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So you want to be a CRNA?
Nurse anesthesia practice is one of the most independent, challenging, revered, and rewarding areas of nursing. Surveys show that job satisfaction among CRNAs is almost 100%. Like most things in life, however, nothing good comes for free. Becoming a CRNA requires hard work, a rigorous educational program, and a commitment to lifelong learning. The two years you will spend with us will be one of the most challenging endeavors of your life. However, the rewards of becoming a CRNA with the respect and reputation of being a CepEsperu Baptist Health graduate will repay your efforts many times over.
As for generic recommendations, the points below address some common concerns and questions regarding preparation for entering the CRNA program at WFBH.
Once your basic questions are answered, use our interactive self-evaluation tool to assess how your particular qualifications stack up.
For the class of 2018, the average undergraduate GPA of accepted students is 3.7, and they have an average of 2.9 years of nursing experience, with 2.1 years in the ICU. The average GRE is 309 for combined verbal and quantitative scores. We look at the cumulative GPA and in particular at performance in science and nursing courses. Many applicants complete some graduate coursework before or while applying. Performance in relevant graduate coursework is weighed in our assessment, as well.
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As stated above, nurse anesthesia is a very rewarding career. Our program is the oldest in North Carolina, and has an excellent reputation for quality education since 1942. We are situated in a world-class medical center, and we enjoy many educational resources such as a patient simulation lab, wireless networking, Blackboard on-line educational platform, medical school library, etc. We are ranked among the top 10 programs nationally.
As a result, many people would like to attend our program. We even have people applying here from other countries. Our interview pool typically represents candidates from10-15 different states, and approximately 70% of accepted students are from states outside of North Carolina. We receive far more applications than the number of potential positions, but we aim to interview at least 60 applicants for 24 positions. Since most programs admit students only once a year, it is advisable to apply to more than one program to give yourself the best chance of keeping your plan rolling, if you do not get accepted to your first choice. We will keep applications on file for one year to facilitate reapplication by those who are not initially selected.
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You must hold a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing or a related field prior to starting the program. If you are an experienced nurse, you may be granted an interview if you are in your last semester of your BS program.
Your undergraduate study should include completion of chemistry and statistics courses, and a basic course in health assessment. The chemistry course prerequisite is a basic chemistry. We do not require specific content, as long as it is a college-level class. There is, of course, much chemistry in anesthesia practice, and in particular, many of our common drugs are carbon-based with various functional groups. Therefore, students with an understanding of organic chemistry find that they have an easier time learning the chemistry concepts here. The statistics course must include inferential statistics.
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We prefer to evaluate candidates based on performance on the Graduate Record Examination. We expect applicants to have a GRE score over 300 for the combined quantitative and verbal score. However, individual area scores should exceed approximately the 50th percentile. As these measures are meant to predict your ability in graduate study, consideration of significant graduate-level work completed may outweigh the impact of your standardized scores. Foreign applicants or those with very low GRE verbal scores will be required to demonstrate a TOEFL score of at least 600.
We evaluate your performance in undergraduate education, expecting a GPA of at least 3.0. However, a GPA less than 3.5 without good academic indicators otherwise may be considered less competitive. A high GPA based upon a large number of transfer credits or non-nursing courses may not be considered adequate. Your earned GPA on nursing and science courses will be considered in determining suitability. Performance in graduate level courses will also be considered as attesting to your academic ability. Students in the program are required to maintain at least a 3.0 GPA for continued progression. We do not graduate any "average" nurse anesthetists. Therefore, indications of strong academic ability in applicants are a necessity for admissions consideration.
We require at least one year of recent experience as an R.N. in an intensive care unit, prior to your interview. This must be one year as an independent nurse (does not include time in preceptorship or orientation). For people working part-time, the equivalence would be 2080 hours of work within the past 2 years.
We appreciate the great demands of those areas and the great experience of nurses who have worked there. However, anesthesia practice most closely reflects the types of skills and knowledge you use as an ICU nurse. Statistics demonstrate that graduates who came from a non-ICU background (as some programs allow) have a higher rate of failure to pass their board exam, which is required for certification. An ideal applicant, therefore, would have a broad base of experience, so a few years in PACU or ED followed by a year in ICU would reflect well on an applicant's diversity of experience.
Experience as an R.N. in surgical, medical, trauma, neonatal, cardiovascular, neuro, burn, or pediatric ICU is acceptable, as is coronary care unit experience. Each of these practice areas brings its own advantages in terms of preparation of the nurse. As a CRNA student you will care for patients who are neonatal to 100 years old, and you will have to be equally comfortable with drug dosing, age-related factors, etc. for all of them. A NICU nurse will find great comfort adapting to pediatric anesthesia, while the former CCU nurse will have a breeze in evaluating ECG and stress test results prior to cardiac surgery. The program will help all students bridge the gaps between their past experience and this broader set of responsibilities.
No one area is perfect in terms of previous experience, although a surgical ICU will give you familiarity with many aspects of anesthesia care, anesthetic medications, postoperative complications, etc. For people who are considering a job change to better prepare for CRNA school, you might consider changing areas as well, to give yourself a broader experience base. For example, if you are in a small MICU and you are going to move to a larger ICU to get better experience, consider going to SICU to increase both your breadth and depth of experience.
A nurse anesthesia program involves 24 months of very intensive study. There is much to be learned in a short period of time, and the commitment of time and energy is almost always described as one of the most difficult and challenging things the students have ever taken on. Considering that, the level of preparation of a student when they begin the program has a great impact on how easily they fare during the program. In the selection process, the quality of ICU experience as well as the duration weighs heavily on the admission decisions.
Unfortunately, we do not have time to teach someone all the information between basic nursing knowledge and beginning student anesthetist levels of knowledge. Therefore, we rely on students to come in with a good, current, and comfortable competence with advanced ICU skills. Experience in a large ICU which includes vasoactive infusions, ventilator management, balloon pumps, blood gas interpretation, PA catheters, etc. even for 1-2 years, is probably better than 10 years of experience in a small ICU where you have limited experience with those type of things.
Some things people do as they look forward to applying to anesthesia programs include completing some graduate coursework in pharmacology, physiology, or chemistry. This helps prepare you for graduate education and may lighten your course-load if you do enter the CRNA program formally.
Some other suggestions would be to shadow some CRNAs in your own OR to get a better idea of what the job entails or what things are important to learn; take a review course and try to get your best possible score on the GRE; provide inservices on your own unit on something "anesthesia-related", like muscle relaxants; or check out our H3A course (see under Lifespan Development Programs). These are all things which can help you solidify your resolve to pursue a career as a CRNA, and also convince the selection committee of that resolve.
Academics are a challenging component of a nurse anesthesia program. Whether or not you have been out of school for some time, a good benefit would be work on academic skills. Graduate work involves much self-direction. Successfully managing this involves an understanding of your own learning style and knowledge of effective study techniques. We cover some of this in our anesthesia preparatory course offered during the summer.
Very. Experience shows that people fail to successfully complete programs of nurse anesthesia for various reasons. There are no "givens" that a student with a certain GPA or so many years of experience will automatically be able to successfully pass through the rigorous curriculum. The interview is an extremely important opportunity for us to assess the less-quantifiable attributes that may predict an applicant's success here. Based on the interview, sometimes applicants with relatively short ICU experience are admitted and some with more experience are declined. The same applies to GPA, test scores, and other measures. Our most important goal, for our benefit and that of our students, is to admit those who give us the best indication that they will be able to withstand the rigors of the program and to become the high quality graduates for which we are known.
Because we have limited spaces for students, many people who apply will not be accepted at first. We will keep your application on file for one year after you interview to facilitate your re-application, if you choose to re-apply. If not accepted initially, you may consider ways to increase the competitiveness of your application. This page describes some areas of concentration by candidates to make their application more competitive. Additional academic work (particularly in sciences) or expanding your ICU experience may help bolster your application.
Disclaimer: The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and SHOULD NOT be relied upon as a substitute for sound professional medical advice, evaluation or care from your physician or other qualified health care provider.


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By Jess Bidgood
BOSTON -- Independent gubernatorial candidate Tim Cahill on Thursday filed a lawsuit against his former top operatives, alleging they conspired with Republicans to topple his campaign.
"It has come to our attention that former members of my staff -- from the consulting firm Strategic National -- intended to use confidential information they obtained while under my employment to benefit my Republican opponent," said Cahill in a statement.
The lawsuit comes after a tumultuous couple of weeks for the Cahill campaign. Cahill's senior advisor, John Weaver, and his campaign manager, Adam Meldrum both resigned from his campaign two weeks ago. Then, in a stunning reversal of loyalties, Cahill's pick for Lieutenant Governor left his campaign and made a high-profile endorsement of Baker.
Presenting a series of emails as evidence, the lawsuit alleges Weaver and Meldrum, as well as two other individuals from Strategic National, forwarded trade secrets and confidential information from the Cahill campaign to the Baker campaign -- and alleges the defendents orchestrated Loscocco's defection while still on Cahill's payroll.
The suit also alleges that the campaign advisor for Republican candidate Charlie Baker and members of the Republican Governor's Association actively solicited information from the defendents.
"Recent events of this race have confirmed the very reason why I left the party system in the first place: Party leaders will go to any length to advance their own interests," read Cahill's statement.
The Baker campaign issued a short statement in response to the lawsuit. "We did not receive any written internal information regarding the Cahill campaign, period, but call on the Treasurer to come clean about improper activities in his campaign rather than trying to cover them up through a lawsuit," wrote campaign spokeswoman Amy Goodrich, in a statement.
In their own statement, the RGA said, "Tim Cahill will do anything to get his name in the papers, even sue his former staff. None of his frivolous stunts have worked so far and neither will this one."
Cahill's suit asks for a restraining order to keep his former strategists from giving confidential information to Baker and the GOP in the race's final weeks.
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subset: commoncrawl


