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Robin Lakes, Deception Pass Trailhead, Seattle - Alpine Lakes Wilderness - Snoqualmie Pass - Central Cascades, Washington
Robin Lakes - 14.5 miles
Deception Pass Trailhead
|Round-Trip Length:
|14.5 miles
|Start-End Elevation:
|3,350' – 6,120' (6,200' max elevation)
|Elevation Change:
|+2,770' net elevation gain (+3,460' total roundtrip elevation gain)
|Skill Level:
|Dogs Allowed:
|Bikes Allowed:
|Horses Allowed:
|Related Trails:
Robin Lakes - 14.5 Miles Round-Trip
The Robin Lakes are located 7.25 miles from Deception Pass Trailhead in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. These adjacent lakes occupy a deep granite cirque east of Deception Pass facing the glaciated flanks of Mt. Daniel.
This challenging trek begins mildly in the Cle Elum River Valley to Upper Hyas Lake before climbing steeply away toward Deception Pass. It continues on variously eroded and ill-defined segments to Tuck Lake and Robin Lakes with exceptional views of Mt Daniel and Cathedral Rock along the way:
The trail rises 100' to a stream crossing at the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Boundary (.4 miles : 3,458'). It continues through intervals of huckleberry, silver fir, hemlock and Engelmann Spruce to a large open marsh with views of Cathedral Rock (.6 miles : 3,470').
The trail crosses another stream (1.0 miles : 3,474') and remains level in mixed timber and a diverse understory to Lake Hyas (2.0 miles : 3,470'). It traces the long east shore with access to multiple campsites, then rises away across numerous side streams and boardwalks to Upper Hyas Lake.
At 3.6 miles the trail turns sharply up switchbacks toward Deception Pass, gaining over 700' in just .7 miles before moderating to the Tuck Lake – Robin Lake Trail junction (4.5 miles : 4,202'). Turn right for Tuck and Robin Lakes (#1376A | hikers only).
It drops to a stream, then begins a challenging 1100' climb on a heavily eroded, rooted and narrow path without the aid of switchbacks. Mt Daniel and Cathedral Rock emerge once again on this rapid ascent. Travel finally eases past a loose rocky trail segment up to Tuck Lake (5.8 miles : 5207').
Finding Robin Lake | See GPS Points #13-17
Just before the privy sign at Tuck Lake, split right toward a large boulder near the shore. A trail climbs above a small beach past this large boulder / open area, then winds up and over a granite hump. Hug the shore closely and avoid side trails leading right (south) to a small pond called Tuck's Pot.
Cross the logjam at Tuck Lake's outlet (6.1 miles : 5207'), and follow the shore on a trail that quickly rises up a shoulder above the lake. The correct trail will remain within view of Tuck Lake for the first half of the 1290' climb to Robin Lakes.
The Robin Lakes Trail angles E-SE up the shoulder above Tuck Lake (Tuck's Pot is the small pond now visible to the west). Conditions deteriorate here on badly eroded and braided tracks.
You'll reach the shoulder top (6.75 miles : 5,785') and scramble across bare granite marked by cairns. The trail crests over a low rise and drops to the isthmus between upper and lower Robin Lakes (7.25 miles : 6120'). Avoid camping on heather – many bare granite and established dirt sites can be found in the lake vicinity.
Interactive GPS Topo MapKey GPS Coordinates - DATUM WGS84
- N47 32.687 W121 05.861 — 0.0 miles: Deception Pass Trailhead - 3,350'
- N47 32.969 W121 06.201 — 0.5 miles: Trail flattens after initial climb - 3,470'
- N47 33.305 W121 06.436 — 1.0 miles: Still flat, mixed forest & open areas - 3,474'
- N47 33.640 W121 06.745 — 1.5 miles: Continue gentle terrain toward Hyas - 3,484'
- N47 33.993 W121 07.020 — 2.0 miles: Arrive Lake Hyas & parallel shore - 3,470'
- N47 34.246 W121 07.258 — 2.5 miles: Continue along shore past campsites - 3,460'
- N47 34.514 W121 07.624 — 3.0 miles: Intermittent views of lake - 3,465'
- N47 34.795 W121 08.018 — 3.5 miles: Gentle climb with boardwalk crossings - 3,508'
- N47 34.978 W121 08.058 — 4.0 miles: Scale switchbacks toward Deception Pass - 3,767'
- N47 35.289 W121 08.180 — 4.5 miles: Junction w/ Tuck & Robin Lakes Trail - 4,202'
- N47 35.225 W121 07.788 — 5.0 miles: Climbing steeply toward Tuck Lake - 4,422'
- N47 35.206 W121 07.524 — 5.5 miles: Continued steep climbing with views - 4,870'
- N47 35.295 W121 07.285 — 5.8 miles: Tuck Lake - 5,207'
- N47 35.275 W121 07.169 — 6.1 miles: Logjam on Tuck outlet creek - 5,220'
- N47 35.248 W121 07.094 — 6.2 miles: Begin climbing shoulder above Tuck - 5,300'
- N47 35.118 W121 06.728 — 6.75 miles: Reach top of shoulder on eroded trail - 5,785'
- N47 35.152 W121 06.158 — 7.25 miles: Climb granite slabs to Robin Lakes - 6,120'
Worth Noting
- While the Deception Pass trail is well-maintained and moderate, the spur trails to Tuck and Robin Lakes are degraded and strenuous. The trail from Tuck Lake to Robin Lake in particular is a mess of loose, eroded tracks made more confusing by a lack of signs and cairns on multiple trails.
- Trekking poles are recommended on the steep, rugged trails up to Tuck and Robin Lakes.
- The key to reaching Robin Lakes is finding the correct trail from Tuck Lake. Remember to stick close to the shore of Tuck Lake and cross a log jam to access the correct trail up to Robin Lake. Ignore side trails leading to Tuck's Pot.
Camping and Backpacking Information
- There are no fewer than 8 established campgrounds between Roslyn and the Deception Pass Trailhead.
- From Roslyn to the road split at Salmon La Sac, find: Wish Poosh CG at 7.6 miles from the second circle (903 N.); Cle Elum River CG at 12.8 miles; Red Mountain CG at 14 miles; Cayuse Horse Camp at 16.5 miles; Salmon La Sac CG at 16.85 miles.
- From the road split at Salmon La Sac to Deception Pass TH (on FR 4330), find: Scatter Creek CG at 9.3 miles; Tucquala Lake CG at 9.5 miles; Fish Lake CG at 10.5 miles.
- It's especially important to camp only at established sites and away from the lake shore at Tuck and Robin Lakes, as crowds have had a tremendous impact on these fragile environments.
- An overnight Wilderness permit must be filled out at the TH and carried to camp at Tuck and Robin Lakes. Max group size is 12.
- Campfires are not permitted above 5,000' east of the crest, or at Tuck and Robin Lakes.
Fishing Information
- Fishing is allowed with a valid WA state fishing license.
- Contact the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for more information.
- wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/
Email: firstname.lastname@example.com
Sport/Commercial Licenses: 360.902.2434
Disability Licenses: 360.902.2460
Rules and Regulations
- A Northwest Forest Pass or $5 fee is required at this trailhead.
- A free day use or overnight Wilderness Permit must be filled out at the TH and carried for the duration of your trip in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
- Dogs must be leashed at all times in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness.
Directions to Trailhead
The Deception Pass Trailhead is located 32 miles north of Exit 80 on I-90, 30 miles east of Snoqualmie Pass.
From I-90, exit 80 (Roslyn / Salmon La Sac) and turn left off the ramp. Drive 2.1 miles to a traffic circle, continue toward Roslyn and pass a sign for Suncadia resort before another circle at 2.8 miles.
Take 903 north, soon passing through the town of Roslyn where the road doglegs twice, followed by the tiny hamlet of Ronald. Around 8 miles from the second circle, 903 approaches the shore of Cle Elum Lake (reservoir). A number of campgrounds are available along this stretch of road before Salmon La Sac CG – see the Camping section, above.
At 16.5 miles, pass Cayuse Horse Camp where the road narrows and, a hundred yards beyond, splits. Go left at the split and continue another quarter mile for Salmon La Sac campground. Go right at the split (signed for Tucquala Lake) onto a steeply climbing dirt road (FR 4330) for Hyas Lake / Deception Pass. Continue on 4330 for 12.4 miles until the road ends at Deception Pass trailhead and parking area (just past Cathedral Pass TH).
The parking lot holds 25 cars, with overflow parking in the Cathedral Pass lot, which also has bathrooms.
Contact Information
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest | Cle Elum Ranger District
803 W. 2nd Street
Cle Elum, WA 98922
Reference Trail #1376.1


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Russell Crowe is Ready for the Flood in the Final 'Noah' Poster
One of this spring's biggest question marks is Darren Aronofsky's 'Noah,' which has Russell Crowe playing the titular hero, the biblical figure who saved his family and all the animals with his giant ark. Now the film has a final poster that suggests Noah is ready for action.
Here's the poster in full:
So, water and an axe-wielding Crowe? I guess that's an easier sell than animals marching up to the ark, and it's good that Jennifer Connelly and Emma Watson weren't given the floating head treatment. We're curious how the film will turn out as it isn't being released with the hype of Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ,' which became appointment viewing for many believers who might not normally go to the theater. Will that audience turn out? And how do you sell this film to an audience who might be adverse to seeing a story from the bible? Perhaps that's why they're selling it here as an action film.
It seems that other studios have sensed the film might not find an audience as the Arnold Schwarzenegger film 'Sabotage' is going to go head to head with 'Noah' on March 28. Still, this is Darren Aronofsky, and it should be fascinating -- if nothing else.

subset: commoncrawl


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Welcome to North Dakota Music Teachers Association
NDMTA seeks to raise standards of music teaching and performance in the state, to cultivate fraternal relations among members of the profession, to support members in all matters pertaining to their profession, to develop productive relationships with schools and community organizations, and to promote accreditation for qualified music teachers in North Dakota.
NDMTA promotes state, division, and national meetings and conferences; sponsors competitions at local and state levels for students from elementary through college levels; certifies private music teachers; participates in the MTNA Commissioned Composer program; bestows a Service to the Profession award; and sponsors workshops by outstanding artist-teachers.
NDMTA has eight local associations throughout North Dakota and is affiliated with the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA).
NDMTA and MTNA Teacher Opportunities
- Local, state and national workshops, master classes, conferences and regular meetings with other music teachers
- Leadership opportunities at the local, state and national levels
- State Teacher Certification Program and MTNA Certification Program
- Teacher Enrichment Grants through the MTNA Foundation
- State newsletters, handbook/directory, and national professional publications
- Independent Music Teachers Forum
Student Opportunities
- Performance adjudication and theory testing through the NDMTA Music Rally system for elementary through high school levels.
- State (Popplers Music) performance competitions for elementary through college level and national (MTNA) performance competitions for junior high through college levels
- National composition competition for elementary through college levels
- Local association scholarship opportunities
- Performance opportunities through recitals, master classes and ensemble festivals
NDMTA subscribes to the MTNA Code of Ethics in the commitment to our students, colleagues and community and profession.


