text:
Booths on topics such as preventing heart disease, eating right, environmental protection and pet safety will fill the Dardanelle Physical Education Building this Saturday for a community-wide Health-Nutrition-Safety Fair.
The event, hosted by the Dardanelle School District, will also offer cholesterol screenings, bone-density tests, body-fat analysis and samples of healthy snacks.
According to Becky Hern, school nurse, the district has held health fairs in the past, but has never involved the community as it is at this year's fair.
"We think it's important that students and parents know the resources available to them, and that they learn about them in a fun and entertaining environment with no stress at all," Hern said. "It's important for us to connect the students with people and organizations in the community that also promote healthy lifestyles."
About 35 local exhibitors and free services will be on hand Saturday to educate and entertain Yell and Pope County students and parents. In addition to common health information, exhibitors will also provide information on other safety issues ranging from tanning bed hazards to healthy sexuality.
"We will have a face scanner set up that will show potential skin cancers," Hern said. "Then we'll have skin care products and sun safety information as well. We're trying to follow up with the issues by not only getting the information to them, but also showing people the ways to improve it."
Saturday's health fair is part of the Dardanelle school district's Wellness Policy that must promote nutrition, physical activity and community involvement. It was also listed as part of the school's annual improvement plan.
Representatives from the Yell County Health Unit, Arkansas Tech Nursing Center, Farm Bureau, 4-H, Dardanelle Police and Fire Departments, Corps of Engineers, Community Services, etc., will present Saturday's information and free services.
Gayla Taylor of the Yell County Co-op Extension said with all of the current myths and misconceptions about health, anyone could benefit from information provided at the health fair.
"We have research-based information that is reliable and credible, so we want to get that out to the public," Taylor said. "Especially when it comes to basic nutrition and weight control, people continue to be misinformed."
Taylor said representatives from the co-op would explain topics related to portion control, the need of dairy products, and some of the harmful things people consume.
"I think this is a great way to get good information without having to pay for it," she said. "These are just simple tips to improve our health."
Linda Baxter of Dardanelle Hospital said medical representatives will provide free screenings as well as information about antibiotics, breast cancer, diabetes, etc.
"Some of these things are more for the parents than the children," Baxter said of the antibiotics campaign. "A lot of parents automatically think that if their child has a fever, they need antibiotics, and that's simply not true. We'll explain the difference in viral versus bacterial illnesses."
Referring to the bone density test being offered Saturday, Baxter said, "Women need to be treated early. So to avoid complications of an increase in fractures as women get older, they should be prepared and know how much they are at risk. ...
"Going to the doctor to get these tests can be expensive, and a lot of people in Yell County don't have insurance. But everybody deserves access to this type of information to give them an idea of what they need to be doing differently."
Health Fair activities
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Snakes program from Lake Dardanelle State Park
Door prizes
Face painting
Food and drinks
Air-Evac landing
Martial Arts demonstrations
400-meter race at 9:30 a.m. for ages 12 and under
800-meter at 10 a.m. for ages 13 and older
Cow milking/combine simulator
Several medical screenings (no food or drink - water only - 12 hours before cholesterol test)
All events are free and open to the public
Volunteers are still need for booths - Call Becky Hern at Dardanelle Middle School at (479) 229-4550 for more information.


text:
My ZoneAlarm Security Suite version 5.5.062.011 (I know it is old but was working just fine) is showing continuous activity. This since I had a new ADSL modem installed.
If anyone can shed some light on this problem and how to fix it I would be most appreciative.
Thank you for your time

subset: commoncrawl


text: Re: Oh Netflix, I Knew It Wouldn't Last I don't understand why they can't offer a cheaper option that lets you keep DVDs and some streaming, a finite amount per month. I would've been okay with that. But for some reason, although they have limited DVD plans available, the only limited-streaming option they have is StarzPlay.


text:
SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hankook Tire, the leading and one of the fastest growing tire companies in the world, has recently unveiled its plan for construction of the company's new, high-tech central R&D facility in Korea. For this project, Hankook Tire has contracted a partnership agreement with the world's high-profile architectural firm, Foster+Partners, for architect and interior design of the building.
On January 7th, Hankook Tire and Foster+Partners held a signing ceremony in Daejeon, Korea, in commemoration of the new partnership for this project.
Hankook Tire's new R&D center is projected to be equipped with the high-tech, future-oriented facilities, such as a seven-story tire auto-stacking system and smart information system. Through such a latest and state-of-the-art research facility, Hankook Tire aims to provide the best suited research environment for its researchers, therefore securing the premium product quality and extending sustainable growth of the company into the future.
Foster+Partners, founded by the prominent British architect Sir Norman Foster, is a high-profile architectural firm in the field, famous for its high-tech, future-oriented architectural designs and glass-and-steel buildings. Based in London, Foster+Partners has undertaken various important international large-scale projects, such as Millennium Bridge, London City Hall, Swiss Reinsurance, Great Court at the British Museum, Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Headquarters, and New York Hearst Tower.
Mr. Hyun Bum Cho, President & CMO/CCMO (Chief Marketing Officer / Chief Corporate Management Officer) at Hankook Tire said "Upon completion of the new R&D facility, Hankook Tire will be able to further strengthen research capabilities to develop cutting-edge tire technology." He also added, "The new R&D center will enable us to accelerate the introduction of new tires with even more advanced features, fulfilling our customers demand for better, premium quality products. The new research center will become Hankook Tire's vital growth driver towards becoming the top-five tire company in the world."
Hankook Tire's new R&D center, covering the total area of 99,175 m2, will be located at Daedeok Innopolis, the country's premier research complex in Daejeon. The construction of the new facility is projected to be completed by the end of 2015.
About Hankook Tire Co., Ltd
Hankook Tire (Vice Chairman & CEO: Seung Hwa Suh) is the leading and one of the fastest growing tire manufacturers in the world. It produces innovative, superior quality and high performance radial tires for passenger cars, 4x4s, SUVs, light trucks, campers, trucks, buses and motorsports. Aspiring to bring consumers the utmost excellence in quality and driving satisfaction, Hankook Tire consistently invests in research and development through its five global R&D centers. Hankook Tire products are currently available worldwide in over 180 countries.
For more information, please visit Hankook Tire's global web site at www.hankooktire.com.


text:
Skip to page content
Hi all,
I came accross this spider in my shed this morning and I think it looks like a false widow that have been reported in the news recently. Can someone please identify?
I know there has been a lot about this in the press recently, but is there anyone I should report this to? Struggling to find any info other than news articles.
Many thanks
Hi Tight_Jeans,
Although the flash has cast a different impression of thus spider than natural light does I am almost certain that this is Steatoda grossa one of the more common and widespread of our False Widow spiders. This is a species that lives comfortably in the clutter of sheds and garages and is not reliably implicated in bites.
For less shocking and hopefully reassuring information on False Widow spiders please see the following link:
Hi bombuslucorum,
Thanks for your reply.
Here is another photo I took, on my phone this time with no flash. Also shows the egg sac nearby. Does this confirm it for you?
Thank you also for the link, very useful information.
Thanks for this - yes, I would be very happy that this is Steatoda grossa.


text:
Himayu Shiotani
September 24, 2012
Himayu Shiotani
Program: Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies
Undergrad: Earlham College (International Studies)
Fast Fact: Himayu enjoys talking passionately about disarmament, nonproliferation, arms control, political theory and international humanitarian law.
"The reputation of MIIS and its program on disarmament, nonproliferation and arms control played a major role in my decision to attend MIIS."
Himayu has always been fascinated by how humans, individual and collective, define and understand their sense of security. Born in Japan and raised in India, Himayu became intensely interested in the affect small arms and light weapons have on a community's sense of security. The desire to better understand how weapons define state and human security lead Himayu to pursue a master's degree in nonproliferation and terrorism studies.
"The reputation of MIIS and its program on disarmament, nonproliferation and arms control played a major role in my decision to attend MIIS. Students from my undergraduate school interned regularly during the summer at the Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) and often spoke profoundly about their experiences."
Himayu says the strength of the NPTS program is that students often have the opportunity to learn and share ideas directly with experts and practitioners in the field of nonproliferation and disarmament. During his time in the program, Himayum interned with the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) for six months.
"The 6-month internship at UNODA was an exceptional experience for me, both in personal and professional development. I was able to quickly gain the trust of my colleagues and become integrated into the UNODA team due to the specialized coursework on nonproliferation and disarmament at the Monterey Institute. The network I developed while interning at UNODA has continued to play an important role in my professional work in the field of disarmament and nonproliferation."
Since graduating, Himayum accepted a project management position for a small arms control project with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).
"The project was initially developed by a group of graduate students at the Monterey Institute, including myself, which highlights the strength the student body holds in developing and implementing ideas in the field of disarmament."