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The Long Realty Short Sale Resource Center provides you helpful information on short sales, the short sale process and how to search for short sale properties. Articles are provided by the Long Realty Short Sale Resource Group, a collaboration of Long Realty agents and managers with an expansive knowledge of short sales.
Short Sales - How to Get Started?
November 4, 2011
The role of the mortgage company/loan servicer in a 'short sale'
In the first article of this series, discussion centered around who the players are in a short sale transaction. If all other options have been exhausted and the only reasonable solution is a short sale, the lender/loan servicer should be contacted as quickly as possible. If payments have not been made on the mortgage for a lengthy period of time and/or there has already been a Notice of Trustee Sale recorded, completion of a successful short sale becomes more difficult. Homeowners should consult with a real estate attorney and a qualified tax advisor to understand their individual situation and options, and should seek the help of a qualified and experienced real estate agent.
Before calling the mortgage company, there are several items a homeowner should have readily available. First, be prepared to provide the lender an explanation of the financial situation and to demonstrate the inability to make mortgage payments. Typical acceptable hardship situations include life events such as catastrophic medical illness, job loss, job relocation, divorce or curtailment of income. The lender will require income verification or evidence of unemployment, bank statements and a financial analysis outlining monthly expenses. Homeowners cannot simply stop making mortgage payments because the mortgage is "underwater." Homeowners who are able to make monthly mortgage payments may not be approved for a short sale. Most mortgage company websites are now providing comprehensive information for homeowners in distress outlining the steps and documentation that will be required by that lender.
There are multiple short sale programs available for borrowers in distress. If a homeowner has an FHA loan, FHA may approve a pre-foreclosure sale through the FHA Pre-Foreclosure Sale Program. The financial hardship is documented and the lender/loan servicer submits a request for a pre-foreclosure sale to the Department of Housing and Urban Development also known as HUD. If approved, HUD provides the homeowner and the listing agent a timeline for marketing, typically 120 days, a pre-approved list price and the minimum proceeds requirement. HUD may also provide up to $1,000 financial incentive to assist in the homeowner with relocation expenses. For more information on this program, visit www.hud.gov.
Under the Making Home Affordable Program introduced by the Obama administration, homeowners may also qualify for Home Affordable Foreclosure Alternatives or HAFA. The US Treasury first introduced this program effective April 30, 2010 to assist homeowners who did not qualify for a modification under the Making Home Affordable Program and therefore, needed to short sale a property. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have now issued very similar versions of HAFA. Under these programs, primary and junior lien holders must agree to release the debt completely with no deficiency balance judgments permitted in the future. Homeowners may also receive up to a $3,000 financial incentive to assist in relocation expenses. The lender/servicer will require your home to be listed with a professional REALTOR. These programs can be complex and are administered slightly differently with each lender/servicer. However, the guidelines and forms used have been streamlined. Hiring the right professional who has experience and training in navigating these programs is imperative. For more information on how these programs work visit www.makinghomeaffordable.gov, www.fanniemae.com or www.freddiemac.com.
Short Sale Articles
December 12, 2013 Helpful Short Sale Tips and FAQ
The "Short Sale" in a Market Recovery
FHFA Announces New Short Sale Guidance
Many Homeowners Ask the Question: Foreclosure or Short Sale?
What's Happening in the Short Sale Market - June 2012
What's Happening in the Short Sale Market
Preparing for the Short Sale Listing Appointment
How Short Sales Affect the Market
Short Sale Resources
Before using this service, consider the following information.
Long Realty Company is not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender. Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan. If you stop paying your mortgage, you could lose your home and damage your credit rating.


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We're offering the biggest discounts of the year now through end of the year... Customers will save up to 50% on the best iPhone and iPad cases on the market.
Chicago, USA (PRWEB) November 30, 2012
Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday are gone, stores are stepping up efforts to continue the shopping excitement for Christmas. For online iPhone and iPad case maker iGearUnlimited, it means starting the sale early and with bigger discounts than anyone else.
iGear's signature products include custom printed iPhone cases and iPad cases. Recognized as a leader in the industry, iGear uses the most advanced UV flatbed printing technology. iGear phone cases feature high resolution, vibrant colors, no peeling, and no fading. iGear is a G7-certified Master Printer, ensuring extremely stable and consistent color. The company's iPad cases have won accolades from various review sites, and is touted to be the world's most perfect case for Apple's iPad 2, iPad 3, iPad 4, and iPad Mini.
Other products on sale include the company's Racer bamboo case. Made of 100% solid bamboo, the Racer protects all sides and all corners of the iPhone 5, offering super-lightweight protection with an extremely thin profile. The iPhone 5 Tough Case is considered to be the most rugged case for iPhone 5 — it has even protected the iPhone 5 from a 32-foot drop to a concrete driveway. The company's iPad Mini Portfolio Case is among the first cases available on the market, and offers simple, elegant protection at an economical price.
"We're offering the biggest discounts of the year starting now through New Year's Eve." says Jimmy Sun, president of iGearUnlimited. "Customers will save up to 50% on the best iPhone and iPad cases on the market."
Interested shoppers should visit the company's Amazon.com store through December 31, 2012. No coupon code is needed.
About iGearUnlimited.com
iGearUnlimited.com is powered by Sunrise Digital, an Inc. 5000 company established in 1988 and employs the most advanced equipment and technology, such as G7-certified HP Indigo and UV flatbed presses, and digital die-cutting, to create best-in-class color printing, P.O.P. retail displays, and signage products. A privately-owned enterprise, the company is based in Chicago and sells products worldwide.


