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On February 21, finance minister Malusi Gigaba will present his annual budget speech to Parliament. Many South Africans and potential foreign investors are wondering how he plans to balance the national accounts.
Faced with falling revenues, mounting debt and a dismal economic outlook, to supposedly soften the looming fiscal catastrophe government may well be tempted to raise taxes, particularly on South Africa's wealthiest citizens. However, the key focus should be on reducing expenditure and an already bloated state, and raising taxes should be avoided at all costs.
Most tax-reform discussions and debates lead with the premise that any new tax system must raise roughly as much or more revenue as the one it is to replace. But as Winston Churchill famously quipped, "I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle".
Unfortunately for South Africans, government spending has more than doubled in relative terms from less than 10 percent of GDP in 1960, to more than 20 percent by the end of 2016.
Contrary to the view that the state should play a greater role in the economy, time and time again history has demonstrated that economies that allow their entrepreneurial and hardworking citizens more freedom to use their skills to the best of their ability and earn a worthwhile reward tend to grow faster and prosper.
To have a better chance of raising the amount of funding required, the government should be looking for ways to reduce the total tax required, and to do this it is imperative that it gives urgent attention to reducing the expenditure side of its budget.
The best way to "stimulate" growth is to allow people to work, save and invest. Unfortunately, labour policies in this country discourage the hiring of low-skilled and unskilled workers. High marginal tax rates and other pernicious taxes discourage savings and investment.
For both compassionate and practical reasons, there is no merit whatsoever in taxing the poor.
When we combine all taxes, many people are paying upwards of 50 percent of their annual earnings. Typically, these are the individuals who would fund new investment in the economy, which in turn would create desperately needed new jobs. In effect, these people are working for the government for the first six months of the year.
The late, great Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman proposed a flat-tax system in the early 1960s to simplify tax collection and to encourage people to work, save and invest. He acknowledged that individuals respond to incentives and take steps to further their interests, and argued that highly progressive taxes induce taxpayers to find and exploit tax loopholes, to reduce their tax payments by hiding or converting income into other forms, either legally or illegally.
A proportional or flat tax, as opposed to a progressive tax system, is one in which the ratio of tax to taxable income is the same at all levels of income. It replaces the various tax bands that feature in a progressive tax regime with a single rate. A true flat tax makes no provision for exemptions, and provides no special dispensation for low-income earners.
However, for both compassionate and practical reasons, there is no merit whatsoever in taxing the poor. The compassionate reasons are obvious, while the practical reason is that below a certain level of income, the costs of collecting taxes from the poor exceed the amount collected. Low-income earners should, therefore, be exempt from paying tax on personal income.
Consider for example, if the exempted income is R75,000 per year and the tax rate 15 percent. A person earning R75,000 would not pay tax, whereas a person earning R100,000 would pay R3,750 (effectively 3.75 percent). A person earning R5-million per annum would pay R738,750 (effectively 14.78 percent) in tax.
A low flat tax would be fair, broaden the tax base, improve incentives to invest, make tax evasion more difficult and less lucrative, increase economic growth, raise local investment by encouraging capital formation, and create new jobs by increasing real wages and improving incentives to work. It would also encourage taxpayers to be more honest and attract foreign investment.
It is time for South Africa's leaders to realise that the role of government is to pursue policies that promote economic growth, and not to prevent people from working by enforcing job-destroying policies.
Once tax rates are increased, it is very difficult to later reduce them, so hopefully, finance minister Gigaba will do the right thing and reduce government expenditure – and thereby, taxes – which will lighten the load already borne by cash-strapped South Africans.
These are some relatively simple tax reforms that should receive approval from all quarters: business, labour, civil society and most importantly, South African citizens.
It is time for South Africa's leaders to realise that the role of government is to pursue policies that promote economic growth, and not to prevent people from working by enforcing job-destroying policies.
Jasson Urbach is a director at the Free Market Foundation.


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subset: commoncrawl


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I've got a bunch of laptops for my classroom and I'm using Ubuntu. I want to be able to add/update/remove software across them as easily as possible and I'm not sure how to go about it.
I was thinking of editing the /etc/profile
file on each machine to curl
pipe sh
a script that I would host on github. That script would include mostly apt-get
s. I don't even know if that will work, but what I imagine it will do is run the script each time someone logs on with any account on the laptop (first question: is that true?)
I added nautilus ~
to the end of /etc/profile
to test this approach out. I thought that was harmless, but upon login it opens the home directory and the rest of the startup seems to fail... no menu bar or launcher, just a mouse and desktop image. I'm kinda f***ed there and may end up asking a separate question!
Before I go too far down this rabbit-hole, I was hoping that some super users on here would be able to give me some tips on how to manage software on all the laptops in this kind of setting in the most time-efficient way.


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Welcome to our The Most Trusted Website-Buy Fake Diploma. 18 years in business, Fast and High Quality Diploma.-www.fakeadiploma.com
Buy a fake Qatar University Degree Certificate, Get a fake Qatar University transcript online, buy fake Qatar University diplomas, buy a fake diploma from The State of Qatar. The University of Qatar is located in the north of Doha, Qatar. It is a national comprehensive university in the country, which was expanded by the Qatar Institute of Education.
The school mainly uses English and Arabic teaching, with nearly 10,000 students, mostly female students. The school has complete teaching facilities such as laboratories, reading rooms, and experimental farms.
Qatar University currently has the Faculty of Education, Islamic Faculty, Arts and Natural Sciences Faculty, Polytechnic Faculty, Engineering Faculty, and other departments.
Qatar University (Qatar University) is located in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The school has complete facilities and advanced teaching equipment. There are nearly 10,000 students and 1,500 faculty members. There are 7 colleges and departments in education, humanities, science and engineering, law, engineering, economic management, technology, and some scientific research experimental centers.
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The University of Qatar is a comprehensive university in Qatar. Located in the northern suburbs of Doha, the capital of Qatar. In 2002, there were 8,621 students in school, of which 73% were women. The courses are in English (education, arts, and social science subjects) and Arabic (natural science, engineering, and business subjects).
The main campus covers an area of 8 square kilometers. The campus building adds a modern concept, but it has the traditional characteristics of Qatar. All facilities are separated for men and women, independent laboratories, reading rooms, etc. The university has another experimental farm located 65 kilometers north of Doha.


text: Skiing is a recreational activity cum sport in which participants attach long runners or skis to boots or shoes to travel on snow. Heli-skiing is off-trail, downhill skiing that is accessed by a helicopter. Skiing and heli-skiing are the two very famous winter sports that attract travelers from different parts of the world. Blessed with the most enticing winter destinations that can leave every traveler spell bound with the very first look. One can find an array of popular skiing destinations in the state of Himachal Pradesh that promises a whole new experience to travelers on the go. Travelers from all over the world fly down to this northern jewel that offers the most thrilling winter escapades to travelers. Some of the poplar skiing destinations in Himachal Pradesh are Kufri, Narkanda and Manali. Heli-skiing in Himachal Pradesh can be enjoyed nearby the area of Hanuman Tibba, Chanderkhani Pass, Rohtang Pass and Deo Tibba.