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Taking an online course is different than going to a classroom.
A "yes" answer to most of the following questions indicates that online courses may be right for you.
Do you have reliable access to a computer and the Internet?
To be a successful student in this ALCTS Web course, you need to have regular unlimited access to a computer and the Internet. At a minimum, we recommend using at least a Pentium II-based PC or a G3 PowerMac machine.
You will also need a reliable Internet connection. If you experience frequent busy or dropped signals, you may have difficulty completing courses on time and participating in chat sessions.
Do you enjoy writing and participating in discussions?
Most communication in an online class consists of written messages between you and the instructor and discussions among class participants. If you have difficulty with an assignment or have questions, you must be willing to "speak up" to inform the instructor. Good typing skills also are a plus.
Do you frequently use e-mail and browse the web?
You must login to your online course and interact several times a week. This can include working on assignments, participating in discussions, and responding to e-mail. If you're not accustomed to routinely accessing the Internet, it may be difficult to motivate yourself to do the work. You must be disciplined enough to keep your coursework current.
Do you read course material carefully?
All of the material you're required to read for this course is online and you must read it carefully. Some students just print out the syllabus and key information to read offline. It's important to realize you can't just skim over the content and be able to have a clear understanding of when assignments are due and what is expected of you.
Does your schedule make it difficult to attend classes on campus?
One of the major reasons students register for online classes are for the convenience of being able to take the course without having to travel to the course location. Do keep in mind you still must spend about the same amount of time on coursework as for any normal course or workshop.
Do you like to plan ahead and finish assignments a few days ahead of schedule?
It's often tempting to wait until the last minute. If you're a procrastinator, you may have already learned that sometimes things don't work quite as well as you had hoped. With online courses, it's better to get your work done a little ahead of time so if problems do occur, they can be resolved prior to the deadline.
Do you enjoy solving problems and learning new programs on the computer?
Sometimes learning new programs or applications on the computer can be frustrating if they don't work exactly as you expect. Taking an online course may require you to learn new techniques beyond just e-mail for interacting with other students in the class.
Qualities of a Successful Web Course Student
Successful Web course students are committed to their studies. While Web courses offer more flexibility and convenience, they can be more demanding of time and energy than regular courses or workshops. Web course students need to:
- Know how to use technology (e.g., email, use a Web browser, learn to navigate through the course).
- Login regularly to participate in the class - at least 3 times per week. Some students login as much as twice a day.
- Commit approximately 6 hours per week.
- Use good time management skills and exercise self-discipline to ensure enough time to study and complete all assignments.
- Take notes as they study.
- Enjoy communicating in writing and reading the writing of others.
- Seek help when problems arise.
- Good communication is an essential element of the ALCTS Web course. You must be willing to share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas with the group and carefully consider your responses with professional respect and courtesy.


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DOD eyes drone base in Africa
American commanders are considering whether to set up a base for unmanned aircraft in the African nation of Niger, a defense official confirmed to POLITICO, which could mean American drones might begin operating over conflict-torn Mali or its neighbors.
U.S. Africa Command might try to put a base along the border Niger shares with Mali. It could host drones tasked with unarmed surveillance missions of Al Qaeda affiliates in the region, but could also support armed drones if local conflicts worsen, the official said.
"It is preliminary. They're exploring options," the official said of the plan, which was first reported in The New York Times.
AfriCom boss Gen. Carter Ham has a good relationship with Niger's government, which is growing increasingly worried about the situation in Mali. Niger's president, Mahamadou Issoufou, recently said he would like to build "a long-term strategic relationship with the U.S."
"What's happening in northern Mali is a big concern for us, because what's happening in northern Mali can also happen to us," Issoufou told The Times in an interview before French troops entered Mali on Jan. 11.
The U.S. could set up a drone base quickly at an airstrip in Niger, the defense official said, and would need a small number of U.S. personnel to run it — perhaps a few hundred troops. The American service members or contractors based there would likely maintain, repair or arm the aircraft, while airmen in Nevada might operate them remotely via satellite.
Today the U.S. military only has one official base in Africa, located on the Horn of Africa in Djibouti — about 3,000 miles from Mali — but it conducts unmanned drone missions from several small satellite bases, including one in Ethiopia.
Unarmed Predator drones would be able to carry out reconnaissance missions to help track Al Qaeda fighters and the flow of weapons into Mali. The base could also provide support for the French military, which is battling Al Qaeda-linked insurgents in northern Mali.
"Right now the mission is to support the French," the official said. To that end, the Air Force has begun refueling French military aircraft as they operate over Africa and also begun transporting French and African troops and equipment as part of France's campaign against the Islamist insurgents.
As for the drone base in Niger, it would not only make it easier for the U.S. to watch what takes place in Niger and share that intelligence with the French and others, but put American drones within closer reach of other potential hot spots such as Libya, Algeria and Egypt.
"There is regional concern" in northern Africa, the defense official said.
This article first appeared on POLITICO Pro at 4:08 p.m. on January 28, 2013.


text: The point of the original thread, before it got moved here, seemed to be judging the fitness of a candidate for the national BoD for the job based on his not answering questions posed in a sub-forum set up on this site to host the candidates' campaign statements. My point was the candidates did not set up these forums and may not know they exist; or that they have any activity, much less questions being asked and moderators making value judgements about how quickly the questions are responded to. FWIW, the candidate so-maligned actually set up a web page to communicate events between his regional chapters and had previously posted a candidacy statement on his own site. In this election the BoD decided not to allow links to such private sites and instead made the sub-forums we've have here now. This really isn't about board-members participating on this web site--although that would be great! It was originally about a moderator condemning a candidate for not participating in a thread he didn't even know existed. Funny, isn't it?


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Then I've searched the web for hundreds of pictures that inspired me the world of the Mars trilogy as described in details by Kim Stanley Robinson. I then cropped them in square shape and built the mosaic.
My idea here is to express the world that is Mars in the book. It's a whole planet, with various landscapes, various cities evolving at the same time, various technologies at work, thousands of human beings living their life there, and the slow creation of a Martian culture. There is the idea of both space and time. This particular mosaic draws the shape of my Mars roundel, one I imagined for this blog years ago. It shows in 3 colors the 3 stages of Mars through its terraforming history : Red, Green, and Blue.
I may produce some more mosaics like that later.
I made this with the free software AndreaMosaic.
There are too many pictures used here to credit them all, and anyway I use them only partly and at a tiny scale, but I am ready to consider authors requests.


