their cloaks over them, and Jesus got on. 8A large crowd of people spread their cloaks on the road while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds walking in front of Jesus and those walking behind began to shout, "Praise to David's Son! God bless him who comes in the name of the Lord! Praise be to God!"
10When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was thrown into an uproar. "Who is he?" the people asked.
11"This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee," the crowds answered.
Jesus Goes to the Temple
(Mark 11.15-19; Luke 19.45-48; John 2.13-22)
12Jesus went into the Temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the moneychangers and the stools of those who sold pigeons, 13 and said to them, "It is written in the Scriptures that God said, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer.' But you are making it a hideout for thieves!"
14The blind and the crippled came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. 15The chief priests and the teachers of the Law became angry when they saw the wonderful things he was doing and the children shouting in the Temple, "Praise to David's Son!" 16 So they asked Jesus, "Do you hear what they are saying?"
"Indeed I do," answered Jesus. "Haven't you ever read this scripture? 'You have trained children and babies to offer perfect praise.'"
17Jesus left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
(Mark 11.12-14,20-24)
18On his way back to the city early next morning, Jesus was hungry. 19He saw a fig tree by the side of the road and went to it, but found nothing on it except leaves. So he said to the tree, "You will never again bear fruit!" At once the fig tree dried up.
20The disciples saw this and were astounded. "How did the fig tree dry up so quickly?" they asked.
21 Jesus answered, "I assure you that if you believe and do not doubt, you will be able to do what I have done to this fig tree. And not only this, but you will even be able to say to this hill, 'Get up and throw yourself in the sea,' and it will. 22If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
The Question about Jesus' Authority
(Mark 11.27-33; Luke 20.1-8)
23Jesus came back to the Temple; and as he taught, the chief priests and the elders came to him and asked, "What right do you have to do these things? Who gave you such right?"
24Jesus answered them, "I will ask you just one question, and if you give me an answer, I will tell you what right I have to do these things. 25Where did John's right to baptize come from: was it from God or from human beings?"
They started to argue among themselves, "What shall we say? If we answer, 'From God,' he will say to us, 'Why, then, did you not believe John?' 26But if we say, 'From human beings,' we are afraid of what the people might do, because they are all convinced that John was a prophet." 27So they answered Jesus, "We don't know."
And he said to them, "Neither will I tell you, then, by what right I do these things.
The Parable of the Two Sons
28"Now, what do you think? There was once a man who had two sons. He went to the older one and said, 'Son, go and work in the vineyard today.' 29'I don't want to,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. 'Yes, sir,' he answered, but he did not go. 31Which one of the two did what his father wanted?"
"The older one," they answered.
So Jesus said to them, "I tell you: the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going into the Kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John the Baptist came to you showing you the right path to take, and you would not believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. Even when you saw this, you did not later change your minds and believe him.
The Parable of the Tenants in the Vineyard
(Mark 12.1-12; Luke 20.9-19)
33 "Listen to another parable," Jesus said. "There was once a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a hole for the wine press, and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to tenants and left home on a trip. 34When the time came to gather the grapes, he sent his slaves to the tenants to receive his share of the harvest. 35The tenants grabbed his slaves, beat one, killed another, and stoned another. 36Again the man sent other slaves, more than the first time, and the tenants treated them the same way. 37Last of all he sent his son to them. 'Surely they will respect my son,' he said. 38But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the owner's son. Come on, let's kill him, and we will get his property!' 39So they grabbed him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
40"Now, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?" Jesus asked.
41"He will certainly kill those evil men," they answered, "and rent the vineyard out to other tenants, who will give him his share of the harvest at the right time."
42 Jesus said to them, "Haven't you ever read what the Scriptures say?
'The stone which the builders rejected as worthless
turned out to be the most important of all.
This was done by the Lord;
what a wonderful sight it is!'
43"And so I tell you," added Jesus, "the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce the proper fruits."+
45The chief priests and the Pharisees heard Jesus' parables and knew that he was talking about them, 46so they tried to arrest him. But they were afraid of the crowds, who considered Jesus to be a prophet.
Good News Translation® (Today's English Version, Second Edition)
© 1992 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
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text:
This is a testing site only. See the live Public Lab site here »