text:
The Cubs hit the road after a very promising home stand where they took 2 out of 3 from both the Dodgers and Braves. The Cubs are playing well, the same can't be said for the Brewers who are struggling with only four wins in their last ten games. The Cubs conversely have six wins in their last ten games, the trick is to duplicate that success on the road where they are a sub par 4-8. Ryan Braun is a little banged up, but his numbers suggest he's just fine. If the Cubs want to have success in this series they will have to start with shutting down Braun and go from there. Shutting down the other team's stars is exactly what the Cubs have done lately as they have improved their team ERA to 9th best in the National League. The Cubs should have the advantage in the pitching department as the Brewers have been bad and are threatening to claim the worst ERA in the NL shortly. Full preview/breakdown after the jump.
Continue reading "May 11 – 13; @ Brewers – Series Preview"


text:
Lewis takes exception with Rasmus' bunt
By Chris Toman / Special to MLB.com
TORONTO -- Colby Lewis thinks Colby Rasmus could use a lesson on proper baseball etiquette.
The Rangers' starter exchanged words with the Blue Jays' center fielder during the fifth inning of Texas' 4-1 loss, and Lewis voiced his displeasure to reporters in a postgame scrum over what he deemed was a selfish act.
Rasmus, who singled and later scored off Lewis in the fourth, laid down a bunt with two outs and Toronto up, 2-0, in the fifth, with the Rangers playing the shift on him. Lewis fielded the ball, but Rasmus reached first base safely and was credited with an infield single.
"I told [Rasmus] I didn't appreciate it," Lewis said. "You're up by two runs with two outs and you lay down a bunt. I don't think that's the way the game should be played."
When pressed further on what the problem with Rasmus' bunt was, Lewis insinuated that the outfielder put himself before his team.
"I felt like you have a situation where there is two outs, you're up two runs, you have gotten a hit earlier in the game off me, we are playing the shift, and he laid down a bunt basically simply for average," Lewis said.
The bunt itself wasn't the only thing that bothered Lewis, who threw five innings of two-run ball, falling to 6-7 on the season. Lewis felt that if Rasmus was going to bunt in that situation, he should have been taking off for second once he reached base.
"[Rasmus] didn't steal within the first two pitches to put himself in scoring position," Lewis said. "That tells me he is solely looking out for himself, and looking out for batting average. And I didn't appreciate it."
Lewis said he believes Rasmus knew he made a mistake based on what he said to the pitcher on the field.
"Whatever, he thought he could say two words the whole time, which is whatever, which is what most people respond with when they know they are in the wrong," Lewis said.
Lewis struck out Dan Johnson to end the inning, stranding Rasmus.
Rasmus didn't understand Lewis' criticism.
"I'm just trying to help my team and he didn't like that -- so sorry about it," Rasmus said. "I'm not here to try to please the other side, I'm here to help my team, and I had an opportunity where I could and I took advantage of it."
Chris Toman is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
It used to be that the Dells, ThinkPads, and BlackBerries ruled the business world, and your average road warrior carried a business-issued tablet and smartphone to get things done. Today, things are looking different. Not only have Windows Phone, Android, and iOS smartphones found their place in the boardroom, on the factory floor, in the cubicles, and out in the field, they're more capable and more connected than ever.
Does all of that mean that mobile can be better for business? Is having a smartphone or a tablet all the computing power you need to start and run a business, or do you need a laptop or desktop computer to do serious business work?
With mobile can we finally move to a cashless society? And can we do all of our business things like inventory management, document editing, spreadsheet data entry, and everything else on a mobile device, or is it just too much of a pain?
Let's get the conversation started!
by Rene Ritchie, Daniel Rubino, Kevin Michaluk, and Phil Nickinson


text:
I summed while watching this...
So one of them is called Phoenix Marie, what's the name of the other one? Thanks
I just cummed so much
good, good...
nice two girls on your dick
suzy i'm on my way baby I;m there yeahhhh
mas videos de este duo?
what's the name of the chick that's in the beginning on the right? she's hot great vid
Die zwei geilen Ritzenpisser haben wirklich mehr Sperma verdient! Kommt zu mir, ich habe immer dicke Eier!
God damn i would love to meet some of you kinky girls..its my dream to have a 3 way with two girls and me...
oh love
sweet feet
Why change the male?
there are some videos you just know are going to end with the guy jerking off to cum....no matter the situation. OK, so you've got two hot babes fucking and sucking you so, naturally, they would not be able to make you climax,. why would you have to do yourself like that? weak.
So glad I have the full verison of this
I saw that guy on a documentary. He gave up a career as a lawyer to do porn.
Love it to suck feet while fucking.
yeah baby ... but the need a second fucker ... and for that ass the one needs a gun license
i really loved those booobs
Awesome! My kind of porn!
Phoenix Marie and Tanya Tate
comia as duas
blonde - Dayna Vendetta,Asian - London Keyes
woow i want two busty blonde twins fucking me
Bit of a fail on the cum swaping at the end lol
hot girls nice boobs
this is a wellcome fuck nice pussys
My boyfriend and i have and are looking for a girl to have a threesome with! I am 18 and love to fuck
What at nice fucking orgy
Is that the chick from Spartacus? D:
It's quite a turn on to see these two friends sharing near the end of the video.
whats the name of the one on the left at the beginning?
lisa i love u 1
Muy biien
Sombody plz fuck me
Why do they have heels on if its prison?
God my pussy is so wet watching this video. I love rubbing my wet clit while watching this. I'd give anything for a hot wet tongue all over my pussy right now eating up my juices.
I love big boobs, horny horny as well
Love the chemistry between the girls.
i love sperma
they sure do love their cum
A dream that i would like to become true...Girls, pls help...
When visiting my friend on the west coast,and meeting her new hubby I was suprised she was willing to share with me.He was younger than us and had the biggest cock I had ever seen,she let me ride him while she fingered my ass,pulling him out every so often to lick my juices from him,then inserting him in my ass only after about 5 strokes he was cumming all around my ass which she licked clean.It was quite an interesting weekend as all we did was fuck the whole time.
I wish I could join you guys
that's rude but nice
Not such a 'feakygirl' I love sharing my bf with another hot girl,his cock swapping between our mouths and pussies and eventually cumming a load that we can enjoy as we suck his cock and each others pussies. Try a threeway and enjoy
muy bueno
this must be the most lucky guy on the planet...
They suck as much dick as ds jets
Bon moi je trouve!
I Watch this before I have sex to get extra turned on
vry hot oops me felng fuking with these girls
Whats the name from the black hair wife
Tbh was weird that the dude came in with no pants on. not believable.
ding dong
i love that asses
Big tits everywhere..
The brunette is adriana devill she is so fcking hot
great ass at 3:04
one sausage shared between two hot pussies with garnish m cumin in my panties
looks like brooke hogan lol
Fuck yea
Fuck yes they can fuck me any time
ill believe that when my shit turns purple and smells like rainbow sherbet
The guy is not that handsome but he fucks great,so hot,great style!
That was a great video..i would love to do that..I got some big boobies too..Horney horney
we have been married two years ago, and I just had my first threesome with my wife.. I was soooo hot.. her friend and looked just like her and the fucking was just the same as the post.. lol
Damn..... I need him in my life.
English birds do it best!
SÅ'odki majÄ… stopki te istotki
mmm ilike itqss
pheonix maria on left
Phoenix Marie
come nd fuck me
ils savent recevoir leurs amies !!!
This ones real good..
could you send me the link?
Buenos pechos kenzi
B, Can u send me a link too
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text:
Skip to comments.Eva Longoria's 'Devious Maids' Accused of Portraying Latinos in Degrading Stereotypical Role
Posted on 06/21/2013 2:53:53 PM PDT by drewh
'Devious Maids,' the new television series produced by actress Eva Longoria that tells the story of five Latino housekeepers, is being criticized for portraying Hispanics in demeaning and stereotypical roles. The maids, who on the upcoming Lifetime show face scorn and condescension from their wealthy Beverly Hills employers, have been accused of 'degrading' Latino women.
Damarys Ocana, executive editor of Latina magazine told ABC News: 'There probably wasn't a Latina in the country who didn't initially roll her eyes of "oh great, here we go again. Another Latina character that's a maid."'
Eric Deggans, a media critic for Tampa Bay Times, commented: 'Lifetime's Devious Maids raises a pointed question: Where is line between exploding a stereotype and exploiting it?'
And the user GeekChicStar added: 'Am I the only Latina who thinks "Devious Maids" is degrading?'
But Ms Longoria has defended the show, which she produced with Desperate housewives creator, Marc Cherry.
'Where is line between exploding a stereotype and exploiting it?' 'When we get any sort of backlash, sort of "they are playing the stereotypical maids," my immediate response is that "so you're telling me those stories aren't worth telling?" the 38-year-old actress said in an online video promoting the show. Ana Ortiz, one of the show's stars, admits she was at first turned off by the show, but after studying it, she changed her mind.
'To be honest, I had the same reaction,' the actress, whose grandmother was a maid, told US Weekly. 'When I first saw the script, I was like, "Really?"
She added: 'The more that we talk about it, the more people are aware of it, the better.'
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Stereotypical = truth?
I'm sure there are prick beverly hills celebrities that treat their servants like trash.
Fact = RACIST.
She ain't looked like that in 10 years.
I'd hit it.
What's wrong? I thought all of these people were 'doing work that no Americans want to do' so why would this program be discriminatory when it reflects the popular leftist narrative that's been read into the Congressional Record countless times in the past month?
My mother worked as a maid. I worked as a custodian at MIT to pay for school.
What's degrading about honest work?
The pin up shots are much more offensive to La Raza I would think...
If you do a search on the internet you can find a picture of her flashing her lady parts.
Nice mustache.
I once saw a brief promo interview with Esai Morales. He said something along the lines of "[white] producers put me in positive authoritative roles. Latin producers like me to portray the lowest of the low. Go figure."
She's used the latina thing to cry victim and get ahead.
Do I dare put the 'aliens' keyword on this one?
Oh sure, why not!?
Is that Gene Shalit?
Is a big ODumbo supporter and back the "comprehensive" immigration reform. Men stay away like the good book says. She can led you astray =) A Commie always a Commie.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.