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In the age of constant connectivity and remote work capabilities, many employees find themselves increasingly overworked and overtired. When you're able—and perhaps even expected—to work 24/7, it's easy to let work take over your life and burn you out.
To prevent your career from negatively impacting your physical and mental health, it's important to be proactive in these areas and work toward a lifestyle that promotes passion and productivity. We asked a panel of Forbes Coaches Council members to share some steps professionals can take, either at work or at home, to achieve this. Here's what they had to say.
1. Meditate
I found just five minutes of meditation per day was a complete game-changer for me. Don't take it from my anecdotal evidence though; there are countless studies that show similar effects. If you aren't into meditation, at least give it a real try for two weeks. - Brian M Harman, Business Management Hallmark
2. Practice The S.T.O.P. Technique
Burnout occurs when you race around trying to get everything done on your to-do list. This occurs when you believe everything is urgent and important when it is not. By using the S.T.O.P. Technique—Slow down, Tune in within, Observe what is happening and Perceive the best possibility to utilize your time—you will feel more focused and in control. As a result, you will be less burned out. - Susan K. Wehrley, BIZremedies
3. Walk More
Quoting Kierkegaard, "Take your soul for a stroll...Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness." If you work virtually, walk to work, not across the room, but around the block or even the community. If you drive, don't hunt for the nearest parking space. Get off public transportation a stop or two early. Walking has proven mental and physical benefits. - Brian Gorman, TransformingLives.Coach
4. Learn When 'Good' Is Good Enough
Step one is recognizing there is an issue. Step two is learning to identify when "good" is good enough to help you get past that perfection paralysis all high achievers feel at some point. Done is better than perfect (and perfectly acceptable in many instances). Learn to distinguish between those things that merit your meticulous attention to detail and those that benefit from you letting go. - Precious Williams Owodunni, Mountaintop Consulting
5. Drink Water
There is a link between high cortisol levels and being dehydrated. Stressed people's hearts beat faster and it's a sign that the body needs more fluids. Continuous stress leads to mental burnout. Don't use coffee or green tea. Go for simple cool water. This way you will deliver liquids to all your organs, including the brain. It looks like water is the best prevention for sun and mental burnout. - Inga Bielińska, Inga Bielinska Coaching Consulting Mentoring
6. Schedule Breaks And Mark Your Calendar As 'Busy'
We spend time learning how to plan effectively and how to prioritize our goals and tasks. However, we often fail to include time for rest and restoration on our lists and in our calendars. It's imperative that self-care is planned, and the time allocated must be protected. Mark your time for self-care as "busy" on shared calendars, because "out of office" doesn't mean you can't be reached. - Joynicole Martinez, The Alchemist Agency
7. Take A Vacation And Truly Unplug
Use your vacation time! The U.S. Travel Association estimates that there were 705 million unused vacation days in 2017—days that employees are paid to take but they choose to work instead. Disconnecting from work emails, meetings and calls while on vacation will allow you to return to work with fresh ideas, more energy and renewed drive. - Dr. Kimberly Jarvis, All Career Matters, Inc.
8. Reframe Self-Care As Productive Time
Many executives de-prioritize self-care below work because they view it as "non-productive," wasteful time. Research shows, whether it is sleeping, exercising, nutrition or social connection, renewal activities are critical to operate at one's optimal level on a sustainable basis. If you reframe self-care as productive time, it will help you prioritize it and operate more effectively. - Shefali Raina, Alpha Lane Partners
9. Learn What Energizes You
You don't let your phone battery get down to 5%, but often we let ourselves run dry before we recognize our signs of stress. Protect your health and avoid burnout by increasing your self-awareness. What stresses and energizes your co-worker might not be the same for you. Some people are energized by spending time alone, and others recharge by being around other people. Know and take care of yourself. - Sherrie Haynie, The Myers-Briggs Company
10. Take A Technology Break
In this age of emails, IMs and phone calls, it is a good idea to take a break from technology every now and again to recharge. Depending on your schedule and available vacation time, you can take a day, a weekend or a week. Taking time away from technology will keep you from burning out. Read a book, go for a hike or take a retreat. You can also use this time to reconnect with your family. - Katrina Brittingham, VentureReady LLC
11. Breathe
One of the most powerful remedies for the over-stressed and overstretched is also the simplest: breathe. Breathing connects your body, mind and spirit. When you're overwhelmed and other remedies seem out of reach (who has time for meditation or yoga? When would I find time to overhaul my work life?), master the two-minute break. Clear your mind and breathe. You'll instantly feel rested and renewed. - Joelle Jay, LRI
12. Build A Life Outside Of Work
Because employees are working long hours and are always connected, it can seem like work is all-consuming. To keep some level balance, build a meaningful life outside of work—a family, a friend group, a volunteer role, a creative passion like a hobby, etc. Whatever it is, put a priority on it so your energy can shift from 24/7 work and focus on something meaningful outside of work. - Reed Deshler, AlignOrg Solutions
13. Do One Thing That Makes You Happy And Curious Each Day
The more things feel out of control, focus on simplifying your priorities. Most of us feel burnout when we feel unappreciated, overworked and bored. We don't feel burnout when we work hard on something we enjoy. So the question is, how do you make what you do in your life something you enjoy? Ask and reflect: What makes you happy? When was the last time you felt curious while working on a project? - Monica Kang, InnovatorsBox
14. Pay Attention To Your Attention
The last and final human resource to go is your attention. What you are experiencing is your attention being hijacked by the myriad subtleties that have come to define your life. To reclaim governance over your attention, you will need to consider integrating the following activity: the act of noticing where your attention goes, whether in the form of behaviors or thoughts. And then with self-compassion ask yourself, "Is this the person I desire to be?" - Mirella De Civita, Ph.D., PCC, MCEC, Papillon MDC Inc.


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– The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said on Thursday that it has reached a
settlement with Twitter, over charges that the company "deceived consumers
and put their privacy at risk by failing to safeguard their personal
information." The FTC had alleged "serious lapses" in Twitter's
security in 2009 "allowed hackers to obtain administrative control of
Twitter, including access to tweets that consumers had designated private, and
the ability to send out phony tweets pretending to be from then-President-elect
Barack Obama and Fox News, among others."
The two incidents mentioned
involved hackers using password-guessing tools to gain access to administrative
functions on Twitter.
Under the terms of the settlement, Twitter is
"barred for 20 years from misleading consumers about the extent to which
it maintains and protects the security, privacy, and confidentiality of
nonpublic consumer information, including the measures it takes to prevent
authorized access to information and honor the privacy choices made by
Twitter must also maintain a comprehensive information
security program, which will be assessed by a third-party every other year for
10 years.
Related Links:


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Manufacturing execution system (MES) and manufacturing operations management (MOM) applications automate manufacturing workflow. Such workflow software captures the knowledge of individuals and the data from sensors and shares it so processes are smoothed, quality is improved and knowledge is transferred—shift to shift, batch to batch or step by step.
"Broadly based, [workflow software] is an MES offering based on database, execution, product management. The idea is to turn data into profit," says Jon Kadane, director of product marketing for AspenTech (www.aspentech.com), a Burlington, Mass. supplier of advanced process control software. He says workflow product evolution follows the requirement of what customers require: "Pharma is compliance-oriented, while chemicals customers have fewer regulations on product and compliance, but need safety and health reporting."
>> Click here for the Top 10 Question to Ask Your Workflow Vendor
To show the range of workflow software applications and benefits, here are three stories: from a medical products manufacturer, a semiconductor manufacturer and a pharmaceutical manufacturer.
In search of ideal parameters
A leading medical products manufacturer serving a growing demographic of aging baby boomers needed to rapidly expand production capacity to keep up with growing demand. With limited space in its facility to add new lines, the company needed to focus on improving cycle time and yield by gathering more data and establishing ideal operating parameters.
"Our customer had some challenges for control on the factory floor," says Chris Monchinski, director, manufacturing IT at Automated Control Concepts (ACC, www.automated-control.com), a Neptune, N.J.-based systems integrator. (Monchinski also volunteers as a co-chair of the ISA 95 committee.) "They had been acquired and in the acquisition there was new capital available. They wanted to advance their technology. It's a high quality GMP [good manufacturing practices] company in an organic growth period. Many of their operations grew out of best practices developed internally. But the paper trail was not always accurate. The challenge was how to maintain quality and grow 200 percent."
To address yield while operating under tight regulations and reporting requirements, the company needed to reduce or eliminate losses and shipment delays caused by reporting or quality issues.
ACC designed and implemented an information system based on the FactoryTalk software suite from Rockwell Automation (www.rockwellautomation.com) and ACC's own software, processRecords. Since its implementation, the new information system has helped operators attain a 5 percent increase in equipment efficiency through better equipment utilization. In addition, the manufacturer saw an increased productivity of 20 percent over the previous system, while plant floor staffing has remained the same.
Monchinski continues, "Control over the records was essential. Trying to find a piece of paper was becoming more and more difficult. Then we needed to streamline inter-department communication. Their products are pretty custom, so that added complexity to the problem. Streamlining information flow was essential."
The customer's requirements were to get control of data from departments, machines and devices on the factory floor, as well as data from the quality and order management areas. The source would be either manually or automatically generated data. Another challenge was that production was a combination of discrete and process manufacturing.
Rockwell's FactoryTalk Historian and FactoryTalk View SE gathered the data and gave visibility. Because ACC's processRecords product is workflow-driven, it helped determine what data needed to be collected and provideed the status of a part through production.
In addition to the basic IT functionality, ACC also provided security, disaster recovery plans, fault tolerance, back up, operator acceptance and training. "processRecords basically presents forms for the operator or tester to fill out either automatically, via keyboard or by scanning a bar code," explains Michael Blechman, ACC president.
Since installing the system, the medical products maker has seen the benefits. "They now have no paper on the factory floor. Now they have all this historical data and can make decisions about tolerances and process improvement," says Blechman. "They had so much manual data entered into massive Microsoft Excel spreadsheets. Now it's all in one place. Not to mention there is also a predictive maintenance tool."
Making better semiconductors
A U.S-based semiconductor manufacturer, operating a 200,000 square-foot facility that includes 62,000 square feet of cleanroom space for wafer fabrication, was in pursuit of better control of its processes. To that end, it worked with Minnetonka, Minn. based Savigent Software (www.savigent.com), using Savigent's Catalyst Workflow (workflow automation software) to take run-to-run control to new levels of efficiency.
The semiconductor maker's manufacturing facilities include a six-inch (150mm) and an eight-inch (200mm) wafer fab. With these fabs, this semiconductor manufacturer has the ability to process more than 4,000 wafers a week.
Semiconductor fabs put a pattern on a wafer using a photolithography process. On subsequent layers, they put down another pattern. The layers need to overlay nicely to ensure high yield and device performance. That's the principal technical challenge addressed by overlay control. "About three years ago, when overlay control was initially becoming an issue here, we found a 'poor man's solution,' " says a photolithography process engineer at the company.
For a given lot of wafers, the company set up what it called a restricted aligner. Out of maybe 22 photolithography layers, maybe three were designated critical to have good overlay to each other; the rest were considered non critical. The manufacturer recorded wherever that first critical layer went down on a particular step or lithography tool number. Later, when the wafers came back for the second of the critical layers, engineers made sure that the automation system forced the wafer back to the same lithography tool that had been used previously (hence the term "run-to-run control").
This process achieved what is called "single tool overlay performance." It was a move in the direction the manufacturer wanted to go, but not quite enough. So the company began working with Savigent to improve the process.
"In our lithography program, we were looking to make adjustments from lot-to-lot, and to gain feedback information based on output," says the engineer. In this case, feedback is based on metrology performance metrics that company has for materials. Then, based on that metrology information, adjustments are made to the lithography tool recipe for the next lot to be processed. Integrating the feedback information from the metrology tool to the process tool was critical to making these run-to-run adjustments."
A station controller cues up the stepper job so that an operator can run a lot of wafers through a lithography tool. The run-to-run controller is integrated to the manufacturer's MES system, the lithography tool (through the station controller) and metrology equipment, providing the means for real-time communication of critical data such as lot numbers, routes, metrology data and more. "Now when a lot is coming to a particular lithography tool that's about to do an align layer, information is shared by all the tools involved," says the engineer. "Once that information is handed off, a decision is made."
The manufacturer is now able to take what were baseline numbers with no corrections applied and look at key output metrics from the overlay tool: registration maximum, registration minimum, and mean values for both the X and Y dimensions. "With the Savigent technology, we're able to drive those metrics to lower and lower numbers," says the engineer. "Zero would be our ultimate goal for the mean. Max and min won't ever go to zero, but we're always trying to make them smaller. That shows we've achieved a better overlay than without the run-to-run controller."
Since implementing the new system, the company has reduced a typical max/min value in the range of 100 nanometers into the range of 60 nanometers, an improvement of 40 percent.
Mistake proofing pharmaceuticals
Jim Cahill, writing in his popular blog, Emerson Process Experts (www.emersonprocessexperts.com), relates a story from the pharmaceutical industry. Emerson's Michalle Adkins shared a story of one pharmaceutical manufacturer's journey to justify workflow technology to reduce deviations, eliminate redundant work, and improve production efficiency.
The existing method of operations included paper batch records and manual data transcriptions throughout the work process. As a result, batch release times were not optimal due to the time involved with paper record reviews by the Quality and Production departments.
In addition, the effort involved in releasing a batch included many non-value-added steps. Over 20 percent of the atypical events found were due to manual recording errors. Mistake proofing the process would deliver economic benefits with faster batch release times, less required labor, and fewer quarantined or discarded batches.
The manufacturer had an existing manufacturing execution system (MES) at its various facilities, but it was centered on the historization of simple automated processes. Some examples included data trending and recording as well as comments and e-signatures. The system was minimally connected with the control system via OPC. The other major issue was the MES was customized for each site, and the manufacturer's approach is "configure, not customize" for site validation.
Achieving the desired level of mistake proofing would require close integration between the MES and control system. This mistake proofing approach required the inclusion of complex automated and manual processes with long residence times to be incorporated automatically into the batch records. The project team was comprised of representatives from key departments with overall site leadership sponsorship. Team members represented Operations, Quality, IT, Engineering, Automation, Plant Management, Corporate Management, and Validation departments.
A key part of the process was the delivery of a prototype to visually show how mistake proofing could be accomplished and how the requirements could be realized. The team followed the Operational Excellence process and involved members from the corporate automation and information technology (IT) teams.
The prototype timeframe was three months and included the MES recipe integrated with their DeltaV control system. The team included members of Emerson's Life Sciences consulting team to provide system setup, proof of concept criteria development, implementation & testing, presentation assistance, and proposal development for project implementation.
The Syncade MES applications in the prototype included Recipe Authoring, Electronic Batch Records, Equipment Tracking, Materials Management, Weigh and Dispense, Document Control and Archiving, and the Security and Audit application modules.
The process to develop functional requirements grew out of an initial draft developed by the manufacturer. Paper records were deconstructed with mapping all of the data entry and parameter fields in the MES and DCS. Definitions were developed for ISA88 unit operations, parameters, recipe-specific values, operator text displays, sequencing logic including manual steps, and signature requirements. These functional requirements were reviewed and revised with stakeholders representing each of the functional departments.
Based on this iterative process, the prototype was designed, built and tested. Prototype presentations were given to smaller groups by department to allow focused questions and feedback based on the perspective of the department. A justification based on the Operational Excellence process was developed and tangible benefits identified through value stream improvements in reduced document handling time, document review time, data entry time, calculations and document rework.
Other tangible benefits included reduced inventory, storage, material losses, and deviations/event comments. Intangible benefits included greater focus on true product quality, greater availability of information and the empowerment it provided staff members at all levels. This approach better organized the information to spot improvement opportunities including the identification of situations to apply Process Analytical Technology (PAT) methods. The benefits were quantified and return on investment (ROI) calculations were performed for overall project justification.
>> More MES Applications! Find more case studies, news, columns and primers on MES and MOM. Visit http://bit.ly/findmes
So, is all this workflow software? If it improves the process and the transfer of knowledge, yes.
Dan O'Brien, Honeywell's (www.honeywell.com) director for collaborative software solutions in Phoenix, explains it this way: "Workflow is a layered-up IT word. We're making investments that use workflow as a pillar—as, say, part of the approval process or automatic notices. Lots of applications have work sequencing or workflow built in. It also encompasses knowledge capture. This has people working to the process that's documented, instead of by memory—knowing they're doing the right thing at the right time."


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Taking the customer's pulse
Dr Volker Wetekam talked to European Hospital about the HIS as a local business, how to set priorities in quality and about IT in the times of Web 2.0
With 1,600 customers and a 30-40% market share in Germany, Austria, France and Switzerland, IT and imaging enterprise Agfa and its hospital-wide IT solution Orbis are ahead of the game. Dr Volker Wetekam, Executive Vice President of the IT Division, Agfa Healthcare, speaks of a technological advantage of as much as two to three years in the key segments -- PACS, cardiology and regional health -- compared to other European companies.
Why does Dr Volker Wetekam believe Agfa is better placed in the healthcare IT segment than larger in vivo imaging companies? Because, he explains, 'The services of the leading medical technology companies are mainly based around the development of clinical image and post processing applications. Our strength lies in linking these post processing applications from interface diagnostics closely with PACS, regional health and eHealth products, which is why customers of leading modality enterprises talk to us. In most cases this cooperation runs smoothly.
Could the market for PACS become saturated?
Indeed, the classic PACS market decreased by around 15% in 2010. There are only a few countries, such as France and Italy, which still record a growth in this segment. However, Agfa was able to increase its volume significantly, despite the difficult market environment. In North America orders increased by more than 30%, and worldwide we gained more than 180 new customers in the first ten months of last year.
'We can see a lot of movement in the market, in Europe as well as in Latin America and North America. However, we don't have any plans to roll out our hospital information system Orbis worldwide. The HIS and CIS business is a local not global business. This is why we concentrate on selected countries in Europe, i.e. mainly Germany, France, England, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg. By focusing on these countries we can guarantee a very high functional bandwidth, as well as the implementation of high quality and standardisation requirements.
What are the firm's plans for the future?
'The main strategy consists of a further expansion of existing software applications as well as the development of new generations of products. With Orbis we cover 85% of clinical processes. It's a big challenge for us to prioritise our customers' numerous requirements. This is why, in 2008 and 2009, we introduced standardised development processes in the PACS, RIS, HIS and cardiology business. These prioritise customer requirements based on whether they improve quality of care as well as cutting costs. In addition, twice a year we invite some customers from Europe, North America and Asia to our so-called Clinical Customer Advisory Boards to find out whether our road map helps them, both clinically and economically.
How important is the integration of modern web services such as cloud computing, or even social media?
'If we want to develop our applications further in the healthcare sector we'll certainly have to be open to this integration. However, one should not forget that social media platforms, such as Facebook, do not operate though the sale of software or IT infrastructures, but through personalised marketing and merchandising. This has little to do with the traditional enterprise IT business, in which Agfa is involved. However, what we can indeed learn from Facebook, Google & Co. is dealing with internet-based technologies, such as cloud-based software installations. For instance, we are working on the development of an online platform based on the principle of crowd sourcing. There are more and more components, which our Orbis and Impax customers can develop better than we can. Therefore, we are offering them this web-based platform for them to develop hanging protocols and teaching files and exchange these amongst themselves.
'We want to make new technologies that originate outside the healthcare IT sector available to our customers. We therefore intentionally recruit our staff from other industries and sectors. This will help us to expand our technological advantage further.'