Welcome! A great overview on New York City issues and local agendas is presented in NYC's Environmental Justice Alliance's Climate Justice Agenda: http://nyc-eja.org/public/publications/NYC_ClimateJusticeAgenda.pdf ## Local organizers * [Eymund Diegel](/profile/eymund) * [Laura Chipley](/profile/laurachipley) * [Bronwen Densmore](/profile/bronwen) * [Sean McGinnis](/profile/SeanKMcGinnis) * [Natasia Sidarta](/profile/natasia) * [Nick Johnson](/profile/nicholas) * [Oscar Brett](/profile/oscarbrett) * [Gena Wirth](/profile/gwirth) * [Lela Prashad](/profile/lprashad) * [Liz Barry](/profile/liz): also on [staff](http://publiclab.org/wiki/plots-staff) ##Lending Library We have a lending library of tools, instructional materials, and a Makerbot in Brooklyn, NY. Inquire about borrowing equipment, attending events, launching a new research project and more on the [PLOTS-NYC mailing list](https://groups.google.com/group/plots-nyc). The Public Lab NYC community's mapping efforts are featured [in Google Maps](http://goo.gl/maps/LdObM). (Below: a plume [discovered with near-infrared balloon photography in the Gowanus Canal](http://publiclaboratory.org/notes/liz/8-3-2011/infrared-balloon-image-reveals-gowanus-plume) in 2011 by PLOTS mappers and the GCC) ##Gowanus Low Altitude Mapping (GLAM), Brooklyn Public Lab northeast's longest running research site has involved hundreds of people in community science and generated data that has influenced the EPA's Superfund Cleanup process. Read the whole story here: http://publiclab.org/wiki/glam Follow along to get updates: http://publiclab.org/tag/gowanus Geo NYC May Meetup: Eymund Diegel, Gowanus Canal Conservancy's Grassroots Mapping from OpenGeo on Vimeo. **2014 update:** the project has grown to encompass upland portions of the watershed, read more about how springs from Prospect Park contribute flowing groundwater into the Gowanus: **http://publiclab.org/tag/prospect-park** ##Jamaica Bay, Gateway National Park [Gena Wirth](http://publiclab.org/profile/gwirth) is leading a long-term investigation into the wetlands reconstruction efforts by the Army Corps of Engineers and the American Littoral Society in Jamaica Bay, New York. See her beautiful high-resolution maps and follow the project at **http://publiclab.org/tag/jamaica-bay** ![Zoom1.jpg](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/000/867/medium/Zoom1.jpg) ##Newtown Creek **Project page: http://publiclab.org/wiki/newtown-creek** **Follow along to get updates on Newtown Creek research, subscribe here: http://publiclab.org/tag/newtown-creek** The Newtown Creek monitoring project is just getting underway with partners [North Brooklyn Boat Club](http://northbrooklynboatclub.org/) and [Newtown Creek Alliance](http://www.newtowncreekalliance.org/). We are planning aerial mapping support for the impending release of EPA's Phase 1 assessment of the "State of the Creek" via canoes! We are also interested in [oil testing](/wiki/oil-testing-kit), primarily sheens on water. [![plankroad.jpg](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/002/379/medium/plankroad.jpg)](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/002/379/original/plankroad.jpg) Above: the launch site for the December 7, 2013 Public Mapping Mission with NBBC, NCA, CUSP, and GovLab. Research Note [here](/notes/nicholas/12-02-2013/public-mapping-mission-newtown-creek) ##Flushing Bay, Queens **Project page: http://publiclab.org/wiki/flushing-bay** **Follow this research site at http://publiclab.org/tag/flushing-bay** The women of [Empire Dragon Boat](http://www.empiredragonboat.com/) launch their boats right next to a large pipe that dumps out 5% of NYC's total sewage overflows. They are interested in building up a community advocacy campaign that features aerial imagery and water quality data. The timing is good for this community investigation, as DEP is hosting public hearings to develop a stormwater plan for this area. [![09.JPG](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/003/332/medium/09.JPG)](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/003/332/original/09.JPG) ##Staten Island's north shore **Project page: http://publiclab.org/wiki/staten-island** Concern about floodwater carrying pollution from former industrial and radioactive sites into adjacent neighborhoods has resulted in the Northshore Waterfront Conservancy and the City University of New York being awarded a 2014 Environmental Justice grant from NY State Dept Environmental Conservation. The project is to identify: * which sites are actually contaminated, * which sites are vulnerable to flooding, * where contaminated floodwaters will / should flow after leaving those sites, * what flood-resistant infrastructure has already been built, and * what flood-resistant infrastructure is needed. ##Williamsburg's southside [![EarthDay_flyer.jpg](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/197/medium/EarthDay_flyer.jpg)](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/197/original/EarthDay_flyer.jpg) **Project page: http://publiclab.org/wiki/williamsburg** **Follow along at http://publiclab.org/tag/southside** [el Puente](http://elpuente.us/) in South Williamsburg has experimented with balloon mapping to document greening and community redevelopment sites. ##Newark, New Jersey [![IMG_2003.JPG](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/195/medium/IMG_2003.JPG)](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/195/original/IMG_2003.JPG) **http://publiclab.org/wiki/newark** **Follow along at http://publiclab.org/tag/newark** Public Lab is working with amazing EJ activists at Green Community Garden, one of the City of Newark's Adopt A Lot participants, in Newark, NJ on infrared imagery and garden metrics. Supported by a small grant from the Environmental Leadership Program, this collaboration will result in an urban ag toolkit. ##Bronx River at Soundview Park [![IMG_1400.JPG](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/196/medium/IMG_1400.JPG)](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/196/original/IMG_1400.JPG) Several partnering organizations are testing out research methods for a variety of topics and sites in NY Harbor and along the Hudson River including mapping oyster reefs by NY/NJ Baykeeper and mapping phragmites by Nature Conservancy of NY. See oyster reefs (and discarded tires) visible at lunar low tide in the Bronx River. (2013) ##Freshkills Park, Staten Island [![10042924345_f4aa5673f5.jpg](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/251/medium/10042924345_f4aa5673f5.jpg)](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/251/original/10042924345_f4aa5673f5.jpg) Read all about the project here: http://publiclab.org/wiki/freshkills-park Follow along: http://publiclab.org/tag/fresh-kills Organizer [Nick Johnson](/profile/nicholas) is investigating Freshkills Park, formerly Freshkills Landfill, as a part of an ongoing project titled Life of Trash, a project dedicated towards better understanding the invisible urban waste infrastructure and