text:
So this is where Auburn is: defending on all fronts, overwhelmed on all sides, barely holding on.
At this point, we remind you that a mere two years ago, Auburn won college football's BCS National Championship.
Since then, we've seen multiple NCAA investigations, two former players killed (and one current player shot) at a pool party, an armed robbery involving four players, a private security firm hired to make sure players make curfew, the worst season in decades, and a coach fired and paid off for $7.5 million.
Now we have — allegedly — players getting paid, players receiving grade changes to stay eligible and rampant drug use.
— The news: Allegations raised | Synthetic marijuana use | Auburn responds | Coaches' denials
And you thought the big spring question was Kiehl Frazier's ability to throw the ball.
While we debate the latest uncovering of slime and alleged NCAA crime on The Plains, let me remind you of this: The guy charged with fixing it all, new coach Gus Malzahn, was knee-deep in the process little more than a year ago.
ESPN reported that the father of a former Auburn player says then-offensive coordinator Malzahn (and other coaches) asked family members of current players to "visit" with high school recruits and sell Auburn. Auburn denied the report — just as it denied separate reports of players receiving cash and grade changes to stay with the program and/or stay eligible.
The common denominator in both reports: three former players awaiting trial on robbery charges — one that begins next week. The common thread that, still, after all these decades, hasn't been addressed: the culture of corruption that overfed those three players.
From Eric Ramsey and Pat Dye in the 1980s, to the player payment ledger Wayne Hall laid on Terry Bowden's desk the day he was hired in the 1990s, to the alleged grade changes to keep star tailback Michael Dyer eligible for the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.
"You have to understand," Bowden once told me. "Nothing will change until the root of the problem is addressed."
Go ahead and blame former coach Gene Chizik or athletic director Jay Jacobs or a handful of disgruntled players staring at jail time getting their last swings in. I'll point to the very thing that has made the Loveliest Village a breeding ground for jock-sniffing boosters and players with their hands out.
Ultimately — and this always gets lost in the muck — it's a personal decision. Players take money, coaches funnel money through boosters, boosters try to become bigger than the program.
And when it happens over and over and over, it becomes accepted — and expected — culture. That's when players take advantage; that's when a problem that should be addressed and eliminated becomes a second and third chance.
That's when players realize the risk of taking cash or other benefits is minimal; the reward much greater. When consequences are essentially eliminated from the thought process.
Troy Smith took $500 from an Ohio State booster, and was suspended from the Alamo Bowl. Two years later, he won the Heisman Trophy.
Miami (Fla.) players accepted money and gifts and benefits from booster Nevin Shapiro, transferred and were allowed to continue to play elsewhere.
Cam Newton's father shopped him to the highest bidder, and the NCAA concluded that Newton — a grown man who had been through off-field problems at his first school (Florida) and who had twice gone through the recruiting process — didn't know of his father's sordid plans.
The worst thing — the absolute worst thing — that could have happened at Auburn was winning the 2010 national championship. All that did was reinforce the corrupt culture.
It's like throwing gasoline on a grease fire — until it burns to the very core. Championship programs simply don't win it all one year, and then become the first team in the history of the Associated Press to complete the worst season within two years of winning a championship.
Typically, it goes something like this: win a championship, recruiting improves exponentially, win more championships (see: Alabama). Unless, that is, the very foundation of what you do and who you are has rotted away long ago.
Unless, that is, you stumble upon fools' gold by landing an elite player — who turned in the greatest single season in the history of the game — and then hold on tight while he carries you to unthinkable heights.
Decades of dirty dealings for one national championship. Reward, ladies and gentlemen, can't outrun risk.
Eventually it's cornered. On all fronts.


text:
|2012-06-25, 15:05
|Link #6342
The Flame Crussader
Join Date: Aug 2009
Cypha is like Cell, losing limbs are only an annoyance to her xDU. I gree on the danger of slosing her head but Signum speifically stated she wants to "arrest" her and Cypha knows how damant TSAB officers are on their "No Kill" policy. Lastly, Cypha seems to be like the last person scarred of death as her usual moto always includes words along the lnes of "if you want to fight me, be prepared to die or kill".
So no, i don't think Cypha fleed the fight out of fear xDU. She had important bussiness to do and saw a chance when Signum took a bit too much time with her last bombardement so she left the field to follow her own schedule.
|2012-06-25, 17:15
|Link #6343
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
And Signum wanted to make arrests last time.
You know, where Cypha states that she would have died had she been any less tough than she was. And where Signum was not carrying a giant cleaver that Cypha's reacted body cannot defend against.
Self preservation instinct is not fear. Can you not accept that Cypha, for all her words, does not particularly want to die?
|2012-06-25, 17:42
|Link #6344
The Flame Crussader
Join Date: Aug 2009
To be specific she stated she would have died if she wasn't an Eclipse infected, that had barely anything to do with her toughness as she just lost an arm back then, and the goes "oh well, i can regenerate anyway LOL". The toughness part came after she reacted but wasn't truly exploited because Laevtein was already damaged by that point and Fate amanged to hurt her skin, it only came into evidence when Quinn attacked Cypha's neck and her divider broke.
Unless Signum is capable of instantly re-create her shield, then her loss is bigger than Cypha's who can recover her lost arm easily and is still in possesion of superior equipement. Reacted dividers are proven several times to be far more resillent than AEC-equipements in the long run, Cypha just need to put pressure and keep coming back until Signum's equipement breaks or she just run out of juice, she's still a patient in rehab after all.
Signum's giant cleaver my have the capability to harm Cypha's body but unless Signum is ready to go for the killing blow (which will be pretty difficult anyway as Cypha will be more aware of that and thus ready to dodge/parry the easily predictable huge blade) then her chances to defeat/arrest Cypha are minimal, unless she finds a way to disable her that doesn't involve beheading her xDU.
Oh and Cypha also reassured Tohma about Curren telling her not to kill Section Six members for now so killing or injuring Signum at the same level she did before will not be a good way to appeal to Tohma so it's another point to Cypha's motivation for leaving the fight. To Signum's credit, probably Cypha noticed Signum is now harder to beat due to her inability to nullify her magic and Signum's renewed will to arrest her so she realized Signum is the kind of person willing to take the risks necessary to accomplish a mission which is an inconvenience for her because that means Signum won't surrender unless Cypha disables her which will mean injuring her heavily once again. So she escaped the fight before it reached the point she's forced to seriously injure/kill Signum.
|2012-06-25, 18:36
|Link #6346
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
And Signum....can't just replace her shield from the Caledfwich facility with Caledfwich equipment that's right behind her?
Her cleaver is not breaking. In fact, at no point was it ever shown that Cypha can "easily" dodge anything that Signum does with the blade, which is kinda the point of her leaving the arm behind.
Cypha had to leave to avoid catching a severe case of dying in the crossfire.
|2012-06-25, 19:00
|Link #6347
The Flame Crussader
Join Date: Aug 2009
LOL! xD
Cypha managed to break into Signum's offensive repeatedly with the shield being the pilar of her combat strategy as it was the only thing preventing Cypha from dicing her in first place (and only did a semi-decent job at that), Signum managed to land a couple of slashes on Cypha and several shots with Silver bullets, none of that managed to slow Cypha in the slightiest, only pissing her off. The origin of my previous argument with Keroko is that Signum did a far better job at fighting Cypha with Laevatein skill wise in comparission with AEC-Cleaver (and no, i'm not talking about durability if you want to bring that about, we already have three pages of that, go back and read if you're curious xDU).
The shield is presumably the piece of equipement with the bigger endurance as it's main purpouse is to protect Signum from enemy hits. Cypha managed to brake the shield with finger pressure from her bare hand, a bad omen for the cleaver's endurance if Cypha really became furious. All damage Cypha suffered on Ch. 24 was superfluous to an EC Driver of her level save the chopped arm ...and even that can be restored with minimal effort.
Now that we touched this issue, Cypha mentioned something in Ch. 23 about how to use and giving form to EC energy to perform attacks or another effects, i wonder if she needs to use her hands to activate the regeneration of limbs or if that can be performed handless with enough concentration. If that were the case then a sure way to defeat Cypha for real would be to cut both of her arms at the same time. It soudns really nice but until further proof came out that's only optimistic speculation from my part xDU
Lastly, i really doubt Cypha will go "oh noes, she's just too much for me i should escape before she kills me".
|2012-06-25, 19:14
|Link #6348
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Fine, I'll leave the fighting part to Keroko.
But as a last word, saying that the cleaver has less durability than the buckler doesn't have any basis. If we were talking about a magic tower shield, that would be a different story, but it's a buckler. Cleaver are meant to /break/ tough cases, and not break in the process.
And: The blade has stood up to Cypha's blades, Quinn's blade, and has cleaved reacted Cypha. It is not going to break just because Cypha put her hands on it (and that would be a really great way for her arm to be split lengthwise anyways).
You're not even going to give the benefit of the doubt that Cypha does not feel like dying if there's a choice involved in the matter?
|2012-06-26, 01:22
|Link #6349
The Flame Crussader
Join Date: Aug 2009
You have a point with the cleaver tough. Those giant weapons are indeed made to deal powerfull blows. Those are also known for being a bit clumsier/slower than lightier/smaller weapons, their big size & weight sacrifice maneuverability for power and usually those are meant to be used by brutes who have the strenght and reach to hold the thing and finish off the oponent in a small number of hits, preferably a single and powerfull killing blow. I saw something of it on Ch. 24 Signum's hits definetely are able to damage Cypha's flesh but the execution is slower and the space/openings generated by Signum's attacks are wider in size and last longer than with Laevatein, on the other hand it's part of why Signum's shield had a chance to shine, she can't cover such big openings with her usually powerfull defensive magic so the shield is part of the combo by blocking those wide openings, allowing her to reasume an attacking position and launch another powerfull blow. That's way i said the shield is a pivotal piece of Signum's current powerset and she's a lot more vulnerable while holding the AEC-Celaver without the shield ...a disadvantage absent when she was using Laevatein (yeah, Laevatein broke, we covered that already xD).
Signum is basically F/SN's Berserker with a shield instead of the 12 extra lives xDU
By the Way Cypha doesnt even need to grab the cleaver by it's sharpened end. she coulp parry with a sword and then grab it by the blunt side or punching the blade sideways xD
P.S.- By the way, i loled at your commentary about Signum getting another shield from the nearby CW installations. Wonder if Cypha will be considered enough to pause the fight in order to allow Signum to go for another shield and get back to their fight xDU
|2012-06-26, 04:29
|Link #6350
Adeptus Animus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Age: 30
Quick note on bucklers though, they are designed to parry, block, deflect, conceal the blade, punch or pin the enemy. They are, in essence, offensive shields. The way Signum uses it as a weapon is Working as Intended.
Though obviously traditional bucklers couldn't fire steel spikes.
|2012-06-26, 10:41
|Link #6351
The Flame Crussader
Join Date: Aug 2009
If Signum will play Crussader/Spartan now she could also use frontal kicks for a change when the opponent manages to pass the Cleaver and expect the shield in order to surprise them. Signum seems to have the physique to pull off that.
|2012-06-29, 04:39
|Link #6352
Mastermind Rational
I got bored and ran some statistical calculations of gender distribution among the named characters in the various installments:
- The overall distribution: female characters comprise almost exactly 70% of the named cast, males are 28% and ca. 2% are characters/constructs whose gender cannot be identified (like the Defense Program).
- The early seasons (TOS, A's, StrikerS) and mangas (A's, StrikerS) stick very closely to the 7-to-3 female-to-male ratio.
- SSX is the first installment to crank it up to 8-to-2, which is also found in ViVid.
- Force, on the other hand, has 77% female characters and 23% male ones.
In other words, proportionally, Force has even more girls than the early series but Thoma in a lead role makes it seem like the male presence has increased. On the other hand, all harem shows tend to have a much bigger female cast... *ruuuuunz*
|2012-06-29, 10:14
|Link #6353
The Flame Crussader
Join Date: Aug 2009
It also help the fact we have two powerfull and actually threatening males on the antagonists side. Of course i'm talking of Veyron, the most badass guy in the Nanohaverse after Zest, and Deville, the only guy in the entire franchise who has managed to accomplish what no other male has ever did before: pulling an "Oh Crap!" face out of the White Devil herself xD!
Ok, there's also Carter Grendel who is quite strong (pwned Tohma and 4 Raptors at the same time) but he's a buffoon compared with the aformentioned two and got quite easily taken down by Teana of all people xDU
Oh yeah, i almost forgot about Dego, who is (or more accurately "was" xDU) a big, bad, angre and really violent guy. And Marty, the most charismatic, smooth and overal cool guy i've ever seen on the cast (killed in action probably so he won't take away attention from Verossa and Vice xD).
I complain a lot about stuff in FORCE but i can't deny it had brought a good bunch of interesting or at least competent men which is very welcomed after seasons of seeing guys being pushed to the sidelines xD
If Veyron dies i think he already have enough points to go to the GARhalla with Zest, Archer, Kamina, Raoh and others xD
|2012-06-29, 15:35
|Link #6354
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Canada
How many manly(guys only) fights Nanoha had before Force ?
Thoma and Veyron were both in two already ! Maybe the one with Carter wasn`t one properly...
The Hulks are for equality ! Four females and three males and they have their sight on one more guy.
How long before bhl88 takes the harem bait.
|2012-07-01, 16:23
|Link #6360
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Only thing I saw was what looks like the chapter cover on Yukari's blog.
Besides, Force gets internet coverage usually around the same that Shingeki no Kyojin does, which is never the start of the new month. Been like that for a while. Alternately, maybe Leoheart is just celebrating Canada day (???)
|manga, nanoha force
|Thread Tools


