text:
Submit News
Dutch Anti-Islam Film Site Taken Down by U.S. Service Provider
Jason Mick
March 24, 2008 12:15 PM
Recipient E-mail
Sender E-mail
A defaced image of the website promoting the film, which was removed by ISP Network Solutions.
(Source: Klein Verzet)
The current notice appears when visiting fitnathemovie.com.
(Source: DailyTech)
The video and the site sparked a large protest Saturday in Amsterdam.
(Source: Fred Ernst / AP)
Dutch filmmaker Geert Wilders faced with possible removal by his ISP may seek possible alternate distribution means for his radical film
The Netherlands is becoming the surprising center of conflict over the extent of free speech, religion and allegations of racism. The debate centers around an upcoming film by a local politician, which expresses strong criticism against Islam faith.
Several Islamic government have sought to ban materials criticizing Islam. The most recent example of this was when
Pakistan blocked the website YouTube
for promoting non-Islamic or anti-Islamic materials,
inadvertently crippled the country's internet traffic
Nearby Denmark found itself in the center of a similar controversy when a Danish newspaper aired cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, the most important Islamic historic religious figure, in an embarrassing light. The cartoon led to protests worldwide outside Dutch embassies, death threats and at least one murder.
Now Holland is back in the limelight. Dutch lawmaker Geert Wilders, head of a reactionary party which controls 9 seats in the 150-seat Dutch Parliament, promoted his new film which portrays Islam in an extremely critical light, only to find his website taken down amid a storm of criticism. The film was promoted on the site which formerly had a simple title image, the words "Fitna" ("Coming Soon"), and an image of a gilded Qu'ran.
website has since been taken down
, and a note is posted stating that Network Solutions, the U.S. based service provider, is investigating whether the site violates its terms of service. The note about Wilder's site states, "Network Solutions has received a number of complaints regarding this site that are under investigation."
Network Solutions hosts the website of Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based organization labeled by the U.S. government as a terrorist organization.
While the company could not be reached for comment, its terms of service do include a broad provision banning, "objectionable material of any kind or nature." While the former website gave scant details about the upcoming 15-minute film, to be released on March 31st, it is certain to be found objectionable by some. Filmmaker Wilders says the film will underscore his belief that the Islamic holy book is "fascist."
Wilders prepared to distribute the video over the internet after being met with refusal from television stations unwilling to grant it airtime. Wilders, who lives under police protection due to death threats, refuses to be deterred, and was quoted Dutch news agency
on Saturday stating, "How many ways are there left for me to be worked against? If necessary, I'll go hand out DVDs personally on the Dam." The Dam is a colloquial name for Amsterdam's central square.
On Saturday protesters crowded the Dam to voice their distaste for Wilders. Amid sleet and heavy wind, between 2,000 and 3,000 protesters of mixed ethnicities assembled "Netherlands Shows Its Colors" in an advanced reaction against the film. Protesters carried signs such as "Standing Together Against the Right-Wing Populist Witch-Hunt."
One protester, Elisa Trepp, said, "I'm very much against Geert Wilders and racism in general. I think it's really important to show not only Holland but the rest of the world that there's a lot of people who do not agree with his ideas."
Hassan Iaeti, another demonstrator, traveled for hours to make it. He states, "The government could really do something. That's in the interest of the country - stop him, just stop him."
Dutch officials fear that the film may spark violent protests worldwide. Free speech in the U.S. is currently solely limited against making statements that would incite imminent lawless action (riots) as defined by the case Brandeburg v. Ohio. Similar limits to free speech exist throughout much of Europe, much to the chagrin of free speech advocates. As the video may spark worldwide lawlessness, the government may see it fit to block the video.
However the government remains relatively apathetic to the situation by all indications. No prominent politicians showed up at the protest. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has said previously that he did not agree with Wilders views, but supported his right to free speech. Balkenende did add that the video could threaten Dutch interests worldwide.
In Afghanistan protesters burned effigies of Wilders and demanded the withdraw of NATO-deployed Dutch troops from the country. A Dutch court will hear complaints against the film lodged by Muslim groups, on March 28th, however Wilders can elect to release the film before then.
"A politician stumbles over himself... Then they pick it out. They edit it. He runs the clip, and then he makes a funny face, and the whole audience has a Pavlovian response." -- Joe Scarborough on John Stewart over Jim Cramer
Related Articles
Pakistan Unblocks YouTube
February 27, 2008, 10:01 PM
Internet Chaos with Pakistan and YouTube at the Center
February 25, 2008, 5:42 PM
Latest Headlines
Record surge in atmospheric CO2 increase seen
October 30, 2017, 7:25 AM
Breakthrough technologies of Today and Future
October 29, 2017, 8:50 AM
FM Radio – Most smartphones are ready for it.
October 15, 2017, 7:55 AM
How do you build the next-generation Internet?
October 13, 2017, 5:45 AM
Air France plane engine fails over Atlantic
October 1, 2017, 6:16 AM
DNA surgery on embryos removes disease
September 30, 2017, 5:40 AM
More Headlines
Most Popular Articles
Latest Blog Posts
Google Amazon Feud affects Customers
Elroy Bethell
Dec 6, 2017, 6:55 AM
Amazon Marketplace – Now Features Pet Profiles
Elroy Bethell
Dec 5, 2017, 6:17 AM
Apple iOS 11.2 – Fixes bug in iOS 11
Elroy Bethell
Dec 3, 2017, 7:02 AM
Amazon Alexa – Recognizes Different Voices & Gives Different Reponsesma
Elroy Bethell
Dec 2, 2017, 9:25 AM
Kardiaband – FDA Approved Medical Device for Apple Watch
Elroy Bethell
Nov 30, 2017, 7:45 AM
Samsung Graphene Batteries – Promise 12 Minute Charging
Elroy Bethell
Nov 29, 2017, 7:20 AM
Samsung Galaxy S9 - May Launch with on-screen fingerprint sensor.
Elroy Bethell
Nov 28, 2017, 6:25 AM
Cyber Monday 2017 – Do's and Don'ts
Elroy Bethell
Nov 27, 2017, 7:38 AM
Givenchy VR Googles – Fashion Reality Meets Virtual Reality
Elroy Bethell
Nov 25, 2017, 8:40 AM
Firefox Quantum Browser – Soon to Detect Hacked Websites
Elroy Bethell
Nov 24, 2017, 8:45 AM
Elon Musk Completes World Largest Lithium Ion Battery
Elroy Bethell
Nov 23, 2017, 8:45 AM
Uber hacked – Pays Hackers for Secrecy
Elroy Bethell
Nov 22, 2017, 7:25 AM
German Regulators ban Children's smartwatches
Elroy Bethell
Nov 21, 2017, 7:30 AM
Fake Mobile Apps – Black Friday Shoppers Beware
Elroy Bethell
Nov 20, 2017, 6:54 AM
Quantum Chips and Google
Saimin Nidarson
Nov 12, 2017, 6:45 AM
More Blog Posts
Copyright 2018 DailyTech LLC. -
RSS Feed
About Us
Terms, Conditions & Privacy Information
Kristopher Kubicki


text:
The World Expo is about to start in Shanghai, and we are excited to be here. Shanghai has been under construction for years in preparation for this event, and now the world will be able to see the results of that work.
This year's Expo theme is Urban Development, and there will be numerous pavilions dedicated to how we can improve the way we live. We think this theme is very timely, given the level of urbanization in China, and the problems it faces in terms of sustainable economic growth. Events like the Expo present a great opportunity for people to exchange ideas about these increasingly universal issues.
italki is also trying to facilitate the exchange of ideas, virtually through the internet. Even though technology has driven the costs of communications to almost zero, language still represents a significant barrier in communication. It's hard to imagine how people can work well together to tackle global issues if they cannot communicate well with each other.
If you are coming to the Expo (or are just curious), try posting it on your blackboard or in your notebook. Many italki users are interested in meeting in person, and there are lots of members in Shanghai (where we are based)! If you also happen to be in town (for the Expo or otherwise), please come and stop by — we like using Skype, but we'd love to meet you in person!
The italki Team