supporting community education and awareness around landfill activity. [Open Trash Lab: Freshkills](http://www.opentrashlab.com/freshkills). This project is in partnership with the Staten Island Department of Parks. ##Five Borough Farm **Project page: http://publiclab.org/wiki/5bf** [Philip Silva](/profile/p_silva_82) and [Liz Barry](/profile/liz) are Outreach Fellows on [Five Borough Farm](http://www.fiveboroughfarm.org/), a project of the Design Trust for Public Space. Five Borough Farm provides a set of user-friendly tools that can be used by farmers and gardeners everywhere to track and evaluate urban agriculture's myriad impacts. Many of the sites are also being mapped through pole aerial photography in visible and infrared wavelengths -- follow our process at http://publiclab.org/tag/5BF ![DOE-Fund-stitch1_small-original-NDVI.jpg](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/000/865/medium/DOE-Fund-stitch1_small-original-NDVI.jpg) ##Cypress Hills This 8 week [Air Quality Class](/wiki/air-quality-class) was created for the Cypress Hills Air Quality (CHAQ) Initiative, with support from the United States Environmental Protection Agency's program "Citizen Science: Community Involvement Today and in the Future". This project is in collaboration with the [Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation](http://cypresshills.org). Program participants will spend 24 weeks working with air quality sensors to monitor indoor air pollutants in Cypress Hills and East New York. The students will catalog and analyze the environmental air pollutant hazards that affect neighborhood homes and will share their findings with other community members. Follow along at http://publiclab.org/tag/CHAQ ![IMG_20130214_194812.jpg](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/000/866/medium/IMG_20130214_194812.jpg) ##Inwood and upper Manhattan Jen Hudon and colleagues: [![IMG_4044.JPG](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/008/754/medium/IMG_4044.JPG)](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/008/754/original/IMG_4044.JPG) ##Lower East Side [Veronica Acosta](/profile/veroacosta) has mapped Pier 42 with the Hester Street Collaborative and the local community as part of envisioning what the pier can become in the future. ![Screen_Shot_2013-04-25_at_3.23.44_PM.png](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/000/869/medium/Screen_Shot_2013-04-25_at_3.23.44_PM.png) Wendy Brawer of Green Maps joined the Lower East Side Ecology Center's group bicycle ride along the high water line of hurricane Sandy in June 2013. They used an Infragram to document how street trees were failing to leaf out. Their hypothesis was that due their small treebeds in the concrete sidewalks being full of salt and contaminants, street trees were suffering more than park trees: ![IMG_3053.JPG](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/000/868/medium/IMG_3053.JPG) ##Washington Square Park Washington Square Park is a perennial favorite "first time mapping" spot. Many many expeditions have happened here! Check out this gif by (Colin McFayden](http://colinmacfadyen.info/) [![tumblr_la7k4qJfnc1qcnyvgo1_500.gif](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/488/medium/tumblr_la7k4qJfnc1qcnyvgo1_500.gif)](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/004/488/original/tumblr_la7k4qJfnc1qcnyvgo1_500.gif) ##Event mapping [Oscar Brett](/profile/oscarbrett) has led events to crowd-assemble party balloons into rigs with upwards of 100 people to map Occupy Wall Street marches: see http://publiclab.org/notes/oscar-brett/5-22-2012/may-day-community-aerial, events and maps. ![P4.jpeg](https://i.publiclab.org/system/images/photos/000/000/880/medium/P4.jpeg) ##List of all regional maps created [updated July 31, 2013] These nine maps have been added to the Google satellite base layer. Also listed, two NDVI/IR maps taken to accompany visible imagery on same date. * http://publiclab.org/map/cannoneer-lot-green-infrastructure-project-brooklyn-new-york/2012-10-25 * http://publiclab.org/map/washington-square-park-new-york-new-york/2012-10-01 * http://publiclab.org/map/soundview-oyster-reef-orrp-nyc-bronx-new-york/2012-08-21 * http://publiclab.org/map/newtown-creek-north-brooklyn-ny/2011-08-06 * http://publiclab.org/map/newtown-creek-brooklyn-ny/2011-08-06 * http://publiclab.org/map/washington-square-park-new-york-city/2011-04-27 * http://publiclab.org/map/gowanus-canal-brooklyn-new-york/2011-03-27 * http://publiclab.org/map/gowanus-canal-brooklyn-new-york/2011-01-22 http://publiclab.org/map/gowanus-brooklyn-ny/2011-07-31 * http://publiclab.org/map/passaic-riverfront-newark-new-jersey/2010-11-23 Passaic River * http://publiclab.org/map/macurisa-conference-balloon-flight-atlantic-city-new-jersey/2012-10-23 Atlantic City These two NDVI and IR maps listed below are not in Google because they are the exact same date as the visible light map and Google can only take one map for any given date/location: * http://publiclab.org/map/gowanus-brooklyn-ny-ir/2011-07-31 * http://publiclab.org/map/gowanus-brooklyn-ny-nrg/2011-07-31 ##History: our beginnings in 2010## NYC supported the Gulf Coast response to the BP Oil Spill in May 2010. Current and past students of Liz Barry met up outside of class to help the Grassroots Mappers with remote logistics such as connecting volunteer mappers with available spots on boats at specific marinas from which the most vulnerable wetlands could be reached. This group included Molly Oberholtzer, Ian Pugh, and Kaushal Shrestha, and Corey Mullee, and went on to create their own balloon aerial mapping rig with CHDK camera. The first ever Grassroots Mapping workshop was held in New York City in June 2010 in the collab space and at the Hudson River Piers. Natalie Jeremijenko, Victoria Marshall, Liz Barry, Jeff Warren and about 6 others attended. An October 2010 workshop was held at Union Square with Parsons The New School for Design, see the blog post on GrassrootsMapping.org. [Victoria Marshall](/profile/VictoriaMarshall) was instumental in making this workshop happen. Jen Hudon, Lee Altman, Jenny Chou (who went on to lead aerial mapping in Beijing), and Leif Percifield joined at this time. The New School Geo Club was a briefly lived student group that was active mapping social patterns in Washington Square Park and other sites. ...