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By Bertrand Lavédrine, Rachel Rivenc, and Michael Schilling
Following their introduction at the end of the nineteenth century and their rapid proliferation since the 1950s, plastics have touched every facet of modern life. Their extraordinary versatility, together with the possibilities they offer for experimentation, have made them very attractive materials for designers, architects, and artists. Objects made wholly or in part from plastic form a significant area of modern and contemporary cultural heritage, including Enrica Borghi's Vestito Blu (2005), a spectacular piece made from bottles of mineral water and plastic bags.
Unfortunately, many plastics deteriorate rapidly due to irreversible chemical reactions, leading to a number of dramatic physical changes: discoloration, opacification, loss of gloss, crazing, cracking, warping, sagging, becoming sticky, crumbling, and powdering. Antoine Pevsner's Portrait of Marcel Duchamp (cellulose nitrate on copper with iron), for example, shows many of these forms of degradation. Interestingly, many of the plastic objects that exhibit more pronounced deterioration are made from just four specific classes: cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate (both of which are probably present in the Pevsner piece), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyurethane. However, other classes may also become problematic with time; even objects that appear to be in pristine condition and exhibit no visible signs of damage may still be at risk. This is because some mechanisms of plastic deterioration have been shown to include relatively long induction periods during which they appear largely unchanged, followed by rapid deterioration. Experienced conservators of plastic objects know all too well that appearances can, indeed, be deceiving.
Knowledge about the composition and aging of synthetic polymers—of paramount importance to curators and conservators entrusted with the care of plastic objects—is often not readily accessible. Despite some excellent individual studies into these issues, there is scant collective experience in dealing with these objects, few insights into the nature and use of modern materials in artworks, and no generally accepted criteria and methods for solving the conservation problems they pose. Thus, there is an urgent need for obtaining and disseminating information on the material composition, physical and chemical properties, and aging behavior of a range of plastics—information crucial for devising strategies to slow deterioration rates and for assessing treatment options and their potential long-term impact on plastic objects.
In recognition of these significant needs, the Getty Conservation Institute has joined a consortium of European institutions and laboratories, all of which are involved in the care or study of modern and synthetic materials, to develop and execute a three-year European Commission-funded project entitled Preservation of Plastic Artefacts in Museum Collections (POPART). Coordination and management of the project are orchestrated by the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) through the Centre de recherche sur la conservation des collections (CRCC) in Paris. Other partners include the Centre de recherche et de restauration des musées de France, the Victoria and Albert Museum (United Kingdom), the Istituto di Fisica Applicata "Nello Carrara" (Italy), the Instituut Collectie Nederland (Netherlands), the Polymer Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (Slovakia), Arc-Nucléart (France), SolMateS BV (Netherlands), Morana RTD (Slovenia), University College London (United Kingdom), and the National Museum of Denmark.
The main objectives of POPART are to identify the principal risks associated with the exhibition, cleaning, protection, and storage of plastic artifacts, and subsequently to develop a strategy to improve the preservation and maintenance of three-dimensional plastic objects in museum collections. More specifically, the POPART project focuses on four key research areas:
Analysis of Plastics
Identifying the type of material from which an object is made is often a prerequisite to decisions about its conservation. This step is critical for plastic objects because synthetic polymers exhibit such widely different stabilities and deterioration patterns. A particular conservation intervention might be appropriate for one type of polymer but have disastrous consequences for another.
One of the main objectives of POPART is to develop and evaluate a range of analytical tools and methodologies for identifying as many classes of plastics as possible, initially with a set of one hundred reference samples assembled for the POPART project and circulated to each partner institution. Priority will be given to noninvasive analytical techniques (those that do not require sampling), such as near infrared spectrometry (NIR), Raman spectrometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and especially to those techniques that offer handheld portable devices, as these open up the possibilities of rapid, on-site surveys of large collections. Minimally invasive techniques, which require the smallest of samples, such as pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS), will also be included because of the high level of detail they can provide on the chemical composition of the sample. The GCI is coordinating an interlaboratory round-robin evaluation of data reproducibility and efficiency of the different methods for characterizing plastics. One practical outcome of this study will be a collection of analytical databases shared by the research partners.
Collection Surveys and Condition Monitoring
in Museum Collections
Another important objective will be the identification and documentation of typical deterioration patterns in plastic objects—such as discoloration, change in opacity, crazing, cracking, changes to surface texture, and distortion. Documentation methods and condition reporting tools currently used for surveying collections will be compared and combined to create a single survey form. This will be used to survey a number of plastic collections in museums, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Nice. The aim is to document deterioration systematically and consistently, thereby allowing more direct comparison between the collections surveyed. Noninvasive spectroscopic characterization of the polymers in objects will also be performed as part of this process, and the focus will then turn to monitoring volatile products off-gassed by a group of selected objects and analyzing materials deposited on their surfaces.
Assessing Polymer Degradation
Studies into the degradation mechanisms of plastics and their ramifications generally require longer periods of investigation than the three-year timetable of the POPART project. However, some classes of plastics are far more problematic than others (i.e., cellulose plastics, PVC, and polyurethane) and require immediate attention. Degradation pathways for the two cellulose plastics have previously been investigated by those responsible for the conservation of early motion picture film. It is unclear, however, how much of this information can be applied to the study of three-dimensional objects, given the differences in composition between cinematic film and bulk polymer. In the case of PVC and polyurethane, a great deal of research is still needed on the influences of humidity, temperature, and oxygen on deterioration rates. Off-gassed volatile compounds will be studied in order to assess risks to museum collections as well as to museum staff. The GCI will apply several thermal analysis techniques to monitor polymer degradation and to track changes in the mechanical and thermal properties of polymers with aging.
Evaluation of Conservation Treatments
One of the most complicated areas in conservation is the assessment of treatments, yet this is a primary concern for conservators. The POPART project felt it was important to include an aspect of conservation treatment within the scope of the project, and it was decided to concentrate on two very different treatments: cleaning and consolidation. As with all works of art, plastic objects eventually require surface cleaning, but very little is known about the effects of various cleaning materials on plastics, apart from the fact that many organic solvents can dissolve plastics. A systematic study on a small subset of plastics will therefore be executed to study various cleaning methods and to assess their potential for damage on those polymers. Highly experimental methods of consolidation will also be assessed for very fragile and deteriorated artifacts—in particular the use of in situ gamma ray polymerization.
One of the most important aspects of POPART will be the dissemination of research results to other conservation professionals. This will happen periodically throughout the duration of the project, through journal articles and conferences as the primary mechanisms, and through regular updates at the project Web site.
The POPART project, which constitutes a major part of the GCI's research into the preservation of plastics, will involve six Institute scientists: Michel Bouchard, Herant Khanjian, Tom Learner, Alan Phenix, Rachel Rivenc, and Michael Schilling, as well as GCI Postdoctoral Fellow Emma Richardson.
In addition to POPART, the GCI has initiated a close collaboration with the Getty Research Institute to investigate various plastics and resins used by Finish Fetish artists of 1960s Los Angeles, whose work will be featured in the exhibition Pacific Standard Time: Art in Los Angeles 19451980, to be held at the J. Paul Getty Museum in 2011. The GCI is also collaborating with a number of other institutions on plastics research, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Yale University Art Gallery, the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, and the Disney Animation Research Library.
Bertrand Lavédrine is director of the Centre de recherche sur la conservation des collections (CRCC), Paris. Rachel Rivenc is a GCI research lab associate. Michael Schilling is a GCI senior scientist.


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Twitter hits 400 million tweets per day, mostly mobile
Twitter CEO Dick Costolo says mobile usage and revenue are outpacing the desktop Web version of the microblog, and that he doesn't concern himself about an IPO.
SAN FRANCISCO--Twitter has become an increasingly deep reservoir of personal data, with more than 400 million tweets per day -- up from 340 million just a month ago -- and associated metadata pouring daily into its servers.
In an interview at the Economist's Ideas Economy: Information 2012 conference, Twitter CEO Dick Costolo said that the majority of Twitter users are mobile and more active than their desktop counterparts.
In response to interviewer Tom Standage, the Economist's digital editor, Costolo said, "because tweets are 140 characters, and born of mobile and constrained that way, when we designed the ad platform our ads would go everywhere tweets go, and the only way is if the ads are tweets. We have an ad platform that is already inherently suited to mobile. Even though we launched the ad platform on the Web already, a couple of weeks ago we saw mobile revenue in a day greater than non-mobile." In addition, the engagement level of mobile users is higher than their non-mobile counterparts.
Costolo added that Twitter's mobile advertising is "doing delightfully well," but didn't offer any specifics as to what "delightful" means.
Costolo was somewhat more forthcoming about mining the data trove it collects. "The fascinating thing about big numbers is you get macro trends and events, and incredible personal moments where you have to dive all the way to see things," he said. He did discussed how Twitter is focused on simplifying the user interface and surfacing the "pulse of the world" with the Discovery component.
"We are spending an inordinate amount of resources and time improving that...and it will use all the signals you provide to personalize the discover component," Costolo said.
As in previous statements, Costolo said that IPO doesn't occupy his thoughts much. "I just don't worry about that stuff...if you wait until the business and business results speak for themselves, you can be a public company on your own terms," he said.
Services and Software Guides
Streaming Services
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Other Services & Software


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Global Threat Report, September 2012
Irish Ransomware Is No Joke. Defeating anti-forensics in contemporary complex threats. BYOD:(B)rought (Y)our (O)wn (D)estruction? Dorkbot: hunting zombies in Latin America. Malware and Mrs Malaprop: what do consumers really know about AV? (sponsor presentation). LAST-MINUTE PAPER: Gataka: a banking trojan ready to take off? LAST-MINUTE PAPER: ACAD/Medre: industrial espionage in Latin America? My PC has 32,539 errors: how telephone support scams really work. Cyberwar: reality, or a weapon of mass distraction?Global_Threat_Trends_September_2012.pdf


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The Clifton StrengthsFinder™
"Where am I headed?" you ask yourself. You ask this question every day. Guided by this theme of Focus, you need a clear destination. Lacking one, your life and your work can quickly become frustrating. And so each year, each month, and even each week you set goals. These goals then serve as your compass, helping you determine priorities and make the necessary corrections to get back on course. Your Focus is powerful because it forces you to filter; you instinctively evaluate whether or not a particular action will help you move toward your goal. Those that don't are ignored. In the end, then, your Focus forces you to be efficient. Naturally, the flip side of this is that it causes you to become impatient with delays, obstacles, and even tangents, no matter how intriguing they appear to be. This makes you an extremely valuable team member. When others start to wander down other avenues, you bring them back to the main road. Your Focus reminds everyone that if something is not helping you move toward your destination, then it is not important. And if it is not important, then it is not worth your time. You keep everyone on point.
Action Items for This Theme
When you set goals, discipline yourself to attach timelines and measurements. These will provide regular proof that you are indeed making progress.
Take the time to write down your goals and refer to them often. You will feel more in control of your life this way.
Seek roles in which you are asked to function independently. With your strong Focus theme you will be able to stay on track with little supervision.
Be sure to tell your manager your mid-term and short-term goals. This might well give your manager the confidence to give you the room you need.
Your greatest worth as a team member might be to help others set goals. At the end of each meeting, take responsibility for summarizing what was decided, for defining when these decisions will be acted upon, and for setting a date when the group will reconvene.
Identify your role models. Write down in detail why you want to focus your career toward similar kinds of achievement.
Be ready to:
Allow others to think, act, and talk less efficiently than you do. Sometimes their "detours" will lead to discoveries and delights.
Stretch your goal-setting beyond work. If you find yourself becoming too focused on work goals, set goals regarding your personal life as well. These goals will give weight to your personal priorities and thereby help restore balance in your life.