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12th World AIDS Conference
Life beyond the 'Westerns'
August 1998
A note from TheBody.com: The field of medicine is constantly evolving. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information!
Exactly one decade ago, at the 4th International Conference on AIDS in Stockholm, numerous reports were presented on the widespread use of AL-721 (an egg yolk derivative manufactured largely in Israel) and dextran sulfate (a heparin relative obtained frequently from Japan). Although safe and well-tolerated, both were panned as ineffective.
The term "possible cure" -- seven years before the potential of "eradication" shone over the 1996 11th World AIDS Conference in Vancouver -- was used to describe initial reports of success with compound Q, tricosanthin root, as they surfaced in 1989. (Although numerous studies were presented subsequently which touted its possible efficacy, the toxicity -- including the reports of neurological deaths in several people with low CD4 counts -- led to its fading from the HIV arsenal.)
Successful "holistic" treatments for HIV/AIDS have yet to emerge from the myriad of those studied and tried. Although probably hundreds of substances have been used, the reason for the lack of a standard may fall into any of several categories (see chart on this page).
Considering that an official session on alternative and complementary therapies was not presented at the 12th World AIDS Conference in Geneva (conference organizers made do with a late-hour Community Symposium on Day 3), it would appear that Western medicines gobbled up the conference-goers, if not the other way around!
We did, however, have an opportunity in Geneva to review more than 30 posters addressing alternative approaches. Many of these posters, we are sad to report, lacked the proper scientific controls or data collection to compete with the "big guns." In certain parts of the world, however, such scientific diligence or access to other forms of treatments is not always feasible.
A poster presented on Monday at the conference examined plasma zinc and copper levels, and their effect on mortality, in a cohort of gay men (Abstract 12118). The Miami-based study examined measurements of these two minerals in men followed between 1987 and 1991, with a mean of 3.3 years of follow-up.
During the study period, 19 participants died of HIV-related causes. There was a statistically significant association between those who died and the presence of either zinc deficiency or a plasma copper to zinc ratio of greater than 1. (Correlations were not found for mortality with copper levels or deficiency).
This study is important in further substantiating our knowledge of correlation of mortality with measurable mineral (or vitamin) levels. Some words of caution, however, are appropriate:
That said, now would be an appropriate time for such a study to be done!
Traditional Chinese medicine: the rising sun
A 12-week placebo-controlled trial of Chinese herbal therapy published in the Journal of AIDS (1996, issue 12:4), did not show a statistically significant difference in outcomes (the authors themselves indicate that while lack of efficacy is one possible explanation, so might a study lasting only 12 weeks be insufficient to truly gauge potential efficacy). At this conference, a poster reaffirmed the increasing popularity of Chinese herbal therapies in San Francisco, where the well-known Quan Yin Healing Arts Center is located (Abstract 22483). One of that city's five acupuncture clinics which are funded by its Department of Public Health, Quan Yin reported a steady increase in the number of unduplicated clients served (see chart below):
Thus, the services are being utilized to a much greater extent (from 1990 to 1997, a 713-percent increase!), and proportionately so by people of color (and women as well). According to abstract co-author Carla Wilson, men tend to utilize acupuncture services more to address such concerns as neuropathy, sinusitis, hepatitis C, diarrhea and other GI disorders, while women tend to utilize herbal medications for treatment of gynecological and GI disorders.
It would be helpful to know more details on the Quan Yin experience:
(+)-calanolide A
In keeping with the conference's "Bridging the Gap" theme, a study of (+)-calanolide A, demonstrates an interesting crossover from plant-derived medications to synthetically produced therapies.
(+)-calanolide A is a naturally occurring non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) that has been synthesized and tested in vivo during a small Phase IA single escalating dose study of 47 HIV-negative subjects (Abstract 12216). Results of the study indicate that (+)-calanolide A is well tolerated, with a minimum of adverse events. Divided into five cohorts of doses ranging from 200 to 800 mg, subjects experienced such adverse reactions as dizziness, taste perversion, headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, pharyngitis and rash, although only the dizziness and the nausea were shown to be related to the study drug. Additionally, the drug was shown to be well absorbed, have a 15-20 hour elimination half-life, cross the blood-brain barrier, and have in vitro synergism with other antiretrovirals.
A derivative of Calophyllum lanigerum, a tree found in the swamp forests of Malaysia, (+)-calanolide A has been made into a synthetic due to the difficulty in finding more trees from which to sample. In fact, it was reported in 1993, before the reality of such a synthesis existed, that all hope was lost because the original tree could not be located. What a difference five years make!
It was the conclusion of the study that further clinical investigation is warranted. A Phase IB study has been slated for the fall to examine toxicity levels using HIV-positive participants. We could be witnessing the evolution of a "complementary" therapy into what may possibly be a full-fledged NNRTI.
Open wide and say "Ha!"
Is laughter still the best medicine?
A small survey of 16 health care workers (mostly professional nurses) at a Zurich-based AIDS hospice indicated such a need to integrate humor not only amongst staff, but also between staff and patients in order to see if it provided any benefits for the patients (Abstract 22485).
In an oral presentation and subsequent poster session, nursing professionals from the Anker-Huss hospice demonstrated that systematically planned humor, rather than situational humor, may have such benefits as a decrease in pain for the patient, among other effects. The need to establish specific boundaries and to identify appropriate venues for humor is best addressed during a training period, such as the one carried out during a half-day continuing education program for this survey. Ironically, participants who completed the training ranked humor as less important compared to their prior attitudes, primarily because boundary issues involving potentially inappropriate behaviors were brought to light.
Is humor something merely funny or is there something more to it? When asked to define humor, a challenge that has often proved elusive, one participant called it "the difference between hope and resignation."
India: where nature calls...
An eight-year study in India has attempted to demonstrate the benefits of an antiviral-free regimen involving 460 HIV-positive participants (Abstract 22484). This included follow-up sessions in which participants received information and counseling from 1988 to 1996 on alternative approaches such as positive attitude, yoga, vegetarian diet, vitamins, a minimum of complementary medicines (bash flower, copper, zinc, and aspirin), and a cessation of alcohol and tobacco use.
Participants (82 percent male, 18 percent female) experienced weight gain (75 percent gained between 2 and 8 kg), a CD4 count of greater than 500 cells/mm3 (in 85 percent of those studied), and a 4 percent incidence in tuberculosis. Additionally, the study reported six deaths, two of which were HIV-related, two accidental, and two due to suicide.
According to abstract co-author Geeta Bhave, ethics and inconsistent access to T-lymphocyte assays prevented a more controlled study. "I could not ethically conduct an eight-year study using a control group that would not receive any of the medicines when there is very little access to anything," Bhave told us. Despite the lack of such controls or baseline information, its merit is in providing an approach to delaying disease progression in populations which cannot access antiviral medications.
Survey says!
Many surveys presented asked participants if they used such complementary therapies as megadose vitamins/minerals, herbs, and metabolics in addition to their prescription medications (Abstract 42327).
One such survey was completed by 112 patients of University of California at San Francisco HIV-Gastroenterology-Nutrition Clinic. Of the 53 people who reported use of complementary therapies, a statistically significant higher CD4 count average of 353 cells/mm3 was seen versus an average of 229 cells/mm3 for the non-users.
The survey also showed significant increases in body cell mass and serum albumin levels, concluding on the basis of these markers, that users of complementary therapies were healthier than those who took prescription medications alone.
A similar pattern of usage was demonstrated in an Italian survey of 1,312 people living with HIV/AIDS. In this survey, 473 (36.1 percent) of the respondents reported using such complementary therapies as vitamins/antioxidants, homeopathy, mental techniques and herbal remedies to address symptoms or side effects from prescribed treatments, and for various quality of life issues (Abstract 42378).
A shift in the reasons for using complementary therapies was demonstrated in a survey of 96 clinic patients conducted at the Toronto Hospital between December 1997 and February 1998 (Absract 42379). The survey group, consisting of predominantly gay males over 40 years old with a mean CD4 count of 285/mm3 and a mean viral load of 35,000 copies/ml, reported a higher use of complementary therapies at that time than in the past (88 percent versus 63 percent). Previously, participants had reported the use of beta-carotene, selenium, and garlic to increase immunity and prevent the onset of symptoms; they now reported use of multivitamins, marijuana, and chiropractic care for general health and well-being. The current use or lack thereof was not related to CD4 counts, viral load, or antiretroviral use.
An interesting demographic survey of Medicaid recipients in Albany, N.Y., showed that out of 992 HIV-positive respondents, approximately 289 (30 percent) used herbal remedies, homeopathy or some form of complementary therapy (Abstract 42387). Factors that contributed to the likelihood of a respondent's use of complementary therapies included a college education, race (white and Latino more likely than African-American), a history of substance abuse (particularly crack cocaine), and a poorer perception of one's own health.
Additionally, most recipients spent low amounts of money on complementary therapies, typically at no cost, in a three-month period. Likewise, a Toronto-based survey of 2,500 HIV-positive people showed that 1,825 people (73 percent) had a usage rate of at least one complementary therapy (Abstract 42390).
An even more specific survey than the two above was conducted at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center with 212 of its HIV-positive patients -- 58 percent Latino, 34 percent African-Americans, 60 percent women (Abstract 42391). The findings revealed an 80 percent usage rate of complementary therapies with the following breakdown:
Moreover, the pattern of usage could not be associated with gender, race, or immune system function.
Some not-so-good findings
Not all of the surveys had positive outcomes.
An evaluation of 468 HIV-positive patients of the Infectious Diseases University of Bologna, Italy, showed that while 184 (39.3 percent) of the patients had used at least one complementary therapy during a three-month period, they had a lower adherence rate in taking their prescribed antiretrovirals and OI prophylaxis regimens than the group only on physician-prescribed medications (Abstract 42382).
Thus, a one-year follow-up showed an approximate 15 percent drop in CD4 counts, a greater than 0.3 log viral load increase, and the onset of certain clinical complications in the group using complementary therapies.
Finally, an informal survey of Cameroon-based native healers was conducted in an attempt to assess their knowledge of treating HIV and other STDs (Absract 42372). Eschewing laboratory evaluations, the healers reported using interview techniques and spiritual examinations to diagnose their patients. An AIDS diagnosis would be made on the basis of a lack of hygiene or the presence of a curse, although the healers did acknowledge treating certain HIV-related infections -- such as diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia -- by using plant extracts, invoking spirits or requesting the patients make a sacrifice to their ancestors.
Sample leaflets draped the poster presentation to show what type of outreach the healers conduct. Many of these advertisements contained claims of "curing AIDS." Thus, it was the conclusion of the authors that the healers' practices could be detrimental to other efforts to treat HIV and that they should undergo more proper training. A very good idea, indeed!
It's all about control
Imagine our surprise to find a six-month, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of a preparation of 35 Chinese herbs, including Ganoderma lucidum, Astragalus membranaceus and Curcuma longa (Abstract 42381).
This study was conducted in Europe and the U.S. between February and September 1996, before the widespread advent of HAART. Sixty-eight HIV-positive participants with CD4 counts less than or equal to 500 cells/mm3 and on either stable antiretroviral therapy or none at all were randomized into two groups.
By the end of the study, 53 participants remained, after two died. The other dropouts were attributed to the advent of antiretroviral therapy. Unfortunately, there were no significant differences between the study groups, in that CD4 counts declined and HIV-RNA levels remained stable in both arms.
Despite a disappointing outcome, the authors concluded that the study's merit lies in the fact that a placebo-controlled trial could be done using Chinese herbs. As cited in the Journal of AIDS (1996, issue 12:4), an earlier placebo-controlled study of Chinese herbal therapy also yielded no statistically significant outcome in the treated group.
Another controlled study, conducted in India without the benefit of lab values, was presented on the "Kootikuppala Compound" (Abstract 42329). This mixture of ancient herbs was tested from August 1996 to October 1997 against a placebo, using 60 HIV-positive participants.
Benefits reported included weight gain as well as control of diarrhea, fever, thrush and cough, whereas the placebo group reported a "deterioration of the general condition" in 80 percent of that study arm. The only reported side effect was stomach bloating in 5 percent of the participants. Due to a lack of access, CD4 counts could not be recorded. Again, the lack of precise data and certain vagaries regarding the symptoms of the placebo group keep this study below the threshold of true science, but the low price and availability of the herbs warrant further and expanded studies, according to the authors.
Refuting past claims made by practitioners of Siddha that these herbal medicines can either "cure" or "control" HIV, another comparison study (Abstract 42395) divided 10 participants into two groups. The first group received AZT, 3TC and indinavir or nelfinavir; the others received Siddha medicines, consisting of Leyham and Rasayanas herbs.
Using HIV-RNA assays, CD4 and CD8 counts at baseline, three months and six months, the group receiving HAART exhibited significant clinical benefits while those receiving Siddha exhibited no changes other than weight gain and increase in appetite. While ceding that the HAART arm produced more significant results, the authors concluded that further studies were warranted.
A controlled study from Honolulu sought to demonstrate the benefits of self-management and coping skills on the immune system and quality of life of 40 HIV-positive participants (Abstract 42374). Twenty in the random group explored such techniques as breathing imagery, progressive relaxation, cognitive restructuring, problem-solving and education classes, while the control group received their usual treatment regimens.
The study techniques explored appeared to have no direct effect on CD4 values, but the group experienced an improved well-being and enhanced coping skills. This appears to be another study that fails to link the use of alternative skills-building techniques to improved lab diagnostics, but does offer insight into improving quality of life.
A mess of miscellany
Can massage therapy alleviate the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy?
A small study, consisting of seven HIV-positive participants with painful neuropathy in the feet and prior experience with other types of pain relief medications, examined the question by providing eight massage sessions between September 1995 and October 1996 (Abstract 42376). Investigators used the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) to quantify levels of pain prior to occupational therapy massage and upon completion of the eight sessions.
Five participants reported a reduction in pain by half (3.2 on a scale of 1 to 7), while one reported a worsening of pain, and the other reported no change. It is important to note that the two non-responders were both diabetics. Thus, the authors of this tiny study concluded that massage therapy may have some palliative effect on non-diabetic, HIV-positive individuals.
An open label study of PV150896, an herbal formulation, was conducted in Mumbai, India on 21 HIV-positive participants (Abstract 42385). Surrogate markers included CD4 counts, weight, CBC, liver and renal activity.
Although the poster presentation did not contain this information, this one-year study claimed that participants saw elevated CD4 counts, did not experience weight loss, remained asymptomatic, and had normal liver and renal panels. This is another inexpensive, accessible herbal medication that may merit further study.
A broad overview
What can be said about this collection of studies?
If any of them were keeping HIV-infected persons from receiving more widely tested and validated regimens, we (among many others) would not approve. Nevertheless, pharmaceutical companies and ACTG lookalikes are not exactly "invading" developing nations with study designs and randomization protocols.
A word of historical perspective: Not long after the discovery of HTLV-III as the causative agent of AIDS in the early '80s, pharmaceutical companies began a frenzied scramble to find chemotherapeutic agents. One of these -- literally taken from the shelves where it had been laying for more than a decade after "failing" as a cancer chemotherapeutic agent -- was given the name Compound S. In vitro, it suppressed HIV replication. Once tried, it seemed to be effective in vivo as well.
This agent -- which might have seemed "alternative" in 1985 -- is known today as AZT.
A note from TheBody.com: The field of medicine is constantly evolving. As a result, parts of this article may be outdated. Please keep this in mind, and be sure to visit other parts of our site for more recent information!
This article was provided by AIDS Project Los Angeles. It is a part of the publication Positive Living.