subset: commoncrawl


text:
source GAIA package: Sx_MilitaryTimes_M6201310304080029_5675.zip Origin key: Sx_MilitaryTimes_M6201310304080029 imported at Fri Jan 8 18:18:09 2016
For complete details about the Selective Early Retirement Board, consult MilPer Message13-089, issued April 4 by Human Resources Command.
Here are questions and answers that address specific issues for the fiscal 2013 SERB:
Q. Who will be considered by the Selective Early Retirement Board that convenes Aug. 13?
A. Regular Army officers of the Army Competitive Category who are on the active-duty list and who have O-6 dates of rank of Aug. 1, 2008, or earlier, and lieutenant colonels who have been twice nonselected by colonel boards that met in fiscal 2012 and earlier.
Those who will be exempt from consideration include officers on a recommended list for promotion, officers who have been approved for voluntary retirement as of the convening date of the board and officers who will be involuntarily retired under any provision of federal law in fiscal 2013 or fiscal 2014. This will include officers with mandatory retirement dates in fiscal 2013 and 2014.
Q. What are my options if I am in the zone of eligibility for the SERB?
A. Officers who request voluntary retirement will not be considered by the SERB.
All voluntary retirement applications must be submitted in accordance with figure 6-2, Army Regulation 600-8-24 (Officer Transfer and Discharges), and note "Subject: Voluntary Retirement – SERB-considered population."
Lieutenant colonels and Army Acquisition Corps colonels must submit their requests to Human Resources Command, Attn: AHRC-OPL-R.
Colonels, with the exception of Acquisition Corps members, must submit their requests to the Senior Leader Development Office, Attn: DACS-CMO.
Requests should be processed through an officer's chain of command to arrive at the appropriate office by July 8. Requests that arrive after July 8 will be processed up to the convening date of the board.
However, officers who miss the July 8 deadline risk being considered by the SERB if their request is not approved by the board convening date.
Q. What are the advantages of submitting a voluntary retirement request as opposed to being considered by the SERB?
A. In most cases, submitting a voluntary retirement request will provide the officer more time to prepare for his or her transition from the Army.
Pentagon officials expect that the secretary will approve the SERB results in early January 2014, which will require selected officers to separate no later than Aug. 1.
Q. Are officers selected by the SERB eligible for separation pay?
A. No.
Q. Will the My Board File system be available to officers in the SERB zone of consideration?
A. Yes. My Board File will open June 13 and close Aug. 6.
Q. What documents in the official personnel file will the SERB review?
A. The board will review an officer's performance as reflected in the Army Military Human Resource Record, which will include limited portions of the restricted file, if one exists, the Officer Record Brief, the official photograph and authorized communications, such a letter to the board president, from officers in the SERB population.
Q. What is the deadline for the submission of officer evaluation reports and academic evaluation reports?
A. Evaluation reports must be received at the Human Resources Command no later than Aug. 8.
Source: Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1 (Human Resources).
The normal career length, at one time, in years of an officer retiring as a colonel, according to Army personnel chief Lt. Gen. Howard Bromberg.
The norm for colonels' careers in the past decade.
The Army's drawdown will hit the senior ranks of the officer corps in August when a board meets to consider senior colonels and lieutenant colonels of the basic branches for possible involuntary early retirement.
In announcing the Selective Early Retirement Board now, Army officials hope that zone-eligible officers will voluntarily request retirement in lieu of being considered for involuntary retirement, said Lt. Gen. Howard Bromberg, Army G-1 and the chief of personnel.
Under a plan designed to reduce the size of the active component from 540,000 soldiers today to 490,000 in four years, the Army is reviewing a population of 500 retirement-eligible colonels and 700 lieutenant colonels for possible early retirement. The SERB can select up to 30 percent of those officers for involuntary early retirement. The cuts will be completed by the end of fiscal 2014.
The Army's master drawdown plan projects 24,000 involuntary separations and early retirements for enlisted soldiers, and 7,000 officers, by Sept. 30, 2017.
"The primary reason we are doing this for colonels and lieutenant colonels is because we have to downsize the Army and get to 490,000 soldiers [by the end of 2017]," Bromberg said. "We understand the emotion of this action, but it's something we have to do."
The retirements generated by the SERB program, both voluntary and involuntary, are included in the 7,000 figure.
This year's culling only involves officers of the Army Competitive Category.
Officers of the special branches will not be screened this year, although it's possible they could be included in future SERB actions.
Similarly, warrant officers will not be subjected to a SERB or any other drawdown-related involuntary separation actions.
However, Bromberg indicated the Army is considering lengthening promotion points for the warrant grades, while restricting accessions in some of the technical specialties to more senior enlisted soldiers than has been the case in recent years.
There could be more SERBs in future years, but that will depend on budget considerations.
"We still do not have clarity on the budget past 2014," Bromberg said. "If we have to do further reductions in the size of the Army, there may be more SERBs."
This year's SERB is scheduled to begin deliberations Aug. 13 at Fort Knox, Ky.
Officers subject to the retention review will include colonels with five or more years in grade as an O-6, and lieutenant colonels who have been passed over two or more times for promotion to colonel.
Bromberg said officers in the zone of eligibility need to conduct a self-assessment with a general officer in their chain of command to determine if they want to voluntarily retire or try to ride out the SERB.
Under law, the Army can involuntarily retire up to 30 percent of the officers who are considered by the SERB.
To encourage voluntary retirements, the Army has extended the deadline for submitting retirement request to 18 months in advance of the planned retirement.
This means officers who request voluntary retirement in July will not have to leave the Army until September 2014.
By law, officers who are selected for involuntary early retirement must leave the Army no later than the first day of the seventh month after the SERB recommendations are approved by the secretary of the Army.
Impact on promotions
The personnel chief said the shaping actions associated with the SERB should ensure improved promotion opportunity for officers competing for advancement to colonel in the Army Competitive Category.
For the past two years, the primary-zone selection rate for colonel has averaged about 36 percent.
From 2001 through 2010, PZ rates routinely topped 50 percent and occasionally approached or exceeded 60 percent.
Bromberg said that over the past decade, career officers have been staying in the Army about 10 percent longer than the historical norms of previous years.
"In the past, many colonels may have retired at 25 or 26 years of service, while today they are staying until 28 or 29 years [of service]," he said. "Now, this is very commendable that they want to stay longer, but it's occurring at a time we need to bring [retirement points] down."
Bromberg said the longer senior colonels stay in the Army, promotion select rates for colonel will remain at 36 percent, or lower.
"What we're going to do is ask some people to retire earlier than they had planned, which in turn will have a positive effect on promotion rates," he said. "We want our younger lieutenant colonels to see that opportunity to serve and to remain in the Army."
That philosophy is reflected in a recent change to the eligibility rules for the fiscal 2013 Army Competitive Category colonel board that convenes May 6.
The below-zone category, which previously was restricted to one year group of officers, has been expanded to two cohorts, including lieutenant colonels with dates of rank of Sept. 1, 2009, through Aug. 31, 2011.
This story is corrected from the version that appears in the Army Times print edition dated April 15, 2013.


text:
ORLANDO.FLA. - Orange County school board member Rick Roach has been serving the district for 16 years. For the last two years, he has been openly critical of the Dept. of Education's standardized testing program.
Roach is featured in a new documentary produced by Pennsylvania based Rockfish Productions that is set to debut January 25 at Howard Middle School auditorium.
"I think it's an education piece," Roach says, "It's what I've been trying to do for two years person by person to make them what I call assessment literate."
After some haggling over costs and admission fees Roach and the film's producer Dan Hornberger, agreed Friday to a flat fee of $500 that will, according to Roach, be paid by private groups to "be named later."
One of his most compelling issues Roach addresses in the documentary is what he calls the "traps" of the test.
"Before the pencil touches the bubble on a standardized test," he says, we know that 35 to 45 percent of those kids are gonna fail that test."
Hornberger, a veteran high school English Teacher with 26 years in the classroom says the film raises an important dialogue.
"The Florida parents who send their children to public schools need to see this film," Hornberger said.
Deirdre Macnab president of Florida's League of Women Voters says standardized testing is needed and while she welcomes debate she feels the need for core testing is something that is needed to measure every student by the same standard.
The screening will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Roach is hoping to have post film discussion to review the standardized testing issues.
Howard Middle School is located on Robinson and Summerlin. Admission will be free.
Copyright 2013 by ClickOrlando.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


text:
Rail authority looks for a state loan for 800-mile high-speed-train line
by Gennady Sheyner
Palo Alto Online Staff
Free Hotel Stay
Just months after California voters approved the sale of $9.95 billion in bonds to build a high-speed rail line between San Francisco and Los Angeles, the agency in charge of the project says it's running out of funds and is banking on a state loan to keep the work on track.
So far, several contractors have already halted their engineering work on the 800-mile rail line, which the California High-Speed Rail Authority plans to build and operate by 2020, rail authority officials said last week. According to a report issued last month by the state treasurer's office, the high-speed rail project had about $4.2 million in unpaid bills for work already performed.
Given the tight fiscal situation, the agency's Executive Director Mehdi Morshed said the agency will have to "do the responsible thing and stop work" if it doesn't receive state funds in the next few months, according to an Associated Press report.
"If we do not have any money for the next few months, we can't in good conscience ask people to keep working," Morshed said, according to the AP.
But Judge Quentin L. Kopp, chairman of the agency's board of directors, said this week he expects the project to overcome the temporary financial setback and meet the agency's projected timeline. Though he acknowledged that some contractors stopped working because of the funding shortage, he said he expects the rail authority to soon get an injection of funds from the state's infrastructure fund, which is managed by the Pooled Money Investment Board.
"Only a few contractors slowed their work," Kopp told the Palo Alto Weekly. "Many contractors are continuing to work, on the promise that they will be paid as soon as the treasurer derives proceeds from the Pool Money Investment Fund or we get some other type of financing."
The treasurer's office has placed the high-speed rail project on a list of infrastructure projects that could get a state loan, even if the bulk of the infrastructure fund remains frozen. The loan would then be repaid with proceeds from the $9.95 billion in bonds, which have not yet been sold. But the board has yet to release the money for any of the projects on the list.
The rail authority is banking on a mix of federal funds, private investments, bond money and contributions from local agencies to finance the $45 billion rail line, which would allow passenger trains to reach speeds of 220 mph and travel from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 2 hours and 40 minutes.
The San Francisco-to-San Jose section would cut through the Peninsula along the Caltrain corridor. Rail officials are expected to begin putting together an Environmental Impact Review for this section. The document is expected to analyze the various track alternatives for the train (elevated, underground or trenched) and consider locations for rail stations.
The project has stirred controversy in Palo Alto and neighboring cities, some of whose residents are concerned that the Rail Authority will take their properties by eminent domain to make room for new railroad tracks.
Rail officials have consistently warned that delays would add major costs to the rail project. Rod Diridon, who sits on the rail authority's board of directors, told the Palo Alto City Council on March 2 that delays could cost the authority about $2 billion per year.
"When you're talking about a $40 billion project, if you lose a year you lose $2 billion worth of buying power," Diridon said.
But agency officials aren't panicking yet. The rail authority is just beginning its engineering work for the eight sections of the 800-mile line and actual construction won't begin for about two years. This gives the state time to sell bonds from Proposition 1A and make the $9.95 billion available to the authority.
"We're still in the front end of the whole project," said rail-authority spokesman Jeff Raimundo. "The delay does threaten to raise costs, but if the money is released in a few months, it's not a big deal."
The rail authority also hopes to land a sizeable chunk of the $8 billion President Barack Obama included in the economic stimulus bill for nationwide high-speed rail projects. To do that, it has to demonstrate the project could be "shovel ready" by 2012.
But rail officials hope the state infrastructure fund will address the authority's immediate needs. The state's Pooled Money Investment board is scheduled to meet on March 18 to discuss the infrastructure fund. At that time, the board will decide whether to open up the fund, keep it frozen or release a portion of the funds, said Tom Dresslar, spokesperson for the state treasurer's office.
"We don't know when the final freeze on all infrastructure projects will be lifted to any extent," Dresslar said.
Kopp said he was confident that once the money is released, the halted work would resume and the project would proceed as planned. The high-speed project, he said, is in no way in danger.
"This does not threaten the overall project in any way, shape or form," Kopp told the Weekly. "And it does not delay the eventual timeline because we have about two years of engineering to complete."