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Gemini and Sagittarius Zodiac Signs Compatibility: Gemini and Sagittarius have this strange approach to sex, childish and light as if they don't really care about it. When they get together, they usually get strangely involved in emotions none of them really understands.
Their sex life is something to cherish, easy, open and with no pressure at any side. They will both enjoy their sexual relations, followed by laughter, creativity and joy. As two children in bodies of grown-ups, they could go through the feeling of shame together if they don't have much experience.
When they meet a bit older, there is a slim chance that both of them didn't have enough sexual experiences and partners to understand their personal needs and desires. This can make them both a bit selfish, but if their communication keeps going, there is no reason why this would be a turn off for anyone.
It is a strange thing, but sex is really not that important to these partners. They are looking for someone to complete their mental personalities, someone to talk to and give them a sense of purpose.
This is why they could decide to stay friends after a breakup, for their starting premise was in building a strong relationship founded on their personalities, rather than their sexual or emotional natures.
Gemini & Sagittarius Trust (99%)
If anyone can understand the need of their partner to not be faithful, it's these two. Strangely enough, this can lead to ultimate faithfulness, for there will be no more excitement in the secrecy and mystery of parallel relationships.
Sagittarius is not someone who can tell a lie and keep a straight face, and they are usually really disturbed by the lies of other people. Gemini can tell a lie with such ease that they sometimes don't even know they're lying.
When they get together, this all becomes something to have fun with and they could play a game of trust until they build it on strong foundations of mutual respect.
Gemini & Sagittarius Communication And Intellect (99%)
Wow! This kind of understanding is truly something to cherish. A problem can surface when they are both preoccupied with chasing their personal values and don't see what they have with each other.
As opposing signs they complement each other in general, but this is strongly sensed in this segment of their relationship. With Gemini's ideas and mind flow, there is nothing Sagittarius can't learn or share, being a student and a teacher at the same time. The curiosity goes both ways and they will spend days just learning about each other and absorbing shared experiences.
The only thing that can interfere with the quality of their mental connection is the possible fear of intimacy that builds in the meantime. That strength of personal exchange stops being mental and starts being emotional at some point, and as two signs that aren't exactly emotional to begin with, they can be frightened by the intensity of emotions that are surfacing when they are together.
In general, this is a couple you want to hang out with, every day. They will literally share happiness with one another and with those around them. They can inspire anyone to love and to smile, because when in love, they will laugh so sincerely and have so much fun together.
The "here-and-there" nature of Gemini will get new meaning and purpose through the eyes of their Sagittarius, while the search for the ultimate truth can be so much easier for a Sagittarius with the mind of a Gemini. Their optimism and their eloquence will multiply, day after day, until one of them gets scared and decides to take off or death do them part.
Gemini & Sagittarius Emotions (95%)
It is kind of strange to think about the emotional side of the relationship between a Gemini and a Sagittarius. Both signs have a non-emotional feel to them, but their contact develops so much emotion that maybe neither one of them will be able to cope with it.
They are not used to feeling that much, and when they "click", Sagittarius could discover the new meaning of life and Gemini a synthesis that they've never had a chance to experience. This can truly be a fascinating love story, if only they don't run away from all that emotion.
Gemini & Sagittarius Values (70%)
There is this important thing they both value – things that make sense. As opposing signs it might seem that Gemini is scattered and superficial, while Sagittarius is collected and deep, but in fact they have the same core in the fact that everything needs to make sense.
Usually, we would connect this with the sign of Sagittarius, but Gemini has it in their approach to words and everyday actions. Their Mercury can't deal with senseless words, stories without meaning and purpose, whatever that purpose may be.
Gemini & Sagittarius Shared Activities (99%)
Not only will they share every activity that any of them thinks of, but they will also laugh all the way, whatever they decide to do together. This positive emotion and pure joy they can share, becomes something like a happy drug to both of them and they no longer want to be apart.
As two mutable signs, they understand each other's changeability and flexibility, perfectly capable to find all the right reasons why everything they do makes perfect sense.
There is a point when they will get irritating to their surroundings, like two spoiled children without a care in the world, but while they are this happy – why would they care?
Summary On Gemini and Sagittarius Zodiac Signs Compatibility
Gemini and Sagittarius make an incredible couple, probably being the most innocent one of all oppositions in the zodiac. They don't often find each other right away, but at some point in life it is almost certain that a Gemini will find their Sagittarius and vice versa.
Their relationship has a strong intellectual connection, in which they will gradually find deep emotions. There is no real prognosis how this will end though, because the emotions they feel could easily scare them away and their relationship could end only because of fear.
If they decide to give in and find out what they could share, with Gemini's ideas and Sagittarius' beliefs, the sky is the limit. Or is it beyond?
This Is Gemini and Sagittarius Zodiac Signs Overall Compatibility Score. 0-49: Poor. 50-69: Good. 70-100: Excellent.


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Tag Archives: Cheese
Wokingham Food Festival 2013
I spent a very enjoyable evening at the Wokingham Food Festival last night. This event, lasting two and a half days, is in it's seventh year and has gone from strength to strength. It was originally a Council run event … Continue reading


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LONDON (AP) — As tumultuous a day as professional tennis has produced in its nearly half-century history ended in the most unforeseeable, unexplainable way of all: A second-round loss by Roger Federer at the All England Club.
The seven-time Wimbledon champion and 17-time Grand Slam champ shuffled off Centre Court with dusk approaching on the fortnight's first Wednesday, his head bowed, his streak of reaching at least the quarterfinals at a record 36 consecutive major tournaments snapped by a man ranked 116th.
His remarkable 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 7-5, 7-6 (5) defeat against Sergiy Stakhovsky marked Federer's earliest Grand Slam exit in a decade. He lost in the first round of the French Open on May 26, 2003, back before he owned a single trophy from any of the sport's most important sites.
"This is a setback, a disappointment, whatever you want to call it," said Federer, the defending champion. "Got to get over this one. Some haven't hurt this much, that's for sure."
He had plenty of company on a wild, wild Wednesday brimming with surprising results, a slew of injuries — and all manner of sliding and tumbling on the revered grass courts, prompting questions about whether something made them more slippery.
Seven players left because of withdrawals or mid-match retirements, believed to be the most in a single day at a Grand Slam tournament in the 45-year Open era. Among that group: second-seeded Victoria Azarenka; sixth-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga; 18th-seeded John Isner, who will forever be remembered for winning a 70-68 fifth set in the longest match ever; and Steve Darcis, the man who stunned 12-time major champion Rafael Nadal on Monday.
"Very black day," summed up 10th-seeded Marin Cilic, who said a bad left knee forced him to pull out of his match.
The third-seeded Federer simply was unable to derail Stakhovsky's serve-and-volley style, breaking the 27-year-old Ukrainian only once.
Still, there actually was a real chance for Federer to get back in the thick of things. Ahead 6-5 in the fourth, he held a set point as Stakhovsky served at 30-40. But Stakhovsky came up with this sequence: volley winner, 111 mph ace, serve-and-volley winner.
"I had my opportunities, had the foot in the door. When I had the chance, I couldn't do it," said Federer, who is 122-18 on grass over his career, while Stakhovsky is 13-12. "It's very frustrating, very disappointing. I'm going to accept it and move forward from here. I have no choice."
In the closing tiebreaker, with spectators roaring after every point, Stakhovsky raced to a 5-2 lead, and the match ended with Federer pushing a backhand wide on a 13-stroke exchange. Stakhovsky dropped to his back, then later bowed to the stadium's four sides. He sat in his sideline chair, purple Wimbledon towel draped over his head, as Federer quickly headed for the locker room. Stakhovsky peeked out and saw Federer leaving, then applauded right along with the fans' standing ovation.
"You're playing the guy and then you're playing his legend," Stakhovsky said. "You're playing two of them. When you're beating one, you still have the other one who is pressing you. You're saying, 'Am I about to beat him? Is it possible?'"
It was, and Federer was one of seven players who have been ranked No. 1 to depart the tournament in a span of about 8½ hours. The others: Maria Sharapova, the 2004 Wimbledon champion, who lost 6-3, 6-4 to 131st-ranked Michelle Larcher de Brito of Portugal; Caroline Wozniacki; Ana Ivanovic; Jelena Jankovic; Azarenka; and Lleyton Hewitt, who won Wimbledon in 2002.
All told, five players who have combined to win 26 Grand Slam titles headed home, along with another three who have been the runner-up at a major tournament.
"Today has been bizarre," said 17th-seeded Sloane Stephens of the U.S., who stuck around by winning her match 8-6 in the third set. "I don't know what's going on."
Look at it this way: Three days into the two-week tournament — merely halfway through the second round — a total of five of the 10 highest-seeded women are gone, as are four of the top 10 men.
The beneficiaries might very well be folks such as defending champion Serena Williams, who most figured might only be challenged in a potential final against Sharapova or Azarenka, and Andy Murray, whose path to Britain's first men's title in 77 years no longer can be blocked by Federer, Nadal or Tsonga.
How, then, to decipher it all?
Let fly with far-flung conspiracy theories.
One hypothesis making the rounds: The grass is different because there is a new head groundsman at the All England Club, Neil Stubley (keep in mind, though, that he's been helping prepare the courts here for more than 15 years, albeit with a less distinguished title).
Another popular idea was that the recent weather — it's been in the 60s and humid, but without a drop of rain so far — is affecting traction.
"I don't know if it's the court or the weather. I can't figure it out," said two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka, who said she bruised a bone in her right leg when she slipped on the turf in her victory Monday and couldn't face Flavia Pennetta on Wednesday. "It would be great if the club or somebody who takes care of the court just would examine or try to find an issue so that wouldn't happen."
Tsonga, a finalist at the 2008 Australian Open and semifinalist the past two years at Wimbledon, fell Wednesday and had his leg treated by a trainer, then quit while trailing two sets to one against Ernests Gulbis of Latvia.
Sharapova managed to finish her match, at least, despite losing her footing a few times, but told the chair umpire the conditions were dangerous.
"After I buckled my knee three times, that's obviously my first reaction. And because I've just never fallen that many times in a match before," said the four-time major champion, noting that she thought she might have strained a muscle in her left hip.
"I just noticed a few more players falling a bit more than usual," Sharapova added.
The All England Club took the unusual step of issuing a statement in response to Wednesday's events — and complaints.
"There has been some suggestion that the court surface is to blame. We have no reason to think this is the case. Indeed, many players have complimented us on the very good condition of the courts," the statement read. "The court preparation has been to exactly the same meticulous standard as in previous years and it is well known that grass surfaces tend to be more lush at the start of an event. The factual evidence, which is independently checked, is that the courts are almost identical to last year, as dry and firm as they should be, and we expect them to continue to play to their usual high quality."
Like Sharapova, Federer will not be among the players who gets a chance to gauge those courts' quality the rest of the way.
He's been as good as it gets at Wimbledon for the better part of 10 years; Pete Sampras and Willie Renshaw (whose titles came in the 1880s) are the only other men to have won the tournament seven times.
"Beating Roger here on his court, where he's a legend, is, I think, having definitely a special place in my career," Stakhovsky said.
Uh, yeah, that's fair. Stakhovsky owns a losing record for his career (108-121) and at Grand Slams (12-18) and never has been past the third round at a major tournament. Until Wednesday, he was best known, if at all, for grabbing his cellphone to take a photo of a disputed ball mark in the clay during a first-round loss at the French Open last month.
Federer's consistent brilliance extends beyond Wimbledon, of course: He reached 23 Grand Slam semifinals in a row in one stretch, which also included 10 straight finals.
Not since a third-round loss at the 2004 French Open had Federer failed to reach the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam. That means he'd won 141 consecutive matches in the first through fourth rounds at the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open (he advanced four times via an opponent's withdrawal).
But given the way this week has gone so far, Wednesday in particular, this loss somehow fit in.
"There was a time where some players didn't believe they could beat the top guys. So maybe there's a little bit of a thing happening at the moment," Federer said. "I'm happy about that — that players believe they can beat the best on the biggest courts in the biggest matches."
Now the question becomes: What could Thursday, let alone the rest of Wimbledon, possibly have in store?
LONDON (AP) — As tumultuous a day as professional tennis has produced in its nearly half-century history ended in the most unforeseeable, unexplainable way of all: A second-round loss by Roger Federer at the All England Club.