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At the end of the 2019 legislative session, about a dozen pieces of legislation designed to crack down on stretch limousines were introduced in the Senate and Assembly (referred to this year as the "Baby Ugly" or "Little Big Ugly" in political circles). The bills were prompted by the deadly Schoharie limo crash, which shined a light on the particularly lax regulations that govern the stretch limo industry.
While the 2019-2020 Adopted Budget that was passed back in April of this year tightened New York's limousine laws with heightened penalties for safety violations by allowing the state to seize the plates of stretch limos that fail inspection, banning stretch limos from making U-turns, mandating GPS and increasing insurance coverage, the Senate Transportation Committee's recent hearings on limo safety highlighted the need for additional safety measures.
Among the proposed legislative items introduced in the "Baby Ugly" were bills targeted at stretch limos (and other vehicles designed or modified to carry more than nine people) that would make seatbelts and rollover bars mandatory. Other bills were aimed at drivers of these vehicles and would have required fingerprinting, drug and alcohol testing, and a commercial driver's license to drive altered vehicles, and enhanced penalties for those drivers.
In the end, only two bills passed both houses and are waiting to be "called up" by the Governor. As for the bills that did not make the cut this year, they could easily be re-introduced in the next legislative session. It is unclear which of the bills will actually be enacted, but it is clear that change is underway. This column summarizes which bills made it, which fell short, and what may be on next year's agenda.
What passed?
The following bills passed and are awaiting the Governor's call-up:
Increased Penalties for Drivers for Traffic Violations(S6188/A8172) increases penalties for making illegal U-turns, running red lights, and speeding with a stretch limo or other vehicle designed or modified to seat nine or more passengers, including the driver. The bill expands the U-turn ban created in the 2019 Adopted Budget to cover any commercial passenger motor carrier with a seating capacity of nine or more passengers, and increases the penalties to less than $250 and/or a maximum of 15 days in jail for the first offense, with additional increased penalties if there are passengers in the vehicle, and for repeat violations within 18 months. The same penalties apply for running a red light with a vehicle that seats more than nine passengers. Drivers of such vehicles convicted of speeding are subject to the enhanced penalty scheme that currently applies to repeat offenders. The enhanced penalties apply regardless of whether the driver transports passengers for compensation.
Mandatory GPS for Limos(S6187/A8171) requires stretch limousines to use commercial global positioning system (GPS) technology that is specifically designed to assist navigation of commercial vehicles, which includes finding routes that accommodate the minimum clearance and turning radius of the vehicle, and which can transmit certain real-time data to the limousine operator's employer. For the purposes of this law, "stretch limousine" means an altered motor vehicle having a seating capacity of nine or more passengers, including the driver, transporting passengers for compensation.
What didn't make the cut this year?
Many of the below bills seek to enact licensing standards that are already in place for drivers and vehicles in NYC regulated by the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC). However, some of these requirements seek to expand the rigorous licensing standards for limousines that exist in NYC to all other parts of New York State.
Limousine Driver Requirements
Driver Drug & Alcohol Testing(S6186/A712) requires that drivers of any for-hire vehicle with a seating capacity of nine or more persons, including the driver, be subject to both pre-employment and random drug and alcohol testing. It would also prohibit motor carriers from requiring or allowing these drivers to operate a vehicle if the driver appears to have consumed drugs or alcohol within the previous eight hours.
Fingerprinting (S6190B/A3286) requires that applicants for a taxicab, limousine, commuter van, paratransit, or for-hire vehicle driver or owner licenses for vehicles transporting nine or more passengers must be fingerprinted by the authority authorized to issue such licenses for the purpose of securing criminal history records from both the state division of criminal justice services and the FBI.
Commercial Driver's License Required(S6192) changes license requirements for stretch limousines so that a commercial driver's license (CDL – P endorsement) will be required to operate an altered vehicle that seats nine or more passengers including the driver. A CDL is required even if the driver does not transport passengers for hire.
Seatbelt & Rollover Protection Devices(S6191) require that vehicles designed or modified to carry nine or more people for compensation must have lap and shoulder seatbelts and rollover protection devices, such as cages or pillars, and anti-intrusion bars.
Impounding Stretch Limos with Certain Defects(S6193) allows the New York State Department of Transportation (NYS DOT) commissioner to immobilize or impound stretch limos that have an out-of-service defect or a horn-related defect until the defect is fixed. Vehicle owners will be entitled to a hearing on the impoundment.
Limousine Business Licensing
NYS DOT Operating Authority(S6192) amends the Transportation Law so that limousines carrying nine or more passengers for hire will be considered commercial motor vehicles required to obtain operating authority from the New York State Department of Transportation. The law lowers the current seating capacity threshold for CMVs excluded from the definition of "sedan" from eleven to nine persons.
Government & Regulatory Administration
Hotline to Report Safety Issues(S6185/A8214) requires NYS DOT to establish a hotline, website, and phone app to report safety and customer service issues with stretch limousines. Stretch limos and other vehicles that are designed or modified to seat nine or more people will be required to displays signs informing passengers how to report issues to NYS DOT. The bills also require NYS DOT to develop a rating system for customers to assess their limo service.
Stretch Limousine Passenger Safety Task Force(S6189) establishes a Passenger Safety Task Force for stretch limousines. The 20-member task force will be required to issue a report and make recommendations regarding: enhanced coordination and uniformity between the NYS DOT and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) regarding regulating stretch limos; uniform safety training program for drivers and increasing the minimum age to operate a stretch limo; extending current federal regulations that apply to bus drivers to stretch limousines; establishing vehicle age limits for stretch limousines; and the need for additional safety measures, including prohibiting drivers of stretch limos from making U-turns or using hands-free devices, mandatory safety features, having NYS-owned and operated inspection stations and random spot vehicle inspections.
What's next?
There is a clear willingness to pass laws to help prevent tragedies like the Schoharie crash from happening again. The likelihood of further regulation in the next legislative session is high. While the Federal government has not completed its investigation into the Schoharie crash just yet, this has not stopped state legislators and the Governor from acting in New York to close loopholes and heighten safety and accountability requirements.
While the Governor has noted that there may be jurisdictional restrictions on what the State of New York can regulate for vehicles that are already regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in terms of going beyond federal requirements, there is clearly a commitment to make big changes in Albany. The coordination by and between the NYS DOT, DMV as well as the FMCSA and NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) may create additional regulatory requirements coupled with both concurrent and possibly conflicting jurisdictions.
For many years, NYS DOT has registered stretch limousines as buses. This happened as a result of super-stretch coachbuilders trying to evade the passage of laws in the early 2000s by the New York City Council and the TLC, which I had drafted and passed when I was the TLC Chair, to reign-in non-certified stretched limousines. The State is now drawing a distinction between vehicles that are manufactured to seat more than nine passengers and vehicles that are altered or modified to do so. Almost every state in the US, including NY, have passed laws over the last several years loosening and deregulating sedan service provided by Transportation Network Companies, while vehicle regulation of larger for-hire vehicles is going in the opposite direction. The disparities and complexity continues.
For further information about the implications of the Schoharie crash and the history of limousine regulations, I recently authored a comprehensive research article that is published in TRB News, a journal of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of the Sciences.
TR News 321 May/June 2019 Issue: www.mytrb.org/MyTRB/Store/Product.aspx?ID=10256.
If you or your company representatives have any questions about any of the pending legislation, or would like copies or further analysis of any bills, please feel free to contact me at firstname.lastname@example.com, or at 212.237.1106.
Editor's Note
After going to print last month, we were told that the FTA chart that ran with this column in July had inaccurate information, recently changed by the FTA. The following is the revised chart:
Figure 1Examples of 2016 Sandbox Projects