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|over 6 years ago
|"You need to prevent camera slips into housing and use hermetic glass container for camera, in case of wet weather or working above river. " | Read more »
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|"Great report. There is obviously lots of skill at work to push the limits of the form. That's too bad about the camera shift. If all the photos are..." | Read more »
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|over 10 years ago


text: JOE Talk - I'm doing fine ... So what's the problem? (Aug. 20, 2014) Page Content View the slideshow (PDF - 3.13MB) Transcript:[MUSIC][APPLAUSE]Thanks Kay.Thank you so much, it's great to be at Richland College.Thank you.Great to see all of you today, and it really has been an exciting few months for me, as I've had the opportunity to travel throughout the district, spend time on our campuses, get to know our faculty, staff, and students. And one of the things that I've noticed as I drive around the district that certainly we live in a community today that is prospering.And one of the things as I talk to folks, that I want to talk with you about today, it seems like a lot of people today throughout our district and throughout our communities are really doing well.So it begs the question, what are the problems that we face, that individuals face, that employers face, and why are community colleges more essential today than any time in my career and certainly I think in any time in the history of community colleges. And the reality is, things are good.When I read the headlines, I see that the things about the growth of jobs in Texas.The growth of jobs in Dallas. Hiring exploding. As I drive around, I literally see banners hanging off of buildings and billboards advertising the need.For individuals with skills to help businesses be successful. And we've seen in fact a tremendous growth.Whole cranes on the horizons.Buildings going up everywhere.Last year, Dallas had the fourth largest growth in jobs in the nation, with over 100,000 jobs.This year we're on pace to be number three in the nation with roughly 126,000 new jobs being created throughout the district. And that would really speak to the impact that the economy is having on individuals on businesses and normally when we see this happen, everybody grows.Everyone prospers as a result.So what's the problem?There's a whole other set of headlines that we're seeing in the paper today, and that we're, we're observing on television.And that's that not everyone is participating in the economy.Not everyone is benefitting from the boom.There are people in fact being left behind.And we see headlines where the mayor has created a poverty task force, that this is such an important issue, that our many of our organizations have come together and rallied around what can we what can we do to help this?In fact the Dallas Morning News had a whole insert and section just talking about what's occurring with poverty, and how 40% of our population as adults are on the brink right now, on the brink of entering poverty or already in poverty at any one time.They're essentially one crisis, one illness, one automobile wreck, one loss of job away from poverty. And when we talk about poverty we're not talking about a middle class wage, which is usually $31,000 to 35,000, $36,000.We're talking about for a family of four, $20,050 is the income that we're looking at.I want to show you something that really is even more surprising.Tremendous growth.Look at the state of Texas, 1,000 people a day moving into this state.The economy's on the rise, we're a big part of that growth here in, in north Dallas and the north Texas area.And over the last few years, in fact throughout this region, we've seen a 5% growth but what we've see is a 41% growth in poverty over that same period of time.And it really doesn't make since does it?Because normally what happens when jobs are created, people get those jobs and they go out of poverty.But what we're seeing as jobs are being created people are actually falling into poverty at a faster rate than the jobs are being created.Meaning that they're losing middle class jobs and falling into poverty.That's what's happening throughout the region so it, it really is kind of everyone's problem.On the other hand, everyone is going to be -- wants to participate in the growth and the success.But if everyone is not, then we all pay a price for it in terms of infrastructure, or our school systems, our various social organizations. And I think it's particularly a challenge for community colleges as we look at the need.The map up here that I am showing you, it's from 1980.Each dot represents in 1980 where 20 people lived who, in poverty throughout the district, and I think this is probably no surprise to most of you that most of the poverty was in south Dallas. Right?That's kind of what we've seen. Let's fast forward. To 2010 and look what's happened to poverty throughout the region.The demographics have changed, we've seen who's falling into poverty change and we've seen it, become a part of virtually every community, every region that we serve throughout the district.Does that surprise you?That where we live and are here right now today has poverty surrounding us in large numbers and large pockets of it?In fact when we look at where our colleges are located and our campuses are located we see that in fact we're located not only in the southern part of, of the district but throughout the district and areas where we're seeing poverty and needs that need to be met.Then let's look at what's happening to job growth, because it is going everywhere.But it's basically a northern phenomenon, and so as we look at clearly what's happening with those in poverty are not aligning very well with where the opportunities are today.You know a few years back a gentlemen by the name of Jim Clifton.Jim Clifton is the president CEO of the Gallop Organization that does polling.On just about everything. Well he decided to undertake the greatest challenge for the organization they had ever set out to to get a real look at what was occurring throughout the world and they did a global poll, a global survey to really find out what people cared about, what they wanted, what was on their mind, about their goals or dreams or their aspirations. And it came back and what he found was surprising to him and to the organization, that determined that what the whole world wants is a job.That that's the number one issue.In fact the title of his book is "The Coming Job War." Believing that, as he points out, that that has become the real division between classes, between countries, between cities, between states. And we see it here in the United States, where in fact great effort is going to attract job to cities, to regions, others, that they are realizing that without that job growth, communities, cities cannot be successful.And we've got great examples where communities have lost jobs throughout this nation.And we've seen what happens to those cities as, as a result of it.So here's, here's the challenge.Here's the conundrum.As we look at what, what's occurring in our areas.We've seen job growth -- and growth in poverty at the same time with people losing their job and these folks don't want to be out of work.They desperately want to work, they desperately want a job, but they can't get jobs, and on the other hand we find employers are absolutely screaming that they can't find people with the knowledge, the skills, the ability, the certificates, the awards, the degrees that they need in order to be successful in growing their business, and meeting the needs of their customers.And, and so how can we be at a time when we've got so many people out of work that want jobs?So many companies that can't find the workers that they need and how do we bring those two together today?Because it's clear that the gap is not only further apart than it's ever been that it's actually widening as we talk. So that workers remain unemployed and employers remain without the skilled workforce they need in order to be successful. And it really gets down to the middle class challenge.You know, one of the things that I've seen in my life and some of you can probably relate to this -- you know when I graduated from high school, I had a mother that had encouraged me throughout my life to go to college but I didn't realize till later it wasn't because I was going to college to get a job in those days.It was to have a better life. Because in fact jobs were plentiful.My friends, most of my friends that I went to high school with went right to work.They, they didn't go to college, and they thought, thought I was a little bit silly.Why would, when I would forgo a good salary, a good income, the ability to buy a car, a home, all of the things that we need to, to go off to college?Where I may not earn anymore money than they were going to earn as a result of that?But then you fast forward and you look at what's happened now and the truth is, there are virtually no jobs in the growth sectors that