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When I first started the Carnival of Genealogy, over three years ago, it was "the only game in town" so to speak. What I mean by that is, it was the only themed writing project of it's kind for genealogy bloggers. Now, of course, it is only one of many, many themed writing projects available for those who choose to blog about their family history and genealogy research. With so many options now available to genealogy bloggers including daily, weekly, and monthly blogging prompts, as well as a variety of blog carnivals, the COG is poised to change to something a bit different from the rest.
Change in Format
The format of the COG will change from one all-inclusive group of a varying number of articles to a maximum of 30 articles per edition, 10 of which will be "select articles" that I will comment on and introduce, and one of which will be "the feature article" which I will highlight more extensively. A photo/avatar of the author of the featured article will be posted in a prominent place on the Creative Gene blog until the next edition is published. I'm thinking about awarding a prize to one of the featured authors in conjunction with the 100th edition of the COG later this year. Let me know what you think of that idea. I'll keep ya posted on that part.
The cap of 30 submissions comes out of necessity. I need to be able to plan my time and know in advance the maximum amount of time needed to put the COG together. The most recent edition of the COG, published earlier today, had 65 submissions. I didn't read them all because I just couldn't free up that much time in the period from the deadline to the publishing date (48 of the 65 submissions were received in the 48 hours before the deadline). In my opinion, there is a point at which the COG is just too big... too much for readers/fans to read in a reasonable period of time and too much for me to deal with on short notice. I think that point is 30 articles per edition.
Just for reference, of the 25 editions of the COG published in 2009 (December 15 was a "twofer" which I'm counting as separate editions for this purpose), only 5 editions exceeded 30 submissions. Those 5 most popular topics were: #1 Happy Dance [50], #2 NY Resolutions [40], #3 Uncles [33], #4 Women's History [32], #5 Swim Suit Edition [32]. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'm terrible at guessing which topics will be popular and which will be "misses". I expected "Happy Dance" to be popular but not that popular. And I expected "Family Fun" to be popular but with only 11 submissions it was a real miss. The average number of submissions was 24.5 per edition in 2009, well under the new maximum of 30. So it really shouldn't change things all that much.
How will I decide which 30 articles will be included in each edition of the COG? I will not be using a juried selection process for COG submissions. The first 30 submissions received, "on topic", will be included. Period. However, "on topic" will now mean that those articles submitted that essentially say "this doesn't apply to me/my family" or "I don't have much to say on this topic" will no longer be included. I will consider them "off topic" to allow that opportunity to go to someone who has something relevant to share on the topic.
I have put a widget/doodad on the left side bar of this blog to keep track of the number of submissions I have received for each edition. It would be a good idea to get into the habit of checking here to see where things stand. I will update it as often as possible. I wish there was a way for me to cut off submissions on the blogcarnival web site but I can't. I know many (many!) of you are in the habit of waiting until the last minute to write up your COG posts. When it comes to popular topics (whichever those may be) it may mean your article won't get included. I'm sorry for that. All I can say is write early and submit your article early if it's one you really care about.
Change in Emphasis
I want to keep the COG open to everyone, including those new to blogging. But I also want to encourage quality writing. Early on in the COG I highlighted good writing and encouraged readers to visit the blogs of those authors who showed real talent. I want to get back to those roots. Therefore, I'm asking you to put your best foot forward when it comes to submitting articles to the Carnival of Genealogy. Please don't dash off a quick post just to be a part of it. I want the COG to be a quality publication with well thought out, well researched, and well written articles. For the most part, it has been. But there have been a few articles here and there that weren't. Because those articles were still "on topic" I've included them in the past but I won't be doing that anymore. I'm no editor, but I recognize a compeling story when I read one. Likewise I can recognize an article that is well researched, well written, well sourced, or creatively presented. These are the sorts of things I will be mentioning in the 10 "select articles" in each edition.
The "feature article" will be an opportunity for me to highlight that article/author that stands out from the crowd. Let's face it, we bloggers put a lot of time and effort into what we publish on our blogs but we don't get much recognition for it. There are the comments, yes, and getting mentioned in someone's "roundup" is always nice, but there's not much else. Until now. Now those who participate in the Carnival of Genealogy have an opportunity to get recognized, thanked, and promoted for their outstanding efforts.
Change in Marketing
I welcome and appreciate promotions and links from bloggers participating in and reading the COG but the Geneabloggers Group on Facebook has gotten so big that a promotion there can create a "blog-alanche" of submissions, more than I can deal with. I cringe at the thought of all the rejection notes I'd have had to send out for the edition published earlier today. So, I've asked Thomas not to promote the COG on the GeneaBloggers on Facebook group anymore. I'm looking for quality not quantity of submissions and I think word of
Change in Frequency of Publication
I've had several requests to change the COG to a once-a-month carnival. I have thought about this request long and hard. And then I thought about it longer and harder. I've agonized over it, really. I asked some veteran participants in the COG for their opinions and then I thought about it even more. I came up with a list of topics that would require more lengthy research and writing time and would work well in a month-long time frame. I pretty much decided to go ahead with the change to once-a-month and then I read about the "favorite" topics that participants enjoyed in the past and look forward to in the future (in COG #84-What the COG Means to Me) and I realized that if I continue to include the favorite topics (which I would personally like to do) it would only leave me with 5 "new" topics each year. I admit that thinking up new topics has become more challenging with all the other themed writing projects out there but I can come up with more than 5 good ideas off the top of my head! So, here's what will happen. Some months the COG will have 2 editions and some months it will have one. I'm going to change it up and you'll have to pay attention to the deadlines in each "call for submissions" to know which is which. COG participants are a highly intelligent bunch and I'm sure this will not be too confusing for you all ;-)
Changes in Topics
I will not be listing future topics for the COG on the Creative Gene blog this year. I think it took some of the fun out of it to know in advance what the next topic would be when each edition was published. I'm also going to play around with some more creative and challenging topics this year. I hope you're up for a challenge! I think you'll find them fun and educational.
All in all, I don't think these changes are major ones but they will hopefully make for a higher quality publication and one I can better manage putting together. I hope the COG will continue to be a platform for new bloggers and also become a place where genealogy and family history researchers who excell in writing will get noticed, applauded, and promoted. I welcome your feedback on these changes and I hope you will continue to read, participate in, and promote the Carnival of Genealogy.
And on that note, it's time for a Call for Submissions!
The topic for the next edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is: Volunteerism! Here's a chance to toot your horn about whatever genealogy projects, organizations, or events you voluntarily give your time and efforts to. What do you get out of volunteering? How did you decide what to volunteer for? How much time each month do you spend volunteering for genealogy projects/organizations/events? Is there an organization or project you'd like to recommend to others? Tell us all about it! The deadline for submissions is January 15, 2010.