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ExclusiveMeredith Vieira Shares Her Favorite Memories With Regis Philbin After His Death: 'He Was So Real'
Remembering a legend. Meredith Vieira calls the late Regis Philbin a "real" and "authentic" person and says she's glad she got the chance to work with him in an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly.
"There are so many memories of Regis. I've had folks come up to me since his passing and say, 'Boy, it must have been amazing to know him,' and I always say the same thing: 'You did know him,'" Meredith gushes. "The person you saw on television was Regis. He really was a curious guy. Great storyteller, great conversationalist. Just an all-around good guy who never forgot his roots."
Regis died at 88 years old on July 24, 2020. He is survived by his kids, Joanna, J.J., Amy and his wife, Joy Philbin. His son Daniel Philbin died at 49 years old from natural causes in 2014.
Meredith explains the New York native "never got on some high horse about anything." In fact, he "loved to poke fun at himself" and he enjoyed "elevating people" around him. That's why the former Today star felt such a close bond with Regis. When she was asked to host Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? after his 2002 departure, Meredith says the game show host told her the sweetest thing.
"He said, 'You're going to be great, kid. Just be yourself,'" the 25 Words or Less host recalls. "And that was the most genuine thing he could have said because he was basically allowing me to get out from behind his shadow and just be me. That was very liberating and I'm sure he knew that."
Many stars took to Instagram to pay tribute to the former TV personality following his death. His former Live! cohost Kelly Ripa called him the "ultimate class act," and Sharon Osbourne agreed. During the July 27 episode of The Talk, Sharon, 67, said Regis was "a pioneer," who "knew his craft inside out and backwards."
Marie Osmond also remembered him as a very "generous" and "warm" person. One thing she liked about the icon was his ability to entertain his fans. Regis "could talk about putting a sock on for 15 minutes and you'd love hearing every detail," she gushed.
In the meantime, Meredith is focused on her partnership with Pfizer's Find Your MBC Voice initiative, which encourages those living with metastatic breast cancer to speak up and have informed conversations with their doctor. For more information about it, please click here.


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Best excuse ever for ingesting pot: it was the mysterious sidewalk salesman working for a "church fundraiser" who sold me the magic brownies. Also the most interesting issue of CDC's MMWR ever.
A few months ago, a pre-school teacher, with best intentions of supporting a local parish, bought some brownies from a sidewalk vendor who was holding a bake sale fundraiser for the church. I'll let MMWR set up the rest of the story:
On the morning of April 7, 2009, a preschool teacher put brownies, which she had purchased on April 5, on a table in a break room to share with staff. The day before, she also had given two brownies to her adult son at home. Five preschool teachers (not including the teacher who had purchased the brownies) and the teacher's adult son were the only persons who ate the brownies. Each person ate only one brownie. At approximately 1:30 p.m., the preschool director and the administrator noticed that one of the teachers suddenly looked drowsy and was complaining of drowsiness, ataxia, dizziness, shortness of breath, and numbness and tingling of the face, forehead, arms, and hands. When the director and administrator learned that the teacher who had shared the brownies had purchased them from a sidewalk vendor for a church fundraiser, they suspected the affected teacher's drowsiness was associated with her ingestion of the brownie 30 minutes before onset of symptoms. The teacher did not seek medical care.The church had not held a fundraiser?? Uh oh. The first clue that something was amiss is that "several affected persons reported that the brownies had a medicine-like aftertaste or smell; however, all six affected persons ate an entire brownie. One teacher (who did not report symptoms and was not included in the analysis) reported biting a brownie but immediately spitting it out, complaining of an unusual taste." Perhaps more of the teachers should have used logic and spit it out, given that the brownies were baked by a stranger.
The brownies were sold as single, unlabeled units, individually wrapped in plastic wrap, costing $1.50 each. The preschool director contacted the head pastor of the church, who reported that the church had not held a fundraiser, and the pastor subsequently notifie LAPD to investigate. After interviewing persons at the church and the preschool, LAPD suspected foodborne illness and contacted DPH on April 8.
This isn't the first time "inadvertent ingestion of marijuana" has happened: Similar episodes of inadvertent ingestion of marijuana occurred in Colorado in 1978 and in California in 1981, where persons unknowingly ingested marijuana in baked goods. Good thing it's only happened twice before.
MMWR said the findings suggest the need the consider marijuana as a potential contaminant during foodborne illness investigations.
Best part of the article? "All the affected preschool teachers were able to continue conducting classes that day." Awesome. Good to know that the state of our educational system is such that nobody notices a difference when our teachers are high.


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Scientific articles submitted to the editorial board of "KSTU News" journal undergo reviewing procedures.
Reviewing forms: external (reviewing of the manuscripts by leading specialists of the relevant industry), internal (reviewing of the manuscripts by the members of the editorial board).
The executive editor deсides on compliance of the article with the specialty of the journal and with submission requirements, and then directs it to an expert, a doctor of sciences with an area of expertise closest to the subject of the article.
Within 7 days, the executive editor notifies the authors about the receipt of the article.
The timing of the review is determined by the executive editor in each individual case, taking into account creation of conditions for maximum prompt publication of the article
The following issues should be covered in the review:
compliance of the content of the article with the topic stated in the title;
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comprehensibility of the article for the readers in terms of language, style, material layout, visualization of tables, diagrams, figures, etc ..;
advisability of publishing the article taking into account the literature previously published on the subject;
what are the positive aspects, as well as the shortcomings of the article, what corrections and additions should be made by the author;
conclusion about the feasibility of publishing the manuscript in the journal: "recommended", "recommended with correction of the deficiencies noted by the reviewer" or "not recommended".
The reviews are certified according to the procedures established by the institution where the reviewer works.
In case of rejection of an article from publication, the editorial board shall send a reasoned refusal to the author.
An article not recommended by the reviewer for publication is not accepted for reconsideration. The text of the negative review is sent to the author by e-mail, fax or regular mail.
A positive review does not constitute sufficient grounds for publication of the article. The final decision on the appropriateness of the publication is taken by the editorial board.
After the decision on admission of the article to the publication is made by the editorial board, the executive editor informs the author about it and specifies the terms of publication.
The editorial board provides reviews to the authors of manuscripts and expert councils of the Higher Attestation Commission upon request.
Original reviews are kept in the editorial office of the scientific journal "KSTU News".


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Plan your journey with FJ Travels and enjoy the exclusive Hajj packages. If you want to enjoy the precious moments with your family, we are ready to serve you with a variety of Hajj packages so that you can carry out the rituals in solace. Don't delay your divine journey more, contact FJ Travels today!
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text: Money is pouring into the charity designated as the recipient of memorials in honor of the late Governor Mel Carnahan. The Children's Trust Fund, created in 1983 to prevent child abuse and neglect, has had a good year, with more than $180,000 raised so far. The Fund's Executive Director, Bill Heberle, says at least some good has come out of the tragic death of Governor Carnahan, in that the Fund has received tens of thousands of dollars in Carnahan's honor.


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The name Coaching Together reflects client experiences of our work.
- Feedback from executive clients:
Telling us how highly they value a deeper understanding of their personal capabilities and new possibilities that emerge from our work Coaching Together.
- Feedback from Business Leadership Teams:
Sharing team member perspectives on how teamwork and collaboration is enhanced by understanding the impact of their individual and collective behaviours, learned from Coaching Together.


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Parallax Tilt Effect Widdget
Add a unique tilt effect to elements on your Adobe Muse website with the Parallax Tilt Effect Widget.
Web Animation
*Free with subscription
Apply to any element and set options
Apply the effect to any element via the built in Adobe Muse "Graphic Styles" panel. Set the max tilt, perspective, scale, axis, and glare of the parallax tilt effect.
Set mouse enter and exit speed
Set the speed and easing of the parallax tilt effect when the user hovers in and out of the element.
Disable at breakpoint
Disable the effect at a specific breakpoint. This is helpful when you have different layouts for different breakpoints and don't want the effect applied at a specific breakpoint.
The widget works across all breakpoints and can be set to responsive width, responsive width and height, and stretch to browser width.
Multi-Browser Support
Google Chrome
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Internet Explorer IE 11+


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Whenever a police officer stops a driver on suspicion of drunk driving, it is very likely that the officer will choose to employ a field sobriety test to demonstrate the sobriety or inebriation of the driver. However, these tests are not magically perfect, and many factors may affect them, producing undependable results. In many cases, an experienced attorney may identify grounds on which to challenge the accuracy of a field sobriety test.
Depending on the nature of the tests used and the evidence that the prosecution claims against the driver, an attorney may choose to challenge the validity of the results. For instance, if an officer does not properly administer the test, the results may prove undependable. Similarly, if the officer administers the test using equipment that is not properly maintained and calibrated, the results also may not hold up to scrutiny.
In some cases, it is possible to challenge not only the accuracy of the test administered, but also the conduct of the officer who administered it. Police officers must conduct themselves according to certain procedural rules to avoid violating the rights of those they stop. If they violate the rights of the person they stop on suspicion of drunk driving, an attorney may suggest that the results are not impartial, but rather influenced by unfair practices on the part of the administering officer.
An experienced defense attorney can help if you suspect that your drink driving charges may not hold up to scrutiny. With proper guidance, you can build strong defense to protect your rights and preserve your future opportunities.