don't require some education beyond high school.In fact, 63% of all jobs and depending on what part of the region you're in, it's up to 75%.The numbers have almost reversed. Requiring some education beyond high school, often less than a bachelor's degree.But certainly more than a high school diploma.You know, when I can remember almost throughout my life, folks making the statement, "College is not for everyone."Have you ever heard anyone say that? I may have even said it, at some point, you may have said it.The truth is, that what may have been true in 1970, it is absolutely not true today.Today, everyone is better off in college than not in college.Some college really is for everyone.In fact, it's essential for everyone and that really is the challenge that we have I think as colleges and districts ofhow we reach people that we haven't brought through our doors in the past and serve them in order that they can get the opportunities that they need.And it's not just some college and it's not just going to college.It's actually the choices that they make also matter a great deal if they're going to align with the needs of the economy and what's there.And it surprises people today to know that 43% of workers with just a certificate or a license out-earn individuals with an associate degree.In fact 27% of individuals with a certificate or a license out-earned bachelors degrees in today's economy.And 31% of individuals with an associates degree, out earn bachelors degrees.In fact what we're finding in many states today, is because of a simple economic fact of supply and demand.That there's such a shortage of skilled people in many areas and most states looked at today, associate degrees will out earn baccalaureate degrees within 18 months to two years after graduation from college. And what are the fast growing areas?Well we're going to continue to see -- and I should point out the fastest growing demand are for baccalaureate degrees.We've got to continue getting people through the pipe line but when you look at what's occurring in our area it's not even. Not every area is the same and the growth opportunities are not the same for every area, and frankly we can look at this word cloud today which emphasizes the growth areas and we look at it again in three months, we're going to see differences because the economy is dynamic.It's changing all the time around us, and that means we've got to be more responsive, nimble and change faster than we ever have. But to get those jobs, virtual every one of them require coming through the door of Richland College and the colleges throughout the Dallas County Community College District.There is no other way to, to get there.That the opportunity for a middle class job and then middle class lifestyle are increasingly thorough the doors of our community colleges.Meaning that we are more essential we've always been important but today we are absolutely essential for individuals for employers for neighborhoods and for communities that we serve.So we've been working with our board and working with our college leadership to identify some priorities that hopefully will.Allow us to continue to grow and meet the needs and really to do what most of you, what I signed on for, and that's to help build a better life for individuals and grow strong neighborhoods and communities.So what we really have to do is get a better understanding of the educational problems that individuals are facing and what their needs are so that we know not only the individual needs, the needs of employers, the needs of communities and could really focus our energy in that direction.We talk a lot about student success.And we do have to have people complete and get the certificates and degrees.But if we don't bring them in the doors first, they'll never have that opportunity.And there are many people being completely left behind.I sometimes call them the non-consumers of higher education.They don't see us as a way of solving their problems and we've got to communicate in such a way that makes that possible.We have to eliminate the barriers.Not just financial, not just geographical barriers.But some of the social barriers, some of the historical barriers, our own processes that get in the way that make it difficult for individuals to be successful and to come to our doors and to compete.Dual enrollment is a great pipeline.And right now we have about 10,000 students throughout the district enrolled in dual enrollment.We have to grow that number, because if a student earns credit for in college while their still in high school their 84% more likely to continue on with a post-secondary education credential and earn a credential.We have to look at our pre-k challenge. Now why is that our problem?Well here's the reality.In starts in pre-k.Right now there are 37,000 children in Dallas county who do not have access to early childhood education for one reason, we're 1,900 teachers short of what the needs are in order to meet that.And if we don't own that problem who will.Who, who can create the, the wide door to bring people in to, to address that need?We also have to look at that realizing that many individuals aren't prepared for some of our associate degree programs and others, so we have to look at more short term certificates, which I can tell you we are already.And this is one of the fastest growing areas throughout the district of people coming in and earning these certificates and being able to go right to work.But I think we have to accelerate, that otherwise we're not going to be able to bring everyone up to salary and the income and support the needs of the employers like we intend.And we can't do it by ourselves. We have to partner in a very different way with employers.We've always used advisory councils to help with our technical and career education programs.But we have to expand that even more now, so we're engaging on a more basic level of talking about, what are the skills gaps?What are your challenges with employers?Understanding the business model. And then more importantly, I think, than anything else, we really have to guarantee that transfer.You may have seen today, or this week, a recent study was released pointing out that the average transfer student nation wide loses 13 hours on transfer.We think it's 21 to 24 in this area and we have to make this seamless and perfect for every student.It makes it too expensive and it's a barrier, an unnecessary barrier and frankly shouldn't be allowed to transfer into a university without accepting the credit.So as we, as we look at where we are today, we're seeing more and more community colleges being talked about nationally and locally as a solution for individuals, for employers, for communities.And I think the most telling headline that I've seen, is the one here that asked the question in Time Magazine some time back, "Can Community Colleges Save the US economy?"I just pondered that headline.Why would that question be asked?Well, the reality is, it's an understanding that not only, I think, is America really discovering, but it's part of the role of community colleges to make sure that we have the programs that allow individuals to leave here and to be successful and achieve their dreams that companies can find the individuals they need to be successful and that our communities can grow and prosper.So as we, as we look at this map.You know I look at this everyday as the great challenge that we face of poverty through out the region.I think that -- I guess I'm an optimist and somewhat of an idealist.You know it's my goal that we see that wiped out.And that we replace that with jobs throughout the the district.That everyone can be a part of the economy and everyone can play a role in meeting their needs, their families' needs.And we all benefit. Thank you very much for letting me spend some time with you today and talk to you about some of these issues.Thank you.[APPLAUSE][MUSIC]


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Civilian Conservation Corps
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was a work relief program for young men from unemployed families that operated 1933-42 all across the country. It was created on March 19, 1933 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his first "Hundred Days." It was part of the New Deal designed to provide relief for families where the father was unemployed during the Great Depression. The CCC became the most popular New Deal program among the general public, appealing to liberals and conservatives alike, all of whom were worried about the long-term future of unemployed, unskilled poor young men. Some 3 million young men went to camps of about 200 men each for six month periods where they were paid to do outdoor construction work. The Indian Division was a major relief agency for Indian reservations. After 1940 the CCC concentrated on defense projects, but by 1942 the draft and full employment dried up the pool of applicants and the Conservative Coalition in Congress ended the CCC. In the 1970s several states, notably California, operated similar programs.