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OWC Mercury Extreme SSD - First Look at a 50GB SandForce Driveby Anand Lal Shimpi on February 26, 2010 12:00 AM EST
- Posted in
- Storage
Sequential Read/Write Speed
Using the latest build of Iometer I ran a 3 minute long 2MB sequential write test over the entire span of the drive. The results reported are in average MB/s over the entire test length:
Sequential write speed is completely unaffected by the drop in capacity. The 50GB $229 OWC Mercury Extreme performs just as well as the 100GB version from OWC or OCZ. The three also happen to be the fastest SSDs I've tested at this point in terms of sequential write speed.
Sequential read speed is also unaffected. There's absolutely no drop in performance here when you go to the smaller capacity. This is why OWC states that the 50GB drive performs just as well as the 100GB and 200GB drives. The next page will show you why that's a false statement.
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ayembee - Tuesday, March 9, 2010 - link...given my 200GB Vertex 2 LE lasted 6 days :
however, based on the OCZ support forums it could be the OCZ firmware rather than a specific hardware issue, as it seems they they are getting very similar-sounding bricks on several kinds of vertex models.
Hrel - Sunday, March 7, 2010 - linkNow I only need to wait for SSD's in this price range to drop under $1 per GB; and let me add that after getting used to 12cents per GB I think I'm being extremely generous!
OWC Grant - Monday, March 1, 2010 - linkAs far as reselling review units, most manufacturers DO sell their review units and other products clearly marked as "open box", B stock, or refurbished and thus provide users with another purchase option. We offer these types of products in our monthly "clearance/garage sale" promo and are very well liked by our newsletter readers as great "insider" deals.
Our statement of all the drive sizes (50/100/200GB) offering the same performance in terms of raw sustained data transfer rates was and is still true. As noted in Anand's final summary and direct communication with us, the overall performance of the 50GB model "looks quite good" and "performance is nearly identical in call cases except one." (a small random write file) We are looking into that one instance and will advise on any outcome.
Thanks as always to Anand and you readers for your interest in SSD's in general and our offerings in that category.
jed22281 - Friday, March 26, 2010 - link"As noted in Anand's final summary and direct communication with us, the overall performance of the 50GB model "looks quite good" and "performance is nearly identical in call cases except one." (a small random write file) We are looking into that one instance and will advise on any outcome."
So what was the outcome?
skimike - Monday, May 3, 2010 - linkOut of curiosity, do you know if OWC has a secure/sanity erase utility for the OWC Mercury Extreme 100GB drive? I called OWC's tech support line and they didn't know anything about it. And the drive password used by hdparm in Linux isn't set to NULL so I can't use hdparm, either.
monomer - Monday, March 1, 2010 - linkDailytech posted an article on Friday saying that JMicron will be releasing a new controller with a 128MB DRAM cache soon. Does anyone know if they actually fixed their random access problems, or did they just throw more cache at it to try to cover it up?
tuskers - Monday, March 1, 2010 - linkSomething I'd love to see is how much software compile times improve with an SSD. As a professional software engineer, I'd love to see whether SSDs would improve a common real-world task like this.
hyc - Monday, March 1, 2010 - linkYes, noticeably.
I write code all day. All of my machines now have SSDs as their primary drive. 256GB G.Skill Titan in my desktop, 256GB Samsung in my current laptop, 128GB Transcend PATA in my old laptop, 120GB OCZ CoreV2 floating on an eSata adapter for quick bulk copies.
arklab - Monday, March 1, 2010 - linkPardon my ignorance, but I'm new to SSD's.
I (think) I read in your first review that only Sand Force is able to make utilities for these (OWC and OCZ LE) drives.
Does this include the trim command (for Windows 7 use), or can we just use some "generic" command?
What would OSX users do?
fictionfree - Monday, March 1, 2010 - linkI've purchased a couple items from OWC in the past - can't say I'm a fan of the company. It wouldn't surprise me if they resold review drives. I purchased an external Firewire drive from them a few years ago, and when the internal drive died, I took the case apart to see that it was a refurbished drive. I didn't buy a refurb drive, I bought a brand new drive - but they filled the case with a refurb. Not cool - and they refused to do anything to make it right.
Just my 2 cents, but I find them to be shady.


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our schedule.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Nepal: Paragliding in Pokhara
our schedule.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Thailand: Phuket's old town
beaches of Phuket. And since I had a car, I made sure to drop by the old town to see its historic mansions and shop houses.
Beach hopping in Phuket (Rawai, Kata, Karon & Patong)
Sri Panwa Phuket
Beach hopping in Phuket (Rawai, Kata, Karon & Patong)
Sri Panwa Phuket
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Thailand: Sri Panwa Phuket
Phuket's public beaches.
My stay at Sri Panwa Phuket was extremely pleasing! How I wish I could visit again. Definitely highly-recommended, especially for those who want to spend their honeymoon in Phuket.
Bookings can be made through the Sri Panwa Phuket website.
Related article
Beach hopping in Phuket (Rawai, Kata, Karon & Patong)
Tuesday, August 06, 2013
Globe presents Huawei's newest smartphones & the Globe Huawei Ascend ambassadors
Like Cesca, Patti, Aly and Ivan, leading device manufacturer Huawei has unveiled its newest top quality smartphones that deserve a second look. Slim and flawless, crystal-clear and long-lasting, the Huawei Ascend P6 and Huawei Ascend Mate are the latest handsets from Huawei packed with exciting features and superb functionality for a differentiated smartphone experience.
The Huawei Ascend P6 is available at Globe Best-Ever MySuperPlan for as low as P999 monthly at Plan 499 with P500 monthly cashout for a 24-month contract period or at Plan 999 with P200 monthly cashout also for a 24-month contract period. The Huawei Ascend Mate is free at Plan 999 and is also available at Plan 499 with a P200 monthly cashout over a 24-month contract period.
Meet the Globe Huawei Ascend ambassadors
One of the country's favorite TV hosts juggling entertainment, lifestyle, and sports news, Cesca Litton is a superwoman who has always considered animals and children her top priority. So when she devoted herself to help in this cause, she went all the way to South Africa to lend a hand. Cesca is not just a pretty face, she's an enigma on her own. That's why people really take a second look at her beauty, grace, and allure.
Cesca says, "I've always believed in traveling my way: learning the culture and bringing to life my advocacy. I always believe that it's the small things that count, and the best pasalubong are photos, because what better way to keep a memory of your travel than with a captured moment. The Huawei Ascend P6 is perfect for me since I can take quick pro-snapshots with its 5MP front-facing camera and share on Instagram via my Globe unlimited surfing plan."
Don't be fooled by her sweet façade, as host-model Patti Grandidge is one tough cookie. Not only is she a certified fashion maven, she is also an entrepreneur. She specializes in baking, and is known for her sinfully Sweet Patti Cakes. Her passion for the delish is evident on her food blog "Patti's Palette." You have to look twice because this femme fatale is one of Manila's multi-faceted personas.
"I've always been passionate about food and fashion, and it has been my habit to share this passion to everyone. With my fast-paced lifestyle, I need a device that can keep up with me. Thanks to the Ascend P6, I get the thinnest Android phone out there, a device that doesn't weigh me down. I can also wear this stylish phone with my favorite skinny jeans without a phone embossed on my leg as I strut down the runway and through my meetings. And with my Best-Ever MySuperPlan, I get to stay in touch with my contacts worry-free," shares Patti.
Aly Borromeo is known to be an aggressive player on the field as captain of the Philippine Azkals. Add that to his intimidating and strong physique, it's hard not to be intimidated by him. However, behind his fierce aura lies a sweet, shy and mellow guy who enjoys staying home and watching movies and sports clips during his free time. With his busy lifestyle, it's very hard for him to enjoy life's simplest pleasures such as these.
"Because of my hectic schedule, I always miss out on my favorite movies and live sports broadcasts. That's why I need a device that fills in this gap. With the Huawei Ascend Mate, I get a 6.1" screen, the biggest smartphone display screen today. This device lets me catch my favorite shows and sports clips via video streaming while on the go, thanks to my Globe unlimited surfing plan. The big screen is perfect for a big guy like me," showcases Aly.
An awardee of The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) 2012 for Heritage Conservation, Ivan Henares is considered as one of the country's most influential travel bloggers. He has in fact visited all 80 provinces of the Philippines. On the sideline, Ivan is a writer and lecturer at the UP Asian Institute of Tourism. Traveling is his passion, and he shares this passion to the world through his blog "Ivan About Town."
Ivan explains, "When it comes to gadgets, I put battery life first and foremost, because I need a device that lasts longer while I travel around the country and the world. When you're traveling, you don't get the luxury of having a socket beside you all the time to charge your device. Huawei Ascend Mate comes in handy with this need. With the device's long-lasting battery, I can take pictures and play music while I'm discovering places around the world. I get to upload my travel photos instantly without worrying about my battery, thanks to my Globe consumable surfing plan."
So the next time you come across Cesca, Patti, Aly or Ivan, make sure you give them the second look they rightfully deserve.
Monday, August 05, 2013
Ilocos Norte: Your guide to the best Ilocos empanadas
two distinct varieties, namely Batac and Vigan, the differences of which, I've written about before. But in Ilocos Norte, there are several places to get really delicious empanada aside from in Batac.
street food in Batac if you want more than just empanada.
Did I miss any other interesting empanadaan in Ilocos Norte?
street food in Batac if you want more than just empanada.
Did I miss any other interesting empanadaan in Ilocos Norte?
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Northern Michigan Books: Co-authors Phillip J. Crowley and Kenneth C. Wylie have teamed up to tell a story inspired by true Northern Michigan events in the seventies. The story is one of a Kalkaska County woman trapped in a hell of domestic violence. At a time when society is resistant in challenging abuse in the home, a Northern Michigan woman fights for her safety and freedom. Crowley, a former Kalkaska County Michigan Prosecuting Attorney joins Peace Corps vet and freelance writer Wylie in their novel Possessed.
"What had she done? Alone, scared, sitting in the holding cell of the Kalkaska County Sheriff's Department, Iris Harris never imagined she would be trapped in a battering relationship. Her life was not without struggles by by her forties she was content and fulfilled, teaching inner city children in the City of Detroit. A chance encounter, in a small mid-Michigan town, with an older outwardly pleasant and charming real estate agent, plunged her into a nightmare of emotional, physical and sexual abuse. She became his possession. It was the seventies. The legal system was impotent to render assistance. Society was incapable of understanding the dynamics of domestic violence and unwilling to intervene. To her friends and neighbors she was the one at fault. Iris was ensnared in a vicious cycle of abuse. Her only wish—to be free. Her only hope—to be found not guilty. "
Where to get the book:
Leelanau Books, Leland
Dog Ears, Northport—Book signing September 28th
Horizon Books, Traverse City—Book signing October 12th
Online purchases also available at Amazon.com


text: BeyondEbola006.JPG DORMA VILLAGE - SIERRA LEONE 03-27-2015 Sembu, a local witch gun maker, sits in his home in the village on Dorma in Kono District, Sierra Leone, on Friday, March 27, 2015. With guns are used for a variety of purposes, some good, some bad. This with gun was made to cast a curse on a person. (Photo by Michael G. Seamans/Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting)


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Tutor/Facilitator Julie Smith
Date: on/from Wed 21 Jun 2023 to end year
Frequency: Weekly
Class time: 4:30-5:30
Delivered ZOOM
Other information
A Yin Yoga class will work on fascia and connective tissue.
This is a relaxing class done on the floor. The class aims to increase flexibility and joint health. It can be meditative and relaxing.
NOTE: The class is suitable for all people with the exception of those with hypermobility. Alternative poses are offered to deal with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
REQUIREMENTS: Students to provide their own yoga mat, yoga block or cushion, water.
TUTOR: Julie completed her yoga training at Power Living, and is also qualified in Yin Yoga. She has completed a Yoga for Seniors course at Duke University in North Carolina which dealt with the medical issues most common for over-65s and the learnings for yoga practice.