text:
Fracking Coming to Washington D.C.'s Drinking Water?
Sharon Kelly | October 18, 2013
By Sharon Kelly • Friday, October 18, 2013 - 07:41
Over the past several years, the battle over fracking has brought Congressional hearings, protests and huge industry money to Washington DC. But in recent months the topic has taken on a new, more local turn in the nation's capital as oil and gas companies push to drill in a national forest near in the city's backyard and an unusual cast of charaters are lining up to oppose it.
The fight is over access to drill for shale gas in the George Washington National Forest and officials from the Environmental Protect Agency, Army Corps of Engineers and the National Park Service have come out in opposition, even though some of these same federal agencies have in other contexts helped to promote expanded shale gas drilling.
The forest is one of the East Coast's most pristine ecosystems, home to some of its last old growth forests.
Horizontal drilling, key to shale gas extraction, has never before been permitted in the George Washington National Forest. But as the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service prepares a new 15-year plan, drillers are pushing hard for the ban to be lifted despite the industry's long record of spills, air pollution and water contamination on public lands.


text:
Police appeal after van stolen from Sprowston street
PUBLISHED: 17:17 01 February 2013 | UPDATED: 17:17 01 February 2013
Archant © 2012
Police are appealing for information after a white Ford Transit Tipper van was stolen in Sprowston.
The theft happened near the green in Foxburrow Road between 7pm last Sunday and 7am on Monday.
The van was later found abandoned in Necton Road, Dunham.
Police would like to hear from anyone who may have seen the vehicle being driven in the area, or who has information concerning the incident.
Witnesses should contact PC Rob McNaugher at Sprowston Police Station on 101 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.


text:
Giants offseason off to decent start, but what's next?
The Giants have opened the offseason with three significant moves. They exercised the $5 million option of reliever Jeremy Affeldt, signed reliever Javier Lopez to a two-year, $8.5 million deal, and traded pitcher Jonathan Sanchez to the Royals for outfielder Melky Cabrera.
All solid moves, at least in this blogger's opinion. But what do they mean going forward?
For one, it basically settles the bullpen for 2011. The seven pen pitchers would be right-handers Brian Wilson, Sergio Romo, Santiago Casilla and Ramon Ramirez and lefties Affeldt, Lopez and Dan Runzler. Romo, Casilla and Ramirez are arbitration-eligible. So it's possible that the Giants could consider packaging Casilla or Ramirez in a trade that could bring more offense, and then give someone like Waldis Joaquin a shot. But we'd consider that unlikely.
It also settles the rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong, Madison Bumgarner and Barry Zito. And with the availability of solid candidates within in the system to step into the rotation right now, it also seriously reduces the odds of the Giants considering a trade of Lincecum or Cain this offseason.
Another non-move by the Giants was the re-signing of infielder/outfielder Willie Bloomquist with Arizona. Word has it that the Giants offered Bloomquist more than the $3.8 million, two-year deal he got to stay in Arizona. Word has the deal the Giants offered was $4.6 million.
The Giants are still looking to upgrade their offseason by either adding a starter either in the outfield or shortstop (filling both holes unlikely).
I don't know that the Giants' attempt at Bloomquist really indicates a particular intent of the Giants in their offseason plan. I think with Bloomquist's versatility, it just would have given them options. If they go out and sign an outfielder (Carlos Beltran), they could plug Bloomquist in at shortstop. If they sign a shortstop, Bloomquist could play the outfielder, as well as provide insurance behind Freddy Sanchez at second. It's unforunate Bloomquist opted to stay in Arizona.
Both Ken Rosenthal and John Heyman have surmised that the acquisition of Cabrera makes Beltran no longer a fit for the Giants.
MoreSplashHits disagrees. Even if the Giants sign Beltran, they were still going to need someone to play center field and potentially leadoff. The Giants had made the decision that they didn't want to go forward with Andres Torres filling those roles. Rosenthal went on to describe the Giants' budget issue with so much 2012 money dedicated to pitchers. Well, the acquisition of Cabrera actually could end up saving the Giants money. So I don't see how the Cabrera deal takes them out of the pursuit of Beltran.
The Giants need add one more, if not top shelf, higher-shelf free agent bat. We see that being Beltran or SS Jimmy Rollins. Jose Reyes will get too many years, too much money for the Giants to be a serious bidder. With Beltran or Rollins, you're looking at a two-year or three-year deal for less money (even though Rollins is seeking a five-year deal. Good luck with that, J-Roll).


text:
Win a Canon Digital Rebel SLR on CasaSugar
Submit Your Lovely Little Vignette For the Chance to Win a Canon Digital Rebel SLR XSi!
Have you been decorating lately? I'm sure you have, and I want to see all of your fabulous homes! To help you practice your interior photography skills, we've decided to give away a Canon Digital Rebel SLR XSi to one lucky reader! And it could have your name on it!
To enter the giveaway, all you have to do is join the Lovely Little Vignettes group and share an image of a decorating arrangement you've created in your home, or seen elsewhere, along with a brief description. Not quite sure what a lovely little vignette is? This slideshow should make it clear. You can even submit your photos and details by phone if you want to! Enter as many times as you like — the more vignettes the merrier! The giveaway ends Nov. 5, so snap to it! Check out the full list of rules here. Good luck, my lovely little decorating photographers!


text:
Every Monday, Scott Andrews contributes Officers' Quarters, a column about the ins and outs of guild leadership. He is the author of The Guild Leader's Handbook, available this spring from No Starch Press.
Here at Officers' Quarters I receive a number of e-mails every week that don't get featured in the column. Sometimes they are too personal and the sender requests that they do not appear on the site. Others are topics I've already addressed. Some are questions that don't require a long and detailed response and thus don't have quite enough depth to merit an entire column. This week I am featuring a few of these latter e-mails with the common theme of loot. If you think the topic requires more discussion than I've given it, tell us about it below!
Culling the Strong
I am a part of a raiding guild which has been having a lot of growing pains. I have been with this guild for several years and many of the new players that we get are very poor players in general. I can often out dps someone in my same class running with my spec who has better gear. My guild has a loot policy which gears the lower dps players first in an effort to help progression, even if they have better overall gear than me.
Every Monday, Scott Andrews contributes Officers' Quarters, a column about the ins and outs of guild leadership. He is the author of The Guild Leader's Handbook, available this spring from No Starch Press.
I have decided to start looking for another guild and wanted to know if it is ok to stay in my guild while applying to another guild so I can still raid or if I should leave now so that I do not take badges and gear that could go to helping out the guild I am in?
I can sum up this loot policy in two words: rewarding failure. I don't blame you for leaving. If you're definitely going to gquit, the honest thing to do is to tell your officers that you are applying to other guilds. You could even do them a favor and tell them why, so they understand that their policies are pushing quality players out. Say this in private so you don't stir up public drama. Then let them decide if they want you in raids until you leave or if they want you to pack your bags immediately.
If you're undecided about leaving, then it may be better to keep your applications private for now and only reveal your intention to quit once you've made that decision. Keep in mind, however, that some guilds check rivals' websites to see if their players are app'ing around. If you get caught this way, you should expect a negative reaction. In the meantime, what you do about loot depends on the system. If you have unspent DKP that you've earned, you have the right to spend it. If your guild just rolls for loot, you may want to pass on items that other players want.
Good luck finding a new guild!
A Helpful Guild
I just yesterday had a problem with my guild that I've been very happy with, I got Battered Hilt out of Forge of Souls and announced my happiness in guild chat. I was asked if I was going to sell it *they go for 8k-10k on my server* I said Hell yes I'm going to. While shouting in Trade Chat a guildie on an alt character messaged me and asked if I would sell it to him, I gave him a discount of 6000 as everyone in trade chat was shouting with me saying 10k. Later that day GM and several other core raid members starting yelling at me because I "Sold" the item instead of giving it for free and how "we are a helpful guild" and I was being a douchebag for not giving it to the person for free. How he has limited internet and can't do raids with us and how I should have been nicer to give it to him for free.
As they were yelling at me and calling me all sorts of unpleasant things they invite me to group for our normal ICC raid night. Is it me, should I have given it to them for free? Confused and not sure what to do, stay in guild with people I've had a blast with in vent, or move to another guild I have friends with and get to another guild and become another core member. They say that the whole reason they are pissed is because I sold it to him and should have given it for free, but he messaged me offering to buy it not the other way around, he's been in guild since the beginging and should have known "guildies give for free" as I've only been in like 3 weeks.
I think you got a pretty raw deal here. You've only been in the guild for a few weeks. You can't be expected to know the guild's culture yet. When a member approaches you offering to buy something from them, how are you supposed to know that such things are frowned on? Is this policy in writing somewhere?
Certainly you could have asked an officer before selling, but I don't think that's something anyone would normally do for a private transaction between guild members. Furthermore, you did sell it for less than market price on your server, so it's not like you were trying to take advantage of the buyer.
If they won't drop the issue and you'd like to remain in this guild, I'd recommend offering to return the money. It's not worth 6000 gold to be the focal point for abuse. However, such an over-the-top reaction is not an indication of a happy future for this guild or your place in it. Thus, you may want to shop around for a community that's a bit less judgmental.
For the officers involved, I would recommend setting down your policies and making sure new members are aware of them rather than resorting to guilt trips and name-calling.
The Abyss Gazes Also
I'm the only officer in a guild that's falling apart, our guild leader along with several officers have left/are leaving the guild. A couple days before things started to unravel, I'd talked to the guild leader and told him that if the guild was going to fall apart that I was going to take the abyss crystals I helped put in the guild bank. I was told by him that it was ok, so when things started to fall apart i took the crystals I put in the bank as I was the official disenchanter for our raids.
I was later asked by a former officer of the guild why I took the items and was called a ninja. My question is should I put them back in the guild bank with no idea what's going to happen to them or should I keep them. As it stands there's a member of the guild that's wanting to become the new guild leader but I'm still uncertain of the right actions to take there
Uncertain officer
Hi, UO. I'm wondering why you feel like you have a personal claim to those crystals. Is it just because you DE'ed them? Your guildmates worked just as hard to down those bosses, so in my opinion they belong to the guild, not you. Your former guild leader apparently thought differently, and he's entitled to do so.
Regardless, I don't think it's fair to call you a ninja. You asked for the crystals from the person in charge at the time and you acted on the answer you were given. You did not steal them or obtain them through deception.
A better solution, if the guild does disband, would be to distribute the crystals evenly among the remaining raiding members. If the guild survives, the crystals should remain in the bank for member use (including you, if you stay). Either way, allowing one player to take them all isn't the right way to handle the situation as far as I'm concerned.