Unemployment was very high among less-educated young men, many of whom had never held a regular job. Roosevelt proposed conservation work as a relief device during his 1932 presidential campaign. The CCC was one of the first of many proposals enacted during the Hundred Days, becoming law on March 31, 1933. Roosevelt on May 7, 1933, extolled the CCC in a fireside address on the radio:
- "First, we are giving opportunity of employment to one-quarter of a million of the unemployed, especially the young men who have dependents, to go into the forestry and flood prevention work. This is a big task because it means feeding, clothing and caring for nearly twice as many men as we have in the regular Army itself. In creating this civilian conservation corps we are killing two birds with one stone. We are clearly enhancing the value of our natural resources and second, we are relieving an appreciable amount of actual distress."
Administrative roles
The War Department and the Labor Department handled the administration. The Labor Department's role was to enroll eligible young men; the actual camps were operated by the Army, using 3,000 Army reserve officers who became camp directors. Each camp had a federal sponsor, usually a division of the Interior or Agriculture departments. The sponsor designed the work to be done, provided the project supervisor and hired the trained foremen necessary, called "LEMs" (Local Experienced Men), who in turn trained CCCers. Each camp had an educational advisor provided by the Office of Education. The Army provided chaplains, and contracted locally for groceries, fuel, and equipment and for medical services. There were no uniforms but the CCC provided a full set of work clothes, shoes, and sports gear. Each enrollee earned $30 a month; he kept $5 and the other $25 went to his family. By 1935 the CCC was promoting about 13% of enrollees to act as leaders (at $36–45 a month). The program cost about $1100 per year per full-time enrollee. Annual expenditures reached a maximum of $894 million in 1936. Peak numbers came in August 1935 with 502,000 enrollees in 2,600 camps.
The CCC was set up on a crash basis, as every aspect had to be invented new. The Labor Department organized a National Re-Employment Service for CCC recruitment; later the CCC handled its own recruiting through local welfare departments. The usual requirement was that the boy's father had to be registered as unemployed or on relief. The first CCC enrollee entered on April 7, 1933, just thirty-seven days after Roosevelt's inauguration. Young men aged 17–23 enrolled for six months, with the option of enrolling for another six months, up to two years. There was little penalty for leaving early, and the "desertion" rate was 1-2% per month. In a short time there were 250,000 enrollees working in CCC camps, plus 25,000 older World War veterans in special CCC camps, and 25,000 LEMs. By the time the CCC disbanded in 1942, over three million men had participated in it. The quota for African-American was 10%, and black CCC workers were assigned to segregated all-back camps.
No job training
At first there was serious concern about the CCC from the American Federation of Labor which feared it would be a job training program. With so many union construction workers unemployed a new job training program would introduce unwelcome new competition for scarce jobs. Roosevelt promised there would be no skills taught that would compete with established unions, and named a labor leader, Robert Fechner to run the CCC. After manual labor outdoors for 8-hours Monday through Friday, the enrollees could, if they wanted, attend evening classes on subjects ranging from civics to basic literacy. Skilled courses such as motor repair, cooking, and baking were popular; they did not seriously compete with union labor. LEMs took apprentices in forestry and soil conservation.
CCC life
The slogan of the Civilian Conservation Corps is "We can take it!" Building strong bodies was a major CCC objective. More than half the enrollees who entered CCC were aged 17 and still growing. Hard work, calisthenics, marching drill, good food, and medical care meant the young men returned home much bigger and healthier than they arrived.
The CCC was a work and relief program that focused on small-scale light construction and conservation projects in rural areas. Although at first intended to help urban youth escape the gang-infested inner cities, most city youth were reluctant to join and in practice most enrollees came from small towns and rural areas. The corps operated numerous conservation projects, including prevention of soil erosion and the impounding of lakes. The CCC constructed buildings and trails in city parks, state parks and national parks that are still used in the 21st century. Other projects of the CCC included installation of telephone and power lines, construction of logging and fire roads, fence construction, tree-planting, and even beekeeping, and archaeological digs. The CCC set up the first well-organized wildland fire control system, with crews that fought many forest fires. CCC men planted some 5 billion trees on land owned by state, local and federal agencies, especially the United States Forest Service.
CCC enrollees worked 40 hours a week and had an extensive recreational program, in which boxing was especially popular. Members all lived in dorms, wore civilian clothes, and lived under strict discipline that forbade any women, liquor, drugs, gangs or fighting. At the time of entry, 70% were malnourished and poorly clothed. Very few had more than a year of high school education; few had work experience beyond occasional odd jobs. They lived in wooden barracks, rising when the bugle sounded at 6:00 A.M., reported to work by 7:45, and after a lunch break worked until 4:00 P.M. Late afternoon and evening activities centered on sports and optional classes. On weekends they could take a bus or CCC truck to nearby towns, or they could attend dances or religious services in the camp. The CCC provided two sets of clothes and plenty of food; discipline was maintained by the threat of "dishonorable discharge." There were no reported revolts or strikes. "This is a training station we're going to leave morally and physically fit to lick 'Old Man Depression,'" boasted the newsletter of a North Carolina camp.