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Whether it's a seasoned Baylor alumnus discovering how the delicious Dr Pepper Hour originated, or an incoming freshman learning what exactly the slime cap is he or she will don come August, the Baylor Traditions exhibit features a wealth of "Did you know...?" moments for Bears of all ages.
The exhibit, which runs June 2012 through August 2012, is located in both Moody Memorial Library and the Bill Daniel Student Union Building.
In the libraries, the exhibit begins in Moody Library's concourse area and flows into the first-floor corridor that connects Moody and Jones Libraries before finishing near the entrance of Jones.
In the SUB, Student Activities features the same traditions as the Libraries using display cases and posters spread throughout the first and second floors. Student Activities will showcase specific traditions originated in the Union Building including Dr Pepper Hour, All-University Sing, and Pigskin.
Traditions featured include:
Stop by Moody Library or the SUB to visit Baylor Traditions today and Learn the Legacy of Baylor University.
For questions or more information, contact firstname.lastname@example.com.


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RSVP Now - Rainbow Reception for LGBTQA Graduating Seniors and Grad Students
Contributed by Luca Maurer on 04/02/14
The twelfth annual Rainbow Reception will be held on Friday, April 25. The Rainbow Reception is a celebration of Ithaca College's graduating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied seniors and graduate students. Reservations are required. Please visit http://alumni.ithaca.edu/rainbow_reception_2014 to register.
This celebratory event features music, a buffet of light appetizers, and remarks by special guests. Family and friends are also welcome to attend, and students who are not seniors are warmly invited to share in this upbeat and inspiring tradition (please RSVP using the link, above). This year we'll again welcome a featured alumna to share words of encouragement and wisdom. And, this is the event at which you can receive your very own set of rainbow honor cords.
The frequently asked questions page provides additional information about the Rainbow Reception. If you have any other questions that are not answered, feel free to contact the Center for LGBT Education, Outreach, and Services at (607) 274-7394 or firstname.lastname@example.com.
This event is sponsored by the Diversity Awareness Committee and the Center for LGBT Education, Outreach, and Services.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Luca Maurer at email@example.com or (607) 274-7394. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.
© Copyright Ithaca College. All rights reserved; unauthorized use prohibited. All material on this server is produced by our community but, except for designated pages, is neither approved nor verified by Ithaca College.


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Schoop will see bulk of playing time at second base
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
BALTIMORE -- Jonathan Schoop has been taking most of his infield work at second base, and manager Buck Showalter said prior to Wednesday's game that in a perfect world that's where the Orioles' No. 5 prospect will get the bulk of his playing time.
Schoop, also an option at third base and shortstop if needed, was asked by Showalter during Spring Training what his ideal position would be and he never really committed to one answer.
"I think it's second right now, but I don't know. Whatever they need me to do," Schoop said. "I'm thinking about second base right now, but I'll be ready [elsewhere]."
Schoop, who got his first taste of the Majors in September, has been working with infield coach Bobby Dickerson and instructor Mike Bordick on his fielding and said that having prior experience in the big leagues helped calm Schoop's nerves somewhat on Monday. Still, the thrill of starting the opener at second base and running out on the orange carpet to join his teammates was something he won't forget.
"It's fun to be here with a good group of guys," Schoop said. "They are great to me, they are fun, tell me to get loose and help me. That's why I'm so comfortable here -- because of them, not because of baseball. In baseball, I know what I can do. Because of them, the way they treat me, I feel like we are a family. We are one."
Britton hopes to be late-inning alternative in bullpen
BALTIMORE -- For the first time since showing up to Spring Training in early February, Zach Britton had no idea if he'd get into Monday's game or not. With just two career relief appearances under his belt entering the season, it's been an experiment for Britton, who passed his first test with two scoreless innings on Opening Day.
Britton, who said he's still experimenting with an exact pregame routine, has established a range of pitches he needs to hit to be ready, and the lefty is hoping he can earn manager Buck Showalter's trust to be a back-end bullpen guy.
"I want to be a guy who is going to pitch late in games," Britton said of his role in the bullpen, which is largely undefined. "I don't want to be a guy who is only pitching when we're losing or way ahead. That's no fun. To me, I want to be a guy [Showalter] trusts out there to come out there with the game on the line and pitch well. So that's kind of my goal. We don't have defined roles, so maybe a little later on in the year, he has that trust in me to come in later in the game."
Britton fared well on Monday, getting all six outs following starter Chris Tillman on the ground, which is a sign his stuff is working.
"It'd be better to get ahead of the guys, but the sinker was really good," Britton said of his trademark pitch. "Got ground balls, and for me, that's what it's about. To minimize damage and throw a little more strikes, but to get ground balls is important."
Could the new job as a reliever have changed the way Britton, who has a 4.86 ERA in 46 Major League starts, attacks hitters?
"A lot of it is being healthy, being confident again. If I was starting, I'd have the same confidence with where I'm at physically, but definitely out of the bullpen, it makes you trust your stuff more," Britton said. "You don't have time to ease your way in. You got to go out there and be aggressive right away -- especially coming into a tight game like [Monday]."
Showalter encouraged with Johan's throwing program
BALTIMORE -- Johan Santana threw a bullpen session on Tuesday, and manager Buck Showalter said he's encouraged with the way the left-hander has progressed. Santana, who is at the team's spring complex in Sarasota, Fla., threw all his pitches and is working as if he's on a five-man rotation right now.
The Orioles would ideally like Santana, who could be an option in June, to have a 10 mph difference between his fastball and offspeed pitches.
"He had one of the best changeups in baseball, but if his velocity is only 85, can he drop his changeup to 75?" Showalter said. "I don't know, and is 85 enough? I think the hitters are going to answer a lot of those questions.
"I know in my mind what I'd love to see on the gun in a perfect world. But all indications are so far, so good. He hasn't had any setbacks."
Top prospect Dylan Bundy, who tweeted his progress in Monday's first full mound session, threw 25 fastballs on Wednesday and continues to progress back from Tommy John surgery. Bundy is considered a little behind Santana in terms of timeline.
Worth noting
• Troy Patton, who is suspended 25 games, has been throwing and is scheduled to be in an extended spring game on Monday.
• Outfielder Francisco Peguero got the cast removed from his right wrist Wednesday afternoon and had no range of motion issues, so he will begin a strengthening program soon.
• Showalter said he will give backup catcher Steve Clevenger a start in the next couple of days.
• Nolan Reimold, who is on the disabled list, would ideally be an everyday left fielder in extended spring games before he's ready to come north. There's no specific date for when that starts yet.
Brittany Ghiroli is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, and follow her on Twitter @britt_ghiroli. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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RALEIGH (AP) — Court records show the new head of the North Carolina Democratic Party owes nearly $286,000 in back taxes and penalties.
Pittsboro Mayor Randy Voller was elected party chair earlier this month, pledging to rebuild an organization still reeling from defeats at the ballot box in November.
Records show the North Carolina Department of Revenue filed a 2010 lien against Voller and his wife with a remaining balance of nearly $98,801. The following year, the Internal Revenue Service filed a second lien with a remaining balance of nearly $187,715.
A real estate developer, Voller said Wednesday his family business was a casualty of the national economic downturn, which triggered a credit freeze in the homebuilding industry.
Voller, 44, said he is making monthly payments to the state that has brought his current balance lower than what's on records obtained by The Associated Press, to about $67,000. He said he is negotiating with the IRS on a payment plan to settle the rest of that debt.
Voller stressed that he filed his taxes on time and that he is working diligently to pay what's owed without being forced into bankruptcy, as many developers have. Now that the real estate market is showing signs of life, he said he is confident he can pay off his tax liabilities by the end of 2013.
"We're keeping our obligations, but it has been very tough," Voller said. "That's why I feel that as party chair I have a real good insight into what a lot of folks are dealing with here in North Carolina."
Voller said he recognized his personal troubles were likely to become political fodder, so he has spoken about the issue at party events. He also included mention of the tax debt in materials posted online as part of his recent campaign for state party chair.
Voller was in business with his father when the housing boom went bust in 2008. Though a lot of people who owed them money refused to pay, Voller said he sold off assets to raise cash and pay bills for the business with the intention of using a line of credit to pay the taxes owed for capital gains at the end of the year.
But when he tried to leverage his property holdings to get a loan and pay his tax bill, Voller said credit with the banks had dried up. Then his father got sick, dying last year at age 71.
"This is an emotional issue for me," Voller said. "My feeling is most North Carolinians understand what it's like to actually go out here and try to create jobs and fight. I think it gives me a lot of empathy for people in the state who have tried to do what's right, help their family and still end up in a tough circumstance."
Follow Associated Press writer Michael Biesecker at twitter.com/mbieseck
NC Democratic chair owes $286,000 in back taxes
RALEIGH (AP) — Court records show the new head of the North Carolina Democratic Party owes nearly $286,000 in back taxes and penalties.