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I don't see any videos! I only see a blank white space where videos should be!
If you're not seeing any videos on the step page (e.g. there is a blank white space where a video should be), then your browser either does not natively play h.264 video (usually Firefox and IE9 and prior) and does not have Flash Player installed.
SOLUTION: Please either use a different browser (Chrome or Safari) or install Adobe Flash Player.
The video is jerky while playing!
Your connection may be too slow for the high definition video. Click the "HD" button on the bottom of the vimeo window. It should say "HD is off" and then load more quickly and play smoothly.
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You should make the videos full screen when watching classroom video. To do this, click on the full screen icon (the four arrows) to the left of the vimeo label on the bottom right. Click the "ESC" button when the video is finished to exit full screen mode.
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Join Boston Bowl for their MLK Day Breakfast Bowl.
Only $17.95 per person.
Where: Boston Bowl, 820 William T Morrissey Blvd, Dorchester, MA 02122
When: Mon January 18, 9am-12pm
Reserve your lane today! Call 617-740-1422
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream. What's yours? If it;s to graduate from college, U Dream is for you. U. Dream begins with the premise that every student should be able to fulfill their dream of attending and graduate from college. Join The Base as they provide each student with a winning game plan to achieve their goals.
Special Opportunity for High Schools Seniors: >> Read More
Join Boston Children's Chorus for a powerful evening of music and reflection in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's legacy. Featuring GRAMMY-winning vocal ensemble Roomful of Teeth, BCC will raise its collective voice in songs linking the past to today, rage to activism, and injustice to truth. >> Read More
10 am–4:45 pm Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a day of free admission. Family art-making activities, performances, tours, and more! Visit and enjoy!
More info: http://www.mfa.org/programs/series/martin-luther-king-jr-day-open-house
The Caribbean Foundation of Boston, Inc. will be presenting the 28th Annual Testimonial Appreciation Awards Banquet in tribute to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday, January 15 at the William E. Reed Auditorium. The event will be at 12:00 p.m. The Auditorium is located at 18 Washington Street in Grove Hall, Dorchester, MA. The 2012 honorees are individuals with a sense of pride and purpose who have shown courage in undertaking community building tasks or addressing organizational challenges for a better society. The Banquet Keynote Speaker will be Kevin Wayne Thomas. For tickets, please contact Beulah Providence or Mary McDonald at 617.445.1228 or by email. Tickets are also available at A Nubian Notion, Inc. 146 Dudley Street in Roxbury, MA 02119.
(617) 635-8212
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Early Dismissal: 12:45 a.m.
Grades: K1-8
Martin Luther King Jr Middle School serves 6th through 8th Grade Students From The City Of Dorchester, Which Is Part Of Suffolk County. This School Is Eligible For Participation In State & Federal Title I Programs.
Assignment Zone: West Cluster: 7
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When Goddess Kim decides to go out, her slave was less than enthusiastic about helping her to dress. She gives his punishment before she leaves. She orders him to the floor with only his shirt and underwear on. She puts on her spiked pink heels and starts to step on his cock. She puts her weight on him and tells him what a disappointment he is as a slave. She grinds her foot into him before ordering him to the cage.
When ToxiBeauty goes out partying, she always brings a gift home for her slave. She went to a new club and fucked a guy in the bathroom. When she was done, she got the condom from the trashcan and took it home to her slave. She called her slave to her and told him how well the guy fucked her. She held out the condom and told her slave that he could drink the cum from the condom.
When Miss KruelKat has a friend over, she has her slave service them. She told her friend to put her feet on the table and take her boots and socks off. Miss KruelKat and Madame RavenRae put their feet on the table and called the slave over to them. They told him that he was to service them both. They wanted him to lick and suck the soles of their feet and suck their toes for the entire time they were there.
When Calina begs to become a slave, she wasn't expecting this. She wasn't expecting to have 2 mistresses. On her first day, her 2 mistresses decided to practice their full weight trampling on her. They stood on her chest, stomach and head for what seemed like hours. She had to stay still while they stood on her and talked. She was in agony but as a slave, she wasn't allowed to complain.
When Goddess Eerika is off from work, she enjoys laying outside to get some sun. She calls her friend to join her. While she is waiting, she calls her slave to her. She allows him to serve her a drink and service her feet. She allows him to take her socks off and start to lick and suck her toes. When her guest arrives, he serves her drink and goes back to servicing her feet.
When Mistress Jade takes her slave out, she expects him to behave. When she catches him eyeing another woman's ass, she was happy to punish him in public. She orders him to her side on his knees and she starts to spit on the floor. When she makes a puddle, she orders her slave to lick it up. She doesn't care that everyone is watching. She will not be disobeyed by her slave.
When Goddess Jessica breaks up with her boyfriend, her slave would do anything to cheer her up. She lays on the sofa and allows him to lick her feet and toes. She watches as he licks between her sweaty toes with his long tongue. She enjoys the feel of his raspy tongue on the soles of her feet. He sucks her toes individually and then puts all of them in his mouth at the same time.
When she comes into the room, she has on the sexiest pair of black high heel shoes she owns. She knows her boss loves high heels and she wants to make him her slave. She flaunted her feet in front of him until he begged her to touch them and she denied him. She told him the only people allowed to touch her feet were her slaves. He was happy to agree to be one and do her bidding.
Mistress BlaskDiamoond didn't want to humiliate her slave the normal was so she decided to make him eat some shit egg this time and time him. If he did not do it in the estimated time, he would be punished
When Mistress BlackDiamoond decides to put on her leather dress and high heel boots, her slave knows that he is in trouble. She has a whip that she is going to use on her disobedient slave. When she walks up to her slave, he can't help but get hard and when she notices, she will whip him. She loves to dress in leather and whip her slaves into complete submission


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The bathroom is one of the busiest spaces in the home. As a place where many of us retreat to escape the chaos of everyday life, it's important that your bathroom is inviting, comfortable and of course, functional for your needs.
Saint Clair Shores If your bathroom is in need of a little TLC to bring it back to life, there are plenty of ways to give it an update, without it costing the earth.
Something as simple as updating your faucets, for example, can totally change the look of your bathroom. There are plenty of bathroom faucet trends to inspire you, and the good news is, changing your faucets is relatively easy to do, even if DIY isn't your forte.
If you're looking to improve the look and feel of your bathroom, investing in new fixtures and fittings is a great way to enhance aesthetic appeal on a budget.
From styles that have been designed to complement the latest contemporary bathroom designs, through to faucets that work perfectly in a traditional bathroom setting, new faucets will give your bathroom the visual lift it needs.
Tapping into this year's bathroom faucet trends has never been so appealing.
Let's take a closer look at some of this year's hottest bathroom fixture trends.
If you're looking to add style and interest to your bathroom, mixed metal finishes and faucets should definitely be on your radar.
Whether you opt for a single faucet that brings together brass and chrome, a brushed gold and matte black faucet, or even a rose gold and polished nickel ombre finish, it's never been easier to take your bathroom to new heights.
Matte black faucets are absolutely huge this year. Stylish, versatile and visually pleasing, there's loads of reasons to love matte black.
Working perfectly with gold tones, this popular trend complements both modern and contemporary settings and can be teamed with brass finishes for added impact.
This year, statement faucets are set to be huge, as homeowners are drawn to interesting statement designs that add function and style to their bathrooms in equal measures.
Taking their inspiration from a whole host of new and exciting designs, including art deco influences, faucets with an industrial twist and even those modelled on pieces of clothing.
If you're looking to give your bathroom a much-needed face lift, let us help. Here at Entirely Bathrooms, we're experts when it comes to create your dream bathroom, whether you need a complete bathroom transformation or you're simply updating your fixtures and fittings. Get in touch today.