text:
MADISON - Deric Rudolph, a free-shooting guard from Savannah State, once shot 16 3-point attempts in a single game this season. Against Wisconsin none of his three shot attempts went in.
He was held scoreless.
Joshua Montgomery, the Tigers top perimeter scorer, didn't score any points and didn't even take any shots. He was held to one rebound and a missed free throw.
It was just another defensive day in the office for the No. 14 Badgers, improving to 10-2 with a 66-33 pasting of an overmatched Savannah State squad Thursday night inside a suppressed, if not lifeless, Kohl Center.
"It don't look special," Savannah State head coach Horace Broadmax said regarding UW's defensive effort. "At the end of the day they stay in position and allow you to take jump shots, but they contest the jumpshot.
"They don't put themselves out of position."
Cedric Smith and Arnold Louis each scored eight points for the Tigers, which, not coincidentally, scored just 33 points on essentially 33 percent shooting.
Only starter Jyles Smith (2-of-3, four points) shot better than 50 percent from the field for Savannah State.
"I know our defense made them work to get a good shot," UW head coach Bo Ryan, who's team forced eight turnovers, said. "That's all you can ask. I thought we did a good job of taking away what they pose as their threats.
"Every game you're obviously trying to do that, but some teams have so many threats that it makes it hard to concentrate on two or three."
Wisconsin would probably qualify as one of those teams Ryan alluded to.
Four Badger players finished with double-digit scoring. Jared Berggren led the way for the second consecutive game, shooting 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-2 from distance, to score a game-high 13 points.
"I guess the last two games I've shot the ball pretty well," Berggren, shooting 65 percent from the field during that time frame, said. "There were a couple of moves in the post that were a little questionable, but overall I guess I was hitting some shots.
"I've felt pretty good the last two games."
UW's versatile big man scored six of his 13 points during a game-opening 16-4 run that essentially salted away any hopes Savannah State might have had to at least hang with the Badgers for a while.
Wisconsin, having played a nailbiting and physical game at Milwaukee just two nights ago, sensed an opportunity to step on the Tigers throat and did exactly that.
"No matter the circumstances we have to try to come out with energy," UW senior Jordan Taylor, who scored 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, said. "It doesn't matter. You've got to find a way to do it.
"We came out sluggish in the second half which was kind of disappointing, but we got it going there a little bit toward the end."
Ryan Evans (12 points) and Josh Gasser (10) rounded out the double-digit scoring quartet Thursday night.
But the story of this game had everything to do with a team that held it's fourth opponent of this young season to 33 points or less.
"That's a pretty low number," Gasser said. "It's pretty good, I think. I didn't really know that. We don't really focus on the number standpoint. Sometimes we're going to force teams into tough shots and they're going to knock them down. Others, our defensive principles are going to overtake.
"I guess we don't really focus on that number, but at the same time I guess it's a pretty impressive stat we can hold our hats on."
Savannah State did make an 8-4 run early in the second half to chop Wisconsin's lead down to 15, but that was as close as the Tigers - - a team that has already played road games at Georgetown, Indiana, Butler and Wisconsin - - would get.
Nine Badgers scored Thursday night, including a bucket each from reserves Evan Anderson and Duje Dukan. It was simply that kind of night for a team that's next challenge comes on the academic side of things.
It's finals week.
"It's not like we're going to forget about basketball these next few days," Berggren said. "But we'll take an opportunity to get healthy with minor things here and there and get ready for the next one."
Team notes:
-By holding Savannah State to 14 points in the first half, Wisconsin has now limited six of its 12 opponents to 20 or less points in the first half. Wisconsin has also held 10 of its 12 opponents to their season-low point total.
-Defensively UW is allowing just 44.7 points per game, good for tops in the nation.
-In an ongoing streak, Wisconsin has now held 16-straight opponents to 65 points or fewer, the nation's longest such streak.
-By shooting just eight 3-point shots Thursday, Wisconsin attempted its fewest number of 3-pointers in a game since shooting seven in a 61-39 win at Milwaukee in 2007.
-Duje Dukan collected his first career steal and finished with two for the game, one of which led to a breakaway dunk during the final minute of the game.
-Anderson tied a career-high with two points. He also established a new career-high with three rebounds.
-Frank Kaminsky blocked three shots, a new career high.
Bo Ryan on the Milwaukee Bucks signing of Jon Leuer:
"He's chasing the dream. Life is pretty good when you can do that as a result of a ball bouncing and having t-shirts and a pair of shorts and sneakers. Look what you get. You get an opportunity to pursue a profession. These guys, they have a love for the game and they have some opportunities. Whether they all make teams or whether any of that happens, that's all you can ask for. A chance."
PHOTO GALLERY: Wiscosnin defeats Savannah State


text:
MICHAELS OF OREGON CO Reflex Open Top Holster
Its father has been on duty and mission ready for 15 years. Its mother was the first injection molded Kydex concealment holster on the market. Born out of real world performance, the Reflex Holster combines the best technology and design have to offer. Precision engineered by the Uncle Mike's Team, the Reflex Holster was designed to meet the challenge of performing with gross motor skill function in almost any condition.
SPECIFICATIONS:Mfg Item Num: 74211 Category: HOLSTERS & ACCESSORIES Type :Open TopColor :BlackMaterial :PolymerSize :1 3/4 in beltModel :Finish :PolymerGun Mod :Add Mod :Mount Type :Belt ClipBelt Size :Up To 1 3/4 in


text:
Nintendo has a special Valentine's Day present for all of its fans — a new installment of Nintendo Direct. Tomorrow's presentation will focus on upcoming Nintendo 3DS and Wii U games. I ask you, what better gift can a Nintendo fan ask for then a look at some of the year's highly anticipated games?
It's unclear exactly which games will be shown off, but we're hoping the company delves further into the library of upcoming games mentioned in the prior Nintendo Direct. Last month, in a Wii U-focused Direct, Nintendo revealed their lineup of future Wii U games including a brand new Zelda, a remake of The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker, a new Super Smash Bros. which will be debuted at E3, two new Mario games, and an intriguing game from Monolith Soft codenamed "X".
This time Nintendo will have to leave room for its popular 3DS handheld system. Last month Nintendo also revealed Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, two brand new Pokémon games that will launch exclusively for the Nintendo 3DS. Other than that, I imagine we'll get a better look at some of the already-announced 3DS titles.
Tomorrow is certainly shaping up to be an exciting day for Nintendo fans. The Nintendo Direct presentation will begin at 6am PT/9am ET. As always, tune in to GameZone for live updates and analysis on the latest announcements.


text:
Fair General Manager Ralph Shoptaw says attendance through Friday has numbered 319,424 — compared to 308,022 at the same point in 2012. With sunny skies and highs expected in the 60s and 70s, Shoptaw says he expects large crowds.
Fair officials say 51,953 people attended the fair Friday — the eighth day of the fair. That's down from 66,632 on the eighth day of last year's fair. Thursday's attendance was also down from a year ago.
Shoptaw says the weekend weather looks "perfect" and he expects to surpass last year's attendance totals.
The fair will end Sunday.


text:
Fret not, Missouri fans. Point guard Phil Pressey's knee injury was diagnosed as a mild knee sprain and he'll only have to sit for a few days.
Forgive Missouri fans if they're a bit sensitive about such things. The Tigers lost power forward Laurence Bowers, arguably the team's best player, in preseason to a torn ACL last year. So when Pressey banged knees with a teammate during a practice this week, gasps were to be expected.
"Fortunately, Phil will be fine," Missouri coach Frank Haith said in a statement. "We will put him in a brace for a couple of days and then he should be cleared, but I'm not sure I see a need to play him in Europe to be honest. He wasn't going to play a lot anyway. He had such a busy summer that he could use the rest and I want to see some different combinations out there while we have this opportunity."
Missouri is practicing in advance of the team's five-game, 10-day exhibition trip to Europe that begins next Wednesday.
The exhibition games, plus the 10 bonus practice sessions allowed in advance of the trip, are especially important for Haith as he's trying to work transfers Alex Oriakhi, Tony Criswell, Jabari Brown, Earnest Ross and Keion Bell into the rotation.
With so many newcomers -- plus the return of Bowers -- Pressey's presence is needed. After all, it's the point guard's job to get everyone involved and keep everyone on the same page. Even without Bowers, Pressey helped lead the Tigers to a 30-win season. Big things again are expected. Missouri is ranked No. 12 in Sporting News' preseason top 25.
"Everybody's doing what they're supposed to be doing to get ready for what we want to be the most special season in Mizzou basketball history," guard Michael Dixon told Sporting News.


text:
Fri, 03/09/2012 - 1:41pm
Coming Sunday: Celebrating Girl Scouts of the Lowcountry
Born in Savannah, the Girls Scouts have been in existence for 100 years.
In Sunday's Bluffton Today, we visit with some local residents who reminisce about their time as a Girl Scout, the cookies and everything else.
Savannahian Juliette Gordon Low launched the organization on March 12, 1912, and it has since grown to some 3.2 million members throughout the U.S.


text:
Over the weekend, a few images of Antutu benchmark test results popped up that betray some of the internals of the Galaxy S IV.
First, the processor. The test results, provided by Androidiani, show the device to be running Samsung's Exynos 5410 processor. This eight-core chip is clocked at 1.8 GHz per core, arranged in two 4-core banks. The test results are of course off the charts. Some are unconvinced that the Exynos will be used in all GSIV variants, however. Samsung has, in the past, used Exynos chips in world market devices, but switched to Qualcomm Snapdragon chips for devices sold in the U.S. The processor will be paired with 2 GB of RAM, and the GSIV looks like it will be available with 16 GB and 32 GB storage options.
As expected, the GSIV's screen will measure 4.99 inches and will have a full 1920 x 1080p HD resolution. Samsung generally uses Super AMOLED displays in its smartphones, but the leaked performance benchmarks don't point to the GSIV's screen technology.
In terms of connectivity, the GSIV may be a "world phone," meaning there may be only one version that will be sold in most markets around the world. This assumption is being made thanks to a setting in the benchmarks that shows GSM/WCDMA/LTE for network support. Of course, GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi are on board, too.
The GSIV looks like it will include a 13-megapixel main camera that can shoot 1080p HD video and a 2.1-megapixel user-facing camera for video chats. Smartphone makers have really taken to the camera as one feature to customize and make unique. Look at the HTC One, for example. Instead of ramping up the pixels, HTC dialed them down and added the ability to record still images and video at the same time (something HTC refers to as Zoes). The leaked specs don't hint at any new camera features in the GSIV, but this is one area I would look for Samsung to innovate.
As far as software goes, Android 4.2 Jelly Bean is what shows up in the benchmarks. There's no word on what customizations will be added by Samsung. The company's TouchWiz user interface is generally a part of all its Android smartphones.
Monday morning, Samsung added its own kindling to the speculation fire with a teaser video for the Unpacked event. You can watch it here:


text:
Work, don't gloat
Regarding your Nov. 12 front-page headline, "Here's why both parties can gloat":
Why don't they all accept that the election is behind us and quit playing their juvenile games and get on with the job they were elected to do?
Republican, Democrat or other are supposed to be there for the people of this great nation -- not for themselves and their petty games at our expense.
Beverly D'Angelo
Values still strong
The elections are now behind us and unlike in many "civilized" socialist countries, those of us who didn't have it go our way didn't take to the streets, burn cars and buildings, or riot. Yes, I'm one of those "RED" persons. And 50 percent of this great country accepted what happened peacefully and we've moved on. One thing it did, for sure, was heavily reinforce that our strong traditional conservative values are still rock solid and will remain in place. In fact, I see myself and many others (again, think 50 percent of the country) working even harder now, to make sure we continue to live these same values day by day. And do everything we can to bring about a better result down the road. And back to what we are.
Conservatives have high integrity and moral values, love our family and neighbors, give a lot back, etc. We just work really hard, pay our taxes (way too much) and tend to keep a smile on our faces. The sad thing to me is the fact that the country truly is split 50-50.
If we could only find a little leadership, those colors, red and blue, might begin to blur and blend. Reminds me of a great and powerful race car sitting there with the engine idling. Time to hit the gas and move forward.
Al E. Bavry
A new Enlightenment?
Now that Ayn Rand's posthumous last novel (aka the 2012 Republican electoral fiasco) is acknowledged to be a weapons-grade flop, her hollow hero exposed as an appallingly misinformed narcissist, and "survival of the vicious" resoundingly discredited as a political philosophy, let us agree to abandon such dirty words as "conservative" and "liberal," embrace Thomas Paine's common-sensical observation that we have it within our power to create a more perfect union, and persuade any would-be architects of hereditary dystopias that they really ought to study a little history. We might call this "Project Enlightenment, Part II."
William Anderson
Thanking voters
To all the nice people in Englewood and Port Charlotte who I've recently met, I'm sorry. I met several hundred local citizens at their homes during the last few months while campaigning for the Romney/Ryan ticket. Most people welcomed me as we discussed our candidates and the situation in the U.S.A.
My message is that we didn't really lose. We presented, by most objective viewpoints, the most qualified presidential and vice- presidential candidates possible. A majority of the citizenry turned us down. We did the best job we could and showed up at the polls in strong numbers. In Charlotte County we won by several thousand votes. Thanks for all your efforts.
Perry Kleine
Rotonda West
Anti-union rule hurts
In regard to Dana Milbank's column and another letter, I would like to add that many of those moocher states are also right-to-work states. I wonder how much of that mooching is required because of right-to-work ideals that effectively freeze out unions and keep wages low or stagnant in order to keep corporate profits high.
We see again and again the typical corporate behavior of privatizing the collection of profits while socializing the responsibilities of generating the profits. It appears that to be profitable a corporation has to pass expenses off to the taxpayer, at least in the moocher states. Whether it is paying barely living wages, pollution, cronyism, or corruption, in a sense corporations and their stockholders effectively bill their profitability to the taxpayer. So we have in effect socialism for corporations, which according to conservatives is good, yet somehow socialism for people is bad.
I suppose it is all a matter of which politician is getting paid. And make no mistake: Every corporate tax break, environmental "look the other way" or incentive, regardless of city, county, state or federal, is corporate socialism.
Insist upon union-made, American-manufactured goods. That is the only way to turn the economy around and restrike the balance that has been lost since the ideas of Ronald Reagan and Grover Norquist bled America dry.
Todd W. Hicks
Top Siesta priorities:
Parking, beach
Re: Siesta Beach upgrade plans:
The people from the north are coming for the beach, folks, not to play tennis, not to go to the second floor of an "overlook." They want parking spaces and don't give a hoot about plantings in the lot. Come on, let's get real here. How many people last season gave up after three tries for parking and left with a bad taste in their mouth? Get rid of the tennis, plantings, and extra walkways. Add more handicapped parking closer to the beach, and delay the additional restrooms and concession stand renovation till the future.
You can double the parking for less that $5 million and still be ready for the season, but if not, well, it's your loss. In Jersey, everybody gets to the beach in season.
Allan Stonehouse
Saturday letters
Work, don't gloat


text:
ESPN insider KC Joyner listed his 10 Young Stars to Build Around and has Philadelphia Eagles RB LeSean McCoy at the top of his list. The prerequisite to be eligible for this list is to be under 25 years of age at the start of the 2012 season.
Interesting choice for his No. 1 by Joyner…he chose him over players like Mathew Stafford and Cam Newton, two good young players who play the most important position in football.
I love McCoy just as much as the next Eagles fan and think he's a great player to have as part of your core group. He's extremely talented and a top-3 running back in the NFL, but I guess I'm old school because I'd take a QB over a RB 10 times out of 10 as my top choice to build a team around.
Also, Dan Graziano, ESPN's NFC East blogger, had asked 20 coaches and General Managers at the owners' meetings which young player they would most like on their team. In that, Cam Newton was named the most often (4 out of 20).
However, I suppose the question was a little different because they asked what young player (under 25) they'd like to have on their team. That's a different question than what young stars they'd like to build around.
Interestingly, two people out of the 20 coaches and GMs actually answered "Torrey Smith", the WR from Baltimore. I hope it wasn't an Eagles coach or GM who gave that answer!
Smith might be a nice player, but he wouldn't even crack my top 10 of players under 25 I'd want on my team, let alone be my top choice.
Anyway, kudos to McCoy for again being at the top of someone's list. He's receiving much recognition this offseason and was rewarded with a nice contract.
Let's hope he handles all of his new-found success like a pro.


text:
ACParadise Network: American Cosplay Paradise American Cosplay Experience American Cosplay Snapshots
Hi there! My name is Addy, a cosplayer for 5 years or so now. I'm lucky to have wonderful people to do this hobby alongside, and hope to meet more! See you. (:
Recent Updates
Newest Favorites
Newest Fans
Recent Comments
- Mr.Monk says, "Can you please tell me where you bought your outfit from? I am looking for it to wear possibly on a regular basis (at least the jacket). Is the material very sturdy or not? The costume is very expensive, but if it is good craftsmanship, I don't mind! Tha"
- For Yosuke Hanamura from Persona 4


text:
Original owner of:
1971 BMW R75/5, 1984 Yamaha Venture, 2002 Suzuki DR200SE, 2013 Triumph Trophy SE, 2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT, 2016 Moto Guzzi Stelvio, 2017 Zero DS ZF 6.5., 2017 Zero SR 13.0 with Pwr Tank.
Original owner of:
1971 BMW R75/5, 1984 Yamaha Venture, 2002 Suzuki DR200SE, 2013 Triumph Trophy SE, 2016 Kawasaki Versys 650 LT, 2016 Moto Guzzi Stelvio, 2017 Zero DS ZF 6.5., 2017 Zero SR 13.0 with Pwr Tank.
I've gotten 51mpg riding the back roads from Jacksonville, FL to Savannah, GA on my 2006 HD Softtail. The best my CLC did riding the same route was 44mpg. I weigh 265lbs and do not expect to get the same mileage as much lighter riders. Comparing mpg among riders is like comparing apples and oranges. Ride Safe
Cave Contents: 1980 R100RT/Ural Sidecar, 2004 R1200CLC, 2006 HD FSXTI
Ride Safe
the old adage was "10 lbs = 1 hp". (not sure how that compares as a %age of mpg, and its too early in the morning for my brain to want to do math- but its not like comparing suspension settings and handling characterstics across disparately sized riders.
Ride Safe, Ride Lots
Moringa, your body & brain will thank you! PM for discounts Smart Mix at TasteMoringa.com
XM3 Energy, real energy for the body & brain, no sugar high, XM3.Energy
My '07GSA1200 has a 10 gallon tank from factory, so the 8.something book data is wrong. My bike has had a fuel strip reader issue a few times, but once failed on me and I was not paying attention, ran her dry. I preceeded to put 10 gallons in the tank, an even 10g.... I had gone over 400 miles, but not recommended if you like riding, not walking. I too have heard the newer GSAs get better mpg's, NOT confirmed. MY best has been mid 40s range(riding very conservatively), worst, mid 30s for mpg's, running hard in Texas at 80+ mph all day. I have griped constantly about poor gas mileage(GSAs), so maybe BMW is listening. My only fear is having to buy another 22000$+ motorcycle to get it. I have promised myself the answer is NO in that regard, so replacing my GSA1200 with another is out. Smaller bike? Maybe! Randy PS; EVEN my OLD R100/7 gets the low 40s for mpg's and NOT my new fangled, everything latest BMW/GSA. Backwards technolgy in a way? Even the latest BMWs still surge ahead with MORE HP and I continue asking WHY! I like performance, but put some conservative gas usage in there somewhere on the "bigger 1200cc and up bikes" too. Just maybe someday, before I quit riding. I already know the RTs and KLTs do it right, with all that faired surface. GSAs, no smoothness about them, BUT? I hear talk about the new ones and gas! Maybe just talk or???? Randy, getting carried away
At 80mph, 2-up & loaded, my GS/A will go 360+ miles per tank.
Like Saddleman, I generally get 50 mpg on my 05 KLT, riding two up. Best was 52, worst 47. Generally count on stopping at around 270 miles, sometimes the light has just come on, sometimes no light.
Much of your problem with gas mileage has a lot to do with the simple fact that the GS and the GSA have horrible aerodynamics. The resulting air drag (parasitic drag in aircraft terms) causes you to use a lot of gas to push it through the air. Even the position and design of the windscreen will effect mileage. My RT computer shows about a 2-3mpg loss if I run the windscreen fully up as compared to fully down. The large top case is worth about 3-5 mph unless there is something sitting in the passenger seat to fill in the gap behind me.
The other problem is that as a general rule, to double speed uses about four times the energy: you need a bunch of HP to push the beast faster and faster resulting in much more fuel consumption and way less gas mileage.
Running fast on a big fat heavy bike with square bags uses a lot more gas compared with something like the RT which is very clean aerodynamically. At 80-85 MPH the computer on my Camhead RT is mostly showing 50mpg depending on load. A friend with the Camhead GSA usually is showing 35-40-ish running with me at those speeds. A friend who rides a K1600GTL gets 45-50 mpg running similar speeds.
Last edited by ka5ysy; 11-09-2012 at 11:55 AM.
Doug, 2011 R1200RT Polar Metallic
MSF #127350, Instructor, Louisiana Dept of Public Safety
Motorcycle Safety, Awareness & Operator Training Program
NAUI Instructor #36288, Board Member, Divers Alert Network
Doug, 2011 R1200RT Polar Metallic
MSF #127350, Instructor, Louisiana Dept of Public Safety
Motorcycle Safety, Awareness & Operator Training Program
NAUI Instructor #36288, Board Member, Divers Alert Network