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Tag Archives: children
Home visitation, depression and health literacy
Depressed parents' health literacy skills can improve through home visitation per a recent study using open access public data.
Posted in health literacy, information literacy, research | Comments Off on Home visitation, depression and health literacy
Mobile medical apps helping kids
Undergoing surgery can be frightening at the best of times. But for children, surgery can be terrifying. At the Shriners Hospital in Chicago, child-life specialist Kia Ferrer has developed an iPad app that will provide a kid-friendly virtual walk-through of their treatment. As noted in Medill Reports, Ferrer explains that: "With Keynote, an iPad application […]
Posted in mobile, technology | Comments Off on Mobile medical apps helping kids


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"I had the surgery. I'm going to be in a sling for another week or so, then we'll go from there, ... The shoulder's been repaired. Everything is moving ahead."
Related quotes
"The simple fact is that when I took up my little sling and aimed at Communism, I also hit something else. What I hit was the forces of that great socialist revolution, which, in the name of liberalism, spasmodically, incompletely, somewhat formlessly, always in the same direction, has been inching its ice cap over the nation for two decades. ...[T]hough I knew it existed, I still had no adequate idea of its extent, the depth of its penetration or the fierce vindictiveness of its revolutionary temper, which is a reflex of it struggle to keep and advance its political power."
"Cuellar is just grasping for straws. He has to sling mud. He sees the momentum going with Mr. Rodriguez."
"The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, and make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, and as the corners of the altar."
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David."


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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Carl's Main Street Restaurant is a staple in Springfield for more than a decade, but last week a state inspector stopped by and found some problems in the kitchen.
The owner, Carl Gamble, says the droppings the inspector found are partially because of the age of the building makes it difficult to keep rodents out.
"Don't you have some too? Everybody has them," said Gamble.
Gamble offered a quick excuse about the 30 to 40 rodent droppings on the dry storage floor:
"(Rodents) were here when we got here and they're going to be here when I leave," he said. "There's nothing we can do about it."
A manager explained to the inspector that the air condition unit was just repaired and the droppings came from there.
This restaurant is in the heart of Springfield in an area that's obviously struggling. It's next door to a vacant building and the owner said he has fixed the problem.
"It's unfortunate. I don't care how much you treat it, what you try to do, I'm an old building, no buildings on this side of me. It happens," said Gamble.
Inspectors wrote up 14 critical violations, some were dealing with cleanliness.
Gamble said it's not a problem because they clean daily, but he admitted there are times when he gets backed up.
"When you come in here at 12 o'clock in the day and you're warming up stuff, it happens. I mean, you're not going to come in anywhere and it's perfect. Every time you come in here it's not in your home, it's not in your home, that's the way it is," said Gamble.
Copyright 2012 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Many CUs Still Lax in Card Management, Card Experts Say
A surprising number of credit unions still don't seem to take management of their credit card portfolios seriously, according to card consultants who regularly work with credit unions to improve their credit card performance.
The executives pointed out failure to really understand some basic card metrics, like card account profitability and what goes into developing it as part of the problem, along with a failure to assign someone at the executive level to really take responsibility for growing the card program.
"I think many credit unions, most credit unions, have a staff member who is assigned to the credit card program for the day to day," explained Brian Scott, vice president with The Members Group, a payments CUSO affiliated with the Iowa Credit Union League. "They can answer member questions about the cards and similar concerns, but that's not the same thing as having someone regularly take a look the portfolio from the 30,000-foot level with an eye towards improving profitability."
Card consultant Ondine Irving made the same point, though she added that the fight to get credit unions to assign someone at the executive level to the card program is an ongoing effort.
"As I have said for over 10 years, a credit card program must be properly managed and measured," Irving wrote in an email response to a reporter's question. "A product champion is required to allow for accountability and ownership. It is not enough for the card program to be 'part' of someone's responsibility. The highest profit-making product deserves its own owner."
Scott largely agreed, adding that he was often surprised at how few credit unions really understand how much money their credit card programs make for them. This is a key gap in knowledge because, he said, without that perspective, credit union executives can wind up making mistakes, such as making broad decisions about a portfolio based on risk alone.
"Sometimes executives will tell me they have pulled back on a portfolio because they took fraud losses of $10,000," Scott said by way of example. "But I will point out that the same program, even with those losses, made them $190,000. Executives have to have the complete picture to make decisions."


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The bride-elect is the daughter of Rev. Al Ray and Carrie Taylor of Russellville. She is the granddaughter of the late Raymond and Marry Ellen Taylor of Wilmar, Robert and the late Mary Margaret Kirchman of Russellville. Maggie is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University and is recently employed by Dover Schools. She will seek her Masters Degree in music education at UCA.
The prospective groom is the son of Rev. Bill and Julie Ashburn of Monroe, La. He is the grandson of John and Barbara Adair of Atlanta Ga., and Bill and Yvonne Ashurn of Denison, Texas. Quint is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University.
The wedding is planned for 2 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013. at the Second Baptist Church in Russellville. A reception will follow at 3 p.m. at the Russellville County Club. Friends and family are invited.


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Annual Report 2008-2009
Message from the Dean
Faculty Support
Fellowships and Scholarships: Stewarding the Future
Corporate Donors
The Johnson School Annual Fund: Class Gifts
Alumni Recognition Awards
Park Leadership Fellows: Zeal, Teamwork, Success
Teaching Awards
Message from the Annual Fund Chair
Year in Review 2008-2009
Leadership Giving
Reunion 2009
Alumni Class Honor Rolls
Leading Classes in 2009
Fellowships, Scholarships, Professorships, Discretionary Funds, and Special Funds
Class Honor Rolls
Honor Roll of Corporate Partners
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Alumni Recognition Awards
Wilbur Parker Distinguished Alumni Award
The Black Graduate Business Association honored Felix Rouse, MBA '03, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark, N.J., with the Wilbur Parker Distinguished Alumni Award at a ceremony in Newark in April. As someone who has dedicated his professional career to providing underprivileged minority youth with equal opportunity, Rouse embodies the qualities that the award celebrates, including outstanding professional achievement and commitment to his community. Rouse (center), accepting the award, is pictured with Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker (left), who spoke in praise of Rouse at the event, and Doug Stayman (right), associate dean for MBA programs at the Johnson School.
Also in this section:
Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Service Award Recipients
Henry P. Renard, MBA '55, Regional Alumni Club of the Year Award
Robert J. Swieringa Young Alumni Service Award Recipients
Wilbur Parker Distinguished Alumni Award
Reunion Class Awards