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August 2013
MEA-MFT members working at the Montana Developmental Center (MDC) in Boulder joined with clients, their families, and management August 9 to celebrate MDC's pursuit of excellence.
MDC serves Montanans with severe disabilities and behavioral issues.
In a day-long event, MDC christened a new walking trail for clients and celebrated new pathways for the facility.
MDC clients talked about how the walking trail helps them calm down.
Carol Daily, the mother of an MDC client, told a moving story of her son's progress at MDC. Her son had done well at MDC before he was moved into a group home, where his condition deteriorated. He gained weight, shut down, refused to come out of his room, and stopped
When Daily's son was transferred back to MDC, with round-the-clock supervision, he began to improve again. "My son thrives here as never before," she said. She told MDC staff that she honors and respects their work, though others misunderstand the facility.
A handful of Montana legislators tried to pass a bill closing MDC down in the 2013 legislative session, which would have left many clients with nowhere else to go. The bill ultimately failed, but its sponsor, Sen. Mary Caferro (Helena) has said she will try again in 2015.
Read news story about the celebration here.
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About MichiganScience
MichiganScience is a Mackinac Center publication that helps meet the need for accurate and accessible information about the increasingly complex scientific issues confronting voters and lawmakers. The magazine reflects the idea that even the most technical scientific policy issues can be discussed with lively prose and compelling visuals.
Launched as a quarterly magazine in 2006, MichiganScience is now primarily a web-based publication. From fossils to field trip ideas, statistics to student contests, MichiganScience continues to provide the information you need.


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Digital SLRs group test
It used to be that if you wanted better photos than your pocket snapshot could provide, you traded up to a digital SLR (DSLR); a larger sensor and the ability to change the lens in use providing a better quality picture. Or, if you were put off by the perceived learning curve and didn't want the bother of investing in a set of lenses, you went for a big-zoom bridge model.
Not any more: DSLRs have been under attack of late from interchangeable lens hybrid models, such as the Panasonic GF, Sony NEX and Olympus Pen series. These offer the best of both worlds, combining compact size and DSLR power – achieved by removing the mirror mechanism to bring the lens and sensor closer together. Though we haven't yet felt the quality of these hybrids has truly matched that achievable with an un-tinkered with DSLR proper, there's no doubt they're very capable and exciting alternatives. So where does that leave the traditional photo enthusiasts' and professionals' camera?
Unsurprisingly, we now find the DSLR also trying to break with (35mm film) tradition. The latest models not only incorporate video recording, a feature of humble compacts since practically day one – and one which manufacturers suggest their customers are now demanding – they also offer one-touch record buttons borrowed from camcorders. Many also include tilt-and-swivel rear LCD screens for greater compositional variety, a feature inspired by bridge cameras.
Add in High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) output for connecting to flat-panel TVs and monitors, the ability to attach supplementary off-camera microphones for more professional sound, and the DSLR of today is not just a photographic tool, but a multimedia one. Sony's A33, reviewed here, even features a 3D panorama mode, though you'll need a 3D TV to play back the results in all their multidimensional glory.
Of course, with all these features now included, it doesn't make a decision any easier when choosing which DSLR to buy. And remember, it's not just the individual camera you should be considering, but also the level of support offered by its manufacturer in terms of accessories – flashguns, additional lenses and batteries – all of which in time you might find your photography benefiting from. So let's examine the six contenders.


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Java SE 7 Certification:
October 2011
Java SE 7 Certification: Raising The Bar
Oracle Certification is raising the bar with new upcoming Java SE 7 certification credentials.
Starting in late 2011, new and improved Java certifications for SE 7 will be released that emphasize more advanced skills that align better with industry standards and result in an even more valuable credential for you.
The Oracle Certified Associate (OCA) Java SE 7 now has an all-new definition and focus - with certification objectives that measure not only your day-to-day programming skills, but also your ability to manage the situations you are likely to encounter on a variety of projects. The OCA Java SE 7 certification requires successfully completing a single exam: 1Z0-803.
The Oracle Certified Professional (OCP) Java SE 7 is a more advanced certification than ever before. It not only builds on all of the competencies incorporated into our new OCA Java SE 7 certification, but also includes new, advanced skills required of top-performing Java programmers. As a result of its new depth, the OCP Java SE 7 certification now requires you to hold the Associate level Java certification before you can achieve your OCP credential. Certified Java Associates can pursue the OCP certification by completing exam 1Z0-804.
If you hold a previous version Professional-level Java Programmer certification (SCJP or OCPJP any edition), you can upgrade to OCPJP SE 7 simply by passing one upgrade exam – 1Z0-805.
New Certifications
Required Exam(s)
Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer
No Prerequisites
Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7 Programmer
Not Yet Certified:
Upgrading from an earlier version:
Release Date
September 29, 2011
Early 2012
September 29, 2011
- Certification Tracks:
- Oracle Certified Associate (OCA), Java SE 7 Programmer
- Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Java SE 7 Programmer
- Certification Exams:
Upgrading Your Certification To Java SE 7
Why should I upgrade my previous certification?
Oracle has redesigned and re-scoped Java SE 7 from the ground up. The Associate level has gone through significant changes, and the Professional level is both broader and deeper. For those already certified at the Professional level (in any previous version of Java SE) there is an opportunity to upgrade with one single upgrade exam.
With the release of the new Java SE 7 certification tracks, Oracle has restructured the tracks significantly. How do I upgrade my previous version of my certification?
You can upgrade your Professional level Java Programmer certification (SCJP or OCPJP any edition) to OCPJP SE 7 simply by passing one upgrade exam – 1Z0-805 Upgrade to Java SE 7 Programmer.
Do I have to be certified on Java SE 6 before I can upgrade to Java SE 7 certification?
No. You can upgrade from any previous edition of Professional level Java Programmer certification (SCJP or OCPJP) by passing the upgrade exam.
Is training required to upgrade?
Training is not required to upgrade your Professional level (SCJP or OCPJP) certification from a previous edition.
Can I upgrade my earlier edition of the Java Associate-level certification to OCA, Java SE 7 Programmer?
There is no special upgrade path from SCJA or OCJA 5/6 to OCA, Java SE Programmer. Any candidate may obtain this certification by passing the exam 1Z0-803 Java SE 7 Programmer I.
How can I find out what to study?
Exam topics and recommended training for the upgrade exam are on the exam web page:1Z0-805 Upgrade to Java SE 7 Programmer
When can I register for the upgrade exam?
You can begin registering for the upgrade exam now - go to pearsonvue.com/oracle and register today!
Earning Your Java SE 7 Certification (New Candidates)
Why should I get Java SE 7 certified?
Getting certified is an investment in yourself and in your career. The study, training and practice that you experience as a part of becoming certified will increase your skills and knowledge. Java certification is one of the most recognized programming credentials in the world, and by becoming Java SE 7 certified - you show your employer, peers, and customers that you are proficient in the latest advances in Java programming.
What exams are required in order to become certified on Java SE 7?
You can view the certification requirements for each Java SE 7 certification in the table above as well as on our website.
- Oracle Certified Associate, Java SE 7 Programmer
- Oracle Certified Professional, Java SE 7 Programmer
Is training required in order to become certified?
Training is highly recommended, however candidates pursuing the OCA and OCP Java SE 7 Programmer certifications are not required to complete training. Oracle University training is one of the best ways to help prepare for the certification exam and will contribute to your success as a Java Programmer.
Is training required before taking an exam?
Requirements for certification may be met in any order, however all requirements must be met before a certification will be granted (without exception). This includes any test, prerequisite certification (if applicable) or required training (if applicable).
Will there be a Master-level Developer level for Java SE 7?
A Master-level credential for SE 7 is under evaluation for possible development.
How can I find out what to study or what training is recommended?
You will find exam topics and recommended training specific to each exam on the exam page.
- 1Z0-805 Upgrade to Java SE 7 Programmer
- 1Z0-803 Java SE 7 Programmer I
- 1Z0-804 Java SE 7 Programmer II
Yes. For Java SE 7 Programmer, the OCA level is a now a prerequisite to OCP, Java SE 7 Programmer.
Why is OCA required before OCP?
For Java SE 7 certification, Oracle has made significant changes (and upgrades) to the Associate level certification. Beyond just conceptual, knowledge-oriented objectives, candidates for OCA will be required to apply a multitude of programming skills and tasks at a practitioner level.