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With the fall semester soon upon us, some incoming college freshmen, as well as their parents, may be wondering whether the student should consider joining a fraternity or sorority. And it's something students in high school may be thinking about as they look ahead to their future college careers.
Is Greek life for them? What are the advantages? Are there drawbacks?
The first step in the process is to put aside any preconceived notions.
"I'd be hard-pressed to come up with a business, an organization, a government agency that's as maligned as fraternities or sororities," said Pat J. Bosco, vice president for student life/dean of students at Kansas State University. "Just look at TV, look what's on cable. I can't come up with one movie that portrays Greek life in a positive way."
There are pluses, there are minuses. There are gray areas. Times have changed, and fraternities and sororities at times seem to be struggling to find their place.
"For the most part these are incredibly dynamic organizations that serve some awfully good purposes on campus — and can do more," Bosco said. "What we need to do is change the course to look toward the academic missions of our colleges and ask how can we contribute to that mission, especially student success. How can we measure it and improve it?"
Here's a look at some of the pros and cons to weigh if considering a fraternity or sorority:
Networking: One of the traditional selling points for Greek life is the connections one can make, not just with current chapter members, but with the network of former fraternity or sorority members in the business world. A fraternity is not a four-year college experience, like a school club; it's a lifetime involvement.
"I have seen the benefits of that for some students who look to their fraternity or sorority upon graduation when they're looking for a job," said Katherine Cohen, the CEO and founder of IvyWise, an educational consulting company that helps students gain admission to everything from pre-kindergarten to graduate school.
Of course, in 2013 there are myriad other ways to build your network. Cohen also pointed out that a university offers many other opportunities to meet people in small group settings, "whether it's joining the newspaper or a dance company or an a cappella group. If (a student has) other interests, I encourage you to look at all the opportunities to find students on campus with common interests."
Housing: Fraternity housing is generally less expensive than living in a residence hall. "If you check out most websites of Greek affairs offices on college campuses, they're very straightforward on pricing and financial expectations," Bosco said. And the fraternity or sorority house experience also exposes a student to more real-life situations — the house must be maintained, bills paid, a cook hired, etc.
Cohen said the cost depends on the fraternity or sorority and the year the student is in. She said sharing an off-campus apartment may be cheaper than living in a dorm. And living in a fraternity can be more cost effective — but you have to do the homework. "Speak to someone in the frat. What are the real costs? Have them lay them out. Find out if they'll be saving or not."
Charitable work: Through various fundraisers, fraternities and sororities raise money for national and local charities, as well as individual causes. (Earlier this year, members of Phi Alpha Tau at Emerson College in Boston raised more than $20,000 to help pay for a transgendered chapter member's female-to-male surgery.) According to the North-American Interfraternity Conference, a trade association for 75 international and national men's fraternities, the groups raised $21.1 million for charity in the 2011-2012 school year (nicindy.org/press).
Better numbers: Bosco said that students belonging to fraternities and sororities generally have higher grade-point averages than the rest of the student body (though other factors may be a factor). They also have higher freshman and sophomore retention rates and more service hours, Bosco noted.
Financial, time commitments: Both can be substantial. Cohen pointed out the Greek life involves many social engagements that need to be balanced with the class workload. Then there's the financial commitment. "There are dues, functions, events," she said. "We've seen a lot of hidden costs families might not have thought of before the rush process."
Just as if you were buying a car, get all the costs spelled out for you. Peter Smithhisler, CEO of the North-American Interfraternity Conference, said not to be satisfied with a group's ballpark number. Get a specific dollar amount. "Costs for chapter dues, costs for insurance, if there's a housing component. ... The fraternity and sorority should be upfront. Don't be afraid to ask, 'What should I get for this money?' And if they can't or won't answer, look elsewhere."
As for the time commitment, Bosco suggested that incoming freshmen decrease their course loads their first semester. If a freshman typically carries 15 hours, go with 12. There are too many fraternity-related commitments that can interfere with studies.
Hazing: A fraternity could raise tens of thousands of dollars to buy puppies for needy children, but one hazing incident halfway across the country is what makes headlines and what people remember. Hazing is universally deplored by fraternity and sorority officials (and it should be pointed out that it occurs in other non-Greek organizations, such as athletic teams and bands, as well). Still, it does happen. According to a recent report by Bloomberg News, 59 students died in incidents involving fraternities since 2005, 10 of them in 2012 alone.
"I am on record as adamant that hazing has no place in the fraternity or sorority experience and should be reported immediately," Smithhisler said. "Go in with the expectation, 'I will not be hazed.' They should ask the fraternity or sorority that question specifically. I joined the chapter I belonged to 30 years ago and asked that question, and they kept their word."
"There isn't a national organization or local group that doesn't have a zero tolerance policy when it comes to hazing," Bosco added. "National leaders, local chapter members are doing everything they can to eliminate all aspects of hazing. My rule is, if you think it's hazing, it's hazing. Instances when they occur have to be dealt with in a no-tolerance manner and be dealt with quickly."
Party time: "Animal House" was an exaggeration, but there was a nugget of truth. A 2002 study by the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention found that fraternities and sororities were among the groups that fostered a culture of drinking on college campuses.
One way to check an organization's commitment to studies is to look at a fraternity or sorority's website and find the last three years of records of their grades. Bosco also suggested that parents visit chapter houses and ask about the commitment to student success. "Outstanding chapters recruiting young men involve parents along the way. I would look for that," he said.
They may not want you: Wanting to be part of Greek life doesn't necessarily mean you can. You still have to be accepted, and not everyone is.
Challenges: Bosco says that fraternities and sororities need to work harder in several areas, such as focusing on their successes and connecting better with the academic side of the university.
"They're combating an awful lot of misconceptions and their brand is blurred," he said. "The best way for them to look to the future is to partner with academic missions that are strategic and will make sense to a lot of stakeholders — faculty, boards of trustees, prospective students, family members. They have to get serious about their contributions to students' success. Specifically, freshman and sophomore retention rates, graduation rates, and if they're going to be bragging about networking, let's quantify that with (numbers about) jobs and internships for members."
Bottom line
Smithhisler says the vast majority of students seeking membership are what he calls "maybe joiners." They're not sure if Greek life is for them. He would advise them to "enter into the recruitment experience with some good questions: Will I be valued? Will my personal experiences contribute to the overall success of this group? Will I have an opportunity to practice my leadership, perhaps have some fun? Will this complement my academic goals?
"What usually happens is they'll find their place or they decide to go in a different direction in college. Both answers are just fine. There shouldn't be any pressure to do it."


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One Wednesday afternoon this summer, 55 young men and women filed into a dark movie theater for a private screening. Sundance this was not. There was no Robert Redford, no Diesel swag. But this audience had one important qualification: sometime recently, they had all dropped out of high school. So for a movie about America's malfunctioning education system, it was an unusually qualified focus group.
Waiting for "Superman" is a new film by Davis Guggenheim, the Academy Award winning director of An Inconvenient Truth, a movie that took on another mind-numbingly complex issue and, confounding all logic, grossed $50 million worldwide and changed the way many Americans think about climate change.
In anticipation of Superman's Sept. 24 release, screenings are being held all over the country for elite audiences Bill Gates has become an evangelist for the film and for education activists, including ones who help kids who have dropped out. So it was that Crystal Rojas, 19, sat down in the stadium seating in Chicago to watch a movie that might have been loosely based on her life. She nodded when she saw footage of things she recognized, like teachers reading newspapers in class. She raised her eyebrows when she saw how much America spends per pupil far more than almost every country in the world does.
At the end, her eyes filled with tears. Rojas had long believed that her problems in school were all her fault. In fifth grade, her teacher told her that she wouldn't amount to much. "She said, 'It doesn't matter if you learn. Your future is determined.'" And for a while it seemed as if her teacher had been right. In sixth grade, Rojas tried to transfer to a charter school, but it was full. So she stayed in her neighborhood public school, where only 1 in 5 students was doing math at grade level. Then she went to a vocational high school where, she says, she spent almost three hours a day in a typing class. "I would just go there and feel like I was wasting space. So I thought, Why should I keep coming?" She dropped out two weeks into 10th grade.
Rojas has since earned her GED and is studying business administration at a community college. Her future is not certain, but nor is it lost. Watching the movie, she heard that teacher's voice in her head all over again. And she started to think that maybe there is a problem in America's schools, and that it is bigger than Crystal Rojas.
Waiting for "Superman" is a documentary that follows five kids and their parents as they try to escape their neighborhood public schools for higher-performing public charter schools. The movie serves up a lot of clarifying statistics about the problems facing education reform, explaining how it could be that the U.S. since 1971 has more than doubled the money it spends per pupil yet still trails most other rich nations in science and math scores. But the film succeeds because it also lays out the solutions, something no one could credibly attempt to do until very recently.
Today, several decades into America's long, tedious fight over how to upend the status quo in public education, three remarkable things are happening simultaneously. First, thanks partly to the blunt instruments of No Child Left Behind, we can now track how well individual students are doing from year to year and figure out which schools are working and which are not. Most Americans think testing is a spurious trend; a new TIME poll found that only 1 out of 5 people surveyed felt that testing has had a positive effect in schools. But as the tests get better, we are starting to be able to see in the dark. We can track what works and what doesn't in the classroom, something that had been for all of history a matter of conjecture and hearsay. And while the data isn't perfect, it's far better than any other yardstick we've ever had before.
Second, legions of public schools some charters, some not are succeeding while others flounder. These successful schools are altering fundamentals that were for so long untouchable, by insisting on great teachers, more class time and higher standards. We now know that it is possible to teach every kid, even poor kids with wretched home lives, to read, write and do math and science at respectable levels. In Harlem, low-income African-American students at these schools are performing on par with kids across New York City and the state. And the researchers studying their success have learned that what matters more than anything else in the school is the teacher, the one person in the building whose job has changed the least in the past half-century.