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WKU offers subsidized health insurance to all full-time (20 hrs per week) graduate assistants. Details of the plan are available from wku.myahpcare.com. Health insurance is offered to all students, both undergraduate and graduate and is offered from Academic Health Plans. The Graduate School offers substantially subsidized health insurance to all students holding full-time graduate assistantships.
- All graduate students, including international students, holding full-time graduate assistantships are eligible for the health insurance benefit.
- Full-time graduate assistants are those students holding graduate assistantships designated to work 20 hrs per week.
- Eligible graduate students MUST enroll EACH SEMESTER to receive the health insurance benefit. For example, assistants enrolling for the Fall must enroll again for the Spring.
- Once an eligible graduate assistant has registered for the insurance benefit they may not at a later date decide to opt-out for the semester for which they have registered.
- Participation in this plan is optional, eligible graduate assistants are NOT required to purchase the insurance.
- The value of the benefit can only be applied to the WKU health insurance package with Academic Health Plans.
- Graduate assistants electing not to purchase the WKU insurance may not receive the balance in cash or have the balance applied to other WKU charges.
- The student portion of the insurance fee, $355, must be paid before the coverage is activated.
- All eligible graduate assistants will receive an email at the beginning of each semester of eligibility.
- For questions regarding your Graduate Assistantship, health insurance eligibility, and how to sign up for the insurance, contact the Graduate School at 270-745-2446. For additional details of the coverage, please visit wku.myahpcare.com or contact Steve Rey at 270-745-6060.
To register for the plan:
- The student must apply for a graduate assistantship and be approved by the sponsoring department at the full-time (20 hr/wk) level.
- The department will send an assistantship award letter to the student and the Graduate School.
- The Graduate School will send the student an email indicating eligibility for the program. Graduate assistants not eligible for the program will not be notified.
- The student MUST indicate their desire to participate on TopNet. To do so, log in to TopNet, select the Student Services tab, then the Graduate Assistant Health Insurance item. Follow the instructions on the page to opt in.
- A Health Insurance Premium charge of $905 will then appear on the student's WKU Account. Within a week, a GA Health Scholarship will post to the account to cover $550 of that fee. The remaining $355 balance is the student's portion to pay and is payable to the Office of the Bursar.
- Academic Health Plans will be notified and the coverage will begin the first day of the next month.
- The student should NOT complete the insurance application form available on the wku.myahpcare.com site.
Deadlines to opt in and pay the fee are September 15, 2017 for the Fall 2017 semester, February 15, 2018 for the Spring 2018 semester, and June 15, 2018 for the Summer 2018 term. The student must opt in before these dates.
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text: AirAsia's "Now Everyone Can Fly with AirAsia" 2-minute travelogue premieres on Astro Discover 26 great destinations across 8 countries with exciting episodes beginning 16th September SEPANG, 12 Sept 2013 AirAsia will be showcasing 26 of its destinations through a new 2 minute travelogue-style interstitial program which will premiere on six Astro channels this 16th September, allowing viewers to discover the best of each AirAsia destination featured. Ten Astro personalities - Juliana from Astro TV Era, well-known travelogue hosts Adrian & Nik; MYFM DJ Jeff, Daniel, and DJ Roax; Hai Qi from Astro AEC; Bernard, host for AEC MYASTRO Chart Show; Jane, Info Commercial TV Host; and Jym from Astro AEC E-news are featured in this special travelogue-style interstitials and their fans can expect to see their favourite personalities travelling with AirAsia and discovering new and fun experiences. The 26-episode program will be aired both in Mandarin and English, and will go on air on Astro channels Astro Wah Lai Toi (Channel 311), Astro AEC (Channel 301), Astro Hua Hee Dai (Channel 333), AXN (Channel 701), AXN HD (Channel 721) and Star World (Channel 711). Both AirAsia Berhad's Head of Commercial, Mr Kenny Wong and Astro's Vice President of Media Sales, Mr Kenneth Teo launched the brand new and exciting "Now Everyone Can Fly with AirAsia" 2-minute travelogue interstitial program today at a media get-together held at Bangsar Village 2. Kenny Wong from AirAsia Berhad commented, "The AirAsia-Astro partnership sees two leading home-grown brands with a global outreach in a strategic collaboration to bring TV viewers in Malaysia the best of AirAsia's travel experiences at these 26 destinations. Research tells us that TV viewers on Astro's platform are more likely to have higher disposable income, and as such, also have a higher propensity to travel. Thus AirAsia is delighted to work together with Astro on these 26 exciting travelogue episodes." "The first episode to air will be on Malaysia Day, and we are glad to be able to feature Kota Kinabalu, one of our hubs & popular destination in East Malaysia for viewers to discover. AirAsia is proud to be the bridge that brings both parts of Malaysia closer to each other with our widest network between Peninsular & East Malaysia. This commitment will remain strong and is proven through the launch of our new route from Kota Kinabalu – Kota Bahru as well. Among the 26 destinations featured are Banda Aceh, Makassar, Lombok and Nanning, which are routes that are exclusively served by AirAsia and we are proud to be able to showcase the uniqueness of these destinations to Astro's viewers," added Kenny Wong. Kenneth Teo from Astro said, "We are excited to be working with AirAsia again to showcase many domestic and international travel destinations in these travelogues on the Astro platform. According to the recent 3D Malaysia premium research, about 70% of Astro subscribers come from mid to high household income homes. As such, it is no surprise that Astro viewers are 2 times more likely to travel in the past 12 months compared to free-to-air viewers. More importantly, more than 25% of Astro viewers intend to travel in the next 12 months! The travelogues will serve not only to promote AirAsia destinations but will provide a quick guide to all the key attractions." Five of the travelogue hosts - Bernard, Jym, Julianna, Daniel and Adrian were also present to share their AirAsia experiences with media members who attended the launch today. This new 26-episode series features 26 exciting AirAsia destinations in 8 different countries – Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Philippines and India. The first episode on 16th September will be featuring the beauty of Malaysia's domestic destination in Kota Kinabalu, and the featured personalities who will be introducing Kuching along with their experiences are Jeff & Daniel. Catch AirAsia's 2 minute travelogue-style interstitial programs at these schedules: Channel Day Time Language Astro Wah Lai Toi (Channel 311) Monday – Friday 5.57PM/ 7.57PM Chinese Astro AEC (Channel 301) Monday – Friday 2.57PM/ 8.27PM Chinese AXN (Channel 701) Monday – Sunday 3.00-5.00PM9.00PM-12.00AM English AXN HD (Channel 721) Monday – Sunday Run on station English Star World (Channel 711) Monday – Sunday Between 9.00PM – 12.00AM English


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In Reply to: Recurrent Fevers in Children posted by Wendy on August 21, 2000 at 10:49:05:
: Hi, my name is Wendy and I wanted to send you an invitation to conduct a survey on Recurring fevers. My son is currently going through this and has been seen by many doctors. I finally found a rheumatologist at a Childrens Hospital who thinks my son has Periodic Fever Syndrome, which is something so new, doctors are currently not aware of it. She gave me some very good information on a 10 year study done by a doctor at the Vanderbilt University on these fevers with 100 children involved. I am currently asking parents to get involved in this survey I am initiating myself in hopes we can find a CAUSE for these undiagnosed fevers. There is still no known cause to date. I refuse to believe that. I will be turning the results over to the doctor who originally conducted the clinical trial to help him get a better understanding. Please take part in this survey and lets help those who will be going through this too. Thanks so much....Wendy K. http://www.zoomerang.com/recipient/survey.zgi?ID=AFDE7T1WYCES : : If you have any questions, please reply to me at [email protected]
sounds like what i had as a child termulra rabit fever from infected rabits via tick exposure
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text: Just sold my 2005 Acura RSX. I didn't think selling a car would be this hard. I felt like this car was part of my heart. We went through so many things together. Back and forth to Nashville, and back and forth to anywhere. He never not once gave me any mechanical problems at all. As a matter of fact, I didn't waste a dime on him, unless it was an oil change. I'm going to miss my boy :( I can only hope the next owner gives it the respect it needs. I seriously hope this new G 37 can do me as good as the RSX did. Sad day for me :(


text:
Minor reward: Farmhands get big league glimpse
Youngsters Buschini, Smith among those with chance to suit up for Padres
By Corey Brock / MLB.com
PEORIA, Ariz. -- No one wants to be called into Randy Johnson's office. Not now. Not toward the end of Spring Training. You end up in the office of the Minor League field coordinator this time of year and it's usually bad news.
So you can imagine the surprise 25-year-old Minor League infielder Adam Buschini received on Sunday morning when he was called into Johnson's office, where Randy Smith, the Padres vice president of player development, was waiting for him.
With a solemn face, Smith broke the news to Buschini.
"I like the way you've been going about it," Smith said. "So this is a little reward for you."
Buschini, who played independent baseball the last two seasons to keep his dream alive before spending last winter playing in Australia, smiled and let out a sigh of relief.
"It's a great feeling," Buschini said.
The "reward" that Smith referred to the opportunity to skip a game day on the Minor League back fields, where the crowds are sparse -- wives, girlfriends and scouts and, well, that's about it -- to join the Major League team for an afternoon as an extra player. He was joined by outfielder Mallex Smith.
Buschini and Smith couldn't be more different. Buschini is exactly six years older than Smith (May 6) and is the more reserved of the two. Smith, 19, was a fifth-round Draft choice. He's a chatterbox and smiles a lot. On this day, he has a good reason to.
For one day, Buschini and Smith share a common bond: They get to be big leaguers, with Buschini wearing No. 92 and Smith pulling on a blue jersey, No. 91
If you've ever been to a Spring Training game, you've probably seen players like Buschini and Smith. It's typically late in the game when they get to play. Don't bother looking for a name on the jersey, because it's not there. The numbers run in the 90s, more suitable for defensive linemen than baseball players.
So how does this happen anyway? How do these players who aren't on the radar of the big league team for 2013 get a chance to sit in a big league dugout and, as the case was Sunday for Smith, to play in a Major League Spring Training game?
First, there's a need.
San Diego manager Bud Black huddled early in the coach's office with bench coach Rick Renteria to see if the team would require any "extra" players for the game against the Brewers. On some days, the need is pitching, an extra catcher. Maybe it's simply a few warm bodies for reinforcements.
"One outfielder, one infielder and one bat," Renteria told Black.
Armed with this information, Black snakes his way through the home clubhouse in Peoria, a shortcut he takes nearly every morning. He walked through the laundry room, through the Minor League equipment office and passes a room full of Minor Leaguers who are eating breakfast.
Many of these players have no idea who Black is. But two are about to.
Black steps into Johnson's office and pulls up a chair. Smith pulls out a piece of paper to take notes with.
"Can we get one outfielder, one infielder and one bat?" Black asked.
Smith had a few ideas, one being Mallex Smith, who appeared in a game for the Padres last week and actually stole a base.
"He can fly," Randy Smith said of his namesake.
Before Black heads back to his office, he informed Smith that the team could need a few extra bodies on this day.
"We can call you as the game goes on if we need more," Black said.
It's not uncommon, especially when the team is playing in Peoria, for Minor League players to arrive on a cart during the game. Nick Hundley calls it a day after five innings? Send over another catcher. Maybe a pitcher can't get through an inning? Send over another arm.
Once Black is gone, Smith summoned Mallex Smith to the office where he tells him the good news, just as he did a week ago. That time, Smith's mother, Loretta, was visiting from Florida. After telling his mom the good news, he returned to his locker and saw the jersey hanging there.
"I was excited. I didn't know what to think," he said. "I was like a kid in a candy store."
Once the players are told, Randy Smith gives the information to Zach Nelson, the Padres' Minor League clubhouse and equipment manager. Nelson pulls out a yellow post-it note, writing down the names of the players who will play in the big league game that day.
Next up, Nelson and Kyle Ross, the assistant Minor League clubhouse manager, sort through available jerseys for players to wear that day.
"It's really just based on size," Nelson said. "The lower 90s numbers are the smaller ones. It all depends on how big the guys are. Every now and then you'll see a little guy wearing a number in the high 90s."
Nelson, who somehow keeps track of every Minor Leaguer in the system in his head, gets the highlight of his day -- hanging a big league jersey in the locker of a player.
Players in the Minor League clubhouse see Nelson coming and move aside. Everyone wants to see who is getting a jersey. Everyone wants one for themselves, even if it's for one day.
"It's one of my favorite parts of my day," Nelson said. "When you're in there, walking by with a big league jersey, the guys have a smile on their faces."
Buschini and Smith go through morning drills with their Minor League teams before gathering at the main complex for lunch. Instead of heading to the backfields, they dress for the Padres game against Milwaukee, which will be played at the adjacent Peoria Sports Complex.
Before the game, Black -- who in many cases has never met these players before, let alone seen them play -- made a point to introduce himself to the players. More than that, he asks Buschini and Smith about themselves, where they are from, and their background. It's his way of getting to know these players, but also a way to defuse any nervousness they might have.
Once the game starts, Buschini and Smith take it all in. They watch how the big leaguers go about their business, how they work counts, their actions in the infield and outfield. In the fifth inning, Smith got into the game, replacing center fielder Cameron Maybin.
Smith used his best tool, his speed, as the left-handed hitter drops down a drag bunt that gets past the pitcher for an infield single. He stands atop first base, a grin from ear to ear.
Buschini doesn't get in the game, but Black vows to make it up to him.
"Hey, Buschini, next time I'll get you in there," Black said.
These two are the last to leave the stadium. They sign autographs and talk to fans. Buschini poses for a picture with his mother. His parents, not knowing he would be suiting up for this game, flew in early in the morning from the Bay Area.
Smith is the last to reach the Minor League clubhouse. And no matter how fast he can scoot down the line, news of his bunt single has reached the clubhouse before he has.
"He walked in like it was no big deal and then we all started clapping and hollering at him," Nelson said. "He just started beaming, ear to ear."
Corey Brock is a reporter for MLB.com. Keep track of @FollowThePadres on Twitter. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Please join us on Fridays for a little fetish fun in the tower play space, a little fun on the stripper pole, anyone up for a little monkey business on the conference table;)?
Fun people, great music, a light buffet and our great staff on hand to assist you.
Locals join us on Fridays only for $20.00
Open from 9pm to 4am
Local couples get your naughty on for half off!
7 members are attending this event.
Click New Orleans Swingers to find local swingers