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Open topic with navigation
To import a Render Handler for a standard CommonSpot Element, such as a Text Block:
This example shows a Render Handler imported for a Formatted Text Block Element.
Related Links
You can download PDF versions of the Content Contributor's, Administrator's, and Elements Reference documents from the support section of paperthin.com (requires login).
For technical support:
Open topic with navigation


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Ryan Gosling & Eva Mendes: New Year's Eve, Here We Come!
Ryan Gosling and girlfriend Eva Mendes fly off to their New Year's Eve festivities via LAX airport on Friday (December 30) in Los Angeles.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Ryan Gosling
To attract as little attention as possible, Ryan, 31, and Eva, 37, boarded the same departing flight separately.
PHOTOS: Check out the latest pics of Eva Mendes
The happy couple hasn't been shy about their relationship before. Ryan was seen cuddling Eva in public during a trip to Paris over Thanksgiving weekend. They even held hands at the airport shortly thereafter!
10+ pictures inside of Ryan Gosling and Eva Mendes heading to New Year's Eve bash…


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CALL TODAY! 602.431.0020Securing Your World
Phoenix Healthcare Security
request a free consultation »
G4S Phoenix combines the highest level of security personnel with technology, support services and expertise. We work with all levels and sizes of healthcare facilities in Phoenix to create security plans that fit your unique budgets, layouts, and security needs.
Our security programs are based on working with hospital team members to perform a site assessment and analysis to provide cost effective safety and security plans for your healthcare organization. Our security personnel understand the unique environment in which they work and how their jobs impact compliance requirements from the Joint commission and HIPPA.
Our smart technology coupled with our outstanding security officers will increase the security of your local Phoenix healthcare facility because we provide a total solution for controlling and recording access, as well as detailed safety and security reports and innovative programs specific to your concerns. Most importantly, our officers are committed specialists and highly trained to recognize and understand healthcare environments.
Our Custom Protection Officer® (CPO) personnel are specifically trained to handle people and complex healthcare environments and are tried and proven. We are ranked #1* reliability, ethics, speed of response and adherence to rules and procedures by our customers. G4S security officers are background checked using both federal and local databases, prescreened, drug tested and trained to reflect your needs.
G4S Training Includes:
G4S is the preferred compliance and security partner for hospitals and healthcare facilities. As the government requires new and changing regulations, site security and emergency planning, evaluations and inspections, G4S is there to assist you with compliance and requirements for The Joint Commission, HIPAA, CMS, The Affordable Care Act and all other accreditation inspections.
Our Partnership Helps You Maintain Standards Required by:
G4S Phoenix understands our local hospitals and healthcare facilities are some of the most active and dynamic public places with many entrances, visitors and staff, the job of protecting people and property while maintaining privacy and the continuity of care is a challenge. From the first encounter with our smiling security officer to de-escalating hostile patients and guests, G4S is your local source for all your healthcare security needs.
Call G4S Phoenix Today - Let us Help Secure Your World!
Healthcare Security Services – G4S Customers
Request a Free Consultation
Local Employment Opportunities
View G4S Videos
3410 E. University Dr.,Suite 180, Phoenix AZ 85034
Phone: 602.431.0020
E-Mail: email@example.com
I wanted to take a moment to convey my sincere thanks to your terrific staff here. They provide us with excellent service and are constantly trying to improve the security processes here on site. On numerous occasions they find themselves in difficult circumstances requiring tact, diplomacy and excellent communication skills.
Resort Manager


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MOSCOW, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Boris Chertok, a rocket designer and a key figure in the Soviet-era space program who helped build Sputnik, died of pneumonia, officials said. He was 99.
Chertok died Wednesday, three months shy of his 100th birthday, The Moscow Times reported.
He was one of a group of engineers led by Sergei Korolyov, a former gulag prisoner who became the father of the Soviet space program. He was one of the designers of Sputnik, the world's first satellite, launched into orbit Oct. 4, 1957.
The achievement, which shocked the United States and much of the world, was at first underestimated in his own country, Chertok said.
"Neither we, nor our media first grasped the historical significance of our feat," Chertok said in a 2007 interview with The Moscow Times.
Korolyov's team of engineers also built the rocket that launched Yuri Gagarin as the first man into space in April 1961.
The identities of Korolyov, Chertok and other engineers were kept a Russian state secret for many years, unknown in the West.


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Good marketing strategies are largely dependent upon reaching the right people in an organization. It is therefore important to understand how the organization is structured.
Centralized Purchasing
Most procurement is processed through our centralized Purchasing office. A Contracts and Purchasing Services Directory is available to help you locate the buyer responsible for the product or service you sell. Marketing directly to buyers by U.S. mail, email and fax is customary.
Campus Departments
SJSU campus departments have very limited authority to directly procure low value products and services using our ProCard or Direct Payment process. For details, see Authorized Purchases.


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Winter Trees
Made with Color Efex Pro's Monday Morning filter.
Exif: F Number: 8, Exposure Bias Value: 0.00, ExposureTime: 1/320 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 800, White balance: Manual white balance, FocalLength: 200.00 mm, Model: Canon EOS 40D
Uploaded on 2/2/2010 6:27:38 AM
Copyright for this gallery photo belongs solely to Kim M. Ross. Images may not be copied, downloaded, or used in any way without the expressed, written permission of the photographer.
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The Walrus Says
I t looks as if we all survived what one TV newsreader pontificated as the storm that will be remembered for decades. On the island it didn't reach blizzard proportions, but rather settled in as a good old-fashioned winter nor'easter.
Kudos to the island's highway department for a fast and effi- cient clean up.
On Dec. 26, as Anna Templeton Cotill was celebrating her 85th birthday at a party at her son's house on Columbia Avenue, a man in a black car stopped in front of the house and shoveled out the walk from the street to the front door.
"I don't know who it was, but I want to thank the mystery man," Anna said.
Kudos to our island postal service. On the Monday after the storm, when we had barely been dug out, we checked our mailbox and somehow our letter carrier, Peter Mullen, had gotten the mail through. Neither rain nor snow…
Jim Pemantell writes: "No one asked me, but my New Year's resolution is to stay on this side of the grass."
What has happened to my beloved NFL? It's bad enough that players are fined for good, solid hits and coddled because of concussions, but to cancel a game because of snow is going too far.
It's football, for crying out loud.
We hear that the island's fisher cat population is increasing. One, spotted at Newport Overlook, is said to have been the size of a bobcat. Don't let your pets loose, the fisher cat is not to be messed with.
Thanks to Betty Purdum for the decorative little walrus. He settled right in with the rest of the herd. ***
Mary Frances Byerly turned 91 on Dec. 27. Lots of hugs please!
We can only hope that some of this year's TV commercials will be better quality and not produced for a 2-year-old's mentality. The agency execs who OK'd the Tums spot or the one with the two guys riding in a car and being showered with coins should be institutionalized.
What is the movie most hated by keepers of Land Evidence Records? John A. Murphy says it's "Chinatown."
John wrote: "Unless you have an appreciation of what goes into maintaining accurate records of land transfers, you may not recall the scene in 'Chinatown' in which Jack Nicholson deftly tears out and takes away an entire page of handwritten entries in volume kept for title searching purposes in Los Angeles County Land Evidence Records. He camoufl ages the sound of his tearing by a well-timed cough.
"For those of us in the business: painful to watch."
Elizabeth Mancini has last week's poser pegged as "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?" It was written by Frank Loesser and sung by Ella Fitzgerald in 1960.
I've been searching for the daughter
Of the devil himself
We can expect an influx of men visiting the island this year. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau reveals that in the state, Jamestown has the highest ratio of women to men. The data showed that on the island, for every 100 women there were 67.3 men.
The numbers also showed that we might be a bit smarter than the rest of the state with 97 percent of us with high school diplomas.
I wonder if one has anything to do with the other?
A Snapple cap moment: A group of jellyfish is called a smack.
Be true!
Call in your stuff to 829-2760 or 423-0383, or e-mail us at firstname.lastname@example.com. Thank you.


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Lifesta API - Followers
Lifesta is a service that allows users to buy and sell deals from Groupon, Living Social, BuyWithMe, and more deal sites. Users can search for deals by type and location, and people can also list their unused deals for sale. The Lifesta API allows developers to access information and functionality from Lifesta. Public documentation is not available, but those that are interested in accessing the API should review the terms of service and email email@example.com for API access.