text:
Unreal Engine is an award-winning 3D game engine and professional toolset used in blockbuster video game development, architectural visualization, mobile game development, 3D rendering, digital films and more.
Anyone. Everyone. You. At GDC 2014, Epic Games released Unreal Engine 4 to the world, releasing all of its leading-edge tools, features and complete C++ source code to the development community to build games for PC, Mac, iOS and Android. Learn more here.
Every aspect of the Unreal Engine toolset is designed with ease of content creation and programming in mind, empowering artists and designers to develop assets in a visual environment and giving programmers a highly modular, scalable and extensible framework for shipping games in a wide range of genres.
Also, UDK is not only a set of rendering tools, it also contains a vast array of APIs and tools designed to let you create real world physics, powered by NVIDIA's PhysX engine, as well as built-in game networking, artificial intelligence, facial animations, video codecs, foliage editors, audio support, and powerful scripting.
NVIDIA and Epic have a long history of collaboration. In fact, UE4 is optimized for NVIDIA GPUs and mobile chips.
"Epic developed Unreal Engine 4 on NVIDIA hardware, and it looks and runs best on GeForce."Tim Sweeney, founder, CEO and technical director of Epic Games.
In addition, Epic Games uses NVIDIA Tegra Android Development Pack and Nsight Tegra, Visual Studio Edition as their Android development environment for Windows PCs.
"NVIDIA's Tegra Android Development Pack (TADP) and Nsight Tegra Visual Studio Edition 1.5 enable a turnkey Unreal Engine 4 development environment for Android. These tools simplify installation of an Android development environment, and ensure that Visual Studio building and debugging of UE4 and NDK is completely seamless."Epic Games on NVIDIA Tegra Android Development Pack and Nsight Tegra.
NVIDIA has made it easier than ever for game developers to add leading-edge technologies to their Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) games by providing custom UE4 branches for NVIDIA GameWorks technologies on GitHub. Learn more here.
Learn more here.
NVIDIA has made it easier than ever for game developers to add leading-edge Virtual Reality technology to their Unreal Engine 4 (UE4) games by providing custom UE4 branches for NVIDIA VRWorks technologies on GitHub.
Learn more here.


text:
FYI/TMI: Zooey Deschanel And Ben Gibbard Officially Split
(In an effort to keep you fully informed, and fully entertained, below we present today's FYI and TMI — news you need and news that's, well, sometimes needless….)
Nielsen To Acquire Arbitron
Global information and measurement company Nielsen has signed an agreement to acquire radio and media measurement company Arbitron Inc. for $1.26 billion, according to a Billboard.biz report. Nielsen currently provides information spanning music sales and TV ratings in countries around the world, and its acquisition of Arbitron will help boost its current radio measurement service.
Are Deschanel And Spears Unlucky In Love?
On the opposite end of yesterday's report on two pairs of love birds who announced they'll soon be officially tying the knot, it seems some are still unlucky in love. The divorce of singer/actress Zooey Deschanel and Death Cab For Cutie's Ben Gibbard has been finalized, according to a report. The court documents reportedly state the marriage cannot be repaired by counseling or mediation, and that Gibbard no longer possesses Deschanel's heart. (OK, maybe it doesn't state that.) In related news, heartbreak could be looming for Britney Spears, whose relationship with Jason Trawick is rumored to be on the rocks. Definitive news on the rumors has yet to surface. Until then, keep on dancing until the world ends.


text:
Adapted from a recent online discussion.
Question: I found out recently that a good friend of mine is having trouble getting pregnant. She's miscarried once and has had fertility problems since - this has been going on for two years, but she's a pretty private person and just told me a couple of months ago. I felt awful that she was going through this and, of course, told her she was welcome to talk about it with me anytime.
Since then, she hasn't brought it up on her own, and I've had a hard time knowing when and how to ask how it's going. The last time I asked, about a month ago, she was going through an in-vitro cycle. She hasn't brought it up since, and I don't know how long it takes to determine whether it was successful or not. When we met for lunch yesterday, at one point there was a lull in the conversation, like she wanted to say something but didn't, and I couldn't find a way to bring it up without just coming out and saying, "So how's the baby thing going?" Any advice for being a supportive, but not overbearing, friend?
Answer: You're soooo close here - you're listening, you care, you're attuned to her feelings. That's going to carry you most of the way, so trust that.
The one thing I'll suggest is that instead of the "So how's the baby thing going?" you toyed with at the last lull, use the next one to say, "I think a lot about you and wonder how your fertility efforts are going, but I'm not sure how or even whether to ask. Would you like me to check in, or let you bring it up when you're ready?"
Comment: I could be your friend; I am in almost the exact same spot. Like anything that is full of emotional land mines and grief, sometimes you want to talk, and sometimes you don't.
But I am never offended if someone asks how things are going. If I want to share things, I do. If I don't, I give a quick answer and change the subject. Carolyn's advice is good; ask her how she wants you to handle this. The process of in vitro is a very hard road. It's full of hope, and if it doesn't work, the grief can be enormous. Just continue being a good friend, which it sounds like you are.
Answer: Thanks for weighing in, and good luck.
Comment: I ask people how I can be most helpful to them. When my sister was going through her divorce, I told her I could be there as her sounding board, or I could just let her not talk about it if that's what she wanted. Let them know you are willing to be a safe space, whether that means a place to vent or a place that they can not think/talk about it anymore. Also, let them know they can change their mind about it anytime they want, that's fine.
Answer: I like this too, thanks. What all of these approaches share: centered on the friend, and also specific. You want to offer some options, not shift more weight to your already burdened friend.
Chat with Carolyn Hax online at noon Fridays at www.washingtonpost.com.


text:
Black Widow Demo
by: DudleySoft • 13
All Android applications categories
by: DudleySoft • 13
In the year 2009 the criminal mastermind known simply as the Shadow escaped while being transported to a high-security prison facility.
In 2012 the UN receives a message from the Shadow, he has a number of nuclear devices placed in cities around the world and will detonate them unless his demands are reached.
The ransom, $1Billion.
The UN resolves to send their best operative, a one man army, Bill 'Black' Widow, in to deal with the problem and to stop his evil plans.
Play as Bill 'Black' Widow as you make your way through the Shadow's base in your bid to stop his plans in this update of an original BBC Microcomputer game released back in 1994, with modernised graphics and gameplay.
This is the demo version of the game, you can buy the full version on the Google Play store.
Tags: black widow
from 13 reviews
Download Black Widow Demo
Free - 1.1 - 17M
Share this app


text:
Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, February 14, 2013, 4:38 PM
Town Square
Old oak in Rinconada Park to be felled
Original post made on Feb 14, 2013
Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, February 14, 2013, 4:38 PM
Comments (5)
a resident of Community Center
on Feb 15, 2013 at 11:01 am
I believe that part of the issue with these Oaks not surviving is the poor watering or rather overwatering of Rinconada Park. I have lived by the park for over 20 year. OFTEN you can be walking through mud around or under the drip line of these big oak trees. The irrigation does not accomodate their growth.
Once they start watering the lawn again you may as well where some rain boots while walking across the lawn specificallty between the tennis courts and Walter Hays School. The lawn is either soaked or bone dry in various locations.
a resident of Leland Manor/Garland Drive
on Feb 15, 2013 at 11:10 am
I was very dismayed to read of these trees being felled. I believe the one that they are scheduling to remove next was the tree that I climbed many times as a child. If it is the one closest to Embarcadero it was the best tree for climbing growing up in Palo Alto. I remember an incident when my little brother climbed up that tree (encouraged by me and my older brother) and had to be rescued by my Dad who had to drive our '42 Chevy woody over to the park. He stood on the roof of the car which he had to pull onto the lawn of Rinconada Park to rescue my brother. I was just walking past that tree the other day and had very fond memories of being cradled in it's boughs for hours. So sorry to see it go but glad that it will be turned into mulch and recycled to help nourish other trees. This is a good way of honoring the life of this tree.
a resident of Community Center
on Feb 15, 2013 at 6:51 pm
I grew up here, and spent all my girlhood summers climbing some of these oak trees. This really saddens me, as they are like old friends. But it is true that oaks do not like too much water, it gives them root rot. Too little, and they are prone to oak viruses ( my brother is a plant pathologist at UC Davis).
The California Live Oak is a state protected species, and it is a shame that the City Arborist has not seen to their proper care.
a resident of another community
on Feb 16, 2013 at 9:30 pm
I have the qualifications to be a Palo Alto Forester-- see a tree; cut it down.
a resident of Community Center
on Feb 19, 2013 at 9:39 pm
I've lost confidence in the City Arborist after the destruction and loss of so many Palo Alto trees --Cal Ave, San Antonio, Eleanor Pardee Park.
This time we're not lying. HONEST! No, really!
By Douglas Moran | 11 comments | 939 views
Couples: When Wrong Admit It; When Right; Shut Up
By Chandrama Anderson | 0 comments | 828 views
One-on-one time
By Cheryl Bac | 0 comments | 600 views


text:
I wasn't kidding when I said that metallics are the biggest thing for spring and summer. When beauty companies got wind of metallic liners on the Spring fashion runways, they decided to create some sparkling products of their own. You can pick up a chunky glitter pencil, or, for a sleeker look, try one of the new metallic liquid eyeliners featured below.
Luminous Eye Liner by Chantecaille ($22) is the brand's first-ever liquid liner product. These pens are deeply pigmented and contain high levels of pearl for a glittering and glamorous look. The liners are available in four iridescent musical shades: Tempo, Pianissimo, Allegro, and Crescendo.
For two more must-have metallic liquid eyeliners,
Glitterama Glitter Liquid Eyeliner Trio by Sugar Cosmetics ($25) is a shimmery metallic liquid eyeliner set created for party gals in search of a sophisticated sparkle. The set contains three pocket-sized tubes, each with a very fine brush for optimal precision. The colors included are Sparkling Pink, Sparkling Blue, and Sparkling Silver.
Long Lasting Metallic Eyeliner by Sephora ($10) is another richly pigmented liquid liner that has serious staying power. These liners are extra smooth and have a thin felt tip for easy application. Available in six metallic shades: Aubergine, Copper, Blue, Dark Grey, Forest Green, and Silver.