text:
Oscar snubs leave Globes with also-ran nominees
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Hollywood's junior prom for film honors features quite a different cast than the senior prom at next month's Academy Awards.
Sunday night's Golden Globes are in a rare place this season, coming after the Oscar nominations, which were announced earlier than usual and threw out some shockers that have left the Globe show a little less relevant.
Key Globe contenders lined up largely as expected, with Steven Spielberg's Civil War saga "Lincoln" leading with seven nominations and two CIA thrillers — Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty" and Ben Affleck's "Argo" — also doing well.
Yet while "Lincoln," ''Argo" and "Zero Dark Thirty" grabbed best-picture slots for the Oscars, Bigelow and Affleck were snubbed for directing honors after a season that had seen them in the running for almost every major award.
We Recommend
- Jan. 15, 2018 See all the stars who attended!


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I dislike needles but I haven't got a phobia of them.
I do have Agoraphobia a bit - which is a fear of large, empty, open spaces. And most people I know have the opposite ( which if you can't guess is Claustrophobia) when I feel really safe in places like that - I would be perfectly happy in a closed coffin ( as long as i wasn't buried in it )
I used to have this phobia of things touching my neck, If anyone touched the back of my neck I would freeze up and not move an inch. Now that's over but I still dislike stuff on my neck so I only ever wear round or v-necks.


text:
RHS wasted nobody's time Saturday at Valley View High School and needed just an hour to sweep the Greenwood Lady Bulldogs 25-22, 25-23, 25-17 in Blazer Gym to win the Class 6A state championship. Sophomore Hunter Eshnaur was named the final's most valuable player.
The Lady Cyclones (25-11) — who started last week's state tournament as the fourth seed from the 6A East, split their conference games with Greenwood (17-14), which entered the state tournament as the No. 2 seed from the East.
That didn't matter to Russellville. The Lady Cyclones were tied, but never trailed in the first set. Eshnaur helped RHS post a 9-6 lead, which grew to 14-9 when Greenwood spent its first time out.
Russellville led 19-13 after a block by Addy Hipps, but the Lady Bulldogs clawed their way back to a 19-19 tie with six unanswered points. But they couldn't overtake the Lady Cyclones as RHS netted the last three points for the 25-22 win.
A Merideth Smith point and kill by Eshnaur put the Lady Cyclones ahead 7-3 in the beginning moments of the second game. Diana Hale's block and 9-3 lead forced Greenwood to take another time out. That worked, because the Lady Bulldogs took their first lead of the match at 11-10.
Greenwood extended that margin to 14-12 and later to 19-16, but Russellville regained the lead at 22-21 and held off the Lady Bulldogs again to win the game 25-23.
Greenwood led early in the third game, but an ace by Shannon Hocker and another kill by Eshnaur gave the Lady Cyclones an 8-2lead and forced yet another Lady Bulldogs time out. It didn't work out for Greenwood this time, as Russellville maintained a 6-point margin until it took a 15-8 lead, which increased to 18-10.
The Lady Bulldogs rallied with a 7-1 scoring run and pulled within 19-17, but it wasn't enough. The Lady Cyclones went on a 6-0 scoring spurt to end the game and bring the 6A state championship trophy back to Russellville.
Dating back to last year, RHS has won state championships in volleyball, boy's and girl's soccer, and boy's track and field, and 6A state runner-up trophies in girl's basketball and softball.


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@ChronoSphere It seems the changes I made don't agree with your system. It might be specific to your system or as you said caused by different locale of your system.
BTW did you have a chance to test the fix related to network paths?
@jkauff I'll probably release it in a week or sooner. Only problem is that this will bring many new things and I have a feeling there are missing/broken things. I'll label it as beta to be safe .
Thanks o-l-a-v, looking it now.Edit: Looks like artist info is stored as composer. Also "part" fields are missing too. I assume "part" is used for CD count?
-Added: "No delay" option for Qaac-Added: Numbers will be used for temp wav file names to prevent unicode file path problems-Added: A few improvemetns to cue sheet handling-Updated: Skinning component
-Added: Copying RG tags from lossless source to lossless output-Added: File length filters when adding files-Added: ID3v2 tagging to TTagger for better unicode handling-Added: Option to select between TTagger and Lame for tagging-Added: Options summary list to main window-Fixed: Volume change option caused encoding to fail-Fixed: Open file dialog failed to show any files-Fixed: Secondary option for embedding artwork didn't work-Updated: Opusenc to 0.1.7
Can this app do multiple conversions, such as convert FLAC to ALAC and AAC at the same time?
ozok, how's that your qaac doesn't write the Tool option? Are you using a particular command?
Quote from: eahm on 01 October, 2013, 02:07:48 AMozok, how's that your qaac doesn't write the Tool option? Are you using a particular command?TAC now uses it's own tagging tool (ttagger.exe), not encoders' tag options when it is possible. I'm guessing that's it: either qaac doesn't write it since no tag option is passed or ttagger overwrites it.