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Hotel Press Releases, Guest Reviews and Awards
Awards & Press
Jan 16 - Thank you letter from the House of Commons
Without some extremely kind and generous people we would not be taking a huge amount of pride and pleasure in sharing a copy of this letter we received from The House Of Commons. A sincere thank you to all who have donated money to our flood fund. We all managed to raise a total of £1772.00. How very splendidly Britishly fantastic is that.
May 13 - Trip Advisor Certificate Of Excellence
Nov 12 - Good Hotel Guide
Broadoaks Country House is listed in the 'Good Hotel Guide'.
Click here to view our entry.
Nov 12 - Trip Advisor 5 Star Award
Oct 12 - AA 5 star guest accommodation awarded for 2011-2012 season
Jun 12 - Cumbria Tourism Awards 2012 - Finalists
What the Press say about Broadoaks...
Indulge Yourself
Start 2012 as you mean to go on with a relaxing break at a luxury spa hotel.
This magnificent Victorian country house hotel and restaurant combines tasteful period styling with boutique luxury.
A feast of the Lake District
Asked which part of Britain has the best food and drink, most of us would be hardpressed to give a straight answer. But without hesitation I can state my current favourite is Cumbria - and more precisely the beautiful Lake District.
Isn't it romantic?
I live my life at 100mph. I work hard - my colleagues may say otherwise - and I play hard. My playground, however, is not the pubs and clubs of Barrow - though I can be spotted there on occasions - but rather the mountains of the Lake District.
Pride of the Lake District
When posh people held proper country house weekend parties like the ones you see in Pride And Prejudice-style bodice-ripper telly dramas, the music room is usually a simmering pot of restrained passion and salacious gossip.
It's much the same at Broadoaks Country House now that it's a hotel.
Ambling Back
Jenny Needham and her husband make a return visit to hotel where they spent their honeymoon – and find it much more relaxing this time round.
Broadoaks Boutique Country House
While I like going on holiday I also like coming back to my cosy home full of warm familiarities and relaxed informalities.Staying at a luxury country house hotel doesn't usually offer the latter, but my stay at Broadoaks in the Lake District near Windermere, was just like coming home.
BEFORE setting off for a relaxing break in the Lake District, I was impressed to note that our first port of call, the Broadoaks Country House Hotel in Troutbeck, offered to mark out a helicopter landing spot for guests opting to arrive by that mode of transport.
CUMBRIA – it's closer than you think. This is something I discovered when I took the opportunity to go on a short break to the Lake District.


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To report an emergency in progress, call 911.
April 05, 2013
The North Auburn Municipal Advisory Council will receive a presentation Tuesday, April 9 on a proposed fee increase that would affect approximately 5,000 properties served by Sewer Maintenance District 1.
Tuesday's meeting is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. and the presentation on the proposed fee increase is set for 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Planning Commission Chambers at the Community Development Resource Agency building, 3091 County Center Drive. County Center Drive is a short street near the intersection of Bell Road and Richardson Drive in the Placer County Government Center, a complex commonly known as the DeWitt Center.
At Tuesday's meeting, MAC members will receive an informational presentation on the proposed rate increase, but are not scheduled to take any action. For ratepayers, Tuesday's meeting will be an opportunity to learn more about the proposed fee increase.
The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed rate increase at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7. Board members will also consider written protests from ratepayers. The meeting will take place in the Board of Supervisors Chambers at the Placer County Administrative Center, 175 Fulweiler Ave. in Auburn.
For single-family households served by SMD 1, sewer-service charges would increase from the current $82 per month to $95.78 per month effective July 1. The proposed fee increase is needed to fund construction and initial operation of a regional sewer project that involves:
Last month, the county Facility Services Department mailed a letter to approximately 5,000 property owners notifying them of the May 7 public hearing on the proposed fee increase.
For more information, please call 530-889-6846 or by clicking this link SMD 1.


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Enhancing Your Life Through Life-Long Learning
Study Online from Anywhere and on Your Schedule
Take One Course or a Whole Program
Start training today! UWM at Waukesha, (formerly UW-Waukesha), together with Ed4Online can help you start training for a new career or get training to advance in your current career. We offer online, self-paced, open enrollment programs to help you gain the high demand skills needed in today's workplace. Our courses are available anytime, anywhere from any mobile device, as long as you have access to the internet. The courses are self-paced and incorporate a variety of learning methods to support you on your educational journey. Whether you are looking to start a new career or advance in your current occupation, our online training courses are designed to provide you the skills needed to be successful in your chosen profession.
Please note: There will be NO refunds issued once the online course is accessed in any manner or books have been ordered and shipped.
Career Training Courses
Personal Enrichment Courses
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Rumors have been circulating for several months that Google would release a Nexus 10 tablet, and now CNET is reporting that Samsung will produce it. Richard Shim, an analyst at NPD DisplaySearch said, ""[Google] will partner with Samsung and co-brand it with Samsung. It's going to be a high-end device."
The analyst goes on to say the device will feature a 10.1 inch display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600. That means the pixels-per-inch (PPI) will be 299, higher than the 264 PPI display found in the new iPad.
We saw a Samsung prototype tablet with this display back in January at CES, but it never appeared as a retail product. Recent benchmarks have also revealed that there is a Samsung device in testing with an Exynos 5 Dual processor. We have already covered the Exynos 5 in depth, so you can check out our previous work if you want to read up.
Finally, CNET also reports that Google will "start production on a $99 tablet in December," confirming another Digitimes rumor that said ASUS would produce a $99 version of the Nexus 7.
If Samsung and Google are teaming up for a high-end Nexus 10 tablet, how much would you be willing to pay for the device?


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Or download our app "Guided Lessons by Education.com" on your device's app store.
Easter Grammar: 10 Printables
Spring into grammar with these egg-cellent Easter worksheets, which help your kid get a grasp of nouns and adjectives.Download All (10)
Download All is only available to Education.com Pro members. Learn More
Click on a worksheet in the set below to see more info or download the PDF.
Easter GrammarDownload Worksheet More info
Make Easter a bit brighter with some sweet and colorful adjectives! This holiday worksheet will help your little bunny learn the basics of nouns and adjectives.
Easter Noun & Adjectives #2Download Worksheet More info
Brighten your parts of speech practice with an Easter-themed worksheet! Little learners will read each sentence and identify adjectives and nouns.
Easter Noun & Adjectives #3Download Worksheet More info
Bring the spirit of Easter into grammar practice with this holiday parts of speech worksheet. Students will identify all the adjectives in each sentence.
Easter Noun & Adjectives #4Download Worksheet More info
Spring into learning with this Easter-themed worksheet all about nouns and adjectives. Your child will practice identifying parts of speech.
Easter Noun & Adjectives #5Download Worksheet More info
Keep learning going this spring break with an Easter-themed worksheet, ensuring fun while learning the basics of nouns and adjectives.
Easter Noun & Adjectives #6Download Worksheet More info
Work up your sweet tooth with these Easter sentences! Little writers will learn the basics of identifying nouns and adjectives, all in the spirit of spring.
The set is continued below.
Easter Noun & Adjectives #7Download Worksheet More info
Celebrate the bright colors and sweets of Easter with this worksheet about adjectives and nouns. Your child will identify the descriptive parts of a sentence.
Easter Noun & Adjectives #8Download Worksheet More info
Stay in the spirit of Easter as you practice parts of speech! This colorful, springtime worksheet will help your child identify nouns and adjectives.
Easter Noun & Adjectives #9Download Worksheet More info
Spread some Easter joy to your little writer as he practices parts of speech! This holiday worksheet will help him sort out his nouns and adjectives.
Easter Noun & Adjectives #10Download Worksheet More info
Get into the spirit of spring during grammar practice with this Easter themed worksheet! Learn to identify parts of speech with each Easter sentence.
Want to download this whole set as a single PDF?Download All (10)
Download All is only available to Education.com Pro members. Learn More


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For 30 years we've worked to preserve bird habitats and prevent eagles, osprey, hawks, trumpeter swans and other birds from coming into contact with power lines and utility equipment. Puget Sound Energy's Avian Protection Program promotes a consistent avian-safe system across our eight-county electric service area. While it is not possible to prevent all injurious contact between birds and electric equipment, we make significant investments to reduce the number of incidents.
Our Avian Protection Program is recognized by federal wildlife officials as an industry model for reducing the impact of utility equipment on migrating and resident bird populations. While the number of eagles has increased significantly in recent years, we've seen no increase in eagle mortalities from contact with our electrical system. Small-bird mortalities also have been reduced through our efforts. Both of these facts are a testament to the effectiveness of our bird-protection programs.
We are constantly assessing and reassessing the programs and procedures we have in place to continue to reduce our electrical system's impact on birds.
We evaluate what works and proactively improve our standards.
We are a member of the Avian/Power Line Interaction Committee and a contributor to its nationally recognized publication, Suggested Practices for Avian Protection on Power Lines.
A few of the specialized tools we use to reduce the risk of bird electrocution:
Avian Protection Program Brochure


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Yes, there is life after storage virtualisation
Infosmack gets down and dirty with HDS
Podcast Did we tell you that Infosmack is the world's best podcast about enterprise technology? And did we tell you that we are syndicating episodes for our beloved readers? No? Then check this out, Episode 92, with Greg Knieriemen on solo hosting duties.
This week's show is recorded on location at HDS's European headquarters in Sefton Park in downtown Buckinghamshire, with special guests Hu Yoshida, chief technology officer for HDS, and Claus Mikkelsen, chief scientist.
Less special guests include some infamous bloggers: Chris Evans of The Storage Architect, Nigel Poulton and Devang Panchigar.
Thrown on to the roundtable is stuff like this:
- Value of storage virtualization
- VAAI as an extension of storage virtualization
- VMware on block or file?
- HDS's legacy into virtualization
- Separating control data from actual data
- The true value of VAAI
- What's next after storage virtualization?
You can listen using the Reg media player below, or download the MP3 here. ®