text:
JetLites X-51 Lights
|(4 Reviews)
Product DescriptionJetLites has announced the release of the new E-LITE Series: X-51. The E-LITE Series: X-51 is a single beam LED using the latest in CREE LED technology available for helmet mount or single and dual bar mount. The bar mount fits standard and oversized bars and is unique in that it allows vertical light head adjustment even while riding and is a snap to install. The helmet mount also has vertical adjustment and is the only mount recognized by the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute for its patented breakaway safety system. The lighthead weighs only 90gms, 356gms with battery, and puts out 825 Lumens. It is powered by high quality Panasonic Lithium Ion cells contained in the new, scaled down, more durable case. The case is designed for a better fit on all bike geometries with a waterproof strain relief connection and a one-way breather valve. The X-51 produces more of a spot beam pattern and compliments the flood pattern of its brother the A-51. The E-LITE series line is all mix and match so the rider has the ultimate in lighting versatility.
Mtbr Bike Lights Shootout - over 50 bike lights reviewed, photographed and measured here.
JetLites X-51 Pro Review
Jet lites does not mess around. The proprietor, David Joseph solves problems then he iterates over and over until the solution is as good as can be for his customers. He pays deep respects to the work of the founder Jim Taylor as he keeps Jim's legacy alive with quality and safety for the mountain biker. The design is solid as the light is robust and the mount is one of the best. This version of the light comes with the latest CREE XM-L led and that really is the brightest emitter available today. Continue reading →
Review Options: Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating
|Reviews 1 - 4 (4 Reviews Total)
User Reviews
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2012
Strengths: Quality build, bright light, good battery life. The handlebar mount is great and doesn't move around but still gives you the ability to adjust it up and down. It is really well built.
Weaknesses: Battery mounting system (velcro strap and rubber brace) could be better, but hasn't caused a problem for me.
Bottom Line:
Expand full review >>
Price Paid: $239.00
Purchased At: Jetlites.com
Bike Setup: 2012 Specialized Hard Rock Disc 29er
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2012
Strengths: Size, Battery life, light output, helmet and bar mount, construction of light, customer service
Weaknesses: battery holder for frame is wierd, zip ties work better
Bottom Line:
Expand full review >>
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid: $199.00
Purchased At: Jet lites
Similar Products Used: NiteRider
Bike Setup: Niner Air9
Date Reviewed: March 10, 2012
Strengths: Very bright, durable, MADE IN THE USA.
Weaknesses: None thus far.
Bottom Line:
Expand full review >>
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Purchased At: Gift
Similar Products Used: Nightriders
Bike Setup: Ventana El Ciclón, Fox RP23 shock, Fox 32 Talas 140RLC fork, Chris King/DT EX500 wheelset, Shimano XTR/Sram X.9 drivetrain.
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2012
Strengths: 1)Easy setup 2)Sleek and lightweight 3)Can be used on helmet, bars or any other place the helmet mount can be strapped 4)Made in U.S.A.
Weaknesses: None found thus far.
Bottom Line:
I am very impressed with this light! It is quite bright and the run time is adequate for most situations. The beam pattern is slightly more focused than the A51 which is a common complaint with that system. The X51 is definitely enough light for riding in the majority of conditions that most people will encounter. In fact, it is enough light that I often use it when riding my dirt bike as well as my mountain bike. I haven't used it for extremely fast desert style riding yet, but it is enough light for fire roads up to 50 MPH.
I won't get into the whole "lumens" debate since I think pretty much every light on the market is over rated. I'll just say that it is bright enough. Almost as bright as my JET Blast 1000. However, the Blast I run has the Narrow beam pattern so it is really more of a thrower with a very bright hot spot. In many cases the Blast is just too much light. When riding in lots of moon dust it can become a bit of an issue. So lately I have been finding myself just using the X51 instead.
The light head is rugged while still being light weight and compact. It uses a push style button switch that is easy to manipulate even while wearing thick gloves. It also has a LED light built in so you can see if the light is plugged in. (As with any high powered light, DON'T leave it plugged in!) This LED will change from Green to Red when the light approaches the 20 minute left mark on high and 40 minute mark on low. It is impossible to see this when it is mounted on a helmet, but can be used in any other configuration. The connection is solid and is also easy to use while wearing gloves.
My favorite feature of this light is probably the helmet mount. It offers an almost infinite range of adjustment which can be done on the fly. This is an awesome feature for commuters who are worried about blinding oncoming traffic. The break away design is another welcome feature that I have accidentally tested myself and can vouch for. It probably saved my neck the few times I have failed to duck enough to clear a low hanging tree branch.
In addition to the actual design features, the helmet mount is quite versatile. By removing one of the straps it can be installed on the shoulder strap of every backpack I own. Voila! A hands free backpack light that blows any head lamp out of the water. The battery is light enough that I don't feel guilty tossing it in a 70LB pack on a multiple day trip. I recently brought it on a slightly snowy and very cold 3 day backpacking trip. The temperatures reached -3 F at night and I figured that it would just end up dying because of the cold. To my surprise, it was the only light that lasted the trip. Even headlamps with spare AA, or CR123 lithium batteries all died on the second night. The X51 ended up pulling double duty as a shoulder mounted light as well as our camp light when all others failed.
Getting back on track: the battery is sized so that it can be placed in pretty much any hydration pack. It is durable enough to drop onto concrete from a lifted truck and come away with only minor scuffs. The charging system is simple and is whisper quiet unlike some systems.
In conclusion, I love this new X51! If I were to nit pick, I would like to see one more light level to increase runtime even more. But really if I need more than 6 hours then I have bigger things to worry about than how much light I have left.
By the way, I just got my new JET Lites F1 cordless and it is sweet! Bright enough to ride fast with and small enough to replace my every day carry flashlight. Only had it for 1 day so more to come on that. Now I have many Streamlight and Surefire flashlights to give away next Christmas!
Expand full review >>
Duration Product Used: 3 months
Price Paid: $199.00
Purchased At: Jetlites.com
Similar Products Used: Lots of bike lights. Mostly JET lights, nightriders, lupines, etc.
Bike Setup: Intense SS1 Frame with new style lower link, DHX 5, Fox 180 Talas Kashima. Deity bars, Thompson stem and seat post. Sram XO/X9. Maxxis Minion DHF front and rear, Sun MTX rims and Hadley hubs.
|Reviews 1 - 4 (4 Reviews Total)
Review Options: Sorted by Latest Review | Sort by Best Rating


text:
Fan might keep home run No. 756
Murphy will weigh options after delayed trip to Australia
By Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
And in between, there was pandemonium.
Matt Murphy recalls that chaos lasting seemingly forever. The Queens native was just settling down in the AT&T Park bleachers with a crab sandwich and a beer, when Barry Bonds came to bat in the fifth inning of Tuesday's game in San Francisco.
Bonds connected. And the ball -- the 756th home run of his career -- headed straight for the crab meat.
"I knew I had like a second, and I just dove head first," Murphy said. "I was the first person to get my hands on it and I held onto it for dear life."
The ball initially landed above Murphy, but bounced off an eager crowd and made its way just to his right. And though he was the first one to arrive at the scene, he certainly wasn't the last. A giant scrum piled on top of Murphy, who was clutching the ball into his chest. He was the only one who could touch it, but he certainly wasn't the only one trying.
He was scratched, clawed, pulled and prodded until the San Francisco Police Department arrived and began pulling bodies away. And Murphy was so agitated by that time that he began fighting the police as well -- until he realized who they were.
"The police were there within a minute," Murphy said. "But that minute was the longest of my life."
Murphy's friend, Amir Kamal, had no idea what was happening all the while. He never even saw Murphy dive into the pile, but once he realized who was at the bottom, he began fighting his way through the crowd until the police pushed him back.
But he'll likely remember what happened next for the rest of his life.
"He like basically just looked at me," Kamal said, "and I knew he had the ball."
And thanks to that quick police work, he still has it. The SFPD whisked Murphy, 21, and Kamal, also 21, from their room at the Holiday Inn to a posh suite at the Hilton. Since then, they've both retold the story more than they'd care, spent their day with the phone ringing nonstop and living a dream they've often joked about, but never really believed.
"I haven't slept," Murphy said, "just because I'm holding on to making sure the ball is safe."
It is safe, stowed away in an "undisclosed location" for the time being. The two friends were only in San Francisco on a layover from their trip to Australia, where they'll be heading -- one day later than expected -- on Thursday.
Murphy will be back in the States in two weeks, at which point he'll decide just what to do with his new prize.
For now, he's torn. Part of him -- the baseball fan -- wants to keep it. The other part -- the businessman -- yearns to sell it. He'll take advice from others, and figure out what he'd likely have to pay in taxes to keep the ball before he decides to hold it. Collectors have estimated its worth in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, though that may not be exactly what Murphy is after.
"I really want to keep it because this is a serious part of history, and I'm a huge baseball fan," said Murphy, who aims to visit every ballpark at some point in his life. "Will I sell it? I'm not saying that I won't, I'm not saying that I will. I don't need the money to survive."
What he will have either way -- at least for now -- is the fame. It's fame unlike any the SUNY Buffalo grad has ever seen, and he's basking in it. After all, that's why he wore his Mets jersey to San Francisco, and why he wears it to every baseball game he attends.
Murphy, it seems, loves the attention.
"I'm going to wear my Mets jersey when I catch it, and I'm going be all over the news in my Mets jersey," was what he boasted to friends before the trip to San Francisco. "When I go to another stadium, I always rock the Mets."
Now everyone knows it. Thousands saw the game live, and millions on television. They saw the Mets jersey, the banged up kid from Queens, and the $100,000 prize. Seeing, they say, is believing.
But even Murphy still might not believe.
"I'll believe it when I see the dollar figures," Murphy said. "It just hasn't sunk in yet."
Anthony DiComo is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


text:
|Related Sections:
|Oak Bluffs
|Dukes County
Farm Neck Golf ClubFarm Neck Way
Oak Bluffs, MA 02557
Phone: (508)693-3057Fax: (508)693-0822
This course was built near the ocean. The course has small rolling hills and plush fairways. The greens are large and fast, and there are water hazards that come into play on at least seven holes. "Golf Digest" rated this course as the 5th "Best Public Course" in the state for 1996. The 6,798-yard championship tee also has a ladies' course rating of 78.4 and slope of 137. The 6,101-yard men's tee also has a ladies' course rating of 74.8 and 129. The 5,004-yard ladies' tee also has a men's course rating of 63.8 and slope of 115.
|Holes: 18
|Greens: Bent Grass
|Fairways: Bluegrass
|Greens Fees:
|Course Type:
|Dress Code:
|Collared shirt, no cutoffs, denim OK
|Apr 10 to Dec 25
|Guest Policy:
* Update this Course: Update/modify the details for this golf course's listing.
*All Greens Fees provided are subject to change. Please call the golf course to confirm the current fees.