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Ducks on the dock at Toms River.
Pike Place Fish Market.
Crab chilling on a step, near the beach. I snapped a few photos and was settling in to get some action shots when a few fellas came bounding down the staircase and spooked the little guy. Can't say I blame him, getting squished wouldn't be my idea of a fun night, either.
Queen of Cups (Water) January 2013
Carousel Horse
coy jumping in the waterfall
I was having a casual lunch when these two dropped in for a bite. Quite a few photos from this series are blurry because I was laughing too hard to hold the camera steady.
Panda at the San Diego Zoo. You can peek at them via Panda Cam.
A proud seagull surveys the Coronado Coast. Perhaps, even, following a feast at The Del.


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Social Psychology – A Primer
Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love
Gottman's The Four Horsemen of the Marital Apocalypse
How are relationships maintained?
Altruism - Helping others
Why do we help?
When do we help?
Other influences on helping
Cooperation and the Prisoner's Dilemma
Teaching Prosocial Behaviors
Applied Social Psychology
Conflict and Peacemaking
Mental and Physical Health
Criminal Justice Administration and Policing
Economics and Personal Finance
Education and Pedagogy
Business Leadership, Human Resources, Marketing
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(AP)—Caving to public pressure, Beijing environmental authorities
started releasing more detailed air quality data Saturday that may
better reflect how bad the Chinese capital's air pollution is. But one
expert says measurements from the first day were low compared with data
U.S. officials have been collecting for years.
initial measurements were low on a day where you could see blue sky.
After a week of smothering smog, the skies over the city were being
cleared by a north wind.
readings of PM2.5—particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers in size
or about 1/30th the average width of a human hair—were being posted on
Beijing's environmental monitoring center's website. Such small
particulates can penetrate deep into the lungs, so measuring them is
considered a more accurate reflection of air quality than other methods.
is the first time Beijing has publicly revealed PM2.5 data and follows a
clamor of calls by citizens on social networking sites tired of
breathing in gray and yellow air. The U.S. Embassy measures PM2.5 from a
device on its rooftop and releases the results, and some residents have
even tested the air around their neighborhoods and posted the results
is releasing hourly readings of PM2.5 that are taken from one
monitoring site about 4 miles (7 km) west of Tiananmen Square,
the monitoring center's website said Saturday. It said the data was for
research purposes and the public should only use it as a reference.
reading at noon Saturday was 0.015 mg per cubic meter, which
would be classed as "good" for a 24-hour exposure at that level,
according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. The U.S.
Embassy reading taken from its site on the eastern edge of downtown
Beijing said its noon reading was "moderate." Its readings are posted on
Andrews, an environmental consultant who has studied Beijing's
pollution data since 2006, said he was "already a bit suspicious" of
Beijing's PM2.5 data. Within the 24-hour period to noon Saturday,
Beijing reported seven hourly figures "at the very low level" of 0.003 mg per cubic meter.
all of 2010 and 2011, the U.S. Embassy reported values at or below that
level only 18 times out of over 15,000 hourly values or about 0.1% of the time," said Andrews. "PM2.5 concentrations vary by area
so a direct comparison between sites isn't possible, but the numbers
being reported during some hours seem surpisingly low."
Beijing center had promised to release PM2.5 data by the start of the
Chinese Lunar New Year on Monday. It has six sites that can test for
PM2.5 and 27 that can test for the larger, coarser PM10 particles that
are considered less hazardous. The center is expected to buy equipment
and build more monitoring sites to enable PM2.5 testing.
wasn't expected to include PM2.5 in its daily roundups of the air
quality anytime soon. Those disclosures, for example "light" or
"serious," are based on the amount of PM10, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen
dioxide in the air.
interprets air quality using less stringent standards than the U.S.
Embassy, so often when the government says pollution is "light," the
embassy terms it "hazardous."
has been tremendous amounts of attention in the Chinese media—whichever
newspaper you pick up, whichever radio station you listen to, channel
you watch—they are all talking about PM2.5 and how levels are so high,"
said Andrews.
has been so powerful is that people are skeptical, and I think rightly
skeptical," about the government's descriptions of data, he said.
Beijing center's readings (in Chinese)
The U.S. Embassy's Twitter feed
SOURCE: The Associated Press


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Google (GOOG) executive chairman Eric Schmidt plans to sell a big chunk of his stake in the Web search company.
Schmidt, who was Google's CEO from 2001-2011, will sell up to 3.2 million shares of Google stock, worth about $2.5 billion, according to a filing with the SEC late Friday.
That would leave him with 4.4 million shares, or a 1.3% stake, and 5% voting power. That's a little more than half of what he owned at the end of last year.
Schmidt owned 7.6 million shares, which gave him 8.2% of the voting power, as of Dec. 31. This sale is part of a pre-arranged stock trading plan the company approved in November that allowed Schmidt to begin selling his stock this month.
"Using this trading plan, Eric can diversify his investment portfolio and can spread stock trades out over a period of one year to reduce market impact," said Google in the filing.
Just last week, Google's stock soared to an all-time high on hope that the company was nearing a settlement with European regulators over an antitrust probe. Turns out the European Commission says it's still reviewing proposals submitted by Google. But the hint of a settlement was enough for investors to jump in.
Related: 5 reasons why Google has its mojo back
Google's stock has been on a tear over the past six months as the company continues to activate a million Android devices a day, has successfully expanded into the broadband, cable and wireless arenas, and remains the dominant search engine.
Despite more competition from Microsoft (MSFT) and Facebook (FB), neither has yet threatened Google's top spot.
Shares of Google edged lower in after-hours trading.
-- CNNMoney's David Goldman contributed


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Stern Pinball Introduces the TRANSFORMERS™ Pin™ – Stylish, Affordable Pinball Entertainment for the Home
Innovative TRANSFORMERS™ Pin™ To Be Released under the
Stern Home Arcade™ Brand
MELROSE PARK, IL – October 1, 2012 – Today, Stern Pinball, Inc., the world's only maker of real pinball games, introduced the TRANSFORMERS™ Pin™, a stylish, affordable and entertaining pinball game designed and engineered exclusively for the home. For customers new to pinball ownership, the TRANSFORMERS Pin offers fun and timeless family entertainment at an affordable price. The Pin™ also provides an entry into the rapidly growing community of pinball play and ownership driven by impassioned enthusiasts and collectors around the globe. The Pin is the latest model to be developed by Stern and joins the company's existing line-up of Pro, Premium, and Limited Edition models.
The licensed TRANSFORMERS Pin features art, music, speech, and sound effects from the blockbuster TRANSFORMERS franchise. Since the birth of the franchise in 1984, the TRANSFORMERS brand has been celebrated with toys, comic books, animation, summer blockbuster movies and more. Under license from Hasbro, Stern is now proud to be adding an additional pinball game model to its lineup. Players can expect the classic battle between the heroic OPTIMUS PRIME and the villainous MEGATRON as well as other beloved AUTOBOT and DECEPTICON characters.
The easily assembled TRANSFORMERS Pin is built to last and engineered with genuine Stern commercial-quality parts including flippers, slingshots, pop bumpers, tempered playfield glass, and the traditional pinball plunger. The playfield is housed in a stylish cabinet with modern, high definition artwork. The all-LED playfield lighting provides optimal color and performance.
"The Pin is specifically designed to provide quality family entertainment and bring pinball to more homes everywhere. TRANSFORMERS is a great title for the entire family and we're very pleased to add The Pin model to our TRANSFORMERS offering," said Gary Stern, Founder, CEO and Chairman of Stern Pinball, Inc.
Through December 31, 2012, the TRANSFORMERS Pin will be available in the United States exclusively at Amazon.com. To order in the US, please visit:
The TRANSFORMERS Pin will also be available in Canada exclusively through The Playdium Store and Cineplex Starburst, Inc. To order in Canada, please visit: either www.theplaydiumstore.com or www.starburstcoin.com.
About Stern Pinball, Inc.
Stern Pinball, Inc., located just outside Chicago, Illinois, designs and manufactures arcade-quality pinball games. Stern is the only maker of full-sized, arcade quality pinball games on the planet and has released many popular titles including X-Men, AC/DC, TRANSFORMERS, Avatar, The Rolling Stones, Iron Man, Tron and many more. Stern's games continue to be enjoyed by both pinball enthusiasts and casual players around the globe. For more information, please visit www.sternpinball.com. © 2012 Stern Pinball, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
About Hasbro, Inc.
Hasbro (NASDAQ: HAS) is a branded play company providing children and families around the world with a wide-range of immersive entertainment offerings based on the Company's world-class brand portfolio. From toys and games, to television programming, motion pictures, video games and a comprehensive licensing program, Hasbro strives to delight its customers through the strategic leveraging of well-known and beloved brands such as TRANSFORMERS, LITTLEST PET SHOP, NERF, PLAYSKOOL, MY LITTLE PONY, G.I. JOE, MAGIC: THE GATHERING and MONOPOLY. The Hub, Hasbro's multi-platform joint venture with Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), launched on October 10, 2010. The online home of The Hub is www.hubworld.com. The Hub logo and name are trademarks of Hub Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. Come see how we inspire play through our brands at http://www.hasbro.com. © 2012 Hasbro, Inc. All Rights Reserved.