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Photojimsf's Gift Shop
Buy Digital downloads, framed or unframed prints, greeting cards, coffee mugs, and more photo souvenirs.
2014-05-09 Fridays Are For Men @ Midnight Sun
This popular weekly happy hour features Hot House adult videos, and two for one drinks until 9pm, when the bulging go go studs appear. Pride Grand Marshall, Empress, and First Lady of the Castro Donna Sachet dropped by, here's the pics.Read More


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January 11, 2013 03:01 ET
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 11, 2013) - Habanero Resources Inc. ("Habanero") (TSX VENTURE:HAO)(PINKSHEETS:HBNRF)(FRANKFURT:HRJ) -
The Company is pleased to announce results from the 2012 diamond drill program on its Grand-Vallée North Aluminous Clay Prospect (the "Property"), Gaspe, Quebec. During November 2012, Habanero completed nine (9) inclined diamond drill holes totalling 801 metres that tested priority aluminum in soil geochemical anomalies defined by Habanero's summer-fall 2012 exploration programs.
Drill hole 12GVDH001 intersected a near surface zone of Al2O3 (Aluminum-Oxide) at a depth of 11 metres that returned values of 18.0% Al2O3 over 12 metres (Table 1). Drill hole 12GVDH004, a 50 metre south step-back, intersected the same zone and returned 17.4% Al2O3 over 42 metres. Based on the results of drilling, a 60 metre wide (apparent width), east-northeast oriented zone of Al2O3 mineralization lies beneath 13 metres of lower grade mudstone. Outcrop bedding measurements suggest the zone dips moderately to the south, which is supported by the distribution of Al2O3 values within the drill holes. The zone is open along strike to the east and west, and to the north where it is interpreted to reach surface.
Table 1: Grand-Vallée North Selected Diamond Drill Results
Drill holes 12GVDH005 and 12GVDH006 tested a 40 metre zone of red claystone outcrop exposed within a creek bed (Target #2). Drill hole 12GVDH005 intersected a 42 metre wide zone returning 17.0% Al2O3, from a depth of 36 metres; and a second zone at a depth of 90 metres returning 18.4% Al2O3 over 9 metres. The drill hole terminated directly in highest mineralization of the drill program. Drill hole 12GVDH006 tested the same zone 30 metres to the east along its inferred trend and returned values of 16.8% Al2O3 over 48 metres; including 18.1% Al2O3 over 12 metres. Drilling of Target #2 indicates that in addition to broad zone of near surface mineralization such as those encountered at Target #1, aluminous claystone exposures at the Grand-Vallée North Prospect are persistent in the subsurface along strike and that multiple parallel zones may be present.
Drill holes 12GVDH007 and 12GVDH008 were spaced 1 kilometre apart and selectively tested an east-northeast trending aluminum in soil geochemical anomaly (Target #3). At a depth of 26 metres, drill hole 12GVDH007 intersected a broad zone of mineralization that returned 15.7% Al2O3 over 52 metres. Drill hole 12GVDH008 returned values of 15.2% Al2O3 over 43 metres; including 16 metres at 17.9% Al2O3 and values of up to 18.9% Al2O3 over 4 metres. The hole again terminated in mineralization that graded near the highest levels of the hole, at a depth of 111 metres. The orientation of this mineralized zone is not known and additional drilling is warranted to determine the potential for near surface mineralization along section.
The 2012 Grand-Vallée North diamond drill program resulted in the discovery of three new zones of Al2O3 mineralization within the Property. The three zones are open in both directions along their inferred east-northeast trend. Importantly, diamond drilling has established a high correlation between aluminum in soil geochemical anomalies and drilled intersected mineralization. Numerous soil geochemical anomalies are present within the Grand-Vallée North claims and in light of 2012 diamond drill results additional infill soil sampling, ground geophysical surveys, and further diamond drill testing is warranted.
Jason Gigliotti, President of Habanero Resources states, "We are pleased with the initial results achieved on this prospect. Considering two of the first targets terminated at the higher levels of the holes, we clearly need to follow up to deepen those targets as well as follow up on the remainder of the priority targets within this large prospect. Management is currently formulating a plan for the next phase of operations and anticipates mobilizing the next phase shortly."
Work on the Grand-Vallée North Prospect is supervised by Kristopher J. Raffle, P.Geo. (BC) Senior Geologist for APEX Geoscience Ltd. of Edmonton, AB, who is the qualified person for the project as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Raffle has provided and reviewed all of the technical content of this news release as it relates to the Gaspe Bay Aluminous Clay/Rare Earth Prospect. Drill core from the 2012 diamond drill program was split using a mechanical core splitter. A total of 361 split drill core samples were submitted for X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis to ALS Minerals, North Vancouver, BC for analysis. A quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program is in place, with the insertion of standard and blank samples into the sample stream to confirm the accuracy of the reported results.
Habanero is a diversified junior company with the following prospects: the White Gold Prospect in the White Gold Region Yukon, bordering Kinross' Golden Saddle discovery; the Haldane Silver Prospect in the Keno Hill Silver Region of the Yukon bordering Alexco Resources Corp.'s Bellekeno property; the Lezai Multi-Element Prospect located approximately 100 km north of Chibougamau Quebec; and the Grande-Vallée North Aluminous Clay Prospect consisting of approximately 7,400 hectares (18,285 acres) near Murdochville Quebec, bordering Orbite Aluminae Inc.'s deposit.
If you would like to be added to Habanero's email updates list, please send an email to email@example.com requesting to be added.
To view maps of these projects please go to http://www.habaneroresources.com.
Habanero Resources Inc.
Jason Gigliotti, President
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Habanero Resources Inc.Jason GigliottiPresident604 646 6900www.habaneroresources.com
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text:
Comcast is offering more details about the "protocol agnostic" throttling solution that will replace its current, FCC-denounced approach to network management. Heavy users will be "deprioritized" for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
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So do you think this affects a household like mine?
-2 gamers playing online games using Ventrilo for chatting.
-1 web surfer watching videos/listening to online radio.
We are not big downloaders. A game patch or demo on occassion. Watch Netflix movies online on occasion.
I hate Comcast. I wish we had an alternative and Satellite for online gaming isn't an alternative.
@Samduhman, That's exactly what I'm wondering too. The wording for these things are so vague. How do you know when you'll be deprioritized? As a consumer we're left in the dark about these things.
Things like gaming, watching tv/movies, and audio/video chat are only going to increase in bandwidth consumption. I don't like throttling and I don't like this prioritization based upon use. Somethings broken.
It's the same thing as before, honestly. Comcast hasn't said / isn't saying / doesn't know what the thresholds are, and as a result, no one can tell you if it applies to your situation or not.
What I really like about this is that, even though you're paying for -x- bandwidth, if their "algorithm" sees you actuall using it, you'll hit a speed-bump. First Phorm-style packet injection, then arrogantly not giving their customers what they're paying for. Nice. Time for Comcast users to find another service provider.
The answer to that depends on how much you believe the information Comcast gave in the article. Going by what's printed, maxing out your own line will *not* result in getting throttled. You will only see a slowdown if the entire shared higher-tier connection is maxed out, meaning you and a good number of your neighbors are all doing it.
What they are claiming to do is that once there is no more bandwidth to spare for new users, packets from users whose usage right at that time is low will be pushed ahead of packets from users who at that time are causing much more traffic.
Face it- if the shared line can move 10Mbps and the combined demand on it is 20 then everyone on it is going to slow down somehow. The only question is what policy is used.
Games don't require much bandwidth. I can game and use voice chat on a 512k connection without problem.
That means 2 people are going to be using <1mbit/s
Even with videos/web radio that's less than 1mbit more, so you're looking at a maximum of 2mbit/s (256KB/s) being used, which probably isn't what they are deeming heavy use.
They are going to be going after people using torrents and the like to download lots of files.
Since the slowest Comcast connection appears to be 4mbit/a, using half of that isn't likely going to get you deemed a heavy user.
People who are gaming IMO won't be affected because if you are gaming, you're not likely to be being a heavy user at the same time, because that would totally screw up pings and make whatever game unplayable.
A "really good DSL experience." is what most comcast users get now on a good day, maybe., so no one will notice any changes.
What I thought was funny about that, is the fact that their current advertising campaigns for their HSI services disparage DSL as slow and unusable.
Yes swalsh76, I thought that too. Oh well, maybe ARS will report on the ensuing class action law suit that is sure to arise from this.
Comcast: "You used too much bandwidth, so your connection is throttled."
Customer: "How much bandwidth was I using?"
Comcast: "Too much."
Customer: "But how much is too much? Isn't this an always on connection that you purposely advertise as being faster then DSL?"
Comcast: "You used too much."
Customer: "But how much? And if its not faster then DSL then you lied to me."
Comcast: "We never said that it was always faster then DSL."
Customer: "Sure you did. You said it was always on, and that it was faster in DSL in your own sales material. That means that its always faster then DSL."
Comcast: "Here, let me interpet that for you and tell you what it means to you."
Gheesh! Is this never going to end?
It's better than throttling based on protocol.
In any event, I pay Speakeasy for my connection in NYC. They have been outstanding.
Here in Chicago I pay for 16/2 and during the afternoon/evening I typically get around 6-10 maximum. Some services (like PSN) are painfully slow (1mbit or so) during these times. However, I do get the 16mbit at other times. Sadly, I'm sure that despite paying for the top tier Comcast would gleefully throttle me.
The problem stems from the fact that network congestion isn't really deterministic or solvable. There's no way for them to quantify what the environment will be like during a period of "high congestion," or how much one heavy user will be using as a threshold. From what it sounds like, this process is dynamic in that it'll pick the heaviest in the congested lot to throttle, regardless of how much data that user is pulling in at the time.
I need to re-read my Comcast EULA. This kind of vague algorithm really muddles the concept of bandwidth tiers. I don't accept over-selling as a legit business model. If an ISP is having serious congestion problems at peak times, then the ISP has to widen the 'tubes. If that means current prices for broadband are deflated compared to the commodity's (bandwidth's) availability, then so be it.