text:
TRU-SPEC 1-2-3 Promotion Offers Popular 24-7 Series Pants at All-time Low Prices
Marietta, GA - The upcoming TRU-SPEC® spring promotion on 24-7 Series® tactical pants was the talk of the 2012 SHOT Show. The 1-2-3 promotion offers substantial price discounts on multiple pair of the ultra comfortable, distinctively styled on-duty/off-duty pants that have become the hands-down favorite of law enforcement officers, public safety personnel and civilians.
Particulars of the 1-2-3 Pant Promotion include:
Dates: April 1 through May 31
Available products: 24-7 Series® tactical pants with patented cargo pockets
Men's and women's sizes, most colors, 65/35 polyester cotton rip-stop
Special pricing:
- Buy one pair - 15% off
- Buy two pair - @ 20% off
- Buy three pair - @ 25% off
Available only at participating TRU-SPEC® dealers.
For more information, visit the TRU-SPEC® website at www.truspec.com, or look for store posters at participating retailers.
Request more product info from TRU-SPEC®.
Thank You!


text:
Registration is now open for WEVA iVideoShow, our industry's first-ever Online Convention & Trade Show dedicated to wedding videographers & event filmmakers, developed and presented by Wedding & Event Videographers Association International (WEVA).
WEVA iVideoShow registration is FREE and open to all. First 500 to register are automatically entered to WIN two free roundtrip tickets (continental US) from American Airlines in the special WEVA Bonus Prize Drawing. Register online now Click Here!
"With no hotel or travel costs, everyone worldwide can attend and discover new wedding and event video/DSLR techniques, technologies, and marketing strategies for the new season ahead. Best of all, registration for everyone is free," said WEVA International chairman Roy Chapman.
Powered by advanced Unisfair technology, WEVA iVideoShow will present On-Demand presentations by WEVA Creative Excellence Award Winners and Industry Experts, full-day video/DSLR Trade Show (11am-7pm ET) with show-only discounts on new products.
Plus, there will be Live Q&A with Featured Speakers (at scheduled intervals). Network with industry professionals worldwide, and Live-Chat on Round-Table topics throughout the day at your own convenience without leaving your home or studio.
Featured Speakers
WEVA iVideoShow featured presenters and topics will include:
* Ray Roman, Ray Roman Films (FL) - How to Create Killer Wedding Shots Using Basic Techniques
* Philip Bloom & Dennis Lennie F-Stop Academy (London UK) -Fusion: Streamlining Your HD Workflow
* Javier Villarreal, Watermark Studios (IL) - Adobe After Effects Made Easy
* Larry Jordan, Larry Jordan & Associates (CA) - Top New Features in Final Cut 7
* Robert Neal, Glass Slipper Productions (PA) - Tips & Tricks for the Panasonic AG-HMC150
* Sara Frances, Photo Mirage HD (CO) - Fusion Techniques: Using Canon's New DSLR Cameras & Accessories
* Andre Foster, FS Media Solutions (London UK) - Jump-Starting Business Success: What Every New Wedding Filmmaker Needs to Know
* Lance Gray, PixelPops Design, LLC (TX) - Fast & Fabulous: Killer Graphics in Seconds
* JUST ADDED.... Jorge Jaramillo, Cinematografia de Bodas (Matamoros, Mexico) - Creative Editing Techniques, (en Español)
"The WEVA iVideoShow Featured Speakers are scheduled for LIVE-Chat Q&A on their session topics during show hours so you can get your questions answered while you are attending the Show and visiting the exhibit booths online. The Live Q&A schedule will be posted shortly with show updates emailed to all registered attendees," said John Zale WEVA's Director of Educational Development. "In addition to the featured presentations, there will also be an exciting selection of moderated LIVE-Chat sessions on key industry topics including new marketing, new camera/DSLR technologies, ceremony & reception bootcamp topics, moving camera techniques, audio issues, and more."
You won't have to leave your home or studio, or even miss work to attend the show. "The convenience of attending online, matched with new IT developments, social media, and amazing 3D virtual design makes this cutting-edge event unlike any other event produced for our sector of pro video," Chapman said. "Online Expos are now being presented in more sectors of business every day. WEVA iVideoShow - The Online Expo for Wedding & Event Video is an exciting breakthrough for our industry on a global scale."
No Travel CostsWEVA has teamed with Unisfair (Unisfair.com), the leading developer in virtual event technologies to bring together wedding and event video professionals and industry suppliers worldwide -- all with no travel costs, no geographic barriers, and no time away from work. So far, more than a half million people have participated in over 500 virtual events developed through Unisfair.
Visit the online Trade Show Hall in full-screen display and LIVE-chat at tradeshow booths with digital video and DSLR manufacturers and industry suppliers. Watch video clips streamed from exhibit booths, download product info, scoop-up Show-Only Discounts on new cameras, new digital products, accessories, and more.
In the WEVA iVideoShow Conference Theater you can select On-Demand Video and Audio Sessions then jump to LIVE Q&A with presenters afterwards. And, you can network, share info, and live-chat with colleagues in the Networking Lounge during the entire show. Facebook and Twitter will be tied into iVideoShow to further enrich the social media experience.
Attending WEVA iVideoShow The Online Expo for Wedding & Event Video is the perfect way to bolster your professional development this winter. Watch for more information on registration and programming on www.WEVA.com soon. For exhibitor information, contact Dan Argenas at email@example.com or Roy Chapman at firstname.lastname@example.com or call WEVA at 941-923-5334 or email firstname.lastname@example.com.
About Wedding & Event Videographers Association International (WEVA)Founded over a decade ago, WEVA International is the largest trade association for professional wedding & event video producers, shooters and editors and leads the field with education that's on the cutting-edge of industry developments and new technologies. See the full list of WEVA International membership benefits at www.weva.com.


text:
I am not one who shoots random people photos regularly. However, due to recent traumatizing work experiences (if coming home from work at midnight is not traumatizing I do not know what is) I have started to pick up odd and unusual photography habits. Yes, to a certain extent I do believe the photographs do reveal parts and pieces of the photographer and his current state of mind.
If you do a quick research online, or reading guides on people photography on the streets, you will find probably a few dozens of guidelines, many of them contradicting themselves.
Engage Your Subjects, or Shoot Stealthily?
Some would suggest shooting from a distance, being as discreet as possible so you will get a natural looking outcome with the people going around their usual activities, without the slightest hint of the photographer being present. naturalism works at its best in this approach. On the other hand, some others would suggest the photographer to approach the people before photographing them, asking their permission, and making small talks to engage a more personal feel to the overall result. This would often produce images with impact especially photos with direct eye contact with the people you photograph. Adding the drama and story behind the photos may seem like a good approach, no doubt. However, I believe if you go to a beggar at the KL back alley, you might most likely end up going home with an empty camera bag and probably a few broken fingers.
Therefore, keeping a safe distance away from unpredictable psycho maniac beggars out there on the streets should be my priority. Screw all those engaging the subjects techniques, I am not buying it.
Fixed Focus/Prime Lens, or Long Tele-Zoom Lens?
Some strongly recommend the use of a fixed focus lens, or prime lens. 50mm, or 35mm are popular choices to be used on shooting people on the streets, since their visual coverage is closely similar to human eye's perspective. It is encouraged to move yourself as you compose the shots, since zoom is not present on this category of lenses. I used to own a 25mm and 35mm lenses (50mm and 70mm in 35mm format, which were my pancake and macro) but I dare say I did not find those two lenses to be much of use on the streets. On the move, I treasure the ability to zoom, and reach my subjects at any point of location I was standing on. The ability to reach to far places that you are probably physically limited, for example standing behind a fence, or on the opposite side of the road, the zoom lens come in really handy. I am not saying which is better, zoom or prime, but to my preference and shooting style, I would choose tele-zoom anytime.
Black and Whites
I do not know why, but 9 out of 10 street people photos I have come across on the internet or magazines, were in black and white format. For some reasons, B&W is favored over all other types of treatments. I can clearly see why, on the streets many distractions are present, such as the trash bin at the road side, the leftover chicken rice polystyrene white box on the walkway, or that busybody aunty staring from the side. By converting to B&W all the distracting elements composed of different colors are reduced, and your main subject is drawn out as the main attention. I am not exactly a fan of B&W myself, but I do convert my photos every now and then when I see more benefits of doing so. Nonetheless, B&W can produce very powerful people photographs, especially being shot at close range. I have not made any of those shots in this entry. I shall try harder to grab those close-up shots in the future.
Morning Walk
It was the weekend, and life seemed to slow down a pace or two, and I found myself waking up extremely early. I know I should have slept in till at least past noon right? I must be crazy or something to wake up too early.
I made my way to the city, and found myself strolling down a busy street not too far from a wet market. I found a cool shady location to lay my huge heavy ass on, and got my gears ready for shooting. For the first time, I was not actively stalking my subjects. All I did was wait for something to happen. It was a little bit like fishing, I have got to be alert and waiting all the time. When I saw some opportunities coming by, I had to ready myself, and start snapping away. Some shots I managed to capture, but there were misses too. This went on for hours, until it was close to noon.
The shooting process itself was quite enjoyable in this session. I did not have to sweat, and it was really fun watching people from a distance, and immerse yourself in the daily walk of the people in the busy street. Observing their actions, and their facial expression were more than rewarding for me. Gosh, am I getting old?
I am not really a people person. In contrast to that, I do however, enjoy shooting people. I should do this more.