text:
Posts: 317
Karma: 1012408
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: London, UK
Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, Kindle app on the iPhone
The Amazon model works very well for me. High quality dedicated device for most of my reading, recent page synced to my iPhone / iPad / your-handy-device-goes-here for when I am out and about and have some spare time.
In terms of book choice, I'd like feedback when I click the "tell the publisher" you want this book on the Kindle link. Did you tell them, what did they say? Keep me up to date. Keep harassing them. Let me know you are doing so! Amazon should try and secure backlist rights on their own digital imprint when publishers don't want to bother. They could be much more proactive in this respect.
Finally, when the publisher makes an update correcting typos, let me know, and give me an easy way to update my library. If a new edition comes out, offer me an upgrade price.
Otherwise, they have my business for a very good reason - their model works for me. Yes, I'd prefer no DRM, but if I can read my books on many devices, I don't really care. And I'd like the books to really *be* mine, but I pretend they are, so no issue there.
Is that a sandwich?
Posts: 7,267
Karma: 89515726
Join Date: Jun 2010
Device: Searching ...
I'd like a cart.
Posts: 714
Karma: 2003751
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ottawa, ON
Device: Kobo Glo HD
Same here. Epub, no DRM, download from browser... uhm, like BAEN?
I don't mind if I have to visit multiple stores/sites to find all books.
Posts: 2,300
Karma: 4525746
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: East Coast *brrrrr*
Device: Kindle 4B/K ~ Nexus 7 ~ Kindle Paperwhite 1&2 ~ iPad Air
Padawan Learner
Posts: 243
Karma: 1085815
Join Date: May 2009
Location: www.OutlawGalaxy.com, Foothills of NY's Adirondack mountains
Device: My PC...using Puppy Linux (FBReader, Calibre, Kindle Cloud Reader,
Let me pile on..
No DRM, buy, download direct to my PC, done.
If I'm going to pay money for it, I insist on being able to download a physical copy that I can make backups for and put on my own devices.
I am tired of this proprietary app/software crap.
There are plenty of sites that are doing it correctly: Smashwords, Book View Cafe, Robot Trading Company, Peter David's website, Tobias Buckell's website, etc.
Posts: 13,952
Karma: 51337551
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Minnesota
Device: iPad Mini 4, HDX 8.9, AuraHD, NookHD+, Kindle 2,3,T, Opus, iPhone 6, +
Star Gawker
Posts: 521
Karma: 6944314
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Nanaimo, BC Canada
Device: Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Here is a few of mine:
1. No DRM
2. ePub format
3. Download to PC
4. Download directly to device if I choose
5. Synchronized meta data - if I rate a book, I want my rating to be visible to me on my PC, ebook reader and android smart phone
6. Night vision option on the Android app - choice of night colours
7. Offer some free ebooks - perhaps #1 in a series. If I like it, I will buy more in the series.
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 5,148
Karma: 24563440
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA
Device: Clié; PRS-505; EZR Pocket Pro, PRS-600, Kobo Mini, Inkbook Prime
I miss Fictionwise.
Sort by price, length, popularity, recent upload, author.
Download in several formats for non-DRMd books. (Which is all I would buy, but I don't care if other formats are carried--as long as they're clearly marked as DRM'd.)
I'd like the ability to download or view samples. Fictionwise's couple-hundred words was tolerable when they sold formerly-in-print books, but as soon as the self-pub market took off, it was inadequate. For print books, I can go to a store and flip through the book, read half a chapter if I like, to see if I like the writing style. I want the equivalent ability for ebooks.
Wishlist. SORTABLE wishlist. With subsections.
Lots of categories and subcategories. Ebooks aren't stored on shelves; you can put books "next to" each other by many types of tags.
Clear mention of publisher. (I'd hope that wouldn't need to be mentioned, but the EZReader bookstore didn't show that detail.)
I don't read DRM and I don't do wifi, so I have no stake in how or whether those features work. I just don't want them getting in the way.
Clear return policy--what happens if the store delivers the wrong file? If the ebook is corrupt, or has a cover but no text?
Customer service that responds to emails. As long as I'm talking fantasy features, how about customer service that's available by phone.
Ability to filter books out of search--either by genre/category, or format ("don't show me anything with DRM"), or by region, so non-US readers don't get halfway through a purchase before being told they can't buy that book.
Public domain texts clearly marked. Creative commons texts clearly marked. Let people know when they're allowed to play with the contents.
If the site uses Adobe DRM, clear instructions provided for that, not just "click here to visit Adobe's site and good luck figuring out how that works on your OS."
Ebooks listed by file format, not device. Or in addition to device.
Easily-findable sales/free ebooks.
No constantly-scrolling/changing images ANYWHERE unless they have an "off" button.
CEO, Ereading.com
Posts: 46
Karma: 1002524
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Device: iPad
Thanks to all of you for your input!
danskmacabre, thank you in particular for your detailed "wants". We greatly appreciate it!
Please understand that a bookstore's ability to fulfill a number of the requests I see here is limited based upon the many contractual requirements of publishers and/or distributors. Generally speaking, though, I'm in favor of your suggestions whenever possible. Here are a few specific points to consider:
** DRM-Free eBooks: I'm for them, whenever possible. However, many publishers STILL require DRM. That's not the bookstore's fault. When eReading.com is contractually required to use DRM, we will use Adobe. We believe this choice will offer our customers the most flexibility we can when it comes to DRM-protected content, for better or for worse. It's not a perfect world, but as an end-user myself I much prefer Adobe over being effectively locked into a walled-garden. Obviously, this excludes people who are hobbyists and comfortable breaking DRM.
My take on breaking DRM is that it's illegal. I don't do it and I wouldn't want people to do it to my work if it's something my publisher has elected to require, despite my wishes to the contrary. The fact is, no one is "required" to buy ebooks; they can always buy paper books. The rules are as they are, at the moment. Fortunately, though, I see that changing in favor of customers. Still, there is one practical, common-sense approach that I think should be considered by ALL readers, myself included:
If you purchased a physical book, youd be able to lend it to one person at a time, as often as you like. Youd also be able to sell it to someone else as you like, but only ONE time every time (unless, of course, you bought it back and then resold it again). I dont see why a similar policy is unfair for ebooks. For example, a family can own an ebook and share it among their devices, but only one may read it at a time.
As for authors, I think some kind of protection is needed (such as watermarking) to help prevent unfettered piracy. Authors make precious little money as it is, on average. If an individual buys 1 copy of a novel from a so-called "midlist" author and allows it to be distributed to the point that there are 10,000 or more illegal copies out there, it just might destroy the digital market for that novel. Really. Right now, digital sales are helping push print sales; but as print goes away, authors most assuredly WILL suffer from pirated digital content undermining their paid digital sales. Some authors who are friends of mine, names that you would recognize, already are suffering from pirating affecting their ability to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.
** "Spamming" via newsletters: I would hope that any bookstore would have a clearly-defined policy where a newsletter subscription is requested by the end-user. I would also hope that a newsletter would actually be useful to the customer, although I must admit I get virtually no use out of the newsletters I receive from the Big 3 or even the smaller stores. If you don't want a newsletter, however, then you shouldnt get one if youve opted out.
As far as I know every online bookstore gives customers the option to opt-in or out of newsletters and other marketing communications; in my view it should always be a clearly defined option for the customer and not something that is in any way forced upon them.
** Goodreads: Integration with them is just not realistic without the cooperation of their management team. eReading.com has approached them about this idea, but I expect they probably have their own plans for a bookstore in the future.
** Regional sales and distribution issues: These are largely a product of the publishers and their contracts, not the booksellers. As more authors put their backlist work into digital form and maintain more control over their ebook contracts with traditional publishers, I think you'll see this change quite a bit for the better.
** Re-downloading your books: You should always be able to do this. Who does not allow it? Fortunately, Ive never had to re-download any of my books from any of the stores I frequent, so Im curious about other peoples experiences.
** Owning your books outright: Not possible because of the contract between the bookstore, the distributor, and the publisher/author. More importantly, however, granting ownership of a digital file is obviously not the same as granting ownership of a physical copy of the same product, for obvious reasonssome of which I indirectly touched upon above.
** Subscriptions: I think there is a bright future for a subscription-based ebook model, but obviously it won't be for everyone. Your mileage will vary on this one, of course. Either way, I dont believe such programs will interfere too much, if at all, with traditional online bookselling programs.
** Browser downloading: I see things moving more this direction, but it will be a while. While I know some people dont like readers, Id have to say that the average customer does like a value-added, non-intrusive app for managing their libraries and other reading-related tasks. However, I think there is room for both. It will be interesting to see if there is a way for the online bookstore space to accommodate both methods in a way that is practical, cost-efficient, and meets all of the legal requirements that a bookstore must adhere to.
CEO, Ereading.com
Posts: 46
Karma: 1002524
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Device: iPad
Many, many of the things you've requested are part of the eReading.com production website and even our app, PocketReader. Your detailed list is incredibly useful, though, as it gives us real-world feedback on what avid readers like you really want out of a store and its services.
I'm curious how people feel about social networking/social interaction integration for online ebookstores and their apps?
Posts: 731
Karma: 3593438
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Australia
Device: Kobo Glo. Galaxy Tab S 8.4
ereadingdotcom: I appreciate most of my wishes are not currently not possible given the legality and the way the system works, but the question was "Your dream online bookstore" not "What, realistically speaking is your dream online bookstore"?.
Anyway, I mostly read public domain books anyway or DRM free where available.
Only if I absolutely must have a book will I jump through hoops to get it.
Actually for me it's changed my reading habits as I often read books by new authors who release their first books for free instead of spending my money on books.
If the system ever changes so I'm not penalised for buying (or as is the case buying the right to read, drm, ADE etc) books, then I will spend a hell of a lot more money on books, like I did when I bought pbooks.
I rarely buy pbooks now as they just take up too much space and are a pain to transport when moving.
The bottom line is the law regarding ebooks and their distribution doesn't change (and accepted work practices), then publishers and authors will increasingly suffer from lost revenue.
I appreciate piracy is a problem, but as a case in point, the Harry potter books weren't available in ebook format for ages. but they were downloadable from piracy sites within days (scanned and converted from the pbooks). so not even making a book available in ebook format didn't stop it being pirated.
I donot condone piracy, but making buying a book a hassle is doing noone any good.
This has been discussed time and time again on this forum though and I doubt any more discussion about it will be more enlightening, so I'll just stop here.
Posts: 2,300
Karma: 4525746
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: East Coast *brrrrr*
Device: Kindle 4B/K ~ Nexus 7 ~ Kindle Paperwhite 1&2 ~ iPad Air
Social networking: I could care less, and never link any social networking accounts to my kindle account.
It could be that teenage readers need this feature, or less avid readers, or readers of specific genres....so you could create polls (integrate yes/no and age/number of books read in 2012/genre/whatever else you can think of, into the questions, like: "I am 20-25 yrs old and I need SN features".
Also, it wasn't clear to me what the opening post was getting at. Like danskmacabre, I, too, thought you were asking about an imaginary perfect ebook store.
I'd venture to say that most kindle users are happy with their store (apart from the obvious: DRM and georestrictions), so knowing what it is they like about Amazon may help you.
I have one more that I forgot: the ability to return a book within 7 days. Though seldomly used, it gives me piece of mind.
Last edited by xendula; 01-23-2013 at 08:55 AM.
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I'm with you on the social networking - I'm not on Facebook nor any other such site, and have no desire to share what I'm reading with anyone else. I wouldn't care if a bookstore had it, as long as it didn't require, say, extra clicks every time for me to avoid it.
Seven days may be too long a return period - somebody could easily read the book in that time and claim they bought the wrong one, and return it, getting a free read.
It would be good if there was some kind of limited return period, though, in case someone did actually buy the wrong book by mistake, or open the book and find it has a lot of errors.
If the store sells books in multiple formats, it would be good to be able to filter by the type of book the buyer wants.
Something I would like, but probably is regulated by the publisher rather than the bookstore, would be to have bundles or a multi-book discount for books in a series.
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