I'm curious what they will define as heavy traffic or heavy usage. If they hit 50% of their capacity, will they start slowing things down?
I have a friend that noticed something odd happening when using bittorrent on comcast in the northeast (boston area). When he torrented for more than an hour at a time, his ping would shoot up over 500ms no matter what protocol or what server. Even after stopping the torrents, the ping stays over 500.
The best part of this story? At 12AM, the ping goes back to normal.
Lather, rinse, repeat. Results have been reproducable.
I'll be curious how this will impact the evolution of streaming video (and HD video) if Comcast starts de-prioritizing traffic based on the last 10 to 20 minutes of usage. "Buffering"
Why isnt Comcast just being honest?
They simply need to say, we want your money, but we do not wish to deliver service to you. Hell, we dont even want to run a cable to your house, just give us your money.
Finally, the Slowski's will be able to switch to Comcast.
The ironic thing is that the customers probably would have been far better off with a protocol-based approach.
P2P protocols are generally run as background protocols -- if your torrent or your eDonkey download takes 10% longer, it's not going to affect your immediate, day-to-day user experience.
Now that they are legally prohibited from shaping by protocol, traffic that is very sensitive to latency (online gaming) will be adversely affected for the busiest users, and traffic that affects user experience (speed of HTTP and streaming media) will have deteriorated performance for those users.
That's what you get for having lawyers and judges making technical decisions. Careful what you ask for.
Or how about these asswipes would stop over-selling their network capacity in the first place? Or - you know, revolutionary thought - expand it so the damn things can actually accommodate all their paying customers???
I use Mozy for my offsite backups and I have backed up more than 400 GB. Before I started my uploading, I called Comcast and specifically asked them if there was going to be a problem. I got an employee name and badge number after she asked her supervisor and I got the green light.
I also fire up transmission for a night every couple weeks and I haven't heard any complaints from Comcast.
As one of the heavy users, I find this reasonable. Guess what, I'm not buying a allotment of bandwidth each month, I'm buying a subscription to Comcast's service. And I find their method a better alternative to other ways of managing their network. If they're only dropping you down to "DSL speeds", and only for 10-20 minutes (or more realistically, until the congestion stays cleared), then what's to complain about? The article says they're upgrading their network, and this is a welcome alternative to interfering with network connections. If you really want a guaranteed amount of bandwidth, I think you know you have to pay a premium for it. The reason you don't have to pay for the full cost is because that cost is shared amongst the subscribers, along with the bandwidth.
Hopefully, this will also replace their harassing of the top tenth of a percent of downloaders... I'd like not to get a phone call saying their dropping my subscription
Yea, the crappy part is that it slows all of your traffic down. It would be nice to QoS the traffic coming out of the house - so VoIP wouldn't be affected, but meanwhile BT gets hit.
On the flip side, how would you trust a user to properly QoS their own packets - they could mark BT traffic as VoIP and subvert the entire system.
I guess I like it better than their previous approach (forging packets). However, I don't have to put up with throttling, bandwidth caps, etc because I pay for a business/SOHO connection from Cox. I pay 2x for the same speed connection but oh well, I don't have to put up with that shit and I get great customer service.
If that's not a comcast employee, I've never seen one...
Comcast can't even tell you now how much bandwidth you really get now, what makes anyone think they are going to be able to decide accurately when someone uses too much?
If races were run this way no one would ever win because they would keep moving the finish line and never tell you where it was at. Thats exactly how Comcast treats this whole thing, and they've done it for so long that way they even believe their own justifications enough to invent lies about them.
This seems like nothing more then re-wrapping the P2P throttling thing up in a brand new package and calling it something different.
games barely use any bandwidth, and any gamer concerned about latency will be turning off their torrents before playing.
the most desirable solution from the customer's perspective would be increasing the network capacity, but the ISPs are too cheap/greedy/lazy to do this, so all we're going to get is this, or the previous dicking around with reset packets, or nothing at all.
this method would make a good temporary fix in areas in dire need of capacity upgrades, but Comcast being Comcast, they're just going to throttle everyone, refuse to explain why, and continue to neglect their hardware.
So "heavy users" who tend to be active during prime time might as well save some money by switching to DSL, since that's effectively what they'll be getting out of their cable service according to Comcast's own characterization.
Somehow if I were a Comcast shareholder I think I might be unhappy that they're effectively telling the customers who are arguably the most likely candidates for premium service to switch to the competition.
Comcast sells cable TV, so how do you think they feel about online alternatives to their TV products.
LOL. Yeah, they put "up to" in the fine print by the asteriks, but their advertising mentions specific upload/download rates. They want people to read it and think that they're buying an "allotment of bandwidth each month." Specifically, a bigger allotment of bandwidth than they could buy from a DSL provider.
I will delay my judgment on this particular strategy. I am probably a borderline heavy user but ever since I moved from MD to DC and my speed upgrade was never put back on my account (price of faster speed and my cable package was $95/month now its 141 for regular speed and the same channels and box.)
This is likely a system that combines some real time network monitoring and then basically each user gets traffic shaped during congestion periods with traffic from current heavy users being deprioritized via some QOS marking.
It's likely Comcast uses a few QOS tiers atm.
High-Their own management traffic
Better- Their own branded VOIP
Best Effort/Normal-Customer traffic
Low-Heavy users being deprioritized.
Unlike their last system they are not going to discriminate based on protocols which keeps their network "neutral" which as a common carrier they should be but it will effectively slow down heavy users during periods of congestion. So instead of everyone getting an equal slowdown, the heaviest users see a bigger slowdown and everyone else sees less of a slowdown. Its not a horrible solution if properly implemented.
Of course the usual arguments below still apply and I agree with them wholeheartedly:
Wheres my DOCSIS 3?
What happened to that speed you promised?
The price hikes keep coming, the service keeps being mediocre at best
There are no other terrestrial options/Local Monopoly!
I can't wait for FIOS!
I hate <insert local phone/cable monopoly> here!
Why can't the US broadband policy be more like Japan/Korea/EU, ya know if we actually had a policy!
Or you could torrent encrypted over the VPN port!
Then you've never seen one
Seriously, I got a phone call from them in July over the 550GB I had uploaded and downloaded in June, so I'm all for alternatives. There is no DSL on my street, they are an outright monopoly, so if they cancel my subscription, I'm screwed for a year... Unless my subsequent call to the Public Utilities Board changes their mind.
Residential internet has never been guaranteed in any way... That's why we don't pay thousands of dollars a month on it, 'cause we can split the cost of a single connection amongst multiple subscribers. And while I love soaking up the excess bandwidth, I also have no problem with fellow subscribers getting their fair share of the connection too.
Now, how much profit does Comcast make on its cable internet? If they have the cash, they should upgrade the network, or lower the price... Otherwise, you get what you pay for.
Gullibility of their customers is not Comcast's problem. It's the customer's responsibility to determine if their provider's service is a good value or not.
What is the definition of "DSL speeds" by Comcast? How does anyone know that it will in fact be an accurate speed? They can just slow it down to dial-up speed and say, "Yap, that's DSL speeds! Aren't you glad you're on cable?" People are just supposed to trust Comcast all of a sudden?
if true, this is exactly why many of us are proponents of net neutrality: to prevent comcast [etc, etc...] from giving their own services priority over competing offerings.
if they have to throttle their internet customers in order to bolster their own additional, paid services, then they need to invest in upgrades.
edit: typo service's > services
Yeah, right. Cause intentionally misleading advertisements with details hidden in the fine print are good. Gullible people deserve to be fooled, and the rest of us don't lose anything anyway---except for all the time spent looking at the fine print to make sure that what someone is agreeing to deliver is actually the same thing as what they say they are going to deliver.
Yes, it's the customer's responsibility to determine "if their provider's service is a good value or not." Why shouldn't it be Comcast's responsibility to be up-front about the details that the customer needs to make that determination? Why shouldn't it be Comcast's responsibility to design advertising that doesn't try to convey a different message than their actual contractual terms?
But when Comcast exploits an understanding after the customer has been told something by the company by re-interpeting it to mean something else, thats not gullibility on a customers part, its deception on the companies part.
Astroturf reported...
What, you don't think this statement is true?
How about this as a thought exercise: suppose the FCC mandates that Comcast is required to guarantee that the advertised bandwidth for every single user is always available. What do you think the traffic on their network would look like? What do you think this would do to prices? Do you think that this would be a good thing for the average Comcast subscriber?
It's gullibility to take anything a company's marketing department says at face value. I'm pretty sure the service agreement the customer agreed to states that no guarantees are made about availability of bandwidth. And that is what customers should be paying attention to if they care about knowing what they are getting. Yeah it's a pain but that's reality, sorry if you can't handle it.
There's not really anything that can be done about the situation that is better than what Comcast is planning, other than just biting the bullet and upgrading the network. Under conditions of network congestion, they either have to slow down some user's connections or they start dropping packets, which makes the connection worse for everyone, even the heavy user. The only thing I'd say about this is that Comcast needs to observe their network and prioritize upgrades to any nodes that are continuously running into congested conditions, because it's quite likely that some of their more oversold nodes are going to end up throttling people all the time.