The Army gained valuable experience in handling large numbers of young men, but there was no military drill or training in the camps until 1940, and the work projects were civilian in nature until then. Eventually over 4,000 camps were established in all 48 states and in the Hawaii and Alaska territories, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
The total of 200,000 black enrollees were almost entirely segregated after 1935, but always received equal pay and housing. Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes pressured Director Fechner to appoint blacks to supervisory positions such as education directors in the 143 segregated camps.
Initially, the CCC was limited to young men age 18 to 25 whose fathers were on relief. Average enrollees were ages 18–19. Two exceptions to the age limits were veterans and Indians, who had a special CCC program and their own camps. In 1937, Congress changed the age limits to 17 to 28 years old, and dropped the requirement that enrollees be on relief.
Indian Division
The CCC operated an entirely separate division for Native Americans, the Indian Emergency Conservation Work, IECW, or CCC-ID. It brought Indian men from reservations to work on roads, bridges, schools, clinics, shelters, and other public works in or near their reservations. The CCC often provided the only paid work in remote reservations. There were no age limits for CCC-ID enrollees. In 1933 about half the male heads of households on the Sioux reservations in South Dakota, for example, were employed by the CCC-ID. Thanks to grants from the PWA the Indian Division built schools and operated an extensive road-building program in and around many reservations. IECW differed from other CCC activities in that it explicitly trained men to be carpenters, truck drivers, radio operators, mechanics, surveyors, and technicians. A total of 85,000 Indians were enrolled. This proved valuable human capital for the 24,000 Indians who served in the military and the 40,000 who left the reservations for war jobs in the cities.
Although the CCC was the most popular New Deal program, it never became a permanent agency. The Gallup poll of April 18, 1936, asked, "Are you in favor of the CCC camps?" 82% said "YES", including 92% of Democrats and 67% of Republicans.[1]
The last extension passed by Congress was in 1939. After the draft began in 1940 there were fewer and fewer eligible young men. When war was declared in December 1941, most CCC camps except for wildland firefighting, were relocated onto military bases to help with construction there. The agency disbanded one year earlier than planned, after Congress voted to cut off funding for the CCC entirely after June 30, 1942.
- American Youth Commission. Youth and the Future: The General Report of the American Youth Commission American Council on Education, 1942
- Cole, Olen Jr. The African-American Experience in the Civilian Conservation Corps (1999)
- Cornebise, Alfred Emile. The CCC Chronicles: Camp Newspapers of the Civilian Conservation Corps, 1933-1942. McFarland, 2004. 286 pp
- Gower, Calvin W. "The CCC Indian Division: Aid for Depressed Americans, 1933-1942," Minnesota History 43 (Spring 1972) 7-12
- Douglas Helms, "The Civilian Conservation Corps: Demonstrating the Value of Soil Conservation" in Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 40 (March-April 1985): 184-188.
- Hendrickson Jr.; Kenneth E. "Replenishing the Soil and the Soul of Texas: The Civilian Conservation Corps in the Lone Star State as an Example of State-Federal Work Relief during the Great Depression" The Historian, Vol. 65, 2003
- Hill, Edwin G. In the Shadow of the Mountain: The Spirit of the CCC. (1990)
- Holland, Kenneth, and Frank Ernest Hill. Youth in the CCC (1938) detailed description of all major activities
- Jolley, Harley E. That Magnificent Army of Youth and Peace: The Civilian Conservation Corps in North Carolina, 1933-1942 (2007)
- Kolvet, Renée Corona, and Victoria Ford. The Civilian Conservation Corps in Nevada: From Boys to Men. (2006) 2240 pp. isbn 978-0-87417-676-6.
- Maher, Neil M. Nature's New Deal: The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Roots of the American Environmental Movement (2007) excerpt and text search
- Moore, Robert J. The Civilian Conservation Corps In Arizona's Rim Country: Working In The Woods (2006) excerpt and text search
- Paige, John C. The Civilian Conservation Corps and the National Park Service, 1933-1942: An Administrative History National Park Service, 1985
- Parman, Donald L. The Navajos and the New Deal (1969)
- Parman, Donald L. "The Indian and the CCC," Pacific Historical Review 40 (February 1971): pp 54+ in JSTOR
- Patel, Kiran Klaus. Soldiers of Labor. Labor Service in Nazi Germany and New Deal America, 1933-1945 (2005) excerpt and text search
- Salmond John A. The Civilian Conservation Corps 1933-1942: a New Deal case study. (1967), the only scholarly history of the entire CCC
- Salmond, John A. "The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Negro," The Journal of American History, Vol. 52, No. 1. (Jun., 1965), pp. 75–88. in JSTOR
- Sherraden, Michael W. "Military Participation in a Youth Employment Program: The Civilian Conservation Corps," Armed Forces & Society, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 227–245, April 1981 pp 227–245; ISSN 0095-327X available online from SAGE Publications
- Speakman, Joseph M. "The New Deal Arrives in Penn's Woods: the Beginnings of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Pennsylvania." Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 2006 130(2): 211-232. Issn: 0031-4587 Fulltext: History Cooperative
- Steely, James W. "Parks for Texas: Enduring Landscapes of the New Deal" (1999), detailing the interaction of local, state and federal agencies in organizing and guiding CCC work. excerpt and text search
- Wilson, James; "Community, Civility, and Citizenship: Theatre and Indoctrination in the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s" Theatre History Studies, Vol. 23, 2003 pp 77–92 online edition
External links
- CCC Museum in St. Louis, Missouri
- James F Justin Civilian Conservation Corps Museum, Online CCC Biographies Stories Photographs and Documents
- Rosentreter, Roger L. "Roosevelt's Tree Army: Michigan's Civilian Conservation Corps", with photographs
- Life in the Civilian Conservation Corps Primary Source Adventure, a lesson plan hosted by CCC in Texas
- National Association of Service and Conservation Corps
- ↑ Public Opinion, 1935-1946 ed. by Hadley Cantril and Mildred Strunk 1951. Page 111


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This article is more than 1 year old
Blue Coat buys Ositis
More security biz consolidation
Security appliance vendor Blue Coat Systems today announced a deal to acquire anti-virus appliance firm Ositis Software in a cash and stock deal valued at approximately $7.1 million.