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Take That are set to play the first concert at Liverpool Football Club's Anfield Stadium in more than 10 years.
The trio will perform at the venue on Thursday June 6, 2019 as part of their 30th anniversary tour. Tickets go on sale at 9.30am this Friday (October 5).
"It's a real honour for us to be able to play Anfield, such an historic ground and venue. The Liverpool audiences have always been incredible," said the band.
It will be the first gig to take place at the stadium since Paul McCartney in 2008, Liverpool's European Capital Of Culture year. Liverpool FC were recently granted planning permission to host concerts and major events at the ground for the next two years, enabling them to host up to six events per year.
Andy Hughes, chief operating officer at LFC, said: "Expanding the use of the stadium for concerts and other events will help draw additional visitors to the local area and city, provide more local jobs, increase revenue for local businesses and promote Anfield as a tourist destination."
Anfield joins Take That's 38-date Greatest Hits tour which will kick off in Sheffield in April next year. A further date has been added at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on June 8.
The announcement comes ahead of the November release of Odyssey, a Take That Greatest Hits album that will feature classic tracks, re-recorded versions of their chart-topping singles, special guests and three new songs.
Earlier this week, the band confirmed details of a special one-off programme coming to BBC One later this year as part of their 30th anniversary celebrations.


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Goose Island Just Unveiled a New Bourbon County Stout That Will Be Very Hard to Get
Anheuser-Busch InBev's continued acquisition of craft breweries is front of mind for many drinkers this month. Earlier in November, the world's largest brewing company announced it will acquire the Craft Brew Alliance, which includes breweries like Kona. That coincidentally comes just weeks before Goose Island, A-B's first big craft brewery purchase, held the annual release of its game-changing Bourbon County Brand Stout.
Except for the 2015 release, the beer has remained a delicious and sought-after release. Though, there have been changes over the years. The release has become an event that's not just for Chicagoans bold enough to stand in the cold on Black Friday. The feeling of exclusivity or urgency has become a thing of the past. However, on November 18, the brewery announced a release that looks like a promising twist on the style that ought to bring back that sense of urgency for anyone missing it.
In addition to the first official vertical of BCBS (a box that includes 2017, 2018, and 2019 editions), there will be a very limited release called Bourbon County Double Barrel Stout. This variant was aged for 12 months in 11-year-old Elijah Craig barrels. Those barrels were emptied after a year, and the beer was put into 12-year-old Elijah Craig barrels, which once housed the whiskey that won Whisky Advocate's 2017 Whisky of the Year. The stout sat there for another year before hitting bottles. Goose Island says "the result is a stout like no other," further describing it as "barrel-forward" and "incredibly intense" at an 18% ABV.
"I'm extremely proud of Bourbon County Double Barrel Stout," says brewmaster Keith Gabbett. "We aged Bourbon County for a year in 11-year old Elijah Craig barrels before we decided to up the ante and age it for another year, this time in 12-year old Elijah Craig barrels. The layering of two coveted barrels from the same distillery and the extended aging time allows us to really showcase what's possible with Bourbon County Stout."
Here comes the rub. The brewery says the Double Barrel Stout is the most limited variant it has made in the last five years. If you want one, you will have to enter a lottery, which at 9am on November 18 and closes on November 20. If you win a voucher, you get to buy the $55 bottle. However, you'll have to pick it up during one of the designated times at the Fulton Street Taproom in Chicago from November 29 to December 14. There's no other way to get ahold of it.
If you're balking at the price tag, maybe you'll feel better knowing that 100% of proceeds from the lottery will go to the Erie Neighborhood House. It's an organization "whose mission is to empower community -- Latinx immigrants alongside individuals and families of all background -- through education, access to critical services and advocacy, working together to create a just and inclusive society." That's a good cause, but winning the lottery is also going to cost you $55 a bottle. This is for people who really love their BCBS.
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Consider this your one cease store for the most recent beauty tips and tricks and new should-have beauty products. ARBITRATION NOTICE: BESIDES SHOULD YOU DECIDE-OUT AND ASIDE FROM CERTAIN FORMS OF DISPUTES DESCRIBED IN THE ARBITRATION PART BENEATH, YOU AGREE THAT DISPUTES BETWEEN YOU AND WITHOUT END 21 WILL PROBABLY … Read the rest
Month: March 2015
Statistical information produced by surveying selected individuals on their opinions regarding a problem or occasion, often reported by the institution that conducted or commissioned the survey. We can solely exhort the federal government to take the time wanted so that taxpayers, their representatives and experts within the subject can respond … Read the rest


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Be a FAN for your health. Improve your NUTRITION. Let's find your healthy eating style. Everything you eat and drink over time matters and can help you be healthier now and in the future. Let your FAN team show you how to tweak YOUR Favorite food and make it healthier. Yes, we'll eat Fruits and Veggies PLUS Fish, Curry Chicken, Jerk, Cassava, Desserts!! YES all that, and the rest too. We want to enjoy our food while taking care of our Temple.
Please share your FAVORITE recipes – as we tweak and perfect them, we will combine them into a CPBC FAN Cookbook for all of us to enjoy. Use this template to send your recipe to email@example.com. Submission deadline December 1.
If you'd like to meet with a
Health and Wellness Ambassador, or would
like additional information about this ministry,
contact us at


text: This discussion is, without a doubt, the single best example of disagreeing discussion between two believers I have ever read on the internet. It's one of the best I've ever read anywhere, period. I praise God for Thabiti Anyabwile and Doug Wilson handling this so well. Yes, it's over 20 long blog posts long; no, you won't get through it in an afternoon; yes, you should read all of it anyway. You'll be edified.


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Poetry Militant
work by O'Dowd
Learn about this topic in these articles:
discussed in biography
- In Bernard Patrick O'Dowd
…an important prose pamphlet "Poetry Militant" (1909), O'Dowd, a political and philosophical radical, argued that the poet should educate, propagandize, and indoctrinate. His later work included The Bush (1912), a long poem about the Australian nation; Alma Venus! and Other Verses (1921), social satire in verse; and The Poems:…
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Korlok Reserve
Charred Weathered Pine RCP6539
Inspired by reclaimed support beams from dilapidated barns, the cross sawn detailing of Charred Weathered Pine gives you the authentic rustic appearance and unique look of aged wood in a dark and cool, yet neutral shade, creating a versatile wood that complements many décor styles –adding character to any commercial space. Unlike natural materials, these planks are suitable for use in a variety of commercial settings.
More information
Color: Dark Brown
Size: 48" x 7" (1220mm x 179mm) wood plank
Wear Layer and Thickness: 20mil wear layer 6.5mm thickness
Beveled Edge: Micro
Texture: Textured
Effect: Pine flooring
Box Quantity: 23.51 ft2
View the full technical data sheet
For CAD files, access Floorstyle, select your preferred floor and click on 'CAD Service' to download multiple planks or tiles and associated 3D models.


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Using a Credit Card Swipe Machine
As more people are choosing to use their credit cards instead of cash, businesses should follow in their customer's selection and provide options for them to pay with credit cards whenever possible. One of the easiest ways to accept credit cards now is to have a credit card swipe machine available for in-person purchasing.
This shows customers that your business is ready to accept credit cards now and quickly adds legitimacy to any business. A credit card swipe machine can be used by employees or customers as well, adding more options for payments.
A credit card swipe machine processes payments made with a credit card quickly and safely. A machine that uses the services of the right merchant account provider will be able to help any business move faster by making sure that all payments are processed quickly, so that all parties to the transaction know that the payment went through. This can help your business move faster so that employees can move on to the next customer more quickly.
Safe and Secure Processing
With the right merchant account provider, you will be getting state-of-the-art security to make sure that your customers' information always stays safe. Using a credit card swipe machine shouldn't add any risks to your business.
Your payment processor's systems should check for fraud to make sure that every payment is processed correctly. Fraudulent payments can also be drastically reduced simply by eliminating the risk of bad or bounced checks.
By using a credit card swipe machine, your business can grow faster while customers can appreciate the ease with which they can purchase items. Accepting credit cards now is the best and easiest option to help businesses of any kind grow. It is a great way to expand your business by reaching the countless potential customers who will only shop where they can pay by credit card.
Getting a Credit Card Swipe Machine
There are many different kinds of credit card swipe machines available, and no matter what your business needs are, it is easy to find the right one. For assistance selecting the best credit card swipe machine for your business or to sign up for a merchant account, you can visit Charge.com or call (888) 924-2743.


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ESM issues 16-year €3 billion bond
Luxembourg – The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) today issued a new 16-year €3 billion benchmark bond with a coupon of 1.125%, maturing on 3 May 2032, completing its funding needs for the second quarter. The total book size was in excess of €4 billion.
"The ESM has achieved its funding targets for the second quarter with just two transactions. By adding a new 16-year bond to the 8-year deal earlier this month, we filled the gap between the outstanding 2026 and 2036 maturities and offered investors a new point on the curve, " said Siegfried Ruhl, ESM Head of Funding.
The spread at issuance was fixed at mid swaps plus 7 basis points. This implies a reoffer yield for investors of 1.160%. Barclays, DZ Bank and HSBC were joint lead managers on the deal.


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In almost every team-based multiplayer game, there are always designated support characters. These characters only have one goal: To make sure their teammates stay alive as long as possible. In Team Fortress 2, the Medic is the bona fide support character, although his primary and melee weapons may indicate otherwise. Here are some basic need-to-knows … Continue reading "TF2 Guide: Medic"
Tag Archives: Gameplay
TF2 Guide: Soldier
The Soldier is perhaps the most balanced class in Team Fortress 2 in terms of offense and defense. Like the Scout, a Soldier is capable of covering large distances in a short amount of time. But unlike the Scout, who primarily relies on his double-jump ability and unparalleled speed, the Soldier makes use of his … Continue reading "TF2 Guide: Soldier"
Learning WorldEdit: Basic Commands
Hey, guys! This week, I will go through the basic and advanced uses of WorldEdit as of 1.10. Here, you will learn basic block manipulation, shape creation, use of the clipboard, and some of the commands. SECTION 1 So you just popped out of the block by block stage and you want to use WorldEdit, … Continue reading "Learning WorldEdit: Basic Commands"
Getting Started with Multicraft on EnviousHost
Getting Started with MultiCraft on EnviousHost We created this video to help new users to get familiar with our MultiCraft Control Panel. At EnviousHost, we want to be sure our customers are the happiest Minecrafters out there. If you ever have questions regarding your Minecraft server or our Minecraft server hosting plans, please reach out … Continue reading "Getting Started with Multicraft on EnviousHost"
Our Favorite Custom Maps for Your Minecraft Server
Our Favorite Custom Maps for Your Minecraft Server Continuously spawning in a vanilla-generated map can be boring and sometimes frustrating. This is why there are thousands of player-crafted maps that aim to improve the overall gameplay while still staying true to the vanilla Minecraft lore. Here we have a list of 3 amazing custom maps … Continue reading "Our Favorite Custom Maps for Your Minecraft Server"


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Coming up with an active strategy for tackling debt is the single best way to deal with the stress and defuse the situation.
However, in looking for solutions or trying to manage their stress, people often take turns that end up making their situation even worse.
Here, we're going to look at the steps you shouldn't take when you're dealing with serious debt, and some of the alternatives worth looking at, instead.
Ignoring the problem
It might sound obvious, but it's a very common issue so it needs to be addressed.
When getting into debt, people tend to want to avoid looking at their situation, so they don't have to deal with the stress and the potential impact it has on their future.
If it's not obvious why this is a bad idea, you have to consider the consequences of ignoring your debt.
Credit companies will track you down, directly at first, then through debt collection, and eventually through legal action.
Unfortunately it is becoming more common to see debt collectors sending families bankrupt. And you don't want your family to be one of them.
Legal action can result in you losing all your assets, as well as a wage garnishment order.
This means that the court will order your employer to start automatically docking a portion of your wages so that it's paid directly to creditors.
This can lead to a much worse financial situation than if you had paid it off yourself.
Spending as you always do
If you acknowledge the debt, what comes next? Making changes to how you use your money, of course.
It might be that your current spending habits played a role in what led you to debt in the first place.
However, even if that isn't true, there's a very good chance that you can find the extra money you need to start actively paying off those debts if you simply took a closer look at your finances.
Check out your budget and downsize your financial life where possible.
This may mean making fewer discretionary, optional buys. It might mean selling your car for a cheaper model or downsizing the home, too.
The steps you need to take depend on how much you could save and how severe your debts are.
Continuing to use credit cards
Until you have all your debts out of the way, you should avoid using your credit cards and try to get out of the limit of your overdraft.
For one, your revolving lines of credit contribute to your overall debt. The longer you keep them maxed out, the larger the overall debt you have to pay.
But having a higher utilization rate (the rate of your balance to your limit) has worse implications for your credit report in the long term.
Break your credit card habits by cutting them up or locking them away, if necessary.
Avoiding the creditors
Even if you're quietly plugging away at attempts to pay off your debts, you shouldn't keep your creditors out of the loop.
Most creditors will try to get in contact with you before turning to collectors. You may have some room to negotiate with them to restructure your debt.
They might be able to freeze interest growth or to reschedule your repayments so that you have more time and smaller payments as a result.
This isn't always the outcome you want, but it might be necessary if you're having trouble meeting your existing payments.
However, simply ignoring your creditors is almost as bad as ignoring the debt itself, and they may turn to collectors who you have much less room to negotiate with.
Paying off multiple debts at once
It's likely that you have minimum repayments on many or all of your debts.
Making only the minimum payments if you only have one debt is not recommended since this is often only enough to match the interest.
As a result, your current level of debt stands the same and the eventual overall cost of the debt continues to grow.
However, if you have multiple debts, it's best to tackle them one at a time. Pay the minimum on all but one and get it out of the way first.
This is known as the snowball method. When you clear a debt entirely, you get rid of the interest it is adding to the eventual overall debt.
If you pay multiple debts at once, you might be paying the same amount of money, but the interest from all lines is going to keep adding.
Not paying the biggest and baddest first
One of the issues that many have found with the snowball method is that it isn't the most efficient way to pay off your debt.
You might want to get rid of the very smallest first, simply so you have the morale boost to keep going and feel like you're achieving something.
But it is often the largest accounts and those with the highest rates of interest that should be tackled first.
There are debt calculators that can help you understand which of your debts are likely to cost you the most in the long run. Get rid of those first and you reduce the overall cost of debt.
Not restructuring
If you have debts with a high interest rate, you may have some options to reduce those rates.
Consolidation loans are loans taken out primarily to take all your existing debts and put them in one place.
For one, this can reduce the hassle of having to deal with multiple creditors at once.
You may also find that debt consolidation offers a lower rate of interest or a fixed rate of interest that decreases the eventual total amount of debt you have to repay.
Just make sure you understand the terms of any consolidation you agree to and that you can make the repayments in advance.
Getting in the spiral
Consolidation loans are not the only lines of credit that people open in an attempt to fix their debt problems.
Unfortunately, most of the other alternatives simply lead to further debt. Getting more credit cards and applying for payday loans might seem like it offers you some breathing room.
However, you are adding the interest rates, which are often a lot higher than you can afford in the long run.
This is known as the debt spiral, and it's a lot harder to escape than it is to avoid. Know the signs of the debt spiral. If any of them are familiar, it may be time to seek impartial advice to try and find a way out.
Closing all your credit lines
Don't be in a rush to close the lines of credit you have open as soon as you pay off your debts.
It shows prudence to avoid the habits that might have got you in trouble in the first place.
However, after getting out of debt comes the necessary steps to repair your credit.
A big part of that step is having some lines of credit open.
If you have lots of credit open (such as more than one credit card), you should close the most recent ones first.
The more established credit can make a more positive impact on your score once you're using ti responsibly. Of course, you shouldn't think of using it until you're free and clear of debt.
Neglecting your needs
Just because you're in debt doesn't mean that all your other financial needs should go unaddressed.
We're not talking about discretionary spending and luxuries, but rather the steps you can take towards your financial future.
While you should cut down your expenses, you shouldn't stop paying into your retirement accounts.
Similarly, you should still consider putting a little portion of your income towards an emergency fund.
If your debt is particularly serious, it can take years to get out of. You don't want those years to be unproductive and in vain, as far your financial future is concerned.
Keep those all-important goals in mind and, if you have the ability, keep contributing to them while you pay off your debts.
Not putting in a little more effort
If you have been reading anyone's personal accounts of how they climbed out of the most seemingly crippling debt, there is one theme that runs throughout them.
They did what they could to get more money to pay it off in larger chunks.
Not everyone has the option, but if you have any spare time, it may be worth looking at ways to boost your income and pay your debt off sooner.
Not only can it make it take a shorter time to get out of debt. The morale boost of actively contributing more can help you feel a lot better about your situation.
There are plenty of ways to make money online and from home, so there are options for just about anyone.
Keeping a cool head is crucial when you're in debt.
Rushing to a decision can have unintended consequences.
Always remember, if an offer looks too good to be true, it often is. There are some unscrupulous individuals and companies out there who have no qualms with taking advantage of a consumer's desperation for their own gain.


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