Blue Coat is to pay $1.0 million in cash and 363,125 shares of Blue Coat stock as part of the agreement, which is expected to close early next month.
The acquisition will add Ositis' eShield email and Web anti-virus appliance to Blue Coat's existing portfolio of security appliances, which already incorporate content filtering and instant messaging control features.
Ositis is the world's third largest provider of anti-virus appliances, according to figures from IDC. IDC predicts the $26 million AV appliance market will grow to nearly $466 million by 2007.
In addition to the eShield anti-virus appliance, Ositis is also a provider of the WinProxy Internet sharing and proxy software, which is used by more than 300,000 users worldwide.
Blue Coat's acquisition of Ositis is a further sign of consolidation in the network security industry, which is approaching near-frenetic levels.
Symantec and SafeNet have been snapping up smaller security specialists as if they were going out of fashion in recent months (doesn't that suggest they are going out of fashion? - Ed). SafeNet last week announced a $457 million agreement to merge with Rainbow Technologies whilst Symantec has forked out $300 million in cash to boost its portfolio in the space of only six weeks.
Earlier this month NetScreen Technologies announced a deal to acquire SSL VPN company Neoteris for $265 million. ®
Related Stories
Symantec buys ON Technology
Symantec snaffles Safeweb
SafeNet seeks gold in Rainbow
NetScreen nets Neoteris for $265m
Blue Coat clamps down on rogue IM use


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The system introduced Wednesday channels a concept that has turned Google Inc., YouTube's owner, into one of the world's most profitable companies. And it gives Google a new way to try to profit from the $1.76 billion it paid to buy YouTube two years ago.
"We are trying to blend the best of Google with the best of YouTube," said Matthew Liu, a YouTube product manager.
Just as they do at Google, advertisers can now tie their commercials to specific words entered into YouTube's search box. For instance, a contractor might want to bid for the right to show a video ad when people search for home improvement clips.
The new platform, initially available only in the United States, also is expected to appeal to video creators who want to attract a larger audience to clips they have posted on YouTube.
Some clips that might not rank high in the primary results of a YouTube search theoretically could appear on the first page as a "sponsored" video if a bidder is willing to pay a high enough price for a click and offers compelling content.
"We know there are a lot of people looking to be discovered or become famous on YouTube," Liu said.
Like Google, YouTube's formula for deciding which sponsored results to display is based on a combination of factors -- primarily how much money an advertiser is willing to pay per click and how much interest the message has drawn in the past.
It's easy for clips to get lost in the mix at YouTube, given that 13 hours of new video are being uploaded to the site every minute.
Google is becoming more aggressive about mining revenue from YouTube as it tries to realize a return from buying the video site.
Last month, for instance, YouTube began allowing advertisers to place a button under videos to offer viewers a chance to buy music, movies or other products featured in a clip. YouTube also is experimenting with ads that could appear before, during and after the professionally produced TV shows and movies that can now be watched on YouTube.
Although it attracts more than 300 million worldwide users, YouTube hasn't delivered a big payoff for Google yet -- much to the frustration of impatient investors.
And Google could definitely use an additional lift, even though the Internet search leader's revenue has climbed 37 percent so far this year.
As the economy heads into what's expected to be its deepest recession in a quarter century, analysts are convinced Google's growth will decelerate dramatically -- a concern that has caused the company's stock to plunge by 58 percent so far this year. Google shares fell below $300 for the first time in more than three years Wednesday to close at $291, down $20.46, or 6.6 percent.
Google doesn't break out YouTube's contribution to its finances, but Collins Stewart LLC analyst Sandeep Aggarwal estimates the video site will generate $180 million to $200 million in revenue this year. That's just 1 percent of Google's projected revenue of about $20 billion this year.
But Google Chairman Eric Schmidt has promised it won't be much longer before YouTube comes up with an approach that will encourage advertisers to substantially increase their spending on Internet video commercials.
Most analysts also have high expectations. The research firm eMarketer Inc. estimates U.S. advertisers will be spending $5.8 billion on video ads in 2013, up from $505 million this year. Aggarwal predicts YouTube's revenue will double next year to about $400 million.
Even if video advertising takes off, it will still be far smaller than Google's bread and butter, the search advertising market. EMarketer expects that market to more than double in the United States during the next five years to $23.8 billion.
YouTube's search-driven ads seem unlikely to make as much money as Google's, partly because fewer people are looking to buy things when they visit YouTube.
Some advertisers also might be reluctant to have their messages shown alongside YouTube results for fear of being displayed along some risque or wacky content that could hurt their brands, said Forrester Research analyst James McQuivey.
"There is more potential for embarrassment," McQuivey said. "If you are an advertiser who buys the rights to the words `pain killers,' you aren't going to want your ad shown next to some video with a guy ranting about how happy he is to be high on meth."
But YouTube is betting more advertisers will be ready to take a chance as they realize that anyone who clicks on a message at YouTube is likely to sit through the whole message and not walk away to do something else, as they might if the same commercial were shown on television.
"If you can engage people with sight, sound and motion, they are more likely to remember your message," said Shishir Mehrotra, YouTube's director of advertising.